Sept. 23, 2009 Bulletin

The Bulletin -- September 23, 2009 (#1009)

Program: Program: Brian Sampson — Executive Director of Unshackle Upstate

PRESS-REPUBLICAN REPORTER JOE LOTEMPLIO, ROTARIANS JOHN SEIDEN AND CORNELIA FORRENCE, TALK WITH BRIAN SAMPSON AFTER THE MEETING.

Brian Sampson said “The state legislature passed a budget that has to be absolutely the worst budget ever in the history of New York State.” Sampson said it contained $8 billion in new taxes and used $7 billion in Federal stimulus funds and was basically set by 3 men in a room all from downstate who don’t care about upstate New York residents.

Sampson said New York is losing people and businesses because of several factors, including the fact that New York’s business climate in 49th in the nation and property taxes are among the nation’s highest. He told the Rotary club members in attendance that Upstate New York has nine of the 10 highest county property tax rates in the nation as a share of property values.

Sampson said Unshackle Upstate is traveling around the state to assess government’s impact on business. He said the grassroots effort is gathering momentum with nearly 45,000 members in about 75 affiliate organizations. However, he said the fledging organization needs members to voice their opposition with current state lawmakers, and it all else fails, “You have to go to the polls and vote for those who support you.”

Things are not going to get any better said Sampson pointing to a recent statement from the Comptroller who said taxes could go up by 10 percent next fiscal year just to cover current costs. In response to that challenge, Unshackle Upstate has drafted a series of proposals that could result in a total saving to New York State of about $7.19 Billion. The proposals include:

Cut three percent in state operations
- Cannot be passed on to local governments
- Cannot be shifted to Federal Stimulus funding
State payroll lag
State furlough
Consolidate some services among state agencies (payroll, purchasing, IT)
Tighten Medicaid eligibility for Long-Term Care
Stronger action to prevent Medicaid fraud
School funding flat for 2010-11
No legislative member items

Sampson said all state residents should stand up, get engaged and stop watching from the sidelines. He asked everyone to help gather support by spreading the message and asking state legislators what they are doing to cut excessive costs in New York State. If they don’t have any ideas, then provide them with the solutions that Unshackle Upstate has proposed.

This Week:

Several members are absent today on the Rotary Bike Day with leaders Sara Rowden and Bob Perkins.
Rotary International pins are available if you did not pick up one last week.
T-shirts are available for those who ordered them after the meeting. See Cathy Forget.
Please do not use the club’s membership listings for business purposes.
Member Orientation: one-hour session will be conducted Friday morning at West Bay Financial Services, Margaret Street, at 8 a.m.
District Conference is just a month away and those interested in going should discuss car-pooling with Bonnie and others.

Visiting Rotarians: David Malone (Watertown, NY)

Guests: Katie Gavenani (Brian Hammond); Doug Kashorek (Steve Frederick); Garry Douglas (Howard Lowe), Laurie Booth-Trudeau (Ellie Murray).

Announcements:

Roducky Derby: Ellen Bouchard said the track was set up by 10:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. Ellen’s son was in the duck suit all day and participated in the parade, walked to the Farmer’s Market, etc. Special thanks to: Vicki Marking and Marsha Cook for helping all day; C.J. Soper for selling $450 in corporate duck sponsorships; Bob Parks for printing flyers. The names of prize winners and sponsors will be uploaded to the Website and also listed in the newspaper very soon. AAA Northway was the Corporate Duck winner, and several Rotarians won prizes in the Derby race: Lori Mathieu -- grand prize, Courtland Wood -- savings bond; Terrianne Pavone – basket of candy and a savings bond; Brian Hammond – gift basket. The tentative total is $5,326 without matching gift from Walmart. Some gifts have yet to be handed out.
Centennial Park Cleanup (Steve Frederick): A cleanup of the Centennial Park area on the Old Base Property will commence on Saturday, Oct. 10, 8 – 10 a.m. Bring weed wackers, rakes, gloves. Please sign up. Pictures will be taken during the cleanup and submitted to R.I. as part of the “International Rotarians at Work Day” festivities around the world.

Auction Items: Ita Bullard was high bidder at $45 for two hand stuffed items (Samuel de Champlain and Champy).

Fines:

Ellie Berger fined $4 for article on therapeutic puppies. Phil Green challenged her to whether she knew who won the NFL game between the Giants and the Cowboys…he paid her fine.
Rick Leibowitz fined $4 for recent article.

Bonnie’s Bucks:

Ellen Bouchard: Those who worked the Roducky Derby should contact Barb Straw about when they want to use it for a make up (two weeks before or after the Roducky Derby date)
John Boule: John said he found a parking space last week between two Nova buses last week. When he left, a new Nova bus was waiting to move into it.
Phil Green: He has a new grandson, Colin Phillips, by his daughter and everyone in Saratoga is doing fine.
Ita Bullard: Amy Kretser had a baby Tuesday evening and everyone is doing fine.
Peter Cadieux: Kudos to Rick Leibowitz and Abbot, Frenyea, Russell, Coffey, for hosting a workshop on QuickBooks at the chamber offices
Tony Searing: One year anniversary of when he was diagnosed with cancer, and he is now cancer free.
Dave Malone: His wife and sister-in-law attended the largest TEA Party meeting (approx. 1.7 million people) recently in Washington, D.C.
Ellie Murray: An Adaptability Expo will be held at Champlain Centres Mall, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 26. Organizations and vendors will discuss how disabled people can be more independent in the community.
Ellie Berger: Ellie said she and Michael had another pleasant walking trip in England.

Another Candle Burning For: Wallace Westfeldt (9/23) was serenaded on his 86th birthday.

50/50: Two of Hearts is the card to get this time. Gerald Dominy picked the 7 of Diamonds.

TRIVIA
Did you know…?
Questions: Where was the first non-English speaking Rotary Club located?
Answer: Stan Ransom was correct: Havana, Cuba.