Dobbs Ferry Democratic Committee, April 28, 2008, Minutes
Attendees: Larry Dengler, Jane Morgenstern, Paul Sterne, Randy Klipstein, Joy Haber, Donna Cassell, Bradley Bolke, Charlotte Frankenthaler, Nancy Delmerico, Bettina Speyer, Marie McKellar, Teresa Walsh, Scott Seskin, David Koenigsberg, Gregg Ury, Betty Silverman and Suzanne Berger.
Guests: Jim McCue, David Mintzes.
Chairman Randy Klipstein called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM a quorum was present at 7:43 PM.
Minutes: – Motion to approve amended minutes made by Charlotte Frankenthaler and seconded by Larry Dengler and Teresa Walsh. Passed unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report – Paul Sterne – There were no changes to our account.
Announcements:
a) Randy announced that Terry Luckett found and turned over a box of records from the Democratic Committee dating from the 1990’s. Teresa volunteered to help Randy go through the contents.
b) Joy announced that the Greenburgh Democratic Committee would be holding their fundraiser and encouraged members to attend and support this committee.
c) Suzanne announced that there would be District Leader training on June 2nd at 7:30 in conjunction with the Greenburgh and White Plains committees. District Leaders will be carrying petitions for Assembly and State committee, State Senate and Congress, County Court, and themselves.
d) Bettina announced that she attended a very informative Westchester Planning Association training. She recommended that village trustees might want to consider attending in the future
e) Randy presented Allegra Dengler’s offer to host a showing of the documentary “Uncounted.” Allegra requested, in her e-mail, that the Democratic Committee sponsor this event. It will not cost the Committee anything. A motion was made by Jane Morgenstern for the Democratic Committee to sponsor this showing and was seconded by Suzanne Berger. The motion carried unanimously. Randy said he would send out an e-mail asking for a volunteer to help Allegra.
Unfinished Business
Open Discussion
Trustee Dengler reported that there were a number on controversial issues before the Board of Trustees: The Masters School, 2 Ashford Ave. and the Leaf Blower law. There were lively discussions on each topic.
Masters School various opinions were expressed regarding the tax-free status of this institution, the costs to the village taxpayers, the impact on our public schools, the feasibility of a PILOT program and the advantages of having the school in our community.
2 Ashford Ave.the revised plan before the Board calls for a 3-story building instead of 4 stories. However, for various reasons the Board has asked the builder to present both plans for consideration to give the BOT a choice.
Leaf Blowerproposed law would allow gas powered leaf blowers to be used only between March 15 and May 15 and between Sept. 15 and Dec. 15. Suzanne Berger made a motion that the sense of Democratic Committee was that non-electric leaf blowers should be regulated during the summer months so that residents are not unnecessarily disturbed and annoyed by noise and gas emissions. Paul Sterne added an amendment that in addition non-electric leaf blowers be restricted during those periods when allowed on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays before noon. Suzanne accepted the amendment and the motion was seconded by Jane Morgenstern. After another spirited debate, the motion passed with 9 yes votes, 2 no votes and 5 abstentions.
Bettina mentioned the village’s traffic and parking issues downtown. She urged the Board members present to addresses these issues using suggestions for the Vision Plan. Larry responded with information on the efforts being made by the Traffic Committee. Trustee Walsh brought up the problems at pedestrian crosswalks. Trustee Koenigsberg, said that this needed to be enforced. Mayor Seskin said he would look into this.
B & C – Bylaws Revisions and Subcommittee Assignments
Randy reiterated that there were 3 subcommittees Vacancies and Nominating (Donna Cassell, Bettina Speyer and Nancy Delmerico), Voter Registration (no one), Fundraising and events (Joy Haber and Jane Morgenstern). As there were no volunteers for Voter Registration and other political groups already engage in voter registration, it was suggested that this Committee be dropped from the by-laws. Jane Morgenstern suggested that the provision for $2 annual dues also be dropped from the by laws. Randy presented the by laws revisions including the two new changes. A motion to adopt the revised by laws was made by Trustee Dengler and seconded by Vice Chair Haber. The motion was carried unanimously.
D. High School Award
Randy told us that the Dobbs Ferry Democratic Committee offers an award of $100.00 to a graduating senior, selected by the highschool faculty and staff. The award is known as the "Dobbs Ferry Democratic Committee PublicPolicyAward." He asked for a motion to offer the award again this year. A motion was made by Charlotte, seconded by Trustees Dengler and Koenigsberg and carried unanimously.
E. Election 2008
Village – Randy reminded us that 3 village trustee positions are up for election. Trustees Koenigsberg and Dengler expressed their desire to seek the Committees endorsement for reelection. Trustee Manley was not present. Suzanne Berger suggested that since Trustee Manley was not interviewed before, if he were seeking our endorsement, we should hold a special meeting so the Committee members could get to know him. Joy thought that we should hold the meeting in May before the convention to ask questions of Ed and anyone else who might be seeking our endorsement. Randy said he would contact him. Suzanne also suggested that Republicans seeking our endorsement should first go to the Republican Party head.
Beyond – This November, in addition to Village elections, we will be voting for President, Vice President, Congressional Representative, State Senator, State Assemblyperson, and County Court Justice.
Assessment Roll – Paul Sterne
Paul gave us a summary of a paper he wrote on fixing the Assessment Roll. He has also been asked to chair a task force for the Town of Greenburgh on this issue and Richard Brodsky has invited him to Albany.
Update on Town & County
Randy announced that the Greenburgh Democratic Convention will be held on May 22. The Greenburgh convention will choose and endorse various candidates. All District Leaders are expected to attend.
Motion to adjourn was made by Mayor Seskin, seconded by Trustee Dengler was carried unanimously.
Adjournment at 9:45PM.
Respectfully submitted by Donna Cassell, Recording Secretary
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