2009 The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

The Good: Approval for Hudson Landing to move forward after 8 years of planning. The commitment of AVR, the extensive details that the Planning Board had to work through, and the input from the community will give Kingston a waterfront neighborhood that will draw new residents and business to our City as well as provide public access to the Hudson River for all to enjoy.

The Bad: Fiscal woes that will continue to burden our City in the upcoming year and beyond. It will be very important for both the Executive Branch of Kingston and the Common Council to keep the taxpayer and business owner in the forefront of their decisions. Rising taxes and less services including public safety will surely cause our tax base to flee as fast as they can.

The Ugly: The addition of 2 new super sized drug stores (CVS on Washington Avenue and Walgreens on Broadway) proves without a doubt that this City needs to look long term on how we grow our business districts and protect our historic neighborhoods. Knee jerk reactions such as the Washington Ave Building Moratorium went nowhere and we are back where we began.

IMO (In my opinion): Citizens of our community as well as the lawmakers who govern us really need to take a serious look at how Kingston is perceived by others now, and how we can change our image over the next few years. We have so much history with the potential to become another Williamsburg VA type of destination. Smart growth will be the key to the success of our historic city and we need to focus on that. Let’s face it, large manufacturing jobs are going to be tough, let’s embrace small business and the rest will follow. One other aspect is this: we need to stand up and say ‘no more’ for social service programs moving to Kingston. We have a very large support network now so let’s encourage them to serve other parts of the County as well. (I know I will take the heat for that one!)
I work with people who are relocating here and this is their first impression when driving though our city streets. If they see it on day one, imagine what they think after 6 months of living here.
I love Kingston, I am looking to what lies ahead and I will always work hard. I want to do the very best I can for Kingston and the people who call it home.
Happy New Year.

(the above photo was taken by my dad back in the early 1960's. It was at the old cement plant which is where the new Hudson Landing project will go)

Looking Back, Ahead, and Beyond

When I look back over the last 12 months of 2009 I have a much different perspective now than I did last January. Obviously, I had a crash course in city government after making the decision to run for Alderman. I learned that the Common Council is supposed to be the voice of the people and that although in theory sounds great, it is not always the result. (for example, Westbrook Lane was a privately owned road that lead to privately owned businesses) Why not pave Broadway or Washington Avenue which are main arteries of our City that we already own? Did that move benefit all Kingston residents or a select few? I’ve learned that being fair and taking the time to listen to all points of view is necessary to make important decisions. (something I hope the Council will be better at in the upcoming year). 2010 will prove to be an interesting time for us all. Economic growth needs to happen and we need to realize that big manufacturing jobs are not the only thing to focus on for our City. Small business is going to be what will drive our economic engine for the City of Kingston, let’s look in that direction instead of another government grant to another facility to accommodate more County Aid recipients such as the old St. Peters School on Adams Street project.

The Campaign process was humbling, exciting, and startling all at once.
Meeting neighbors and listening to what their key issues were is something I will never forget. I hope to continue to be a presence in our Ward and want to insure that our residents know who their Alderman is and what is going on in City Hall that will affect their daily lives. My intention is to organize quarterly Ward 1 meetings which will prove to be both informative and educational. (I envision having guest speakers to explain the benefits how little things such as composting, using rain barrels, winterizing their homes, and tax assessment issues can save them money) At these meetings we will be able to have a dialogue with the issues we face in our neighborhood as well as city wide issues that impact us all.
It is also a personal goal of mine to re-vitalize Forsyth Park. I have already begun to plan a fund raising event to polish this gem of Kingston.

From a Realtor’s perspective 2009 was a challenging year for us having to face the task of helping homeowners decide to sell or worse, face foreclosure. Earlier this month I was sworn in as the 2010 President for the Ulster County Board of Realtors. Kingston is one of the best bargains in the county for real estate. However, until we can control crime, gang activity and provide uninterupted basic services for taxpayers we will struggle to get the word out that Kingston is a great place to live. We need to address the aesthetics of our communities and shopping districts. The recent hack job that was done to the uptown trees not only angers me, it puts me on a mission to come up with a plan to protect our beautiful trees. It also reminds me that we need two things: A way to enforce the codes already on the books which will help clean up our city, and make noise to begin a comprehensive plan. CVS would never have happened if we’d had a plan in place.

I am looking forward to what lies ahead. I am hopeful that Kingston will find its way and begin the evolution to becoming a world class small city. I am going to work hard and do my best.

I wish you a joyful Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.

Peace to All,
Andi

What Comes Next?

As I watch this budget process in order to learn for my turn at next year’s happy occasion I realize that I want to set a goal not make the same mistakes. As an observer I find that many of these last minute scrambles to find ways to cut or create revenue always come at the 11th hour (or now called the 12th hour at these meetings since the clock has nearly run out). Shouldn’t the Council and the Executive office be looking at these issues in March? Do the research and budget your money appropriately, and be sure to fully think through the consequences and benefits before jumping in. Admittedly the Pay As You Throw program came before the Council months ago and was tabled. I also think that we can come up with more revenue generating programs from the committee level if we put our minds to it. (I have one idea that I will present to committee in early 2010)

I would like to open a little dialogue here to see what folks have to say about a few things that will definitely affect City of Kingston residents in the upcoming months:

#1 Pay As You Throw – Not much is going to be generated by only targeting the not for profits. Residents will be required to obtain either special bags for garbage or sticker to display showing the trash has been paid for pick up. Pros – suggested revenue will come from the sales of bags or tags. It is also proposed that this program will reduce tipping fees since it will encourage recycling (which will continue to be picked up for free)
Cons- This fee is another way to charge taxpayers for something that is considered to be a basic service. Also, with the lack of a code enforcement officer it is likely that trash will build up in back yards and alleys by people who don’t want to participate or can’t afford it. (remember, we have a lot of absentee landlords who won’t be providing these bags/tags.
There is merit to this system in that everyone will be required to pay for this service, (much like the water & sewer) so the burden is not on the taxpayer alone. By eventually taking this out of the budget it MUST bring down the tax levy (thus lower taxes for home and business owners) or its not worth the effort).
Another point: without a code enforcement officer in place, this program will not get off the ground efficiently. (in my opinion) Instead, let’s enforce the recycling laws and issue fines for those who don’t. Make it a fine you’ll remember, say $150. To me, that would a better quick fix, then we not only have the time to really work out this other system, but there will be a revenue stream from fines and hopefully lower tipping fees to go with it.

#2 Combining certain services with either the town of Ulster or the County.
Which ones, why, and if you don’t think it is a good idea at all, why not?

#3 Mandatory leaf bagging in the City of Kingston. This nearly passed at this month’s Council meeting Thankfully it was tabled until definite rules were in place on how to enforce the law as well as the details on the $100 per day fine that would be imposed. This was another last minute attempt to save than $10k on the budget without taking into account how it impacts residents in the long run. The way leaves are collected now is indeed inefficient. Why not rent a vacuum truck for 6 weeks instead of using a dump truck, a front end loader, a truck with a basket/plow, and a pick up truck. (not to mention they all sit around while waiting for the dump truck to empty its load when full)

Suggestions, comments?

Happy Thanksgiving

Be sure to take the time to be thankful for all the wonderful things that touch our lives every day. Enjoy your holiday!

How Do We Fix This?

One thing that is certain, it is a very difficult time for us. The City of Kingston is facing financial problems that are not unique, many small cities such as ours are facing the same issues. Rising costs for personnel, crumbling infrastructure, and deferred maintenance to public buildings eat away at our balance sheet. Add to the mixture the fact that the tax revenues are down sharply, and the assessed values of city properties are sinking faster than a Jeep in a lake. How can we really expect to keep things going along as usual? Public meetings are well attended with everyone unwilling to have services cut, less police officers, and let's not forget the loss of the Recreation Dept.

At Thursday's Finance & Economic Committee meeting there was a clear message from the 3 unions, and that was the fact that this budget can't be met nor fixed on the backs of the workers alone. You can't make up these huge budget gaps by eliminating the annual raises of these folks, it doesn't even make a dent in the amount needed. What do we do, and how did we get there? The Common Council has a tough job to do and most people don't realize that many of the things they suggest can't be changed due to state mandates/rules or union contracts that were negotiated by the Mayor previously. Let's take a look at a few things that are coming back to take a big bite out of the budget. Look at the Certiorary funds that are needed. I mentioned this on a previous blog where the City of Kingston has had to pay out a lot of $$$ for these claims. This line item has increased by $200,000, and I'm sure that does not cover the claims for this year which was originally budgeted at $30,000. Poor planning and the fact that the Assessors office was so unwilling to consider even the most obvious tax grievances which forced homeowners to take legal action (and homeowners are winning)

Pay To Throw Trash Programs are also something being discussed which will definitely be a lighting rod for controversy. I am in favor of having the not for profits pay for trash pick up, this is a service which is provided and paid for with tax dollars (homeowners should continue to receive this service as provided now) However, I am not optimistic that the powers that be will do sufficient planning to get this program up and running in time (and efficiently). They discussed this at the committee level 6 months ago, why the knee-jerk move now to rush to have it ready by January? While on this topic, why don't we implement mandatory recycling? it is pretty obvious to tell from one's trash who recycles and who doesn't. Why not fine those that don't recycle? (oh, of course, we don't have a code enforcement officer anymore) It seems to me that it would be easy enough to issue a warning then a fine if the violators continues to ignore the rule.

Another thing I find myself doing lately is read the City's Codes. There are a lot of rules on the books that not only would result in cleaner streets if enforced, we would see revenue come from it. In addition to this thought there is definately room to update some of the limits for these fines. Increase a $25 fine to a $150 fine. Violators will think twice if the amount of money they are charged if hefty. (I am not saying to increase ALL fines, but you get the idea) Perhaps the Laws & Rules committee can form a sub committee to look into this next year.

The average job in Kingston pays something like $28,000 per year so this is hardly an economic engine we have here, why are we paying so much for an Economic Development Department? Grants can be obtained at a much lower cost which is where the majority of development has come from lately. (except for CVS and face it, $10/hr jobs are not going to solve our problems) Take a look at the price tag for this department, perhaps it is time to think about restructuring in places such as this.

Auditing each department should also take place next year to get a handle on how many cell phones, vehicles, and other items that may not be necessary any longer should also be a priority. One thing for sure, if we stay focused and continue to scrutinize every penny being spent we may find ways to turn things around.

It Is Obvious

A crowd of about 350 filled the Common Council Chambers at the first public hearing on the Mayor's proposed 2010 Budget. It is quite obvious that residents, business owners, and others who live and work in the City of Kingston have had enough and are taking part in the process.

Most of them made their point that some sacrifices need to come from the top, not the bottom which will lead to less police officers, no recreation department, and filthy streets.

Again, I urge you to download the budget and take a look. There is a lot there that can't be changed due to union contracts, state regulations, and obligations that were made long ago. The current Common Council has a tough task at hand, but let's hope they do the right thing and reject this proposed budget the way it stands. How much longer can they expect taxpayers to give up more and receive less? Again, we could take a way a few vehicles and cell phones, look at raises that are not under contract, and work from the top on down.

Paying Attention to the Budget

Take a look at the Proposed 2010 Budget for the City of Kingston. You can download it here from the City's website:

http://www.kingston-ny.gov/

There is one glaring thing I can't get past. Take a look for yourself on page 62.

Notice the salary increase from $64,477 to $76,386 for the director of the Economic Development Dept.
.....and then take away police officers?

Don't forget, there is the Public Hearing for this proposed Budget happening at City Hall on Thursday night, November 5th beginning at 7:30. See you there!


UPDATE: I just want to say a very big THANK YOU!
The unofficial numbers from the Board of Elections show that I will be the next Alderman for Ward 1. I can't tell you how excited I am and that I will work extremely hard to earn the respect of those who I will represent.