SAVE NORTH ROCKLAND
DO NOT BE FOOLED BY COLE-HATCHARD'S LATEST DECEPTION
WE STRONGLY SUPPORT ELLIOT GILLIES AND MARY ROMANO FOR THE TWO OPEN SCHOOL BOARD POSITIONS AND URGE YOU TO VOTE FOR THEM - AND "YES" ON THE SCHOOL BUDGET - ON MAY 19, 2009.
Cole-Hatchard continues to try to deceive you. These annual school district budget numbers are straight off his website:
2003-2004 - $139 million, 2004-2005 - $151 million, 2005-2006 - $162.4 million, 2006-2007 - $185.3 million
He claims that the budget went from $139 million to $185.3 million during the three years that Elliot Gillies was a school board member. Well, as usual, Cole-Hatchard has omitted the truth. He omitted a few very important points on his ridiculously skewed website of lies. During these years, the following events also took place, which is the REAL reason why district expenses increased:
[1] Fieldstone School opened due to enrollment and space issues. Despite what Cole-Hatchard might like, it takes teachers, administrators, secretaries, lunch aides, custodians, electricity, heating costs and more to run a school. Those costs did not exist in the 2003-2004 budget.
[2] No Child Left Behind went into full effect and while there have been some educational gains, the cost of the federal mandates is well into the millions without one penny came from the federal government. Cole-Hatchard ignored this completely.
[3] Here's the one that you'll NEVER see him admit. The Mirant tax loss cost the district $275 MILLION dollars and the reason for this is purely Cole-Hatchard. His inept bravado, his failure to accept the counsel of the county, towns of Haverstraw and Stony Point, village of West Haverstraw and school district, and his stubborn belief that he was right and everyone else was wrong ended up costing the district $275 MILLION dollars as opposed to a settlement that was on the table, acceptable to ALL parties, except Cole-Hatchard and Tim O'Neill. Those two voted NO where everyone else voted YES. His mistake has cost the district, Haverstraw and Stony Point MILLIONS.
So when you look at the increased costs of the district in those three years, it has absolutely nothing to do with the actions of Elliot Gillies. Do not let the continued deceptions of Cole-Hatchard lead you down the wrong path.
MAY 11 - ADDITIONAL NOTE: PERSONAL AGENDAS AT WORK AGAIN! The candidates who are running for school board against Mr. Gillies and Ms. Romano were chosen at a private meeting held by Mr. Cole-Hatchard and Mr. Masiello in another attempt to hijack the school board in their favor. Don't let them hijack the board or the district. Vote for Elliot Gillies and Mary Romano. And remember next year that it will be time to dump Cole-Hatchard and Masiello! Enough is enough!
MAY 13 - ELLIOT GILLIES RESPONDS TO CHALLENGER - from Journal News
Hayman: North Rockland Needs Business Acumen - May 13, 2009
I am running for the Board of Trustees of the North Rockland Central School District because I believe we need a person with strong business experience to curb oppressive taxes and bridge the gap between the school district and the needs of the community.
The tough economy has challenged North Rockland residents as never before. The Mirant case shifted the bulk of school taxes to our hard-pressed homeowners. Now, more than ever, a keen business sense is needed to bring fiscal responsibility to the school district.
My opponent, Elliot Gillies, has a track record of increasing school taxes.
When Mr. Gillies became school board president in 2004, the school budget was $139 million. By the time he left the position in 2007, the budget had soared to $185 million.
With my extensive business background and experience in the classroom as a teacher, I can thoroughly grasp and address these challenges. Having lived in the North Rockland community for 45 years and been educated in its schools, I deeply understand the district's unique needs and can use that knowledge to restore fiscal discipline to the North Rockland schools.
I pledge to help relieve the tax burden on school district residents and enhance our educational excellence. Your vote on May 19 will help me undertake this important work.
Brion Hayman, Tomkins Cove
Elliot's Response
It is important that voters ask questions and demand the facts. And then it is the obligation of the voter to confirm those facts from other sources -- no matter who said them. The adage of not believing everything you read has never been more true than it is today. So, don't believe me, don't believe Brion, don't believe Mr. Cole-Hatchard - until you have done your own due diligence and gotten the truth. An informed voter brings us one step closer to solving the myriad of problems facing us.
Mr. Hayman has said that he will work to lower your tax burden - and knowing Mr. Hayman, and the volunteering he has done over the years, I have no doubt of his authenticity. But that is the same statement made by every candidate in the last five years (and probably longer) - and how many times has your taxes gone down in that period? As I said at the debate and many times before, I will be honest with both good news and bad. And the only way our taxes are going down is if Albany changes the way we fund schools - away from property taxes. And that truth needs to happen - now!
Last note - Brion and I have both spent years offering our time as volunteers - in sports programs and in schools - and I believe we both share the desire to do what is best for the children and the residents of North Rockland. We may not always agree on how to get there but this is not about divisiveness or slinging mud and I think it is time for everyone to find ways to work together to find true solutions and not find ways to divide in order to fulfill anyone's personal agenda. The opportunity to agree to disagree without personal attacks is one of the few things that separates our country from most others - so let's find solutions and aim the shots at those who seem intent on doing little to help (yes, Albany)!!!
And no matter who you vote for on May 19 - please make sure you vote.
Elliot Gillies
MAY 14 - KEN INGENITO ENDORSES GILLIES AND ROMANO
On Tuesday,May 19th you will be asked to vote for two candidates to represent the North Rockland community as trustees of the North Rockland Board of Education. They will be replacing myself and Sarah Keenan who are not seeking re-election.
It is important to elect individuals who have a proven record of dedication,commitment and service to our community and school district.
I ask you to join me in voting for ELLIOT GILLES and MARY ROMANO who possess the qualities needed in making the tough decisions in attempting to maintain quality education at an affordable cost.
I have faith in the dedication and commitment of ELLIOT GILLES and MARY ROMANO. I ask you to join me in electing them on Tuesday,May 19th.
IF you agree with me,please forward this message to your North Rockland friends to support ELLIOT GILLES and MARY ROMANO.
Thank you and God Bless you!
Ken Ingenito
Our email address:
[email protected]
You can also get information directly from Dr. Brian Monahan, the superintendent of schools. He sends out email to his mailing list on an irregular basis when there is something he believes you need to know. To be added to the North Rockland email list for the "Superintendent's Irregular Newsletter", send an email to [email protected] and put, "Please add me to the North Rockland list" in the message box. Email to the Superintendent can be directed to the same address.