Mayor joins statewide effort to cap state pension contributions Freeport Mayor Bill Glacken joined other village and city mayors and municipal officials at a news conference in White Plains, New York, last week to call on State Comptroller Alan Hevesi to reduce the dollar amount the state is seeking in local.governments' contributions to the state's pension fund. Freeport, along with all the other villages and government entities throughout New York State, has been advised by the comptroller's office to budget for a major increase in its contribution to the state's pension fund in its next year's budget. Freeport's projected contribution for the 2004/2005 budget is approximately 12% of the civilian payroll and 17% of the police payroll. The village's state pension fund contribution in 2002 was approximately $1 million. In December of 2003, it is $2,396,185, and in December 2004, it is scheduled to be $4,233,451. That figure represents a 323% increase over a two-year period.
"The amount the Comptroller is requesting from the local governments, including school districts, libraries, villages, cities, towns and counties," explained Mayor Glacken, "is unconscionable, and will put an enormous financial burden on these entities." During a statewide teleconference held on September 9, Comptroller Hevesi stated that as of that date, the pension fund was 93% funded and had a value of $106 billion. That means the fund will be 100% funded once it reaches a value of $113.9 billion. "Comptroller Hevesi also indicated during that teleconference that between January 1, 2003, the date he took office, and September 9, the value of the fund had grown from $99 billion to $106 billion, in barely 8 months," explained Mayor Glacken. "Therefore, I challenge the need for such a drastic increase in contributions within a single fiscal year. The fund seems to be restoring itself, and
PENSION REFORM: Mayor Bill Glacken speaking at the news conference hosted by White Plains Mayor Joseph Delfino and lead by NY COM Executive Director Edward Farrell.
will do so over time if we remain patient." Mayor Glacken, along with the other officials, called on Comptroller Hevesi to reconsider the current contribution requirements on the municipalities. "We
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decorating ideas from the talented designers at Atlantic Nursery. Whether you prefer live or life-like decorations, you are sure to find inspiration at our store. Visit us this year to; check out .our new theme trees and revisit some old favorites. New themes for this year include: "Jingle Buddies," "Christmas Around the World," "Under the Sea" and "Enchanted Garden." For indoor splendor poinsettias are a long lasting favorite (one of our local banks still had one of ours in bloom in June!) available in a wide assortment of sizes. Go traditional with red and white varieties or dare to be different in this year with shades of peach, cranberry, plum, pink, bi-colors and even chartreuse. New and notable varieties this year include: "Corlez Burgundy" and "Limelight." Different varieties will make their debut throughout the season, so visit often! In addition to poinsellias. blooming plants in festive pots, decorated Norfolk pines and mini-evergreens, novelty planters with mini poinsettias or the traditional dish and basket gardens are other great ways to spread some holiday magic: Have your best holiday season ever!
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need a reasonable limit on'how much this contribution may increase from year to year. We would like to see a cap of just 2 31 c to 3% of our payrolls each year, rather than this drastic increase that has the potential financially to cripple us all."
The holidays at Atlantic Nursery The holiday season brings to mind thoughts of joy and family. What better way to share in the magic of the holidays than by bringing the magnificent colors and fragrance of the season indoors. Atlantic Nursery can help throughout the holiday season and beyond with our fine assortment of blooming and foliage plants. Thanksgiving beauty awaits you with the warm autumn hues of Mums, Kalanchoes and ornamental Peppers. Pick up a fall decorated basket garden to grace your (6r/your host's) holiday table. We are open Thanksgiving Day from 10a.m.-2p.m. for those last minute host/hostess gifts that make the perfect impression every time. For your Chanukah celebrations, we will have elegant orchids, fragrant Paper whites and graceful Cyclamen all in frosty white and cool pink tones. Our blue and white themed baskets are great for gift-giving, as are lucky bamboo arrangements, exotic foliage and Bromeliads. Christmas time brings a bountiful variety of plants to bring holiday cheer to every corner of your home. One thing you can count on is fresh and imaginative
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