05/04/06 Rhau Suggests Senior Mortgage Home As May 16th nears, voters must decide whether to approve or reject the proposed 44-million dollar school budget and select three from the five candidates for school board. To "help" us decide, school officials will soon send newsletters to Saugerties’ residents which will outline the new budget and let us know how important it is for the children, etc. Surely it will be designed to make the budget "attractive" to voters and will include information to indicate that nothing therein reflects the hiring of any new administrative position. This, they hope, will ease discontent over this "bone of contention." Meanwhile, as we all know, the $100,000 previously earmarked for Fondino’s "temporary position" was kept in the budget but conveniently transferred to one of the principal line items, where it remains as a "floater," to be used at a later date depending on the results of the election. It sits on the sidelines just waiting for the smoke to clear. If Buono, McCaig, Parisian and Kovac are successful in securing that much-needed 5th vote, they will undoubtably move forward with their original plan to use that $100,000 . Getting the 5th Vote I took it upon myself to delve into all petitions submitted by the school board candidates (which are available to the public). My review revealed that Vince Buono and relatives (including his two sisters and mother-in-law), Bob McCaig and relatives (including his brother Don McCaig) and former co-worker Bill McPeek, Terry Parisian and relatives, former school board members Bob Sinnot and Lawrence Marcus (who previously served on the board with Hyatt and McCaig) and Joe Fondino all signed Flo Hyatt’s petition. In fact, just on Latham Circle alone, where both Buono and Parisian reside, over 20 signatures were obtained. Ironically but not surprising, neither Buono, McCaig, Parisian or Kovac, signed petitions for fellow board members Tucker, Petramale or Fisco. The High Cost of Fat May 16th school elections will be crucial since how our money will be spent in the future hangs in the balance. We face difficult times ahead with little relief in sight (other than what we create ourselves), e.g., a 49% increase in County taxes; 100-million dollar jail project with the possibility of millions of dollars in pending lawsuits; 29- million dollar school bond; 6% increase in town taxes; more than $3 per gallon for gasoline; increases in health insurance and home heating (gas, electricity and oil)–and the list goes on and on. And now, on top of all this, school officials want approval of another 44-million dollar budget–even while the State aide that we rely upon so heavily might be in jeopardy. Here’s an example of the high cost of school administration–fat, if you please, starting at the top: The Superintendent receives $170,000 annually (taking benefits into account); his personal secretary/district clerk receives $45,240 annually plus benefits; and a part-time clerk receives $6 063 annually plus. The Assistant Superintendent (a non-resident) receives approximately $120,000 annually (including benefits); her personal secretary receives $36, 617 annually plus benefits. The Business Administrator (does not own real property in Saugerties) receives more than $100,000 annually (plus benefits); his personal secretary receives $32, 018 annually plus benefits. The Payroll/Benefits senior accounting clerk receives $36,907 annually (plus benefits); an account clerk receives $34,756 annually (plus benefits); The District Treasurer receives $41, 115 annually (plus benefits); The Superintendent of Grounds and Buildings receives approximately $60,000 annually (plus benefits) and a personal secretary receives $42, 443 annually (plus benefits). While many of Saugerties’ taxpayers struggle to make ends meet and even more seniors on fixed incomes either just can’t pay their taxes or are making hard choices between health care, taxes or food, Superintendent Rhau and certain board members enjoy such amenities as a $70 lunch (Rhau, McCaig, Parisian and Kovac at the Kingston Applebees) or a $47.03 lunch (Rhau, Buono, McCaig at Rhinbeck), all, incidentally, at our expense. Why Kingston or Rhinbeck, what’s wrong with his office, the conference room or the cafeteria? It will, without doubt, be chalked-up to school business. But how much, if any, information did they share with other board members? And why is it always with McCaig, Buono, Parisian and Kovac? When Mr. Rhau was being considered for the position of superintendent, an article appeared in the newspaper (Kingston Freeman, May 12, 2004). Following is an excerpt from that article: "Rhau raised some eyebrows at the forum when he suggested higher school taxes could serve as a ‘gatekeeper’ to ensure that those moving into the community would be able to maintain their properties and enhance the image of the town." Now, does this sound like a man who is concerned about our taxes–or us, for that matter? I repeat and reiterate what I’ve said many times before, Saugerties taxpayers have become a "cash cow" for the District’s top administrator, and Buono and his cronies condone it. Board members Tucker, Petramale and Fisco are the only board members who demonstrate fiscal responsibility and stand up to the administration. Perhaps that’s the reason why the names of Buono and his cronies do not appear on their petitions. The Final Blow But wait, it gets worse. Geraldine Spada is one of our most well-known and respected seniors. She has been attending school board meetings since 1950. I met up with her just the other day and the topic of our conversation naturally turned to school taxes. What she related to me was the most disturbing piece of information that I’ve heard in a very long time. She told me how, when she complained to Superintendent Rhau about paying her taxes, Rhau suggested that she remortgage her home.....borrow on her home to pay her taxes. Outraged by his remark, she called the WGHQ radio station the very next day and went public with what had been said. I was shocked by her revelation–even more about his shamelessness in telling her that than his feeling that she should do it–and decided to confirm the story with Superintendent Rhau personally. Her truthfulness wasn’t in question for one second, but I wanted to hear it "straight from the horse’s mouth" before I repeated it. I asked Rhau point blank if he had remarked to a senior about mortgaging her home to pay her taxes, and he acknowledged that he had, and explained why. When I asked if he thinks it is appropriate for a superintendent of schools to make that sort of comment like that to a senior, he responded that he had "told" his mother to do the same. When I mentioned that his remark upset the lady, his verbatim response was, "I can’t help that." Stay tuned more to come..... George D Heidcamp, Sr.