----- Original Message -----
From: Ginny
To: Dutchess Roots List
Cc: Dutchess County Legislature
Sent: Friday, November 11, 2005 2:14 PM
Subject: County Historian-Things May be Looking UP-T-50 Days and Counting!

On Thursday I had the opportunity to review the 2006 Dutchess County Executive's Proposed 2006 Budget regarding the Dept of History.

I noted the Co. Exec. appears to have increased the Historian's Salary from $20,759 to $21,506.

ALSO NOTED: A Dept. of History - Clerk position added at 23,039 not included in the previous two years budget. I am unsure who this clerk would be assigned to - the Records Management Area [Records Center] of the Dept. of History or the County Historian Area of the Department of History.

The County Executive included this statement in his 2006 Budget Message to the Legislature: "I have included funding for a new clerk for the County records center to handle the increased volume of records storage and retrieval, a function of the longevity and maturity of County government."
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In the Office Supplies Line for the Dept. of History $1,900 - $1,100 noted as being for "computer for historian"
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In the Furnishings and Office Equipment Line $1,500 with a note "includes funds for furniture for historian"
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I also noted $15,000 in the Professional Services line is once again included.  This appears to be the $15,000 that the Legislature cut last year????
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One Legislator (who will remain unnamed at this point) informed me he was told by the County Executive that he will appoint a historian - This year!  Time will Tell! We are now at T-50 Days and Counting.
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Let's hope the legislature sends a strong message back to the County Executive this year regarding the 2006 proposed budget by leaving what the County Executive has proposed intact or possibly even adding to it? Again, Time Will Tell.

Right now I am "cautiously optimistic" because I am unaware of the inner workings of the County Executive's Office and the Budget & Finance Committee of the Dutchess County Legislature.

Stay Tuned for further updates! AND if you have a minute between now and Dec. 1, WRITE the Dutchess County Legislature  countylegislature@co.dutchess.ny.us  . 

They need to hear from ALL OF YOU so they all WILL KNOW (or learn), as I already do, that I am not alone in all of this, but merely the local voice for all of you!

Onward!
Ginny