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Candidate

Interested in Running for a Local Office?

By Dave Olsen

An Open Letter to all Genesee County Residents:

Friends and Neighbors;

Every Genesee County Legislature seat is up for election this year, along with the ward seats in the City of Batavia and many town boards and supervisors. Do you feel your interests are being represented by your specific representatives either in your municipality or at the county level? If you think you or someone you know would do a better job, the Genesee County Libertarian Party would love to hear from you. We are a grassroots organization of friendly folks. There are very little politics involved in being endorsed by us. Our endorsement may not bring very much funding to a campaign, but we do bring enthusiasm and the commitment of our members to help collect petition signatures and campaign with you.

From The GCLP bylaws: “The GCLP holds that all individuals have the right to exercise sole dominion over their own lives, agree to the Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States, and have the right to live in whatever manner they choose, so long as they do not forcibly interfere with the equal right of others to live in whatever manner they choose.” We ask only that any candidate seeking our endorsement agree with this statement and be committed to transparency, limiting government and fiscal responsibility.

If you agree and want to serve your community, please contact me at this private e-mail address used only by me for this purpose: GCLP2015Election@gmail.com

The GCLP will never just find folks to fill a ballot slot; we will only put our efforts into those candidates who are driven to make a difference.

Learn more by visiting our website  www.gclpny.org and our

Facebook page www.facebook.com/GCLP.NY

Our meetings are announced on the webpage and the Facebook page, all are welcome to our meetings.

We can make a difference, but good people need to step up.

 

Respectfully;

 

David A. Olsen, Chairperson

NY Authorities Deal Out Millions in Bonuses

By C. M. Barons

Just as turned stomachs were on the verge of recovering from multi-billion dollar bonuses paid out to investment bank employees on the heels of the federal bailout, we now learn that New York State has its own version of excess in the face of empty cupboard. David Kidera, the director of the Authorities Budget Office, has released a list of off-budget authorities that have awarded $6.7 Million in bonuses despite a $9+ Billion revenue gap.

Kidera describes the list as a glimpse since many active authorities have yet to report their extra pay.

Steven Hyde, president of the Genesee County Industrial Development Agency, was awarded $60,000 beyond his salary of $153,000. Three other agency employees split another $20,500. John Andrews, Board Chairman of the Genesee County IDA described the bonuses as incentive pay and noted that no worker earned a bonus in 2009.

In Erie County, EC Medical Center Corporation, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority and other local authorities gave just over $5 million in bonuses to their staff in 2009. Overall some 2,100 employees at six area public authorities collected bonus payments with ECMC staffers topping the list at $4.5 million paid to 1,443 staff people.

The Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority also maintains a performance-pay system. RGRTA paid approximately $209,000 in bonuses to 101 workers last year; the average payment being $2,070. Seven employees received more than $10,000. The largest bonus went to RGRTA chief financial officer, Robert Frye, who received $23,000 on top of a $135,600 salary. Authority CEO Mark Aesch received $33,377 beyond his base pay of $155,000 last year. ECMC spokesman, Tom Quatroche, accounted for much of the extra compensation as back pay earned as part of retroactive union agreements.

The Authorities Budget Office report marks the first time authorities and other quasi-governmental entities have released such disclosures to the public. A 2009 state law intended to rein in the otherwise intangibly complex and under-accounted financial dealings of hundreds of public authorities led to the disclosure. David Kidera, the director of the Authorities Budget Office, noted that his office intends next year to separately list overtime, collective bargaining agreements and bonuses.

Also among the six local authorities reporting, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority bonuses included a high of $9,017 paid to Executive Director Lawrence M. Meckler, who earned $190,207 in salary.

New York Power Authority, blamed for collapsing a deal that would have brought internet giant Google to Orleans County scheduled last March to pay out $3 Million in bonuses and had requested 12.1% rate hikes over the next two years- a move that was cancelled a year ago.

The Off Budget Public Authorities are a significant factor in New York's out of control budget. These agencies act with little oversight and beyond the scope of the budget process. The borrowing that these agencies engage in has contributed to AT LEAST 40% of current state debt. Although the combined borrowing of these 900 or more agencies is the fastest growing segment of state debt, the quasi-independent nature of these entities not only obscures an accurate accounting of their numbers- their financial practices are cloaked by the same independence.

To truly restore the integrity of state finance, these agencies must be reined in and brought to bear as ON Budget Authorities. They wield the state's credit card, and it is time we deprive them of that luxury.

For a more complete view of bonus recipients:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/34126170/Staff-Bonus-Payments

Campaign Trail

By C. M. Barons

This weekend was particularly rewarding.  I had the opportunity to meet voters in three counties, folks attending the Stafford Fireman's Parade, a group of voters in the Town of Murray and attendees at the St. John Lutheran Church hosted Hamlin Strawberry Festival.  Not only did I walk away with a fulfilled sense of voter sentiment, I purchased a delicious bowl of shortcake while at the Strawberry Festival.

As much as the 139th is diverse in its four-county membership and the unique communities that comprise the district, voters seem to share the same sense of urgency.  The state is in dire need of responsible leadership.  The most discerning question that was often repeated, "Are you the incumbent?"

Incumbency may be a focus, and "Throw the bums out," has been a rallying cry for some time; I do not intend to invest my time exploiting that single itch.  The voters deserve a comprehensive action plan for righting state government.  I do not intend to rely on slogans, generalities and gladhanding to engage district voters.  My approach to the campaign is my approach to the business of state: ideas, study, dialogue, study, alliances, concensus.  I don't mean to oversimplify the legislative process.  I have a long history conducting negotiations, and I know the dynamics well.  Please anticipate a detailed look at my policies.

I hope everyone had time to celebrate Father's Day.  I did so vicariously.  The weather was spot-on!  See you along the campaign trail...

Chris

A Closer look at Phil Ricci's Platform

By

One of the things that I have stated time and again throughout this process is the lack of forward thinking I see here in Batavia. After months of walking the streets of our city and meeting the hundreds of neighbors that took time out of their day to speak with me, I, with the help of those who know more on these subjects, have created a look of possibilities at some very important issues.

 
First and foremost, let us tackle what I believe to be the simplest issues:
 
Open Government.
 
This is and easy problem to solve because it will take only a few simple steps to correct. Here is my Plan:
 
I will put forth a motion to:
 
  1. Place all meeting agenda items and supporting documents be published on the city’s website no later than seventy two hours before each meeting. This will of course not include any personnel or legal items, but should include all motion items that are open.
  2. With the power of this electronic society, all meetings should not only be taped for cable, but they should also be streamed live via the city’s website. They should also be stored on the site for a period of one year, so that residents can go back and re-watch if they wish. This is not costly as many will have you believe and it will allow anyone that wants a real time or even post time look to have.
  3. Institute a series of floating meetings. The Batavia City Schools for years have held meetings at the different schools throughout the district. Essentially, bring the meeting to the neighborhoods, instead of making the neighborhoods always come to them. There are plenty of spaces that can be used throughout the city that will allow council to hold at least one meeting in every ward. Not only will this allow those who have problems traveling yet another option, but it may even encourage some to experience the process for the first time.
  4. Limit the use of Executive Sessions to only issues concerning legal liability to the city.
 
I cannot make other city officials use online sharing resources like TheBatavian.com to openly speak about their opinions on topics or reasons for their vote, but I can assure you that I will. By giving the public access to its government, providing documentation and agendas, as well giving the ability to hear and see Business and Conference sessions at will, we will all have more insight into our government
 
Police and Fire Departments:
 
The public safety of this community is one of my top priorities. One of the many reasons my wife and I live in Batavia is because it is a safe place to raise kids. I have met and worked with many of the officers in our local force, including Chief Baker, and I am impressed with them all!
 
That all being said, the financial realities of running this city is very clear. At every home I went to, I was told the same thing: Taxes are too high! I understand the burdens that we face. I also understand that we cannot have tax reform without speaking about these two vital agencies. My plan is designed to be thoughtful while being realistic.
 
Police
 
Right now we have an opportunity to fully invest the time it takes into the Police question. We are in need of a new contract and that means the time is right to make a change. The fact is there are too many police agencies in our community.
My Plan is simple. We will merge the City Police Force with the County Sheriff’s department within two years. That is enough time to allow for a smooth transition. We will work with the county to create a “Metro Division” within the Sheriff’s department, so that we can ensure the proper protection for our neighborhoods.
 
  1. We will create a committee made up of multi-community officials (City and County Officials/ Officers) to work through all the details of the transition. Their primary objective: Keep safety levels at their current levels while we transition.
  2. We will honor the careers of our City Police and only eliminate positions through natural attrition to minimize impact on them. 
  3. We will begin in year one to have a blended force with the county as we reduce our staffing levels to fill in any holes. Keeping our patrols where they are and ensuring response times are sound.
  4. We will work with the county to decide what equipment and vehicles are needed and what can be sold. Taken full inventory and using the monies earned to pay for any costs associated. If none, a full return to tax payers.
  5. By year two the county will fully take over operations as well as any officers that will be brought into the new force.
  6. The local police station can either be utilized by the county as a metro dept if they wish or be returned to the city for other purposes.
 
 
This will take time. The first thing that we have to do though is agree to do it. I have listened to enough of you to know that you want a change. I also believe that it should be the residents to decide! That is why when I bring this forward, I will push for a Referendum before I allow it to die out of political fear!
 
As for the Fire Department…
 
My plan for the fire department is different than that of the police.
 
Here is what I propose:
 
1.     We re-negotiate a contract that introduces a blended department of full time officers and paid on call men for night calls. Ensuring flexibility while still maintaining a paid staff.
2.     We enter service sharing agreements with all the surrounding volunteer departments to cut down on future equipment purchases.
3.     We work with our City Fire Union to eliminate mandatory overtime provisions.
 
We will have to train new call men and build up that program. The reality is that we may very well continue with our current force for a few years farther into the future while we do this, but again I believe that the citizens of Batavia should vote for it. I will put forth the motion of a blended department and revised inter-service contract that will be based on market needs.
 
Neighborhood Improvement: 
 
            Every election year people always say that they are for neighborhoods. I find it hard to believe anyone is not for neighborhoods! My plan is to A.C.T.
Accountability
 
Community
 
Transformation
 
The first part, Accountability, is the one that has caused so much distress with those who value their privacy. I am not in favor of the government telling me how to live my life or how to keep my home. At the same time I also understand that one property in disrepair can cause an entire street’s value to decline. That is as much an infringement of another’s personal freedoms as the other. Although, when we choose to live in a communal environment we agree to a set of understandable standards that are common throughout the world.
 
Here are my opinions and solutions…
 
First let’s talk about rental properties. Landlords are business owners, plain and simple. They are paid for a service and, if done properly, profit from it. It is not wrong to require that business owners keep their properties in good repair. This should go for all business owners throughout the city. However, if a landlord will not do that, then I believe the city should have the right to inspect the property, cite violations and fines. This is about safety, not esthetics. Rental properties with damaged foundations, collapsing porches, exposed wirings and damaged piping can create problems for the whole neighborhood.
 
What about people who honestly can’t afford to fix their homes and then see their assessments raise just because they did something nice to their property. To this I have a plan.
 
There is a New York State statute that is already on the books right now. To put it plainly, it allows homeowners to do major home repair without having their assessment rise. It essentially freezes a property’s assessment rate for a period of three to five depending on what the city adopts. I would put forth the five year version of the bill.
 
Here is an example of how it works:
 
            2009 Assessment value of property: $100,000
            Work to be done: New roof, siding and porch
            Total Cost: $25,000
            Assessment would rise to: $111,000 an additional $112.42 per year just in city taxes!
           Under plan: $100,000 – No change for five years!
 
That same house would then be reassessed in 2014. At that time between inflation and market growth the house would be worth $120,000. The way the plan works it breaks down the assessment over a two year period.
 
2015: $110,000
2016: $ 120,000 Full Market Value!!!
 
That is a total of seven years after the original work has been done before you see the change in your assessment!
If a property is sold during the window while it’s frozen the assessment will automatically go to the new rate. I will put this measure forward year one!
 
 
Community
 
Building a strong sense of community is paramount for a neighborhood to actually improve. The ability to trust, respect and protect one another has been the staple of powerful towns and cities throughout our country’s history. The first thing that we have to realize is that Batavia has changed. We are not the same city we were twenty years ago. Most people do not know the person to their left or right anymore. While it is not government’s job to make people know one another. It is very much their job to create a sense of revitalization when it has been lost. Here are my ideas on how we can do just that…
 
1.     Individual community “Night Outs” that are led by the areas ward council person and teamed up with the various agencies throughout Batavia to bring neighbors together.
2.     We need to institute ward forms so, neighbors can come together, address concerns and bring forward issues to their representatives that are important to specific streets.
3.     Individual Ward events like, educational classes, crafts etc. sponsored by the various non-for-profits that bring community members together under like interests.
4.     The re-institution of neighborhood watches. Neighbor protecting Neighbor
 
All are just possibilities, but anything that strengthens a community, improves a neighborhood.
 
Last…Transformation.
 
            The purpose of this is the rebuilding of civic pride and interest that has fallen so over the years. Yes I believe a lot of this has to do with not feeling included in the process, but it’s so much more. Volunteerism is down. The amount of time that people give to charities, sports clubs, civic clubs, church groups and so forth, has seen steady falls for the better part of twenty years. I am not nearly to an age where I can preach about any type of “old days”, but I can tell you that we are just not connected to very much except the internet!
 
Transformation is the return to civic pride and revitalization of community participation on all fronts. It’s the call to action that I don’t think we have ever had and it’s time to give it. I don’t think I have a policy for this. It’s more of returning a state of mind. I will try to lead by example, but more so, I will help any young person that takes an interest in some field find the guide that they need.
 
There is so much more…
 
We have so much work to do! We have long term issues that we need to address now so that we aren’t facing the next budget crisis in four years. We have to be logical at the resources we have and use our city space to the best of our ability. We have got to think bigger about the possibilities and get past “the way we have always done things” mentality.
 
I want to thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts for a Better Batavia. If you want to know more just ask! I hope that you see I am constantly looking, assessing and re-evaluating things to find the best way for the most people! I am, if nothing else, a father of two little girls that count on him to do the right thing. That truth alone motivates more than you can believe not to mess up!
 
My name is Phillip Ricci and I am running for City Council at Large. On November 3rd, I humbly ask for your vote.

It’s time to continue the conversation and the change that you started.

By

For the better part of two years, I have watched and witnessed the current council as it sits now. I have seen certain members try to push public agendas that would help the greater good and benefit the city as a whole. I’ve also unfortunately, witnessed those pushing private agendas without any care of how detrimental the collateral damage could be. Here’s the truth as I see it.

My wife and I as we were making our departure from Europe decided to return to Batavia. We believe to this day that it is an amazing place to raise our family! We also have an amazing sense of community pride, which is just one of the reasons that I have been involved in many different organizations here. I have not done this for any kind of personal gain, except for the satisfaction that I could make a difference. You see, I was raised by the mantra: “Do something or Shut up” from two very stern parents; one Italian, one Irish. They believed, as I do now, that the only way you’re going to make it in this world, is by putting your hands to the plow and working to get it done. Well that’s why I’m running for office; plain and simple. I don’t like the way things work now. It makes no sense how we prioritize our finances and how afraid we are to change it.



Unfortunately it took a horrific budget gap for us to be willing to consider that change was needed. The council took action behind the leadership of a man, who many have called a radical, Charlie Mallow. Love him or hate him, he did the one thing that so many former and currently sitting members never did; he started the conversation.  He accepted the fact that people would hate him for saying what he felt and that some of his ideas would be smashed to the ground. Yet he said it and did as much as he could in during his time on Council. Now, this isn’t some ringing love note for Mr. Mallow, but a reality check of the past two years. Hard choices were made to right the ship, but now it’s time to fix the hull once and for all. We have to continue the conversation by continuing to move on and act on tough decisions.  

We also have to include you in on the process! That’s right, it’s time to stop just having talks in private rooms behind closed door, but to put them out to the open floor and let government work for the people of Batavia. Charlie Mallow asked me to run and take his place because; he believed I was strong enough to continue this conversation. Now it’s our turn.

You want to create jobs in Batavia? Then you have to cut the waste out off our city budget so that you can lower the cost to actually run a business in our city.  You want to improve neighborhoods? Than we have to sharpen our focus on holding these absentee “business” owners to their commitments while still protecting the personal liberties and freedoms of our citizens. You want a more open government? Then we have to get council over itself and publically print every council agenda before each meeting for every citizen that wants it! We have to put tough decisions to special votes and let us all collectively decide our fate! Most importantly, you have to vote! Speak with that voice as loud as you can.

Lastly, do you want to cut taxes? Then understand that we have to right size our service levels to do that. Notice I didn’t say eliminate! I’m not one of these extremist that buys into the “ALL OR NOTHING!” way of governing. There are practical and pragmatic ways to achieve a balance! I’m not going to sit here and promise you that I can bring about a zero tax rate in Batavia, but we should be able to roll the recent increases back. Give back the money that was ripped from our pockets just to play catch up! Achieving that though is going to take some tough decisions.

Over the next few weeks I will put out a plan to each of these points. They will be collective ideas from me and also those who I have been asking for advice and guidance along the way. You may like some, hate others. That's great! Let the conversation continue! WE CAN DO THIS! I know we can. If I didn’t believe it with my whole heart, I wouldn’t say it.  We can make Batavia better. No, even more, we can make Batavia the kind of place that every city in New York State dreams of becoming.

Why not? We can do it!

Respectfully,

Phil Ricci
Candidate, Councilman-at-Large

It’s time to continue the conversation and the change that you started

By

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My wife and I as we were making our departure from Europe decided to return to Batavia. We believe to this day that it is an amazing place to raise our family! We also have an amazing sense of community pride, which is just one of the reasons that I have been involved in many different organizations here. I have not done this for any kind of personal gain, except for the satisfaction that I could make a difference. You see, I was raised by the mantra: “Do something or Shut up” from two very stern parents; one Italian, one Irish. They believed, as I do now, that the only way you’re going to make it in this world, is by putting your hands to the plow and working to get it done. Well that’s why I’m running for office; plain and simple. I don’t like the way things work now. It makes no sense how we prioritize our finances and how afraid we are to change it.

 

Unfortunately it took a horrific budget gap for us to be willing to consider that change was needed. The council took action behind the leadership of a man, who many have called a radical, Charlie Mallow. Love him or hate him, he did the one thing that so many former and currently sitting members never did; he started the conversation.  He accepted the fact that people would hate him for saying what he felt and that some of his ideas would be smashed to the ground. Yet he said it and did as much as he could in during his time on Council. Now, this isn’t some ringing love note for Mr. Mallow, but a reality check of the past two years. Hard choices were made to right the ship, but now it’s time to fix the hull once and for all. We have to continue the conversation by continuing to move on and act on tough decisions.  

 

We also have to include you in on the process! That’s right, it’s time to stop just having talks in private rooms behind closed door, but to put them out to the open floor and let government work for the people of Batavia. Charlie Mallow asked me to run and take his place because; he believed I was strong enough to continue this conversation. Now it’s our turn.

You want to create jobs in Batavia? Then you have to cut the waste out off our city budget so that you can lower the cost to actually run a business in our city.  You want to improve neighborhoods? Than we have to sharpen our focus on holding these absentee “business” owners to their commitments while still protecting the personal liberties and freedoms of our citizens. You want a more open government? Then we have to get council over itself and publically print every council agenda before each meeting for every citizen that wants it! We have to put tough decisions to special votes and let us all collectively decide our fate! Most importantly, you have to vote! Speak with that voice as loud as you can.

 

Lastly, do you want to cut taxes? Then understand that we have to right size our service levels to do that. Notice I didn’t say eliminate! I’m not one of these extremist that buys into the “ALL OR NOTHING!” way of governing. There are practical and pragmatic ways to achieve a balance! I’m not going to sit here and promise you that I can bring about a zero tax rate in Batavia, but we should be able to roll the recent increases back. Give back the money that was ripped from our pockets just to play catch up! Achieving that though is going to take some tough decisions.

Over the next few weeks I will put out a plan to each of these points. They will be collective ideas from me and also those who I have been asking for advice and guidance along the way. You may like some, hate others. That's great! Let the conversation continue! WE CAN DO THIS! I know we can. If I didn’t believe it with my whole heart, I wouldn’t say it.  We can make Batavia better. No, even more, we can make Batavia the kind of place that every city in New York State
dreams of becoming.

 

Why not? We can do it!


Respectfully,
Phil Ricci
Candidate, Councilman-at-Large

 

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