CARMEL, NY – Putnam County Legislator Dan Birmingham (R/C/I- Brewster) is calling on his colleagues to protect the position of the Stop DWI administrator in the 2010 county budget. County Executive Robert Bondi has eliminated the Stop DWI administrator in favor of keeping a political appointment in his own office – that of the County Executive’s Chief of Staff. The Chief of Staff position has been vacant for months due to the resignation of the prior incumbent.

“With the recent DWI crashes in the Hudson Valley — in some cases wiping out entire families — for the County Executive slash a position vital to the safety and education of our families is inexcusable. The county executive has operated without a chief of staff for several months now. Its clear that the position is not essential and we all know Bob Bondi has the work ethic to do without a chief of staff,” said Birmingham.

The Stop DWI administrator’s duties include meeting with students and public groups to educate the public about drinking and driving, raising public awareness, compiling vital statistics to help law enforcement better combat drunk driving and coordinating efforts in the county to decrease the number of DWI crashes. Further, the current STOP DWI administrator is a recognized expert in the field of alcohol and substance abuse having worked in the field for years.

Putnam law enforcement agencies held several DWI checkpoints over the Labor Day holiday weekend which resulted in 35 summonses issued and 3 DWI arrests.

“It’s clear that DWI is a growing problem in our community,” Birmingham continued. “We should be increasing our efforts against DWI, not deleting needed positions that save lives.”

Citing multiple fee increases for automobile owners Putnam County Legislator Dan Birmingham (R, C, I – Brewster) warned residents of the coming storm. Beginning September 1, 2009 residents of Putnam County will be required to pay additional fees regarding their automobiles. As approved by the state budget this past spring, Driver License Fees and Vehicle Registration Fees will be increased by 25%.

“In a county where the vast majority of residents rely on automobiles to get to work these increases are absurd,” Birmingham said. “These latest fee increases only reinforce Albany’s tax and spend addiction which severely hurts the residents of Putnam County.”

The 25% increase means Class D diver’s license fees will increase from $50 to $64.50. Registration fees for an automobile weighing 3500lbs will climb from $45 to $56. Effective April 1, 2010 all registered vehicles will be required to get new license plates, which will cost $25.

For the 12 county MTA region which includes Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess Counties there will be an additional $16 fee on all drivers licenses; translating into $80.50 for a class D license. For all vehicle registration, a $50 supplemental fee will be added, causing a 3500lbs automobile $106.50 to be registered.

“The reality is since Putnam County is a part of the MTA region we are now in double trouble,” Birmingham continued. “This is exactly the reason why my fellow legislators and I voted to withhold the county’s payroll tax bill. We knew this was not going to be a one time deal and more taxes and fees were going to be piled on.”

“What the MTA really stands for is More Taxes Again,” Birmingham concluded. “By letting this dangerous trend of tax and spend policies continue we are putting the vitality and prosperity of Putnam County at risk. If the state does not alter its’ methods soon there will not be many people left to tax.”