Tuckahoe Village Departments

TUCKAHOE TALK
With Mayor John Fitzpatrick

Strange Days Indeed

October 19th, 2008

I have thought a lot about writing to assure the residents that financially the Village is as sound as possible. I have waited to declare this for several reasons; first and foremost, I felt that most of you are probably already inundated with the news of the great Stock Market Roller Coaster of 2008. Also, time is still needed to determine if the remedial adjustments by the “powers that be” will help and settle things down. So I’ll be brief. Financially, Tuckahoe is as sound as we can possibly make it.

This doesn’t mean that if there were a complete financial meltdown of the worldwide economy, we could escape the implications. However, our treasurer has assured the board that the Village of Tuckahoe’s money, nearly $1.7 million in several banks is safe, regardless of what may happen. Just as important though is the fact that this will not offset the inevitable decrease in sales and mortgage tax revenue that may hurt this year’s budget. However, let me assure you that we can and will adjust.

Another reason for brevity, or even the lack of writing about the topic is the near impossibility to do justice to our overall financial picture in an article such as this, while the market is still so volatile. In regards to the $700+ Billion Bailout package passed by Congress, I will refrain from imparting my own personal feelings. Since I am not an economic scholar, my opinion would be just that - an opinion. Nevertheless, even the economic scholars appear to be split on the merits of the plan, while all agree something needed to be done. I can tell you that we will not have the luxury afforded the economic geniuses that got us into this mess. By that I mean Congress will not be bailing us out of anything. We will address this event the same way each household will address it. We will cut if and when the need arises.

As residents, we didn’t need to graduate from Wharton to understand having more debt than income is bad whether you are a homeowner, a village or a country. As a municipality, if debt service exceeds revenues, it faces bankruptcy. Therefore, we must only borrow within acceptable levels and with anticipation of reduced revenues from days just like these.

I requested that all present during our latest department heads meeting comply with the Village Board’s decision to seek a 5% overall reduction on the tentative 2009 budget. I expect us to start this process with a 5% reduction from 2008. We are additionally assessing our current budget in relation to revenue and may cut this year as well. The department heads voiced concern on an ability to accomplish this without a reduction of service. Since our intention is to further reduce spending without cutting services, for the present only spending cuts are to be proposed.

I try never to use words such as explore or experiment because these sound as though I am Magellan, or I have a lab coat on. These are words meant to soften intent and I prefer the “give it to ‘em straight” tact. With that in mind we should begin an open public dialogue about service reductions that we may be capable of living with. Talk and investigation, always enables communities to avoid surprises and pitfalls. For instance, is Sunday a largely used Library day, or could it be eliminated? For that matter, which day is the least used? I will report further on the findings and how any reduction would reflect financially or otherwise. On the refuse pick up front, some municipalities are contemplating residents take their own garbage to the curb. Is this something we’d be willing to do? Many residents already handle this task without any prompting, although I believe having garbage staged by residents will find the village less aesthetically pleasing. Avoiding layoffs is my sincere intention. However, as this crisis unfolds or intensifies, and the ripples eventually reach us, I am prepared to do whatever is necessary to keep the village solvent.

Since the Market Crash of 1929 served as a symbolic starting point for an economic contraction that would last for almost a decade, I thought about Mayor Walter D. Crouch who served Tuckahoe during this historical moment. I wondered if any lessons could be learned from his leadership during the tumultuous time. After searching the minutes from 1929 to 1931, I discovered that oddly there was no mention of any financial crisis, and that business transpired as usual. Interestingly, the budget was $270,000. I inquired of the Village Historian if Mayor Crouch had simply left office or was voted out during the Great Depression. He didn’t know, but laughed and asked if I thought Tuckahoe’s Mayor was somehow held responsible for the national economy. I responded, “No”, but I realize people are very cognizant of whether their local elected officials are exacerbating matters or leading with thoughtful ideas.

In the years I have lived in this Village I have learned many things. While Tuckahoe became independent more than 100 years ago, it has survived difficult times and prospered during good times for one reason: its people. Tuckahoe residents are tough, smart and above all they stick together to make sure their community survives for future generations to enjoy. We have done it in the past and we will do it now. With that in mind I pledge to do my part to keep that pride and drive alive as we go through these difficult times.