UPDATE on Petition (5/23/12):  It is now open to all taxpayers.  Cold Spring, Garrison, Continental Village, North Highlands, Greater Philipstown, Putnam County, NYS etc.  All votes are essential and will be respected. If you live in the Village of Cold Spring, NY your vote will send a message to the 5 elected officials that this behavior is unacceptable and contrary to open government.*  Many, many people have expressed that not only are they disappointed with Mayor Gallagher's 22% increase, but they were against raises for any elected officials in this economy.  If you live outside of the Village your vote is a support vote that we should all be watching our elected officials more closely. It is a vote for common decency and true, transparent open government. We do not know anyone who is in favor of a 22% salary increase for an elected official, let alone one coming on the heels of a 25% increase for Mayor Gallagher less than a year ago.

Please sign this petition if you are against unjustified pay increases for elected officials.  Especially ones done without public comment!

ORIGINAL Statement of Purpose: This is important because the Board of Trustees gave the Mayor a 22% pay increase without allowing for public comment. All of New York State is currently under an austerity budget, with all increases capped at 2%. Furthermore, this raise was granted literally right after the Mayor had asked Village employees to assume more of their health benefit costs.

*At the end of the petition period the signee list will be sorted, signatures will be verified as authentic (to the best of our ability) and the petition will be delivered to the Trustees of the Village of Cold Spring, NY.