George McCoy is Nervous...
…And he should be. His seat on the BOF is up for grabs on November 3rd. In his recent writing he warns that “Pro-BOE forces must mobilize” otherwise “pro education BOF members (namely ME!)” will be unseated.
Perhaps someone should explain to Mr. McCoy, his duties as a BOF member.
As a financial guardian of the Town, it is his job to analyze and question proposed budgets. As we have made this easy for him and everyone else to understand in prior articles, it is very clear that he is more interested in being a club member along with the other “tax and spend Republicans” than doing the job they were elected to do. It is imperative for BOF members not only to scrutinize proposed budgets, but also to take into account when doing so, the adherence to prior budgets so as to understand the validity of spending patterns going forward. In this, he and other BOF members have failed miserably evidenced by spending patterns such as described -HERE-. This is not rocket science.
Having watched his performance in the last few budget cycles, it appears to me that this is a man who cannot (or more likely just won’t) understand what is going on in front of him- not once have I seen him ask a question regarding proposed budget presentations. This past year during BOF discussions regarding the impact of the national financial meltdown and its potential effect on local finances in this and future years, his contribution was to say: “let’s worry about next year, next year”. Now there’s brilliant and thoughtful financial leadership.
The club mentality that permeates this town serves no one. Won’t everyone be surprised when their tax bills are double what they are now in a few years if spending is allowed to continue unchecked, which is exactly where we will be if we continue to elect people such as this to these positions.
Also see #7 in the Playbook
Perhaps someone should explain to Mr. McCoy, his duties as a BOF member.
As a financial guardian of the Town, it is his job to analyze and question proposed budgets. As we have made this easy for him and everyone else to understand in prior articles, it is very clear that he is more interested in being a club member along with the other “tax and spend Republicans” than doing the job they were elected to do. It is imperative for BOF members not only to scrutinize proposed budgets, but also to take into account when doing so, the adherence to prior budgets so as to understand the validity of spending patterns going forward. In this, he and other BOF members have failed miserably evidenced by spending patterns such as described -HERE-. This is not rocket science.
Having watched his performance in the last few budget cycles, it appears to me that this is a man who cannot (or more likely just won’t) understand what is going on in front of him- not once have I seen him ask a question regarding proposed budget presentations. This past year during BOF discussions regarding the impact of the national financial meltdown and its potential effect on local finances in this and future years, his contribution was to say: “let’s worry about next year, next year”. Now there’s brilliant and thoughtful financial leadership.
The club mentality that permeates this town serves no one. Won’t everyone be surprised when their tax bills are double what they are now in a few years if spending is allowed to continue unchecked, which is exactly where we will be if we continue to elect people such as this to these positions.
Also see #7 in the Playbook
It is interesting living here in Woodstock. One of the most interesting facts is that when it comes to political parties, Woodstock is the reverse of the rest of the world. The normal situation is the that the Republicans are the conservative small government responsible spending party but holy cow, come to Woodstock and you go through the looking glass ….Democrats are the conservative small government, keep the budget down party with the exception of Dick Cass.
Woodstock is also unique in that as a citizen you are only allowed to ask a few questions:
1. Where is the bathroom?
2. Where do I pay my taxes?
3. How much is a building permit?
4. You say my assessment is what?
5. My personal property tax is what? Oh, thank you
6. How should I vote on the bonding?…yes of course
Other than those kind of questions you are not entitled to question anything such as how the schools spend your money, how many dump trucks should a town this size have, where was the supervision while our employees polluted our garage site, how come every dairy farmer owns an ex fire department vehicle? Do you think we out spent every other town in the Northeast corner when we built our town hall…..you bet we did…..and you know what? We built it in a swamp. So why can’t the Academy build in a swamp? It is about time we start electing people that want to ask questions. You do understand it is our Town and not the cliques' Town, you know, the ones that just send us the bill however they calculate it, right or wrong.
According to the Café crew, you are not allowed to sign petitions or voice an opinion. Candidates are nominated regardless of qualifications. Some people are even above the law and can destroy town property as long as they support the café. The local radio station has its own clique and the favoritism is obvious.
Sombody please tell me what Woodstock Fair does for the town?
I have heard that the revaluation of Woodstock has been postponed? Why? Because our property has depreciated 30% or more and the town revenue would go down? Taxes would/ might go down?
I know Kevin Ford would not approve! Question, is he a self proclaimed dictator or what? He must be collecting something from the constant rise in the BOE budget.
Oh no! Here I go from his statements and the Levitt's Café proper gander that makes me against education. What a bunch of crap. We should hire a town psychiatrist and put him on the BOE.That way we could see if Lindsay Paul can run him like a puppet too.
I have a question too! The senior citizens are not getting a raise because the cost of living hasn’t gone up. So then why did the Teachers Union ask for and receive one? Hey Lindsay, you were so adamant about protecting the teachers rights. How come?