Why is this news? God bless them for having fun at a fundraiser, but come on already. Slow news day! Fact is, the democrats lost in Genesee County last election day. Not a single Dem. won on the county, state, or federal level in Genesee County. Obama even lost here. My guess is that the other GLOW dems. did not fare much better in their counties. Like most of upstate, outside of the cities, this is a Rep. area.

Yeah. Well... you're kind of right, Michael. It should have just gone up on the "Announcements" page of our site. And normally, it would have. But the day's stories had been dominated by devastation, murder, violence and arrests. I thought we could use one about a party. Maybe not my best editorial decision. But, there you are.

Mike, why do you sound so angry? We Democrats have listened to news of Republican parties for years. I don’t recall anyone of us reacting in such a negative way?

Our parties are not a place for beating up Republicans, if that's what you’re thinking. Believe it or not there were a lot of Republicans in attendance as well; I know they had a great time too. This silly partisan stuff is just way over the top. Our party system gives people a choice, sometimes the Democrats have the best people running, sometimes we don’t, just like the Republicans. How could you be against news of a Valentines Day party?

Guess what, the Democrats in this area are now organized, we have money and a lot of support. You’re going to have to shake off the negativity before it eats you up. We are not going away; the two party system is part of America.

"Guess what, the Democrats in this area are now organized, we have money and a lot of support."

You weren't before and you didn't then?

Ponder this. If this stimulus bill is the disaster many think it will be Democrat Party Officials all over the country will be lucky to find a candidate to win Town Dog Catcher, organized and affluent, or not.

Barney (the dinosaur?)-

In a county where the Republicans have a 6000 voter edge, Barack Obama won 42 percent of the vote, including a major win in the City of Batavia....we also have control over the town of LeRoy, the town of Darien, the villiage of Corfu and City of Batavia...in addition, it was the Democrats that have led the important bipartisan work of bringing the city out of the debt that incompetent councils before have left us. We're strongly positioned for this year too, thanks to the broad support that we're recieving across the board.

Erbell-

I won't again point to our successes in the past few years, but I will say this, since the stimulus bill has passed it's the Democrats that have saved school budgets and reduced the burden on state and county governments through Mediciad reimbursements. The Republican obstructionist attitude leaves them with a very grim outlook for 2010.

Come here doggy, doggy…

Your right, I don’t know of a qualified Democrat to run for dog catcher.

Andy,
Define "many". Point me to this flood of economists who share your lock-step, Hannity-inspired prediction.

And ponder this; GOP Congressmen are already boasting about bringing stimulus money to their districts. "WASHINGTON — Rep. John Mica was gushing after the House of Representatives voted Friday to pass the big stimulus plan.

"I applaud President Obama's recognition that high-speed rail should be part of America's future," the Florida Republican beamed in a press release.

Yet Mica had just joined every other GOP House member in voting against the $787.2 billion economic recovery plan. "
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/politics/story/62181.html

And Republican lawmakers are at the forefront in recommending that nationalizing the banks is an idea that needs immediate consideration. "This idea of nationalizing banks is not comfortable," said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC). "But I think we've got so many toxic assets spread throughout the banking and financial community, throughout the world, that we're going to have to do something that no one ever envisioned a year ago, no one likes. To me, banking and housing are the root cause of this problem. I'm very much afraid any program to salvage the banks is going to require the government... I would not take off the idea of nationalizing the banks."
http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2009/02/nationalize_bank...

Local Democrats indeed took their lumps locally in the last election, though they did gain ground. But, I take inspiration from thoughts like these:
"I am wounded,
but I am not slain.
I shall lay me down
and bleed awhile.
Then I shall rise
and fight
again."

Boo yah.

I'd consider 200 to be many, wouldn't you?

http://www.cato.org/special/stimulus09/cato_stimulus.pdf

They cared enough to take out a full-page ad in the NY Times against the idea.

Mr Jones: why would you take a shot at my name? Not cool. Juvenile indeed. I read most of your postings on here and they are usually better. Sigh.

Mr Stressing: Dude, nice quote, but relax a little!

Mr. Mallow: are dog catchers actually elected any more? The city does not have them any more do they? My guess is that it probably pays more than coroner, but I believe thats a county job! Who would want either! LOL

Is this about Obama or local politics? Washington DC or Genesee County?

That's quite the irony, quoting a Scottish Proverb on a thread related to the most massive govt. expenditure ever, considering the Scots are about as frugal a people you're going to find.

Barney-I made a funny comment to lighten up the situation, not juvenile, humorous. If I really offended you that much then I offer my apologies.

John-The Democrats are leading in the right direction top-down.

Erbell-I think that he was more referring to our fighting spirit.

Deleted.

I'd consider anything from the Cato Institute as being partisan. http://sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Cato_Institute They, like you, are praying for disaster to prove their position. And is 200 'many' in relation to the number of economists who not only endorse the stimulus, but say it's not enough?

And since when does caring about an issue and taking out an ad mean anything beyond having a partisan position? By that logic, if you took out a full page ad urging people to wear tinfoil berets, that lends credence to your position that satellites are trying to steal your DNA .

Andy,
Its not a proverb. It's from a poem by John Dryden. And stereotyping the Scottish in a cheap ploy to redirect the argument doesn't contribute to the discussion.

Yep, this is some fine leadership all right.

"Gov. Paterson has secretly granted raises of as much as 46 percent to more than a dozen staffers at a time when he has asked 130,000 state workers to give up 3 percent pay hikes because of the state's fiscal crisis, The Post has learned.

The startling pay hikes, costing about $250,000 annually, were granted after the governor's "emergency" declaration in August of a looming fiscal crisis that required the state to cut spending and impose a "hard" hiring freeze."

Links, Andy?

"They, like you, are praying for disaster to prove their position."

My position in what exactly? I have no desire to run for public office. I'm perfectly content running my own business.

My point on this matter remains the same as it has been from the start. It is ludicrous. Show me one Economics Textbook that advocates borrowing even more money when you are seriously over your head in debt.

If you want an adage to live by, try this one from Thomas Jefferson; "A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have."

Andy,
Jefferson apparently never said that. http://wiki.monticello.org/mediawiki/index.php/Government_big_enough_to_...

Who said you're running for office and why would that be a prerequisite for having a position? Another re-direct on your part.

Despite your pleadings that this crisis should be simplified down to the level of an introductory high school course in economics, its far more complex than that.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/07/AR200902...

Russ,
Like it or not, it's true. Check Fox news or other sites that cover Albany.

He gave 16 people large raises. This after asking his unions to give up their 3% pay raise.

John,
Your opposition to local Dems or the Stimulus plan, please.

If you'd like to start a post criticizing Democratic Governor Patterson, I'd be interested to read it. But, your Republican support of Andy's redirects deserves its own post.

Nuance it any way you want, it's an incredibly bad idea. This country is spending money it doesn't have and we're going along with it. As long as those of us out here in Genesee County can take our turn suckling at the trough, I guess it's supposed to be okay. You'd better just pray that the nation-states holding all these notes don't suddenly decide to call them in though.

So it was Ford, I apologize for the misquote but it still holds true. I have no desire to hold out my hand to the government each and every day for all my needs, and that is where we are headed.

Russ,
Again, you're a fool. Patterson's giving pay raises to his staff but asking union members to give their rasie back was true. You failed to admit it. It also has nothing to do with anyone local or Obama.

What "Republican" support of Andy? He states a fact, and you go into your nasty game again. You need to learn to control your anger.

What opposition to local Dems? Again, you play the fool. I support the good ones and not the bad ones. And you have both in office right now (and don't lie about it). Of course, the other side has both good and bad in office also

Andy,
In response to "You'd better just pray that the nation-states holding all these notes don't suddenly decide to call them in though", I'd ask you to consider this: The crisis has exposed deep structural problems, not just in the U.S. but worldwide. Europe’s model of banking has proved no more resilient than America’s, and China has shown that it remains every bit the codependent partner of the United States. The Dow, down more than a third last year, was actually among the world’s better-performing stock-market indices. Foreign capital has flooded into the U.S., which apparently remains a safe haven, at least for now, in uncertain times."
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200903/meltdown-geography
I'd urge both you, Andy, and your co-dependent John, to expand your reading to include people beyond Hannity, Limbaugh, and O'Reilly.

Mike, I don’t think there are any elected dog catchers and for the most part that is a county position. Electing coroners is just a waste of money; the county legislature should just appoint them. I don’t see what would be the difference between a Democrat or a Republican coroner.

And call me Charlie, when people call me Mr. Mallow, I feel real old.

Russ,
First I asked if this was about local issues or Obama. Remember, it started out being about local Democrats. Then you got into it and turned it nasty. Then some guy points out what Paterson did and rather than ignore it, or at least admit it, he got nastier.

The point of the post was that the local Dems in the County are ready for this November. They hope to increase their wins in the City, on the Legislature and in some of the Towns and Villages.

Having a guy like you being the Dem election chair is not going to help them. You turn people off.

By the way, you all know Russ is the Election Chair, right?

Co-dependent? My, you do cry.

Odd Russ, you have not come out in support of union members against Patterson.

Charlie,
Your right on the coroners. If appointed it would save a lot of money. Really, does being a Democrate or a Republican make you a good cononer?

Russ is not going to like this, I agreed with a Dem.

I read none of those three but do spend a good deal of my time reading The Bible and you know what subject Jesus talks about more than any other? Money. I've built a very successful business solely by trusting my Faith and by using Biblical principles. I have no intention of changing that now.

I also get a fair amount of financial info from my brother in law who runs his own investment firm. He saw this disaster coming well over a year ago. When he first started telling me about what was going to happen I just laughed at him. I don't laugh anymore.

Posted by John Roach about 6 minutes ago
Charlie,
Your (you're) right on the coroners. If appointed it would save a lot of money. Really, does being a Democrate or a Republican make you a good cononer?

Russ is not going to like this, I agreed with a Dem.

Russ,
Your party has some good people running this year, like Charlie Mallow and Rose Mary Christian.

The Dems have Frank Ferrando to run against, one of the worst Councilmen ever elected. Should be a slam dunk.

But the Republicans have you. You are the best thing they have going.

John,
I cannot sufficiently express my gratitude towards the Republican committee in claiming you as one of their own. You do yeoman's work in support of whatever I may do in increasing Democratic enrollment.

You are my hero.

Russ,
Again, you have proven to be too easy. This started out as a blog on local Democrats having a nice dinner. It then went on to be about how well you would do in this year’s election. You let it go off to Obama and Patterson.

Then you let yourself get nasty and personal, looking bad.

You’re the Democratic Party Election Chair and are so easy to get off message, you are one of the best things Ferrando has going for him.

John,
Grammar is one of the worst things you have going against you.

Russ,
To a point on grammer, you're right. I type too fast.
But, you are still too easy.
Funny, I think Ferrando (a Republican) is terrible and needs to be voted out. I support Mallow and Christian (last I checked, they were Dems), but you say I support the Republicans?

With you as the Dem Election Chair, and with your “insight”, Frank just might win again. How much does he pay you?

I go to work early, lets play again tomorrow.

John,
I can't decide which party you are most trying to hamstring. Your pinata-like dedication to being a target of opportunity leaves me breathless. Thank you for wearing such a conspicuous bulls-eye. You are the poster-child for cluelessness.

I bow to your dedication.

Mr. Jones: no problem

Charlie: Kind of like someone saying "Mr. Barney" and looking around to see if my dad is standing there!

Oh no it turned into a Stressing/Roach pi****g match again! Cage match!! Pay per view!

I did some checking and someone please correct me if I am wrong. The Republicans actually control the City Council 5-4, even though Charlie is President.

Does anyone know the city council candidates yet or the county leg candidates? Are all incumbents running in both places? Who is runnning in Pembroke, LeRoy, and Oakfield?

You see alot of chatter about all three city legislators having opponents, but they are currently a mix of Dem and Rep.? Does that mean a primary?

Charlie: how many at large members are there? Are their terms different? What does city council pay, if anything?

A few points if I might. First to Mr. Jones, The reference to Mr. Barneys' name with dinosaur following it was a little on the disrespectful side. Even with humor intended on your part one should not slight a persons' name. You have always had intelligent comments in the past. Although I have not always agreed with your opinions I have always respected that they were your opinion. This is lower then your normally high standard. The apology was duly noted. My parents always instilled in me that unless you knew the person your were speaking to on a personal level you always stated their name with Mr. or Mrs. followed by their last name or Sir. It is a sign of respect. I have passed this down to my children.

Secondly, I would like to address the Dog Catcher/Coroner comments. Once again there has been disrespectful comments made. No matter what you think of when you hear dog catcher, don't think that their job is easy or that it requires a person of lesser quality. They earn their keep better then alot of other people in this world. Plus they show a level of compassion for all creatures great and small that most of civilization lacks.

As far as coroners go, I support their election. It is a job that requires proof that the person will really want the position, will perform the duties with respect and will act professionally. If the job is simply appointed then any person who wants the "job" can solicit it for the "right price". Who is accountable when bad choices are made? (Reference to the body snatching scandal in Monroe County) At least if they are elected they then belong to a party that can interecede on our behalf.

Mr. Mallow selecting a coroner shouldn't be any different then how the City residents pick their council people. If it were just an appointed job then any person who only wanted the title could essentially buy it. The City might benefit initially from the money surplus however they may lose in the long run. The appointed person might then want to lend favor to his/her buddies and completely disregard the needs of the citizens they serve. Contracts wouldn't go to the highest qualified person but the one that would serve the needs of the appointed persons' pocket. Money can buy alot of favors however it comes at a price to someone else. Lets try and remember the Illinois fiasco from earlier this year. Appointment can be a very poor choice if you want a good person in the office. It doesn't matter what the position is. It needs to filled by a qualified candidate.

Mr. Barney, (With due respect because I do not know you)
There are two At-Large Council persons as per the City website. They are Mr. Buckley and Mr. Ferrando.

As far as candidates go....certainly not me!

Ms. Santini-Again, I was making a joke and because I offended him I have apologized. I was merely trying to lighten the mood of the thread.

By the way, Charlie is an At-Large Councilman, he is listed as the City Council President because as per city rules, only an At-Large Councilman can become the Council President.

Alright people it's about high time we have told these "counsel-buffoons" that we have had enough with their broken system. It did not start with them but it is continuing with them. let them hear you. WE ARE FED UP WITH THEIR SHENANIGANS. We the people are done with this malarkey. iree iree

So you’re going to call me names Ham? How about you start using your real name? I don't buy the garbage about how you mommy spelled your name wrong when you were born. The only shenanigans are your posts on this site. Tim and Frank both do a good job on council and they are not buffoon’s either. It's called public service, for that you don't get to call us names. You want the job? Run for it, maybe you could use your fake name too. The so called shenanigans of the last two council’s turned our city around financially and made changes long over due.

I have sincere respect for everyone on council; they put party and politics aside and did what was right for our city. Yes, I am a Democrat who was elected to be Council President by a body that is made up of a majority of Republicans. They voted for me unanimously.

As for last names, I know exactly who Mike is.

A coroner position should be the last place to interject politics in my mind. Governments don't sell jobs to the highest bidder either, at least not around here. There is nothing wrong with people who are qualified and appointed after taking a civil service test. There is enough politics in this country.

Mr. Mallow with due respect The Ex-Govenor of Illinois did indeed try and sell the seat left vacant by President Obama. He represents the elected government for that state. The successor(Burris) has now had to admit that he indeed was asked for "favors". Never say never that it can't or won't happen here.

By nature I am not a negative person. I however don't think that New York State is any more ethically or morally more upstanding then any other state. Our politicians can be swayed or bought just as easily. Money does talk.

Your analogy is wrong from my point of view. What happened in Illinois was a governor looking to make an appointment for a powerful position that was outside the civil service laws. The possibility exists for corruption with every municipal job. Civil service was created to make that less likely to happen. Right now we have a situation that someone could get a job based on how good a campaign they could run, not real qualifications. Please do not confuse my words with a disparaging remark against those who hold the position now. I have no idea who they are and I’m sure they are qualified and doing a fine job.

You people are hilarious. You all exude a false sense of importance resulting from the meaningless realm of hick town politics. The constant childish bickering leaves do doubt why the one horse towns of WNY are in a shambles. You may think your important in your own minds but the reality is no one really cares what any of you think or say about each other or anything else.

You seem to be home sick and regretting your move to Texas. I think you have figured out that the most important things in life have nothing to do with money.

Then why respond Mr. Gahagan?

Mr. Mallow I didn't bring up Civil Service appointment but it might be a good idea for the Coroners positions.

I will leave it at that.

Hey, where did the last post link go to ? I enjoy the posts in this thread more than the "whats for lunch" Post anyday. I think everyone should be allowed a nick name. I am still laffing about mallow cup and hamburglar ! I hope you guys got a laff too. I agree with Mr. Jones in the fact that humor is very needed sometimes.

How things seem to you, that you know absolutely nothing about, or what you think about anything is more irrelevant than you think. Bicker away children.