Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Bruce Carhart's Ticket To The Moon- Closed Till Friday????


While watching TV tonight on Channel 7, I noticed an unusual weather related closure.  The ticker tape at the bottom of the screen read..... Bruce Carhart's Ticket To The Moon- Closed Till Friday  I sat there and wondered what is Bruce up to now? I contacted Bruce and he told me that this is his new Logo and Embroidery Company.  

I commended him on a very clever use of the closure list for advertising his new company...... At a boy Bruce.... only you....would come up with this...... Bruce went on to say that he will have a website for his company in the very near future. Bruce has been a business man in Alexandria Bay for many years...



Saturday, January 25, 2014

Letter Supporting The Town Board

This is a letter that was submitted to me by Dan Peterson.   For the record, I do not agree with much of anything stated by Peterson, it is however a rather accurate barometer reading showing the conditions of the political climate of the Town.


I don’t understand all of these negative comments and personal attacks, on some of our current elected officials. We of course should scrutinize the actions of our town board as taxpayers we certainly have a vested interest in how our town runs.

If someone chooses to publicly post negative comments about someone else I feel it is appropriate to be specific about what it is we are unhappy about, if comments are only general it may appear to be more like whining than fact based scrutiny, and leaves little room for accurate rebuttal.

I feel that our town has been improving in many ways since Dale Hunneyman and Brent Sweet took office, I am not happy with every decision made, but overall I believe the facts show we are moving in the right direction. So here are the facts to the best of my knowledge, if I have anything wrong please let me know, I am always happy to debate any issues as long as we debating facts and not fiction or speculations stated as facts.

When Dale and Brent took office they found that many things concerning our towns finances were not in order, and that standard accounting mechanisms used by every town everywhere were not being used in our town. This gave them great concern and led them to seek assistance from state comptroller to try to reconcile town records that were incomplete or missing. This was important because the state has very specific laws on how taxpayers moneys can be spent, as well as appropriate record keeping. They heard rumors of records being destroyed, and possible embezzlement!

They acted and investigated these rumors as they should have, after all they were elected by the taxpayers of this town to oversee the towns business. The comptroller completed their audit listing numerous concerns which most have already been in local news papers this past summer, talking about former Highway superintendent Dave Bain and former supervisor Martha Millet.

Is it Dale and Brent’s fault that Martha wrote checks out to herself and did not provide receipts? Why would she write a check out to herself personally? Why not just write a check for what ever she was purchasing? To my knowledge to date she still has not provided proof of where money was spent! Our money! yours and mine! Mr. Bain allowed $14,000 worth of fuel to disappear, ignoring state guidelines for controlling inventory, and was basically named personally responsible by comptroller! Did you happen to read this audit? The comptroller has no vested interest in this town. They are an objective third party. Mr. Bain was alleged to have misused taxpayers money in various ways as well as destroying records. To my knowledge he has never satisfactorily defended these allegations, so the black cloud hangs over his head still. He complains that he came under unjust scrutiny by Dale and Brent, but the Facts bear that the scrutiny was warranted! Dave Bain made decisions and now he has to live by those decisions as we all must! Its not someone else’s fault! If his work ethic is so great why was Andy Davis basically doing his job the last 2 years!

Andy checked the roads in the middle of the night more often than Dave whom we paid damn good money to do so and bought him a brand new truck! Where was Dave and his new truck? Home in his warm bed truck in driveway! Ask any guy that works at the barn who ran that barn the last 2 years they will all answer Andy Davis!

It is my humble opinion that that Dale and Brent are only guilty of having to deal with all of this unpleasantness dumped in their lap on election day. The former regimes claim to fame is enacting lifetime health care for themselves, buying ice arena from village and then sinking around a million dollars into it, neither of these were put up to public referendum as they should have been. Or were subject to long term cost analysis to determine if taxpayers could afford such luxuries. They blew around $100,000 on bumper car venture that many opposed and tried to convince them not to do! These are just a few examples of the haphazard way the former regime spent our money. The financial health of our town is vital to all of us! We rely on important services the town provides and no one wants to pay higher taxes to perpetuate waste or neglect.

This brings me to Ron Thomson’s appointment to town board. The appointment as you know is temporary, there will be an election in November. I have nothing against Tom Petrie, I feel Ron was better choice for several reasons. He has attended nearly every town meeting over the last year showing considerable interest in town business. Because of this he is up to speed on everything that has taken place over last year as well as what’s currently on agenda. He has put a lot of personal time and money into the last election, holding meetings and fostering an environment open to everyone! These informational meetings were to inform the public on various issues and were not exclusive but open to everyone and all opinions. These meetings demonstrated to me Ron’s openness to debate and tolerance of other points of view. The only agenda I could see was for taxpayers to be fairly represented, and proper stewardship of tax dollars. Mr. Thompson trailed by very few votes in Primary, and had not put out even 1 sign! Finally given our current finical situation Ron’s years of business experience will be a key asset in getting the town running cost effectively.

In conclusion I am perplexed on why the decisions of current town board seem upsetting to some people, given the comparison to pervious board? These seem to be sound decisions made with careful review.

Dan Peterson

Friday, January 24, 2014

Nothing New About Our Town Regime

Republic Of Alexandria:

The Triumvirate


A triumvirate (from Latin, "triumvirātus") is a political regime dominated by three powerful individuals, but in this case the one is more powerful than the other 2. The exception, the other 2 are clueless

Monday, January 20, 2014

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Fighting Over The Vacancy

Town Of Alexandria

It is Déjà vu all over again. Last year, Councilman Durand resigned and the Republican Party argued that the vacancy should be filled based on a recommendation from the party committee.  They all knew how this
process worked back then, even the Town Democrat Party was in agreement with the Republican Party. The Dems never interfered with the Republican vacant seat.  Of course, when it was all said and done, more was said than done.  The seat remained vacant until the November 2013 election.

Currently the town has a similar situation with the resignation of Councilman Beaudin, but this time the vacated seat was held by a Democrat..... and all of a sudden the Republicans have amnesia.  The Democrats have submitted Tom Petrie's name for consideration for this vacancy.  Yet, the Republicans forgetting that they once knew how it was done are using every little dirty trick in the book.

Well..... Bully for the Republicans.  It should make you all wonder why they want their boy in that seat! Is it a political power struggle or a plan for personal financial gain?  That is all I am going to say about that..... Allow me to share a quote from the blog Town Truth........



The Town needs a Positive Attitude more than ever going into 2014.  



In January  ~ when all of you are swore in to office ~ lets hope all of you stand up and declare to the Town's People ~ that you will Safeguard the interests of the people. 



     Let's Build the Town of Alexandria up! Not Tear it Down.





The good stuff starts at about 4 minutes

Friday, January 17, 2014

Letter To The Blogger:

TOWN OF ALEXANDRIA

I would like to thank the taxpayers for the privilege of serving you as your highway superintendent for the past 23 years. I would especially like to thank Martha Millett, Doug Williams, Alcid Beaudin, Jim Durand, Tracey McIntosh, Laura Coles, Ellen Peck and most importantly-my family, for all their support. Without these good people, I certainly could not have succeeded in my accomplishments and duties while serving you the taxpayers.

The job of highway superintendent is a very challenging position but also a very fulfilling one. Each and every day brings new and sometimes difficult decisions that need to be made to ensure the public is served and safe as possible with sometimes only limited resources available. I’ve always enjoyed working for the public.

In 2012 things started to change! I found that my daily duties were not only being micromanaged, but statements of lies were being circulated both in the public as well as on anonymous blogs by spineless and ignorant people starting to form their own agenda with absolutely no merit and certainly no knowledge what so ever as to what my duties and performance may include.

This summer, the election process was to begin and a group of negative, disrespectful and outright slanderous group of people began criticizing my every move. My own Republican party’s actions though the election process also would prove to be negative and embarrassing . It is very obvious that all this commenced in 2012 with two newly elected officials and their supporters. Their new agenda did not include any one that took a stand and tried to explain the issues and financial plans needed to ensure this town’s future. That put my elected office position right at the top of their hit list! I asked myself why?

The people of this town should also ask this question: Why after over 23 years of service with the public’s support does a certain group of people suddenly think they can possibly know how to run my office and dictate what my duties should be? Why didn’t these few take the time and effort to sit down in my office and address their concerns with me to my face? They all chose not to do so, even though I have certainly offered!

As your Highway Superintendent, I have always tried to perform my duties to the best of my ability. I have always strived to be involved, on the local level and represented this town at the state level in Albany, fighting to maintain our right to our fair share to ensure our towns future.

The town’s future is at risk and you “ the people” need to stand up and question the town’s financial outlook very closely or face both tax increases and cuts to services!!! I thank the good people of the town and appreciate your support for the past 23 years, I finally decided not to be a part of all this deception and that is why I have retired this term. I am looking forward to spending time with my loving family.

Sincerely,

David H. Bain

Bloggers Note: Dave is a good and decent person, he also possesses the highest level of work ethics while being transparent to public scrutiny  in his day to day supervision of the infrastructure of this township while he was the Highway Superintendent.  This summer. the people that took over the Republican Party railroaded Dave and others.  

Thursday, January 16, 2014

River Hockey Classic: Come On Canada! Lets Play Hockey

Clayton New York:
February 8th and 9th marks the 3rd annual River Hockey Classic Pond Hockey Tournament. As of yet, there have been no teams from Canada wanting to play a little 3 on 3.  The organizers of this great event went so far as to take out a Canadian radio ad to try and entice some teams to venture across the St Lawrence River.

Come On Canada, how about a little shinny?  Pack your skates, breezers, bucket and twigs. There is still plenty of time to register.......










Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Transparent, Prompt and Bipartisan

To: Dale Hunneyman, Town Of Alexandria Supervisor
Town Council Members: Sweet, Wills, and Stine

From: Jim Cummings, Chairman Democrat Committee Town Of Alexandria & Village of Alexandria Bay

Subject: Town Councilperson Vacancy

Date: January 8th 2014


Please read at tonight’s Town Board meeting during correspondence.

I have been advised that tonight you will be reading Councilman Alcid Beaudin's letter of resignation. Mr. Beaudin's term would have expired December 31st 2015. He is also a Democrat.

Last year, the Town Of Alexandria was faced with a similar situation when a vacancy was created with the resignation by former Councilman J. Durand, a Republican. There was much discussion regarding that vacancy. The most vocal were Sampie Sutton, Ronald Thomson and myself. We all tried to convince the town board that the party who endorsed the resigning elected official should find a replacement and submit that persons name to the town board for its consideration.

I stated then, that I agreed with the formality of filling a vacant seat with a person from the same party. A protocol I still believe in tonight. The Democrat Committee has chosen a candidate to fill Beaudin's vacancy. Tom Petrie was nominated by the Democrat committee and ran for a Town Council seat at the November 2013 general election. As you know, Mr. Petrie did not win, but since he was on that ballot, it is the committee's desire that he fill this Democrat vacancy.

The committee is aware as I am sure you are, that any appointment to fill this vacancy will be a temporary one and must go to ballot at the November 2014 General Election.

Our committee is also cognizant that our nomination of Mr. Petrie is only a recommendation. One that your board can choose to either accept or decline. We also hope that your decision making process to fill this vacancy is transparent, prompt and bipartisan......


Saturday, January 4, 2014

Frank Katuc A Video Eulogy

Last Sunday, Franks wife Jackie collected a bunch photos and delivered them to me in a shoe box. I spent a couple of days scanning and organizing them. This video tells the story of Franks life.

This video was released today for public viewing at Franks Eulogy.....


A Day In The Life Of Frank Katuc from Jim Cummings on Vimeo.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Crystallized Beauty

The December Ice Storm is over.  Many focused on the destructive nature of this storm, the downed power lines, tree limbs and utility poles.  We took a lot of pictures of the devastation, but after some editing and cropping , I captured the Crystal Beauty that encapsulated everything...... enjoy the video...


Crystallized Beauty from Jim Cummings on Vimeo.