Wednesday, September 14, 2011

JEAN JACOBS PRIMARY STATEMENT

TO MY COMMUNITY
by Jean Jacobs

I would like to begin by thanking my community and the 189 Registered Republicans that signed my ORIGINAL PETITION for Mayor in the City of Kingston, which allowed me the honor and the privilege to become a candidate on the GOP Primary ballot for Mayor. Your faith and trust in my leadership gave me the courage to continue my quest for Mayor in the City of Kingston. During the last eight months I have sacrificed many hours of my time and I took great pleasure in serving each and everyone of you.

Unfortunately the PRIMARY ELECTION had a low turnout and I received minimal votes which only strengthens my convictions of how critical it is for each and everyone of you to stay informed regarding your tax dollars and hold present administration accountable. In an election one vote can count and presently the City of Kingston Primary Candidates are facing this very issue.

As I look into my Crystal Ball I see a great future for my fine City but there is much turbulence and frustration ahead for our next Mayor. Public Safety and Quality of Life is critical if we are going to prosper and grow. Before we can offer revitalization, jobs, and businesses we must recognize our top priority A SAFE CITY.

In closing I would like to first thank my family who has understood my commitment and dedication over the last eight months to my candidacy for Mayor in the City of Kingston. Also working side by side with my opponents over the last 8 months has been a journey worth every minute of my time. WHY? We agree to disagree that is the wonderful freedom of democracy that I so respect. Next I would like to thank the local media for their coverage and publications on many of my issues and platforms over the last 8 months. Also a special thank you to WGHQ for radio time and for all of the listeners who participated in the mayoral race and to all my special friends who were there for me during my campaign. Last but not least I would like to extend best wishes and continued success to our Honorable Mayor James Sottile.
,
Sincerely,
Jean C. Jacobs

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

ELECT JEAN JACOBS MAYOR

GET OUT THE VOTE
JEAN JACOBS FOR MAYOR
#1 ON THE GOP BALLOT

DEAR COMMUNITY AT LARGE:
IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE. PLEASE TAKE TIME OUT OF YOUR BUSY DAY AND VOTE FOR ME JEAN JACOBS FOR MAYOR IN THE CITY OF KINGSTON.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

ELECT JEAN JACOBS MAYOR CITY OF KINGSTON

ELECT JEAN JACOBS MAYOR
Tuesday Primary September 13, 2011
Life Long Resident City of Kingston
35 Year Community Activist
35 Years Administrative Business Finance Experience
Managed and Governed Million Dollar Budgets
Successful Parent 4 Children
 
In the Kingston Daily Freeman article (Jan 2011), I made a promise and a pledge to the residents in the City of Kingston that I was going to run for Mayor as a GOP candidate. I have kept my promise to the people and over the last eight months, I have worked tirelessly educating the public regarding my Mayoral Platform. 
I feel I am the most qualified GOP candidate for Mayor in the City of Kingston. My comprehensive background as a financial business professional makes me an excellent candidate for this position. I can offer unique insight and devoted concentration on how I can improve the profitability of our community. I am well versed in areas of administrative leadership, employee relations, and contract negotiations. I will customize state of the art management strategies and create the resources our city needs to improve the leadership and financial potential of our fine city. As your Mayor I will have an obligation to create the position of governance and institutional management on a daily basis by protecting the budget process with proper checks and balances in place, for the very purpose of audit and control. We need to rebuild trust in government with integrity and transparency, as well as a high value on ethics. We need leadership that will foster teamwork among elected officials, city employees and all citizens. I will also improve city services, making them innovative, cost effective, without burdening the taxpayers. I live by strong family values which include hard work, take responsibility for your actions and always treat others with respect. While raising my four children I balanced a full time career and devoted 35 years of my time to Community Service. I am the most accomplished Republican Candidate for Mayor that has devoted and sacrificed 35 years of my time to  Community Service.
 
MY GOALS FOR THE FUTURE OF KINGSTON
Demanding excellence from myself and others.
Public Safety: Aggressive and balanced approach to reducing crime.
Demand integrity, accountability and honesty.
Increase the tax base and reduce spending.
Promote our city to potential investors.
Create jobs so our children can return to their Hometown.
Aggressively engage in Economic Development
Honor our past and work to shape our future.
Create a Master Plan for Neighborhood Improvement
 
I have been vocal on many issues facing our city which included the following: My Business Plan, City Manager, My Safety Plan Proposal, My Plan City of Kingston Contract Negotiations, My Code Enforcement Plan, Vocal on Safe Harbors Controversial Plan, Vocal on the future of the Kings Inn and the financial cost to the taxpayer, and My Plan for a Freeze on Spending. I have been vocal in public comment at the monthly common council meetings and have attended routine common council committee meetings to become educated and aware of the many serious issues facing our city and the rules and regulations that manage and govern taxpayers money. I personally met with Curtis Sliwa, Founder and CEO of the Guardian Angels on July 23, 2011 to discuss crime and the future safety plan for the City of Kingston. I also attended the recent community safety summit meetings at the Boys and Girls club. I have also attended numerous Rally's to SAVE GOLDEN HILL county run and I offered a final plan as the City of Kingston Cat Task Force Chairman to the Mayor. In speaking with my constituents door to door over the last eight months priority issues include quality of life (public safety) , high taxes, and the need for jobs and economic development. I have also offered resistance to some of my opponents issues sidewalks, Kingston City Schools involvement (legally the city cannot) Code Enforcement, and Safe Harbor Proposal. I also attended two Mayoral Public Debates. One held at the Kingston Daily Freeman and another at the WGHQ radio station. Two of the Mayoral Candidates did not debate at the WGHQ debate. As a Mayoral Candidate you must have the courage and the self confidence in yourself to address your public. How can you possibly manage a city if you cannot even debate your public.
 
On September 13, 2011 Primary the registered voters in the City of Kingston will have a choice to elect a Republican Candidate for Mayor. I am asking for your support because I have the credentials, self confidence and experience to return Kingston to a city that will be economically vibrant and full of potential.
 
YOU DON'T CLAIM LEADERSHIP, YOU EARN IT.
 
Sincerely
Jean C. Jacobs
GOP Candidate for Mayor
"The Peoples Choice"
 
 
 
 
 

Saturday, September 3, 2011

COPPER CASE by Jean Jacobs GOP Candidate for Mayor

To: Paul Kirby
Subject: Ethics verses standards of compliance business management
Sent: Sep 1, 2011 4:22 PM

After further reviewing today's article Ms. Levin is mixing apples and oranges. My analysis: Honorable Mayor as it appears authorized 5.000 which he can authorize I have been told by corporate council. Next phase there should be a pre requisite estimate outlining the work to be accomplished. City inspectors were aware of the removal which took 5 days.  Back to the prerequisite estimate which should have outlined all work to be accomplished for the 5.000. Independent Contractor thought he had per mission takes us back once again to the 5.000 estimate and what the expense included and the name of the subcontractor. This protects him and the city. I am not confident that what I am outlining in my response to this issue was provided. As a taxpayer I feel we are entitled to this information. I see this as an internal business requirement when the city enters into a professional business agreement to purchase services  they have a purchase order and an estimate outlining the work to be completed. Ethics and internal business controls are two different issues.

To: Paul Kirby
Subject: 5.000 Pre demolition
Sent: Sep 1, 2011 3:46 PM

I confirmed that this expense does not have to go through common council. As a professional finance officer I would ask the following: I want to see the pre requisite for the job and the breakdown of what was inclusive in the $5.000 estimate. This is my strength Paul checks and balances. What source documentation is available for the public taxpayer as it relates to the 5.000. This is taxpayers money and was the sub-contractor an expert working in an area of asbestos? Now we have a removal expense at 300 thousand and counting. I can't believe this. All of the sub contracting information should have also been outlined in the pre requisite estimate.

From: sweetshope@aol.com
Date: Fri, 2 Sep 2011 19:39:02
To: Paul Kirby<PKirby@journalregister.com>
Reply-To: sweetshope@aol.com
Subject: 5.000 requisition

Response from City Clerk re: estimate requisition she could not locate one. Checked in purchasing and was not successful in obtaining the written confirmation of estimate for the work to be completed at Kings Inn for 5.000. Jean



 

Monday, August 29, 2011

New York State School System by Jean Jacobs


 JEAN JACOBS
GOP MAYORAL CANDIDATE
LESSON IN SCHOOL LAW 101
I have the background and experience to speak to the New York State School System and the laws that govern the educational system. Recently Ms. Andi Turco Levin, GOP Candidate for Mayor  has proposed that the City of Kingston Investigate Schools in Freeman article on August 27, 2011. Ms. Turco Levins proposal would over step the authority of the City, as I have outlined in my statement today. There are rules and regulations and standards of compliance that clearly defines and governs the State and Federal Governments role in education. Based on STATE LAW Kingston City School District is out of city government's jurisdiction. Turco Levin called for the city to investigate the Kingston School district and HELP school officials put procedures in place. Procedures are in place as defined in School Law and the chain of command identifies with every one's role and responsibility, which I have confirmed in my statement.

Both the governor and the Legislature have proposed and enacted numerous statutes in the Education Law that affect education at the state level. Section l604 for common school districts, section 1804 for central school districts, section 1950 for boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES) and Articles 51, 52, and 52a for city school districts' specify school duties. In addition the Legislature has delegate authority to the New York State Board of Regents through the Education Law. The regents and the State Education Department SED also can establish policy adopting rules and regulations within the limitations of the state law. These regulations have the authority of law, unless overruled by decisions of the states courts or the Legislature, or until superseded by the promulgating agency. The State delegates powers to school districts as it does to municipalities. School districts are considered branches or agencies of the state government. School boards must develop and implement policies in some areas and may do the same in other areas where the state and federal government have not spoken.

The New York State Eduction Department under the direction of the commissioner of education, is the administrative arm of the Board of Regents. It is charged with carrying out legislative mandates and the Regents policies. The State Education Department is charged with the general management and supervision of all public schools and all of the educational work of the state, including the operations of the University of New York State and the exercise of all the powers and duties of the Regents and the commissioner of education.

The Commissioner of Eduction:
The commissioner of eduction is the president of the University of the State of New York ad the Chief Executive officer of the State Education Department. The commissioner of education's powers and duties are contained in section 305 of the educational law. They include enforcement of laws relating to the educational system, execution of all educational policies determined by the Board of Regents, supervision of all schools and institutions subject to the provisions of the Education Law, granting and annulment of teaching certificates, review of appeals and petitions pursuant to section 310 and execution of other such powers and duties determined by the Board of Regents.

School Boards:
A school board is  corporate body that oversees and manages a public school district's affairs, personnel and properties. Its members are elected by the residents of the school district the board oversees. The term corporate body indicates that a school board is treated as a corporation, a legal entity that has an existence distinct and apart from its members and has the capacity for continuous existence without regard to changes in its membership. As such, the legality of the school board's contracts as well as the validity of its policies and resolutions do not depend on its individual members. Board members do not assume any personal liability for the school district; generally they take action official action only by majority vote at an official meeting.

City school district

In those cities with populations exceeding 125,000 (New York City, Buffalo, Yonkers, Rochester, and Syracuse), the city school districts are coterminous with the city limits, and education is part of the municipal budget. These districts cannot incur debts or levy taxes. The governmental structure in all of these except for New York is that of an elected or appointed board of education. New York's public education is headed by a chancellor and has a 13-member all-appointed Department of Education Panel for Education Policy.[65]


The city school districts for the 57 cities having fewer than 125,000 people are separate from the municipal government and are authorized to levy taxes and incur debt. Each of them is governed by an elected board of education with five, seven, or nine members. Districts for smaller cities often extend beyond the city borders and are referred to as "enlarged city school districts", seven of which have reorganized as "central city school districts".[65]

I am running for office because I believe I have the requisite experience and skill needed to be successful as your next Mayor in the City of Kingston.

GOP Candidate for Mayor
Jean Jacobs




Jean Jacobs "A Leader That Listens"

 

Jean Jacobs "Mayor for A Day"

"IF I WERE"
MAYOR FOR A DAY
SPENDING FREEZE
I Jean C. Jacobs Mayor of the City of Kingston am imposing an immediate spending freeze on all non-essential spending for all city departments as of September 1, 2011.  
With the possibility of starting the next fiscal year with a budget deficit, I am imposing an immediate spending freeze on all non-essential spending for all city departments.  Every department within the City has a Departmental Budget they must manage and be responsible and accountable for. Let us take into consideration some serious financial decisions that will be affecting the Mayor and the Common Council in the immediate weeks approaching, when the budget will be presented to the public for the 2012 fiscal year.
My professional career as a finance director tells me we are facing a serious financial deficit with little revenue generating possibilities in sight.

If I were Mayor for a day I would facilitate a mandatory department head meeting TODAY and detail the facts and figures outlining the limited funds in contingency which can only be used for emergencies as of September 1, 2011. I am imposing a city wide FREEZE ON SPENDING as of September 2011. I do not want to be in a position as the Leader of my city to borrow additional revenue to offset additional expenses at year end, the city cannot afford. I am also going to be examining our current bond rating and the city's debt obligations and ways to retire that debt before I support additional borrowing. I will also look at what the financial impact of future borrowing will have on our municipal budget 5, 10 and even 20 years from now.

As Mayor I will put together a Comprehensive Capital Improvement Plan where projects are prioritized based on the city's ability to pay and the needs of the community. Without a plan informed decisions cannot be made.

As Mayor Maintaining strong Balanced Budget Management, is a top priority for me. I am also running because current administration has exhibited lack of judgement when it comes to spending YOUR TAX DOLLARS.

Mayoral GOP Candidate
Jean C. Jacobs