Government

A collection of 38 posts

Government

A Look Back - And Ahead

When asked to summarize how this year went for her, Town Supervisor Jacqueline Annabi was uncharacteristically at a loss for words. After a long pause and obvious consternation, she finally exhaled, saying "2024 was a whirlwind." It certainly started off badly, with the death on January 15th of

Government

How Did Putnam Valley Vote?

You probably think you know already, but the batch of certified election data released last week by the Putnam County Board of Elections reveals some interesting tidbits. Let's start with the trivia item that always seems to surprise people: There continue to be more registered Democrats in Putnam

Government

Making PV More Business Friendly

At this month's Town Board meeting, Supervisor Jacqueline Annabi announced a new initiative designed to encourage more business activity in Putnam Valley. The Town Board proposed a resolution to create a "Neighborhood Business Committee" that would advise on the "creation, enhancement, attraction and retention, marketing

Government

Planning Your Vote

While the national political contest has been omnipresent for at least two years, it's time for Putnam Valley voters to focus on some key local elections we are being asked to decide in November. This week, the Putnam County Board of Elections released its sample ballot, which you

Environment

Seeking Albany's Help

On September 23rd, Town Supervisor Jacqueline Annabi took an important step forward seeking funding support from New York State to help lakeside homeowners defray the cost of replacing their aging septic systems. Supervisor Annabi invited NY State Senator Rob Rolison and NY Assemblyman Matt Slater to join in conversation at

Government

Things are finally heating up!

And no, that isn't a reference to the weather. Putnam Valley sits in one of the most hotly contested Congressional seats in the country. Yet, for the last few months, you wouldn't have known it. But with Democrats energized by their likely new presidential nominee and

Government

Commemorating the Town's Black Cemetery

Putnam Valley residents who were not able to attend the unveiling on Juneteenth of a historic marker for the Larksburg Cemetery missed something special. Deputy County Historian Sallie Sypher gave a detailed account of the history of Sumner Lark, a civil rights lawyer who established the cemetery in the 1920s

Government

New Public Hearing Scheduled

At Wednesday's work session, Town Supervisor Jacqueline Annabi announced that she would be adding a third public hearing to the agenda for the June 19th Town Board meeting. This new hearing will focus on the board's desire to impose a 12-month moratorium on applications for lithium

Government

June Town Hall Updates

Two public hearings are scheduled to take place at the next Town Board meeting, which falls on Juneteenth, a federal holiday. Earlier that day, there will be an unveiling of a marker commemorating the town's historic all-Black cemetery. The first public hearing relates to a proposal to place

Government

School District Election Results

The people have spoken, or about 1,358 of them, to be exact, out of the 7,600 who were eligible to vote in today's school district election. The school budget passed, with 750 voting in favor of the administration's proposal and 608 voting against it.

Government

Your School Board Candidates

On May 21st, the Putnam Valley Central School District (PVCSD) will hold an election for two trustees to the board that governs the district's three schools. Four people are competing for those two seats: Barbara Parmly, Maranda Zocchi, Alexandra (Sasha) Hayes, and Zayd Eljamal. The district's

Government

Voter Apathy Puts PV School Budget at Risk

An important decision is looming for many residents of Putnam Valley. Will they choose to vote in an important upcoming election that could have major implications for the state of their community or will they stay home? On May 21st, the town's school district will hold an election

Government

Town Hall News

At the March 20th Town Board meeting, Supervisor Jacqueline Annabi scheduled a public hearing for 6pm on April 17th to review a proposed 2% occupancy tax on rooms rented for less than 30 days. The full text of the proposal can be found on pages 5-15 by clicking this link.

Government

Political Dispatches

January has been a relatively quiet month in Putnam Valley, but here are a few notable developments worth sharing: **On January 15th, the town suffered the devastating loss of Town Clerk Kimberly McKeown. Although she had only been elected to that position in November, after running unopposed, McKeown had worked

Government

Grants Galore!

When Jacqueline Annabi took over as Town Supervisor in January 2022, she made it clear she wanted to make securing grants for the town a signature element of her administration. With Putnam Valley facing a daunting array of critical infrastructure needs, this was key to her strategy to limit the

Government

It's a done deal!

At its meeting on November 15th, the Town Board voted unanimously to adopt its proposed regulation of short-term rentals. The board's vote took place following five public hearings since July during which numerous residents weighed in both for and against. Now that this new regulation has been adopted,

Government

Morning-after Election Insights

In the cold light of day, it's clear that candidates who were able to earn the endorsement of the town's Conservative Party had a big advantage over their opponents in yesterday's election. Highway Superintendent Shawn Keeler received 528 votes on the Conservative line, nearly

Government

Election Results!

The results are in, and though they're not final, they are not expected to change significantly. Sherry Howard and Louie Luongo will fill the two open seats on the town board for the next four years. Incumbent Shawn Keeler beat Mark Pawera in the race for highway superintendent.

Government

Election Flash Points

More than 50 people crowded into the Lake Peekskill Community Center last Monday evening to hear candidates for the town board, highway superintendent and county legislator compete for our votes. The format - 90 seconds to answer questions, with limited opportunity for rebuttal - yielded little in the way of

Government

Our voice in the county

Rarely do political issues divide our town board strictly along party lines. The same cannot be said for the Putnam County Legislature. There, eight Republican legislators tend to vote in lockstep, with the one Democrat, Nancy Montgomery, often isolated in her positions. This November, the person representing most of Putnam

Government

The Battle for Highway Superintendent

Few subjects generate more animated conversation in Putnam Valley than the state of our roads. So perhaps it is fitting that every two years the issue of who maintains these essential arteries is decided at the ballot box rather than by executive appointment. This year we are being offered a

Government

Your town board candidates

Starting this month, Putnam Valley voters have an opportunity to re-evaluate who represents them on the town board. The position of town supervisor is not being contested. The Democrats have decided not to run anyone against Republican Town Supervisor Jacqueline Annabi, who is widely viewed as having displayed a solid

Government

It's almost lawn sign season!

Later this month, voting starts in Putnam Valley for the representatives who will help govern the town for the next two years.   Town Supervisor Jacqueline Annabi is running uncontested, but four candidates are vying for the two open seats on the town board. Two candidates are competing to be the

Government

Short-term rentals, again

During the past week, Putnam Valley's town board held two more public hearings on its proposed regulation of short-term rentals, most commonly associated with Airbnb. Although few residents spoke at those sessions and most seemed to accept that regulation was inevitable, a few new issues did emerge. Board

Government

Short-term Rentals, Round Two

The Putnam Valley town board held a second public hearing this week on its proposal to regulate short-term rentals (STRs), commonly associated with Airbnb and VRBO listings. The board made some revisions to its original resolution, however the new proposal was only available in printed copies to those who came