With 1,605 general purpose local governments, 6,374 independent town and county special districts, 705 school districts, 858 fire districts and 854 public authorities defined by more than 6,000 pages of state laws, local government in New York state are among the most complex in the nation. For nearly four hundred years residents of New York, a state with a long tradition of broad home rule authority, have held firm to their desire for a strong, local voice in the affairs of government. If government does indeed exist to serve the practical needs of people, it follows that local governments should reflect the people they serve and devote their efforts to what the people perceive as their concerns. However, it is becoming increasingly evident that local governments do not reflect the people they serve.

It is time for the citizens of New York to take back their governments so that they do, in fact, represent and reflect the people they serve and devote their efforts to what the people perceive as their concerns.

The fight to do this will not be easy or quick. It will not be without costs in resources or efforts, but if we are to survive as a community, a state or as a nation it must be done. This site is intended to give local citizens and activists throughout New York with the information, tools and resources to pursue this endeavor.

During your endeavor to take back New York government remember the following “It is not the critic that counts, not the man who points out how a strong man stumbled, or the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes up short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.” -- Theodore Roosevelt