Peekskill Mayor not Exempt from Own Tax Increases!

After spending a full year claiming that they were not tax and spend Liberals the Peekskill Democratic Party vote against a proposed zero percent budget and vote to reopen the 2008 budget with an eye towards residential tax increases.

Mayor Mary Foster who took over City hall in a scene eerily reminiscent of the new movie Cloverfield explains that the tax increase will hurt every one. “I pay taxes,” said Foster. “I expect people won’t be overjoyed, but there is a lot of information we will be sharing. Most people are prudent, they don’t want surprises. People would rather have stable tax increases.”

In a stunning turn around Mayor Foster stated, “To strip over a million dollars out of the fund balance is a very dangerous thing to do,” she said. “It’s foolhardy.”

Mrs. Foster had previously advocated using the same fund balances to fund past and future budgets. In a statement released in 2007, Mrs. Foster goes on record saying:"Basically, the numbers suggest we have been over-taxed in prior years and can prudently carry forward some of the excess tax revenues to offset the proposed 2007 tax increase," continued Foster. "We have surpluses in both our General Operating Fund and our Water Fund. At this point I see no logical reason to raise taxes or water rates on our homeowners and believe it is in the best interest of the community not to do so. If we raise taxes and water rates this year it is simply taking money from property owners so that the City can save it. I don’t think we’re in the business of forced savings."

Cathy Pisani the lone Republican on the council stated, “I haven’t heard one complaint about a zero percent tax increase, people were coming up to me and saying, ‘thank God.’ It’s unconscionable.”

Pisani also pointed out that Foster voted for a zero percent tax increase for the 2007 budget.

Foster countered that she was not flip-flopping as reported in other blogs, 'I just changed my mind and acted in a manner contrary to my past public statements.'

Foster said that any sitting council can adopt and revise a budget prior to the tax warrants being sent out. The warrants are sent out in mid-February, so the budget must be revised by then. Foster said she expects city residents not to be thrilled with the increase, but hopes they will come around.

Former supporter FortHillHomeOwner was less than thrilled, 'I am just so disappointed in Mayor Foster right now. I've stopped believing that economic development can be spurred by her gimmicks. Rising taxes will drive out our middle class. Only to be replaced by people who can afford to pay higher taxes. Its only going to lead towards gentrification."

We were unable to reach Mrs. Foster for comment yesterday. We were although able to get a comment from her representative on-line, hudvallyguy, who stated, 'We are not your typical tax and spend Democrats'. Mary Foster will not raise taxes -- Guaranteed!'.

Mrs. Foster has disavowed statements made by hudvalleyguy in the past.

The proposed amended budget will also set aside $103,000 to hire an economic development person. The mayor said the city will transfer money set aside for computer equipment to pay for new employees. We would like this person to be 'business savvy.' Stated Mrs. Foster in previous debates on the qualifications she has set for the economic development person. The current administration is rumored to be in negotiations with the Scientologist who will use a 'e-meter' in order to measure savvy.