Huntington Town Board Rejects Budget, 3-2
Cuts to arts programs a major point of concern for some members.
At Town Hall Wednesday, it basically came down to fiscal prudence against funding for the arts — the arts won 3-2.
In an attempt to hold the line on taxes while keeping a watchful eye on pending budget hurdles, Supervisor Frank Petrone and Town Board member Mark Cuthbertson voted in favor of a preliminary budget which calls for cuts to the arts, childcare and employee benefits.
All other Town Board members rejected the proposed operating budget plan.
In one of the more divisive votes in months, Town Board members Glanda Jackson, Susan Berland and Mark Mayoka rejected the proposed $175 million budget, released last month by Petrone, which calls for a reduction in spending for the third straight year, a freeze on employee wages and big cuts to arts programs.
Just one day after being reelected, Berland stuck to her campaign promise and offered a plan to possibly restore some funding to arts programs which are facing nearly $240,000 in funding cuts. The cuts could reduce the number of town-sponsored live summer performances in Huntington from 44 to 14, according to some at the meeting.
"I think you have a responsibility to the citizens of Huntington to continue working to see if we can raise the balance of that so I am not going to be supporting the budget tonight, said Berland.
Without any support, Berland's plan never reached a vote.
Outgoing Town Board member Jackson commended Petrone in his attempt to do more with less but sided with Berland against the cuts. She did not offer an alternative plan.
"In these times of economic strain and challenges, I cannot support the cutting of our arts and or not for profits at a time when our residents need it the most," said Jackson, who lost her bid for reelection Tuesday.
Mayoka also rejected the plan.
"I am also in favor of supporting art programs, and in terms of a budget of $175 million, it is a small percentage of the budget," said Mayoka. "I just want to note that this current budget is in fact, not balanced."
Cuthbertson criticized Mayoka for not submitting an amendment to the plan.
"You like any other member of the board are able to put forward amendments to that to correct that," said Cuthbertson, who argued that hardships are being visited upon many people the community and very difficult choices must be made.
With costs on the rise in lean economic times, Cuthbertson and Petrone warned that the Town Board needs to keep a watchful eye going forward.
Petrone said prudent budgeting is needed with possible litigation, employee grievances and a new $2 million community college tax pending.
"We don't spend hoping that dollars will come in, we plan. We plan for that possible rainy day," said Pertone. " "I'm very much opposed to any amendment that is premature."
If the budget is not approved by Nov. 20, the preliminary budget will pass as is.
"It is an absolute travesty that this budget is going to be put into place by default," said Cuthbertson.
Matt
12:34 pm on Thursday, November 10, 2011
I think all the arts should be cut. I am to busy working to pay taxes to enjoy the arts. Employee benefits should be cut to. In the private sector wages and benefits have been cut. Why not government employees? Taxes are too high and we need to eliminate programs, cut wages and benefits like all the people in the private sector that pay the taxes.
John Fried
9:19 am on Friday, November 11, 2011
That is exactly how it should work!!
Marita Eybergen
12:40 pm on Thursday, November 10, 2011
Let them take a 10% cut on salary and no pay raises and if the don't like it, oh well find another job.
Kim
1:03 pm on Thursday, November 10, 2011
I know lots of people looking for work that would take a job there at a 10%-20% reduction of the current proposed salary.
Tom Dewick
1:07 pm on Thursday, November 10, 2011
The arts programs in question are payed for by everybody, but used by a select few. Typical liberal waste of money.
Phil Dalton
11:38 am on Friday, November 11, 2011
The need for arts and knowledge is not up for a vote. It's necessity is assumed by our system. It is a classical tradition on which Greek and Roman societies were based. The collapse of these traditions led to the Dark Ages. Then again, we can all just hate liberals.
Linda Otta
2:53 pm on Friday, November 11, 2011
@ Phil, For me it comes down to not being about liberal, purple, a certain color or anything else.
Look around and see common sense. People are going hungry, the homes are un-affordable now because of raising taxes. Why else would people be screaming about the need for affordable housing when so many sit empty? Simple logic will tell you it is related to higher taxes or we wouldn't be focused on the budget, the vehicle that raises our taxes. People are also unemployed making what they barley could afford before? A strain when trying to make those ever tightening ends meet. And we are talking not just about "art" I think.....but we need to be looking at drastic cuts so our current residents flipping the bill can maybe make it another year on their own ever shrinking household budgets. People are hurting. It's time we give tax payer relief instead of arguing line items.
Paul J. Schatz
1:25 pm on Thursday, November 10, 2011
It is important we let our children know the arts have a vital role in their lives. The programs are not used by a "select" few. They are availabel to everyone. They are also as the rarticle says a very small part of the budget.
Dan Ciccone
1:39 pm on Thursday, November 10, 2011
This is a good question of the day: Should Cultural Arts be fostered and made possible by municpalities for all members of a community, or should the arts become a private sector offering for only those who could afford it?
Personally, I beleive if we lose a commitment to the Arts, we lose our character as a society. But that's just me. As I have often said, it seems to be clear that the mantra of "wasteful government spending" means everything that my neighbor needs or utilizes that I don't"
Rich Jacques
2:21 pm on Thursday, November 10, 2011
That is a good question. I'll run it soon. Thanks.
JSC
4:41 pm on Thursday, November 10, 2011
Our schools already know the benefits of having students involved in the arts - it helps them educationally.
Huntington is widely known for it's commitment to bringing the arts to the whole community, why would we change that? For sure, it brings people in from other towns, who then spend their money at our restaurants and stores - a plus that doesn't cost us a dime.
If we took the time to figure it out, I'd bet that each homeowner's piece of the pie to pay for our cultural arts programs is very small, and well worth it.
Mike
2:18 pm on Thursday, November 10, 2011
I was at the town board meeting last night and as a tax payer I think the board made the right decision. In terms of the cost of $240,000 to fund the arts program that not asking too much. I would like to know since former board member’s Mark Capadano and Stu Besen lost in the general election and yet both got appointed to $50,000 a year no show jobs as well. I am looking forward to see if the board will be appointing Glenda to a $50,000 a year job once her tenure is over? If you take the $100,000 a year they are wasting on these 2 idiots for doing NOTHING, we can use that money to put towards the art program.
Marita Eybergen
2:34 pm on Thursday, November 10, 2011
Why are they appointed this money? is it every year of just for one year, I am new to this. I think once the are out they should get nothing and find another job.
Mike
4:25 pm on Thursday, November 10, 2011
I wish it was only 1 year! Since Capadano lost the election back in 2006 he was appointed as the deputy parks commissioner aka a NO show job that pays him $50,000 a year + heath insurance every year! In 2009 Stuart Besen lost the election to Mark Myoka and even though the town had a hiring freeze in place, Mr. Besen was appointed to a position that pays him $50,000 a year + heath Insurance every year! So in retrospect even if you are voted out of office by the tax payers of Huntington you still WIN, what a system!!! Stay tuned on Glenda Jackson
Marita Eybergen
5:08 pm on Thursday, November 10, 2011
Thanks Mike. Once Frank is gone can we do away with these positions?
Mike
8:42 pm on Thursday, November 10, 2011
I would hope so, but since the Dems still control Huntington the pay outs shall continue. As I said I can only imagine where Glenda will end up? I think it's disgraceful that the residents of Huntington have no idea what really goes on with town Govt!
Joseph
10:25 pm on Thursday, November 10, 2011
There has to be a middle ground. Arts are critically important and part of what makes Huntington----Huntington. But these are hard times, and people need to be willing to be part of the solution. It will be an interesting few weeks...
Kim
7:52 am on Friday, November 11, 2011
Joseph I know people who are barly scrapping by, can't afford food! They don't have time to go look at pictures, haven't been to a movie in a few years. The Tonw Needs to looks how to instill a 2 year freeze on ALL spending and get out of debt completely before any extras are in order. ART is an EXTRA. Look at your school budget for instance. Math? Or art on a cart?
Linda Otta
8:24 am on Friday, November 11, 2011
I don't want to hear about minimal increases anymore. It's small increases on every line item over time that are making Long Island unaffordable. My daughter is fighting with her husband to throw in the towel and move but I keep telling her our neighbors have tried that and you can't even sell your house!
It is time for some serious cuts and decreases! We need tax payer RELIEF! Enough of this spend spend spend attitude. I agree with a 2 year freeze and then see where we are then. No more increases no matter how small!
John
10:47 am on Friday, November 11, 2011
Big or small the expenses all add up on the bottom line.If we can't afford it it has to be eliminated so we stay solvent,that is simply common sense!On this I agree with Mr Patrone.
Kim
8:42 pm on Friday, November 11, 2011
agreed!
Kim
8:45 pm on Friday, November 11, 2011
who is Capadanno? and Lorie Nolen? I heard about Stu Beson already....he was an ex-councilman who got paid $50K for nothing all year right, after he was voted out of office right?? Who are the other people?