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Putnam Valley Town Board: Time to Return to Governing
Dear Editor:
As a resident of Putnam Valley, one realizes that in this quiet country setting there is never a dull moment. This last year has been no exception. The amount of controversy and scandal that has originated from the new town board and its leader, Sam Davis, has been extreme. Mr. Davis and his entire democratic team ousted the Republican Board last year. What has happened since, has been the most dysfunctional town board in recent memory. Other than the amended ethics law, which Mr. Davis opposed, not one new piece of significant legislation has been passed. The town has had its biggest tax hike in years.
The proposed moratorium failed after numerous revisions, which was a phenomenal waste of time and distraction for the town; the domestic partner law failed, (yes this was the first law proposed by our new government representatives, two of whom had domestic partners at the time); and our chief financial officer and supervisor, who has a fiduciary duty to the town and took an oath when he entered office to protect the town, is now suing the town to which he is in charge. Are we better off now than we were a year ago?
In 2007 I would like to see new direction and focus. This town board must start thinking about improving the town, not fighting with each other. New legislation must be drafted to improve and clarify our zoning laws. We must address the salt contamination issues in the town. We must address the rising taxes and must encourage suitable commercial businesses to our town to help our tax base.
This town board must start this process now. If Mr. Davis cannot lead, he should step down. The problems are not “that developers are barbarians at the gate” and that “we have too many children” as Davis supporter Dr. Hoekstra has stated. The problem is that the new board led by Mr. Davis learned what was needed to get elected, but forgot that once elected you have to govern. It is time to govern. Lets get back to work.
Randall Chiera
Putnam Valley
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