The N.Y. Government Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act - The "state" of Long Island
On December 11, 2008 Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo announced a plan to empower communities across the state with the ability to fundamentally reorganize and consolidate local governments. In May, the Attorney General, after working with various groups, citizens and the Legislature, announced legislation, entitled The New N.Y. Government Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act - taken from the NYS Attorney Generals Office website. More here
Consolidation. Some say long over due, some say not necessary. Lets face it, from the way I see things from here downstate, NY is not in the greatest fiscal shape, yet the downstate area of Long Island is one of the wealthiest areas in the nation. Poor management has put the state in debt for an estimated 54 billion dollars(2008). The taxes that are collected are not evenly distributed to Long Island. Long Island sends $8.1 billion in taxes to NYS, approximately 5.2 billion of it gets back to Long Island.
Maybe the time has come to establish the commonwealth of Long Island "for the common good". Or as the 51st state, Long Island would boast the nation’s highest median household income while being the third smallest state. Sounds crazy? Hey, you never know. They created this act to, well you guessed it, act. There is a very good chance consolidation by the state will occur whether we like it or not. The Empowerment Act may be an opportunity for us to maintain our Long Island communities.
Jeff Silver
Consolidation. Some say long over due, some say not necessary. Lets face it, from the way I see things from here downstate, NY is not in the greatest fiscal shape, yet the downstate area of Long Island is one of the wealthiest areas in the nation. Poor management has put the state in debt for an estimated 54 billion dollars(2008). The taxes that are collected are not evenly distributed to Long Island. Long Island sends $8.1 billion in taxes to NYS, approximately 5.2 billion of it gets back to Long Island.
Maybe the time has come to establish the commonwealth of Long Island "for the common good". Or as the 51st state, Long Island would boast the nation’s highest median household income while being the third smallest state. Sounds crazy? Hey, you never know. They created this act to, well you guessed it, act. There is a very good chance consolidation by the state will occur whether we like it or not. The Empowerment Act may be an opportunity for us to maintain our Long Island communities.
Jeff Silver
Posted by Admin at Thursday, July 09, 2009 9:35 PM 
Categories: New York State
Tags: Long Island Empowerment Act Bayville
Categories: New York State
Tags: Long Island Empowerment Act Bayville
Ah, I see my suspicions were correct. I will re-post my response to Mr. Trama from the bonfire thread here.
Losing Control is Not a Reason? Au Contrare!
Losing local control is probably THE most important reason not to seek the disincorporation of Bayville. I must say, the skeptic in me questions Mr. Trama's motives for forcing this highly controversial and divisive issue to the forefront. Is this the same Mr. Trama who unsuccessfully ran for Trustee last year? Could his reasons for highlighting this have anything to do with the recent ridiculous legislation passed in Albany (before its current state of chaos) which permits 10% of a Village's population to file a petition forcing a Special Election vote to dis-incorporate? The timing seems highly suspect.
As an Incorporated Village, we have a Building Code which can require more stringent building requirements and environmental protections than those offered by the TOB, County, State or Feds. Our Village Planning Board prevents builders from wrecklessly subdividing property into postage-stamp sized lots. Our Architectural Board makes sure new construction doesn't mar the overall appearance of the Village.
Dis-incorporate? Say goodbye to your Village beaches and your Village Marina. Say goodbye to the Bayville Library, Village Sanitation and Recycling. Say goodbye to the Green Market. Try getting the ear of Suozzi or Venditto the way you can contact our Mayor and Trustees if there is a problem in Bayville.
As a 30+ year resident, I don't want to say goodbye to those assets which make Bayville special. I will vow right here and now to fight tooth and nail, anyone who brings a dis-incorporation petition to a vote.
Seriously folks, when has bigger government ever been a good thing?
Reply to this
A failed attempt nicely put Lisa, I supported Mr. Trama and his running mate. One of their platforms were to develop partnerships with neighboring towns to strengthen the Bayville's buying power. I have read Mr. Tram's posting, he has not taking a position on this topic, all he was was doing was referring to the new legislation. Stop assuming Lisa, you are making inappropriate comments reagrding Mr. Trama's stand. Do not speak for someone else. I'm sure if Mr. Trama had an opinion of the new legislation he would express it. I gave Mr. Trama credit for attempting to run for trustee, I believe he would have been a great trustee, he would have represented the residents in a fair and balance manner.
Reply to this
Kate,
Mr. Trama made absolutely NO reference to the legislation, please go back and re-read his posts. The admins of the Bayville Blog created this thread based upon Mr. Trama's request and chose to focus it on the legislation.
I really don't care who you voted for - but there was clearly political motivation behind Mr. Trama's "request". The fact that you and he would rather go into "attack mode" than actually STATE your opinions on the matter belies weakness and lack of integrity. You and Mr. Trama are free to speak - so speak - about the topic.
Do you support disincorporating Bayville? Yes or No?
Reply to this
Jeff -
"Maybe the time has come to establish the commonwealth of Long Island "for the common good"."
LOL! I missed that gem. Brushing up on your Karl Marx are you?
How about making sure we do everything in our power to insure our real estate values don't plummet to the level of Roosevelt?
Reply to this
I think the most important thing here is really to focus on the issue at hand and thats what is best for Bayville. It should not be if you dislike the current mayor and board and think the only way for a shift in power is to disincorporate the village. I think the common ground here is the love of Bayville. Set political differences aside! I do agree with one of Lisa's earlier posts that basically we would lose that "small town feel" that everyone seems to love about this town. I do think its very easy to reach the people at village hall and the Mayor has more than made herself available to people over her years in office. I fear that all of the things we have grown to love about the town would be lost with this "reorganization."
Reply to this
Thank you Mike for bringing this issue to the blog.
I am glad you thought enough about it to bring it here. Although you did not mention the legislation per say, I knew what you were referring to since I had read about it through the Mayor's editorial letters which outlined the downfalls of dis-incorporation as well as requesting residents to write in opposition of this new proposal for dis-incorporating. These letters appeared in Newsday and the local papers.
I think that if enough people are against the local Village governments being disincorporated it is important to get the word out that letters MUST be written to the powers that be in Albany and Nassau County. Mayor Siegel did list our local State representatives as key people to write to.
This Blog is a good tool when used correctly and if this issue truly is an impending threat to Bayville perhaps this blog can be used as the information base for the public. Perhaps encouraging a letter/email/phone call writing campaign like people have done on here in the past.
Writers note: For those who do not know me, I did run for Mayor of Bayville in 2006. I am writing these comments as a private citizen who cares about the Village she lives in.
Reply to this
Well Lisa here is my stand, I do not believe in consolidating locale governments, I believe in the system that we currently have, I do not believe that some of current administrators we have are best suited for the position. I believe the mayor does her job to best of her ability. It would be easy for me or any other resident of bayville to sit back and just complain about the current administration. My attempt to become a trustees was not out of anger, but a attempt to give back to the community that I love. Just as you love bayville I love it too. My children are fourth generation baville residents. I feel at times that current trustees lack the ability to speak for the residents . Could some new young and creative thinking person add to the current administration, yes. One person is not going to take over the board or its power. Can one person with a different way of thinking or a different way of approaching issues help create a better, stronger, friendly community, yes. Lisa stop assuming that I'm attacking the mayor or the trustees. I believe that my running mate and I ran a decent and fair campaign. We never personally attack the other candidates, but we did attack what they stood for. Lisa, this is not the last time you will hear my name,,I promise you that. To all the residents of bayville that supported me and my running mate thank you.
Reply to this
"We never personally attack the other candidates, but we did attack what they stood for."
What is that supposed to mean? By attacking "what they stood for", you attacked my values and principles. Mayor Siegel opposed Cuomo with other mayors on this ridiculous legislation. So on the one hand, you claim you oppose dis-incorporation, and on the other you claim to oppose what Vicki and others stand for. A clear contradiction.
I didn't realize this thread was going to turn into a campaign platform for Trama in '10. Oh wait, yes I did.
Reply to this
Man: Lisa can sure manipulate words...Lisa is an evil woman. Good luck in 2010 Mr. Trama you have my support along with my wife
Reply to this
Mr. Trama, you have my support too. But I would advise you to stop your bickering with Lisa. She's obviously screaming for attention in her life and the only place she can voice her rude opinions of others is on a stupid internet blog. And yes Lisa, you started it with antagonizing Mr. Trama by using the word "dumb" to describe a simple question he had.
Reply to this
>>>>>"Maybe the time has come to establish the commonwealth of Long Island "for the common good"."
LOL! I missed that gem. Brushing up on your Karl Marx are you? >>>>>>>>>>>
Heck, Lisa, still worrying about Karl Marx?
You'd better tell your boss:
"Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday called for a radical rethinking of the global economy, criticizing a growing divide between rich and poor and urging the establishment of a "true world political authority" to oversee the economy and work for the "common good." He criticized the current economic system, "where the pernicious effects of sin are evident," and urged financiers in particular to "rediscover the genuinely ethical foundation of their activity." He also called for "greater social responsibility" on the part of business. "Once profit becomes the exclusive goal, if it is produced by improper means and without the common good as its ultimate end, it risks destroying wealth and creating poverty,"
(source: www.catholicsinalliance.org, just in case you think the words are from "Obama Week" or something)
Sorry, off-topic for this thread, but so was Karl Marx.
Mark
Reply to this
~~~~" Our Village Planning Board prevents builders from wrecklessly subdividing property into postage-stamp sized lots."~~~~
This is laughable. Have you driven around town and seen the sizes of homes they've squeezed onto postage stamp lots?
I've seen one instance where a long narrow lot that held one small beach bungalow with a TON of frontage now holds two McMansions. I've seen another where two small one story bungalows were converted to three story dwellings. those dwellings would have been higher if there wasn't an outrage started on this very blog. there are instances ALL over town where huge new houses are squeezed onto small lots.
our inc. village status does a lot for us as bayville residents but one thing it does not do is provide us with an aesthetically pleasing village. even within the village....codes for signage indicates they should be blue and nautical themed, but hte village kiosks, signs on Bayville Ave pointing the way to the village hall, antique light posts, those are ALL hunter green/gold and more victorian in appearance. and let's not get started on the ugly concrete planters from a few years ago.
Reply to this
Mark,
"My boss"? News flash, I'm not Catholic. Now don't you feel silly?
Don and Jay,
Hey, I didn't manipulate words. That was a direct quote from Mr. Trama. If he's going to be running for an elected position, he better be a bit more careful before he types out such blather on this blog. Btw, I am so thrilled you are endorsing Mr. Trama for next year's election. It just sends a tingle up my leg. But that's not the topic of this thread. The topic is disincorporation. So why don't you man-up and state your opinion on the issue isn't of attacking me?
Jen,
Thank you. Apparently you are the only person who reads and posts to this blog who understands the issue and possesses the intellect to express it succinctly.
Reply to this
>>>>"My boss"? News flash, I'm not Catholic. Now don't you feel silly?>>>>
Well, hardly silly, but I'll have to eat my hat, obviously. Must have read you wrong way back, for some reason. My bad.
This misunderstanding notwithstanding (he's a poet and he don't know it) I can presume, in any case, that you now label the Pope a Commie, can I?
Mark
Reply to this
Mark,
First of all, exactly WHAT was the Pope referring to when he urged: "the establishment of a true world political authority"? The Vatican? The UN? I seriously doubt he means Obama!
Yeah, this is scary stuff coming from one of the most prominent religious leaders in the world.
When discussing American governmental structure, religion really shouldn't enter into what is Constitutional, and what is not. As Americans, we are given the right to freedom of religion, but no one religion shall govern the land by decree.
What is needed when approaching a topic like disincorporation is Common Sense. Unfortunately, that appears to be a quality sorely lacking in a lot of Bavillians.
Reply to this
If the village was forced to dismantel and combine with other communities, would bayville be under the auspice of TOB or NC. Do you believe our taxes would go up or down. I would imagine that if all locale goverments came to together and became one, that would produce a stronger goverment. Having these small pockets of goverments create watse. Its just like the fire departments, I completely support the BFC but look at oyster bay and East norwich. what a waste, tell me do they really need 3 fire companies within 1 mile of each other. By combinding them all into one FC that would save the taxpayers money. No one is looking to take locale control away from anyone. I do not fully support the idea, but I would be willing to hear more about it.
Reply to this
Penny McFarland,
You asked:
"Do you believe our taxes would go up or down. I would imagine that if all locale goverments came to together and became one, that would produce a stronger goverment."
Our taxes would undoubtedly go up as all Bavillians would now be forced to support services for every other County or State resident, legal or illegal, who feels they are entitled to the same services and assets that we as Bavillians have paid for and enjoyed. More than likely, you would have to foot the bill for private carting and sanitation. Bayville beaches would by law be required to be open to all NYS residents, same with the wait list for the Marina. The fire companies are volunteer, not taxpayer funded. Please try and keep governmental issues separate from volunteer organizations. In case you don't know, East Norwich has private sanitation and while property taxes tend to be a bit lower due to lack of sewers in EN, the difference is made up by the expense of private carting.
When has "stronger" and "bigger" government ever been "better? Your reasoning leads us to One World Government, the "biggest" and "strongest" of all. Please think of the liberties granted to you under the U.S. Constitution and don't enable those who seek to rip them out from under us to succeed.
Reply to this
The fire companies are volunteer, not taxpayer funded. Please try and keep governmental issues separate from volunteer organizations. In case you don't know,
Lisa, taxpayers pay for fire protection, each indivual fire company bills for fire protection to either their village or town, did you think the money falls out of the sky. BTW that rates varies from town to town or village to village, we are very lucky here in bayville to have one of the cheapest BILLING FC's on long island. The BFC should be commended. Lisa once again you made a comment without thinking about it lisa
Reply to this
J. Sparks -
If the Bayville FD (which always deserves commendation for their fine work in my book) were civil service employees, the tax revenue required to pay wages and benefits would be a hundredfold the minimal charge currently paid by the Village. I send an annual contribution to the Bayville FD each year during their fundraising campaign. Do you?
Reply to this
Lisa what the hell are you talking about, all that i was doing is commenting on was your statement
"The fire companies are volunteer, not taxpayer funded" what does that mean.
The bayville fc fund drive has nothing to do with fire protection, do you think that the bayville FC total budget is based on their fund-drive.
Just admit your wrong, Lisa its okay to say your wrong, everyone will still hate you. Just kidding, just half of us will.
Bottom line Lisa, tax payers pay for fire protection just like they pay for police protection. the village contracts out fire protection to the BFC each year.
Reply to this
J. Sparks,
NCPD are civil servants who average about $100,000 a year with full benefits and pensions. Now why don't you take a look at your NC General Tax Levy bill the next time it comes around and see EXACTLY what percentage of it goes to NCPD? Hmmmm?
The only jobs created under Obama have been government jobs. Think about it. If Bayville were to disincorporate and completely fall under the governmental auspices of (D)Nassau County, what is to prevent the Legislature from deciding that all FD's in NC must become paid civil service positions (you know, to create more jobs and for the "common good") - possibly even unionized? Hmmm?
So before you go telling me I'm wrong, try seeing the forest through the trees.
Reply to this
I do believe that there is money in the Village budget that is specifically designated to the BFD. I think realisiticly though, it would be foolish to think that in its entirety the BFD exists only on that money from the village (that is raised through our taxes). They are a great FD and should be supported by this town, as they are through their annual fund drive and other fundraisers such as the haunted firehouse and the raffles they have a couple of times a year!
I think the bottom line is that all of us who live here love the town and certain aspects of it, whether its the private resident only beaches or the efficient FD. We enojoy certain small town ammentities that Bayville offers that other towns on LI do not have. I for one think that we would go from enjoying these things relatively exclusively to having to share them with out of towners who might not appreciate them as we do since they do not live here. Would the beaches then be less kept, the roads with more snow and ice in the winter and the trash not picked up as frequently, just to name a few changes for the worst? I think most of the people that live in "this one horse town" do so because there aren't many towns like Bayville left on Long Island and it is special. Consolidating into something bigger would in my opinion make Bayville less of that small town village we all love.
And as a few residents have stated earlier in this thread, lets stick to the topics at hand. Without getting too Peace, Love and Jerry, I know the blog is for opinions and whatnot and that it can be hard to control and/or attack opinions of those you don't agree with. We should be blogging for bettering the village not tearing down those who live here who aren't afraid to say how they feel.
Reply to this
Only 7% of the Village budget is spent on the FD (approx. $640,000):
http://bayvilleny.gov/pdf/general-budget-2009-10.pdf
Now look at the NC budget, pg. 410 -
http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/OMB/documents/2008AdoptedBudgetSummaryBook02-26-3pm.pdf
Almost 25% of your General Tax Levy goes to Nassau County Police District and Police Headquarters and < 1% goes to the Fire Commission. It's pretty simple math.
If all volunteer FD's were forced to go on the County bankroll it would either bankrupt Nassau County or force your County Taxes to jump by at least 25%. Now how does that make any sense?
Reply to this
only 7%? $640,000 is alot of money
for a volunteer FD
now they also service Center Island
and other villages.How much do they
pay? Where does the money go?
Reply to this
Jen,
That would be Jerry Garcia, not Ben & Jerry, right?
Reply to this
Does the Bayville administration have the legal authority to give new business tax breaks, and if so why doesn't the mayor do this, or does the tax breaks come at the county level. One would thing if the mayor could make that deal, she would be able to attract business to those three empty lots.
Reply to this
Jen nice comment! Normally I'm a bigger government sort of liberal, but your argument persuaded me. I know it’s an oddity but a formulated, elequant point of assertion on this blog actually changed an opinion. Proof I guess (if nothing else) that the blogs works.
Reply to this
Further proof that liberals are just conservatives who have yet to see the light!
Reply to this
Ken -
And I thought the saying was, "Conservatives are just Liberals who have been mugged."
Reply to this
Thank you for the kind words! Regardless of the various views on this blog, I do believe that the common ground is the love of this village. I know that I definietly don't want it to become unrecognizable and just another average LI town!
Reply to this
That was an interesting post, you should check out my blog too!
Reply to this