Hello, My name is Sara Burk-Balbi and I am a candidate for Batavia City Council at Large. I would like to take this time to thank all the people of Batavia that have been supportive and wonderful during my campaign for City Council. My neighbors, family and friends have encouraged me, walked door-to-door with me and campaigned for me. I am blessed with a lot of support.

I would like to remind each and every registered voter in the City of Batavia to go our and vote next Tuesday. It is important that we exercise our privilege and participate on Election Day. I also hope that you will consider supporting me for City Council. I want to be your Council Person. I want to work for the people of Batavia and I want to insure that your City Council handles issues openly and fairly. I am not a fan of back room politics. I like to make sure that as much that can be discussed out in the open is discussed and executive session material stays private. An open government is a good government.

I have not been on the Batavian in some time and I must say that I do miss it.  Since it's inception it has allowed many people in this area a chance to speak thier mind and to inform us of issues and ideas.  With all that being said, and perhaps in an effort to keep my thoughts simple, I would like to just say that the awe inspiring rescue from Hudson hs given me time to reflect and renew.  It did prove two things to me:  ONE - People can and will reach out to help others in need.  The very basis of people helping people was proven in the most populous city in our nation.  TWO - Prepartion is the key and you need to prepare with your heart.   How many of us are sure that we would jump into freezing 35 degree water to help others in peril.  Not only do we need to prepare with our minds, strength and equipment, but we need to prepare with our heart.  Plan & simple.

Lastly, It is time that we all stood up and told the naysayers to take a hike.  I have already heard several nasty  things against President Obama and the Democrat led nation that is about to be a  reality.  To those who wish to unleash this nastiness, please realize that "what goes around - comes around".  It is a time that we give our new leaders a chance to govern and yes, to change.  Don't count them out or damn them to failure before anything is tried or accomplished....  As always, as good Americans....we need to give all our leaders a chance.

Thanks for listening....and here's to a more successful year.