In perhaps the most unsurprising news this
month, the Wappinger Democratic committee continues to lack a backbone, again
endorsing Republican Thurston to besmirch the party line next November.
Apparently party values are worth considerably less than Uncle Dick Warbuck’s
deep pockets, and Thurston has generously agreed to fund the campaigns for all
the Dem candidates if only the Dems play along.
Aside from the cash, it’s hard to see how
the Dems (or indeed, any of us) are benefiting from this relationship. During
his 14-month tenure, the Dickster has hit the town with a double whammy –
raising taxes 3.4% while simultaneously raising assessments across the board
(except, mysteriously, for his own mansion – see page 2093 of the rolls – didn’t he campaign on lowering
assessments??) Dick has also failed to
reinstate bulk pickup or roll back board raises, including his own – more empty
campaign promises that demonstrate what a bag of wind he actually is. He’s been
pocketing the extra money despite spending a month and half in China for his
real job, and weekly jaunts to his law office in Jersey.
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| Carnwath Farms: Wappinger's iHistoric Money Pit |
Meanwhile, Dick has been shoveling cash out
of the town treasury at a record pace: he’s created at least nine new permanent
employee positions, at an ongoing annual expense to taxpayers of $825,000,
while at the same time giving his own secretary a raise and reducing her
workload – she may now be the highest-paid phone answering service in the
county. He’s also been dumping thousands into Carnwath Farms, a beautiful but
ultimately uninhabitable albatross, and spent over $2 million on toys and
doodads for Highway Stuporintendumb Bettina.
His lack of management skills is often mind
boggling, but perhaps nothing demonstrates this as much as his handling of an
employee harassment complaint. Despite the seriousness of the issue, Dick took
action by suspending the employee who made the complaint, and followed up by
appointing a crony and friend as the “impartial” (hah!) hearing officer.
Small wonder that seven people have either
quit or retired since Dick was sworn in!
(In other Dem party news, power-hungry
party chair Robin Licari refused to entertain long-time member Joe Torres’
desire to run for ward 4 councilman, choosing instead to play the nepotism card
by endorsing her husband. Just goes to show that nepotism matters a lot more
than party dedication and loyalty. Sorry, Joe!)
