Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

The vote is over - yes.   But since KR and her cronies are going around saying how they will hold people
accountable who supported the ambulance tax district,   I am reminding them that many residents will ALSO
hold those who opposed the ambulance tax district accountable.      
My analysis is not flawed -- because as everyone with any common sense knows IF there is a tragedy and
there is the PERCEPTION that ambulance service was not 100%  ..... the people will be demand answers.

I have said no such thing...I have called for accountability on the ALS scandal...and your proponents for the unnecessary
tax should be doing the same.

Perceptions work both ways...the same could be said if anyone dies while REMS is in route to an emergency or didn't arrive at a
hospital in time. The fact is this will happen regardless of the responding ems providers...with or without taxes. If you were to
compare response rates and times you would find that Mohawk has the much higher response rate and, unlike REMS, they have
consistently maintained response times that meet or exceed national standards.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

To  KR who wants the sick and dying to be laying on the side of the road:
But only ONE is promised to be in the town at all times --  
and the Mohawk ambulance facility in the city is at least 3-5 miles from the town line ...   that will add
minutes to their response times ... minutes that can mean the difference between life and death.

I never said I wanted anyone sick and dying on the side of the road either...and they won't be.

Mohawk's back up isn't just sitting in their city facility...their ambulances are on patrol...just like REMS roams around Rotterdam and
other municipalities. The distance from one end of Rotterdam to the other is more than 3 miles for crying out loud.

Again...REMS would be subjected to the same occurrences that would face Mohawk or any other provider. There simply is no legitimate
basis for your arguments...you're just pouting again.

Not pouting at all ---  just telling you folks the situation out there.   Many residents are extremely upset
with the politicians who opposed the ambulance tax district.   Don't expect to be welcomed with open
arms by these residents.  

Well...the electorate will have a hard time holding politicians accountable for THEIR decision when no one in this administration
has taken a position on the tax...that was the whole idea Ron...to blame the electorate either way. The only candidate who openly
supported the tax lost....just as candidates that openly supported it last year lost.

a question for the conservatives on this forum......

why isnt anyone going after the 270k that the town is currently paying for the paramedics?

Whys is it NOT ok to fund the ambulance service but I dont see anyone complaining about the cost of the medics?

For an extra few bucks an hour to Mohawk ( and a savings of 270k a year ) Mohawk could provide the paramedics AND the ambulances to Rotterdam....

Quoted from gadfly

Well...the electorate will have a hard time holding politicians accountable for THEIR decision when no one in this administration
has taken a position on the tax...that was the whole idea Ron...to blame the electorate either way. The only candidate who openly
supported the tax lost....just as candidates that openly supported it last year lost.

The vote should have never taken place to begin with. There are many towns in nys that have faced the same taxing issue. And it never made it past their town board. Many town boards flatly refused to put a taxing district for an ambulance service up for a vote. They refused to spend tax payer's money on an unwarrented vote. They took a stand and opted for the private route while supporting their decision with 'we (the government) are not in the ambulance business'.

Quoted from bumblethru

The vote should have never taken place to begin with. There are many towns in nys that have faced the same taxing issue. And it never made it past their town board. Many town boards flatly refused to put a taxing district for an ambulance service up for a vote. They refused to spend tax payer's money on an unwarrented vote. They took a stand and opted for the private route while supporting their decision with 'we (the government) are not in the ambulance business'.

I have always felt the same way...the vote was never necessary because the tax itself has always been unnecessary. The way I saw
it was that if we were going ahead with the vote despite the unnecessity, the rigged circumstances and the ALS revelations, then
keep the focus on the tax free alternative and tell everyone to just say NO.

Quoted from 1023

a question for the conservatives on this forum......

For an extra few bucks an hour to Mohawk ( and a savings of 270k a year ) Mohawk could provide the paramedics AND the ambulances to Rotterdam....

This option should certainly be explored.  

Quoted from 1023

a question for the conservatives on this forum......

why isnt anyone going after the 270k that the town is currently paying for the paramedics?

Whys is it NOT ok to fund the ambulance service but I dont see anyone complaining about the cost of the medics?

For an extra few bucks an hour to Mohawk ( and a savings of 270k a year ) Mohawk could provide the paramedics AND the ambulances to Rotterdam....

You're right...Mohawk could provide both at no cost to taxpayers...only to the users as it should be. One of the biggest obstacles
with the paramedics is union issues. IMO, the paramedic program could be phased out through attrition while Mohawk absorbs
more and more of the ALS calls. Meanwhile, Mohawk would be reimbursing the Town for ALS service, which would significantly
decrease annual paramedic expenditures.

Quoted Text

DiLeva gets pretty petty over REMS vote


Now that Rotterdam voters have soundly defeated a referendum on ambulance service, it seems those for the referendum are upset with how the vote was conducted [Dec. 15 Gazette].
    It also seems Town Board member Nicola DiLeva has turned out to be just the opposite of what she claimed to be before being elected! When running for office, she talked about the mismanagement of the previous administration and their way of doing business. After being in office a short time, she joined with Gerard Parisi, a holdover, and has changed her tune.
    It was very clear that the voters didn’t want it! Unfortunately, Ms. DiLeva closed her ears to the voices of taxpayers and opened them to those she claimed were out of touch with taxpayers! Yes, the voting could have been held in a better manner, place and time, but those who voted did so because it was their right!
    Mr. Del Gallo, our town supervisor, may not be the most polished leader we have ever had, but he surely is the most honest and determined one! There is nothing wrong with disagreeing with other members of the Town Board, but the welfare of the town must take precedence!

    JOHN C. D’AMICO
    Rotterdam

http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01106&AppName=1

Quoted from Admin

http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01106&AppName=1

Another FDG cheerleader.  What is he looking for a job with the town too?

The only reason why certain folks did not want a referendum on the ambulance district .. is that
they are opposed to the basic principles of a democratic republic --- they want EVERYTHING to happen
as they want it .. and don't want it left up to majority vote.

Seems to me that these folks have spent a lot of time studying their nefarious heroes from
past totalitarian regimes.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

The only reason why certain folks did not want a referendum on the ambulance district .. is that
they are opposed to the basic principles of a democratic republic --- they want EVERYTHING to happen
as they want it .. and don't want it left up to majority vote.

Seems to me that these folks have spent a lot of time studying their nefarious heroes from
past totalitarian regimes.

Seems to me, a majority DID rule - rather than having it forced down their throats by royal decree.

Quoted from 147

Seems to me, a majority DID rule - rather than having it forced down their throats by royal decree.

Seems to me that you and KR and a bunch of folks were whining for months that there should NOT
be any referendum on the issue.  

Since the Town Board can not create a tax district without a referendum --- your "royal decree"
comment is meaningless.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

Seems to me that you and KR and a bunch of folks were whining for months that there should NOT
be any referendum on the issue.  

Since the Town Board can not create a tax district without a referendum --- your "royal decree"
comment is meaningless.

There should never have been a costly referendum because the tax was never necessary.