Governor sues Legislature

ALBANY — The seemingly never-ending state budget battle went into its next phase on August 16 when Governor George Pataki announced a New York State Supreme Court action against the Legislature to have the newly passed budget declared unconstitutional.

Pataki’s statement announcing the action said the Legislature’s budget “was nothing more than a cynical ploy to try to get the state to spend millions more than it can afford.”

LiGreci responds

GLEN SPEY — Lumberland Supervisor John LiGreci says he will not be incurring large town legal bills in fighting property tax exemptions, but he will challenge others about their records regardless of party.

LiGreci, who recently announced he would advocate a local law to challenge exemptions in Lumberland, said he plans to do most of the paperwork himself, with a minimum of legal counsel.

LiGreci responded to remarks from Town Clerk Christina Bodnaruik, who recalled the expenses the town incurred in a failed, similar action a decade ago.

LiGreci, a Republican, countered that Bodnaruik’s remarks were largely in defense of fellow Democrat, County Legislator Kathy LaBuda, who was on hand earlier this month when LiGreci charged both the state and county officials with failing to support his efforts. LiGreci earlier had confronted Republican Senator John Bonacic with similar charges. “I think people know by now that I don’t take on people based on party politics,” LiGreci added.

Tax bill hike predicted

ELDRED — In announcing the town’s new state imposed final tax equalization rate on August 14, Highland officials warned taxpayers of a likely substantial increase in this September’s Eldred Central School (ECS) District tax bills.

Highland and Lumberland are the two largest segments of the ECS district and the school uses the rate to justify the levy against each town’s assessments. Historically, they fluctuate with changing equalization rates.

Highland’s rate came in at 100, implying the town is assessed at fair market value, but Lumberland’s rate soared to 123, meaning the town is over assessed, the state says. “Look for a 23-percent increase in your tax bills,” Highland Supervisor Allan Schadt told residents last week.

Call for paid EMS

LACKAWAXEN — Long waits for ambulances that lack volunteers to staff them are prompting a call for paid Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Lackawaxen.

Recounting two recent heart attacks at the Masthope community, property manager Rocco Chierichella told the township supervisors on August 15 that responses are taking an hour, even on weekend days when volunteers should be available. “You can spend $20,000 for a building for it, but if there’s no people to run, the ambulance stays in the garage,” Chierichella said.

Chierichella’s remarks to the supervisors came on the same evening that the Lackawaxen Fire Department announced plans to build a two-truck sub-station on Westcolang Road, near Masthope.