The City Council meeting this evening opened with two Newburgh students reading inspirational essays in honor of Black History Month and an impressive performance by the Newburgh African Dancers of the Glenn E. Hines Memorial Boys and Girls Club.
Taxi Ordinance: Good Move for Newburgh’s Cardiovascular Health
One citizen voiced enthusiastic support for Ordinance No. 3-2008, regarding Taxicabs, in expectation that the new rules will help reduce public nuisances (and health risks) such as excessive honking. Another resident recommended that a provision be added to encourage taxi companies to buy hybrids, in line with the green guidelines of the Sustainable Master Plan. The Council unanimously passed the ordinance as it was written.
Fire Department Toilet Renovations Project Tabled
The bathroom size: 4′ x 9′. The contracted bid amount: $31,950.00. Expected construction time: one month. Too much and too long? Some residents thought so. The Fire Department described untenable conditions that need urgent work. The Council moved to table the resolution.
New Millionaires in Newburgh
A concern of many brought up during the General Comments from the Audience was the impact of the Revaluation on increasing taxes.
Facing Challenges
The City Manager delivered her State of the City Report, and concluded with the subject of “Facing Challenges as a Community.” She said that three challenges Newburgh faces in 2008 include Police-Community Relations, Building Equitable Communities, and Sidewalks (improving their quality.) Comparing the City of Newburgh to a family, she advocated for a spirit of collaboration to help resolve these challenges.
Concerns about Police Support
The audience comments closed with two speakers expressing concern about support for the police. One of the speakers the president of the Police Benevolence Association of Newburgh. “My question here today is – I’m here as PBA President – is why doesn’t the City Council support us?… We have a higher crime rate than Miami, Chicago, or New York, but we don’t get support.”
Closing Comments from the Council
Councilwoman Bell spoke first. She said that she was confused by some of the anger expressed. “Please, let us work together. I’m not an adversary to anybody here. We all love Newburgh – I hope! And we’re all trying to do what is right.”
Councilwoman Angelo thanked the City Manager for her report and stated that she wanted to activate the Human Rights Commission.
Councilwoman Bello said she did not support the reasoning for the revaluation. On the subject of the police, she stated that “you are under a serious misconception, because this council is 100% supportive of our police department. What we do not support is police brutality, police abuse, or unprofessional conduct.” Councilwoman Bello began to describe the “ripple effect to the… misdeeds that go unchecked. And that ripple effect consists of community tension, the increased risk to the taxpayers with the onset of lawsuits, and the breakdown of the morale in the police department among the men who are held to a higher standard than others. In addition to that, it maligns the entire police department. And it’s not fair because we have tremendous officers that work very hard, that are very honest, and they are held to a standard they couldn’t look cross-eyed at someone without being penalized. And yet, there’s a handful in the police department that are getting away with murder, and it’s putting all of us at risk.”
At this point Councilwoman Bello was interrupted by a member of the audience who stood up and demanded she name the “handful”. The PBA President also stood and said he was leaving. A group from the audience stood up and walked out of the building. Mayor Valentine attempted to end the meeting but the council and the audience were determined to stay. Councilwoman Bello then proceeded with her comments. “It’s that adversarial attitude… this is a serious problem.”
Councilwoman Dickinson and Mayor Valentine closed with their comments and the meeting concluded.
