Comments on: PV – out with the old, in with the old http://www.planputnam.org/ntm/2009/01/pv-out-with-the-old-in-with-the-old/ Brought to you (almost) daily by PlanPutnam.Org Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:42:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Patty Villanova http://www.planputnam.org/ntm/2009/01/pv-out-with-the-old-in-with-the-old/comment-page-1/#comment-138 Patty Villanova Sat, 10 Jan 2009 20:17:00 +0000 http://www.planputnam.org/ntm/2009/01/08/pv-out-with-the-old-in-with-the-old/#comment-138 I don't know if it's the water over here or what, but they don't call this town the Wild West for nothing.   EVERYTHING in Put Valley is controversial, even picking up dog doo doo as can be seen from recent town board meetings and the inordinate amount of time our supervisor devoted to the intricacies of same.  Having lived here for overe 50 years, I can honestly say that it has gotten much quieter.  In years past they had to have sheriff's deputies stationed by the doors to keep order at town meetings.  In 1997 I was physically carried out by 2 deputies from a public hearing on abolishing the PD.  Also during that period which was very much like the Deep South in the 1950s, we had random acts of violence including arson, attempted murder and assault, perpetrated against those who were in favor of the abolishment.  These events have been documented and many are on video tape.  Today it seems that the most egregious behavior has gone virtual with attacks and smear campaigns taking place mostly on the lohud forums.  (thank goodness Jeff does  not allow such uncivilized behavior on Plan Putnam). I don’t know if it’s the water over here or what, but they don’t call this town the Wild West for nothing.   EVERYTHING in Put Valley is controversial, even picking up dog doo doo as can be seen from recent town board meetings and the inordinate amount of time our supervisor devoted to the intricacies of same.  Having lived here for overe 50 years, I can honestly say that it has gotten much quieter.  In years past they had to have sheriff’s deputies stationed by the doors to keep order at town meetings.  In 1997 I was physically carried out by 2 deputies from a public hearing on abolishing the PD.  Also during that period which was very much like the Deep South in the 1950s, we had random acts of violence including arson, attempted murder and assault, perpetrated against those who were in favor of the abolishment.  These events have been documented and many are on video tape.  Today it seems that the most egregious behavior has gone virtual with attacks and smear campaigns taking place mostly on the lohud forums.  (thank goodness Jeff does  not allow such uncivilized behavior on Plan Putnam).

]]> By: Dawn Powell http://www.planputnam.org/ntm/2009/01/pv-out-with-the-old-in-with-the-old/comment-page-1/#comment-136 Dawn Powell Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:35:10 +0000 http://www.planputnam.org/ntm/2009/01/08/pv-out-with-the-old-in-with-the-old/#comment-136 There hasn't been yelling.  And it's not merely that things look different on the other side of the dais.  When special counsel was appointed at PV's epiphany meeting, no one uttered a sound.  No amount of money was mentioned.  No analysis of the attorney's credentials.  Yet in 2006 and 2007, when David Gordon was handling continuing litigation with the town, there were endless, painful discussions about hourly rates, contracts, caps.   The Republicans here  were content to just be disruptive, and to work their way back toward entrenched politics.  The media went along for the ride.  That's where the yelling was.  Look at Putnam County.  Entrenched politics is not very effective, but it is quiet.  And some members of the voting public respond well to quiet. I agree that John Hall has lost his focus, and his staff has been less than responsive, but that is not what happened in Putnam Valley. There hasn’t been yelling.  And it’s not merely that things look different on the other side of the dais. 

When special counsel was appointed at PV’s epiphany meeting, no one uttered a sound.  No amount of money was mentioned.  No analysis of the attorney’s credentials.  Yet in 2006 and 2007, when David Gordon was handling continuing litigation with the town, there were endless, painful discussions about hourly rates, contracts, caps.   The Republicans here  were content to just be disruptive, and to work their way back toward entrenched politics.  The media went along for the ride.  That’s where the yelling was. 

Look at Putnam County.  Entrenched politics is not very effective, but it is quiet.  And some members of the voting public respond well to quiet.

I agree that John Hall has lost his focus, and his staff has been less than responsive, but that is not what happened in Putnam Valley.

]]> By: Jeff http://www.planputnam.org/ntm/2009/01/pv-out-with-the-old-in-with-the-old/comment-page-1/#comment-135 Jeff Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:06:03 +0000 http://www.planputnam.org/ntm/2009/01/08/pv-out-with-the-old-in-with-the-old/#comment-135 Something I've learned over the years is that things look very different once you're sitting on the "other side" of the dais on a board or are elected to office. That's one of the reasons I've never run for anything. While some people, once elected, seem to loose their focus (John Hall is a prime example) it's important to find out *why* and see if they can be brought back into the fold - not with yelling, but with conversation and persuasion. J Something I’ve learned over the years is that things look very different once you’re sitting on the “other side” of the dais on a board or are elected to office. That’s one of the reasons I’ve never run for anything. While some people, once elected, seem to loose their focus (John Hall is a prime example) it’s important to find out *why* and see if they can be brought back into the fold – not with yelling, but with conversation and persuasion.

J

]]> By: Patty Villanova http://www.planputnam.org/ntm/2009/01/pv-out-with-the-old-in-with-the-old/comment-page-1/#comment-134 Patty Villanova Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:59:26 +0000 http://www.planputnam.org/ntm/2009/01/08/pv-out-with-the-old-in-with-the-old/#comment-134 I have to agree with Dawn, that Put Valley has taken one step forward and two steps back this year.  Wendy and Priscilla are two big disappointments and I sincerely hope that 3 good people will come forward to run again them and Tendy in November.  The election will be here before we know it and they starting running for office again the minute they were elected.  Just watch the TB meetings and make sure you have some Dramamine and an air sickness bag by your side.  It's that disgusting. I have to agree with Dawn, that Put Valley has taken one step forward and two steps back this year.  Wendy and Priscilla are two big disappointments and I sincerely hope that 3 good people will come forward to run again them and Tendy in November.  The election will be here before we know it and they starting running for office again the minute they were elected.  Just watch the TB meetings and make sure you have some Dramamine and an air sickness bag by your side.  It’s that disgusting.

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