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Please vote in our election survey

By Howard B. Owens

We still have our election survey online (link below).

PLEASE READ: I have invalidated at least HALF of the surveys cast so far.  People are not following the instructions. If you say you're voting for one candidate for County Legislature in District 7 and then also select a candidate in District 8, I'm throwing out your survey.  That is by far the biggest reason for invalidating a survey.  I've also invalidated surveys for voting in every jurisdiction.

Also note that I've only included in the survey races that are competitive. For jurisdictions or districts that have candidates running unopposed, there are no survey questions.

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C. M. Barons

The real question is why so many unopposed races. I can't imagine that apathy and acquiescence account for it completely. I know that Bergen hasn't had an active Democratic party in decades. Are some districts Republican regimes? Is the political apparatus absent to offer opposing candidates? Are voters so thrilled with the job their incumbents are doing they won't support options?

Oct 29, 2009, 12:26pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

C.M., it's not necessarily thrilled, just not dissatisfied enough to take up arms. It's common across modern America. The typical American feels satiated with a home, car, consumer goods and family life. They don't look much outside the home these days.

One the things to work toward convincing such people about is that their voice, their vote, their extra effort for the community does matter.

More community involvement leads to more political participation.

Oct 29, 2009, 12:34pm Permalink
Mary Margaret Ripley

It's not that people don't care about what is going on in their community. I think there are a lot of factors why so many races are unopposed. My generation (I am 34)just does not have enough time to add one more thing to their plates. We are taking care of our families, some with aging parents some with little children, and some with both. There are responsibilities with housework, sports, jobs, church, errands, etc. How can we add one more thing. I am not saying that these issues are not important to us we are just trying to survive some weeks!

The other factor is that increasingly these races get more and more miserable as far as mudslinging. Who the heck would want to subject themselves to running? Even with the best of intentions some of these poor candidates get slaughtered! Tell me after reading all of this crap that is going on in the City of Batavia would you want to run for any kind of office?

Oct 29, 2009, 1:37pm Permalink

Hi Mary,

I'm 29, have two kids, am caring for two grandparents, work an hour from home and am involved in three different community organizations, PLUS am a teen leader at my chuch! Believe me when I say I understand where you are coming from!

I am running because I don't like the way things are going. It's been a lot of work and very time consuming, but I believe that I can do some good work! I want someone on council who will represent me. Someone who has a young family and knows the burdens and struggles of making it in this state with all the things against us.

I kept looking for that and it never came, so I decided that even though there are those who have come at us and criticized every little detail of what we stand for, that it was worth it!

I have two beautiful little girls that count on me for so much. I promised them the best life I could give and I truly believe that my serving and fighting for a better Batavia is one of those ways!

Oct 29, 2009, 1:55pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Sociology studies show -- and again, I'm referencing Robert Putnam -- that changes in home life, from more working women to other factors -- has had no correlation to the decline in civic engagement. People are as busy as they've always been, they're just busy in different ways. In fact, women entering the work world more frequently positively correlates to an increase in civic engagement among that demographic.

The only common link to decreased civic engagement seems to be -- though somewhat inconclusive from how I read Putnam -- is TV.

Oct 29, 2009, 2:07pm Permalink
Mary Margaret Ripley

I am a full time legal secretary, run my own business, sing in the church choir, I am chairman of my church's Christian ed board, I teach Sunday School, am a full time mom and my son plays sports, and I have also been divorced in the last year. Sorry it would not be fair to my family for me to do any more at this point.

Phil, I think what you are doing is truly fantastic. You seem to know what you want to do and the things that need your focus.

When things settle down in my life I wouldn't mind running for school board though...

Oct 29, 2009, 2:21pm Permalink

Thanks Mary!

I was on the School Board for a time. It's a lot of work, but you get to be involved in some amazing things! I hope you will run some day!

Oct 29, 2009, 2:25pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Mary, you're obviously engaged in the community and example of how people can be engaged today. Not everybody needs to run for office. The lack of fewer candidates is a symptom of lower civic engagement, but not everybody who gets involved needs to run for office. All contributions help.

Oct 29, 2009, 2:27pm Permalink
Lorie Longhany

Mary Margaret has a great little business called Scratch Baking.I ordered a pie two weeks ago. It was delish! She is the busiest, most efficient person I know.

Oct 29, 2009, 3:24pm Permalink
Susan Kennelly

I'm a Phil fan, but then again I knew him before he decided to run. He's a good guy..a go getter and I think even though he's young...he can bring good things to the table. I told my mom before she met Phil that I think he and Chris can bring young blood and fresh Ideas to the table. They are both scrappy enough to fight for what they believe in and I think Batavia needs that breath of fresh air.

Oct 29, 2009, 3:26pm Permalink
Bea McManis

Phil,
lol, until I opened Sue's post, I thought her leading statement "I'm a Phil fan" meant she was rooting for the Phillies tonight.
Sue,
Why not invite Phil and Chris to put signs on your lawn?

Oct 29, 2009, 7:57pm Permalink
Susan Kennelly

LOL The Phillie's???? Oh heck No!!! ...I'm a Yankees fan thru and thru..always was and always will be. The only thing I want to know about "philly" is spread on my bagel in the morning LOL

Phil is awesome.. you heard it here first... and he didn't even pay me to say it! LOL

Oct 29, 2009, 10:30pm Permalink
Patrick D. Burk

In the City of Batavia we have Democrats running for all 6 positions. We need to start giving the people choices. This year the Democrats have endorsed THREE young professionals with young families. It is about the future as well. Don't forget that we need to work to make this a better place for our children. I urge you to vote for Sara Burk-Balbi, Phil Ricci and Julie Wallace.

We are lucky to have all three running this year.

Oct 30, 2009, 9:28am Permalink
Patrick D. Burk

We also are fortunate to have Chris Charvella, Rose Mary Christian and Ed DeJaneiro on the ballot for County Legislature. It is our hope that in the county we will be able to have more candidates and give the voters more choices. Let us all remember to vote on Tuesday, November 3rd.

Please VOTE for Chris Charvella, Rose Mary Christian or Ed DeJaneiro.

Oct 30, 2009, 9:31am Permalink
Laura Russell Ricci

I hadn't thought of Phil as scrappy, but now that it has been mentioned he does have a lot of energy! I know, I know I'm biased 'cause I'm his wife...but that aside, he really is a great candidate for City Council!

Oct 30, 2009, 12:11pm Permalink

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