In Soundview Rising, January 4, 2013
The Mayor of New Rochelle, Noam Bramson, recently announced his candidacy for County Executive. Bramson is used to working on a City Council that has a majority of Democrats who will usually approve his initiatives. In the County he would likely face a thoughtful majority of County legislators who will not automatically “rubber stamp” anything he proposes. The County Board of Legislators have already shown their willingness to approve the 2013 County budget in a bi-partisan way.
Development in downtown New Rochelle has brought few benefits to the City . There were excessive 30 year tax abatements given to Avalon while Bramson was serving. Along with this there has been an increased need for City services in the downtown. Yet City services have been continually cut in recent Council budgets. This leaves all residents somewhat vulnerable.
County legislators know Westchester County now has the highest real estate taxes in the United States. Consequently, the budget they approved complied with the New York State tax cap. The Democratic majority for the New Rochelle, on the other hand, passed a budget that was 6.99%, far above the recommended 2.49% tax cap.
New Rochelle has been unsuccessful in increasing the sales tax. To make up for the lack sales tax in the budget and lowered assessments, fees have been added, e.g. the garbage fee. Gimmicks of this type are not the answer to a healthy vibrant city or county economy.
Noam Bramson has a long way to go to find ways to reduce Westchester residents’ taxes. New Rochelle resident Lorraine Pierce said it “should be noted that Noam Bramson is a part time Mayor and is not responsible for preparing the City Budget or running the everyday operations of the City. In all his years as Mayor he has no significant achievements that would warrant his candidacy for County Executive.” The Vice President of the South End Civic League, Rosemary Spalin felt, “During his time in office to the City he had overlooked many opportunities for growth in the City. He has limited work experience and has been Nita Lowey’s speech writer. How does he think can handle the work of the County?” “Well,” Bob Petrucci stated, “it would seem a logical move for Noam’s personal ambitions, especially since being Mayor of New Rochelle is a political dead end. However, his limited management experience might be an issue. More importantly, as a Democrat it would seem a problem for the Party as one would think Ken Jenkins should be next in the pecking order and more representative of party members.”
Predictably, Bramson’s projected initiatives will undergo serious examination in a campaign for County Executive.
Follow the Money
Peggy, aside from what you point out that he truly has a real fight on his hands and nothing to show with the big boys. We have to realize that most elections today are won and are dependant on the dollars that are in a campaign bank account. So now more then ever we all need to keep a watchfully eye on what is going to be pushed thru at city council votes. We have seen from his past history how he will fight and push for the donors of his campaign funds.
So with that being said, what do we have on the table for the next several months? How many dollars does it take for another MOU, and is Capelli sitting on the side lines waiting for an opportunity just like this? what does Monroe college have up its sleeve?
List of Monroe College’s donors to Noam Bramson
Notice when you investigate, the dates of the distributions are the same. Meaning the jerome’s gave this money to the employee in order to donate to bramson. Campaign Finance laws? Monroe College is by far the biggest donor to Bramson. So much for using that money to educate their students.
Stephen Jerome 4000
Marc Jerome 4800
KarenAnn Carty 1000
David Dimond 2000
EPHREM, JESUALEXAN 1000
Roberta Greenberg (Shari Rackman’s mother) 1750
Evan Jerome 1300
Helen Jerome 2800
Leslie Jerome 2000
Alan Mintz 2000
Anthony Allen 2000