AUSTERLITZ DEMS TO MEET SATURDAY AUGUST 8 at 10am

Dear Fellow Democrats,

Please join us for the next meeting of the ADC on Saturday August 8th at 10 am in the town hall in Spencertown on Route 203.  We have an upcoming election this Fall, and will be discussing candidates, our platform, the caucus, and other election related issues. We look forward to seeing you on the 8th!

Thank you,
Your Austerlitz Democratic Committee

AUSTERLITZ DEMS MEET SATURDAY MAY 9

Dear Fellow Democrats,
     

Please join us for a meeting of the Austerlitz Democrats on Saturday, May 9th at 10 am at the Town Hall.


Our agenda will include: Events, Fundraising, and Candidates for the upcoming election. Bring an interested friend or neighbor.  We are looking forward to seeing you this Saturday.

Thank you!
Your Austerlitz Democratic Committee

HIGHLIGHTS from FEBRUARY BOARD MEETING

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The Austerlitz Democratic Committee is committed to open communication and dialog about the happenings within our wonderful town.  Several of us attended the February 26, 2015 Town Board workshop and regular meeting.  Here are some of the highlights that were discussed:

• Town Hall property purchased: The new Town Hall property acquisition has closed. No town funds were needed for the purchase. Thank you to the Ellsworth Kelly Foundation for its generous contribution, and seller, Martin Parker, for picking up the closing costs. 
• State Route 203: Re-paving of Route 203 is expected to begin in the Spring. Also on roads, more than usual amount of sand and salt was used, and more overtime than usual, all due to the extraordinary snowfall. In 2017 the town's bond comes due and additional road work is needed. 
• Austerlitz Firehouse: Construction of the new firehouse is to commence in Spring. The contractor selected is the brother of the Town Supervisor. Supervisor Rob Lagonia made it clear that the Austerlitz Fire Company is a separate entity from the Town, and he had nothing to do with the contract award. 
• Town Park Renovation: The town supervisor expects to put the work out for bid next month. The tennis court will be converted to all purpose court, including tennis and basketball, etc. There is also a plan for pavilion with kitchen for community events. Thank you again to the Ellsworth Kelly Foundation. 
• Congratulations to Connie Mondel: Our own indefatigable Connie, along with Sally Charron of Ghent, were selected Senior Citizens of the Year for Columbia County! 
• Comprehensive Plan Oversight Committee: The Committee has been working on the Hamlet Study, through a survey about parking, sidewalks, etc. The DOT sent representatives from their landscape and design section offering help almost two years ago. The State Road Repair Group wrote the Town regarding any changes in the interim. The next step is to have an open meeting to give the public a chance to participate before roadwork begins. 
• Quick additional items: ~Gravel Grinder Cycling event set for Sunday, May 17, 2015. ~Elizabeth Whiteman re-appointed to Board of Assessment Review. ~Town Clerk/Tax Collector and Town Justice Court Audits, by Greg Vogler; these areas came through okay. A State audit of accounts and claims resulted in a good report. 

Next meeting, March 19, 2015. Come on out and see your town government at work. (For complete meeting minutes, see the town's web-site: http://austerlitzny.com/2010-town-board-minutes/ )

Thank you!
Your Austerlitz Democratic Committee

ELECTIONS MATTER: HIGHLIGHTS from 2014 and LOOKING FORWARD

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Elections do matter.   Many positive things have happened since Rob Lagonia and Greg Vogler won election on the Democratic ticket and joined the Austerlitz town board in January 2014.  More good things are planned in 2015 as well.  This year is an election year with two additional town board seats to be contested.  We will be nominating high quality candidates, and there will be fun and informative campaign events too.  The Austerlitz Democratic Committee will keep you updated throughout this year on the upcoming election and events.

Here are some of the changes our newly elected officials brought to energize our town and its government in 2014.  These achievements delivered on key commitments of the Austerlitz Democratic Committee's election platform: 

• Fiscal soundness and responsibility.  For many years the town budget was balanced by heavily drawing down our savings, without a plan to ensure the town did not run out of money for emergency needs, or to maintain our credit rating or to finance much needed and expensive new road equipment.  That is now changed, and the budget is balanced without further erosion of our savings reserve.
• The speed limit on Route 203 has been lowered (with special thanks to independent town residents who also took an active role in this change).  Stay tuned for developments this year on much needed paving.
• A new road grader has been acquired to maintain our dirt roads.  The last grader died suddenly in September and the new one is now on the roads. This is an example of why we need to maintain our savings reserves! 
• Greater transparency.   Important information is openly discussed at the town board meetings allowing all those who attend (or read the minutes on the town website) to know all of the same facts and considerations the town board has.  Click here for the Austerlitz Town Board Minutes
• Real progress on the town park was made.  A Community Day was held this past summer to get input on how best to design a renovated town park.  With the active role of our new Supervisor, the Ellsworth Kelly Foundation committed additional money to help make this happen.   
• Also with the active participation of our Supervisor, and the generosity of the Ellsworth Kelly Foundation, the former church next to the existing town hall has been purchased. It will become the new Austerlitz town hall as soon as repairs can be made and new office spaces are constructed over the next couple of years.  Stay tuned for updates on this exciting resolution of a long standing issue. 
• Audits.  Each year, the law requires that the town conduct its own audits of the town court, the town clerk, and our tax assessor.  These audits had not been done in years; however, they were reestablished in 2014 and will be conducted each year going forward. 
• Active participation at the county.   Rob Lagonia is an active participant at the County Board of Supervisors, and our voices are once again now being heard at the county level. 

This year is shaping up to be another busy year.   Here are some of the activities planned for 2015:

• Identify all of the town's large purchase needs, and to develop a fiscally responsible way to acquire them.  
• Completion of the new town park.
• Begin renovation of the new town hall building.
• Pursue NY State paving of Route 203.
• Improve the condition of our town roads, and have the proper equipment to maintain them.
• Maintain fiscal soundness, and overall transparency.
• Maintain an active role at the County level.

Stay tuned as the year progresses.  Good things are happening!  If you have any ideas or comments to share, please send them to  austerlitzdemocraticcommittee@gmail.com or mail them to PO Box 266, Spencertown, NY, 12165.

So, as you have read, elections do matter, and can produce results.  Importantly, winning elections require funds to have our voices heard.   Please help us now by sending a donation to the Austerlitz Democratic Committee at PO Box 266, Spencertown, NY, 12165.  Contributions to the ADC are not tax deductible.

Thank you!

Your Austerlitz Democratic Committee 

AUSTERLITZ DEMOCRATS 2015 ELECTION KICKOFF MEETING

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The Austerlitz Democrats will hold a 2015 kickoff meeting this coming Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 10:00am in the Town Hall.  All Austerlitz Democrats are welcome.  2015 is an election year with two town board seats up.  We won last election and we can win this one too.  Please come join us this Saturday.

Thank you!

Your Austerlitz Democratic Committee

COMMUNITY EVENT - JUNE 7 in the TOWN PARK

Dear Friends and Neighbors, a message from our town supervisor:

The town has been given a generous donation for the purpose of updating our Town Park.  The Town Board decided to have a community event on June 7th from 12:00 - 1:30.  Hot dogs and beverages will be served.  Please bring your thinking caps as all suggestions are welcome.  The Town Board will compile all suggestions and ideas and move forward in the direction that best fits the needs of our community.  Looking forward to a large turnout.


Please spread the word.

Rob Lagonia
Town Supervisor

2014 KICKOFF MEETING

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Please join us for our 2014 kickoff Austerlitz Democrats Meeting on Saturday February 15 at 1:00 in the Town Hall.   We will be discussing how to keep the momentum going, and growing, through this non-election year.
 
On the agenda is planning for our spring event, and capitalizing on the work Tobby did for last Fall's event booth on home safety and aging in place.
 
We will also discuss the groundwork for selecting candidates for 2015 when 2 more town board seats are up for election.
 
Please come out for a cup of coffee and to have your voices heard on these important matters.


Stay warm and we look forward to seeing you on the 15th.

Eileen Fusco
Chair, Austerlitz Democratic Committee

WE WON !!!!

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The results are in and our candidates have been elected! Rob Lagonia is our new Austerlitz Town Supervisor, Greg Vogler will join the Town Board, and Sharon Grubin is our new Town Justice. Congratulations to the candidates and all who worked so hard to support them!  



The vote counts so far, i.e. without the absentee votes counted, are:

For Town Supervisor:

Rob Lagonia [D] - 371
Jeff Braley [R] - 216

For Town Board (top two vote counts win):

Matt Verenazi [R] - 373
Greg Vogler [D] - 301
Carol Pinto [R] - 298

For Town Justice:

Sharon Grubin [D] - 387
Karen Kellogg [R] - 178

Of course, the over 100 absentee ballots have yet to be counted, but the numbers there are in our favor.  We are quite confident that the absentee ballots, when counted in two weeks, will add to our margin of victory.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU WHO MADE THIS POSSIBLE !!!!!

WHY DO ELECTIONS MATTER?

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Why do the local elections matter?

There are important issues facing our town and county that effect our daily lives. Like all towns, there are limits to what is controlled at the local level: a few of the most important areas governed locally are road budgeting, maintenance and safety, land use laws and their implementation, and appointments to important local positions, like the tax assessor and local attorney. Remember the "process" that was used to appoint the judge vacancy caused by Cheryl Robert's resignation? We deserve an open, fair process for all such appointments, and an even-handed application of our local laws. Importantly, the town supervisor also represents Austerlitz at the County level, and that affects another whole list of public services like the location of the Department of Social Services, and whether to expand the county airport.

Beyond what can be done locally is a question of:

What should be done locally?

We need a more vibrant local economy with more promotion of local businesses and craftsmen, improved safety for our firehouse and court infrastructure, better roads and more a pro-active plan and execution from our elected officials. Candidates running on the Democratic slate will work hard to promote growth in our local economy, to preserve our bucolic community while preserving individual rights, and to ensure that our safety, court, roads and governing process are to the highest practical standards, to benefit all of the people of Austerlitz. We need a Town Board that works as hard as possible for you, seeking all available funds and grants from various other levels of government.

Is our current Board reflective of a fair and balanced view of our issues?

There is only one party currently represented on our Town Board. Is this reflective of all of our constituencies? We need alternative voices on the Town Board to help solve the many issues facing our Town.

Why is the town justice position important?

And why does it need to be non-partisan? Very often, the local town justice is our most direct contact with a local elected legal official. Everyone deserves to be heard and to get a fair shake when dealing with the legal system and the town justice. That is why a non-partisan, experienced lawyer and judge is so important. Justice from the federal level right down to the local level is basically the same: it needs to be applied in a fair and even-handed way to protect individuals and our community.

Please remember to cast your votes on November 5th for our well qualified, energetic and independent minded candidates on Line A: Rob Lagonia for Town Supervisor, Greg Vogler for Town Board, and Sharon Grubin for Town Justice. Vote Line "A" all the way for Austerlitz.

Your Austerlitz Democratic Committee.

GET OUT THE VOTE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Our campaign signs are up and visible throughout town. Who's behind the signs: our well qualified, balanced and independent minded candidates: Rob Lagonia (Supervisor), Greg Vogler (Board), and Sharon Grubin (Justice), and that is what is going to win this important local election. Speaking to important local and county issues, the candidates are out campaigning door-to-door, meeting with key constituents from both parties, and our message is resonating. Most importantly, we have a balanced, energetic, well-qualified ticket.

We need your help with these efforts in these next few weeks:

~ The GOTV (get out the vote) effort is critical, especially in a non-national election year. In addition to voting yourself, we need your help with driving and calling lists, especially during the weekend before and up through Election Day (November 1-5th). Please contact Tobby (tcassuto@taconic.net) to sign up for this important support.

~ Send letters to the editor of our local newspapers to support our candidates; please add your voice (contact Eileen efusco1160@yahoo.com) for information).

And please remember to...
 ~ VOTE on November 5th! Elections in our town are own (or lost) by a handful of votes, so vote yourself and take a neighbor, and please call a few more.

 ~ Save the date for our Nov. 3rd chili bake, the culmination of the campaign and our show of support for our awesome candidates.

 ~ Donate to the Austerlitz Democratic Committee (PO Box 266, Spencertown; with street address please). Less than a month to go to electing a more independent, balanced local government representative of all of its constituents!

Thank you so very much, the Austerlitz Democratic Committee

AUSTERLITZ DEMOCRATS CAUCUS is this SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 7 at 1PM in the TOWN HALL

Hello Friends and Fellow Democrats:

Reminder: The Austerlitz Democratic Committee will caucus this coming Saturday September 7 at 1 pm in the Austerlitz Town Hall.  At the caucus we will choose our candidates for the November election.  Candidate nominations for Town Supervisor, the Town Board and Highway Supervisor will be made there and voted on by any registered Austerlitz Democrat.  We hope all registered Democrats in our town take the time to attend so their voices can be heard and their votes counted for the candidates of their choice.  

Please come!   And......

Events:  We are planning two major events.  Please mark your calendars for these as well.  The first event we'll hold on Sunday, September 22.  Then, on Saturday, November 2, we'll have another great chili bake-off.  Location and time to follow.  Come join the candidates at these events.  We'll need volunteers too.  So please let us know if you can help.  These events can't go on without good volunteers like yourselves!

Fundraising:  Thank you to the several people who have donated to us in the last few months.  But much more money is needed.   So, please send a donation to Austerlitz Democrats, PO Box 266, Spencertown, NY 12165. The donations are not tax deductible, but are very much appreciated.

ADC CAUCUS SET FOR AUGUST 17

Be there and be heard!

Our caucus to select our slate for the November elections is SATURDAY, AUGUST 17th at 10 am at the Spencertown Town Hall.

Let your voice be heard on our party's candidates for this upcoming important local election. Key positions for the November election include the Supervisor and two Town Board members.

Come on out!

RESULTS OF ADC MEETING on JULY 20

Hello Friends and Fellow Democrats:

The Austerlitz Democrats met this past Saturday July 20 at the Town Hall. At the meeting we discussed several important topics including the latest on our candidate search, when we will formally caucus and planning for our fall GOTV and meet the candidates events.  Here's a summary of the key topics we discussed:

Regarding candidates, the Nominating Committee has been meeting with several high quality and exciting candidates.  The committee anticipates it can announce its recommendations soon!

Caucus: Set for August 17 at 10 am in the Town Hall.  Please mark your calendars!

Events:  We are planning two major events.  Please mark your calendars for these as well.  The first event we'll hold on September 21.  Then, on Saturday, November 2, we'll have another great chili bake-off.  Location and time to follow.  Come join the candidates at these events.  We'll need volunteers too.  So please let us know if you can help.  These events can't go on without good volunteers like yourselves!

Fundraising:  Thank you to the several people who have donated to us in the last few months.  But much more money is needed.   So, please send a donation to Austerlitz Democrats, PO Box 266, Spencertown, NY 12165. The donations are not tax deductible, but are very much appreciated.

And, as always....

Remember to send to us, at AusterlitzDemocraticCommittee@gmail.com, the email addresses of friends who want to join our distribution list.

COLUMBIA PAPER ENDORSES CHERYL ROBERTS FOR ASSEMBLY

The Columbia Paper has endorsed Cheryl Roberts for NYS Assembly in the 107th District.

The final paragraph says it all:

Voters in the 107th District have good choices for Assembly, but one stands out as a with a distinguished record, aware of what our communities need from Albany and possessing the energy, authority and experience to represent this region as it has seldom been represented before. For those reasons, vote for Cheryl Roberts for Assembly November 6.

THE COLUMBIA PAPER ENDORSES CHERYL ROBERTS for SEPTEMBER 13 PRIMARY (This Coming THURSDAY)

The Columbia Paper has endorsed Cheryl, with Editor Parry Teasdale writing that "her background in environmental matters will carry great weight in campaign debates and in the legislature...." Though he condemns the state's primary election process and calls for its overhaul, Teasdale writes: "The party leaders chose wisely, and I urge Democrats and Working Families voters to support her in the September 13 primary."

AUSTERLITZ DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE HOLDS NOMINATING CAUCUS

On August 18, 2012, the Austerlitz Democratic Committee met to nominate David Cassuto as their candidate for Town Judge in the upcoming November election.  Mr. Cassuto, now a Professor of Law at Pace Law School in White Plains, is an experienced attorney and litigator.  Since 2003, he has been a full-time resident of Spencertown where he lives with his wife and son.  

Addressing the caucus, Mr. Cassuto emphasized his desire to serve the local community that he has been a part of for over thirty years and his commitment to the law and the legal system.  He looks forward to meeting and speaking with the residents of Austerlitz during the fall campaign.

The Caucus also formally endorsed Cheryl Roberts, a longtime resident of Spencertown, for New York State Assembly from the 107th District.  Ms. Roberts was elected three times to serve as Austerlitz Town Judge.  She is a prominent environmental attorney and advocate for local communities.  Ms. Roberts has been endorsed by both the Columbia County and Rensselaer County Democrats.  The Democratic Primary will be held on Thursday, September 13.

MEET YOUR LOCAL DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES - THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 2012

Meet, greet and support our Local Democratic Candidates:  David Cassuto for Austerlitz Town Judge and Cheryl Roberts for NYS Assembly, Thursday, August 30 from 5-7 pm (candidates to speak at 6:00). 

Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served.  Come out and join your friends and neighbors to hear the issues and show your support in this important election year. 

Hosted by Karen and George Jahn, 299 Beale Road., Spencertown (1.4 miles from Route 203);  RSVP to tcassuto@fairpoint.net

Suggested Contribution: $25 for the Austerlitz Democratic Committee Treasury (by law, names and street addresses of contributors must accompany contributions, so please include this on your checks.

AUSTERLITZ CAUCUS set for AUGUST 18, MEET the CANDIDATES AUGUST 30

Greetings Austerlitz Democrats!  We will hold our caucus on Saturday August 18 at 9:30 in the Town Hall on Route 203.  Come meet your fellow local Democrats.

And on August 30 come meet David Cassuto, Esq., our 2012 candidate for Austerlitz Town Judge, and Cheryl Roberts, our neighbor running for the NY State Assembly. (event details to follow).   

David, a long time resident of Spencertown, received his law degree from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law.  He is a Professor of Law at Pace University and teaches in the areas of property, professional responsibility, environmental law, water law, animal law, and international comparative environmental law. He also directs the Brazil American Institute for Law and Environment (BAILE), a cooperative endeavor with the Getulio Vargas Foundation School of Law in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Prior to joining the faculty at Pace, David was in private practice, specializing in complex civil litigation.  He also clerked for the Honorable Rosemary Barkett on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.  He is widely published and a frequent speaker on issues ranging from corporate criminal law to environmental and cultural studies and literary criticism (David is a former professor of English specializing in literature and the environment).

David has been a member of the community since 1972 and currently lives in Spencertown with his family. His wife, Elizabeth Downes, teaches French; his son Jesse is in the eighth grade and a member of the ski team at Jiminy Peak, where David also teaches.

                            

For more information on David Cassuto’s professional career, please visit: http://www.pace.edu/school-of-law/faculty-0/full-time-faculty/cassuto-david-n

Contact:
dncassuto@gmail.com or 392-2318