Republican reacts to Haverstraw town trucks’ hauling dirt
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- September
- 12
As the election nears, it appears that more calls come in to point out a possible abuse of governments’ money or a conspiracy.
Today’s call was about Haverstraw Highway Department’s dump trucks transporting dirt from a construction site on Railroad Avenue to the highway garage.
The caller, Louis “Butch” Babcock, a Republican who is running for town supervisor against Democratic incumbent Howard Phillips, said that it wasn’t appropriate for the town to use its manpower and equipment to haul the dirt, and that the town was doing a favor for the contractor, Scafidi.
I called Highway Superintendent Frank Brooks, a Democrat, to ask what was going on. Brooks said it was a common practice for the town to accept clean fill material from construction sites so the town could use the dirt for its parks and the golf course. Brooks said his men worked for about two days to transport about 450 square yards of dirt because it was a good deal for the town. He said clean fill material would have cost about $12 to $16 per square yard if the town had to buy it.
Babcock then said he believed that the highway department had many other important jobs to take care of other than hauling the dirt. He also said the contractor was one of the contributors to the Haverstraw Town Democratic Committee. I checked the committee’s financial disclosure reports on the state Board of Elections’ Web site, but I didn’t find the name as a donor.
Please let me know if I missed it.
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, September 12th, 2007 at 6:43 pm by Akiko Matsuda. 
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Category: Campaign shenanigans, Fall election, Frank Brooks, HAVERSTRAW TOWN, Howard Phillips, Louis "Butch" Babcock
You didn’t miss it because it’s not there. After reading this blog, I went and looked up the state financial disclosures. Nothing.
One thing you should know, is “Butch” has run unsuccessfully for office in the Town of Haverstraw many times, and each time has had no real issues. Just makes up stuff.
The roads in our Town look fine to me. I drive them all the time, and it’s not snowing, so if the Highway Department is allowed, by law, to move dirt to save the Town residents money on sod for the local Town golf course, or for the old landfill, or whatver, it’s fine. It’s just some dirt, and this man is just trying to stir up dirt that doesn’t exist.
I’m surprised this useless waste of his dribble was made into a blog. Guess it’s a slow day.
Babcock needs to find something better to complain about this contractor is actually doing the town a favor by loading there trucks with fill
I agree, Jason. If it saves those of us who pay taxes in Haverstraw money by not having to pay to have dirt/fill for the local town run golf course, and parks, then I’m all for it.
I also looked at the NYS Board of Elections site and if Babcock thinks that this construction company is a contributor, then maybe he’s got rocks in his head.
Yes, you did miss it… here is the link
http://www.elections.state.ny.us/plsql_browser/getreports?filer_in=C32027&fyear_in=2007&rep_in=K
I looked at that link, and NO WHERE is any company or listing for Scafidi
I was wondering why everyone was having problems finding what I already found, then I realized you were spelling the name wrong … 2 “F”s Scaffidi…. Then you will find the following…
$200.00 to Vil of W. Haverstraw Dems 6/1/07
$500.00 to Comm to Elect Tom Zugibe 5/25/07
$100.00 to Friends of Haverstraw Dems 7/21/06
$500.00 to Town of Haverstraw Dems 11/4/06
I hope this helps … Also, you might want to check out the Corporate Page of the July 07 filing … $25,000.00(+-) from Corps that do business with the town … We need campaign reform right here in Haverstraw… Holy Cow!!!
Thanks for taking the time to care…
I looked at all the local committees that I know since I know them all locally and there are many in the area that take from businesses. Not just in Haverstraw and not just Democrats, but Republicans do, and Independents do, etc.
Now, the issue isn’t that they TOOK money, the issue that the lame Butch was trying to make is that the Highway Dept carted the dirt to their garage to use for local park/course, etc use. Now…...since that SAVES the municipality from BUYING PER SQ YD on dirt, that’s NOT a bad thing. You know something? If the Town bought dirt, Butch would COMPLAIN ABOUT THAT TOO.
And, I know Butch and the other Republican hopefuls will say “I’d never take money from a vendor, etc”. It’s all b.s.
I don’t see why they run. I’m a Democratic voter, not on any committee, but I believe in the Democratic beliefs, etc. So that’s who I pick, and also because when there are debates, or forums, like the NAACP one recently at Town Hall in Garnerville, Butch and co are NEVER prepared on any issue. Answer they will “look into it” and dress NOT to show themselves as serious about being a representative, but as they are heading to a picnic.
I vote for really concerned candidates, and those that have kept Haverstraw better than the other towns.
I agree with Haverstraw Resident in the first reply. He is trying to make issues, not have any of his own, and stir up dirt.
It’s summer, and I can see a highway dept covering to help parks and rec in taking care of the lawns, etc of our parks.
Jackie, have some more Kool Aid… or should I say Cathy ???
My name is Jackie, short for Jacqueline.
I’m not sure what planet you’re from, but you really do not know much.
Assuming that I’m not who I say I am is really the wrong assumption to make.
corrupt, crooked? clarkstown highway makes haverstraw look like disneyland as far as that goes…www.vydi.com has the info on local rockland news.
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