A message from
Assemblywoman
Sandy
Galef
Town Meetings & Local Legislation

e-mail:
December 2003


Saturday
Town Meetings
With Sandy

Saturday, January 24, 2004

  • Putnam Valley Free Library
    30 Oscawana Lake Road, Putnam Valley
    10:00 am – noon

  • Kent Free Library
    264 Route 52, Carmel
    1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Saturday, January 31, 2004

  • Hendrick Hudson Public Library
    185 Kings Ferry Road, Montrose
    10 am – noon

  • The Desmond-Fish Library
    Routes 9D and 403, Garrison
    1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Saturday, February 7, 2004

  • Peekskill City Hall
    840 Main Street, Peekskill
    10 am – noon

  • Ossining Public Library
    53 Croton Avenue, Ossining
    1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Dear Constituent:

Reflecting on 2003, I remember what a difficult year it was for all of us in state government as we dealt with deficits and a stalled economy. Unfortunately, the state enters 2004 with what we expect will be a $5 to $6 billion deficit that will impact our priorities and what we can accomplish. Real challenges await us again.

However in spite of the economy, we accomplished a lot of good things in 2003. We kept intact the STAR program giving school property tax relief to homeowners. We also passed two significant laws that will positively impact our health and that of generations to come. One is the brownfields legislation that will clean up contaminated sites for use as open space, recreation, housing, business and industry. Another prohibits smoking in the workplace, restaurants, taverns and bars to protect us from health issues from second-hand smoke.

As we enter the new year, it is important that I know your priorities so that I can bring this information up to Albany as we craft new legislation. I am holding town meetings on several Saturdays throughout the district to discuss the issues and hear your concerns. Please come to any meeting that is convenient for you so we can exchange ideas and get to know one another. You may also reach me anytime at 914-941-1111 or 2 Church Street, Ossining 10562. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Sandy Galef
Member of the Assembly



LEGISLATION WITH A LOCAL FOCUS

One of the most enjoyable parts of representing you in Albany is getting the job done for my towns and villages – and my one city, Peekskill. Below, I’ve listed some of the "local bills" that I’ve sponsored in this legislative session. I’m delighted to note that many of these bills have already been passed into law – and that the positive response of my colleagues to each of the others means that we can expect significant progress by the end of the session in June 2004.

Public Safety

A.6759 (Chapter 298 of the Laws of 2003) — This law corrects technical problems related to the Mohegan Lake Firefighters Benevolent Association. Now Mohegan Lake volunteer firefighters and career firefighters can work together to establish the benefits they deserve.

A.6430 (Chapter 665 of the Laws of 2003) — This law gives peace officer powers to Peekskill’s animal control officer, who will now be able to issue appearance tickets or, if necessary, arrest dog owners who refuse to control their pets in compliance with local law. Before, the animal control officer had few tools to enforce the law that protects us from vicious or unruly pets.

A.6439/S.1177 — This bill would protect Peekskill’s water supply by giving peace officer powers to the city’s watershed patrol officers. It passed both the Assembly and Senate last spring, but unfortunately was vetoed recently by the Governor, whose counsel indicated that he found the legislation well intentioned but in certain aspects unacceptable. Now that we know of the Governor’s specific objections, I am confident that together with Senator Leibell and the City of Peekskill, we can craft the amendments that will allow the city to properly safeguard its drinking water.

Sandy on the Hudson River viewing the new security measures for the Indian Point nuclear plants, including buoys that mark a "no trespass" zone. The National Guard pulled up alongside Galef’s boat to question the activity as part of their river patrols around the plants.
Safety at Indian Point

A.7201/S.3078 — This bill would enhance the power of security guards at Indian Point to protect the plant from intruders and saboteurs. Senator Wright, chair of the Senate’s Committee on Energy, won passage in the Senate, but I am still negotiating the bill with my Assembly colleagues. I will do everything I can to convince them that empowered security guards can better work with the State Police and the National Guard to protect Indian Point and all of us who live in the area.

A.6424/S.4058 — This bill would require nuclear power plant owners and operators to meet higher standards for public notice of nuclear power plant emissions. My bill passed the Assembly last June but the Senate has not moved it at all. The notification concept recently gained momentum when Environmental Advocates, a statewide group, highlighted the vote on my bill as one of the ways they determine whether legislators support environmental issues.

Parking Issues

A.6422 (Chapter 467 of the Laws of 2003) and A.6423 (Chapter 501 of the Laws of 2003) — These laws give Cold Spring and Peekskill the authority to establish residential parking systems in areas of town close to the train station where there is very little off-street parking for residents. At least 20% of the spots must be reserved for non-residents – the idea is to ease congestion for those living close to the station while giving commuters a chance to buy permits as well. As Cold Spring and Peekskill decide on the rate structure for their respective systems, I hope to hear from affected constituents about how the system impacts them.

Quality of Life

Not yet introduced. — At the request of Mayor Dan O’Neill and the Buchanan Village Board, I am working on language for a bill that would create an urban renewal agency for the village. This might be the way they need to give them another approach to beautify the village circle and encouraging appropriate development. I look forward to hearing more from Buchanan residents on this quality-of-life issue.

Local Tax Control

A.6428 (Chapter 215 of the Laws of 2003) — This law ensured that the Garrison Union Free School District would not have to return almost $40,000 to the State of New York because of a technical problem with last year’s contract for transportation aid. It was a pleasure to work with the district to prevent that hit to the taxpayers.

Honoring our Veterans

A.6429 (Chapter 202 of the Laws of 2003) — The service that our American Veterans have given to our nation is a debt that can never be repaid. This bill seeks to give a small recognition of their national service by renaming a well-traveled bridge in their honor. The new name of the bridge that carries the Taconic State Parkway over the Croton Reservoir is the "AMVETS Memorial Bridge."



Sandy at the Uriah Hill Jr. Early Childhood Center, Peekskill. It was one of 18 schools she visited throughout Westchester and Putnam Counties as part of "America’s Legislators Back to School Week."


Survey Results
More than 600 of you responded to these survey questions in my Fall 2003 newsletter:
1. Should the state take over the entire cost of education and not use local property taxes, even if it means higher state income taxes?
Yes........58%
No........42%
2. If the state were to take over more funding of our schools, would you give up some local control of financial decision making?
Yes........49%
No........51%
3. Should we increase the state budget to give more money to NYC schools to satisfy the Campaign for Fiscal Equity court ruling?
Yes........41%
No........59%
The results are as of November 5, 2003.


Sandy with Governor George Pataki in Peekskill for signing of the "Keg Bill" law that requires beer kegs to be clearly marked so that law enforcement can track down the purchaser of kegs found at underage parties.
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