Letter to the Editor: On Voting for Clarkstown Officials

Get Out and Vote: The most important thing you can do for yourself and your family is to take the 20 minutes it takes vote this next Tuesday, Nov. 8 2011. Show the Politicians that you care. But before that take a few moments and think about what you want to say.

This financial crisis in Rockland County did not occur overnight. Many of those “representing” us do not have the basic financial knowledge to understand what they are doing. Long Term Politicians who have spent decades in office cannot admit to the problems because they are the ones who created them, whether it was Alex Gromack 30 years ago stripping the County of its reserve fund, or his voting for lifetime time healthcare benefits for employees (after five years of service) and not putting money aside to pay for them. These actions and others made by our Representatives have driven the County and our Towns toward the Brink of Bankruptcy.

You have an opportunity to make a change this year, show up at the voting booth and Vote for someone you feel has the skills and knowledge and guts to tell you the truth about our True Financial condition and then act to Fix the problems. It is not pretty and it will not be easy but it can be done. One definition of Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

In Clarkstown, Alex Gromack and Shirley Lasker have repeatedly stated that we shouldn't replace them because it would take to long for new people to learn their jobs. It is obvious to me that we need new people with a new approach because their way is not working. Throughout the Debates, Mr. Gromack has denied that the town owes $150 million+ for Employees retirement healthcare benefits, he states that he pays the bills the State Controller sends him. While it is true he does pay the bill for the minimum contribution for the pension fund, he does not receive a bill for the healthcare benefits and even though the NY Controller recommends that he put the money aside, he has elected to ignore the problem.

If you do not have the guts to admit the truth you sill never fix the root problem. It is time to tell them and the other long term Politicians Thanks but No Thanks. If you would like suggestions on who to vote for take a look at ClarkstownTaxpayers.com 

Martin Deane