Only a NNN Fu{ktard like Littlefield would want to INCREASE TAXES FOR ALL OF ROTTERDAM FOR THE LUXURY OF A FEW WELL-HEELED SPECIAL INTERESTS IN WATER DISTRICTS! This is the GOP way -- raise taxes on working people and shaft women and children and working families -- all the while making sure special interests like sewer districts and their beneficiaries are ENRICHED!
Just called and left a message with the OSC Division of Legal Services requesting a return call from one of the attorneys to discuss legality of appropriating special tax district revenues to town general fund. Based on the criteria stated in my last post, I believe that applying tax receipts from a subset of town residents living within a tax district to a fund that is to pay for services for the entire town is against existing statutes. But, I will withhold final judgement until I hear back (shortly) from a municipal law attorney.
Anyone from the media want to join me in my investigation?
Rotterdamians are showing more concern over this move/transfer of funds from the water/sewer district. The didn't think it was legal but didn't know who to call or how to find out.
Thanks for the information. I'm sure it will be more then helpful to the concerned rotterdamians over this latest move!
As a side note......exactly how many attorneys does rotterdam employ??? One would hope to believe that they looked this budget over BEFORE the 'stroke of midnight budget' was proposed and passed.
The sad part is that the rotterdam residents NEVER had a chance to look it over or prepare statements or ask questions.....AGAIN!!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
These opinions represent the views of the Office of the State Comptroller at the time they were rendered. The opinions may no longer represent those views if, among other things, there have been subsequent court cases or statutory amendments that bear on the issues discussed in the opinions.
Recent Opinions
Opinion 2011-1 INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES -- Officers and Employees (serving as staff of not-for-profit corporations) -- Powers and Duties (hiring employees to serve as staff of not-for-profit corporations)
Opinion 2010-4 AMBULANCE SERVICE - - Contracts (by fire district for “back up” services with private ambulance company) -- Fees (imposition of by fire districts for “back up” services provided under contract with private ambulance company) -- Fire Districts (contracts for “back up” services with private ambulance company) FEES -- Imposition of (by fire districts for “back up” services provided under contract with private ambulance company) FIRE DISTRICTS -- Ambulance Service (“back up” services provided under contract with private ambulance company); (imposition of fees for “back up” services provided under contract with private ambulance company) – Powers and Duties (contract for “back up” services provided by private ambulance company); (imposition of fees for “back up” services provided under contract with private ambulance company); (by fire districts for “back up” services provided under contract with private ambulance company)
Opinion 2010-3 FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTS – Fire Protection Contracts (cost of debt service of fire company as part of “definite sum”); (not subject to referendum requirements)
Opinion 2010-2 PERSONAL PROPERTY – Disposition of (procedures for selling unneeded vehicles by town water district) WATER DISTRICTS -- Property (sale of unneeded vehicles)
Opinion 2010-1 PARKS AND RECREATION -- Moneys in Lieu of Park Land (use of to fund the purchase of a portion of a parcel to be dedicated for park or recreation use) ZONING AND PLANNING -- Park Lands (use of park trust moneys to fund the purchase of a portion of a parcel to be dedicated for park or recreation use)
Opinion 2009-2 STATE COMPTROLLER -- Approval by (of town water improvement) TOWNS -- Powers and Duties (State Comptroller's permission for water improvement) WATER IMPROVEMENTS -- State Comptroller's Permission (when required) WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION -- Town Improvements (need for State Comptroller's permission)
Opinion 2009-1 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST -- Codes of Ethics (requiring disclosure and recusal by fire district commissioner whose spouse is to be appointed treasurer) -- Family Relationships (spouse of fire district commissioner as appointed treasurer) FIRE DISTRICTS --Treasurer (spouse of fire district commissioner as appointed treasurer)
Opinion 2008-6 POLICE AND POLICE PROTECTION -- Police Chief (calculation of the cash value of accumulated, unused vacation leave payable upon retirement)
Opinion 2008-5 FIRE COMPANY -- Powers and Duties (amount payable to volunteer fire company under fire protection contract); (restrictions on use of money payable under fire protection contract); (submission of budget to village and town under fire protection contract) FIRE PROTECTION AND PREVENTION -- Contracts (amounts payable to volunteer fire company); (restrictions on use of money by volunteer fire company); (submission of budget by volunteer fire company) FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTS -- Contracts (payment of amount directly to volunteer fire company); (restrictions on use of money by volunteer fire company); (submission of budget by volunteer fire company); (with village) VILLAGES -- Fire Department and Fire Protection (terms and conditions of fire protection contracts)
Opinion 2008-4 LOCAL LAWS -- Pre-emption (special district matters) MUNICIPAL FUNDS -- Town Charges (costs for park district improvements not payable from general fund) PARK DISTRICTS -- Increase and Improvement of Facilities (costs not payable from town general fund); (raising amounts for)
Opinion 2008-3 FIRE DISTRICTS -- Appropriations and Expenditures (authority to make cash refunds of unexpended monies in a capital reserve fund) -- Powers and Duties (authority to make cash refunds of unexpended monies in a capital reserve fund) MUNICIPAL FUNDS -- Capital Reserve Fund (authority of a fire district to make cash refunds of unexpended monies in a capital reserve fund)
Opinion 2008-2 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST -- Exceptions (contracts entered into prior to municipal service) -- Interests in Contract (town board member providing hauling services as sole proprietor)
Opinion 2008-1 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST-- Contracts (gifts to school district) -- Exceptions (contracts with not-for-profit-corporations)
Opinion 2007-8 FIRE COMPANY -- Powers and Duties (obtaining an annual audit) FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTS -- Contracts (requirement for audit of fire company) TOWN BOARD - Powers and Duties (audit of fire company)
Opinion 2007-7 PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- Retirement Benefits (reporting “days worked” for elected officials) STATE COMPTROLLER -- Reporting to (by employers for “days worked” by elected officials) WORDS AND PHRASES -- "Days Worked" (meaning of for purposes of 2 NYCRR 315)
Opinion 2007-6 POLICE AND POLICE PROTECTION -- Police Chief (entitlement to one-time payment made to next ranking subordinate officer)
Opinion 2007-5 COUNTIES -- Fund Transfers (referendum requirements for transfer from capital reserve fund) MUNICIPAL FUNDS -- Capital Reserve Fund (referendum requirements for transfer in counties) REFERENDUM -- Permissive (need for transfer of monies from capital reserve fund in county)
Opinion 2007-4 LOCAL LAWS -- Municipal Funds (authority to supersede village budget procedures) MUNICIPAL FUNDS -- Budget Procedures (authority to supersede in village); (authority to establish fund for annual payments under ambulance services agreement) REAL PROPERTY -- Sale (use of proceeds to establish fund for annual payments under ambulance services agreement)
Opinion 2007-3 POLICE AND POLICE PROTECTION -- Police Chief (entitlement to “other compensation” when no increase on or after August 2, 1999) PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- Compensation (entitlement of police chief to “other compensation” when no increase on or after August 2, 1999)
Opinion 2007-2 ELECTIONS -- Board of Elections (liability for expenses of); (authority to charge back expenses of); (method of charging back expenses of); (custody of voting machines)
Opinion 2007-1 PUBLIC CONTRACTS -- Contracts Not Requiring Bidding (paratransit services) -- Policies and Procedures (request for proposals process for paratransit services) -- Professional Services (paratransit services)
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
The Town of Rotterdam budgetary process is again riddled with the theatrics and Democrat party political infighting that took place only one year ago. Last Wednesday night at a public hearing regarding the budget prepared by the Town Supervisor, a “Trojan Horse” assault was waged by three councilpersons who presented an opposing plan that relied on fiscal “slight of hand” tricks and phantom revenues and savings. The dramatic production exemplified the dysfunction that plagues our town government.
The alternative budget proposes the appropriation of fund reserves from the special taxing districts (water & sewer) to offset the cost of government operations. Without addressing the factors behind the deficit, it does nothing but “kick the can down the road” for future administrations to address. Further, spending the reserves legally allocated for the maintenance and expansion of public infrastructure compromises the potential for business development and economic growth. The prospects for the expansion of the public sewer line or replacement of aging and decaying water mains are jeopardized.
For our elected representatives to avoid making the difficult choices regarding appropriate town staffing levels, funding for discretionary items and services, and public service contract provisions, by instead raiding the reserve funds accumulated by special taxing districts, is reminiscent of those in Congress who over the years pilfered away the publics’ contributions to the Social Security “lockbox”. A one time infusion of funds from reserves that are specifically allocated for long term investment is not a resolution to the ongoing fiscal challenges. This kind of budgetary gimmickry is irresponsible and threatens both the financial security of our residents and the long term prosperity of our town.
There is no place for drama, posturing, or voodoo economics in sound financial planning. Respect, cooperation, “outside the box” ingenuity by all board members, regardless of political persuasion, and input from the general public are paramount to proposing and passing a timely and responsible annual budget.
Brian P. McGarry Candidate for Rotterdam Town Supervisor
Actually - there is some very strong evidence that DelGallo is trying to help McGarry behind the scenes with money and in other ways. That is why Frank is the biggest liar in town --- when he claims that the Democrats abandoned him ------ the FACT is that a year ago at this time .... Frank Del Gallo was trying to enlist people within the Democratic Committee to and meeting with the Rotterdam Republicans to develop a plan and carry out his wish that a certain list of Rotterdam Democrats be destroyed. Anyone who refused to help Frank Del Gallo destroy this certain list of Rotterdam Democrats were added to the list -- it isn't just a coincidence that Frank Del Gallo stopped talking to me a year ago and then tried to shove Lisa Dufek on the Parks and Recreation Commission to make my life miserable. That is also why Frank refused to bring to the agenda very simple resolutions -- like the one proclaiming the first Saturday of August 2011 - Community Day ------- he and his $50,000 a year Confidential Secretary claimed that it was adifficult resolution to draw up -- and apparently they needs almost 5 months and, in the end, the very simply worded proposal that I had originally submitted was adopted (and the new town attorney said that the very simple language was all that was necessary -- all along).
So for those of you who think Frank is just a nice guy who is misunderstood -- you are living in a fantasy world. I have never been among those who believed that Frank did NOT know what he was doing --- my contention is that Frank is dangerous precisely because HE KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING ... but tries to hide behind the "naiive, inexperienced mask" so as to hide his own personal agenda for power, personal benefit and to exact revenge on those who he thinks have gotten in his way.
George Amedore & Christian Klueg for NYS Senate 2016 Pete Vroman for State Assembly 2016[/size][/color]
"For this is what America is all about. It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge. It is the star that is not reached and the harvest that is sleeping in the unplowed ground." Lyndon Baines Johnson
Actually - there is some very strong evidence that DelGallo is trying to help McGarry behind the scenes with money and in other ways. That is why Frank is the biggest liar in town --- when he claims that the Democrats abandoned him ------ the FACT is that a year ago at this time .... Frank Del Gallo was trying to enlist people within the Democratic Committee to and meeting with the Rotterdam Republicans to develop a plan and carry out his wish that a certain list of Rotterdam Democrats be destroyed. Anyone who refused to help Frank Del Gallo destroy this certain list of Rotterdam Democrats were added to the list -- it isn't just a coincidence that Frank Del Gallo stopped talking to me a year ago and then tried to shove Lisa Dufek on the Parks and Recreation Commission to make my life miserable. That is also why Frank refused to bring to the agenda very simple resolutions -- like the one proclaiming the first Saturday of August 2011 - Community Day ------- he and his $50,000 a year Confidential Secretary claimed that it was adifficult resolution to draw up -- and apparently they needs almost 5 months and, in the end, the very simply worded proposal that I had originally submitted was adopted (and the new town attorney said that the very simple language was all that was necessary -- all along).
So for those of you who think Frank is just a nice guy who is misunderstood -- you are living in a fantasy world. I have never been among those who believed that Frank did NOT know what he was doing --- my contention is that Frank is dangerous precisely because HE KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING ... but tries to hide behind the "naiive, inexperienced mask" so as to hide his own personal agenda for power, personal benefit and to exact revenge on those who he thinks have gotten in his way.
So, if/when FDG is re-elected, you'll resign from the Parks Commission and as Historian? (Seeing as it's not a hospitable working environment) Or will you suddenly change your mind and think he's a great supervisor again?
The fact that you make misquotes and turn your spin in what you believe is the truth....goes to show you just what you are made of.
Your Parks committee is the biggest joke of them all.....and when someone wants to volunteer and is intentionally ignored that's when the gavel drops down. ...and just who is on that committee....it is the right of every Town resident to be appointed...is it impartial??? NO....is it fair????? NO it should not be held as a political tool in anyway.....
If one kind act can help another then, DVOR would have a right to rant and rave. Personal vendettas and personal opinions should not be a part of what is good for the Community. Let the Community decide who will run the Parks Committee....put it up to a vote.....you will be surprised what the outcome would be if it was done fairly.....
Who really CARES about who's on the Parks Commission ... they have no authority, no pay, no experience in planning municipal parks ... they're just appointments.
Get rid of the whole "commission" and be done with it.
Actually - there is some very strong evidence that DelGallo is trying to help McGarry behind the scenes with money and in other ways. That is why Frank is the biggest liar in town --- when he claims that the Democrats abandoned him ------ the FACT is that a year ago at this time .... Frank Del Gallo was trying to enlist people within the Democratic Committee to and meeting with the Rotterdam Republicans to develop a plan and carry out his wish that a certain list of Rotterdam Democrats be destroyed. Anyone who refused to help Frank Del Gallo destroy this certain list of Rotterdam Democrats were added to the list -- it isn't just a coincidence that Frank Del Gallo stopped talking to me a year ago and then tried to shove Lisa Dufek on the Parks and Recreation Commission to make my life miserable. That is also why Frank refused to bring to the agenda very simple resolutions -- like the one proclaiming the first Saturday of August 2011 - Community Day ------- he and his $50,000 a year Confidential Secretary claimed that it was adifficult resolution to draw up -- and apparently they needs almost 5 months and, in the end, the very simply worded proposal that I had originally submitted was adopted (and the new town attorney said that the very simple language was all that was necessary -- all along).
So for those of you who think Frank is just a nice guy who is misunderstood -- you are living in a fantasy world. I have never been among those who believed that Frank did NOT know what he was doing --- my contention is that Frank is dangerous precisely because HE KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING ... but tries to hide behind the "naiive, inexperienced mask" so as to hide his own personal agenda for power, personal benefit and to exact revenge on those who he thinks have gotten in his way.
And for whoever believes this rhetorical bullcrap..........I have a bridge to no where to sell ya's!!! toooooooooooooooooo funny
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Actually - there is some very strong evidence that DelGallo is trying to help McGarry behind the scenes with money and in other ways.
I think I received ONE McGarry mailer, and heard NO radio or TV commercials. So if DelGallo is helping with money, I don't know where he's spending it. I've received about 10 of the EXACT SAME mailers from the Democrat Party Re-ignite Rotterdam ticket with the picture of those deuce-bags on it. I LOVE slowly pouring the melted remains of my evening chocolate ice cream fix on the Democrat mailers that are staring up at me in my garbage can.
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