SAVE THE TREES!

The essential problem with government, both in New York State and throughout the nation, can be summarized by saying that what was supposed to be a representative government has morphed into a ruling elite that ignores the wisdom of the citizenry. This can be seen in the issue of the trees on Pelham Parkway.

The trees in question are truly beautiful, mature specimens, beloved by the local community. However, city officials, who have been on an anti-car campaign for years (yet simultaneously slashing bus service) now say that they are a road hazard, and propose destroying them. They use questionable statistics to back up their case.

Common sense compromises such as protective barriers that do not require destroying the trees have been ignored. It's time the wisdom of the citizenry trumped the arrogance of government.

ASSEMBLY SPEAKER SHELDON SILVER MUST RESIGN

Recent revelations that Sheldon Silver will personally profit from the 9/11 suit payouts clearly indicate that he is in an untenable and blatant conflict of interest position.

It is unthinkable that any public official would profit from the greatest single tragedy ever to hit the people of New York State. This is not a first for the powerful Speaker of the State Assmbly. His long standing opposition to tort reform, which would affect the profits of his private law practice, has been a constant roadblock to vital legislation on this key issue.

This time, however, his personal profiteering on a national tragedy has reached new depths. Speaker Silver must choose: either resign from his law firm and withdraw from any investment position of personal profit on 9/11, or resign from public office. It is inappropriate to remain active in both positions.

Don't Build the Ground Zero Mosque

There is probably no issue which better highlights the huge chasm between the elitist political leadership of our state and nation on one side, and the average American on the other, than the Ground Zero Mosque debate. Indeed, many union members have expressed their refusal to work on this project.

There is no question that mainstream Muslims are peaceful, or that they have a right to pray as they see fit. However, placing a mosque on the Ground Zero site is an intentional provocation by extremist muslems whose goal is not to provide a place of prayer, but rather to commemorate what they believe, in a truly warped way, to be a "victory" over America. Building it is a blatant insult to all the victims of the 9/11 attack, to all Americans, and, in fact, to all muslims who have been terrorized or killed by the radical islamofacists, such as those who want to build this mosque.

The political leadership on the city, state and federal levels appear to care little for the sensitivities of the average American, and they fail to acknowledge the reality of the threat facing our nation.

Why has a small Greek Orthodox Church that was directly across from the Ground Zero site before the 9/11 attacks been given the bureacratic run around in its attempts to rebuild, at the same time that this controversial mosque has attracted powerful political supporters? Could it be that it does not have the advantage of mysterious imams who disappear in the middle east, in the presence of hyper-wealthy backers?

Proposal For State Budget Reform

As New Yorkers tighten their belts to keep food on their tables and a roof over their heads, the New York State budget raises taxes. As New Yorkers face an economic crisis greater than any since the Great Depression, the New York State budget makes it harder for small businesses to survive, and chases jobs out of our state. As local county, town and city budgets strain to make ends meet, the New York State budget continues to pressure them with unfunded mandates. The wild spending increases in the newly enacted budget--over EIGHT TIMES the size of the Consumer Price Index--is an insult to every hard-working New Yorker. The continued failure to reign in out-of-control agencies like the MTA is an exercise in political malfeasence. The only people who gain from this budget are incumbent politicians, who used your tax dollars to appease pressure groups to support their re-election. This abuse must stop. I propose the following reforms: 1. Establish publicly announced priorities--and stick to them. An open, public discussion of budgetary priorities will shed light on attempts to use the state budget for purely partisan political goals. 2. Amend legislative rules to empower individual legislators to have more of an impact on the state budget process. Currently, only the governor, and a small number of legislative leaders--including Speaker Silver, and Senators Smith and Klein, have much of a role. Allowing individual legislators to play their proper part will open up the process. 3. Bring the spending and funding of all state agencies and quasi-public organizations, such as the MTA and the Port Authority--into full public view, and public control. 4. Keep taxes low enough to be competitive with neighboring states and other regions that seek to capture our businesses. Provide significant tax credits to retain and gain jobs. Our individual and business taxes are already too high; lower them now. 5. Insure that all funds are used for the public good, not for public relations by elected officials hoping to gain an edge in their re-election campaigns. Q:What's the difference between Lindsay Lohan and the New York State Legislature? A: Lindsay Lohan has more self control. Contact the campaign at: vernuccio4senate@gmail.com, or (347) 582-2708

New State Budget is a Disgrace

The budget released passed in Albany represents one of the lowest points in the history of our state government. As families struggle to make ends meet, it increases taxes; as businesses try to remain afloat, it chases shoppers away from our borders, and further hampers their ability to maintain jobs. How many will lose their homes or their jobs due to this disgrace? The utter incompetence of our elected officials has become terribly clear.