Thruway Authority Issues Myth Busters. Report on Tuesday Scoping

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WPCNR TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE BULLET. February 29, 2012:


The New York State Thruway issued 9 Myth Busters explaining what the proposed new Tappan Zee Bridge does and does not do. The primary myth, according to the release is that the proposed new bridge will Not include dedicated lane bus express service on the new bridge itself. It will.


Previously before New  York Governor Andrew Cuomo called for a scaled-down $5.2 Billion bridge, Michael Anderson, the project director told WPCNR two years ago, that the thruway planned Bus Rapid Transit for the previous bridge called for the I-287 corridor as presently constructed supporting a Bus Rapid Transit System with stations along the route.


Now according to the Myth Busters Sheet released today, the dedicated lane service on the new bridge will be the only rapid transit service feature of the bridge but not connecting to any other express lane on the Westchester side of the bridge and it would require 64 miles of construction in both counties. The Thruway release also notes there can be no mass transit system through Rockland and Westchester Counties without spending an additional $5.6 Billion and $80 Million a year to operate it.


The Myth Busters as released today by the New York State Thruway Authority:


The New York State Thruway Wednesday announced the release of these Myths vs. Facts about Mass Transit on the New Tappan Zee Bridge



 


MYTH: Mass transit is not part of the new Tappan Zee Bridge.


 


FACT: The new bridge will support mass transit including bus rapid transit and commuter rail — even before Rockland and Westchester Counties begin plans for a full mass transit system that could connect with the bridge.



 


MYTH: Mass transit options are far in the future.


 


FACT: The new bridge will have immediate, dedicated express bus service.



 


MYTH: Mass transit will never be part of the Tappan Zee Bridge.


 


FACT: The opposite is true. There can be no mass transit system without first building a new Tappan Zee bridge. The new bridge is being built to support bus and rail transit so that Rockland and Westchester can build a mass transit system to connect to the bridge.



 


MYTH: Mass transit can be built now.


 


FACT: A mass transit system in Rockland and Westchester requires 64 miles of construction in those counties at a cost of billions of dollars. There is no plan and no funding available to build a new mass transit system in the counties. However, if that changes, the new bridge will be able to accommodate it.



 


MYTH: We can afford to build mass transit now.


 


FACT: Building this separate mass transit system through Rockland and Westchester Counties would cost up to $5.3 billion and once the system was built it could cost $80 million to operate it. This means it could cost more to build and operate a separate mass transit system then to build the new Tappan Zee Bridge.



 


MYTH: We can afford to build mass transit now.


 


FACT: The $5.3 billion pricetag for a mass transit system means that the County Executives that want to build the system now will have to pay for it leading to the biggest tax and toll hike in Westchester and Rockland County history.



 


MYTH: A full mass transit system is a fundamental part of building a new Tappan Zee Bridge.


 


FACT: A full mass transit system would extend 64 miles from the bridge into Rockland and Westchester respectively. Currently the Counties have no plans in place to construct these 64 miles of mass transit. The entire bridge is only three miles and will support mass transit, if and when the Counties build it.



 


MYTH: There is no mass transit on the bridge now.


 


FACT: New York State already spends $2 million a year to provide Express Bus service across the Bridge, currently serving 499,000 riders per year and approximately 2,000 riders a day. The State will expand these services as market demand grows. However, numbers developed by New York’s Planning body currently show that only 5,900 additional riders would cross the bridge on future Bus Rapid Transit, and that could only happen if the systems are in place on either side.



 


MYTH: The new Tappan Zee Bridge being built for drivers only


 


FACT: The new Tappan Zee Bridge will include a pedestrian walkway and bike lanes, in addition to the dedicated express bus service.


 


Over 500 attended the Public Scoping Briefing on the New Tappan Zee Bridge Crossing Project at the Palisades Mall Center Tuesday evening. WPCNR filed this report on what it learned at that presentation:


WPCNR learned that there are no anticipated problems in obtaining steel for the bridge and if there are engineers told WPCNR (under condition of anonymity) that the bridge could be constructed of concrete. Our source did say though that steel construction was lighter than concrete and would be preferable because the Hudson Riverbed is soft. Engineering sources indicated to WPCNR that the cost of maintenance on the new bridge would be between $2.5 Million and $5 Million a year once the bridge is opened–however the prospective builders of the bridge will advise the actual cost of maintenance as part of their bids.


A Federal Highway Administration official in attendance referred WPCNR questions on when FHA funds would have to start being repaid to his public relations department in Washington. No new information on financing the bridge was provided at the meeting, and no information on possible toll increases was provided.


The speakers I heard felt that Mass Transit should be part of the bridge. Speakers also wanted more details and opportunity to comment before the environmental impact statement was closed. There was concern that unsafe entrances to the bridge in the Nyack area were not being addressed and made safer as part of the new construction.


The Supervisor of Orangetown and the Mayor of Nyack demanded to know how much tolls on the new bridge would be. The Mayor of South Nyack commented that the circular thruway staging area where DOT vehicles are now stored should be developed into a retail area to develop South Nyack; Irene Cornell, representing Rockland County and Rockland County Supervisor Scott Vanderhoef each called for Mass Transit to be part of the new bridge, Cornell demanded more comment period and analysis be done. A bus depot operator in Monroe, NY noted that his depot had experienced a 50% rise in bus traffic over the last year and urged that bus rapid transit not be left out of the bridge design, calling for a dedicated bus lane. At this point, there is no dedicated bus line incorporated in the bridge.


WPCNR notes that the new bridge at this point consists of two spans, 75 feet apart, providing room for mass transit between the bridges at a future date. There is a question as to whether the new bridge designed to be considerably higher than the present Tappan Zee Bridge would have support pilings 230 feet apart or 430 feet apart, which would be determined by the design of the winning bidder. Six homes would be destroyed on the Nyack side of the Hudson to construct the new bridge.


The hearing was scheduled to begin at 5 P.M. with a full room of speakers eager to speak. However,40 minutes taken up by DOT, MTA and Army Corps of Engineers commenting on protocols and niceties and DOT Project Manager Mochael Anderson’s recap of the charts available for the public to learn about the bridge. At 5:55 P.M. comments were opened with a series of politicians speaking first, who reiterated written remarks that presumably all had handed in for the record previously.


One of those speaking was White Plains Councilperson Milagros Lecouna who is leading the Tappan Zee Bridge park movement. Lecouna stressed the need for a dedicated bus lane at the new bridge opening, saying not to include it was “planning for the past.” Lecouna also estimated that destruction of the old Tappan Zee would cost much more than the $150 Million estimated, and this was a good reason for turning the old bridge into a park. Engineers present did not wish to comment to WPCNR on whether the old bridge could physically support the weight of trees or businesses (such as hotels and restaurants) on its structure. Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino, and no one representing him, did not address the hearing


The public did not begin to speak until 6:40 P.M. when all the politicians were finished speaking.

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New Tappan Zee Toll Would Have to Double to Meet Estimated Debt Service

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WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. By John F. Bailey. February 28, 2012:


 


I have been fitting my mind around the stratospheric numbers involved in financing the new Tappan Zee Bridge.


 


Under the current plan for paying for the bridge,  the cost of handling the debt service on $6 Billion to build the Governor Andrew Cuomo Bridge would raise the new Tappan Zee Bridge toll to $11.50, and that is conservative.


 


WPNCR using standard municipal loan projects provided by the Municipal Capital Markets Group, notes that to handle the debt service on $6 Billion of loans at 3.11% (this week’s current bargain rate from TIVIA), the New York State Thruway Authority would have to pay $196 Million in debt service a year for 35 years in a combination of public and private financing, beginning in 2022, or earlier.


To handle this load through tolls as the governor suggests, at a minimum demands an increase to  $11.50 a trip on the New Tappan Zee by 2022, the year the TIFIA (Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act) loan for $2 Billion would start having to be repaid, if the most favorable terms are granted New York State.


 


If financing through other sources at the same interest rates could be arranged with payback starting in 2022 in the TIFIA loan, or earlier the bulk of the financing would have to start being paid earlier.


 


Here is what the initial cost of the bridge will roughly be if the state borrows $6 Billion. There is also the possibility of borrowing from state pension funds, another option put out by the governor. These figures are derived from the Municipal Capital Markets Group  Municipal Bond Issue Calculator


 


Funds Needed: $6 Billion


Term:  35 Years (payback in a TIFIA loan begins in 2022)


Interest: 3.11 % (current TIFIA rate)


 


Net Monthly Payment (beginning in 2022): $16.3 Million


Annual Payment over 35 years:  $195,657,912


 


The Thruway Authority in their Letter of Interest to apply for a TIFIA, said the state would need $1.5 Billion over the next decade to keep the old Tappan Zee Bridge active ($150 Million a year). That would add 65 Cents per trip to the present Tappan Zee Bridge toll.


 


The Letter of Interest did not say what the regular maintenance costs of the bridge are, so lets raise the toll $1 to $6 for the 50 million trips across the bridge a year (45 million trips were made in 2010).


 


Beginning in 2022, the state will have to begin paying back the $6 Billion in loans, unless of course the non-TIFIA financing  from private sources  ($4 Billion) has to begin to be paid back earlier by the state. To simplify matters, let us assume the governor can extract favorable terms that dovetail the start-pay dates to 2022.


 


The thruway has to generate $195,657,912 in annual debt service beginning in 2022, or earlier, plus costs of maintaining the new bridge, whatever that may be , let’s say $150 Million, keeping expenses of maintenance the same (assuming they will go up due to inflation). The toll would have to go up 130%


 


The  $5 toll would have to more than double to cover the cost of the debt service $5 to $11.50 one way.


 


Now bear in mind, the $6 Billion cost is estimated right now. The designated qualified contractors may come in higher.


 


Either way from a rough numbers standpoint, I would guess that the New Tappan Zee will be the most expensive toll in the metropolitan area if not the country, rivaling the Chesapeake Bay Bridge tunnel – five years from now – if it is finished.


 


Last week, Governor Cuomo told his cabinet the bridge will be paid for by a $2 Billion in TIFIA funds and $4 Billion in toll-financed loans. It was the first time the state had indicated that the $2 Billion and change money promised from Washington last fall was a loan, not a grant.


 


Other matters that need to be clarified very quickly and should be considered by any thinking transit executive are whether the state should use the opportunity to raise tolls to inflate the bridge cash flow now to ease commuters into the new bridge toll shock. They could raise the toll in increments to provide for the new bridge future. They could decide to raise tolls to


 


1.) Pay for the increased maintenance of the old TZB while NTZB is built.


 


2.)  To build a fund for the “down-the-road” mass transit option—bus rapid transit or rail—to add the mass transit piece to the new bridge as quickly as possible, shortly after it is scheduled to open in 2017.


 


3.) Build additional operating funds to pay down loans faster, hold tolls steady after the new bridge opens.


 


4.) Provide excess cash for unforeseen cost overruns. (an intriguing way the state could come up with found- money.)


 


5.)The MTA could grab a share of the tolls for its expansion of bus and rail that the Governor promises will be added to  the new bridge.


 


6.) Generate intriguing money for the always beleaugured state general fund to get the state over cost crunches. All they have to do is legislate it.


 


 


 

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Council Hears Plan for Upgrading Kittrell & Gardella Pools

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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. Special to WPNCR. February 24, 2012 UPDATED 3 P.M. E.S.T.:


Councilman David Buchwald gave WPCNR this report on the short Common Council Work Session tonight covering two matters: renovation of Kittrell and Gardella Pools  on Bank Street and off Ferris Avenue respectively. The effort to upgrade the pools was originally introduced by former Commissioner of Recreation & Parks, Albert Moroni last summer.



Gardella Pool, Last June, 2011.


Mr. Buchwald said that Commissioner of Public Works Joseph Nicoletti reported on the process for conducting the pool studies last night.


Buchwald in a statement said a pool consultant will be selected from a number of team/consultant applications and that a decison will be made at the end of March or early April which pool will be renovated first. He said that Kittrell is likely to be first because the project is simpler and the footprint smaller with limited capacity for expansion.


Buchwald says that Commissioner Nicoletti “believes’ Kittrell Pool is “likely” to be renovated first because it is in “more direct need of repair.” If Kittrell is picked, the Commissioner said Kittrell Park should be open by July 1. (It opened June 19, last year). Buchwald said design work on Gardella would begin “a couple of months before that.”  Buchwald said “there is general agreement that a zero-entry feature (a gradual slope into the pool from one edge) will be added to both pools to make them more accessible. There was discussion about how integrated the thinking about the pools should be, and Councilwoman (Milagros) Lecuona pointed out that there is at least an opportunity to creatre an active concession area at Gardella so as to provide more revenue to the city.”


Mr. Buchwald said that both pools would be open this summer. WPCNR had earlier speculated that this would mean Gardella would have to be renovated in the fall or in the spring of 2013, however Buchwald clarified this by writing WPCNR:


 

“Kittrell pool will be open this summer as usual and then will be renovated by July 1, 2013.. In other words, while the design work is going to start soon, the physical upgrade won’t occur until after this summer. That also means that your speculation about Gardella Pool being renovated in 2013 is off by a year or two. The Gardella construction, which is a bigger project, probably would not begin until the latter part of 2014. Again, though, all of this is very early and none of these dates are set in stone.

Data Terminals for Fire Engines


Buchwald said the Mobile Data Terminal purchase in fiscal 2011-12, recommended by the Capital Projects Board Wednesday was discussed, but not “up for a vote, but by and larege the concept was well received. The MDTs will provide more up to date data to firefighters on the building structure at the scene of a fire. A FEMA grant will pay over $100,000 of the cost, with the remaining approximately $25,000 of the amount being paid for by the city with cash rather than borrowing. This is in contrast to the original capital improvement program that expected the entire amount to be paid for through the issuance of debt.

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Walkway Horizons

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WPCNR MR. AND MRS. AND MS. WHITE PLAINS POLL. February 24, 2012:


This week, Governor Andrew Cuomo got solidly behind Town of Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner’s idea of turning the old Tappan Zee Bridge into a pedestrian walkway, rather than destroying the bridge after the new replacement bridge is opened.


This got the WPCNR Editorial Board thinking. The Tappan Zee Bridge ‘Walkway” would be 3.1 miles long, which is a lot longer, and a lot wider than popular High Line in lower Manhattan.


It is the opportunity for a lot more attractions that could make the Tappan Zee Bridge “Walkway” a money maker. Our editorial board came up with just a few attractions that could go on the Walkway over the Hudson, and just might help pay off the astronomical cost of the new bridge and keep the tolls down (perhaps $20-$25 to pay off the cost of that bridge? Just guessing).


So what do you think? Select some of the attractions you think might be good!

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Buchwald Receives North Castle Dems Endorsement to Contest Castelli Seat

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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2012. From the David Buchwald Campaign. February 22,2012:


The North Castle Democratic Committee gave David Buchwald, a tax attorney and White Plains Common Councilman, their unanimous vote of support in the State Assembly race to take on incumbent Republican Robert Castelli. The announcement follows last week’s unanimous endorsement of Buchwald by the Pound Ridge Democratic Committee and 17 to 1 endorsement by the Harrison Democratic Committee. Previously the White Plains Democrats backed Buchwald by a vote of 67 to 1. Mr. Buchwald’s Democratic opponent, Mr. Jeremiah Frei-Pearson, has received only one local party endorsement, an 11 to 9 vote in Bedford.


John Nonna, the former Westchester County Legislator who represented North Castle, also announced his support for Councilman Buchwald, stating “I am proud to enthusiastically endorse David Buchwald, a committed public servant with impeccable integrity to be the Democratic candidate for the newly renumbered 93rd Assembly District. I have known David as a champion of effective, honest and open government, precisely what we need in Albany.”


 


John Diaconis, Co-Chair of the North Castle Democratic Committee, said, “North Castle Democrats are pleased to have a strong candidate with local government experience, a record of running successful campaigns, and a professional background that provides insight into today’s complex policy issues. Supporting David Buchwald is something we are very proud to do.”


 


Mr. Buchwald is running for the State Assembly seat that includes Bedford, Harrison, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, New Castle, North Castle, North Salem, Pound Ridge and half of White Plains.


 

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City Moves Up FD Data Terminals; One Arm Truck Tabled.

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WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. UPDATE 5:30 P.M. E.S.T. February 22, 2012:


The Capital Projects Board will met this afternoon and received good news from Commissioner of Public Safety David Chong that a FEMA grant secured by Congresswoman Nita Lowey would enable the city to purchase mobile data terminals for city fire vehicles. 



One-Arm, One Man Crew Garbage Truck Operating in the Highlands in January. A second truck is contemplated being purchased, Commissioner of Public Works said, confident savings would be achieved.


The expected purchase of a second mechanical one-arm garbage truck was tabled because Commissioner of Public Works Joseph Nicoletti did not have the final costs of the truck nailed down. WPCNR asked Nicoletti what the savings were based on the six month trial of the first one-armed automatic garbage pick-up truck that has been collecting in the Highlands for six months (approximately).


 Nicoletti said he did not have performance figures or savings figured yet but that he had confidence the second truck would pay for itself. The first truck cost the city $250,000. Asked if any personnel cuts were envisioned with the addition of the second truck, Nicoletti said that had yet to be determined.


Today’s meeting was to move two projects, scheduled for purchase in 2012-13 into the current budget.


Commissioner of Finance Genito said the cost of the new data terminals was $126,646, of which FEMA would be funding  $102,917, and city hall $23,729. The Capital Projects Board voted to include the $23,729 in the current 2012-13 budget.


Commissioner Chong said 7 to 8 terminals would be purchased, one for each working apparatus and one for the Deputy Chief’s Response Car. One for each working apparatus and one for the Deputy Chief’s response car. They are expected to be installed by the end of 2012.


This evening the city and school district shared services committee will meet at 7 P.M. in city hall to hear an update on the city project of maintaining school district vehicles; discussion of Youth Bureau Programs,  possible sharing of media services, use of the White Plains Public Library and possible other savings.


 

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8 WHITE PLAINS SENIORS NAMED NATIONAL MERIT FINALISTS;

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS.  From Michele Schoenfeld. February 21, 2012:


 


 Eight White Plains High School seniors have been named 2012 National Merit Scholarship  Finalists.  Matthew Africano, Aneesh Bhattacharya, Emmett Caruso, Isabelle Daly, Adam Jaffe, Jens  Sannerud, Eric Smiley and Benjamin Van Doren are among the 15,000 Finalists nationwide, selected  from 1.5 million entrants.  They are now eligible to earn one of the 8,400 National Merit Scholarships which are valued at more than $36 million.


 


            Selected as Commended Students were Shaina Brady, Rong-Si Deng, Rachel Eddy, Jordan Grobe, Alyssa Habermann, Michael Lau, Khalilah Lushiku and William Tunney.


 


            In the National Achievement Scholarship Program, which provides recognition for outstanding Black American high school students, Khalilah Lushiku and Cheyenne Vlymen-Williams are Finalists  and Ty Matsushita was named Outstanding Participant.


 


            Three students were named National Hispanic Recognition Scholars:  Matthew Africano, Selina Thompson and Ana Velasquez.  John Medelius received Honorable Mention.


 


            The National Merit Scholarship Corporation, a not-for-profit organization, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the National Merit Program, which honors the nation’s academically talented high school seniors and encourages the pursuit of academic excellence.


 


 

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The Real Deal: What would you name the Jeremy Lin sneaker?

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WPCNR MR. AND MRS. AND MS. WHITE PLAINS POLL. February 21, 2012:


 After watching the first half of the Mavs-Knicks game Sunday afternoon, watching Jeremy Lin slice up the Mavericks best in NBA defense, this Linsation is the real deal. I have not seen a Knickerbocker move like Lin since Walt Frazier and that was a long time ago. He made one move splitting two Mavs apart in a floater to the hoop that defied belief.


It won’t be long before NIKE and Addidas sign him to a sneaker deal and the American economy will recover. So, what do we think the Lin sneaker should be called? WPCNR’s crack promotion department has suggested a few names on the right. Make your pick.

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City’s Jan.Sales Tax Collections up 1.6% Lagging behind 2.8% Inflation

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WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. By John F. Bailey. February 21,2012:


The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance released the January sales tax receipts Friday.


White Plains January sales tax receipts totaled $4,691,803, $75,540  or 1.6% ahead of last January’s pace. Inflation for the New York area ran at 2.8% over the 12 months January 2011 to January 2012.


Through the first seven months of the city fiscal year, the city has generated $30,554,526 in sales tax. (The city budgeted $44.5 Million for the year.) Should the city equal last year’s sales tax handle of $17.7 million February through June the city will generate $48.2 Million in sales tax receipts. If the city continues its 2% pace it will top $48.5 Million, about 10% over budget.


The first month of the Westchester County fiscal year 2012, saw the county sales tax take go up 1.7% from January 2011, at $39 Million.


Inflation in the consumer price index  as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for January 2012 is recorded at 2.8%. When energy and food costs are removed from the index, the metro area CPI increase was .4%

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George Washington: The First and the Best

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WPCNR RETROSPECTIVE. By John F. Bailey. (Reprinted from the CitizeNetReporter, 2003): As we celebrate Presidents Weekend, it is also fitting that  we take a look at the greatest President of them all. Wednesday  is George Washington’s Birthday again. The time when we remember the first leader and the best. It is instructive to look at our first leader, George Washington, the father of our nation. 


 




The Jacob Purdy House, a National Historic Site, was built c. 1721, and served as Washington’s Headquarters both during the Battle of White Plains, on October 28, 1776 and again in 1778.
(Photo, WPCNR NEWS ARCHIVE)


One cannot help be reminded of the snowy winter at Valley Forge, when the bedraggled, poorly equipped rebel army suffered but held together, and attacked the Hessians in Trenton on Christmas Eve, 1776, crossing the Delaware River at night. What kind of man was he that George Washington could inspire his troops against all odds?

Washington was a man of tremendous character. Where did he get this character? He specialized in self-control at an early age:

 


 



Reenacters Marching to Raise Old Glory at Purdy House in Honor of George Washington’s Birthday. Photo, 2003 WPCNR News Archive.

According to The American President, Washington, at sixteen, had formed a code of conduct. He had written a book of etiquette with 110 “maxims” to guide his conduct in matters. In this etiquette book he had written,


Every action done in company ought to be done with a sign of respect to those who are not present. Sleep not when others speak; sit not when others stand; speak not when you should hold your peace; walk not when others stop;…Let your countenance be pleasant but in serious matters somewhat grave…Undertake not what you cannot perform but be careful to keep your promise.

The character sketch provided by the authors of The American President,  indicatesthis personal “rulebook” was a book that Washington wrote over the years and referred to it often, “for self-control, to avoid temptation, to elude greed, to control his temper. Reputation was everything to him. It had to do with his strength, his size, his courage, his horsemanship, his precise dress, his thorough mind, his manners, his compassion. He protected that reputation at any cost.”


 



Honor Guard Strikes the Colors to a Drum Roll. Photo, WPCNR News.




Earning respect by example. Quelling rebellion with a few words.

Washington inspired by example. He lived with his troops. He shared hardships with them, and there  was so much  respect for him that he was able to talk them out of armed rebellion at the end of the American Revolution. Washington had been asked by the army to join them to overthrow the Continental Congress, and make himself King.

Washington had been asked by one of the officers of the rebels to join them, and he wrote them,

You could not have found a person to whom your schemes are more disagreeable. Banish these thoughts from your mind.

Hearing that the rebels who were planning insurrection against the new country due to not having been paid by the Continental Congress, Washington rode to Newburgh, New York, on March 15, 1783, to meet with the dissident insurgents. Washington spoke to the rebellious group, saying,

“Gentlemen, as I was among the first who embarked in the cause of our common Country; as I never left your side one moment, but when called from you on public duty; as I have been the constant companion and witness of your Distresses…it can scarcely be supposed …that I am indifferent to your interests. But…this dreadful alternative, of either deserting our Country in the extremest hour of her distress, or turning our Arms against it…has something so shocking in it that humanity revolts from the idea…I spurn it, as every Man who regards liberty…undoubtedly must.”

The would-be rebels fell silent, digesting what he had said. Then Washington withdrew a letter from Congress, but could not read the text, withdrawing some eyeglasses from his tunic, remarking,

“Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles for I have not only grown gray but almost blind in the service of my country.”

The men present were reported to have tears in their eyes at this gesture of Washington’s and abandoned their plot out of respect for their leader.

Washington retired from the military, surprising the entire new country. His action surprised King George III of England, who was astonished that Washington had refused to hold on to his military authority and use it for political or financial gain. The defeated King of England, remarked, “If true, then he is the greatest man in the world.”




Seeker of Diverse Views

As President, George Washington invented the Presidential Cabinet, whom he referred to as “the first Characters,” persons who possessed the best reputations in fields and areas of the jobs he was filling. Washington said on political appointments, “My political conduct and nominations must be exceedingly circumspect. No slip into partiality will pass unnoticed…”

Washington tolerated the relentless clashes between Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State, and Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, but lectured them on the necessity for tolerance and moving beyond partisanship:


 


 “I believe the view of both of you are pure, and well meant. Why then, when some of the best Citizens in the United States, Men…who have no sinister view to promote, are to be found, some on one side, some on the other…should either of you be so tenacious of your opinions as to make no allowances for those of the other? I have great esteem for you both, and ardently wish that some line could be marked out by which both of you could walk.”

The Constitution Should be Protected

When George Washington left office after two terms, he made a farewell address which warned future generations of Americans about foreign entanglements and partisanship in the republic:

I shall carry to my grave the hope that your Union and brotherly affection may be perpetual; that the Constitution may be sacredly maintained; and that free government…the ever favorite object of my heart…will be the happy reward of our mutual cares, labors and dangers.”

Washington died in 1800, three years after leaving office in 1797. He was saluted on the floor of congress as being “First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen.”



The Jacob Purdy House where George Washington planned strategy at  the Battle of White Plains,  Photo, WPCNR News Archive




Note: The American President By Philip B. Kunhardt, Jr., Philip B. Kunhardt III, and Peter W. Kunhardt (Riverhead Books. Penguin-Putnam, Inc.,1999) is the source for this information on George Washington.


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