Return to RCTA page

Rensselaer County Taxpayers Association

July 2001                                                                                                                                                     Volume 6, Number 4

is the time for us to look forward to a wonderful time of our history. It is a time when we are especially proud, as the 4^th of July is truly our birthday. In the year 1776, John Adams proclaimed Liberty throughout the land. He was joined by the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

As brand new Americans, the public was admonished to let the bells ring out and have displays of fireworks, revelry, music and merriment to add to the festivities of this glorious day.

May we add, be it ever thus, as we ask the blessings of our Creator to keep us forever in his care.

Donn Dykstra, business administrator for the East Greenbush Central School District, is to be the guest of honor at a dinner to be held on Thursday evening, June 28, 2001, at Melvin Road’s American Legion Post in East Greenbush. Dykstra, assistant superintendent, is retiring following sixteen years of service to the district.

RCTA will follow with interest the selection process leading to the appointment of a new business administrator. It is of concern that a seasoned individual is chosen from a district which has implemented earlier suggestions proposed for excellent management of taxpayer dollars. For example, transportation services can be provided by existing corporations that specialize in servicing schools. Why not here?

The "system" and readers of this article who have concerns about the quality and full service transportation needs can take great comfort in the fact that many school districts currently opt for this model. Local employment of drivers, as they choose, will continue. The financial impact on the district will lead to a significant saving in the total compensation package currently in place. These saved monies are sorely needed to enhance the academic programs for our children.

For 17 years in a row, the people of NYS have been betrayed by so-called public servants. If our state budget were passed on time, usually April 1^st of each year and emphasized efficiency, economy and honesty (at least to some degree), our people would not be leaving, especially our young people. We are put in the unique position of using our colleges and universities to provide engineers, technicians, scientists, mathematicians and professionals for other states. Our young people see these politicians as without principles and untrustworthy. They are overtaxing the people beyond necessity. They therefore vote with their feet, many never to return.

In speaking of other states, one in particular has a law on the books making it a misdemeanor for any State Legislator not to vote on a current budget. Several states pay very, very little for their representatives in their state houses. Most consider it a privilege to serve, not a cushy lifetime job. Most of these jobholders will counter with the fact that New York is bigger and has a bigger economy (no thanks to them) therefore, they are entitled to all the goodies. Figuring the time they spend in the Capital and what they accomplish in the way of substance, this is a specious argument.

As long as our state representatives keep getting more money for doing little work, they will continue to do nothing. With an election coming up, they will all be snaring as much of a campaign chest as possible to keep the catbird’s seat and live high on the hog. As long as the special interests such as dubious contractors, teacher unions, public unions and professional paupers keep the pot boiling, nothing will change. When the budget is finally passed, the goodies cease to roll in.

Now do you know why we have no budget in place? Is this something that must be changed? Speak up!

A letter to the editor by Lauren J. Conway in the TU, June 19, references: "two recent articles in the Renss. TU sect have detailed a joint effort of the District Attn.’s Office, the Sheriff’s Dept., and the Troy Police Dept. to conduct surprise drug searches in Renss Co. schools as part of a zero tolerance initiative. Law officers are assisted by dogs in this."

Ms Conway makes a good case for young people to believe in the promises of the Constitution: that citizens are innocent until proven guilty; that we are protected from unreasonable search and seizure. All very admirable thoughts. There is no indication in this piece however, of why the police searches were carried out. Was there substantiated evidence? Was a warrant issued? Were witnesses ready to testify?

Our RCTA is just as ready to stand on the side of justice as most people. Certainly, Constitutional rights as stated in the Bill of Rights must be followed. This current situation poses other questions: Were the school officials notified prior to the raid? What was the need for so many agencies?

A good many of our schools now have full time police presence. Is this not sufficient? Additionally there are school monitors (usually ex-law enforcement people) who regularly patrol the premises. A DARE program is also in place. Most of our school districts seem to have an over supply of faculty, assistants, principals, coaches, maintenance and clerical workers. If you were to add people from the District Attorney’s Office, the Sheriff’s Dept. and the local police dept., things must get pretty crowded. When does any actual teaching take place?

Art is a nebulous thing. One school of thought states that: "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". Others have varying opinions but most agree that trash is trash, or worse.

There is this display in one local school district, close by the bridge underpass on Broadway, Rensselaer, 2 blocks from the high school. ê

Another in East Greenbush, 2 blocks from Columbia High School at the underpass of I-90 has this display. ê

We leave it to the reader to make a discerning judgement as to the quality of the work and the professionalism involved.

As the town of East Greenbush elections approach, questions for the supervisor are in order. As you assumed office, personnel salary increases accompanied the members of your administration. How about some specific dollar amounts and percentages of increase? Has the number of permits to use the landfill/transfer station decreased. If so, are former users forced to hire more expensive services? Other questions will follow in future issues.

The new power generation plant at Athens on the Hudson is pretty much assured at this time. We have done well not to pay too much attention to the environmentalists. California has a Governor who is trying his best to blame everyone but the real culprits for the state’s energy shortage. Common sense says, if you don’t increase supply in the face of ever-growing demand you will run short. Even with the facts on the table, the left-wingers attempt to twist the truth around to blame "greedy Capitalists" rather than admit to the failure of their policy.

Those who know, will tell you that Mt. St. Helen’s eruption was much more powerful than many atomic bomb explosions and contributed to more air pollution than all of human existence since the beginning. This is not to say we should not take reasonable precautions for our air and water etc. Our regulations should be based on proven necessity, not baseless fears and suspicions promoted by those that have little basic knowledge of facts and are encouraged by home grown Liberals and the Socialists of Europe.

Folks, are you ready to throw away your right to a speedy jury trial in America? Well, you will be, if you stand silently while a simple majority of the world’s nations ratify the International Criminal Court (ICC) treaty. A treaty that once in place would have the authority to whisk any American away, to be held for up to seven years in a foreign country, awaiting trial on a great plethora of possible, vaguely outlined charges. Charges to be heard in front of a panel of United Nations appointed judges from such nations as Korea, France (the age-old cradle of social engineering), maybe red China, or believe it or not even Cuba.

You see folks, the world’s socialists are now touting us as a global democracy. If we are gullible enough to accept that line of thinking, then it only follows that we as America would accept a simple majority of the world’s nations, through the ICC, negating our fifth and sixth amendments to our constitution! To achieve that simple majority, they say, would require a mere 61 of the 120 nations that have already signed on, to ratify the treaty. In their eyes the changes that supercede our Bill of Rights would then be world law and we would be subject to it. Folks, we are not part of any global Democracy.

We are America, a sovereign Republic of laws, raised up by the grace of God to be the leader of the free world, not just another region in a global democracy. May God bless America, and all those who fought to keep her free.

Billions of taxpayer dollars have been allocated for aids research. A lot of those funds were allegedly used to pay for things like:

1. Drag queen beauty contests in San Francisco.
2. Queer tango lessons.
3. Classes that teach masturbation.

And other strange activities not normally found at your average Sunday school.

PBS television receives some private donations but they also receive public monies. The public should be aware as to the type of programs that are presented. A contributor has questioned how the broadcaster could present a documentary aimed at discrediting the Boy Scouts of America while openly promoting homosexuality?

We believe the Boy and Girl Scouts are among the best organizations in the country, bar none.

The patients’ bill of rights as proposed by McCain/Kennedy, if passed, will be a disaster for our country. We are already too litigious. This legislation would open the door to more contrived lawsuits. Insurance companies cannot afford to be sued into oblivion.

This could be a bonanza for lawyers but he rest of the nation will suffer. This bill is a loser for all Americans who have health insurance. Beware of anything that smacks of national health insurance. One sure way to tell is to identify who is behind it. The socialist schemes of Europe are not for us and never will be.

In Washington D.C., Local lawmakers are contemplating a bill to force all 3yr olds to attend a preparatory school for learning "social skills". They will be supervised and potty trained. An initial outlay of $50 million is anticipated. The children of Congressmen are excused, of course.
Schodack resident

Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle recently put the kibosh on a bill that would have made it easier for military personnel to vote.
Sand Lake resident

Common Cause New York, a government reform group which has lobbied for stronger lobbying disclosure requirements, was fined $500 for failing to file reports on their lobbying.
East Greenbush resident

What happened to the "Lite Rail" line between Saratoga and Albany? Did the politicians find out that if the CDTA had trouble running a bus line and more trouble building a R.R. station, that building a railroad line is totally beyond their capabilities?
East Greenbush resident

In the middle of mass, the priest enchants "Hosanna in the highest". The people answer in kind, except one 2-year-old grand daughter who answers "lasagna in the highest".
Clinton Heights resident

Here’s a double standard: Senator John McCain apparently was helped in his effort to ban soft money by Fat Cats. He didn’t even get Dick Gephardt’s permission.
North Greenbush resident

RCTA
PO Box 145
East Greenbush, NY 12061


Back issues of the Taxpayers News are available at:
www.capitalpost.com/rc/rcta.html

The taxpayer group is your voice to alert the public on matters involving the use of your money by public servants.
New members are needed to support our goals, which are excellence, accountability, and cooperation.

Give us a call.

¶ ¶ Coming Attractions ¶ ¶

• RCTA is interested in articles about tax concerns or problems in all of the county. Please, if you choose, write a succinct article for submission to: The Editor at the above address.
• Members of goodwill solicited.

The undersigned hereby wishes to join the Rensselaer County Taxpayers Association (RCTA). Annual dues of $10 are due on acceptance of this application.

Name:_____________________________________

Address: ___________________________________

City: ___________________ Zip Code: __________

Telephone: _________________________________