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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Mr. Mayor - Thank you for your response.<o:p></o:p></font></font></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3"><font face="Calibri" size="3"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">My premise in asking you the question was very simple:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1)I hail from Washington, D.C.;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>born in a family of activism 2)As with
Riverdale Park, my husband and I have played a active role in all the
communities resided 3)<u>AND</u>, We are familiar with governmental roles and
practices.<o:p></o:p></font></font></font></font></div>
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<font face="Calibri" size="3"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3"></font></font></font></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><font face="Calibri" size="3"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Hence, when you know better you do better and expect better.
It was never my intent to be misconstrued as pointing the finger at you or the
town manager or for you to undertake the painstaking task of responding to my
concerns.<o:p></o:p></font></font></font></font></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></o:p><font face="Calibri" size="3"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">To no avail on your part, a response from you required a
great deal of persistence from me. As you know, I came forward at the December
2017 legislative meeting highlighting the “poorly” state of the Town and asked
that the Mayor and Council marinade on what was said before providing a
response. Four months passed, no minutes posted to date, or a response
provided.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In April, I attempted for the
second time to post to the Town Talk in hopes of not receiving a town-bounce.
Finally, I received access to post. <o:p></o:p></font></font></font></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></o:p><font face="Calibri" size="3"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">As stated in December, although my husband is part of the
Council, of which I have been and continue to be supportive of, I do not want
my concerns to be taken lightly. Whenever there are matters of the Town that
concern me I will make my voice known, as all residents should. As elected
officials it is encumbered upon you to do what is right and act accordingly to
the welfare of the people.<o:p></o:p></font></font></font></font></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></o:p><font face="Calibri" size="3"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">The example of the “noose” -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>although it happened at Town Hall it impacted all residents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This ordeal occurred when you were not a
member of Council. I was very vocal, extremely concern about the direction and
the approach taken by the Town since these events were popping up all
over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The actions taken benefited the
Town.<o:p></o:p></font></font></font></font></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></o:p><font face="Calibri" size="3"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">The statement <u>(said degrees and us against them)</u> was
to draw contrast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The true test in any
individual or plan is through implementation and materialization. I understand
and respect a new way of thinking, doing, a person style etc., My points were
based on the manner of operation I was accustomed to receiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Services have gone down - <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>“Can someone fix the dangling E. West
Hwy. sign?”</u></i><o:p></o:p></font></font></font></font></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></o:p><font face="Calibri" size="3"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">I submitted an email, yet in return received a self
admittedly lengthy response filled with bureaucracy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In all due respect the things identified
would be expected of a Manager. Riverdale is a small town with a population of
6,956. My concern as a resident is the impact that a new Mayor who has not
voted on a “legislative” item and a TM has had on residents. Contrary to what
you may feel or want to believe there are people in the Town that recognize the
silos created by Town government and sanctioned by the Mayor and Council. While
there are areas that require structure, there are areas where things can easily
be simplified. <o:p></o:p></font></font></font></font></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></o:p><font face="Calibri" size="3"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">In closing, we have six Wards in our Town, with respective
representation, the feeling of being disconnected has nothing to do with
experiencing street closures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a
resident, I ensure that I take an active role and stay inform. You found it
unreasonable to remove the disclaimer at the bottom of the Agenda, even though
I stated I was offended and how no other like “body” has such a
disclaimer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Town post signs that all
is welcome, come join us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gotta tell
you I don’t feel welcome. What I have seen, from you, the TM and some Council
members is elitism and often condescending remarks by CM Dixon which is
unacceptable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your notion of abstaining
from voting with the idea of refereeing is laughable, you do have 2 senior
members on board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I certainly would like
to know where you stand “publicly” on issues. <o:p></o:p></font></font></font></font></div>
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<font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Thank you JR Smith for giving your take on the Ethics
Committee. Interesting, there was a time when I had a desire to join<font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">.<o:p></o:p></font></font></font></font></div>
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<div style="color: black; font-family: arial,helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">-----Original Message-----<br>
From: JR Smith <jrarlington75@yahoo.com><br>
To: Karon Henry <mhenry3240@verizon.net><br>
Cc: TownTalk <towntalk@riverdale-park.org>; twacks <twacks@gmail.com><br>
Sent: Mon, May 21, 2018 11:45 am<br>
Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] posting<br>
<br>
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<div class="aolmail_qtdSeparateBR" id="aolmail_yui_3_16_0_1_1526916933085_2605">Ms. Henry,</div>
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<div class="aolmail_qtdSeparateBR" id="aolmail_yui_3_16_0_1_1526916933085_2662">Your comments are spot on regarding Riverdale Park City Counsel. I recently resigned from the ethics committee as I no longer have faith in the Town Council or the Mayor for that matter. My experience is the council decides to do something, then on the premise of "openness" will have discussions at the council meetings open to the public, and then move forward with the council's decision regardless of public sentiment. To my knowledge, the council has yet to change course once they have decided to do something.</div>
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<div class="aolmail_qtdSeparateBR" id="aolmail_yui_3_16_0_1_1526916933085_2667">JR<br>
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<div id="aolmail_yui_3_16_0_1_1526916933085_2313" style="font-family: bookman old style, new york, times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
<div id="aolmail_yui_3_16_0_1_1526916933085_2312" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<div id="aolmail_yui_3_16_0_1_1526916933085_2311" dir="ltr"> <font id="aolmail_yui_3_16_0_1_1526916933085_2310" face="Arial" size="2"> <hr size="1" id="aolmail_yui_3_16_0_1_1526916933085_2410"> <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">From:</span></b> Alan K. Thompson <<a href="mailto:twacks@gmail.com">twacks@gmail.com</a>><br>
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">To:</span></b> Karon Henry <<a href="mailto:mhenry3240@verizon.net">mhenry3240@verizon.net</a>> <br>
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cc:</span></b> TownTalk <towntalk@riverdale-park.org><br>
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sent:</span></b> Monday, May 21, 2018 12:14 AM<br>
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Subject:</span></b> Re: [RP TownTalk] posting<br>
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<div id="aolmail_yui_3_16_0_1_1526916933085_2414">
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<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" id="aolmail_yui_3_16_0_1_1526916933085_2412" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dear Mrs. Henry,<span></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" id="aolmail_yui_3_16_0_1_1526916933085_2711" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" id="aolmail_yui_3_16_0_1_1526916933085_2714" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Thank you for your patience in awaiting my response -
recovering from my travels took longer than I had anticipated, and this letter
is longer than I had anticipated as well.<span></span></div>
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<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Let me frame my answer to your questions by stating that my motivation
for proposing the change to the Council/Manager form of government two years
ago was to have the town run by a highly qualified, highly trained,
professional manager.<span></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">That said, before I answer your main question, I wanted to
touch on the items that you brought up at the beginning of your letter -
"...said degrees..." and "...a Mayor that
can...vote...."<span> </span><span></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" id="aolmail_yui_3_16_0_1_1526916933085_2594" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" id="aolmail_yui_3_16_0_1_1526916933085_2715" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The only requirement in the Town Charter for the Town
Manager is that they are a full member of the International City/County
Management Association, and that is simply an indicator that they have the
training (and continue to receive training!) in their profession running a
municipality.<span> </span>Just as doctors, lawyers,
and accountants (among others) are required to maintain their professional credentials,
so does our Town Manager.<span> </span>This
requirement was focused on the "professional" and "highly
trained" aspects of my goals.<span>
</span>During the hiring process we on the Council had a wide selection of
candidates for the job, and were able to narrow the list to individuals having
much higher qualifications and experience than the minimum requirements in the
Charter.<span></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" id="aolmail_yui_3_16_0_1_1526916933085_2716" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" id="aolmail_yui_3_16_0_1_1526916933085_2595" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The "voting Mayor" issue is something that was
important to some members of the Council, but not so much to me.<span> </span>The Rules of Order that have been used by the
Council for more than a decade strongly encourage (for good reasons) the person
chairing the meeting to remain impartial, and unneeded votes are a good way to
erode at least the appearance of impartiality.<span>
</span>I have, in fact, voted on a few occasions where my vote was needed (to
reach the 4-vote minimum on financial matters, for instance).<span></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" id="aolmail_yui_3_16_0_1_1526916933085_2728" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" id="aolmail_yui_3_16_0_1_1526916933085_2717" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I'd also like to comment on the "Us against Them"
statement you made.<span> </span>In my almost nine
years as an elected official, there have been many conflicts (both between
elected officials, and between management & staff) in addition to the
"noose" event you mentioned. Almost all of the management/staff
conflicts have been resolved internally (as required by our personnel manual),
so you probably don't know about them.<span>
</span>It may just be my new perspective as Mayor, but in the most recent staff
conflicts, our Town Manager has been very careful to adhere to the policies
laid out in the Personnel Policy section of the Town’s Personnel Manual (as
approved by the Town Council many years ago). Indeed, he has been meticulous in
formally recording (in writing) the reasons for all decisions.<span> </span>I view this as a good thing.<span></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now, to your main question: how have the residents of
Riverdale Park benefitted from a Town Manager?<span></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I'll start with "the residents know more about what the
Town is doing," or more generally "openness and
transparency."<span> </span>I think this is an
essential piece of an effective government.<span></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" id="aolmail_yui_3_16_0_1_1526916933085_2727" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A big change in this area is the bi-weekly "Status and
Information report" that our Town Manager (TM), John Lestitian, started
less than a month after being hired.<span>
</span>This report details what is going on with the police department, the
public works department, general government, and on the Town's leadership team.<span> </span>This was purely his idea, and something that
would not have happened without him.<span> </span>It
is published in English and Spanish on the TownTalk and TownAnnounce mailing
lists, distributed on the Town's web site, and links to the report are provided
on the Town's FaceBook page (also something implemented, after years of
discussion, by TM Lestitian).<span> </span>If you
want to know what criminal activities the police were dealing with in October,
2017, you can do it as a result of TM Lestitian's newsletter (a burglary, a
domestic violence crime, a drunk and disorderly event, and two arrests
resulting from routine traffic stops, in case it's of interest).<span></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" id="aolmail_yui_3_16_0_1_1526916933085_2726" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" id="aolmail_yui_3_16_0_1_1526916933085_2725" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Still in the works, but nearly complete, is a major revamp
of the Town's web site.<span> </span>This project has
again been in the works for many years, and this year, under TM Lestitian's management
of the Town, a contract was awarded and the project is near completion.<span></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" id="aolmail_yui_3_16_0_1_1526916933085_2724" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Finally, TM Lestitian has been working with the Council,
staff, and residents to create vision statements for infrastructure,
sustainability, housing and neighborhoods, business and economic development,
etc.<span> </span>When these vision statements are
publicly available, residents will be able to see the priorities of the Council
and Town Government.<span></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" id="aolmail_yui_3_16_0_1_1526916933085_2718" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" id="aolmail_yui_3_16_0_1_1526916933085_2723" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A second area where the Town's residents are benefitting
from the Town Manager is in effective and professional operations.<span> </span>This is a broad statement, so I'll discuss it
in detail in the next few paragraphs.<span></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" id="aolmail_yui_3_16_0_1_1526916933085_2722" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The part of Town government known as "Code
Enforcement" was having problems when TM Lestitian was hired.<span> </span>While some of these problems were outside the
control of the Town (staff turnover and illness), as a council representative I
had been hearing from residents of Ward 2 that there were a large number of unaddressed
code violations (just as an aside, no one likes receiving code violations, so
my measure of an appropriate level of code enforcement is that I receive an
equal number of complaints that code enforcement is too strict and code
enforcement is too lax -- I had been hearing almost nothing except that it was
too lax).<span></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" id="aolmail_yui_3_16_0_1_1526916933085_2721" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">TM Lestitian, seeing these issues, reorganized and retitled
(within existing staffing levels) the Code Enforcement division to
"Development Services."<span>
</span>Development Services works proactively with residents, businesses, and
people who want to enhance the town.<span>
</span>Part of this is the "Neighborhood Improvement" program, which
rather than focusing on penalizing residents who have issues with code
compliance, works with them to find solutions.<span>
</span><span></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" id="aolmail_yui_3_16_0_1_1526916933085_2720" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" id="aolmail_yui_3_16_0_1_1526916933085_2719" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">As an example, Development Services recently proposed
enhancing an existing program that provides matching funding to assist
residents in removing chain-link fences to include removal of dilapidated sheds
and other accessory structures.<span>
</span>Development Services also works with businesses seeking to locate here
to receive needed approvals, permits, and licenses, and will work with
residents on the same.<span> </span>As another
example, the old code enforcement unit conducted inspections of rental
properties - Development Services does the same, but all inspectors are now
trained and certified, and are more likely to find the health and safety issues
that the inspections are intended to uncover.<span></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A second area where "effective and professional
operations" have improved is in matching policy (what staff are supposed
to be doing) and practice (what they are actually doing), or "Say what you
do, do what you say”. This includes clarifying policy where it is unclear.<span> </span>TM Lestitian is highly focused on harmonizing
policy and practice by improving both.<span>
</span>One example that I know has affected your neighborhood in Ward 4 is the
parking permit program - the permitting process is being modified so that it is
easier for residents to get parking permits and for town staff to give
them.<span> </span>Other policies that are either
almost in place or in the works include aspects of rental licensing/regulation
in single-family homes, the recently adopted economic development grants
program, and the program I mentioned above to assist homeowners with removal of
chain-link fences.<span></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The last area that I'll mention where residents are
benefitting from our Town Manager is the area of financial management and
planning.<span> </span>A simple example is that TM
Lestitian is now tracking restricted income - income that can only be spent on
certain programs (such as "Highway User" revenue from the state) - in
a consistent and appropriate way.<span> </span>This
ensures that the town will be found fully compliant if audited, and will not
need to refund the income.<span></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Another example of improved financial management is in the
purchasing process.<span> </span>Until now, there was
no policy in place that specified which employees of the town could authorize
purchases.<span> </span>TM Lestitian has instituted
written policies that delineate the persons/positions who can approve different
levels of expenditure (large expenditures require higher-level approvals),
requirements for researching the cost of expenditures, etc.<span> </span>This helps ensure that your tax dollars are
being spent efficiently.<span></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A final item under financial management is the 2019 budget
prepared by TM Lestitian and his team.<span> </span>The
presentation and layout provided a much greater level of detail than we have
seen in previous budgets, and (most importantly) this budget contained detailed
projections for both income and expenditures for the next five years that show
the financial challenges that we face ahead. Because he is tracking those
projections, he can advise us on ways to deal with these impending financial
needs with enough notice to allow us to respond appropriately.<span></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">To recap, residents are benefitting from the Council/Manager
form of government, and from Town Manager Lestitian, with improved transparency
and communication, more effective and professional operations, and with improved
financial management.<span></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I'd like to touch on two more items from your letter before
wrapping up.<span> </span><span></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The first is your statement about the "town
feeling" that you feel has gone away.<span>
</span>I see just the opposite - we have had more volunteers than in past years
(for the ethics board, M-U-TC Committee, and Code of Appeals board just to name
a few), we had an enormous turnout at the recent Arbor Day event, the town is
providing a much higher level of information to residents, and I've been
receiving a positive response to recent changes from most residents I speak
with.<span> </span>It may be that the long closure of
the Lafayette-River Road connection (triggered by construction of the bridge to
the Riverdale Park Station development) is causing your neighborhood to feel
disconnected from the rest of town -- I personally know that it is much harder
to get to your neighborhood from mine. Please rest assured that everyone is
working hard to reopen that connection as quickly as we can.<span></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The second is the "tax increase" statement. <span> </span>We have discussed at Finance Committee
meetings for 2-3 years the fact that an increase in revenue would be needed
this year (at the latest), and we achieved the increase through increased
property values, not an increase in the tax rate.<span> </span>I could discuss this at length, but this
letter is already too long, so I'll just say that even with this year's
increase my own town tax bill will be lower than it was in 2010.<span></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I hope that I have answered your questions and responded
appropriately to your comments -- if not, please feel free to reach out to me,
or to TM Lestitian!<span></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Best regards,<span></span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></div>
<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Alan<span></span></div>
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<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719gmail_quote">On Thu, Apr 26, 2018 at 2:25 PM, Karon Henry <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:mhenry3240@verizon.net" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" shape="rect">mhenry3240@verizon.net</a>></span> wrote:<br clear="none"><blockquote class="aolmail_yiv9981310719gmail_quote" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid;"><font color="black" face="arial" size="2"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
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<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: normal;"><font face="Calibri"><u><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">A Question to the Mayor: </span></u><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Aside from having person(s) with said degrees and a Mayor who can,
but (to my knowledge) has not voted to date on any legislative action.</span><span><u></u><u></u></span></font></div>
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<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: normal;"><font face="Calibri"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Please give specifics on how the residents of Riverdale Park have
benefited in having a Town Manager?</span></b><span style="color: black;"><u></u><u></u></span></font></div>
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<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><font face="Calibri">My reasons for requesting this information is simple – I am
a resident of 20yrs – have experienced five Mayors: 1)Ann M. Ferguson
2)Michael D. Herman 3)Guy Tiberio 4)Vernon S. Archer 5)Alan K.
Thompson. Throughout the tenure of the four Mayors, I have witness and
felt Riverdale Park maintained that “town” feeling.<span> </span>The changes made benefited residents and
moved in a progressive state.<span> </span>Even after
the hanging of <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">the</font> “<b><i>noose</i></b>” at Town Hall under Vernon Archer we were able to move forward
in a positive direction. <u></u><u></u></font></span></div>
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<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><font face="Calibri">Unfortunately, I view the decision to institute a town manager has
separated the Town at best in creating a <u>Us</u> against <u>Them </u>approach. <span> </span>This change in guard which includes a
structural reorganization and tax increases is <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">not</font> moving in a positive
direction.<span> </span>The services rendered has declined
along with the relationships residents once had with Town staff of Riverdale
Park.<span> </span><u></u><u></u></font></span></div>
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<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><font face="Calibri">Note:<span> </span>An attempt to send this
message was made in November 2017 and I received a Town bounce.<span> </span>I do <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">hope</font> it goes through this time. <u></u><u></u></font></span></div>
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<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><font face="Calibri">Respectfully, <u></u><u></u></font></span></div>
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<div class="aolmail_yiv9981310719MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: normal;"><font face="Calibri"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Mrs. Henry</span><span style="color: black;"><u></u><u></u></span></font></div>
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