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Re: [Westchester-for-Change] Westchester County Budget

From: Susan Van D.
Sent on: Sunday, December 5, 2010, 11:21 AM
Although virtual forums like this provide ways for people from distance locales to communicate, there is a big drawback to internet communication - misunderstandings can easily occur when people don't discuss things face-to-face. These forums are not a substitute for the actual conversations that occur in person. We had a terrific meeting yesterday which allowed people to share thoughts and ideas. We know Mr. Matoni lives too far away and could not attend and therefore is speaking through the internet, but I request that he please refrain from making any assumptions about Rachel or anyone who is part of Westchester for Change.
 
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Ronald P. Matonti <[address removed]>
To: [address removed]
Sent: Sun, Dec 5,[masked]:37 am
Subject: Re: [Westchester-for-Change] Westchester County Budget

Dear Ms. Rachel Estroff,
Thank you for your response to my post but I am curious as to why you sent it to my email rather than answering on Westhchester-for-Change.Could it be you did not want to let others know of your sympathies for the ones in our society that truly need help?
In response to your concern for local taxes, I agree that homeowners are unduly taxed. I believe that the police officers are overpaid as are the teaching administrators and their unions are so strong there is no room to negotiate. So the answer is have the corporations, all corporations,foreign,transnational,multi-national,pay for education and not the homeowner and have a federal police force and eliminate all local police forces. Also universal singe payer comprehensive healthcare can provide for all citizens at half the cost and is 50% more effective in saving lives as evidenced by all the civilized and industrialized nations that have it. We are the only one that does not. If we federalize schools, healthcare and police, we eliminate tremendous duplicity of functions at local,town,county,and state and save billions of tax dollars. There are police forces in towns,villages,counties and state and federal and they often fall all over each other and fight over who has jurisdiction. Schools should be federalized and all private funding for schools be eliminated as they take funding away from the public sector. Standarization would assure all schools are meeting the curriculum.
Ronald P. Matonti
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, December 04,[masked]:02 PM
Subject: Re: [Westchester-for-Change] Westchester County Budget

Hi Ron:
 
Thanks for your post, and I apologize for being so slow to respond.  I agree with you about the importance of ensuring we protect the most vulnerable in our budgets.  I think it is important to remember that County and Local taxes, both property taxes and sales taxes are regressive.  They are not based on people's ability to pay.  Even when these entities raise taxes, they put an undue burden on those who do not necessarily have the wherewithal to pay.  This is why, while we look for savings and efficiencies, part of the conversation needs to be about HOW -- sales tax, fees, income taxes, etc -- we fund things.  Most states do not require counties to contribute to Medicaid and many states provide a larger portion of the funding for public schools.  These dynamics put an undue burden on local taxes in New York.  We have to figure out how to protect our needed services while funding them in a way that is sustainable and fair.            
 
There is no question we need comprehensive immigration reform, reform that avoids pitting all workers and residents against one another. 
 
Thanks again!
 
All the best,
Rachel      
 
On Sun, Nov 28, 2010 at 3:00 AM, Ronald P. Matonti <[address removed]> wrote:
All too much concern is given to budgets and I think that state and county budgets should be allowed to run over just like the federal government or else all budgets should be run as we run our households. Unfortunately, whenever budgets are trimmed the ones that suffer are the ones that need help the most, the neediest. Spending on revitalizing counties and towns should be eliminated first. Let the businesses spend their own money on trimmings and such and tax the Chambers of Commerce more heavily. Call the IRS and ICE on all those businesses that hire illegals over veterans and do not pay taxes,social security nor medicare and put a strain on communities by fostering problems with the police,the hospitals, and the housing.
Ron
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, November 27,[masked]:02 PM
Subject: [Westchester-for-Change] Westchester County Budget

A local issue that many of you are likely interested in and concerned about is the Westchester County budget. County Executive Astorino has proposed dramatic cuts to important services. Here are some opportunities to learn more and get involved:



  • Listen... Ken Jenkins, Chairman of the County Board of Legislators, will be speaking about the county budget at White Plains Democratic City Committee, and we have been encourged to attend to learn about it.
    Tuesday, November 30th at 7:30 PM
    YWCA of White Plains
    515 North Street ��� Playroom 2nd Floor
    White Plains

  • Read... County Budget Information You can find additional links on the LoHud page as well.

  • Attend... Final Public Hearing,
    Thursday, December 9th, 7pm
    County Board Legislative Chambers
    148 Martine Avenue, 8th Floor (corner of Martine and Court Street), White Plains





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