Well, folks, this part of the battle is over again. Again. But this being Putnam County where one-party government will do what it pleases - even if it says something else - this whole thing can come roaring back once again so let's not let our guard down. Ever.
Though the Legislature has determined that it will not take this issue up again we can safely assume that Paul Camarda, developer for Patterson Crossing and expected recipient of $3.7 million in corporate welfare, will most probably head on up to the state to see what they can do for him. Here's who to call:
Members of the County Legislature last night drafted a resolution, which will be debated and voted upon next week, to restrict the efforts of County Legislature Chairman Vincent Tamagna [R-Philipstown] to involve the county government in funding, in whole or in part, the proposed Road Improvement District for the intersection of I-84 and Route 311. The controversial proposal would have used county sales tax revenues, up to $3.7 million, to pay for road improvements at or near the site of the planned Patterson Crossing shopping center. I am informed that the resolution was drafted by Legislator Tony Hay [R-Southeast], and has the strong support of Legislator Dan Birmingham [R-Brewster]. The key language in the Draft Resolution is "...that the Chairman of the Putnam County Legislature is prohibited on behalf of the Legislature from writing letters or lobbying New York State or Federal officials to partner with the County for any road improvement district whereby the County is to share in the cost of a road improvement district that will benefit a private developer without a corresponding resolution of approval of the Putnam County Legislature...."
The full text of the draft resolution is posted below my signature line.
MIKE SANTOS
"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Ben Franklin
The Full Text of the Draft Resolution:
WHEREAS, at a Special Meeting of the Putnam County Legislature on May 26, 2010, Item #4 on the agenda( Approval/Road Improvement District/Route 311 & I-84) was withdrawn from the agenda; and
WHEREAS, prior to that scheduled Special Meeting, the Road Improvement District had generated a tremendous volume of comments from the public; and
WHEREAS, since the withdrawal of this agenda item, there has been what appears to be a single sided dialogue on the matter with a newspaper article which stated that a request may be made to the State to share half the cost with the County for a Road Improvement District and recently a position letter was inserted into a local newspaper with the Legislative Chairman’s opinion on this matter, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Putnam County Legislature will not share any current or proposed County sales tax revenues nor will it expend any taxpayer dollars to offset the cost of any road improvement district required of a developer to complete a project; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Chairman of the Putnam County Legislature is prohibited on behalf of the Legislature from writing letters or lobbying New York State or Federal officials to partner with the County for any road improvement district whereby the County is to share in the cost of a road improvement district that will benefit a private developer without a corresponding resolution of approval of the Putnam County Legislature; and be it further
RESOLVED, that this resolution shall not prohibit any Legislator from writing letters, lobbying or acting in his/her sole capacity as a Putnam County Legislator.
