Isn't it nice of the residents to pay for the mailers/fliers for Supervisor Heyman and the Town Board? I know you guys are generous, but my, my, my....this is above and beyond!
I mean, the Town denied you a voice on this and had to be forced to have a vote on it. If it weren't for the people who collected signatures, and for the almost 2,000 who signed.......there wouldn't be a vote on this.
The Town Board has identified senior services as a priority - that's why they let Pinegrove deteriorate, and that's why they cut the funding to fix up Pinegrove in the budget. Cuz they care. :) Also, the residents have pleaded with the Town to fix Pinegrove for many years. They decided not to fix it. How's that for priorities?
Since 2006, demand for services at the senior center has increased by 14% - but they won't hold a public hearing like they're supposed to when using CDBG funds to tell you about it, and they won't show you any documents to support the statement that services have increased by 14%.
The Kings Park location will double the square footage for senior activities/programs - even though they could double the footprint at Pinegrove by adding a second floor, and this would be covered under CDBG, but, they won't tell you that.
Kings Park is located in the geographic center of Irondequoit - Um, so is Pinegrove. It's a whopping 3 miles to the west of Kings Park.
The Town Board has proposed leasing 20,185 square feet at Kings Park - that will be open limited hours, and allow limited use of this huge facility to 50/60 seniors. The Town Board has also proposed spending tax money (grants) to fix up the place for the landlords, AND, pay them rent from tax money (grants) for up to 5 years, with no other plan proposed.
The lease lasts a maximum of five years and must be renewed annually - at a higher rate per year, with PROMISES of CDBG funds to pay this rent. Is there a guarantee that the CDBG funds will be there to pay the rent next year? Two years from now? Three years from now? Four years from now? Five years from now? What if you are denied the CDBG funds? How will you pay the rent on the lease for Kings Park?
Currently the Town receives about a million dollars annually in Federal Community Development Block Grant funds; $250,000 to pay for this lease, or one quarter of our annual grant - and again......what happens if, during these bleak economic times, they decide to cut funding for these grants? $250,000 a year x's 5 years.......the taxpayers could end up footing the bill for this if you don't get that grant money. Too risky.
This proposal will not result in any new property taxes for Irondequoit homeowners. - Unless the CDBG grants don't come through, and really - again - grants are taxes. Grants don't come from the grant tree. There isn't a Granta Clause, or a Grant Fairy who leaves them under the tree or your pillow.
Renovations will be made to Kings Park using state funds secured by Assemblyman Joseph Morelle - Yes, he "secured" them from taxpayers. State funds. Grants. Whatever you call it, it is our tax money from NY State, that is going to pay a lease to people who do not live in our community in NY State. That makes sense.
The Town has no plans to sell the Pinegrove building - that's why they've been talking to the WISD about them being interested in buying the building. If they do buy it, you can just about guarantee that your school taxes will be raised to make the necessary repairs to the building. "New" taxes.
At least this one didn't say "VOTE YES" - that's because this particular mailer pushing the pork agenda is paid for by the taxpayer.
