Quoted from GrahamBonnet

Who was sitting in the front row with the long black hair? Kathleen Moore?

Kathleen Moore hasn't covered Town Hall in almost 4 years.

Quoted from GrahamBonnet

Who was sitting in the front row with the long black hair? Kathleen Moore?

GB that was Purcell!!

Quoted Text

Rotterdam budget changes approved without public input

On Nov. 10, a group of three Rotterdam council members led by Nicola DiLeva passed a drastically cut and completely different budget from the one presented by Supervisor Frank Del Gallo [Nov. 11 Gazette]. This “new” budget excluded public input and silenced opposition from the remaining two board members. While I commend the majority for cutting potential taxes and preventing layoffs, I do call into question the process, and one cut in particular.
State law sets a very specific timetable for town budgets to, among other things, encourage public participation in the process. The public’s first knowledge of this “new” budget came after all comment periods had ended and was voted on immediately, passing 3-2.
Had there been a chance to comment, I would have questioned slashing over $4,000 from parks and recreation without exploring other options. Twenty years ago, Rotterdam fully staffed its parks with counselors for the summer. This program kept kids safe and provided summer jobs to local college students. Prior budget cuts reduced this program to centralized summer camps, which exist in town today. This latest cut will reduce the program even more.
Times are tough, but our children are a long-term investment. Given the chance, I would have said this.

Michael R. Godlewski
Rotterdam

The writer is the former town attorney.

Twenty years ago our taxes weren't any where near as high as they are now. There are quite a few other organizations which provide summer camps and employ students for the summer without having to have the local government fund them.

If Doogie Howser had examined the budget trends as DiLeva, Martin and Parisi did when they amended that vendetta budget he would know that
those funds were largely unused.

Quoted from gadfly

If Doogie Howser had examined the budget trends as DiLeva, Martin and
Parisi did when they amended that vendetta budget he would know that those funds were largely unused.

Bobby G. shut down the public hearing once those amendments were brought up.
He said and I quote "THE PUBLIC HAD THEIR CHANCE".

We'll find a way to restore the parks budget in time for Summer 2011.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

We'll find a way to restore the parks budget in time for Summer 2011.

Here is an excellent idea .... if it's only $4K, maybe those who don't pay any school or property taxes could donate that amount to the Town!

Like gadfly said..........those dollars weren't used! No big loss! In the scheme of things, parks should be the lowest priority!!

Fortunately, many residents believe that the parks and recreation is an important priority.

We will fight  to restore the $4,000 cut.

IT WASNT FRIGGING USED IT WAS EMPTY SPACE IN THE F'ING BUDGET WHAT THE F DO YOU PEOPLE NOT UNDERSTAND!? THIS IS A BUNCH OF BS AND EVERYONE KNOWS IT!!!!! WHY MIKE GOD CONTINUES TO WORSHIP BOB GOD IS BEYOND ME......

MAYBE THEY ARE FATHER AND SON?

speaking of unused empty spaces ....... that describes the "Office of Intelligence" at the Schenectady
County GOP HQ

I couldn't agree more ron....If there was any intelligence in republican HQ, parisi would be the assemblyman!!!!

Ugh BS I'm pretty sure everyone has been through this...they aren't related...