Guest voice of Nicholas Vaugh, who by accounts of people we talk with is a going to be a candidate for the 118th Assembly District next year.
“Rubber Stamp” Addie Jenne Russell bad for North Country & New York
Legislative
Column by Ogdensburg City Councilor Nicholas J. Vaugh
Currently
Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties are experiencing skyrocketing
unemployment rates of 11.2% and 11.4% respectively.
It is baffling that in these extraordinary economic times Addie Russell could support a budget that includes $7 billion in new taxes, $9 billion in new spending, $235 million in new taxes on health insurance, and a 3 year income tax surcharge on small business owners.
Daily, we hear news of devastating layoffs - such as the cuts at Alcoa and Corning – these are mere symptoms of the expanding number of businesses and taxpayers forced to leave the North Country and our state due to high taxes and a overall anti-business economic environment.igher taxes and massive spending increases are the prescription for fiscal disaster during these tough economic times. We need to create and retain jobs. Addie’s voting record and lack of strong leadership is making it even more difficult to live and work in New York.
It is baffling that in these extraordinary economic times Addie Russell could support a budget that includes $7 billion in new taxes, $9 billion in new spending, $235 million in new taxes on health insurance, and a 3 year income tax surcharge on small business owners.
Daily, we hear news of devastating layoffs - such as the cuts at Alcoa and Corning – these are mere symptoms of the expanding number of businesses and taxpayers forced to leave the North Country and our state due to high taxes and a overall anti-business economic environment.igher taxes and massive spending increases are the prescription for fiscal disaster during these tough economic times. We need to create and retain jobs. Addie’s voting record and lack of strong leadership is making it even more difficult to live and work in New York.
Relying on tax hikes to close the state's budget shortfall is not the answer. Holding the line on soaring taxes, while ensuring a quality education for our children, by rooting out waste and getting our fair share is essential. This is not a question of our state lacking revenue: it's a case of our state's leaders lacking the political courage to make the long overdue changes that taxpayers and small businesses have been demanding. We cannot continue to force taxpayers to bear the burden of State government’s historical financial mismanagement.
Instead, Addie Russell has taken the easy way out by supporting this budget, ensuring our state will continue leading the nation in higher taxes and that the North Country will keep on paying the price. Most troubling, this budget supported by Addie Russell will allow state government to dig its greedy hand even further into the taxpayer's pocket. These additional taxes are punitive and send the wrong message to hardworking individuals and small business owners throughout the North Country and New York State.
This budget will mean higher taxes and shows that for all the talk of 'change,' Albany is still dysfunctional. We need an Assembly representative who will fight for the residents of the North Country. Someone who knows that New York State government has to rip up the credit cards and stop spending money the state does not have. We need a representative who will fight to cut our taxes and create an economic environment that lets businesses and families thrive. We need an Assembly representative who will be a strong advocate for our North Country and ensure our district is treated fairly and is never overlooked.
Unfortunately for the time being, we are stuck with Addie Russell, a mere rubber stamp for Albany and New York City political bosses. The North Country deserves better.
24 comments:
Amen brother! Vaugh 4 Assembly
Vaugh has it going on!!
Some straight talk right there. How refreshing. Keep working Nick!
The City of Ogdensburg is a cesspool of crime and derelict buildings that is close to bankruptcy. Maybe Mr. Vaugh should put his efforts into seeing that the city pays the taxes that the city owes and its other many problems before he takes on the rest of the state.
Vaugh has fought crime. He has been outspoken against Rockefeller drug law reform which will greatly harm many municipalities in their effort to combat drugs and crime. Ogdensburg is unique being a city that they have to make the county and school whole on taxes. It has a high 70% non taxable property and alot of property is off the tax roll due to current contamination cleanup. They have been successful in cleanup of a majority of their riverfront, which they will develop similar to Claytons Frink property.
That's right Vaugh represents Ogdensburg and the North Country well. He is a fighter for us. He is young, progressive, and a leader who will ensure our voice is heard.
Rumor has it even Chuck Kelly is endorsing him!
This kid is definately writing his own posts. People do not talk like that. What a loser, I bet he was picked on a lot in highschool. Why dont you focus on Ogdensburg like you were elected to do and stop sticking your nose in business you do not understand. And please let us know how he "fought crime" anon. Writing a PR on how he opposes Rocky Reform in no way shape or form can be construed as "fighting crime." What a joke.
Hey PIV, why dont you send this to the Watertown Daily Times and blow up his spot like you did Mayor Grahams?
Anon 10:59 who are you to say this kid doesnt understand what he is doing..you may have been the one picked on in school lol. Anon 10:51haha great joke! Experience in politics is a paradox. 10:59 is venting frustrations with out effectivly offering solutions. I think that youth in government is exactly what the North Country and State needs. The fact is that youth are perhaps our most valuable asset, whereas they posses the motivation and ambition that others may lack. I would also like to say that Ogdensburg today is not the same Ogdensburg that many people knew. There are very little opportunities. Urban renewal shattered a downtown district that would have harbored cultural and historical value to a community. The youth never knew that district.I think Nick Vaugh's election shows a demand in the city for a change in the status quo. Remember he was elected to serve his constituents. Remember if you are going to make an argument have facts to support it.
I don't know who this Vaugh person is, yet. But I already know who Addie Russell is. She's just another Shelly pawn. I hope she is enjoying the Albany parties because she is completely worthless as a representative for us.
Sorry Addie, but this budget says it all. I voted for you. I thought you had more of a backbone.
I don't know Nick Vaugh and to the best of my knowledge have never met him... but his article and the attacks on him are an interesting study about politics in our neck of the woods:
1. The GOP has for decades outnumbered DEMs - fact...
2. DEMs always struggle to gain state-wide/national office and seldom, until just recently, have achieved that - fact...
3. DEMs are not happy when under complete GOP controlled government and news for you: GOPers are really not happy when DEMs get into power - fact...
4. What is sad is that people should pick and choose their elected officials based on their traits of leadership, proven abilities (not rabid party politics) and someone who ready and willing to stand up to party bosses, party machines, and yes, those awful nasties Downstate, too - no matter which side holds the keys to power (DEM or GOP).
5. But, that's not apt to happen and thus we will see little change around here - I know, I've worked hard to make that change and look what I got: this damn T-shirt and a open mic at this forum (just joking on that part IV) - fact...
Young Nick's article and those comments therein underscore my assessment - fact...
~ I'm done now.
This young 20's kid cannot and does not know the struggles of average working families. He does not own a house so he doesnt not know how it feels to come up with a mortgage payment. He does not have children so he cannot understand how it feels to have want all the best for your kids and then have to come up with the money for it. He does not or has not owned a small business or worked on a farm. He may be a sharp kid, but thats exactly what he is, a kid. I dont know about you, but I would rather have somone as my representative who has experienced a little more and can fully understand what the common person goes through. Dont consider this a plug for Addie, just consider it a plug against Vaugh.
Anon 12:48 Let me get this straight. You need to own a home, have a family, and your own business to be able to represent us? Please! That is the most unintelligent comment I have heard in awhile. I think Vaugh shows a demand for a change in the status quo. We dont need more of the same whether its coming from Rep or Dems. He seems to be a young, idealist, outsider candidate to me? Remember if you are going to make an argument have facts to support it. Experience in everyday living matters such as home ownership(which today, almost anyone can obtain), raising a family, and paying bills do not even begin to support a claim that Mr. Vaugh lacks experience.
The choice between a rubber stamp and a voiceless back bencher.....Representitive government is grand.
12:49 is right, the Republicans lost control of the Senate. But does that make them idiots or us idiots?
I don't have any problem with new blood, or a young person just starting out. It's clear that what we have, Russell, is no different than the hacks we've had in the past, of either party.
How old is this kid? Everyone keeps saying he has "fresh new ideas" yet I haven seen one of them yet. I wonder what kind of knowledge this kid has about every little issue from cape vincent all the way to massena. All I have seen from him so far are 2 press releases that he stole from the GOP senate and assembly. I am pretty sure most of these posts are positive because he is posting them himself.
I love how people on all boards bash other people for trying to make a difference and make something for themself. No matter who it is. Maybe you people should stop your bitching and pick up a petition and run for a board, or go to a meeting. Petitions are out June 9th I think and due back the end of July. If you don't want to make a differce don't bitch about people who are trying to.
See what happens when you complain?
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090413/NEWS/90413022
lol....
joe the plumber 's helper
I've already seen and heard more from Vaugh than AJR.
She's useless.
If this guy is young and has good ideas, we better get him a government or a school job right away. Otherwise, he will be moving out of NYS real soon.
Ya know there likely was nothing wrong with Gildabrand,Aubertine or Russell when they were running they sounded good and had plans for the good of the people.But when they win and assume the position they go all to hell in a hurry.I think the problem is the old leaders.Schumer,Silver Bruno it seems they brainwash the new elects and make them a rubber stamp for stupid. I would hate to see this kid get in and be instantly ruined by the old cronies.The ones that really destroyed this state in the first place need to be ousted first then maybe we can fix our economic whoes. The old incumbents need a new job like mr. Schumer
Leave her alone !
NOW
Vaugh does not fit.. Mayor nelson in Ogd may be the one. Vaugh has supported tax hikes cuts in programs for our youth and seniors the same thing he is critizing Russell for. Loves posing for cameras but check his track record What has changed in Ober that he has initiated What has he done but miss meetings and critize others
Post a Comment