Spano’s argument for county government
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- April
- 10
Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano’s State of the County Address tonight seemed, at times, to be as much an argument for the existence of county government as it was a trumpeting of his own administration.
“It is a fact that when the economy is struggling, more people rely on county government,†Spano told the crowded legislative chamber. “Both residents and even businesses tend to count more on the services and information we provide — many without even realizing that it’s county government that’s providing them.â€
And while defending the county government, he also kept up his attack on state government for mandating costly programs and not providing enough funds to pay for them.
“The only way there will be real property tax relief for our residents is if Albany declares a moratorium on unfunded mandates,â€Â said Spano, who is expected to run for a fourth term in 2009.
As expected Board Minority Leader George Oros, R-Cortlandt, was critical, saying Spano did not say enough about how he would streamline government and cut taxes.
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on Thursday, April 10th, 2008 at 8:53 pm by Glenn Blain.
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“It is a fact that when the economy is struggling, more people rely on county government,†Spano told the crowded legislative chamber.
Wow! He’s getting senile!
No, Mr. Spano: when times are tough, people look more to the federal government, or to the state government, than to any self-important county government. Read your history books. Remember Arthur Schlesinger, Jr.—or even, Herbert Hoover.The only people looking to county government are welfare recipients. This must be your constituency.
Our county government officials, mainly Democrats, are deluded beyond belief. Their lack of intellect is appalling, and their insults to taxpayers borders on the criminal. Westchester County officials are the primary cause of countywide grief: they offer only increased taxation and inept solutions to problems. Worst, the angst-ridden whining of folks such as Spano, Ryan, Kaplowitz, et al only add to voter frustration.
Voters: turn these clods out at the next election. You have only yourselves to blame if they remain.
I saw most of this address out of curiosity because of all the heat the county govt. is taking. No doubt Spano was defensive and trying to justify his kingdom.
I still say the highlight was when he boasted that soon 14 Public Works trucks would run on vegetable oil. Andy Spano really did say that. Put that one with the plastic bags, the trans fats and all the other great things the County government does. He proved how much they are needed. :)
But Ryan might be brown-bagging cheap wine in the desert. No, on second thought, strike that one from the record.
Not to disparage Jerry Ford, but I remember being in a college cafeteria and seeing him on a large screen saying something like: “Take what you need, but eat what you take.” This is the first time that I, with regret, realized that I might be smarter than the President of the United States. It’s happened a couple times since. Call me delusional. (That’s a rhetorical request.)
Hi Ed: No, you’re not delusional. Jerry Ford said things as the common man might have said them, belying Ford’s better-than-average intelligence.
It was the WIN button that proved his downfall. And the pardon of RMN. And a laggard economy in Fall 1976.
But: let me say this (thanks to RMN): Ford was honest, to a fault; he was not as political as his opposite-side peers, and he tried to get our country back in order. We may always respect Gerald R. Ford’s nobility.
Best part of his presidency: appearing on Saturday Night Live in June, 1976. “I’m Gerald R. Ford, and you’re not.” In fun response to Chevy Chase, and done at the behest of WH Press Secy. Ron Nessen, who hosted the show that night.
And lest we forget: “Have a nice TRIP? See you next FALL.”
My old National Lampoon copies are somewhere in the garage storage, but the NatLamp never had a better time than when GRF was President.
I remember Ford, on his first official day as president, leaving his home for work and being greeted by a phalanx or reporters. They asked him what the family had to say to him at breakfast, and he honestly replied: “No one’s up yet.” I felt sorry for him. We won’t see this honesty again, alas.
oros could save tax dollars by giving back the $70 salary he knew he would never work to earn because he is running for other office. it’s a part time boondoogle to begin with.
How’s that for starters, George Oros likes to protest the Democrats with comments like this but he is just like the rest.
SPANO WAS DEFENDING THE INDEFENSIBLE..THE CONSTANT RISE
IN THE COST OF A LAYER OF GOVERNMENT THAT IS TOTALLY
UNNECESSARY