Letter to the Citizens of Lackawanna

[Citizensoflackawanna]

An Open Letter To The Citizens of Lackawanna

On behalf of the members of the Citizens of Lackawanna’s Future, I wish to thank everyone who took the time to join us this past Thursday, October 22, for a council debate which was held for the First, Second and Third Ward candidates. We would also like to thank the Women League of Voters for being the moderator and timekeeper for this meeting. A special thank you to the candidates who have the courage to run for public office and face the citizens.

Although the City of Lackawanna has eight candidates running for council positions, only two participated; Ms. Andrea Haxton, the incumbent from the First Ward and newcomer Dennis M. Mulqueen who is seeking the Third Ward seat.

To our surprise, we found out that some candidates were told not to partake in this event, by all people, the chairman of their party. It is appalling that the chairman of any party would not encourage their endorsed candidate(s) to listen to and answer the people. As a matter of fact, the incumbent candidate for the second ward did everything but call our group liars when we informed him that the Woman League of Voters would be moderating. We had to contact the League during a council meeting for his verification of their assistance in this debate.

We have a real problem in Lackawanna concerning our elected officials and certain individuals who think they can just tell us what they are going to do and we, as citizens of this City do not have any say about the representation of our community. We must hold responsible any person, whether Democrat, Republican or otherwise, who knowingly avoids citizens from asking what they, as candidates, morally and ethically plan to do to for the people they wish to represent while in office.

As voters, we should not even contemplate giving someone a vote that does not have the valor to allow the residents of the ward in which they seek to represent, the opportunity to determine who is the best prospect worthy of their vote by asking them questions.

As Chairman of the Citizens of Lackawanna’s Future, I promise that we will keep the citizens of Lackawanna updated on what our elected city officials are doing and that we will hold each of them accountable for their actions and the representation of the needs of each of their wards while they are in office. After all, they work for us, not the other way around.

Sincerely,

John Ingram
Chairman,
Citizens of Lackawanna’s Future


Candidates seeking Lackawanna City Council seats

First Ward: Andrea Haxton, Incumbent
Abdulsalam K. Noman
Joseph Jerge
William Minniefield

Second Ward: Geoffrey Szymanski, Incumbent
Timothy Blarr

Third Ward: Francis Kulczyk, Incumbent
Dennis M. Mulqueen

[andreahaxton]

My day was not going the way I planned it---I had the wrong shoes and lipstick with me, but at 6:59 I was calmly at my seat at the debate table and........BAM!
NO opponents to debate the issues that plague Lackawanna with! What happened fellas??? No call---No show! :mad: You both could have been professional enough to call and decline the invitation. You both had committed to debate me so what happened to change your minds? You could have sent a representative. Short of a severe family or personal emergency I would have crawled there on my knees because I am so committed to the people/City of Lackawanna!
The open letter states you guys were TOLD NOT to come--as a citizen I am horrified to think about what decisions you will be told to vote for if you get elected! More puppets to do boss hog's bidding? Please! You already told the public what you think about them! :rolleyes:
It is called accountability ---responsibility and BACKBONE! and I can not leave out Class!

Appr. 50 citizens came out to hear Lackawanna City Council Candidates debate each other about their city concerns and you guys stiff! Wow!

If I had employees like you two no-calls/no-shows I know what choice I would be forced to make! NO GO on with the job!

I must be a pretty powerful woman to scare two men away! I'm bad-I'm bad!
Wooo Wooo!
All kidding aside I find it an insult to the good people and it shouts from the mountaintops about what the Democratic Party of Lackawanna is all about---them self, NOT THE PEOPLE! What arrogance, audacity, and lack of caring about the public!

Silent majority it is time to unite and take back OUR city from the club who does not play by the rules.
Go Vote:)Go Vote:)Go Vote:)!

[cath829]

There was a lot more than 50 people there!!

[zanna vaida]

Nobody kept a count? No sign up sheet to follow up?

[Lorrie_Whitfield]

My day was not going the way I planned it---I had the wrong shoes and lipstick with me, but at 6:59 I was calmly at my seat at the debate table and........BAM!
NO opponents to debate the issues that plague Lackawanna with! What happened fellas??? No call---No show! :mad: You both could have been professional enough to call and decline the invitation. You both had committed to debate me so what happened to change your minds? You could have sent a representative. Short of a severe family or personal emergency I would have crawled there on my knees because I am so committed to the people/City of Lackawanna!
The open letter states you guys were TOLD NOT to come--as a citizen I am horrified to think about what decisions you will be told to vote for if you get elected! More puppets to do boss hog's bidding? Please! You already told the public what you think about them! :rolleyes:
It is called accountability ---responsibility and BACKBONE! and I can not leave out Class!

Appr. 50 citizens came out to hear Lackawanna City Council Candidates debate each other about their city concerns and you guys stiff! Wow!

If I had employees like you two no-calls/no-shows I know what choice I would be forced to make! NO GO on with the job!

I must be a pretty powerful woman to scare two men away! I'm bad-I'm bad!
Wooo Wooo!
All kidding aside I find it an insult to the good people and it shouts from the mountaintops about what the Democratic Party of Lackawanna is all about---them self, NOT THE PEOPLE! What arrogance, audacity, and lack of caring about the public!

Silent majority it is time to unite and take back OUR city from the club who does not play by the rules.
Go Vote:)Go Vote:)Go Vote:)!

That is a great Letter! I wish i could print off copies and give them to All Of Andrea's oponents supporters. Better yet anyone know where i can get this thing blown up to poster size? Im serious for all the poeple who dont get online this letter needs to be seen by all....perfectly worded!

[la_rez]

That is a great Letter! I wish i could print off copies and give them to All Of Andrea's oponents supporters. Better yet anyone know where i can get this thing blown up to poster size? Im serious for all the poeple who dont get online this letter needs to be seen by all....perfectly worded!

You could put it on a billboard and it still wont matter. Its over for Andrea!! Noman crushed her in the primary and it will be a bigger margin of victory in november. So keep the money you were thinkin about using for copies or posters and use it for somethin else. Its not even gonna be close.

[Lorrie_Whitfield]

Thanks for your opinion but I also think that the Primary turn out was crappy also. Come on how many 1st ward residents are there eligible to vote? I will fully support my candidate till the end. Giving up now is crazy. Andrea is gaining votes everyday. The guy across the street is now an Andrea supporter and if it wasn't for such huge Arabic community support Noman would have no chance. Not once have i heard Noman speak on what he will do for Lackawanna. That in itself is scary and people are seeing that. So think as you do, it somewhat seems like you are scared about me getting the word out about the possible corruption that involves the other candidate. People should at least be able to make an informed decision before they cast their vote, my voice will help make that possible.

[andreahaxton]

Dear Lorrie and all Citizens who Believe in me,;)

THANK YOU ALL! :) Your support and kindness will never be forgotten!
I appreciate everything that you do to help me! So many of you understand the fight------God Bless you for it!:cool:

Respectfully,
Your Friend,
Andrea Haxton

SUNSHINE PARTY!:)ANDREA===Sunshine Party:)ANDREA===SUNSHINE:):):):)

[la_rez]

Thanks for your opinion but I also think that the Primary turn out was crappy also. Come on how many 1st ward residents are there eligible to vote? I will fully support my candidate till the end. Giving up now is crazy. Andrea is gaining votes everyday. The guy across the street is now an Andrea supporter and if it wasn't for such huge Arabic community support Noman would have no chance. Not once have i heard Noman speak on what he will do for Lackawanna. That in itself is scary and people are seeing that. So think as you do, it somewhat seems like you are scared about me getting the word out about the possible corruption that involves the other candidate. People should at least be able to make an informed decision before they cast their vote, my voice will help make that possible.

Ask andrea who put her in office? The muslim community were her biggest supporters. What a big mistake that was. She turned on them after being elected. Ask her and im sure she will give you all the details. And why wouldnt noman have a chanceif not for the muslims? Please explain this hateful statement. He is way more liked in the first ward than andrea

[tiredofbs]

Noman crushed her in the primary and it will be a bigger margin of victory in november. The turn out of voters in the primary was very low. What makes you think it will be an even bigger margin in November?

[la_rez]

The turn out of voters in the primary was very low. What makes you think it will be an even bigger margin in November?

Jerge had over 300 votes and he is backing noman. You might think thats not a big deal but its huge

[literal]

You could put it on a billboard and it still wont matter. Its over for Andrea!! Its not even gonna be close.

Well I am NO politician but, I wouldn't count Andrea out! When I heard no candidiate in my ward would be attending the debate...I did not attend. Shame on ME!

Yes, all candidates should have been there. Everything Andrea put in her post was right on. She won A LOT of support by showing up and answering questions.

I have only heard GOOD things about Andrea since that debate night. So....

What man has planned to use for evil, GOD WILL USE FOR GOOD.

BEST OF LUCK ANDREA!

[mnb811]

Wonder how much Jerge paid for them 300votes???

[tiredofbs]

Jerge had over 300 votes and he is backing noman. You might think thats not a big deal but its hugeJerge backing Noman, what do you think that means? You say all Andrea does is COMPLAIN about the "good ole boys". She is not complaining, she is ENLIGHTENING citizens with the truth about what goes on in the orange crate. I do not know Mr. Noman and have absolutely nothing against him, however if Jerge's crew is backing him, then Noman is or will be beholding to the Democratic Party which will make him one of the "boys".

If you have friends in others wards encourage them to vote those incumbents out, and give Dennis Mulqueen and Tim Blarr a chance. I think once that's accomplished Andrea will have much better rapport with the new council members.This is the way we should go.

[Lorrie_Whitfield]

Ask andrea who put her in office? The muslim community were her biggest supporters. What a big mistake that was. She turned on them after being elected. Ask her and im sure she will give you all the details. And why wouldnt noman have a chanceif not for the muslims? Please explain this hateful statement. He is way more liked in the first ward than andrea

I don't feel it's a hateful statement at all. I don't have nothing against Muslims. But it is a fact if you drive around the 1st ward Nomans primary supporters are those of his own. If Noman were to run against Andrea 4 years ago who is to say that his Muslim supporters wouldn't have backed him up then. So for Andrea to have the Muslim support back than, great but I have no idea if a Muslim was running against her at that time. Andrea has many Muslim friends matter of fact I don't know one nationality Andrea isn't friends with, she's a people person. My gripe about Noman isn't what his beliefs are as long as he keeps them personal and don't bring them into political decisions, my problem is he cares not to say in detail what exactually he will do for Lackawanna. I have no doubt Noman has other supporters besides Muslims but all I'm saying is that people who share his beliefs are more likely to stick with what they know. I do not feel he is way more liked than Andrea. Andrea mingles with the residents, gives info about services and always makes her presence. Noman seems too reserved to be a "peoples Person". His wife will not mingle with no one besides Muslim women. I have to know my counsel person is a family person. His kids should be able to play with mine. He should personally invite the other kids on this street to functions in which he holds. A counsel person will always make the community aware of events. We never have received an invite in the 4 years we have lived by him. That's why I just feel he may be for his own people and not the whole community. So I ask again "what is his plans for the community as a whole"? My personal opinion and I could be wrong and that's to be proven - my worry is that since the Muslims follow such strict ways in life that his beliefs will come before what's good for the whole community. Do you think it's possible to separate religion and politics?

Sorry if this offenede anyone...it wasn't ment to :-(

[Lorrie_Whitfield]

The turn out of voters in the primary was very low. What makes you think it will be an even bigger margin in November?

People who choose to sit out and not vote in the primary and see that their canadate is lacking votes normally get off their butt in November and support their canadate. People dont think primaries are a big deal.......why else is the turnout of the general election larger than the primary. Normally people sit the primary out to see what the numbers are and then they decide that it's time to get out and vote and give their candidate all the support they need to pull off the win!

primaries always have low turnout...but you just wait till NOVEMBER!!!!!! Andrea's supporters will be out in full effect!

[andreahaxton]

[QUOTE=la_rez;563896]Ask andrea who put her in office? The muslim community were her biggest supporters. What a big mistake that was. She turned on them after being elected. Ask her and im sure she will give you all the details. And why wouldnt noman have a chanceif not for the muslims? Please explain this hateful statement. He is way more liked in the first ward than andrea[/QUOTE





"turned on the Muslim Community?" "He is way more liked in the first ward than andrea"----. "hateful statement"? :rolleyes:

Please spare me your childish attempt to rock my boat! :p MY/Our ship has been on the same course for the First Ward of Lackawanna where I was born 56 years ago for " 20 " years solid----land is in sight and we are casting the anchor! I have no time for YOUR hateful statements about me! :)

p.s. Tip: You just push the shift key to make capitals and spell check is on top.

[literal]

Well, the Front Page is out today.

Cover Page is...Warthling Condemns Sham Debate (Shadow organization misrepresented itself to voters of Lackawanna....)
Please, DO NOT beat up Fran Warthling.
He does explain the other side of the story with some interesting facts. Read the article for yourself.

Inside cover page is a letter to the editor from Joe Jerge. Again, please DO NOT beat up Joe. He is a great guy and entitled to his opinion. He is asking for his supporters to back Mr. Noman. I wish Joe GOOD HEALTH and give him a lot of credit for putting his health FIRST!

BOTTOM LINE: Each person must vote their conscience. Hopefully, people will come out to cast their vote....

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF OUR CANDIDATES!!

[cath829]

Fran,

Call the League of Woman Voters.....No Sham. The ONLY sham here is that YOUR candidates REFUSED to meet the people!!

[runningdownadream]

The disgusting despicable comments by the Democratic Chairman known as Fran Warthling should tell people that these goons are hiding something.To say his guys found about the event the day before is an ABSOLUTE lie as I witnessed Mr.Szymanski refuse to talk to the League of Women Voters on monday October 19th at the city's council meeting.This is not what we the people call a democracy and this is totally disrespecting the principles our country was founded on.The real SHAM IS YOU AND YOUR PARTY DECIEVING THE CITIZENS FOR YEARS. We are on to you and your deceptive ways.This is not your kingdom Fran and it is time for the citizens to take their city back.......you can do this by voting anybody other than the people Fran is supporting. That hopefully will make his kingdom end up like rome or the berlin wall!!!

[mnb811]

Kudos to runningdown a dream whoever you are to stand up and speak your mind on the deception and corruption that has been going on for years. Its time for the citizens of Lackawanna to stand up and say enough is enough to the bullies @ city hall who get away with murder so to speak. The day will come when the almighty powers that be will fall and us the citizens who have been cheated for years will sit back and watch with big smiles on our faces

[runningdownadream]

Did the "Pillar of the Community" Boo-HOO????? Still can't hide from the truth that he and the DEMOCRATIC PARTY are lying to the citizens of Lackawanna with his BS article in the front page. What is "appalling" is that he himself "BLATANTLY and KNOWINGLY" lied and he had it printed in the front page by his good, POLITICAL friend, Billy Delmont. Like people don't see him sneaking into the front page on a daily basis. The Citizens of Lackawanna DEMAND a retraction from the LIAR called the Democratic Chairman, just like you made Larry Murphy do for printing the TRUTH about you in his article. You, Fran Warthling are the SHAM along with the people you support!!! Now everyone knows the front page is nothing but a bought and paid for political RAG!

[minimello]

FRan Warthing is not worthy.By the way what do we need Committee people
for? They're not visable except at election time to do the bidding of the Chairman and his cronnies. Most people don't even know who their committee person is. Do the committe people know that they're suppose to be a LIAISON between their constituents and their Councilperson? IT"S about time someone tells them their elected duties..........

[runningdownadream]

Hope people see what a farce this city has become and what kind of corrupt political leaders we have.These guys will say anything to make themselves look good. All they had to do was show up!! That was the real SHAM and for Mr. Kulczyk saying he will be visibale and available is a joke. He has never even put his picture in the front page. Why do you think that is?? Becasue he can't walk the talk....he only knows how to sit there and have his strings pulled by the DUMB-O-CRATS. All he knows how to do is JUMP when jaworski says so and no when told not to. He is a YES man for the corrupt people in City Hall.

[mnb811]

Fran,

Call the League of Woman Voters.....No Sham. The ONLY sham here is that YOUR candidates REFUSED to meet the people!!

I don't think he knows the number...or has the wrong one.....:D I suppose the next SHAM he comes up with is that the league of woman voters people that were there are either phony or accomplices in decieving all the people that were there. This guy is the biggest liar since Richard Nixon. Please read this crap he put out and you will see for yourself that this clown will say or do anything to stay in power. If you read Mr.Ingram's letter you will see that he says party leaders told their people not to show.Mr.Warthling's article confirms this.His letter also states that they told them at council meeting which was three days prior to debate and that Mr.Szymanski would not take the phone to talk to League of Women Voters. So Mr.Warthling is lying about when his people knew.We can confirm they knew 3 days prior not the day before like he says.

[cath829]

Originally posted by Literal on October 28.

Well, the Front Page is out today.

Cover Page is...Warthling Condemns Sham Debate (Shadow organization misrepresented itself to voters of Lackawanna....)
Please, DO NOT beat up Fran Warthling.
He does explain the other side of the story with some interesting facts. Read the article for yourself.
__________________________________________________
What facts? The only truth to Fran's article is that he admitted what the Citizens of Lackawanna's Future had said all along... that he told his candiadtes NOT to attend. I have known Fran for many years, my opinion of him has now changed. Two things I absolutely HATE are liars and thieves......one of which he has just proven to the whole city. Sorry, Fran, but this is the truth....written in black and white with quotes around it!! Your whole article is FALSE!!

[DennisMulqueen]

They are only trying to cover their butts for not being accountable.This article is totally false. The League of Women Voters was there and he admits to telling his people not to show up. For someone who says he was smeared by Larry Murphy's article I find it amusing that he would smear some organization he knows nothing about. I myself was told not to show up but I did.My truck had broken down in Rochester .I had it fixed.Then I arrived at home at 6:40pm and got ready and was there at 659pm. I know for a fact that advance notice was given. I was told on October 15th along with the two other republican candidiates.I know they knew because I talked to them that day.To say you heard about it the day before in the front page is a joke. It was in the Buffalo News in Mondays October 19 paper also because I saw it and kept the paper if anybody needs to see.I take my open government and accountability platform seriously that is why I made every effort to get there even after problems occcured during my work day.Like the old truck driver saying goes If you can't run with the big dogs stay on the porch.That is effectively what his people did they stayed on the porch.

[DennisMulqueen]

Literal there is no OTHER side to the story just the truth and the truth is his people did not show because he told them not to. There was at least 100 people there who know that the League of Women Voters was there. I can get some names for you including a few people from Buffalo and the Town of Boston if you need evidence to confirm this.Yes there were people from outside Lackawanna there and our image tanked even worse that night.

[andreahaxton]

" Evil seeks to suppress the truth and mislead the innocent! "

My opponents listened to a political boss and stiffed the debate?!? Hmmm.....:(
The democratic chairperson admitted in the official newspaper of the City of Lackawanna that, "HE TOLD THEM NOT TO ATTEND THE DEBATE". Hmmm.....:(
One of my opponents brags in the paper that he has been a democratic committeeman for 14 years----hmmmm....... :(
The only reason why the League of Womens Voters did not have the debate listed on their web page was because they did not sponsor the debate, Citizens for Lackawanna's' Future did.
Lame fran, lame.
The message my opponents sent to us is ringing loud and clear throughout the First Ward!
Hear ye---Hear ye!
We are already doing the bidding of the boss hogs over what is good for the people! I don't care about you ---I would rather be a member of the family and friends club and "git mine"---you don't matter to me, just vote for me.:(
Lame. and Enough!
This is a true example of back-room, bar-room, 1950 politics used to twist the facts and distort the truth to get the party YES men elected.

CITIZENS of Lackawanna---VOTE THE PERSON-NOT THE PARTY Line-up!
It is the only way we can break free of the boss hogs who dictate Lackawanna. This is why we get nothing---because they don't really care about us! If they did we would look better and have things for our kids.

[tiredofbs]

FRan Warthing is not worthy.By the way what do we need Committee people
for? They're not visable except at election time to do the bidding of the Chairman and his cronnies. Most people don't even know who their committee person is. Do the committe people know that they're suppose to be a LIAISON between their constituents and their Councilperson? IT"S about time someone tells them their elected duties..........Fran Warthling is a complete disgrace. He doesn't want to lose his control over this City. If he was just a regular citizen he would be battling Code Enforcement over all his bandaid repairs on properties. However, since he is who he is, Code Enforcement turns a blind eye.

I have the same question, what do we need committee people for? Who are the committee persons for each ward? Do they get paid for this position? If they are supposed to act as liaison then why are citizens told to contact their council person when they have an issue?

[YNOTNOW]

We are on to you and your deceptive ways.

I would sincerely hope that Councilwoman Haxton is one of the reasons people are waking up to this nightmare thrust upon the citizens by unscrupulous political bacteria. We wouldn't need a watchdog in city hall if it weren't diseased, but Andrea has done a great job of diagnosing the conditions there. Just imagine what germs are still lurking...

[literal]

I can get some names for you including a few people from Buffalo and the Town of Boston if you need evidence to confirm this.Yes there were people from outside Lackawanna there and our image tanked even worse that night.

No need to give me names. I believe you. Too bad this whole event played out the way it did......As for Fran, I am disappointed!

[tiredofbs]

We are on to you and your deceptive ways.

I would sincerely hope that Councilwoman Haxton is one of the reasons people are waking up to this nightmare thrust upon the citizens by unscrupulous political bacteria. We wouldn't need a watchdog in city hall if it weren't diseased, but Andrea has done a great job of diagnosing the conditions there. Just imagine what germs are still lurking...
It's scary to think about those germs like City Judges and Attorneys just to mention a few.

YNOTNOW, I absolutely love the way your post is worded.

[YNOTNOW]

Thank you tiredofbs, I have to say, I always look forward to reading your posts. I appreciate the way you backed me up when I tried learning about the Muslim people and THEY SHOT ME DOWN. It's no wonder that even the best diplomatic attempts to reach peace in the middle east have failed, they're conduct on this forum has taught me a lot about them.

[cath829]

Is Fran Warthling printing an apology to the Citizens of Lackawanna's Future and the League of Women Voters for the lies he had printed in the Front Page?Just want to know if he will stand up to his "pillar" status given to him by the Front Page and admit his wrongdoing?

[tiredofbs]

Is Fran Warthling printing an apology to the Citizens of Lackawanna's Future and the League of Women Voters for the lies he had printed in the Front Page?Just want to know if he will stand up to his "pillar" status given to him by the Front Page and admit his wrongdoing?Do you really think he will do the RIGHT thing?

[cath829]

It will surprise me IF he does!!:p