Rhinebeck Democrats Web Site

No. 17, February 2007

An informed voter is the best guardian of democracy.

Welcome to The Rhinebeck Demogram, an email newsletter bringing you information and commentary about current issues, candidates, and events. Published by Rhinebeck Democrats for all the people of our community.

To view The Demogram in html format, visit the Rhinebeck Democrats' website at www.rhinebeckdemocrats.org.

Our email address is demogram@rhinebeckdemocrats.org As always, we welcome comments, questions, suggestions and corrections.

IN THIS ISSUE

RHINEBECK VILLAGE ELECTIONS
Candidate Profiles:
* David Miller, for Mayor
* Rachel Cavell, for Trustee
* Barbara Kraft, for Trustee
* Kevin Rheden, for Trustee

COLLABORATION AND CONSOLIDATION: An Update

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

POST ELECTION ANALYSIS
by Kathy Kinsella

A SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET ADVISORY COMMITTEE PROPOSAL

CALENDAR

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RHINEBECK VILLAGE ELECTIONS: CANDIDATE PROFILES
===============================================

On Tuesday, March 20, village residents will have the opportunity to vote for new leadership in a new era. Our recently formed organization, Rhinebeck Democrats, is presenting a full slate of candidates, who will be running on the Alliance Party line.

All of the candidates profiled below realize that Rhinebeck cannot be frozen in time. But they believe that inevitable change and development in the village can, and must, be actively managed for the benefit of all residents, not for the benefit of outside economic interests. An important aspect of their active approach to the jobs they seek is a common concern for greater collaboration between the village and the town of Rhinebeck.

Below are sketches of three residents who are standing for village office for the first time and one incumbent village trustee who wishes to continue his work for the community for another term. If elected, they will join sitting trustee Svend Beecher (whose current term as trustee will not end until 2008) as a Democratic team for the future.
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DAVID MILLER,
Candidate for Mayor of Rhinebeck Village

This year David will retire, after 45 years in a variety of significant leadership positions at CUNY (City University of New York), on various campuses. During his tenure at CUNY's New York City College of Technology, he worked with a range of state and city officials to plan the orderly growth of the college with respect to its economic and environmental impact on surrounding real estate. As Director of Computing Information Services for NYC College of Technology, he supervised a staff of 30 and managed a budget of over $2.5 million.

Residence in a Park Slope (Brooklyn) landmark brownstone for 35 years gave David a healthy appreciation of the issues surrounding preservation and development within an historic area. Several years as a real estate salesperson also provided experience with issues regarding property values and property taxes.

David found time in his busy Brooklyn life to chair the successful annual fundraiser for Brooklyn's Prospect Park, "You Gotta Have Park!" Over the several years of his leadership the event raised more than $300,000, with participation from dozens of community groups and local businesses whose efforts were coordinated by David.

With his family, David has lived for the past four years in Rhinebeck. About his new home, he has this to say:

"My major issue is the balancing of historic perservation against the necessary development of the village. We will keep growing both in the residential and the business districts. However, we must manage that growth to make sure that neither form of development overwhelms the village in terms of scale and impact on our daily lives."

Contact David at <dhmny@aol.com>

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RACHEL L. CAVELL,
Candidate for Village Trustee

Rachel has lived in the village for 15 years, with her husband Norton Batkin (Dean and Professor at Bard College) and their two children Alex and Liza, who attend Rhinebeck schools. She received her BA from Harvard College and a legal degree from Suffolk University in Boston. In her work for a law firm in Kingston, Rachel became experienced in matters of real estate, zoning, estate and non-profit corporation law.

Rachel's professional experience has been put to good use in her community. She has served on the Village of Rhinebeck Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) since 1998 and has become very familiar with our planning and zoning laws and with the procedures and strategies necessary to enforce and revise them. She knows how our local laws can be improved, to better serve the needs of Rhinebeck village residents.

In addition Rachel has served her community as a member of the Children's Community Trust of Rhinebeck, working with local merchants and artists to raise money for programs that enrich the lives of our community's children.

When asked her primary objective in wishing to serve as village trustee, Rachel responded, "To preserve what we all love about our historic village through the enactment of appropriate, reasonable legislation and other 'smart growth initiatives.'" In support of this goal she would endeavor to educate and involve the public, so that residents are more knowledgeable about the zoning and planning process.

Contact Rachel at <cavell@frontiernet.net>

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BARBARA KRAFT,
Candidate for Village Trustee

Barbara came to Rhinebeck with her mother Ruth in 2005, to be close to her daughter and grandchild. So there are now four generations of her family living within the township. Rhinebeck Village reminds Barbara of communities in Texas and Illinois where she grew up. Those former villages are now sprawling suburbs where many residents do not know their neighbors and do not experience community life.

Because of these observations and experiences Barbara has been attending village board and planning board meetings since her arrival here, in order to learn more about the village and its government. Her goal is to ensure that any changes to the historic village core reflect the desires of residents and preserve the quality of life, the level of affordability and safety, and the environment we enjoy now.

Now retired and enjoying the time and attention she can devote to family, friends, and neighbors, Barbara has had a full and active career in the fields of nursing and health care administration. Service at the White Plains Hospital and with the Visiting Nurse Service of New York City enabled her to both practice and teach her nursing skills.

Her administrative skills were honed as top salesperson for Kaiser Permanente of the North East, representing the company to both large and small businesses. In addition to her nursing credentials, Barbara holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Administration from Empire State College and a Master of Business Administration from Long Island University.

Barbara has always been community-involved, active in the League of Women Voters of Westchester County, one of the first women inducted into the Rotary International of White Plains, a member of her White Plains co-op board, and President of the American Lung Association of Hudson Valley in the mid-1990s.

Here in Rhinebeck she is an active member of the Church of the Messiah and currently serves on the Town of Rhinebeck Budget and Finance Committee.

Contact Barbara at <bk2@ix.netcom.com>

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KEVIN A. RHEDEN,
Incumbent and Candidate for Re-election As Village Trustee

Kevin is Rhinebeck born and bred, with roots deep in the community. His mother was raised above the Mill House Panda Restaurant, then the Rhinebeck Tavern. His parents owned the Copper Kettle, a luncheonette located in a building razed years ago to make way for the Rhinebeck Savings Bank parking lot on East Market. Kevin used to accompany his father, a master carpenter who outfitted many local homes and estates with custom woodwork. As a teen, Kevin worked at the Beekman Arms.

After graduating from Rhinebeck Central Schools in 1971, Kevin traveled to the west coast, where for the next 20 years he pursued a career in television production. He returned home in the early 90s and after obtaining a degree from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) worked in several restaurants in the area. Currently Kevin works as an agent for the Ponvert-Battistoni real estate agency and applies his production skills and experience as a manager of P.A.N.D.A., our local public access television station. He has served as a village trustee since 2005, acting as the board's liaison to the Fire Department.

More than most, Kevin has witnessed many changes in the Village of Rhinebeck. He takes a long and practical view of our future, emphasizing the need for greater collaboration between village and town.

"Overall, I am pleased that Rhinebeck is thriving, despite its recent rapid growth. I feel a deep-rooted responsibility to work with and for our local government, to be certain that the inevitable changes in the village and town are in keeping with our town master plan. By example, I hope to encourage others to participate in maintaining a way of life in the village and surrounding area that supports and promotes the fundamental tenets I have learned while living here."

Kevin's particular objectives for the upcoming term include -- in addition to promoting greater village-town cooperation --encouraging citizen participation through the creation of more volunteer advisory commitees, and the review and revision of all outdated village ordinances.

Contact Kevin at <krheden@aol.com>

VOTE ON THE ALLIANCE PARTY LINE IN THE VILLAGE ELECTIONS ON
-----------------TUESDAY, MARCH 20-------------------------

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COLLABORATION AND CONSOLIDATION: AN UPDATE
==========================================

Shortly after assuming office in January 2006, incoming Town Supervisor Steve Block and the new council members discovered serious problems which result from patchwork arrangements made long ago by the State to determine issues of governance between town, village, and school district. As a result, responsibility and lines of authority are in some cases unclear, unnecessary duplication of expenditure and effort occur, and policies and state mandates can be inconsistent, even conflicting.

To address these structural weaknesses the town council introduced three initiatives. With the cooperation of the other parties the Rhinebeck Collaboration was formed. Now the Town Supervisor, the Mayor, and the Superintendent of Schools meet regularly, along with a member of each of their boards. The initial topic of discussion was traffic and pedestrian safety, with a focus on village intersections and Mt. Rutsen Road.

Secondly, an "inter-municipal agreement" was established between the school district and the town to end the practice of charging each other for use of public facilities.

Thirdly, a full day conference, designed to involve the public in the collaboration process, was convened on November 18, 2006. The conference covered these principal points:

--- why and how in New York State villages, towns and school districts developed separately with separate laws and taxing authority;

--- the legal impediments to, and opportunities for, closer working relationships;

--- what's happening elsewhere in the state to promote greater cooperation among municipalities;
--- the current level of cooperation, collaboration, and integrated services in Rhinebeck.

A conference summary, for internal purposes, is nearing completion. It will be vetted by the conference planning committee, composed of eight citizens (Deidre Burns, Meg Crawford, Bill Dowden, Debi Duke, Jane Hoffman, John Honey, Carl Parris, and Michael Trimble) and chaired by the Supervisor. The planning committee will then meet with the Rhinebeck Collaboration to review the summary and to prepare a proposal for short and long term objectives. This will be followed by a public joint meeting of the three boards -- schools, village, town. It is hoped that the proposals will be adopted, either at the joint public meeting or separately, by the individual boards.

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QUOTE OF THE MONTH
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"Torture was constantly used; but whether, in any particular instance, it was used or not, the consequences were identical. The threat of it, the hint of it, the mere knowledge in the mind of a witness that it might at any moment be applied to him ---those were differences merely of degree; always, the fatal compulsion was there, inextricably confusing truth and falsehood. What shred of credibility could adhere to testimony obtained in such circumstances --- from a man, in prison, alone, suddenly confronted by a group of hostile and skilful examiners, plied with leading questions, and terrified by the imminent possibility of extreme physical pain? Who could disentangle among his statements the parts of veracity and fear, the desire to placate his questioners, the instinct to incriminate others, the impulse to avoid, by some random affirmation, the dislocation of an arm or a leg? Only one thing was plain about such evidence:---it would always be possible to give to it whatever interpretation the prosecutors might desire. The Government could prove anything."

Lytton Strachey, in Elizabeth and Essex, discussing the system of justice in place during the reign of Elizabeth I of England.

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VICTORY FOR THE DEMOCRATS: Post Election Analysis
=================================================
By Kathy Kinsella

Not only did Democrats win on Tuesday, November 7th, but they won big by swinging back to the progressive agenda and candidates that the Party previously abandoned. Even though the Party remains generally centrist, every victorious Democrat was less conservative than their Republican opponent. Even states that Bush carried widely in 2004 showed a movement to the left, passing referenda on issues like minimum wage, stem cell research, factory farming and the environment. Previously, the party promoted more right-leaning candidates as a response to perceived support for a conservative Republican agenda. This past election shows the value of clearly presenting the differences in party platforms and of staying true to our progressive causes.

New Yorkers should take pride in our contribution of turning over three Congressional seats to the Democrats. Not only will our own local seat now be on the Democratic side of the aisle, but the adjoining district and one to the south of that as well. The Hudson Valley will be well represented by Kirsten Gillibrand, John Hall, and Andrea Stewart Cousins. It was a good night for the Congressional Progressive Caucus!

Although the conservative movement suffered a real setback this past election, it would be dangerous to think that it was a lethal blow. Democratic victory in the 2006 mid-term election puts us in a good position to further strengthen Congress in 2008. Lets not blow it. It is time to invest heavily in progressivism and show leadership, vision, organization, and determination not to waiver on core Democratic principles. It is time to move forward.

Editor's footnote: On November 7 Kirsten Gillibrand received 63% of the Rhinebeck vote. That's up from 57% for Kerry in 2004 and 54% for Gore in 2000.

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A SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET ADVISORY COMMITTEE PROPOSAL
====================================================

On January 11 of this year the Rhinebeck Central School District began publicizing a proposal to establish an ad hoc Budget Advisory Committee, composed of members of the community, school staff, one member of the Board of Education, the Superintendent of Schools, and the Assistant Superintendent for Support Services.

The purpose of establishing such a body is three-fold:

* to provide community participants with information on how the annual school district budget is developed and how it supports the instructional program;

* to develop a well-informed citizenry regarding the school district's budget and budget process;

* to generate advisory input from the community at an early stage in the process before proposed budget decisions are finalized.

Five 90-minute meetings are planned for January 31 through March 21, as well as a morning workshop on Saturday, March 24. The public is invited to all meetings and anyone interested in serving on this ad hoc committee should contact Margaret Todisco at 845-871-5520, ext. 5522 or <mtodisco@hs.rcsd.dcboces.org>

For more information on the proposal go to the school district's website at <www.rhinebeckcsd.org> See our calendar at the end of this issue for meeting details.

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CALENDAR
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The information below is subject to change, so please call or email the contact provided for confirmation. All events listed are open to the public.

### FEBRUARY ###

February 5, Monday --- Presentation by AFFORDABLE HOUSING-OPEN SPACE to the Town Board. 6:45 pm at Morton Memorial Library, Rhinecliff (876-3409)

February 6, Tuesday --- VILLAGE PLANNING BOARD, 7:30 pm at Village Hall (876-1922)

February 12, Monday --- TOWN BOARD Business Meeting, 6:45 pm at Town Hall (876-3409)

February 13, Tuesday --- VILLAGE BOARD, 7 pm at Village Hall (876-7015)

February 14, Wednesday --- COMMUNITY SCHOOL BUDGET ADVISORY COMMITTEE meets, 7 pm at Rhinebeck High School (871-5520, ext. 5522)

February 20, Tuesday --- VILLAGE PLANNING BOARD, 7:30 pm at Village Hall (876-1922)

February 26, Monday --- TOWN BOARD Business Meeting & Workshop, 6:45 pm at Town Hall (876-3409)

February 28, Wednesday --- COMMUNITY SCHOOL BUDGET ADVISORY COMMITTEE meets, 7 pm at Rhinebeck High School (5520, ext. 5522)

### MARCH ###

March 6, Tuesday --- VILLAGE PLANNING BOARD, 7:30 pm at Village Hall (876-1922)

March 7, Wednesday --- COMMUNITY SCHOOL BUDGET ADVISORY COMMITTEE meets, 7 pm at Rhinebeck High School (871-5520, ext. 5522)

March 12, Monday --- TOWN BOARD Business Meeting, 6:45 pm at Town Hall (876-3409)

March 13, Tuesday --- VILLAGE BOARD, 7 pm at Village Hall (876-7015)

March 20, Tuesday --- VILLAGE ELECTIONS, noon to 9 pm at Town Hall (876-7015)

March 20, Tuesday ---VILLAGE PLANNING BOARD, 7:30 pm at Village Hall (876-1922)

March 21, Wednesday --- COMMUNITY SCHOOL BUDGET ADVISORY COMMITTEE meets, 7 pm at Rhinebeck High School (871-5520, ext. 5522)

March 24, Saturday --- COMMUNITY SCHOOL BUDGET ADVISORY COMMITTEE WORKSHOP, 9am to noon at Rhinebeck High School (871-5520, ext 5522)

March 26, Monday --- TOWN BOARD Business Meeting & Workshop, 6:45 pm at Town Hall (876-3409)

### APRIL ###

TBA --- April meeting of the VILLAGE BOARD (876-7015)

TBA --- April 3 meeting of the VILLAGE PLANNING BOARD will be changed. Call 876-1922 for new date.

April 9, Monday --- TOWN BOARD Business Meeting, 6:45 pm at the Firehouse in Rhinecliff (876-3409)

April 17, Tuesday --- VILLAGE PLANNING BOARD, 7:30 pm at Village Hall (876-1922)

April 21, Saturday --- Annual Meeting of the DUTCHESS DEMOCRATIC WOMEN'S CAUCUS, 2:00 pm, location TBA (< info@ddwc.org>)

April 23, Monday --- TOWN BOARD WORKSHOP & BUSINESS MEETING, 6:45 pm at Town Hall (876-3409)