Fairfield Hosts Congressional Candidates Forum

First Congressional Candidates, incumbent Tim Bishop (Democrat, Working Families) and challenger Randy Altshuler (Republican, Conservative, Independence) participated in a candidate’s forum at Fairfield in St. James on Monday.  The forum was moderated by Joyce Rosenthal of the League of Women Voters of Smithtown. The format was question and answer with time allotted for closing statements. Candidates were asked to give detailed answers to questions in support of their positions. Although the forum started off with some confusion Rosenthal kept the candidates on topic.

There wasn’t much disagreement between candidates. Asked to identify three priorities both agreed on “jobs, Social Security and Medicare.” Both candidates agreed that there are real problems with Congress and that blame for its dysfunction can be assigned to both parties.  Bishop placed blame on recently elected “Tea Party” members who he said were unwilling to compromise for bipartisan solutions. 

Both candidates hold the position that the federal debt needs to be addressed through bipartisan action and “everything needs to be put on the table”.  Everything includes loopholes but neither candidate offered specifics.  Bishop, voted for sequestration (automatic spending cuts), he explained that at the time of the vote there was no other option. His choice at the time was, vote yes on a package that included sequestration or allow the United States to default on its financial commitments. Altschuler expressed concern for a $16 trillion debt and the impact it has on the children and grandchildren of the people in the room. 

Both candidates stated a willingness to work in a bipartisan fashion and to cross party lines. Altschuler pointed to Bishop’s record of voting along party lines in almost 95 percent of his votes. Bishop countered that he votes with one mindset; how his vote will impact on the middle class family like the one he grew up in. 

On the topic of veterans both candidates expressed their profound respect for those who serve in the armed forces and committed themselves to doing everything possible to provide needed programs for veterans.  Altschuler acknowledged the work Bishop has done and added a commitment to do more to educate veterans about the services that are available to them. 

On the issue of taxes Altschuler said, “Taxes are bad” and talked about the negative impact taxes have on job creation and how taxes are forcing young people to flee Long Island. Bishop talked about the top twenty employers in Suffolk County being very reliant on tax dollars and that there has to be some thought as to how to cut taxes without having a negative impact on jobs. Bishop stated  that when it comes to Romney’s plan for the economy the numbers just don’t add up, ” you can not increase funding for defense, shore up Social Security and Medicare and reduce taxes at the same time.” Bishop mentioned that the Grover Norquist  “Taxpayer Protection Pledge” which Bishop stated Altschuler signed (requires signers to oppose all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rate for individuals and to oppose reductions of deductions and credits, unless matched by dollar for dollar by reducing tax rates) prevents the closure of loopholes considered a tax increase as being an obstacle to finding real solutions. Altshuler addressed the defense budget committing to a strong national defense but emphasizing the need to spend money wisely by reducing waste and redundancies in the defense budget.

How did the audience respond to the debate? After the debate there were still some people unsure of who they were going to vote for. The primary issue for most everyone was “JOBS”. One woman who preferred not to give her name said “we all know people who have lost their job and can’t find another job. Both candidates talked about the importance of jobs but neither offered specifics. We pretty much got what we expected from the candidates no specifics about how they were going to get people back to work.” 

There were people who knew coming in to the forum who they were going to support. One retiree, a marine veteran of the Korean War, praised Tim Bishop for the work he has done for all veterans.  One woman said that even though Bishop has been in office for ten years and has experience it might be time to elect someone else.  There were people who expressed concern over Altschuler’s history of outsourcing jobs and some who expressed concern over Bishop’s history of voting with Congresswoman Pelosi.  

One thing is certain, the people in the audience were listening and they will be voting!

Former Library Trustee Rose Palazzolo Wants Her Position Back!

My name is Rose Palazzolo. I am running for election on October 9, 2012. I was a Library Trustee from 2008 to 2010. I have asked that you vote for me in 2010, 2011, and now again in 2012. The reason I was not re-elected was #1 - The Library Union interviews the candidates and the decides if they believe you agree with their agenda they will back you. They will tell your Union Members to vote for you. They will tell the patrons who to vote for whom live in their neighborhood if they live in Smithtown.

                   #2)  They send post cards to all active members of the CSEA Unions who live in Smithtown, and were former or current members of the Smithtown School District, The Smithtown Library District, the Town of Smithtown and the County and the State.

                    #3)  Since the turnout of voters is  usually small they were able to reelect Nesconset Trustees with no trouble at all.

                    You might say, how does Rose know that? I know that because they put the CSEA Emblem on the other candidates Flyers who they want elected.

                     I am beholden to you the Smithtown Library user and the Smithtown Tax payer. I am not beholden to the Library Union.

                     Smithtown Library was short changed because of the power of the Nesconset Trustees and other Trustees who were not fair in how the Smithtown Library was built. They claimed there was not enough money to complete the second floor.

                      However, they found the money to change the elevation of the Kings Park Library Building for 1 point 2 million dollars besides giving them a new entrance and a basement. They gave Commack a new Basement and they put the Library Offices on the Second Floor in Nesconset which supposed to be used for storage only.

                      These changes were agreed to in February 2009. by all the Library Trustees Which was to make more space at Kings Park and Commack and the offices were to stay at Smithtown.

                       The Library Trustees in 2010 were dominated by the Nesconset Trustees and in December 2010 the last month I could vote because I was defeated they put the offices into Nesconset not for the $89,000.00 they claimed it would cost but for $200,000.00.

                        They found money for all changes but not for the Second Floor at Smithtown main, which now has a flat roof and looks like it is only one story from the out side. They took away the Historical look of the Library. The Smithtown residents do not realize what actually happen as no one from Smithtown Civic Association ever came down to here about what was happening. The residents from the Smithtown Branch where the Library is located never came to a meeting. The residents who came the meeting were mostly Nesconset residents a few from Kings Park and a few from Commack, and you could count them on your hands. The only time Kings Park Residents turn out was when Kings Park Civic Association came down with their own Architech and told the Library Board what they wanted. I was Head of The Buildings and Grounds Committee but a meeting was arranged withe the Kings Park Civic, Dave Flynn and some members of the Library Board of Trustees to make changes to  the Library Plans for Kings Park tomake Kings Park Civic happy. However, no one cared that I was unhappy with the plans for Smithtown Main The power of politics.If Kings Park Civic did not complain that building  would look different today. Do not forget, President Vallone comes from kings Park and he wanted a second floor added to Kings Park and was told they couldn’t do that as there was no basement big enough in that building to put on a second floor.

This is why I want you to elect me, so you can read in the minutes my motions and how I voted on other motions. The best thing you can do is to try to attend at least two meetings a year. The August meeting  is the most important meeting, If more residents attend then the Library would be more accountable to you.and me.

Sincerely

Rose Palazzolo

"Educate NY Now" Rally Held At H. Lee Dennison Building

A rally to “Educate NY Now” was held outside the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge on Thursday, September 20, 2012.

According to the organizers the point of the rally was to bring attention to the educational crisis that is unfolding in the schools.  Teachers from local districts were in the crowd as were students, parents, grand-parents, union representatives and administrators. Speakers condemned the two percent tax-cap and cuts in programming.

Calling the tax-cap “policy folly”, the speakers placed the blame for the educational crisis on elected officials. The audience was speckled with signs condemning Gov. Cuomo and Senate Majority Leader Skelos. 

According the Educate NY Now web site – NYS is facing an educational crisis.

 1. Class sizes have grown, school buildings have been closed, and schools have cut advance placement courses, tutoring career and technical education, arts, music, sports, foreign languages, kindergarten, pre-kindergarten, high school electives and more.

2.  More than 30,000 educators have been cut from schools.

3. There needs to be an approach to school finance which does not overburden local property taxpayers, is fair and equitable, and provides the opportunity for all students to receive a quality education.

According to the organizers  - The combination of the newly imposed cap on state school aid and the cap on local funding through property taxes is detrimental to education.  These caps and a reduction in state funding will leave NYS’s children unprepared to meet the global challenges and competition they will face.

NYSUT (New York States Union of Professional Teachers) on their website has the following guiding principles the Educate NY Now Campaign.

Statement of Principles 

The Statement of Principles for Educate NY Now! Calls for New York’s elected leaders to: 

* Prioritize successful student achievement, instead of undermining the quality of our schools. 
* Ensure educational equity and that all students have access to a high quality education that opens up personal and economic opportunities for them and benefits the future of New York. Prepare all students for college or other post secondary education, careers, and life. 
* Support public education as an engine for economic growth. Reverse the numerous cuts to the quality of education that our schools have been forced to implement. 
* Fulfill the moral, economic and constitutional imperative to provide every student a “sound, basic education.” 

The Statement of Principles identifies the following policies as undermining the quality of education: 

* The State has significantly reduced its role in funding our schools and passed the burden on to local communities. Ten years ago the state covered almost 50% of the costs of educating students, now the State covers only 40%. State funding for schools is now below what it was 4 years ago and this does not even account for inflation. 

* The combination of the newly imposed cap on state school aid and the cap on local funding through property taxes will force schools to continue cutting the quality of education year in and year out. 
* New York State has largely abandoned its commitments under the Campaign for Fiscal Equity to provide statewide funding for a “sound, basic education” which is the constitutional obligation. 

Pay Attention When You Are Driving

Dear Editor,

I would like to remind people that school is open and there are children walking to bus stops.  Please be careful when you drive.

I know that everyone is in a hurry and children are not always paying attention.  Kids tend to walk in the street without looking for cars.  It is always up to the driver to be aware and to know what is happening around them.

Do not text, do not talk on the phone and do not play with your radio, ipod or any other gizmo. 

Thank you.

Mary Ann S. – St. James

Horizons Counseling Center Ribbon Cutting

It’s official! Horizons Counseling Center is open in its new home. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Thursday, September 20th. The Center’s new home located at 161 East Main Street, Smithtown, has been in the works for over six years.

The counseling center which was moved from its very cramped quarters to its new location, now has ample space ensuring privacy for its patrons.  Is Director Elaine Econonmopoulis happpy? She is ecstatic.  “Because of the tight quarters at the former location, programs were spread out in many different town buildings, creating scheduling challenges. The new building is handicapped accessible, has a working elevator and room for our meetings and programs.”

With a smile from ear to ear, Elaine expressed her gratitude for the support she received throughout the planning and moving process “The people here today all played a role in this project and none more than Supervisor Vecchio.”

Supervisor Vecchio gave a brief history of the project, highlighting some of the challenges the town faced in the selection and development of the location. He also emphasized the importance of the facility. He spoke of an article published by Newsday, which identified in detail drug abuse in Smithtown and other towns. The article brought to the forefront of everyone’s conciousness the complexity of the problem and the horrible impact it was having on Smithtown’s residents.  

Supervisor Vecchio, known for his frugal ways, found a way to pay for the project without it impacting on the tax-payers. The funding comes through grants from New York State and according to those involved, it came in on budget. When pressed for a comment, the Supervisor admitted to being proud of this facility and the work being done at Horizons. “There’s not too many Towns that have a facility like this. The Newsday article, in an almost favorable dipiction of the efforts of our community to address a serious serious problem helped to make this happen. It couldn’t have happened years ago. And yes, I am proud.” 

Horizons is a not-for-profit agency funded through NYS to provide adolescent and adult treatment, prevention and education services for drug and alcohol related problems. Fees are based on a sliding scale and insurance is accepted.

In addition to Counseling Horizons offers programs in Parenting, Life Skills, Senior Resiliency Group and much more. To learn more click on Horizons.