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City GOP backs Adam Tabelski for council-at-large seat in November

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The City’s Republicans have given incumbent Councilman Adam Tabelski their unanimous endorsement for the council-at-large seat that’s up for election this fall. Tabelski was appointed by City Council to succeed John Deleo who was elected to the County Legislature last fall.

“Adam was selected to fill Mr. Deleo’s term because of his past experience in government and he’s already proven that was the right decision,” said Committee Chair David Saleh. “He’s has done a great job representing the City’s residents and the Committee is excited to support his election to finish John’s term.”

Tabelski, 36, is an account manager at Wendel Engineering, and served several years as trustee and mayor in the Village of Medina before moving to Batavia early last year.

Tabelski said he’s honored to receive the Republican Committee’s support and looks forward to the campaign this summer and fall. “I enjoy public service and look forward to my election so I can continue my efforts to enhance our neighborhoods and make Batavia a better place to live and work.”

Brian Graz

The Libertarian Party of Genesee County should field a candidate for this position. Especially, someone who has been a Batavia resident for longer that this carpetbagger Tabelski.

Carpetbagger:
1. An outsider, especially a politician, who presumptuously seeks a position or success in a new locality.
2. Any opportunistic or exploitive outsider.

Apr 19, 2016, 12:58am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

I'm glad I didn't get that kind of welcome when I came to town.

This community is full of people who didn't start life here -- should we all be run out of town? A lot of successful businesses would be gone. A lot of community organizations would be decimated. I meet people all the time who aren't from here, but they came here because of family or because they saw an opportunity or they just liked Genesee County.

Should we build a wall around the county, "no outsiders allowed!"

Of course, plenty of sociological and behavioral science studies show that "outsiders" bring a diversity of opinion and experience, and often a new energy, that helps avoid groupthink.

Perhaps one of the best qualifications for City Council, especially in this day and age, is a willingness to do it and to make a difference and try to make things better.

FWIW, I'm not taking a position here on Adam, just pointing out a different view.

Apr 19, 2016, 8:00am Permalink
Ed Hartgrove

Howard.
"Should we build a wall around the county, "no outsiders allowed!"

YES! And, make Donald Trump pay for it. Oops, I meant, make Mexico pay for it. No, that isn't right, either. Make Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Livingston, and Wyoming counties pay for it. (had to look that one up on a map -wasn't sure about Niagara)

Guess I'm a carpetbagger in FL. Not to worry, though. Definitely not gonna run for any office here.

Apr 19, 2016, 8:57am Permalink
Jeff Allen

I think the carpetbagger tag is a stretch for two reasons. 1. residents of Orleans County put in a fair amount of time working, shopping, dining and otherwise spending time and money in Batavia so for someone from that way to have a desire to get involved and be an agent of change is not that off-putting. 2. What sort of political stepping stone has Batavia City Council been for others in the past?

Apr 19, 2016, 9:24am Permalink
John Roach

Not a Republican, but I think the point here is that 4 people were up for the job to fill John Deleo's seat. Three are long time City residents. Two had served on Council before. But all 3 were passed over for a person who had, at the time he was picked, lived in the City for less than 1 year.

Apr 19, 2016, 10:01am Permalink
Brian Graz

Howard and Ed, you fellas overlook a key issue... when and where you were new-comers neither one of you were aspiring to a position to empowered you to raise peoples' taxes. [Need to review the definition of carpetbagger.]

Apr 19, 2016, 2:06pm Permalink
Ed Hartgrove

Since the word "especially" doesn't mean exclusively, I believe Howard fits the meaning.

And, I'm guessing that he saw an opportunity to create a viable enterprise, and exploited that opportunity.

I'm pretty sure Howard was seeking a success in the Batavia area when he moved there. Just a hunch, though.

Me? Not so much. Though I probably could have moved here to be a "carpetbagger", I'm pretty content lazing around, and enjoying the sun's rays that are only just beginning to reach NY.

Apr 19, 2016, 2:52pm Permalink

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