Video of Altercation at Fire Consolidation Commission

[Bnechis 3,961]

Altercation at Fire Consolidation Commission

This is the meeting held August 19, 2010 at Greenburgh's Town Hall where the President of the ECC (Edgemont Community Council), Robert Bernstein, is involved in an altercation by Mr. Luis A. Polit for giving out information after his resignation from the Fire Consolidation Commission about it's chair, Alan Hochberg.

Bob Bernstein resigned as an adviser to the Town's Fire District Consolidation Commission after a motion was made to remove him for writing an article critical of an interim report. Bernstein cited illegal conduct by the commission and said the chair, a convicted felon and disbarred attorney, had apparently not learned his lesson.

This video contains Robert Bernstein's complete statement to the consolidation commission about Alan Hochberg's past, among other things, followed by the altercation by Luis Polit. Mr. Polit will now be facing the charge of Harassment in the 2nd degree, a Violation under New York State Penal Section 240.26 (1).

www.edgemontcommunitycouncil.org

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[2209 0]

Can't we all just get along?

[SRS131EMTFF 471]

Not good....not good for anyone at all...

[MoFire390 118]

i dont know much about the town of greenburg what does the fire consolidation commison do?? does it govern the fire districts that reside in the town limits??

[jack10562 414]

i dont know much about the town of greenburg what does the fire consolidation commison do?? does it govern the fire districts that reside in the town limits??

This group is supposed to be exploring whether or not to merge the Fairview, Greenville and Hartsdale fire districts, which provide fire protection to the town of Greenburg, into one town-wide department.

[61MACKBR1 222]

Another sad example of Grown Adults acting like children. Sadly enough in these tough economic times, more and more Counties, Towns, Cities, and Villages are considering and in most cases approving the Consolidation of Services. The situation within Greenburgh is just the beginning. I suspect that the taxpayers within the Town of Greenburgh will ultimately push for such consolidation in order to prevent tax increases and to save money. The next, I suspect, will be the consolidation of services (Fire, Police and EMT) throughout Westchester County. Will there be arguments, disagreements, mud-slinging, name callings, bad feelings past back and forth? Absolutely. But the reality is that Consolidation will happen. (As a side note: I would wonder what the children of these grown adulst might have to say about how their parents are acting? Hmmm)

[Bnechis 3,961]

This group is supposed to be exploring whether or not to merge the Fairview, Greenville and Hartsdale fire districts, which provide fire protection to the town of Greenburg, into one town-wide department.

This is somewhat correct. Based on a change in state law, a referendum can be voted on to merge local governments. The new law makes it much easier to have this referendum and in particular it makes it much easier for the town to initiate this (even without an interest from the fire districts).

The town supervisor Paul Finer has made it clear that he wants this consolidation and he esablished this commission to "study" and then potentially convince the voters that this consolidation is in there best interest. It appears that the commission is basing much on a study on the 3 fire departments that was performed by the former Police Chief (Kopeca) and the former tax assessor.

It is clear from the information I posted that at least 1 member of the commission believes the commission is only interested in proving the value of the merge and not looking into the facts or if this consolidation would do what Supervisor Finer says it would do.

[fd75 0]

This incident and related video shows clearly that Bob Bernstein was the innocent victim of a physical attack by an enraged Commission member. He was attacked for disagreeing with and pointing out errors committed by the attacker. Serious questions have been raised regarding the objective independent status of the Commission which appears to have reached its conclusions a long time ago. This example of blatant politics is a very bad sign for the fire service.

[firecapt32 282]

There have been many "studies" conducted over the years as to consolidateing the fire districts.... it aint happening.!

Greenville(Edgemont)same meets and bounds, will leave the Town of Greenburgh before that happens.

Edgemont feels that consolidation will hurt them and not improve response times or increase manpower to that area.

Do I dare speak of what might be consolidiated next?? hmmm the School districts--you getting the picture here.

Commissioners and Fire Districts hold a lot of power it might take more the Paul Feiner to make it happen.

Truth be told--this all started when the former Police Chief found out that he was the lowest paid "Chief" in the Town of Greenburgh. At that time all three Fire Chiefs were making more then the former police chief. He was the leader of apx 120 police Officers and apx 30 plus square miles and none of the Fire Chiefs had anywhere that many firefighters or that big of a response area.

Fire Districs can not be just disolved-votes have to be taken--Commissioners will lose their positions, expensive new apparatus might be moved---you get the picture. Contracts would have to be worked out---work schedules taked into concideration. The list goes on and on and so will the meetings.

[FFLieu 70]

Correct me if I am wrong, but if all this started when the former GPD Chief found out that he was the lowest paid Chief, and now that in his retirement, he is collecting a pension (potentially) all while serving as the current Police Chief of another, adjacent jurisdiction, doesn't that render the initial argument moot since he is probably now the highest paid Chief?

[firecapt32 282]

now he is collecting his pension from GPD and has himself a 211 waiver to collect salary and benfits from both---go figure.

[spin_the_wheel 460]

I see the Greenville FD website states that "the greenville Fire District has chosen to forgo active participation in this commission because it appears remote that consolidation wil benefit the Edgemont community." Thay also have a newsletter on line which explains the Districts's position on why it is not in the best interest. Pretty interesting.

[PFDRes47cue 653]

Good work guys! Real mature. I think someone should get punched at every meeting! (JK)

[MoFire390 118]

thanks guys...if the departments are functioning well why fix whats not broken???

[Bnechis 3,961]

thanks guys...if the departments are functioning well why fix whats not broken???

Its not about if they are, or are not functioning well, its about MONEY. Who is paying, how much are they paying and how much money can be moved from the FD to the town, if they can pull this off.

Edited September 19, 2010 by Bnechis

[61MACKBR1 222]

Fire Commissioners can be voted out by the Tax Payers that pay their salaries, should the Tax Payers be required to anty up more money in Property Taxes. Its all about the MONEY and when people get fed up enough with tax increases, they will come to their senses and will realize that unless their taxes go down, consolidation will become a reality. Its not about what the Fire Commmision thinks, its ultimately what the Tax Payers tell the Fire Commission what they want. Just wait. It may not be tomorrow, but it will eventually happen, not only in Greenburgh, not only in Westchester County, but it will become as common as "White Bread" throughout the United States.

There have been many "studies" conducted over the years as to consolidateing the fire districts.... it aint happening.!

Greenville(Edgemont)same meets and bounds, will leave the Town of Greenburgh before that happens.

Edgemont feels that consolidation will hurt them and not improve response times or increase manpower to that area.

Do I dare speak of what might be consolidiated next?? hmmm the School districts--you getting the picture here.

Commissioners and Fire Districts hold a lot of power it might take more the Paul Feiner to make it happen.

Truth be told--this all started when the former Police Chief found out that he was the lowest paid "Chief" in the Town of Greenburgh. At that time all three Fire Chiefs were making more then the former police chief. He was the leader of apx 120 police Officers and apx 30 plus square miles and none of the Fire Chiefs had anywhere that many firefighters or that big of a response area.

Fire Districs can not be just disolved-votes have to be taken--Commissioners will lose their positions, expensive new apparatus might be moved---you get the picture. Contracts would have to be worked out---work schedules taked into concideration. The list goes on and on and so will the meetings.

[27east 19]

What a disaster.

Were these people appointed to the Commission by Feiner?

[ffdltg76 0]

Most of them were....

[ex-commish 490]

Fire Commissioners can be voted out by the Tax Payers that pay their salaries, should the Tax Payers be required to anty up more money in Property Taxes. Its all about the MONEY and when people get fed up enough with tax increases, they will come to their senses and will realize that unless their taxes go down, consolidation will become a reality. Its not about what the Fire Commmision thinks, its ultimately what the Tax Payers tell the Fire Commission what they want. Just wait. It may not be tomorrow, but it will eventually happen, not only in Greenburgh, not only in Westchester County, but it will become as common as "White Bread" throughout the United States.

Fire Commissioners in Fire Districts do not collect salaries.

[27east 19]

Feiner really knows how to pick them....

[61MACKBR1 222]

I stand corrected - Thank you - However, they can be voted out thru Public Pressure and Votes

Fire Commissioners in Fire Districts do not collect salaries.

[x1243 141]

Too bad, that stinks. The only humerous thing was the guy in the blue shirt right in front of the camera with bowling ball head. Must have been a rough day...

Edited September 23, 2010 by x1243