All photos and text have been provided by the candidates.
| Position Statements | ||
| Seniors Programs | Fiscal Planning And Responsibility | |
| Sharing Our Ideas With Residents | Open Government | |
| Our Position On The New Special Events Law | ||
We
are running together for the two positions as Village Trustees in the
upcoming Bellport Village Elections. Although in the past many candidates
have supported one another in a campaign, we feel it is crucial for both of
us to win and fill the two seats on the Village Board if we are to make the
changes in Bellport Village government that we feel are necessary.
We have become increasingly concerned about the changes in Bellport which
have recently taken place. As we’ve talked with other Village residents,
we’ve heard many negative comments about the new laws and codes which are
being enacted, the Village Hall meetings that take place either unannounced
or at a time when working residents cannot attend, and the lack of
connection between Village officials and their constituents.
The recently enacted Village Law regulating Special Events (community fairs,
summer concerts, fund raisers at local churches and the art show) held by
local groups such as the Fire Department, South Bay Art Association, and the
Brookhaven-Bellport Historical Society, is a good example of the disconnect
between Village Hall and the residents of the Village. Over the past five or
six months this 11, then 7, page law was discussed at Village Board
Meetings, over and over again. A packed house of over 100 individuals and
local organizations repeatedly spoke against the law. Without any support
from the public, the Village Board put off a vote on the new law over and
over again. In the end, the Village Board adopted this unneeded new law over
the objections of the public. This is not the way local government should
work, particularly in Bellport. If elected, we promise to be more responsive
to the views of Bellport Village residents and one of the first things we
will do is propose the repeal of this unnecessary new law. Village Hall
should represent the residents, not try to control them.
If you believe, as we do, that it’s time for a change in direction for the
Village, vote for both of us on June 15th. In the next few weeks, we will be
sharing with you more of what we hope to accomplish as your new Village
Trustees.
 My
name is Alison Neumann and I am running for a Trustee in Bellport
Village’s upcoming elections on June 15th.I am a lifelong resident of Bellport, as is my husband Paul, and our three children. Paul and I graduated from Bellport High School, as did our two daughters, and our son will graduate in June. Mayor Trotta officiated at our wedding and Judge Roe officiated when our oldest daughter got married. Paul and I are thrilled that our oldest daughter and her husband decided to the live in the Village. This generational continuity has been an important part of this beautiful community and our roots here grow deep. I am also a member of the Architectural Review Board, a position I was honored to accept and a Board upon which I have served for the past 5 years. This village has always been a very special place; not only for its residents, but also for the visitors who we’ve always welcomed with open arms, a warm smile, and hometown pride, regardless of where they were from. But lately, we’ve begun to see changes that go in the opposite direction. The Village’s public meetings aren’t as “public” and open as they once were. Questions and comments from the audience at Village Board Meetings have taken on a feeling of formality. The answers from the Village Board aren’t direct; they seem more like “spin.” I didn’t take the decision to run for Village Trustee lightly and it wasn’t one thing, but many things that prompted me to run. I’ve attended just about all the Village Board meetings back to 1990 and I wouldn’t have considered running had the Board’s mindset not taken a 180 degree turn from where it once was. Bellport Village’s residents are both young and old. We have many churches, groups and organizations. The Yacht Club, Historical Society, restaurants, and the Chamber of Commerce all contribute to making the Village a very special gem. Unfortunately, the current Village Board seems to want to place roadblocks in the path of these various groups, organizations, and businesses to make it more difficult for them to thrive and succeed. We need to ask why we are being referred to as the village of “No,” and we need to look no further than the present Village Board in order to understand why. Dorothy and I would like Bellport to be known as the village with a big welcome mat. Dorothy Terwilliger and I are running as a team. We feel strongly that a reversal of recently passed laws and code changes must be made and it will take our two votes to make it happen. That is why we would like you to vote for both of us. Together we can begin the healing process and work on rebuilding this village’s reputation so it will, once again, shine. We would like to be members of a Board who will have our “listening ears” on to accept the suggestions and hear the concerns of the residents, organizations and businesses alike. Please support us so we can help you. |
 |
 My
name is Dorothy Terwilliger and I am running for Village Trustee in
the upcoming, June 15th, Bellport Village elections.Someone recently told me that most people decide to run for office when they get upset about a particular issue or decision. For me, it has been a long time coming. I have lived in Bellport Village since 1996, but I’ve been involved with the Village since 1982 when I married the then, Bellport Fire Department Chief. We lived in Tennessee for eight years where we owned and operated our own family business, but we longed to return to Bellport and as Dolly Harrow said, “Once a Bellporter, always a Bellporter.” When we returned to the Village, I became very interested in Village government and in 2003, I was honored when I was chosen to become a member of the Architectural Review Board. I served on that Board until I was asked to join the Zoning Board of Appeals in 2006, a Board upon which I still serve. I attend Village Board meetings and I consider myself familiar with current Village issues. I now work for the Town of Islip as a Case Manager assisting young families become independent and productive and I have been a Social Worker for the past 34 years. I have two daughters, Alyson and Amanda, who both graduated from Bellport High School, then attended St. Joseph’s College, and are now both Certified Public Accountants. My husband, Richard, is employed by the Westhampton Beach School District and he is now a Bellport Fire Commissioner, having been a member of the department for 39 years. His family has been in Bellport for several generations and I am a past President and current Treasurer of the Bellport Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. Bellport is a very special village with many assets such as the Country Club, Ho-Hum Beach, the Marina and Summer Concert Series, and a very special Main Street. But, one of the Village’s greatest jewels is the very special feeling of community we all share. Recently, the Village seems to have taken on a less tolerant and more legalistic atmosphere. Attending Village Board meetings and public hearings, I get the feeling that most decisions have already been made behind closed doors. Any ideas, comments, or dissention from the public are merely annoyances for those on the Village Board. As Trustee, I would listen to residents’ concerns. I would listen to our community groups, organizations and the Chamber of Commerce in order to help Bellport thrive as the special village we all treasure. I know that I have a lot to learn about the inner workings of the Village. However, I believe I understand at least what makes Bellport unique. I pledge that I will come to Village meetings with an open mind and respect for all who speak. Your ideas will be welcomed rather than discounted. I hope that you will vote for Alison Neumann and myself so that we can all enjoy the Bellport Village we all love. |
Open Government
We
are running for Village Office pledging Open Government. Have you heard
that before?
Two years ago, our opponents stated that they would work for a more OPEN
Government. However instead, this past year we have seen numerous
examples of secrecy in government. Executive Session is supposed to be
reserved for only 2 purposes: Personnel Issues and Litigation.
Everything else is supposed to be discussed in an open, public, meeting.
That is open government.
Recently, the Village Board was asked if they were considering
eliminating “house checks.” The reply was “That wasn’t supposed to have
gotten out to the public.” It had been discussed in Executive Session.
At the April 26th Village Board Meeting, the Board was asked when we
could start refurbishing the Community Center using the Caithness Funds
we were to receive. Mayor Pate said there were still some issues to iron
out. When pressed further, the Mayor said there “might be a percentage”
that the monies would not be coming. But, in fact, the Board had already
received the April 1st letter from the Brookhaven Town Attorney stating
that “the Town will be moving forward to withdraw the offer of these
funds.”
The atmosphere at Board meetings has spilled over to everyday life in
the Village. A letter from the Chamber of Commerce to the Board states,
“We feel some of your decisions regardless of their intentions have
portrayed the Village of Bellport as a ‘gated community without the
gates’. There is a very strong sentiment thru out the downtown that the
Village of Bellport is ‘anti-business.’”
Our opponents stated, “We will LISTEN to your needs. We do want your
INPUT.” Instead, at public hearings the results have proven to be just
the opposite.
The Village Board members also determined that they themselves should be
the sole members of the Ethics Board for the Village, despite audience
members pointing out that the lack of outside input made their actions
questionable at best. The Long Island Advance ran an editorial stating
that the decision to appoint themselves as the Ethics Board was
“unfortunate because the village would be better served by an
independent, apolitical board that oversees matters of ethics.”
Ray Fell’s answer was “If you don’t have confidence in us to do it –
then don’t elect us.” It’s a choice that Village residents now have an
opportunity to make.
Have you opened your village tax bills? A frequent comment we’ve heard
while visiting with residents is “We’re paying more village taxes for
fewer village services.”
Our taxes have risen over 12% this year and last year’s increase was
almost 17%.
In spite of these tax increases, Bellport Village has turned down, or
lost, several opportunities to receive additional funds from sources
other than taxes; or chose to spend our tax dollars unwisely.
Three examples of this are:
- $134,000 Caithness Funds: To refurbish Community Center, LOST (Click here to read the letter)
- $15,000 Community Grant: Lighting in the Village, REFUSED by Village Board
- $100,000 Plus: Legal Fees for Village Attorney, APPROVED by Village Board
For current board members to say that they have saved us money is what
many would call “Fuzzy Math.”
The pockets of Village Residents aren’t a bottomless well that Village
Hall can use to make up the short fall every time they act unwisely or
unnecessarily. It’s time for a change!
Volunteers and members of non-profit
organizations are the backbone of our village. Bellport has always been
a place where we help each other and work together. But lately, the
present Village administration has managed to alienate many of these
volunteers and groups for no good reason.
An example of this alienation is the Village Board’s recently enacted
Special Events law. The Village Board first started discussing their
proposed new law in September of 2009. Month after month, for 7 months,
they brought this unnecessary new law back up for discussion and month
after month, the result was the same. Every resident, or representative
of a group or organization who spoke, spoke against the new law. The
Board was told over and over again that the law was ill-conceived,
unnecessary and that it should be forgotten. Did the Village Board
listen? Were they responsive to the residents and organizations? No,
they just put off a vote until the next month’s Village Board Meeting.
Were they hoping that we would all just go away? If you wonder why the
Village Board Meetings are 3 and 4 hours long, this is just part of the
problem.
The Village Board tried to “sell” their new law by telling us it was for
our safety. However, they were told repeatedly that if it’s for our
safety, why aren’t large indoor gatherings included? Why aren’t large
private gatherings included? Why weren’t the Police, Fire Department, or
Ambulance Corp. ever consulted? The Board had no answers and the legal
fees just kept climbing. What did the legal fees for drawing up the new
law cost us? What did it cost us to have the Village Attorney attend the
public hearings regarding the new law? What did it cost us to have the
Village Attorney rewrite the new law every time Village Hall made a
change or correction? What did we gain and what did it cost? If you’re a
member of any of these organizations, this unnecessary law impacts YOU!
The Fire Department, The Methodist Church, The Mary Immaculate Church,
The Christ Episcopal Church, The Bellport-Brookhaven Historical Society,
The South Bay Art Association, The Bellport Yacht Club, The Chamber of
Commerce, The V.F.W., The Sailing Foundation, The Brookhaven Memorial
Hospital, Hospice, The Boys’ & Girls’ Club, The South Country Library,
and many, many more.
In the end, when they couldn’t stall any longer, Sherry Binnington voted
YES. Ray Fell voted YES. Mayor Pate voted YES. Scott Horsley ABSTAINED.
Jimmy Vaughan voted NO.
If elected, we will vote to have this unnecessary new law repealed. It’s
just another example of the disconnect between the Village Board and the
community.
This
past week has been a very productive one for us. We have been out
meeting people and hearing their concerns and ideas for the Village.
While we know Village residents have been busy making their decisions
about the school budget vote, we hope that everyone is now thinking
ahead to June 15th and the Village Elections.
Everyone we’ve spoken to has been very positive and supportive. Bellport
has always been a place where we help each other and work together.
Volunteers and members of non-profit organizations are the backbone of
our village. This has been very evident in the discussions we’ve been
having with Village residents. We’ve explained our ideas and the
potential for change in the Village and they have shared their ideas and
feelings with us. We look forward to implementing many of these ideas
when we are elected.
We hope all of you will attend this week’s Village Board meeting Monday
evening at 7pm in the Community Center. Like us, we hope you come to the
conclusion that it’s time for change and you vote for us on June 15th.
One
of the truly wonderful things about Bellport has always been the way we
look out for one another. Bellport is a community of friends and
neighbors. Our long standing Seniors Program has always been a good
example of our community at its best, or at least it was until recently.
Gone are the wonderful programs that gave our Seniors a sense of
community and made it easier for them to stay in their homes which they
love. Gone is someone looking out for their interests at Village Hall.
Gone is someone they can look to for a little help when they need it
most.
Our goal is to re-establish the Seniors Program in Bellport Village. The
abrupt loss of this service has left a void in our community which can
not be allowed to continue. In May of 2009, Mayor Pate was quoted in the
Long Island Advance as stating, “We have not cancelled our senior
programs.” Now, in May of 2010, the only part of our once active Seniors
Program is the Senior Van which runs only once a week for select medical
appointments within a 10-mile radius of the Village. Only the distance,
not the importance, or financial ability of the Senior is considered.
Even this single Senior Service isn’t paid for by the Village. Instead,
it’s paid for by a one year Grant and there’s no telling what this
administration will do when the Grant monies end.
We will all be Senior Citizens one day. When we are, we’ll wish for the
kinds of Senior Programs the Village has provided in the past. Don’t
today’s Seniors deserve it now?
We’ve spoken with many Seniors. They miss the quarterly educational and
entertainment programs, lunches provided by CDA funds, games, singers,
etc. In the past, Seniors also received a newsletter about six times a
year to keep them connected and informed regarding events and services.
Now, they are isolated. We would establish a Seniors Advisory Committee
to stay in touch with the needs of our Seniors and give them a voice in
Village Government.
So, how can we fund the rebuilding of our Seniors Program in these tough
economic times? First, the Village Hall staff can pursue grant monies
which are specifically earmarked for Senior Programs. Next, stop the
hemorrhaging of funds for legal services. Put the Village Attorney on
retainer and only use the services when they are absolutely needed. The
Village Attorney should be representing the Village, not the Village
Board. And finally, we would like to reach out to some of the
gerontology college programs in the area. We would create a partnership
whereby college interns could further their studies and provide us with
their much needed services.
Rebuilding our Seniors Program is simply the right thing to do!