Susan Smith, a member of Community Voices Heard made her point in favor of getting more help from Albany during the public comment period.
By Nancy Peckenham
Money matters were on the minds of Newburgh residents who packed the city council chambers on Monday night, many to speak in favor of getting the state to form a municipal assistance corporation (MAC) to run the city’s finances. Last week, Mayor Nick Valentine and acting city manager Rick Herbek said they had rejected the attempt by State Senator Bill Larkin to introduce legislation to create a MAC, arguing instead for the fiscal oversight provided by last year’s Newburgh Fiscal Recovery Act.
At the end of Monday’s meeting, after a half dozen residents spoke in favor of the increased fiscal oversight of a MAC, Mayor Valentine said that Larkin’s proposal was “dead” for now because the legislative session was virtually over. Valentine said that the next time the legislation could be introduced is next year. In a phone interview, Senator Larkin clarified his interest in forming the MAC for Newburgh, saying that he drafted the bill “in plenty of time.” He also noted that he wasn’t aware that the control board would cost the city half a million dollars, a criticism leveled by both Valentine and Herbek. “The city said it was going to cost them $500, 000 and my attorney said to them, show me where,” Larkin said.
Mayoral candidate Judy Kennedy criticized city policies that have led to record tax hikes and mismanagement of city funds.
Kennedy Calls for Change in City Management Practices
The creation of a MAC was not the only financial issue on people’s minds. Prior to the start of the council session, mayoral hopeful Judy Kennedy held a press conference outside City Hall to criticize the financial management of the city and she challenged all city council members to support a minimum two percent tax cap for 2012. Kennedy also called on city leaders to give back some of their salaries and benefits to reach this goal. Mayor Valentine has already said that the city’s civil service and police unions are being asked for concessions in contract negotiations.
Loading...
