Kent Fiscal Watch

The Sedgewood Club will be hosting their annual “Meet the Candidates” event at the Boathouse on Saturday, October 25th at 3 pm. The address is 1026 Barrett Circle West, Kent Lakes.

For those of you who have not attended in prior years, we hold this event just prior to each election to give our friends and neighbors in Kent Lakes a chance to meet the people who are running for office in our town, the county and the state. This year, we have extended invitations to the following candidates:

• Kent Council - Lou Tartaro (Incumbent-Republican); Gerald Furey (Democrat)
• Kent Town Clerk - Lana Cappelli - Unaffiliated, Unopposed
• NY State Assembly - Sandy Galef (Incumbent - Democrat);Willaim Gouldman (Republican); Richard Quagliata (Working Families)
• Putnam County Legislature - Richard Othmer (Republicn); Joseph D’Ambrosio (Democrat)
• US Congress - John Hall (Incumbent - Democrat); Kiernan Lalor (Republican)
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The Leaque of Women Voters is hosting a “meet the candidates” session to be held on Monday, August 18, 7pm, Mahopac Library. In District 3, Charles Albertario, Joe D’Ambrosio and Richard Othmer are running for the seat being vacated by Terry Intarary.

A Guest Column I wrote that was published in the Putnam County Courier on Thursday, July 31 has resulted in some controversy. So, I wish to state that, to meet with agreed procedure of Kent Fiscal Watch, I should have asked the Courier to include the fact that I was writing as an individual without either the approval or disapproval of the organization. My action was contrary to KFW’s practice of reaching consensus before speaking for the organization, even though it was unintentional and occasioned by the pressure of meeting a deadline. Also, let me make it quite clear that the article that follows does not necessarily express any opinions other than mine. It is my hope that some readers will take the time to let me know their views.

As to Kent’s financial affairs, there is not enough information to even venture a guess as to what kind of budget we can expect for 2009. The continued policy of using vouchers…without even matching them to budget lines…is disappointing, as it rends financial reconciliation obscure. We should begin getting the picture some time in September. Continue Reading »