Speak Out
A place to have your say about anything, from politics to potholes. Flag as Inappropriate
Posts awaiting your approval 0
LaJa May 21, 2013 at 09:03 pm
They change the name occasionally but they are and will always be TaxPac
LaJa May 21, 2013 at 09:02 pm
Simply stating that you are not aware of who you are supporting is ecactly why the rest of us are…Read More relentless in our efforts to keep them out of our community. For the sake of your kids, your property value and future (both near and distant) research this Group. You will be shocked to read the Exact words used by the group you support in TaxPac literature. Then read about the effects of their policies on the communities the infiltrate. And how long it takes these communities to recover once they are all voted out of office.
Dawn-Marie Bailey May 21, 2013 at 04:45 pm
LaJa. First, I don't hide behind initials or some fake name. I can't take you seriously when you…Read More won't reveal who you really are. Secondly, I am not part of any group whatsoever. I do not need others telling me how to think. There ARE citizens in this town who are not happy with the current board and their ways, who do not need to be part of an organization of some sort to try and initiate change. Finally, it's funny you accuse me of being a part of something that I don't even know what it is. I've never heard of TaxPac in my life.
Dawn-Marie Bailey May 21, 2013 at 08:18 am
Last night, I had quite the email exchange with members of the PTA Executive Committee. Not only…Read More could they NOT provide me with an answer as to why they've chosen not to support Proposition 2, all I received was snide remarks and avoidance. Not smart or professional at all.
In fact, they seem like quite the joke. I guess they are more of a social club who makes decisions about an important vote without doing their homework and then pushes that decision on the community (via street signs and phone calls to parents). I believe the public deserves a valid answer as to why they've taken their position. Unfortunately, they can't provide one. It makes me ponder if I should even bother to support the PTA in the future (as I have in the past with both my time and money). They certainly don't seem to be making decisions in the best interest of our children. It is all quite sad.
Dawn-Marie Bailey May 21, 2013 at 10:53 am
Last night, I had quite the email exchange with members of the PTA Executive Committee. Not only…Read More could they NOT provide me with an answer as to why they've chosen not to support Proposition 2, all I received was snide remarks and avoidance. Not smart or professional at all. In fact, they seem like quite the joke.
I guess they are more of a social club who makes decisions about an important vote without doing their homework and then pushes that decision on the community (via street signs and phone calls to parents). I believe the public deserves a valid answer as to why they've taken their position. Unfortunately, they can't provide one. It makes me ponder if I should even bother to support the PTA in the future (as I have in the past with both my time and money). They certainly don't seem to be making decisions in the best interest of our children.
Now, this morning, I hear that the PTA is telling people that they are opposed to Proposition 2 in order to keep "special interest groups" from taking over. How can parents in this community, whose children are in the system, who want to make positive change for those children, be a "special interest group"? It blows my mind, how in politics, people can twist things so badly to meet their own agendas. It is all quite sad.
Dawn-Marie Bailey May 21, 2013 at 08:19 am
Last night, I had quite the email exchange with members of the PTA Executive Committee. Not only…Read More could they NOT provide me with an answer as to why they've chosen not to support Proposition 2, all I received was snide remarks and avoidance. Not smart or professional at all.
In fact, they seem like quite the joke. I guess they are more of a social club who makes decisions about an important vote without doing their homework and then pushes that decision on the community (via street signs and phone calls to parents). I believe the public deserves a valid answer as to why they've taken their position. Unfortunately, they can't provide one. It makes me ponder if I should even bother to support the PTA in the future (as I have in the past with both my time and money). They certainly don't seem to be making decisions in the best interest of our children. It is all quite sad.
Commackvoter May 20, 2013 at 10:24 pm
I know what the word increase means! You mentioned it above about insurance rates going up. You see…Read More when a member of the BOE gives his kid a job in the district, then that adult child (24 yrs) takes a 15 yr old student to a hotel for sex and gets arrested, then our insurance company has to pay to settle the lawsuit, dont you think our insurance rates go up John. Sure you dont believe it - Read all about it http://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/cops-commack-hs-coach-faces-sex-abuse-charges-1.1711455 Time to break up this 5 member coffee clotch and their you scratch my back I will scratch yours.
John Smith May 20, 2013 at 10:12 pm
Can I ask you an honest question? I hope this doesn't sound to condescending because I really am…Read More curious. Do you understand what the word "increase" means?
COM-MOM May 22, 2013 at 10:02 pm
Just asking. Coincidence that your Commack Patch Penn name is LaJa short for Laura James? Anyway,…Read More in your infinite wisdom can you please explain why we needed to hire a $106,000 admin. from Center Moriches? Do we not have admins within the Commack School District who are qualified for the position? No one was eligible for a promotion?
COM-MOM May 22, 2013 at 09:39 pm
P.S. LaJa. Is LaJa short for Laura James?? Are you Dr. James' wife??
Concerned Commackian May 20, 2013 at 03:45 pm
Im concerned with the rate of spending increases. You cant talk your way around them no matter how…Read More hard you try. And as to this "district has no control" argument, thats a cop out and you know it. While the state tells the district what percentage of salary it must pay into the retirement system, if the district had done a more effective job of limiting the growth in compensation, not only would salary expense been lower, but the amount paid into the retirement system would have been lower as well. And John, care to calculate how much the additional state aid to the district this year lowered the levy? Im sure you dont.
John Smith May 20, 2013 at 02:19 pm
Or you could think about how spending is going up over 4% (the majority of which is fueled by costs…Read More that are mandated by law -- Teachers' and Employee's Retirement and Insurance contributions -- over which the School District has no control), but the tax levy is only going up 2.91%, which means the School District -- gasp -- might be doing a good job finding alternative sources of funding other than the taxpayers.
Again, look at the info for yourself, not through the eyes of a biased Tampellini/Hartman/Tax Pac supporter.
LaJa May 21, 2013 at 10:38 am
As usual the TaxPac group resorts to name-calling and bullying. Much like the school yard loud mouth…Read More who simply could not get the other kids to agree with him.
Must be getting increasingly frustrating to all of you. Year after year you try to break onto our community intent on doing damage and year after year you are turned away at the gates.
Perhaps it's time to pack up and retreat.
TheRube43 May 21, 2013 at 08:53 am
Something jumps out at me. "We don't want to spend down our unrestricted reserves or we will…Read More be like Sachem. But if the district doesn't over budget line items then they have no choice but to spend those reserves. Things happen during a school year - whether it is a special ed student moving in or a superstorm causing all sort of havoc. So the district has to overbudget so they have enough for those contingincies.". We have a contingency fund for emergencies. Things DO happen. We spend from the contingency fund. Next budget, we replenish the fund. We never let the fund diminish past the year it was tapped. Overbudgeting for "more emergencies" seems wasteful. People would understand if there was a budget increase due to a catastrophic emergency - enough to cover the dip into the contingency fund. And where is it spelled out what's "budget" and what's "overbudget" for each line item?? I'm not trying to be snarky - I'm just trying to get a handle on things.
Dawn-Marie Bailey May 21, 2013 at 10:54 am
Now, this morning, I hear that the PTA is telling people that they are opposed to Proposition 2 in…Read More order to keep "special interest groups" from taking over. How can parents in this community, whose children are in the system, who want to make positive change for those children, be a "special interest group"? It blows my mind, how in politics, people can twist things so badly to meet their own agendas. It is all quite sad.
Dawn-Marie Bailey May 21, 2013 at 08:20 am
Last night, I had quite the email exchange with members of the PTA Executive Committee. Not only…Read More could they NOT provide me with an answer as to why they've chosen not to support Proposition 2, all I received was snide remarks and avoidance. Not smart or professional at all.
In fact, they seem like quite the joke. I guess they are more of a social club who makes decisions about an important vote without doing their homework and then pushes that decision on the community (via street signs and phone calls to parents). I believe the public deserves a valid answer as to why they've taken their position. Unfortunately, they can't provide one. It makes me ponder if I should even bother to support the PTA in the future (as I have in the past with both my time and money). They certainly don't seem to be making decisions in the best interest of our children. It is all quite sad.
Commackvoter May 19, 2013 at 11:28 am
Yes John Smith, agree that the PTA SHOULD have video taped and posted it somewhere for the community…Read More to view. This is the 21st century and there is no excuse for them not offering this for those who could not attend. Same goes for the CUFSD but at least the law prohibits them from banning taping public meetings.
MJS May 19, 2013 at 10:29 am
It will be interesting to see what Mr. Behar does if he loses, since he is totally opposed to Prop…Read More 2. So if Prop 2 passes, and he chooses to take advantage of it and run again then in my eyes, and those of the Community, he will reveal himself to be a total Hypocrite. The same would go for Egan, since he too opposes Prop 2.
Retired May 19, 2013 at 09:52 am
@RL - I agree with term limits, but the law says that can only be proposed by the Board. The public…Read More cannot submit such a proposition. The board, at least the current one, will never agree to that b/c they want to keep themselves in power at any cost. By adding 2 new people Prop 2 may a provide an opportunity to have people on aboard that will consider proposing term limits, as well as other changes. So, yet another reason to Vote YES to Prop 2.
RL May 17, 2013 at 08:08 am
I agree new blood can be used and some new thinking and the way to accomplish that is to vote new…Read More faces in. Does having more people create a larger bureaucracy thought. Having served on a number of private, charity and corporate boards I can tell you more is not always the answer. I think term limits would be a better approach. This way you don't have the same though process year after year. Two terms six years seems reasonably to me.
Concerned Commackian May 18, 2013 at 09:18 pm
Commack Parent is right. Its definately a cost…Read More issue.....BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAH!!! Thanks Parent, that was the best chuckle ive had all day!
LINANA May 17, 2013 at 12:28 am
Since past precedence for a number of years has been to send out literature informing ALL residents…Read More (including those with no children in the schools) of candidates bios, does the omission of the bios raise a legal issue? ??? We all pay school taxes and district has the obligation to provide us with this info. Shame on them!!!!
Teacher's union is also "encouraging" votes for Egan & Behar and against adding two additional seats to the board. People with a vested interest "encouraging" you to vote a particular way should raise flags!!! Hopefully people will think for themselves and make an informed vote for the candidate they feel will best represent the students & residents of Commack.
MJS May 19, 2013 at 12:47 pm
It will be interesting to see what Mr. Behar does if he loses, since he is totally opposed to Prop…Read More 2. So if Prop 2 passes, and he chooses to take advantage of it and run again then in my eyes, and those of the Community, he will reveal himself to be a total Hypocrite. The same would go for Egan, since he too opposes Prop 2.
ergodic May 16, 2013 at 11:09 am
Hey, PTA, BOE/// try lending a hand///don't criticize things you don't understand///the community is…Read More clearly beyond your command///your 100 year road is rapidly aging///and, the times, they are changing.
CUFSD has experienced a decline in total enrollment from a peak of 7830 in 2008-09 to 6934 (projected) in 2013-14, a decrease of 11.4%. During that period, spending per pupil increased from $19,759 to $25,871 - an increase of 30.9%. This performance does not reflect well on the financial management capabilities of the BOE. And, is it a surprise that NYSUT is an advocate for the status quo? A more democratic approach to decision-making via a vote for Prop 2 should be helpful.
re May 16, 2013 at 12:01 am
Vote yes for the additional members of the board. Save our schools. Save our schools with fair…Read More representation.
Join a new taxpayers representation committee at the Commack community assoc effective September 2013.
Our next meeting is May 30 at 7pm at the Bristol assisted living community room( next to sears)
Do not let this civic group wither away as it would be a victory for the school board that monitors any opposition to the way the district operates.
RL May 2, 2013 at 09:24 am
GM why is it the forum needs to be closed? People come on pose a question or leave a comment that…Read More differs and that is pointless?
To all I never in all my posts said Jim was against teachers or their pensions all I stated was he does also collect a state pension. That's it. For making that statement I was blasted as was Devils Advocate which we are not one in the same.
I don't know if there is any relevance to him collecting a pension but I also don't see why it is or would be such an issue to admit that he does.
It seems there is a small and vocal,group here which is awesome this is America and views differ I always laugh you can watch same news story reported by MSNBC and Fox News and never think it was same story which is why we are a great country we have freedom of our opinion and views. The day we censor that is the end so please don't close the forum, for all involved keep it simple and state what you know is the truth not second hand information and if you want to challenge a claim made do so by showing evidence that you posses to correct not be attacking the post and the poster
Mike Spinelli May 1, 2013 at 09:46 pm
Devils Advocate - I don't know where you get your information from but you are misinformed.. I don't…Read More ever recall reading or hearing Jim say that he is against teachers or their pensions... if you want to be a responsible voter then get your facts straight before you accuse people of things that are untrue..
P Shoshanamarie O'Hare April 14, 2013 at 04:09 pm
Ps: it also helps disabled girls have more confidence in themselves ..
P Shoshanamarie O'Hare April 14, 2013 at 04:08 pm
That is not true. Pageants open a door for girls/woman to speak out and help out. There are many…Read More different types of pageants to chose from. Not all are about beauty alone.
Miss Long Island 1997
Also a Lupus and domestic violence Survivor
Jen Thomas April 13, 2013 at 12:02 am
We should be teaching our daughters to love and respect themselves and pageants do not do that.…Read More Feel like a queen? How about a judge or an architect? As the mother of a disabled daughter, I am appalled by this.
George Fabian May 9, 2013 at 08:41 am
I commend you Congressman Bishop for the proposed legislation and I recommend that you continue to…Read More push this legislation again and again. It is a shame that our government continues to handout billions of dollars to companies that are making billions on their own and don't need a public subsidy. Most importantly, drilling for oil instead of investing in new forms of energy is a clear example of the backward thinking of these corporate giants who can't see past tomorrow and are only interested in serving their stockholders and not the national interest. The subsidy does not go towards providing for our national defense. The US military stocks the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to cover our national defense needs. The Republicans in Congress are all owned by the oil companies, That is why you can't get your legislation passed. The Republican Party is the party of the business interest in this country and nothing else. Keep pushing this legislation and others like it.
Patchogue Snoop April 27, 2013 at 06:26 am
And now Mr Bishop wants to be exempt from Obamacare, including all the other hacks in Congress that…Read More rammed it down our throats. "Let them eat cake"
Chances.are.i.hate.you April 24, 2013 at 11:27 pm
If the companies are doing so well, buying back their own stock and paying a dividend, why not just…Read More buy the stock and use the profits to offset your fuel price? BOOYAH!
TAMPELLINI AND HARTMAN WIN!!!!!
4 3 Recommend Concerned Commackian