Removing Haxton goes too far
LA:
I agree that the council's plan to remove Haxton over her delinquent taxes goes too far. That's what elections are for, when taxpayers can express their concerns. There are remedies in law for Haxton, as for any other tax delinquent.
Once again DA Frank Clark is helping to perpetuate a culture of corruption by doing nothing about the Lackawanna Mayor's apparent blatantly illegal election misconduct. Clark did basically the same by alleging that obvious theft of Sloan Village funds by now-disbarred Town Atty (& former County Legislator) David Dale & the Village Clerk was of no concern to him.
The present campaign for DA needs to refocus on Frank Clark's repeated refusal to prosecute political corruption & white collar crime, as he is mandated to do.
Lackawanna Lawmaker in Handcuffs
It appears that Andrea Haxton is digging herself in deeper.
In addition to her property code violations, she has had another $3732 lien filed by the Erie County Water Authority. She has had 15 lien filings with the County Clerk since October 2003.
Quote:
http://www.wgrz.com/news/local/story...60970&catid=37
Lackawanna Lawmaker in HandcuffsPosted By: a a Date last updated: 9/27/2008 8:54:23 AM
Lackawanna City Councilwoman Andrea Haxton was taken into custody Friday after she didn't show up for a sentencing on code violations.
Andrea Haxton smiled and joked as she walked into Lackawanna City Court and just moments later, she was arrested.
The City Councilwomen owns a Ridge Road apartment building and store in Lackawanna. In January, she was cited for code violations and was supposed to be sentenced Friday morning.
When she did not show up, the judge issued a bench warrant for her arrest.
Eight hours later, she arrived. Police arrested her and she was lead into court in handcuffs.
Haxton told the judge she didn't know she was supposed to be in court. He let her go on the condition she return October 2nd for sentencing.
2 On Your Side's Kristin Donnelly asks, "Andrea, why didn't you show up today?"
"Because I didn't know about it, that's it case closed. I didn't know about it, it is the truth, it is the truth. I didn't know about this," Haxton answers.
"And will you be here next time?" asks Kristin Donnelly.
"Well, of course," she answers.
This isn't the only trouble Haxton's facing. She also owes the city thousands of dollars in back taxes.
Lackawanna Mayor Norman Polanski says, "It's a distraction to City Hall. It's an embarrassment to the City of Lackawanna and people to have to go through this time and time again."
The mayor says there's nothing he can do. The voters will have their say next year when Haxton is up for re-election.
Haxton may not have known
I know first hand how Lackawanna lies about sending court appearance letters, code violation notices, etc. They are all involved with surpressing anyone that speaks up against them. This includes the Judges, the Mayor, Code Enforcement, the Council, etc.