GREAT call Bill!!!! I hope the taxpayers of 14020 are paying attention!!!!!

This just strengthens my belief that all them people that suk off the hard workin struggling tax payers so they can live a life of comfort are dirty, evil, low life scum! They talk the talk to get voted in then turn on the people when they get voted in. When Mr Molino first came into the mix and laughed at the pay that was offer the city council should have grown some cahungas and said well theres the door because thats exactly what us tax payers would say. But we dont really have a voice now do we? Im making plans to move out of here no matter how long it takes.

IT'S A BIG SHAME ! THE PEOPLE OF BATAVIA WHO PAYS
HIS AND OTHER CITY EMPLOYEE'S WAGES MOST OF US ARE MAKING LESS !
NEXT YOU KNOW I'LL HAVE TO TURN MY HOUSE OVER
TO THE CITY BECAUSE I CANT PAY MY TAXES !
YOU BASTARDS CAN HAVE YOUR MATERIAL THINGS IN
LIFE, I GOT MY LOVE ONES!
YOU GREEDY SON OF A BITCHES : ALL YOU CITY EMPLOYEES!!! YOU SHOULD BE A SHAME OF YOURSELFS! AND YOU
SHOULD COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS THAT YOU HAVE A JOB!
INSTEAD OF MAKING MORE MONEY !

Its so sad to see families like yours,{Mary and Mike) who have had many generations of family, that have deep roots here in Batavia, feel like they have to move out. I can only hope the selfish ones on city payroll are taught a lifes lesson. Not by me or anything, but by GOD. Like Lori Ann Santini said at the meeting, the decision to end the ambulance service, has taken a toll on our Firemen, Emt's and taxpayers. The Damage Has Been Done. The Moral of our Bravest has been destroyed. For her, and the families of our EMT's it became personal, and put them through unsermountalble stress,and fear, for their future.
I hope Mr. Molino never has someone go after everything he's worked for all his life, and attack the very foundation of his existance, career, and family. And to eliminate his position, so they don't have to pay him a retirement, pension, health insurance, it is a Bitter Pill, I hope you never have to swallow! Disgraceful!!
To not show his face in public, and to not attend the meeting?? To pull council members in a room for a secret meeting? Is that the norm? Suspicious... What does he expect people to think. Would he trust someone that dodged him all the time? NOOOO
Mr. Molino, you should have declined the raise In MY Opinion...Because of the struggling economic state of our country.
One Word "MAYOR"
Elected by the people, for the people

They don't care if the people living in the city can buy food or medicine, pay utility bills or even rent a movie. They can, and they will raise your taxes every year so THEY CAN. I have said it before and I'll say it again, services in this city are no better and we are paying more for them. Very few people get a raise every year, so not everyone can afford a tax increase EVERY YEAR, YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR!! Between the idiot in the White House, the head office in Albany and Batavia City Hall, WE ARE ALL SCREWED.

What, do people want to turn Batavia into a socialist Mecca?

Last I checked, Batavia was part of America, which contrary to some assertions from both the left and the right, is still a capitalist country.

In my life, I've made a LOT more than I'm making now. And I've made less. I've had my financial hard times, and my good times.

I've NEVER, EVER resented, no matter what my financial status, what another person makes, be it Donald Trump, Chris Lee, Howard Hughes or Jason Molino.

I don't care if Molino made $200,000 a year. If you can convince your employer to pay the salary, you DESERVE the salary. And if you think you're not making enough and you're worth more -- then you should leave and seek your fair compensation. If nobody is willing to pay what you think you're worth, that's your tough luck.

And the reason employers give raises is because they're concerned that good employees will leave.

Whether you agree or disagree with what Mr. Molino has done, the fact is, at least SEVEN of the council members believe he's done a good job and is deserving of a raise. Jason would be a fool not to take the raise. I wouldn't want a top manager running my city who is that foolish, because that would mean he doesn't value money and is more likely to spend it unwisely. If you have a problem with the raise, the issue is with the council, not Jason.

There is a place where they used to believe that all people should make the same amount of money -- they called that fantasy land the Soviet Union. How well did that work out?

take off your rose colored glasses Howard

All the big corporations thought their managers needed more money too, see what happened there didn't you? Lets see, oh yea, the Federal Government bailed them out, oh wait a minute, my taxes went up again. Gotta love it!!

Karen,
Just for the record, the ambulance workers will still get a pension, based on the number of years they worked, but of course it will not be as much as it might have been.

Of course, on this site many people also complain about them getting any pension at all, so you just can't win.

Did you vote in the last City election two years ago, or did you sit on your rear end and watch TV?

There is an election this year for three council seats.
Are you going to vote this year, or just bitch?

And if you don't vote then should we take you as a serious person?

omg so if ur not a voter u have no say? Doesnt a taxpayer have a right to voice his opinion on whats happenin with his money? Taxpaying voters have more rights?
I voted. But I voted in the hopes there would have been a positve change and guess what? That didnt happen.

Yuck-Yuck Yuck John, I dont vote because I don't trust government. To each his own. Save your breath with me. Its falling on deaf ears. Oh and why dont you bitch about everyone elses opinions? You dont have to read my comments, nor do you have to waste your time speaking to me. Like you and a few others have said, I dont vote so my opinion means NOTHING. Thats fine with me John. Its all part of life. Just be you John, it shouldn't matter what people say. I believe in me, and my thoughts on this whole city thing. You should try to look at it from a non-voting taxpayers point of view. You will see this business in a whole new perspective. Oh and watch TV, we have antenna, or DTV now, and only get a few channels. Thats also fine with me, Its just not in our budget. We dont really watch to much TV. I am taking care of my ailing parents. It is heartbreaking, and keeps me very busy.
I mean you no disrespect

Mary,

The tax payer and non tax payer, has right to say anything, but if they don't vote, why waste your time?

You voted and didn't get what you want. Then vote again and get your friends to vote also.

You read what people are saying, but already some are making excuses for not going to vote. Then they'll complain that the elected officals don't listen to them. Just how dumb is that?

I voted on what they promised and it all "sounded" like they were for a positive change. Look at
Batavia now compared to the 70s, its like a ghost town. On a Saturday afternoon you can stand at one end and shout and hear the echo at the other end. Theres nothing here for adults and kids alike. Businesses dont want to come here omg theyre leaving. Not only are houses up for sale but some are being auctioned off as well. I see things as they are not as we wish them to be. We drove through Brockport one Sunday afternoon and omg there were people downtown. Signs of life. This is a sad place to be. No decent paying jobs. No activity. Its not what it was and I see no moves to change that.

John said:(Then they'll complain that the elected officals don't listen to them). John, they dont listen to any of us, voter or not. Thats a joke..

Ken, you're logic doesn't follow. Just because some companies made bad decisions in who and how they decided to compensate doesn't undercut the free market system. The point of the free market system is that over the statistical average, the winners do better than the losers. When you stop playing the game and make everybody equal, that's when you lose. Also the events you reference are FAR more complex than how you reference them.

Karen, as I've said before, it's your right not to vote, but you SERIOUSLY undermine your credibility when you constantly complain, with nary ever a positive thing to say about any thing or anybody in the city, but brag about not voting. There is no logical connection between not trusting the government and not voting. That's a shallow excuse. You have a right not to vote, and you have a right to complain even as you don't vote, but the rest of us have a right to not take you seriously, because the facts as you present them about yourself are more of somebody who just doesn't care enough to try and make a difference.

Think what you want John. Howard knows what to do with me. Why doesnt he? Why do you read my comments? Maybe because I do make good points. I dont know.. As for me bragging about not voting. Your the ones who keep bringing it up, not me. I am sick of what I see going on all the time on here. Oh and John I am a happy, positive, person, and do comment positively on other issues, and news. Like Charlie said, Im a little different on here, than I am in public, and he's right.

Just to be clear, Karen (and for anybody else who needs the clarification and definitions), you leave comments on blog posts. Comments are not blogs. A blog is defined by having an individual URL and are comprised of blog posts. A comment is not a blog. And a blog post is not a blog. It is a post on a blog. "Blogs" would refer to multiple different Web sites, not to a collection of posts on a single site, nor to the comments on individual blog posts.

Thanks Howard,,,, I Think, How confusing, OK I fixed it. You know Howard it is exausting having to defend myself all the time. I just dont understand why I am attacked for my opinion, when so many others say similar things, insult, and name call, and you do nothing? Maybe thats what fuels my comments. Why do you allow it only from some? Im going to bed, we've beat this dead horse enough..

Howard, what I am getting at is, The big corporations paid the money they could not afford to pay for so long they were going broke. If this city were a business it would have had to file for bankruptcy long ago. But they keeping paying and keep going to the poor tax payers saying YOU WILL GIVE US MORE!!!

Karen, please be the same person on-line and off.

You should also be proud of where you live. I have been pretty much everywhere in this country. There is no better place to live and I am sure you already know that.

Please register to vote too, you know better.

Thanks Mr. Mallow, Have a good Night sir...Oh and Im proud, maybe too proud.

Just saying ... , Karen.

Also, to anybody who makes the assertion that businesses don't want to come here ... I brought my business here, Ken Mistler is in the process of opening three businesses, and though I disagree with the tax breaks given Coffee Culture, they're coming, and Cricket just opened a new store front downtown, and in the past year or so Larry's Steakhouse opened, and Kravings just opened, and Clor's expanded to a new location, and Great Kutz opens this week, and every vacant store front on Main Street has had people looking at them recently, and Coldstone (though I won't step foot in there) just opened ... oh, and Calista Miakoda on Ellicott, and I know of another retail business planning a location on Ellicott, and another young man opening a business on Main Street soon, plus the health food store opening on Main Street soon.

And I deal with local business owners every day and they're generally optimistic and upbeat about Batavia.

So it's just utter nonsense this constant assertion that businesses don't want to come to Batavia or open in Batavia.

yea Karne try to be constant just like the ones we vote in are lmao!

oops i mean karen

Karen, emotions get the best of all of us sometimes. We are all trying to make the city better, how we do that is up for debate. The idea that we are trying is not, even for Jason.

Mary, calling people names isn't nice. Be nice.

giving away our money like its growin on trees is not nice

Mary, we all don't like taxes but, those people do work for their money. You should not call them names, it's not nice and you know that.. They are good people with families, who have bills and taxes to pay too.

Have a goodnight and try to think about something less stressfull.

Good comment, Charlie.

I believe in voting for the person you want elected.But in defense of Karen who chooses not to vote for what ever reason thats her right..And as long as she pays taxes in this city she has every right to complain about how they spend her money.Or how the city is run..To me it should be more about those who pay the taxes who should have a voice in what happens in this city..Alot of time when you vote you have no option of who to elect..Look at the race for mayor in Buffalo..No republician running.So today's democratic primary will deciede who will be the mayor..Where's the option there..Who can they vote for in november ..All raises for city personal at this time is just plain wrong..Mr.Cox should be commended for standing up and saying no ..We need to start finding away to get rid of all the tax exempt property in this city..Make it more of a fair system..If Mr.Molino is so good at what he does,why are we paying the police 240,000 dollars,and why did we pay the fireman what we did..Maybe his negotiation skills need some work..

The participation of voting-age eligible individuals in recent presidential elections has been embarrassingly low. The last time voter participation eclipsed 60 percent was in 1968, widely believed to be the nearest our country has come to falling apart at the seams since the Civil War. The years since 1968 have seen a high of 55.2 percent turnout in 1972 with a
low of 49.1 percent in 1996. Our bitterly contested most recent presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore weighed in at a light 51.3 percent turnout. Why is it that half the voting public doesn't think it worth such a minimal time and effort commitment to make their voice heard for the most powerful position on Earth?

While there's likely no one answer to why people don't vote, a sense of apathy and helplessness resounds when speaking with nonvoters. Talk to any nonvoter and you're likely to hear some of the following responses: 'My vote doesn't make a difference,' 'All the politicians are crooked anyway,' 'Politicians don't care about people like me,' or 'It's too much work to
try and keep all the politicians' promises straight and they don't follow through with them anyway.' Some of these statements may seem extreme, but they shed considerable light on the disillusionment felt by almost a plurality of the nonvoting citizenry.

The realization that many voters tend to vote AGAINST a specific candidate rather than FOR one only serves to further illustrate the need for change.

We've been taught it's our civic duty to show up on election day to help keep America strong, but how strong of a republic can be built when the system is set up in such a way that we
only have two choices, oftentimes choosing between bad and worse.

After reading all the above ..how can I not comment. Charlie.. say what you want and defend it to the death.. you got your boy a raise at our expense. Seven of you think he deserved it..It's done ..let's move on.
In case you haven't picked up on it.. we Batavians are a proud and passionate, albeit sometimes a bit over-zelous, lot but that's who we are.

Mr Cox..It's refreshing to see you have a conscience and the strength to stand on your own two feet. Perhaps the other council members will take note.

Karen, about the mayor idea... most turn into little napolians after being in office for a time and the politics of the office generally get in the way of good government. beside the council president(no matter who sits in the seat) pretty much gets his/her way much like a mayor would anyway. ( I'm sure that statement will get a rise out of some!)
A note to Rick Gahagan...This is where you would insert one of your smart-ass remarks about what a bunch of whiners we are. You left Batavia ...pick on your new southern friends.

And you got all of that information from where?


There are oftentimes many more than two choices, and there is the option to write-in. By NOT voting, you are just helping to continue this government that you "don't trust". By voting you could create change, thus creating a government you would trust.

"The realization that many voters tend to vote AGAINST a specific candidate rather than FOR one only serves to further illustrate the need for change."

This has happened throughout the history of our country and other democracies/republics. Many people vote FOR the Republican simply to keep a Democrat out, but they are still voting for the person they think will do the best job.

"We've been taught it's our civic duty to show up on election day to help keep America strong"

I'm not sure what you were taught, but I was taught that voting is the only way I get to voice my opinion to the government. I don't necessarily believe in a "civic duty", but I do think men and women have fought and died for my right to vote and participate in choosing my government, and I will honor them and myself by voting.

"Why is it that half the voting public doesn't think it worth such a minimal time and effort commitment to make their voice heard for the most powerful position on Earth?"

Politicians, political scientists, and grassroots organizations have been trying to figure this out for ages. There are many actual reasons why people don't vote, such as lack of time, difficulty in registering, difficulty in getting to the polling site(s), and inability to keep up with politics. While I studied politics, I don't think I ever heard about a large number of people who said "I don't vote because I don't trust the government". There are democracy overseers who make sure elections around this world are free, and I don't think a single American election has ever been deemed "unfree" (although I'm willing to bet some of the ones in Detroit, Chicago and NYS have been rigged at some point). Distrusting the government isn't a good enough excuse, because not voting doesn't help that cause.


I could go on to rebut more of your points, but I don't want to "pick a fight" or "start something". I simply want to point out your argument is pretty weak for someone who always seems angry with what the city of Batavia is doing.

Rich, don't you live in the town?

No Charlie. I live in the 1st ward. You must have looked in the phonebook and found Richard C Martin on Wilkinson Rd. No relation

I have to agree with Councilman Cox.

Rich Martin? proud and passionate? More like mentally ill drama queens. Once you leave you realize how petty most folks are up there. Always finding something to complain about blowing trivial matters out of proportion, always angry about something. Always stickin their nose in other peoples business. Always talkin crap behind peoples back. My southern bruthas aint like that, so I can't pick on em. It's kinda nice actually not havin the whole town up your butt every single second of every single day.

Rich, it is just your perception that the Council President always gets their way. The Council President is the spokesmen for Council so; I speak for all of Council. It just looks like everything is coming from me. I also act as a referee to a set of rules that the entire body agreed to so, it looks like I’m scolding other Council people at times. The real job is getting 9 people to agree on a course of action, that course is usually right down the middle. Without someone acting as a glue to bind things together you end up with a large committee that cannot agree on anything. Your statement that I always get my way doesn’t get a rise out of me, it is just untrue. I don’t always get my way.

For your information, Jason isn’t a friend of mine. We don’t have beers and we don’t watch football games. He is an employee of Council and a very good one. The small town politics and back biting should not be focused on a person good person like Jason either.

At the end of the day. It's just WRONG. Taxes (on property owners) will be raised to pay for Jason's raise. Or maybe they will just unfairly raise assessments again (so they can say they didn't raise taxes).

I think that EVERYONE who pays taxes should go to City hall (or City CentRE) a.k.a. the Monstrosity on Main St. and pay their taxes and fines in rolled coins! THEN go and VOTE (yes YOU karen) OUT EVERY council member who voted for this raise (not to mention any of them who voted to raise taxes in the first place). It is time to revolt against the unfair taxes in the City. I mean what services do you get?

You are paying for the non profits!

My question is: how many non profits are there in 14020? How much real estate is that? How much tax revenue are we missing out on??

Thank You Richard Gahagan..I knew you wouldn't let me down!
By the way.. I know I'm over opinionated but you...How can you make a moronic statement like the above about thousands of people who live, work and are raising families here? You actually believe everyone here is like that? From one mentally ill drama queen to another... If what you stated above were actually true..I would have left too!

So let me get this straight.
Tax the non-profits, that includes all the places of worship, right?
Then proclaim that the government (ie, your tax dollars) shouldn't be in the charity business and that type of work should be done by faith based entities.
So tax the faith based (currently non-profit) and have them shoulder the burden of caring for those in need.
Do you think that will lower your taxes?
Oh, wait. You don't want public officials earning a decent wage. You don't want pensions paid to that segment of our community. You certainly don't want to pay for their health insurance.
Is that enough to lower your taxes?
What else should be cut to get your property taxes down to a level you feel is fair?
Fire protection? Should each homeowner who wants to be protected by a fire company pay dues to that company?
Get out of the fire protection business?
Police protection? Maybe we should only pay the police department when we use their services?
Sewer and water? Maybe we should all drill wells and get out of the water business?
Will that bring down your taxes?
How far do we go to bring down property taxes?
Yes, some of this sounds outlandish, but in previous posts, almost all of these have been suggested.
Where exactly do you want the cuts and how will impact the city?

lets fact the truth Batavia is dying and thats due to mismanagement period.
BTW Ken Toal are u related to Barb?
They really did her wrong didnt they? I dont know why she couldnt keep her position as an intern city inspector and a plumbing inspector as well. Politics as usual hey?

Mr Mallow
To address a few of your posts.
First: Its a good thing that emotions dont get the best of us sometimes.
Second:I dont think for a second you are not attempting to make improvments Batavia.Its the method that baffels me.
Third: Public employees do get paid by your taxes and for the most part work hard for their pay and should not be called names ( see some of your past posts).
I was a public employee of the City of Batavia. I did my job very well and over 9 years saved many lives in the city and county, But alas due to poor managment by the past city manager and past fire chief my job was lost. If at any time a City official would have Hired one person with Ambulance managment experience and the profits not put into a general fund, 24 people would still have their jobs and the city would be making money.
Lastly: I think Jason should get what he deserves.I think of him as a friend and hold no grudge against him for my current situation.You however are another story.You took money from the Fire Union to get elected and look what you and your lemmings did.Sorry thats not NICE.

I spent $5000 of my own money to run for office, I received a $200 donation from the fire union. I completely understand that at this point if the union membership thinks that was a bad investment and that in the long run I didn’t help the cause much. On the flip side, there are a lot of the taxpayers in this city think I folded to the union contract demands over the years and have treated them too good.

My first duty was always to the city, donation or not.

Mr Martin see what I mean people there are sick in the head and you can call my statement moronic but when I lived there people that didn't even know me and had never even met - gave me crap. Look what they're doin here to Jason. No one deserves to be ridiculed for doin a their job or maybe its gotten so bad and depressing to live in the area that people are just envious of anyone that simply has a decent job. Or as they say down these parts its time for Jason to stomp a mudhole in someones butt and walk it dry.

Deleted.

Jason Molino is the top non-elected official in Genesee County. As such, I have some expectation that he can take his lumps. Nobody is exempt from criticism, and when you take a job in the public eye, you should expect some criticism and just deal with it.

But name calling is out of bounds.

I just deleted two posts that engaged in name calling.

hey Howard please let me know what am i allowed to call this kid. Michael Del Plato got away with "bastards" and "son ot a bitch" where do you draw the line?

Nick, here is an idea, try something new. Why not treat others the same way you would like to be treated. Maybe in a small town, it's not rational for you to call someone who lives a few blocks from you a bastard or a "son of a bitch". You never know how someone could react to that...

I would suggest Mr. Molino.

Nick, in your initial comment (that I deleted), the name calling was directed as a specific individual. That is not the case with Mr. Del Plato's comment. While I find Mr. Del Plato's comment less than civilized, I have some tolerance for crudeness (I better, since I can be pretty crude myself sometimes). He does broad brush city employees, which arguably I should not allow, but for whatever reason I let it go. But in your initial comment, you took the name calling at a specific individual and your second comment that I deleted, while not aimed at a specific individual, repeated the language in a way that taken together your meaning was clear.

I'm not opposed to using specific words that some might find profane or inappropriate, per se (depends often on context), but when you aim them at a specific individual, that's crossing a line. Nobody deserves to be called names.

My brother Mike whom I love dearly and many like many many other Americans is goin through a trying time. Being laid off from a very comfortable position it is difficult to adjust to lower income and still have to supply monies to those who are not worried bout what to put on their table or which bill to pay and which one to let go. This pay increase is a slap in the face for those who are struggling to make ends meet and part of that struggle is watchin thier money go to someone who has it much better. I cant understand why this is so difficult for those who live off of taxpayers to figure this out. I am tired of speakin up because it falls on deft ears. Obviously no matter what we say we are not heard.