Campaign 2007

[j.camareri]

Okay folks, let's get back on course. What do people think will be the big campaign issues for the Hamburg candidates this summer? I'm thinking Foit's will be brought up, by both parties... Dick Smith has the record to run on (I don't think there was a time taxes didn't go up under his watch)...

Unacceptable answers include anything regarding Ford Beckwith, Steven Walters' former tasks as an attorney and anything similarly unrelated to the issues facing the town. Answers such as these will result in the offending party being flamed by the rest of us, because we're all getting TIRED of the irrelevent issues.

Okay, Campaign 2007: Foits. Dick Smith's record, voting wise--anyone know much? Sorrentino purportedly not wanting to support town clerk Cathy Rybczynski (can anyone corroborate this?). Other ideas?

[MarkLV]

The integration of the Village of Hamburg, and Blasdell, into the Town of Hamburg should be an issue that is discussed.

[j.camareri]

The integration of the Village of Hamburg, and Blasdell, into the Town of Hamburg should be an issue that is discussed.

Definitely. Services should be merged where possible. But do you think the Village of Hamburg would go for it?

[MarkLV]

Definitely. Services should be merged where possible. But do you think the Village of Hamburg would go for it?

Hard to say w/o all the facts.

Start looking at the tax base. Will property taxes actually go down? Dont forget to figure in the villages odd garbage removal issue.

I dont think there is too much savings on the police sector because they already have such a small crew as it is, working with the Town police after business hours. I'm sure they would integrate the force.

DPW staff....probably eliminate most of it. The Town has sufficient capacity to handle the Village.

I think the fly in the ointment would be Blasdell. They have an ingrained political following with that man who has been mayor, along with his father before him (?) since the dawn of mankind! ( I might have that detail wrong, correct me if Im off on it). But I think there would be some resistance to them combining.

[bwilson]

Hard to say w/o all the facts.


DPW staff....probably eliminate most of it. The Town has sufficient capacity to handle the Village.

I think the fly in the ointment would be Blasdell. They have an ingrained political following with that man who has been mayor, along with his father before him (?) since the dawn of mankind! ( I might have that detail wrong, correct me if Im off on it). But I think there would be some resistance to them combining.

I think the major function of the DPW in Garbage collection could not be duplicated by the Town. I think Garbage collection in the village should be left alone as the way it is currently done is very cost effective. Police should definately be looked at. I'm afraid you may be right about blasdell

[My2cents]

Three police dept in the town. There should only be one.

[Atlantico]

Three police dept in the town. There should only be one.

Why is that? You assume that one police department would save money, but it doesn't always work out that way. When you integrate the three departments, all officers will be raised to the highest pay level of the three outfits (generally this fact alone kills any money saved from efficiencies)

Also, the Village had a vote a few years back on the issue of merging the Village Police Department with the Town and it was rejected by the voters...if people don't want to merge services, you can't force it down their throats. If people in the Village want their own police department and are willing to pay for it, leave us alone.

[My2cents]

If you live in the Village of Hamburg you already pay your police more than the Town does.

[TheBlueEagle]

This is taking the concept of too many layers of government to the extreme. Why do we need the Village of Hamburg and the Village of Blasedell? Three different police departments patrol one single town. That's not cost effective. Another thing is the nine fire departments serving one town. Volunteer fire departments always wind up being a touchy issue with the taxpayers, but consolidating into one department may be the most cost effective and managerially beneficial thing to do for Hamburg.

[My2cents]

This is taking the concept of too many layers of government to the extreme. Why do we need the Village of Hamburg and the Village of Blasdell? Three different police departments patrol one single town. That's not cost effective. Another thing is the nine fire departments serving one town. Volunteer fire departments always wind up being a touchy issue with the taxpayers, but consolidating into one department may be the most cost effective and managerially beneficial thing to do for Hamburg.

Combining services is the easy part. Combining village governments into one, next to impossible. The fire depts are a great example of excess in the town. They have more equipment than the city and have the need to purchase new equipment constantly which costs millions. My belief is that fire dept should get out of the EMS business (leave it to Rural Metro) and focus on fire fighting. Divide the Town into 4 or 5 sectors and cut the depts in half. Theoretically the depts work on a contract basis, so anyone could start a dept as long as they could provide the same service for less. Oh, by the way, with the political pull the fire depts have this would never happen.

[TheBlueEagle]

Combining services is the easy part. Combining village governments into one, next to impossible. The fire depts are a great example of excess in the town. They have more equipment than the city and have the need to purchase new equipment constantly which costs millions. My belief is that fire dept should get out of the EMS business (leave it to Rural Metro) and focus on fire fighting. Divide the Town into 4 or 5 sectors and cut the depts in half. Theoretically the depts work on a contract basis, so anyone could start a dept as long as they could provide the same service for less. Oh, by the way, with the political pull the fire depts have this would never happen.

a. Allow me to clarify my position. The two village governments ought to be abolished. There is no longer any need or benefit from having them.

b. Fire Departments can bleed taxpayers dry. Every fire chief gets a brand new $40,000 suv every couple of years. These trucks are top of the line. They drive it to work and probably take it on vacation with them. Why does a volunteer fire chief need a free, brand new vehicle at our expense?

c. Medical calls don't need two ambulances for one patient. Rural Metro responds to every medical call that the Town's various fire departments respond two. The equipment costs for these calls are high. How much does it cost to buy and maintain on ambulance per department that rarely transports patients to the hospital? Hamburg should follow suit with Lackawanna and Buffalo Fire Departments. These companies stock a sport utility vehicle with ems equipment and respond in conjunction with the ambulance service. That makes sense. Actually, Hamburg is as large as a small city. It might make sense to run a town wide fire department like a city department. That would certainly be safer and more cost effective for residents.

d. Fire departments have waaaaay too much political pull.

[My2cents]

a. Allow me to clarify my position. The two village governments ought to be abolished. There is no longer any need or benefit from having them.

Don't dispute that at all. I just think it is a heavy lift.

[TheBlueEagle]

Don't dispute that at all. I just think it is a heavy lift.

True, but what is the opportunity cost of keeping them?

[My2cents]

It boils down to politics. About 12 years ago the village of Hamburg voted to retain their police dept because they felt they wanted to pay for them. Whats to say that those same taxpayers wouldn't feel the same about keeping their own identity through their own government as opposed to merging with the town. Blasdell would make more sense initially. I don't think cost matters to the people in the village of Hamburg as much.

[TheBlueEagle]

Who's this mayor guy out in Blasdell?

[4248]

a. Allow me to clarify my position. The two village governments ought to be abolished. There is no longer any need or benefit from having them.

b. Fire Departments can bleed taxpayers dry. Every fire chief gets a brand new $40,000 suv every couple of years. These trucks are top of the line. They drive it to work and probably take it on vacation with them. Why does a volunteer fire chief need a free, brand new vehicle at our expense?

c. Medical calls don't need two ambulances for one patient. Rural Metro responds to every medical call that the Town's various fire departments respond two. The equipment costs for these calls are high. How much does it cost to buy and maintain on ambulance per department that rarely transports patients to the hospital? Hamburg should follow suit with Lackawanna and Buffalo Fire Departments. These companies stock a sport utility vehicle with ems equipment and respond in conjunction with the ambulance service. That makes sense. Actually, Hamburg is as large as a small city. It might make sense to run a town wide fire department like a city department. That would certainly be safer and more cost effective for residents.

d. Fire departments have waaaaay too much political pull.

*Buffalo sends out a pumper truck or a ladder truck with equipment for first aid (squad calls) - they always beat the ambulance to the scene and prep the patients as best they can - then they sit and Waite for the ambulance crew - sometimes as much as 20 minutes before it arrives. Buffalo should use "Squad Vehicles or their own ambulances" this way they could transport patients and recover the fee from the insurance companies .

*Personally : I believe you have it back wards - the Fire Departments don't have to much political pull - usually the government funding them hold the funds out like carrots - vote this way or we will cut your funding!

[scooter1251]

erine jewett is the mayor

[bwilson]

Three police dept in the town. There should only be one.
I would be interested in hearing from tb candidates on this one in particular Best and Guglizza

[TheBlueEagle]

Well said bwilson.

All four candidates should discuss this in depth.

[TheBlueEagle]

*Personally : I believe you have it back wards - the Fire Departments don't have to much political pull - usually the government funding them hold the funds out like carrots - vote this way or we will cut your funding!

This evaluation would be accurate if we were discussing Buffalo City elections. However, we are discussing the Town of Hamburg. These two cases are distinct. Volunteer fire departments are constitute a powerful voting force in townwide elections. Fire chiefs and line officers are well known and highly respected members of the community with the ability to pull a large base of voters together for a candidate/issue.

[bwilson]

Well said bwilson.

All four candidates should discuss this in depth.

especially those two though as they are the only ones with law enforcement background and education. I would be particularly interested to hear Mr. Bests thoughts especially regarding the Blasdell force. He seems to have some strong support in the Blasdell village governemnt, however I would imagine the Repub platform this year would encourage "trimming the fat" in Blasdell village hall....I could be wrong and welcome/encourage any repubs to respond.

[MarkLV]

Who's this mayor guy out in Blasdell?

Ernest J. Jewett (D)

I think his father was mayor before him, for many years.

Tom Best is listed as their Chief Of Police for Blasdell. Not certain if he still holds that position or not.

[My2cents]

Ernest J. Jewett (D)

I think his father was mayor before him, for many years.

Tom Best is listed as their Chief Of Police for Blasdell. Not certain if he still holds that position or not.

Tom Best retired from that position last year.

[4248]

This evaluation would be accurate if we were discussing Buffalo City elections. However, we are discussing the Town of Hamburg. These two cases are distinct. Volunteer fire departments are constitute a powerful voting force in townwide elections. Fire chiefs and line officers are well known and highly respected members of the community with the ability to pull a large base of voters together for a candidate/issue.

Thats exactly why they are not the ones with as was said ,"Political pull." I am not disputing what you perceive - I am just offering a different point of view.

The Politicians in area's like Lancaster and Hamburg control the purse strings.(I only mentioned Buffalo to correct the misstatement about squad call responses.) The Politicians know as you stated :


: Volunteer fire departments constitute a powerful voting force in townwide elections. Fire chiefs and line officers are well known and highly respected members of the community with the ability to pull a large base of voters together for a candidate/issue .


Fire Chiefs and Line Officers (Volunteer Guys & Gals) are usually dedicated to their Community - not Politicians . They will put out a fire regardless of who's in office . A true firefighter will do whatever , with whatever equipment he or she has to put that fire out .

Why do you think the Politicians fund those new SUV's and Firefighting Equipment ? They know by keeping those well respected Chiefs happy , they will endorse them and encourage others to support them as well .

The Politicians , when needed will tell the Chiefs and Firefighters - "We have always supported you guys $tax dollars$ , we are grateful for what you do for your Town (Votes), the other guys (challengers) want to cut your funding (save tax dollars.) Haven't we (our party) always been there for you ($tax dollars$)


Why do you think when it comes time for the Politicians to fund these Volunteers - its done by Board Vote , not by public referendum (public vote) ?

Push to have it (the funding for volunteers ) a public vote and watch the Politicians squirm and cry .

Put that out as an election "issue" - ask them all (candidates/incumbents) to commit to answering the question ,


"Should the funding for our Volunteers be done by Public Vote -
not Village or Town Board vote ? ":confused:

[HamburgVoter]

"Should the funding for our Volunteers be done by Public Vote -
not Village or Town Board vote ? ":confused:

Public voting on a budget is only allowed in leagally constituted Fire Districts where Fire Chiefs and other staff officers are also elected by a public vote. There are a few in Erie County. I believe that all of West Seneca is covered by elected Fire Districts.

[My2cents]

Lakeview also.

[TheBlueEagle]

Public voting on a budget is only allowed in leagally constituted Fire Districts where Fire Chiefs and other staff officers are also elected by a public vote. There are a few in Erie County. I believe that all of West Seneca is covered by elected Fire Districts.

I don't know if publicly elected fire cheifs are good for the community. That opens the fire department up to the control of the political machine. Regardless, taxpayers should be able to vote on ALL budgets.

[4248]

Public voting on a budget is only allowed in leagally constituted Fire Districts where Fire Chiefs and other staff officers are also elected by a public vote. There are a few in Erie County. I believe that all of West Seneca is covered by elected Fire Districts.


Is there a "Law" the covers that ?


You said "Allowed" please explain :confused:

Thanks!

[What's Right]

" I try not to commit a deliberate sin. I recognize that I'm going to do it anyhow, because I'm human and I'm tempted. And Christ set some almost impossible standards for us. Christ said, 'I tell you that anyone who looks on a woman with lust has in his heart already committed adultery.'
"I've looked on a lot of women with lust. I've committed adultery in my heart many times. This is something that God recognizes I will do--and I have done it--and God forgives me for it."

[bwilson]

on a mission for what? to do what ? with who? and it will be for the betterment of what community?

[My2cents]

Who are you quoting?

[bwilson]

jimmy carter

[bwilson]

Governing Principles
PREAMBLE

The Hamburg Republican Committee is dedicated to promoting the principles of limited government, individual freedom, free enterprise, and equal opportunity for all people. We believe that the proper role of government is to provide only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations and that the government which maintains order, administers justice, and removes obstacles to the free exchange of goods, at the least expense and greatest efficiency to its citizens, is preferable to all others. The Hamburg Republican Committee believes that strong families and respect for life are the cornerstones of a stable community and we support policies that affirm traditional family values and defend the most vulnerable in our society. To these ends, our committee will work to recruit and support candidates who champion our principles and share our beliefs.

[My2cents]

And your point here is?

[bwilson]

family values? strip clubs? see a conflict?

[My2cents]

Not really. Do you even know the connection. Are you implying that he frequents this establishment? Maybe there is another connection. Because you accept a donation from a strip club does not mean you lack family values.

[bwilson]

I guess you're right...come to think of it I long for the days when I would pack up the kids and take them out for a night at the local strip joint...they just grow up so fast it seems like it was just yesterday when I bought my son his first lapdance..I'll never forge that day

[My2cents]

So you are saying he frequents the place.

[bwilson]

did i write that?

[My2cents]

You are strongly implying that he does. You are making the leap from receiving a donation to him being a patron.

[bwilson]

I don't think i'm even getting close to that, but to verify I will state right no I have no intention to imply Tom Best goes to strip clubs.

I do believe that accepting the donation was not very bright

It's not like he's hurting for cash

[bwilson]

You are strongly implying that he does. You are making the leap from receiving a donation to him being a patron.

na i'm doing nothing of the sort

[My2cents]

So you believe he should not support business in Hamburg unless they fall into your acceptable list.

[My2cents]

So you are trashing his family values based on a donation. That, also, is not a very bright. You are fabricating in order to bad mouth Best and it sucks.

[bwilson]

So you believe he should not support business in Hamburg unless they fall into your acceptable list.


yep that's it! That's what I was trying to say...I'm thankful you were able to put it into words for me.

[My2cents]

yep that's it! That's what I was trying to say...I'm thankful you were able to put it into words for me.

I'm sorry again, I should bow before you. We live to serve you your heiness.

[bwilson]

So you are trashing his family values based on a donation. That, also, is not a very bright. You are fabricating in order to bad mouth Best and it sucks.
fabricating what?

[My2cents]

An illusion that you want posters to see. You are trying to make a connection that does not exist for your gain. You toe the line trying to stay in the realm of deniability but we are not stupid. You proved a fact that he received a donation fron 24kt. Good work. But you cannot prove anything more and you continue to press the family values issue. You are putting ideas out there you cannot prove in order to stir up dirt on Best. If you think that this issue will hurt him think again.

[bwilson]

ok
I will

[bwilson]

still think it hurts him...if you think it helps him...you're insane

[My2cents]

Never said it would help him. I think it is a neutral issue. It will be lost in the following days of the campaign. The fact we are wasting time on this issue is ridiculous.

[What's Right]

Never said it would help him. I think it is a neutral issue. It will be lost in the following days of the campaign. The fact we are wasting time on this issue is ridiculous.This is not a neurtral issue. It is a stupid issue. I can not believe anyone could be so stupid. It proves my point and it will keep proving my point over and over again throughout this campaign. Tom Best is a nice guy but a bad decision maker. He decides to takes money from a bunch of strippers and thinks it's OK. Well it is not O'K. People are upset. He better get somone involved in the campaign that knows what they are doing.

[PaulJonson]

My2cents, I have an extremely hard time believing that if this was listed on Dick Smith's filing you would not be the first one to point it out, and formulate some sentence along the lines of "Career politician continues his sleazy ways..."

[j.camareri]

This is not a neurtral issue. It is a stupid issue. I can not believe anyone could be so stupid. It proves my point and it will keep proving my point over and over again throughout this campaign. Tom Best is a nice guy but a bad decision maker. He decides to takes money from a bunch of strippers and thinks it's OK. Well it is not O'K. People are upset. He better get somone involved in the campaign that knows what they are doing.

What is the deal? So on one hand, you think Kevin Smardz is a fundamentalist, far-out Christian who wants to convert everyone he knows. On the other hand, you think Tom Best is this awful sinner.

I am in agreement that accepting money from the local strip joint wasn't a great decision, but as stated by others, it is a legitimate business. In the long run though, I don't think his supporters are going to hold it against him. He has a fundraiser next week, so we'll see what the turn out is like.

You have to remember, this is a country that forgave Bill Clinton for certain, um, acts, committed in the White House. Tom Best doing nothing more than accepting a check from a strip club owner, while not the most couth decision, is much more benign.

[Lookinforanswers]

This is not a neurtral issue. It is a stupid issue. I can not believe anyone could be so stupid. It proves my point and it will keep proving my point over and over again throughout this campaign. Tom Best is a nice guy but a bad decision maker. He decides to takes money from a bunch of strippers and thinks it's OK. Well it is not O'K. People are upset. He better get somone involved in the campaign that knows what they are doing.

It is a legitimate business operated according to the laws. Grow up. I bet if there were some of the strippers at his next fundraiser, he would make even more money. Let's not go through life with blinders on - a businessman made a legitimate donation according to the rules, that's it. As long as it's legal, it doesn't matter. Hell, we practically anointed Snowden County Exec and that's where he makes his money. He is lauded for his success.

[What's Right]

It is a legitimate business operated according to the laws. Grow up. I bet if there were some of the strippers at his next fundraiser, he would make even more money. Let's not go through life with blinders on - a businessman made a legitimate donation according to the rules, that's it. As long as it's legal, it doesn't matter. Hell, we practically anointed Snowden County Exec and that's where he makes his money. He is lauded for his success.No one anointed Snowden County Exec. You are right it is a legit busniess, one that exploits women.

[Newjack]

You have got to be kidding...There is no money more filthy than from the Dems..The people that "If you don't go to my fundraiser or contribute to my party, then you will get fired or not get that job! Just ask all of the Town employees. Then ask them if they were told to go or give and by who! That is dirty no filthy money!!!!!!

[j.camareri]

You have got to be kidding...There is no money more filthy than from the Dems..The people that "If you don't go to my fundraiser or contribute to my party, then you will get fired or not get that job! Just ask all of the Town employees. Then ask them if they were told to go or give and by who! That is dirty no filthy money!!!!!!

Precisely.

Very few will care about this donation, now or in November. It costs money to run a campaign. A businessman, no matter how disgraceful one may view his business, offered up a donation to support a candidate. The reality is, as stated before, Tom Best put his life on the line as a police officer for decades. That is what will resonate with the public.

Frankly, I'd rather see Tom Best, recipient of the scandalous 24KT donation, sit up on the board and help bring positive change to this town, than an arrogant 30+ years-in-office politician, who would absolutely maintain status quo.

It's my understanding that certain Democrats have made many town employees feel compelled to purchase tickets to fundraisers and have forced them to actively campaign (with signs and literature), holding over their heads the future of their jobs. That's downright sleazy.

[HamburgVoter]

Frankly, I'd rather see Tom Best, recipient of the scandalous 24KT donation, sit up on the board and help bring positive change to this town, than an arrogant 30+ years-in-office politician, who would absolutely maintain status quo.

When Dick Smith was in the Assembly, he accepted $250.00 from NY State Beer Wholesalers & $200.00 from Innkeepers Assn of WNY. Since a lot is being insinuated about the donation from 24KT, do these make Dick Smith a drunk?

[bwilson]

When Dick Smith was in the Assembly, he accepted $250.00 from NY State Beer Wholesalers & $200.00 from Innkeepers Assn of WNY. Since a lot is being insinuated about the donation from 24KT, do these make Dick Smith a drunk?


maybe it means he shops in grocery stores and stays in hotels! the horror!

[My2cents]

My2cents, I have an extremely hard time believing that if this was listed on Dick Smith's filing you would not be the first one to point it out, and formulate some sentence along the lines of "Career politician continues his sleazy ways..."

Your inability to believe is not my problem.

[HamburgVoter]

maybe it means he shops in grocery stores and stays in hotels! the horror!

Or maybe it means that he likes his beer?

[PaulJonson]

When Dick Smith was in the Assembly, he accepted $250.00 from NY State Beer Wholesalers & $200.00 from Innkeepers Assn of WNY. Since a lot is being insinuated about the donation from 24KT, do these make Dick Smith a drunk?

He recently took money from a concrete company, funeral home and a trucking company---So it's totalling obvious he is making concrete shoes for people, having a wake for them and then moving them via trucks to the lake.

[j.camareri]

He recently took money from a concrete company, funeral home and a trucking company---So it's totalling obvious he is making concrete shoes for people, having a wake for them and then moving them via trucks to the lake.

PJ's satirical statement makes the perfect point: that it's ridiculous to paint Tom Best with some kind of "sinner" brush just because he accepted a donation from a businessman happens to own a less-than-mainstream business. By the way, to those who say "It exploits women," unless you go public and start picketing on behalf of those you believe are victimized or actively join some sort of grass-roots group to "save" these women (who don't seem to be choosing this "profession" under duress), quit with that argument--it's transparent and clearly only being used for the sake of denigrating Tom Best. Furthermore, under whose tenure was the business approved? That business has been around for some time...

[HamburgVoter]

And talk about hypocrites!

The Dems make a huge deal out of a campaign contribution but today at Burgerfest, they were selling "Vinnie G Italian Sausage" and "Dick Smith burgers" What can we read in to that??? (if we wanted to)

[My2cents]

I was personally turned off by that. I went by the Republican booth and the menu was the same (w/o the tacky personalized fare) and , correct me if I am wrong, a little cheaper. I also noticed more people around their stand. Hmmm.

[HamburgVoter]

I happened by the Foits site today and boy was I lucky that I did. What transpired showed the differences in attitudes in this campaign and in Hamburg politics in general.

Both Supervisor Walters and Dick Smith were there discussing the demolition. I didn't hear most of the conversation but what I did hear was shocking (to me at least).

Dick Smith was saying that it was great that the building was down. What he "saw now was a break wall" and pointed out in to the Lake.

What Supervisor Walters said was "I'd like to see a tax cut."

Dick Smith just walked away (quickly, I must add).

Great contrast! The Democrat sees public money being spent and wants to spend even more! The Republican is thinking about those paying the bills.

[My2cents]

I happened by the Foits site today and boy was I lucky that I did. What transpired showed the differences in attitudes in this campaign and in Hamburg politics in general.

Both Supervisor Walters and Dick Smith were there discussing the demolition. I didn't hear most of the conversation but what I did hear was shocking (to me at least).

Dick Smith was saying that it was great that the building was down. What he "saw now was a break wall" and pointed out in to the Lake.

What Supervisor Walters said was "I'd like to see a tax cut."

Dick Smith just walked away (quickly, I must add).

Great contrast! The Democrat sees public money being spent and wants to spend even more! The Republican is thinking about those paying the bills.


;) .....