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Tamagna's Cut of Health Commisioner Bad for Controlling Development
To the Editor:
Just two weeks ago Legislator Tamagna voted to get rid of the County Health Commissioner, citing the Commissioner's environmentally stringent process on septic approvals as rationale for doing so. (Journal News 10/11/ 07) Legislator Sam Oliverio pointed out her importance in controlling development when he explained that the Commissioner "has made life extremely difficult for developers seeking well and septic permits to build on land that should not be built on."
Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler defended herself against critics like Tamagna: "People told me the environment was a primary concern, but a lot of things surprised me when I came to work in Putnam. People wanted to take short cuts…People who want to go around the system aren't happy, but the residents should be happy that we are upholding certain standards."
Why are Legislator Tamagna and the County Legislature cutting the Health Commissioner position when she has actually been doing a great job and doing what Philipstown and Putnam County residents expect and want her to do? One of the issues candidate for Town Supervisor Tamagna is currently running on is: "Philipstown's residents and environment must be protected from over-development." He can actually fulfill his campaign pledge while still a Legislator: he can reverse his stand to eliminate the Health Commissioner position and support the County Executive's likely veto of that cut. Legislator Tamagna will probably be the swing vote so he can really put some meaning behind his words.
Seth Gallagher
Cold Spring
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