In the mail today ...i got info on a DEC 11 vote to amend the "Volunteer Service Award" program.

Which it states for an assessed home value of $200,000 - the tax payer would pay an additional $14 a year.

Granted that's not much money and the services these volunteers provide (ems and fire) is astounding. I take nothing away from them.

But ....we are getting absolutely nickel and dimed to death ...a little tax here and there and it's ridiculous ...raise taxes ...raise gas prices ...raise interest rates ...raise highway tolls ....it's the complete fleecing of America ....i would be willing to give my whole paycheck away if i would get provided the things i need and not to be shaked down all the time. We need a socialist America.

I pay about $4000 in taxes a year (local and school) that's $333 a month !

Stop the madness ...i'm sure there can be cuts in the local government to fund this program ...but with everyone's bleeding hearts for 9/11 and how you'll be viewed as an uncaring American if you vote this down, i'm sure this will be passed and once again the tax payer gets screwed.

Hey Paul - you were on this web page running your mouth when it was election time and now your a ghost. Since we got re-assessed this past summer and every year our taxes have gone up ...what is being done with this extra revenue ?
Now you have the balls to ask us for more ?

It's time for a revolution ...it's time to vote these jokers out of office.

I want to run for council ...tell me how to do it. We need a voice for the common people ... i have no special interests or political agendas. I want a change.

All you politicians on this board ..hiding behind fake names - have nothing to say ?
Can't deal with real issues but rather anonymously slam each other and rant like children. Phonies.

Well said, Unholy. And I'll vote for you if you run for office. Yes, a nickle here, a nickle there, contribute here, contribute there. It all adds up. Wait until we get the new assessments on our homes - we'll all be selling!

As an EMT, I am hugely in favor of programs like this. EMTs and firefighters give huge chunks of their time each week without asking or expecting anything in return. I think it is only fair that the town fund and provide some type of incentive to volunteer. One of the biggest issues facing EMS today is the inability to attract and retain volunteers. This has a direct effect on the community.

I agree that the town should investigate other ways to fund this program instead of passing the cost along to taxpaers who already pay excessive tax bills each year (thanks, New York!). But at the same time I fully support the measure and hope that everyone votes to pass it.

Also, my question is why isn't this vote scheduled for the same day as the communoty center vote?

It seems like that would only make sense...

I didn't think you were serious. Unholy, Are you non-affiliated?

quote:

Originally posted by Whitey:
I didn't think you were serious. Are you non-affiliated?

Who ?

I think the board needs to look where they can get this money from within their own budget. They had some money to buy the horse farm (not all the money) ..had money to buy that ice cream stand..wheres the money coming for this new community center people are talking about? ...where's the funds from this assessment money ?

We continue to get hoodwinked.

I would think that this money could come from the town's general fund, but that money is being allocated for the community center expansion. I think you hit the nail on the head, Unholy.

I'd just like to take this opportunity to say that the first post in this thread was awesome and I'd like to keep it on target.

Unholy, if you want to actually run on that platform, I bet a lot of people would support you.

"Ann24": Gizzi, Winters and Klotz all have a vested interest in getting the AWARD passed.

Wrong again, "Ann24". Your consistency is somehow reassuring.
My current situation has me onleave from active riding with the Ambulance Corps. I will not benefit if this passes.

It just might be required by this program that it be funded this way and not from other sources. I'll check on this (with Kevin King) and post an answer early in the week.

Peter, looks like the Town Supervisor answered the funding question with his comment on the Blog.

quote:

Originally posted by Whitey:
I'd just like to take this opportunity to say that the first post in this thread was awesome and I'd like to keep it on target.

Unholy, if you want to actually run on that platform, I bet a lot of people would support you.

I would like to apologize for my jab at Paul ...that was uncalled for and i'm just sinking to other people's level. I have respect for him as i can imagine, his job ain't easy. He was voted in by a majority and he deserves respect. He's never been nothing but professional.

I'm thinking of running for something. I would like to get more involved.

In the past 3 years my taxes have gone up over $100 a month (if you look at it in an escrow monthly mortgage payment perspective). That could price someone right out of their home. It is mostly the school tax.

How I would have voted the latest issues:
- I would have voted YES for the town to buy the horse farm and make some sort of park out of it
- Buying that ice cream stand ? I have no idea the facts on that - so i can't comment ...if you bring in revenue on it - that would be good.
- I would have lobbied hard to get Cabelas in here.
- I would lobby to NOT put circles on Dunning St for Luther Forest ..i would drop the speed limit to 30 and have the police monitor it closely
- I do like the other traffic circles
- I would vote YES for the Commons development that would butt up against May Apple ....i think Rte 9 looks terrible and nice responsible - eye pleasing growth would be a positive (and i live on May Apple)
- I do not think AMD will come here and i would think of contingency plans on how to market that area to others.
- I would vote YES for anything that would give us sidewalks and parks anywhere in Malta
- I'm unsure of the library situation - i haven't been to a library in years and have no idea the kind of "new" services they provide ... i would think the internet would lessen library usage (but i could be totally wrong)
- expanding the community center ?? that's a tough one - i do not know enough about it ...off the cuff i would think it's a good thing to do if we have out-grown the existing one ....i think Malta is pretty unique on all these community programs and i think that's kinda cool

I'm against the Cabela's whatever, and all I ever hear about Paul- from people outside of the town government- is that he's not at all professional, something about his temper and his... dealings with women (professionally, not sexually). From people the government people (who aren't committee-whores), they say he seems really bitter that he's not getting the free ride with the board that Meager got. Sucks for him that Malta got bigger- we're expecting more from our town officials now.

So yeah, if you want Jerry's or Sue's seat, I don't think you'll face much opposition. You could technically even start your own party- some folks in North Greenbush did it for this past cycle.

quote:

Originally posted by Whitey:
So yeah, if you want Jerry's or Sue's seat, I don't think you'll face much opposition. You could technically even start your own party- some folks in North Greenbush did it for this past cycle.

I am so not in the political know ...and would have no idea how to do this. If you want to PM me and give me steps - it would be welcome

UNHOLY - based on you positions, I'd vote for you.

While I still think AMD is coming, I agree that Malta should not be putting all their eggs in the AMD basket. I would also support the library and community center - I don't think there can be a downside to having a library...

After all, a democracy's success depends on an educated and informed electorate and a library can only help in that respect...

Hell, if don't run, JP or I ought to. I'm even a registered Democrat.

Merry, there's too much BS to deal with. Besides, we would have to deal with Ann24 and that's a no win situation.

quote:

Originally posted by hokieian:
UNHOLY - based on you positions, I'd vote for you.

I might have to depend on that vote someday ! Thanks

Ok ...this is how much i know ...what type of services does a library offer (ok ...that might sound stupid but here me out) .... i used to go to the library to research papers ...but it seems now the internet can be done for alot of that ...has the libraries taken "a hit" from the internet and computers ....is there still high library usage ?