MINUTES OF LIADA ANNUAL MEETING
Sunday, 21 September 2008
Our Fall 2008 open membership meeting was held during a critical political time. Not only is there a clear choice between the 2 presidential candidates who represent opposing views on most important issues but many of the problems facing Long Islanders, as well as the average citizen across the country are a direct result of the failed policies of the current administration.
The first guest speaker was Judith Jacobs, a member of the Nassau County Legislature, 4 terms of which she was the presiding officer. She related the major changes which took place as a result of the combination of a 10-9 democratic majority in the legislature, coupled with the election of Thomas Suozzi. One of these was the avoidance of bankruptcy. There will probably be a small increase in county taxes this year, on average of $60.00 per family. She felt it exceedingly important to stay informed.
County Comptroller Howard Weitzman faulted federal deregulation in the financial markets for our present situation. In contrast, Nassau county has had balanced budgets with surpluses for several years. He also cited John McCain's poor health insurance proposal and encouraged people who have no drug insurance plan to get the County "Drug Card", available through his office and on-line, which has already saved residents $10 million on prescription drugs. He related that it has become a model for the rest of the country.
Colleen Erin, a doctoral student, spoke eloquently of the plight of those who are incarcerated and facing the death penalty though they are innocent of the charges of which they have been convicted. She stated that everyone in the state senate voted for the death penalty even though New York State led the country in the conviction of wrongful imprisonments. There exists hope that Democrats will take a majority of seats in the state senate in the upcoming election and that a preservation of evidence bill becomes law.
Carol A. Gordon, Democrat, is running for the New York State Senate seat currently held by Republican Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. in the 8th District. She has been a mental health advocate and has worked at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Her motto is that she wants to be part of the solutions. She poignantly told of the death of her 21 year old son by a teenager. Rather than seeking the death penalty for him she believes in rehabilitation.
Thomas DiNapole, New York State Comptroller, agrees with the bail-out of AIG and cautioned that since our state pension funds are rated in the top tiers in the nation there is no need to panic. We are in good shape. He feels there should be a freeze on lending money for short selling in conjunction with other states. Presently our revenues are up and he stressed that we have great state leadership.
Charles Lavine spoke intensely for the restoration of federal funds to education. Previously, the federal government contributed 12% to states' education budgets. Since "No Child Left Behind" that funding has ceased. Another burden placed upon school districts is the constant mandated testing which not only costs districts thousands of dollars but places teachers in the position of having to teach for the test, otherwise schools could be labeled as failures. Time spent on creative visual arts, music, writing are often neglected as a result.
Many questions were asked and the morning ended with a delicious buffet.
Lita Kelmenson