Linda Underwood for Town Board
The people have spoken and I have lost my bid for a seat
on Schodack Town Board by the smallest margin yet, this time against the
stronger incumbent. Even though I didn't win, I hope the results show
our elected officials that almost half the voting public don't support
their closed-door policies. Hopefully, they will use it as a wake-up
call and change the way they do business.
Many thanks to all of my supporters, friends and volunteers. Thanks to all who gave a donation and worked so hard going door-to-door, doing lit drops and phone calls.
Most of all, thanks and much love to my family. They have been going through three campaigns in three years - putting up with my absence, my running around and totally ignoring them and their needs for months.
I love you very much and could not have pursued my interest without your love and encouragement.
Many thanks to all of my supporters, friends and volunteers. Thanks to all who gave a donation and worked so hard going door-to-door, doing lit drops and phone calls.
Most of all, thanks and much love to my family. They have been going through three campaigns in three years - putting up with my absence, my running around and totally ignoring them and their needs for months.
I love you very much and could not have pursued my interest without your love and encouragement.
How is the current administration
Failing the residents of Schodack?
Lack of transparency: Board members meet behind closed doors to make decisions. Those who attend board meetings hear no discussion related to how or why they reached their decisions. In addition, while no law forces them to provide a full agenda to the public prior to the meeting, the board posts an incomplete agenda - leaving off items that may be controversial - to keep public participation at a minimum.
Lack of accountability: As a result of the above stated closed-door meeting each board member and the town supervisor are not on record for having voiced their opinions about anything. They have "plausible deny-ability" for every action taken, including appointments and employment.
Frivolous spending: Our taxes continue to increase to cover expenses that are easily avoidable. For instance - did the town really need to spend about $5,000 to landscape the town hall, especially when so many residents are struggling to make ends meet? Was it really necessary to purchase several new vehicles at a cost of more than $100,000 each? Should the town spend thousands of dollars to train and educate our new assessor when it is almost certain he will retire within three years?
Lack of oversight: As the recent settlement with a "former employee" shows, our elected officials OK expenditures without really monitoring them. How did this "former employee" manage to rack up tens of thousands of dollars in over-time and still soak the town for more by claiming he was not paid for all the over-time he did but failed to put down on his time sheet?
When I am elected, I will be your voice, your eyes and ears on the town board. I pledge to monitor all expenses, appointments and contracts and voice my concerns openly in public session.
And that will be a big change from what has been going on in Schodack for decades.
Thoughts on planning and development
One of the biggest challenges facing our town is our high property tax rate. Everywhere you look, homes are up for sale because people just can't keep up.
We can help lower taxes on the average homeowner and on family farms through good, smart, green development. But that won't happen under the current administration and with the current, antiquated laws that have been in place for more than a half-century.
Over the years, town officials have spent tens of thousands of dollars on "Master Plans" that are little more than a collection of flowery buzz words but with nothing to back them up. Town officials want the current patchwork of zoning and planning laws and regulations - it gives them the freedom to pick and choose who gets to develop their land and what projects move ahead while others are left to wither on the vine.
Our town needs to over-haul the planning and zoning laws so they clearly spell out what kind of development can take place in which area of town so those who wish to locate in the town do not leave in frustration.
We need to adopt commercial design standards so we can make sure that new projects conform with what we want our town to look like. And that will help us preserve the character that we enjoy so much about Schodack.
We can help lower taxes on the average homeowner and on family farms through good, smart, green development. But that won't happen under the current administration and with the current, antiquated laws that have been in place for more than a half-century.
Over the years, town officials have spent tens of thousands of dollars on "Master Plans" that are little more than a collection of flowery buzz words but with nothing to back them up. Town officials want the current patchwork of zoning and planning laws and regulations - it gives them the freedom to pick and choose who gets to develop their land and what projects move ahead while others are left to wither on the vine.
Our town needs to over-haul the planning and zoning laws so they clearly spell out what kind of development can take place in which area of town so those who wish to locate in the town do not leave in frustration.
We need to adopt commercial design standards so we can make sure that new projects conform with what we want our town to look like. And that will help us preserve the character that we enjoy so much about Schodack.
On Tuesday night Schodack Democrats chose their candidate
for town board. Linda Underwood was unanimously elected by those in
attendance at the Democratic caucus held at the Peter Andrews VFW Post
in Castleton. Underwood vowed to work to represent the residents of
Schodack by debating the merits of all expenditures.
"Resolutions are passed at every meeting without a single question from board members," she said. "Our elected officials rubber-stamp proposals without explaining their thinking or debating the merits of what they are doing. Residents need to know how and why our hard-earned tax dollars are being spent. It is time for someone to ask tough questions and hole our elected officials accountable for their actions and I pledge to do that."
Underwood is running on the Democratic line against two Republican incumbents in a three-way at-large election where the two highest vote-getters will be elected.
"Resolutions are passed at every meeting without a single question from board members," she said. "Our elected officials rubber-stamp proposals without explaining their thinking or debating the merits of what they are doing. Residents need to know how and why our hard-earned tax dollars are being spent. It is time for someone to ask tough questions and hole our elected officials accountable for their actions and I pledge to do that."
Underwood is running on the Democratic line against two Republican incumbents in a three-way at-large election where the two highest vote-getters will be elected.
What is an "At Large" Election?
The November 2011 election of town board members will be an "at large" election. What this means is, the top two vote-getters will be elected. So no matter how the ballot is set up, a voter can vote for ANY TWO people to sit on the board even if the ballot makes them look as if they are running against each other.
We hope you will choose Linda Underwood to be one of those people.
If you want a voice on the Schodack Town Board remember, only Linda will put YOU first!
We hope you will choose Linda Underwood to be one of those people.
- Only Linda is completely free from ties to special interests.
- Only Linda is truly independent.
- Only Linda will put the people of Schodack before any personal or political relationship.
- Only Linda will speak up and question why the majority is proposing resolutions and actions.
If you want a voice on the Schodack Town Board remember, only Linda will put YOU first!
Why wouldn't the GOP incumbents attend the SPADA Meet the Candidates Night?
Every elected office in America exists so the people are represented in their government. But here in Schodack, our elected officials don't represent the residents of Schodack, they represent their friends, family members and cronies.
You can see this in the appointments they make, who they hire, and planning decisions that are based on connections, not sound planning and zoning principles.
Our taxes have continued to escalate, pushing many people out of their homes because they can't keep up. In an election year, our elected officials tout how they keep the tax increase low, but they neglect to mention they did that by using savings (fund balance) for operating expenses rather than by cutting spending.
And we all know the result of emptying our bank accounts to pay monthly bills -- the bills are still there to be paid the next month and our savings are gone.
The town board incumbents claim to be "fiscal conservatives," so why has spending continued to escalate? Why did the town board allow a police officer nearing retirement to rack up annual pay of almost $140,000 thanks to unregulated overtime? And why was town record-keeping so shoddy that the same now-retired police officer was able to sue the town for additional overtime, reaching a settlement that cost taxpayers $120,000 more?
It is time for a change in Schodack. It is time for the rest of us to have a real voice on the board. It is time for someone to speak for those of us who are not connected to town power-brokers. It is time for good, clean commercial development that will help lower property taxes on homeowners and farmers. It is time for planning decisions to be based on solid planning standards and not who stands to profit from a project.
Only I will be the independent voice on the town board who will hold elected officials accountable.
You can see this in the appointments they make, who they hire, and planning decisions that are based on connections, not sound planning and zoning principles.
Our taxes have continued to escalate, pushing many people out of their homes because they can't keep up. In an election year, our elected officials tout how they keep the tax increase low, but they neglect to mention they did that by using savings (fund balance) for operating expenses rather than by cutting spending.
And we all know the result of emptying our bank accounts to pay monthly bills -- the bills are still there to be paid the next month and our savings are gone.
The town board incumbents claim to be "fiscal conservatives," so why has spending continued to escalate? Why did the town board allow a police officer nearing retirement to rack up annual pay of almost $140,000 thanks to unregulated overtime? And why was town record-keeping so shoddy that the same now-retired police officer was able to sue the town for additional overtime, reaching a settlement that cost taxpayers $120,000 more?
It is time for a change in Schodack. It is time for the rest of us to have a real voice on the board. It is time for someone to speak for those of us who are not connected to town power-brokers. It is time for good, clean commercial development that will help lower property taxes on homeowners and farmers. It is time for planning decisions to be based on solid planning standards and not who stands to profit from a project.
Only I will be the independent voice on the town board who will hold elected officials accountable.
My plan for greater transparency, accountability & responsive government
It is easy to claim you are a "good government team" and to say to you govern in an open, honest and accountable manner. Words are cheap, as they say. The proof is in the pudding. The incumbents claim all these things and more but their record does not support their claims.
If elected, I will hold monthly "town board on your corner" meetings on the weekends so residents can touch base with me while they run errands. I will be available to hear suggestions, complaints and concerns.
I will advocate for town boards to be broadcast on public access TV for those who can't make meetings. I will also fight to have all minutes and important town documents put online so residents don't need to take the time and pay for FOIL requests.
I will fight for open and honest discussion prior to votes so residents can determine how decisions were made and what town officials really think about projects.
This November 8, residents have a choice between reality and empty campaign slogans - the choice between a real vision for the future of out town and the status quo which has brought us high taxes, cronyism and patronage.
If elected, I will hold monthly "town board on your corner" meetings on the weekends so residents can touch base with me while they run errands. I will be available to hear suggestions, complaints and concerns.
I will advocate for town boards to be broadcast on public access TV for those who can't make meetings. I will also fight to have all minutes and important town documents put online so residents don't need to take the time and pay for FOIL requests.
I will fight for open and honest discussion prior to votes so residents can determine how decisions were made and what town officials really think about projects.
This November 8, residents have a choice between reality and empty campaign slogans - the choice between a real vision for the future of out town and the status quo which has brought us high taxes, cronyism and patronage.