Ciarlante explains presence at Dem caucus
I am very grateful for the accuracy of Robert Ford’s reporting and Will Dendis’ photography on the Democratic Caucus in the Saugerties Times on July 11. The article states, “The biggest long shot of the night was conservative activist Gaetana Ciarlante’s challenge to former six-term supervisor Greg Helsmoortel. Ciarlante, who came very close last month to knocking out incumbent Kelly Myers for the Republican nomination from the right, did not, as Myer had, modify her message for the Democrats. The surprise that flashed across the faces of audience members when her name was put forward was replaced by some measure of admiration by the end of her speech — all would agree Ciarlante had chutzpah.” (My italics.)
Thanks also to Joe Roberti Jr. who I learned is circulating my picture at that caucus with a caption “a picture is worth a thousand words.” We all know that talk is cheap and sometimes inaccurate so for those whose curiosity may understandably be piqued by his attempt to mislead I will provide a factual account.
Before the caucus season began I was contacted by Tony S., a rank and file conservative, who told me that I should go to the Democratic Caucus because ”it will show that you are willing to work with everyone.” He made very valid point.
Four other Republicans, Lisa Stanley, Dan Lamb, Doug Myer and Ray Mayone, had announced they would be seeking the Democrat endorsement. I had planned to observe the process of this caucus, when I realized that this might be a venue to reach out to Democrats who also struggle with common economic issues that transcend all political parties. Sixteen supportive Democrats encouraged me to participate. At the caucus I found more Democrats who heard my conservative Republican speech about high taxes and Saugerties residents losing their homes who would have never heard my message had I not been there to deliver it. Indeed that message resonated with an additional unanticipated nine voters.
I thank the Democrats who encouraged me, those who came to the caucus and those who supported me and extend my appreciation to the welcome and thanks I was given by the Democratic Party.
A positive result for the Republican Party and all Saugerties citizens is that by taking 21 percent of the vote at the Democrat Caucus (with less than two days prep time) shows that Democrats are interested in an inclusive principled conservative Republican message.
I have summarized the picture in 446 words. I am hoping Mr. Roberti Jr. will provide 535 words which assures the alleviation of the tax burden on Saugerties homeowners; maintaining home ownership and independence while improving the overall economic condition of Saugerties.
Gaetana Ciarlante
Saugerties
Social services saga has a happy ending
On May 21 County Executive Hein attended the Ulster County Association of Town Supervisors & Mayors monthly meeting. When asked by supervisors to confirm the County Executive’s intent to proceed with the three-year plan for the county takeover of Safety Net, Hein was non-committal.
Supervisors suggested utilizing income realized from: enacting flow control, reductions in subsidies to RRA and Nursing Home, and profits from sale of UCCC president’s house and Ulster County Nursing home license. Hein said that this revenue might be better utilized to build county fund balance, instead of providing tax relief.
In June, myself, Supervisor Chipman and Supervisor Carlson attended the Ulster County Legislature’s Ways & Means Committee as delegates from the supervisors & mayors association to advocate for the takeover of Safety Net charges by the county. At that meeting, we learned that $22 million dollars of county sales-tax revenue was in danger, as Assemblyman Cahill was attempting to utilize his support for continuing local sales tax as leverage to force the county takeover of Safety Net.
The following month Assemblyman Cahill attended the Ulster County Association of Town Supervisors & Mayors meeting. He explained that he had attempted to work with Hein for nearly a year and was getting no commitment from Hein for the county takeover of Safety Net. He felt real tax relief was important to the people of Ulster County and he decided to take a stand on behalf of taxpayers to force action on the issue. The supervisors & mayors association voted unanimously to support a County Legislature resolution for the county to takeover Safety Net by 2015.
In previous years, the county allowed town Safety Net charges to be “re-levied” and placed on the county tax bill the following year. This practice ended for fiscal year beginning Jan. 2013, when towns received a notice from Ulster County dated Nov. 9, 2012 that demanded all Safety Net charges incurred in 2012—and projected for 2013—be added to town tax bills and included under town tax caps.
This arbitrary change in practice by Ulster County, forced towns to re-do their budgets to incorporate two years of County Safety Net fees, in the last weeks of the year, and exceed state-mandated 2 percent tax cap. Some towns were able to avoid exceeding the tax cap, but only because they had previously budgeted for this expense or had enough money in their fund balance to write the big check. The 2012 budget Saugerties adopted (in Nov. 2011) did not include provisions for Safety Net and the town’s fund balance had been fully spent down in 2011. For Saugerties – this meant a $400,000 addition to the 2013 Town budget.
Safety Net is a social services support program fully administered by Ulster County, yet the charges are billed back to the towns where services are incurred. The towns are forced to pay for a program that they have no say in operating, and towns have no ability to control costs or assure appropriate assistance is provided to needy families.
Towns with higher numbers of Safety Net recipients consequently pay higher tax bills. In Ulster County, Saugerties is in the top three for Safety Net expenditures and billing. This creates a vicious cycle, as businesses are reluctant to locate to higher taxed areas. The way Safety Net has been administered and billed in Ulster County keeps low-income communities from thriving, and situates wealthier communities to have an advantage to better attract investment, jobs and high end development.
This is an economic issue and a social justice issue.
Ulster County is the only county in New York State that bills individual towns for Safety Net usage. Tuesday night, I went back to the legislature, and spoke at the monthly session, to once again advocate, for the County to take over Safety Net. It has been a tumultuous few weeks getting to this point, however good intentions and a little arm-twisting prevailed. What happened was an historic moment. The Ulster County Legislature voted unanimously to take over Safety Net. The phase-in of the takeover will happen over the next two years.
I am very pleased with the hard work of the Ways & Means Committee, and the entire legislature is to be congratulated for their unanimous bi-partisan support of this very important legislation. While Hein back peddled on this issue, the Ulster County Legislature did not waiver in their commitment to assume these costs. I had numerous conversations with Saugerties legislators Wawro, Fabiano and Aiello and they were consistently supportive.
Kelly Myers
Saugerties town supervisor
Common ground
A highly unusual event will be happening in our community this Friday, Aug. 2, 7 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Catskills, and I hope that many of you will be able to make it. Two young men, Rami Efal from Kfar-Saba, Israel and Taha Awadallah from Al Walaja, Palestine, will be sharing the unique story of their meeting and friendship. Just a sneak preview: Both Rami and Taha had been in a maximum security prison in Israel: one as a guard; the other as a prisoner. It has been a privilege to get to know both Rami and Taha and witness the blossoming of their friendship through the honest sharing of their feelings and experiences. Their talk will be preceded by the Israeli-Canadian filmmaker, b.h. Yael’s “Palestine Trilogy”; three short thematically related videos that highlight the voices of peace and social justice activists from every side—Israeli, Palestinian and international. This will be an evening not to be missed!
Jane Toby
Catskill
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