Haxton Declares War on Lackawanna City Hall Corruption!

[andreahaxton]

Just how do the good Citizens of Lackawanna break through the stranglehold "the machine" has on this City?

Political Machine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


In this 1899 cartoon from Puck, all of New York City politics revolves around boss Richard Croker.
A political machine (or simply machine) is a disciplined political organization in which an authoritative boss or small group commands the support of a corps of supporters and businesses (usually campaign workers), who receive rewards for their efforts. The power of the machine is based on the ability of the workers to get out the vote for their candidates on election day.

Although these elements are common to most political parties and organizations, they are essential to political machines, which rely on hierarchy and rewards for political power, often enforced by a strong party whip structure. Machines sometimes have a political boss, often rely on patronage, the spoils system, "behind-the-scenes" control, and longstanding political ties within the structure of a representative democracy. Machines typically are organized on a permanent basis instead of for a single election or event. The term may have a pejorative sense referring to corrupt political machines.


So do we sit back and let our anger about what they have done to OUR Schools and City turn to apathy, or do we adopt the attitude that, " We have just begun to fight! " ?

John Paul Jones

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


John Paul Jones (July 6, 1747 – July 18, 1792) was a Scottish sailor and the United States' first well-known naval fighter in the American Revolutionary War. Although he made enemies among America's political elites, his actions in British waters during the Revolution earned him an international reputation which persists to this day.

During his engagement with HMS Serapis, Jones uttered, according to the later recollection of his first lieutenant, the legendary reply to a taunt about surrender from the British captain: "I have not yet begun to fight!"

[andreahaxton]

Buzz-Buzz-Buzz, this City is blowing up with, " what if's " .....

I also find it amusing that politically connected people in Lackawanna are plotting vehemently about the final outcome of the Primary Election next week or so.
I crack up about some people like J.... who probably sleep with their cell phone. We all already know he drives around the city with it blatantly glued to his ear. Tons of people get cell phone tickets all over LA, never him.

Now for the gist.......Political Favors:

pork barrel

Definition:

political patronage

Synonyms:

back scratching, favors of office, logrolling, melon, patronage, payola, perks, perquisite, plum, political favor, pork, public crib, public till, public trough, spoils of office, taxpayer funds


The endorsed Democratic slate of " Team Szymanski "......it is all about " The Party ", right?

[andreahaxton]

Buzz-Buzz-Buzz, this City is blowing up with, " what if's " .....

I also find it amusing that politically connected people in Lackawanna are plotting vehemently about the final outcome of the Primary Election next week or so.
I crack up about some people like J.... who probably sleep with their cell phone. We all already know he drives around the city with it blatantly glued to his ear. Tons of people get cell phone tickets all over LA, never him.

Now for the gist.......Political Favors:

pork barrel

Definition:

political patronage

Synonyms:

back scratching, favors of office, logrolling, melon, patronage, payola, perks, perquisite, plum, political favor, pork, public crib, public till, public trough, spoils of office, taxpayer funds


The endorsed Democratic slate of " Team Szymanski "......it is all about " The Party ", right?

We are talking BIG $$money too folks through contracts, deals, companies, etc. down the road! I know how Geoff already voted, you can review all the facts on the City Council/City of Lackawanna web page for yourself. He was a very good robot for them the entire six years he has been in office as a public servant!
Who was he serving.....Us or Them?

Checks and Balances Law & Legal Definition
Checks and balances is a basic principle underlying the creation of American government. It involves the separation of powers, which assigns various powers and functions of government to separate and relatively independent levels and branches of the federal system in order to prevent their all being controlled at the same time by any potentially tyrannical political faction. With checks and balances, each of the three branches of government can limit the powers of the others. This way, no one branch becomes too powerful.


The Party is just putting in the second string.......maybe the third/forth........!

P.S. Not meant to hurt any one individual, just telling the truth about Party Politics and Candidate Control. Go watch Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, it is great!

[andreahaxton]

We are talking BIG $$money too folks through contracts, deals, companies, etc. down the road! I know how Geoff already voted, you can review all the facts on the City Council/City of Lackawanna web page for yourself. He was a very good robot for them the entire six years he has been in office as a public servant!
Who was he serving.....Us or Them?

Checks and Balances Law & Legal Definition
Checks and balances is a basic principle underlying the creation of American government. It involves the separation of powers, which assigns various powers and functions of government to separate and relatively independent levels and branches of the federal system in order to prevent their all being controlled at the same time by any potentially tyrannical political faction. With checks and balances, each of the three branches of government can limit the powers of the others. This way, no one branch becomes too powerful.


The Party is just putting in the second string.......maybe the third/forth........!

P.S. Not meant to hurt any one individual, just telling the truth about Party Politics and Candidate Control. Go watch Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, it is great!

TYRANNY:
This division of government is called the separation of powers. The separation of powers is supposed to prevent tyranny. Tyranny is random or unfair government action that can result when one person has all the power to make, enforce, and interpret the laws.

At this very moment under the watch of ALL of our Present Elected Officials, there are Lackawanna employees NOT living in Lackawanna and they condone it!
Why do they get away with breaking OUR Charter by allowing the law to be broken for their buddy/relative, for 8 years now that I know of, and they look the other way?

" Keep planting corn---and corn is what you'll get. " I love corn but it is time to plant asparagus......blue berries.......sweet potatoes.......grapes...mmmmm!

[andreahaxton]

Pardon,
Police and Fire exemt after appr. 11 years of service.

[andreahaxton]

March 2, 2009

Create Line Item "Transfer to Capital Funds"

Advises Council that in order to use a portion of the City's fund balance to pay for street resurfacing projects and not sell a bond that would generate interest and bond attorney costs, it will be necessary for the Council to amend the current budget and create a new line item, “Transfer to Capital funds.”

ROBERT MARCINIAK, COMPTROLLER

Moved by Jaworski, seconded by Szymanski, receive and file, act upon ordinance.

Yeas: Haxton, Szymanski, Kulczyk, Schiavi, Jaworski Carried 5 – 0

AGENDA

COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2011

www.ci.lackawanna.ny.us

Meeting called to order/Pledge of Allegiance

NB: Meeting being recorded.

Roll Call: Noman, Szymanski, Kulczyk, Schiavi, Jaworski

Dept.Heads: Law, Public Works, Public Safety, Recreation, Development

Hearings from Citizens:

Approval of Minutes of regular meeting of September6, 2011.

Departmental Reports:
1.City Compt. – AP Check Listing #2, August 31, 2011.
2.City Compt. – AP Check Listing #3, September 6, 2011.
3.City Clerk – Monthly report for August, 2011.
4.City Treas. – Receipts deposited in General Fund, August 2011.
Communications from the Mayor:

Mayor Polanski – requests Council review requests from Delta Development regarding safety issues at Victory Ridge Apartments.

Mayor Polanski – requests Council approve the resolution allowing the city to enter into an agreement with Erie County Water Authority regarding milling of streets and replacing water mains.

Communications from Council :

Council President Jaworski – seeks Council approval for the Lackawanna Line Dance Team to hold jamboree on Friday, October 21, 2011 at the Senior Center .

Communications from Department/Division Heads:

City Comptroller – seeks Council approval of transfers to balance all accounts in the red at July 31, 2011.

City Comptroller – advises Council of transfers made to balance accounts.

Comm. of Public Works – requests Council award contract for rehabilitation of Fire Houses #1 and #2 to Kirst Construction for the bid of $526,000.

Director of Development – submits information regarding the update of the 2005 Erie County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Resolutions :
A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Erie County Water Authority to undertake milling and asphalt overlay on streets to replace water mains on various streets.
Tabled Items:


Where oh where has OUR money gone....oh where oh where has it gone......?!?!

[andreahaxton]

12 years of .....what?

Reactive, definitely NOT proactive when it comes to taking care of Lackawanna.
Fire Stations (3)one being a pole building
City Hall
Senior Building
Bocce Court
The City Barns

Any other City owned property I missed?

They are nearing or over appr.. $8 mil that I know of " Floating " Bonds since 2006. The " Team " has been in power for 12 years, and they are just starting to fix OUR Fire Stations using credit! What about City Hall structure.....again, drive behind it and look at the decay up on second level. Why hasn't any of them complained about the shape of the building? Where is all the money going----how much debt service is piling up onto ALL of us? Where has the $6 mil surplus gone that was there two years ago?

[andreahaxton]

I have been asking for an itemized bill of the $ 5,000,000 Bond they FLOATED back in March and sold this summer finally to do projects THEY have neglected since THE TEAM took control of battered Lackawanna.

March 7, 2011 City Council Minute Archives:
Communications from Department/Division Heads:

Bond Ordinance – Street Resurfacing & Fire House Repairs:

To: City Council

Attached for your approval, is the $5,000,000 Bond Ordinance for the Resurfacing of Streets and Repairs to the Fire Houses as prepared by Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP. If you have any questions feel free to call.

ROBERT C. MARCINIAK, CITY COMPTROLLER

Moved by Jaworski, seconded by Noman to receive and file

Yeas: Noman, Kulczyk, Jaworski

Nays: Szymanski, Schiavi CARRIED 3-2

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Interesting.......VERY Interesting!

[andreahaxton]

April 4, 2011 Lackawanna City Council Meeting Minutes Archive

Bond Fire Dept. Repairs & Street Paving:

To: City Yeas: Noman, Szymanski, Kulczyk, Schiavi, Jaworski CARRIED 5-0Council

Attached for your approval in the $5,000,000 Bond Ordinance for the Resurfacing of Streets and Repairs to the Fire Houses as prepared by Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP. The original ordinance has been amended to provide $1.25M for the Firehouse repairs and $3.75M for street resurfacing.

ROBERT C. MARCINIAK, CITY COMPTROLLER

Moved by Jaworski, seconded by Szymanski to receive & file, act on ordinance.

Advertise for bids – Resurfacing Streets:

To: City Council

Please direct the City Clerk to advertise for bids for various paving projects during the 2011 paving season.

TOM LOVE, COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS

Moved by Szymanski, seconded by Noman to approve the request, City Clerk to advertise for bids.

Yeas: Noman, Szymanski, Kulczyk, Schiavi, Jaworski CARRIED 5-0

Moved by Schiavi, seconded by Kulczyk to approve request, award contract to VIP Property Maintenance and Emerald Dunes.

Yeas: Noman, Szymanski, Kulczyk, Schiavi, Jaworski CARRIED 5-0

Ordinances:

Bond Ordinance Firehouse Repairs – Street Resurfacing:
Original on File in City Clerk's Office:

An Ordinance authorizing the issuance of $5,000,000 Bonds of the City of Lackawanna , Erie County , New York , to pay the cost of various capital items for said City.

Moved by Jaworski, seconded by Szymanski to adopt the bond ordinance as written, City Clerk to publish in official newspaper in the City.

Yeas: Noman, Szymanski, Kulczyk, Schiavi, Jaworski CARRIED 5-0

[andreahaxton]

May 16, 2011 Lackawanna City Council Meeting Minute Archives:
Contract for Resurfacing Project:

To: City Council

TVGA Consultants has reviewed the bids as submitted and opened on May 11 th , 2011 for the 2011 Pavement Replacement Project – Phase I. TVGA has successfully worked with Destro Bros. Concrete Co., Inc. in the past, and the work was completed to the satisfaction of the owner. We therefore, recommend that the City of Lackawanna award the project to Destro Bros. Concrete Co., Inc. at their unit prices bid Base Bid items 1 through 9, and Alternate Bid items A-1 through A-5 with a total cost of $1,686,650,00.

KENNETH STRELL, SR., TVGA

I respectfully request your Honorable Body take the appropriate action and award the contract.

THOMAS LOVE, COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORK

Moved by Szymanski, seconded by Jaworski to table for further study.

Yeas: Noman, Szymanski, Jaworski

Nays: Kulczyk, Schiavi CARRIED 3-2

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

This money appears to be for all the resurfacing done on streets in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Wards all summer. OK.

[andreahaxton]

June 6, 2011 Lackawanna City Council Meeting Minutes

SEQR – Resolution #11, 2011 – Resurfacing of streets [/B]

WHEREAS, the City of Lackawanna is in need of road repairs to Ridge Road between
South Park Avenue and the Centennial Bridge ; and
WHEREAS, the City of Lackawanna is the Lead Agency and the project is an Unlisted
Action;
WHEREAS, under the circumstances a State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR)
Short Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) for the paving rehabilitation and Improvement Project must be completed; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Paving Rehabilitation Project will not have a significant adverse
Impact on the environment; that a negative declaration pursuant to SEQR may be issued; and no environmental impact statement need be prepared.
RESOLVED, that this resolution shall serve as notice issued by the City of Lackawanna
Council conducting an uncoordinated environmental impact review, pursuant to
and in accordance with Article 8 of the New York State Environmental Conservation Law and the regulations promulgated under Article 8 and set forth at part of 6.17 of title six of the NY Code of Rules and Regulations (collectively referred to as “SEQR”); and
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the Mayor of the City of Lackawanna and/or the City Attorney be and
the same are hereby authorized to any other documents that may be required to
be filed in accordance with the SEQR review process for the project known as
Paving Rehabilitation and Improvement Project on Ridge Road in the City of
Lackawanna ,
THIS RESOLUTION SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
Moved by Jaworski, seconded by Szymanski to adopt the resolution as written.
Yeas: Noman, Szymanski, Kulczyk, Schiavi, Jaworski CARRIED 5-0

Waive Rules – Resurfacing Project Remove from Table:

Moved by Szymanski, seconded by Kulczyk to remove communication #10, Resurfacing Project from the table.

Yeas: Szymanski, Kulczyk, Schiavi

Nays: Noman, Jaworski CARRIED 3-2

Pavement Resurfacing Project – Award Bid Destro & Bros. Co.:

Moved by Szymanski, seconded by Kulczyk to award the contract for Pavement Replacement Project to Destro & Bros., Company for the low bid of $1,686,650.00.

Yeas: Szymanski, Kulczyk, Schiavi

Nays: Noman, Jaworski CARRIED 3-2

[andreahaxton]

June 20, 2011 Lackawanna City Council Meeting Minutes:

Communications from the Mayor:

Ridge Rd Paving & Rehabilitation Project:

2To: City Council

Attached please find a formal resolution for the Ridge Road Paving Rehabilitation and Improvement Project which will be constructed between South Park Avenue and the new Centennial Bridge . I respectfully request that the City Council pass the attached resolution which will allow the City to enter into an agreement with the New York State Department of Transportation to receive the Federal Funding that has been allocated to this project.

NORMAN L. POLANSKI, MAYOR

Moved by Jaworski, seconded by Noman to receive and file, act on resolution.

Yeas: Noman, Szymanski, Kulczyk, Schiavi, Jaworski CARRIED 5-0

[andreahaxton]

July 11, 2011 Lackawanna CResurfacing Project – Award Contract Destro Bros.:

To: City Council

Please find attached the recommendation from TVGA Consultants for the award of the City of Lackawanna 's 2011 Pavement Replacement Project – Phase 2. I respectfully request your Honorable Body take the appropriate action to award this contract.

THOMAS LOVE, COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORK

Moved by Szymanski, seconded by Kulczyk to award contract to Destro Bros. Co. for resurfacing project contingent upon the sale of bond.

Yeas: Szymanski, Kulczyk, Schiavi, Jaworski

Nays: Noman CARRIED 4-1
ity Council Meeting Minutes:

[andreahaxton]

AGENDA

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011
COUNCIL CHAMBERS – 11:00 A.M.
www.ci.lackawanna.ny.us
Meeting called to order/Pledge of Allegiance
NB: Meeting being recorded.
Roll Call: Present: Noman, Szymanski, Schiavi, Jaworski
Excused: Kulczyk
To: City Council

Please find recommendations from TVGA Consultants for awarding both the Ridge Road Paving Project and Rehabilitation of Fire House #3. I respectfully request your honorable body take the appropriate action to award these contracts to the lowest responsible bidder.

THOMAS LOVE, COMM. OF PUBLIC WORKS

Resurfacing and Rehabilitation of Ridge Road

Moved by Jaworski, seconded by Szymanski to award contract for the resurfacing and rehabilitation of Ridge Road from the Centennial Bridge to South Park Avenue to Destro Brothers, low bidder.

Yeas: Noman, Szymanski, Schiavi, Jaworski. Carried 4-0

Repair and Rehabilitation of Fire House #3

Moved by Schiavi, seconded by Jaworski to award contract for the rehabilitation of Fire House #3 to the low bidder, Patrick Construction LLC.

Yeas: Noman, Kulczyk, Schiavi, Jaworski. Carried 4-0

Moved by Jaworski, seconded by Szymanski, special meeting is adjourned.



Yeas: Noman, Szymanski, Schiavi, Jaworski. Carried 4-0

[andreahaxton]

September 6, 2011 Lackawanna City Council Meeting Minutes:
Paving Streets – First Ward:

To: City Council
The following streets are in desperate need of paving:
Ingham Avenue Homestead
Washington Bethlehem
Pearl Street Lebanon
Glenwood
Funding needs to be allocated for these streets and I am looking for your help in obtaining these funds to start the paving in the year 2012. No streets were paved in the First Ward in 2011. Thank you for your support.
ABDUL NOMAN, FIRST WARD COUNCILMEMBER

Moved by Szymanski, seconded by Schiavi to receive and file.

Yeas: Szymanski, Kulczyk, Schiavi, Jaworski CARRIED 4-1

Nays: Noman


Ridge Road Traffic Signal Project:
To: City Council

Please find the attached recommendation from TVGA Consultants for the awarding of the Ridge Road Traffic Signal Implementation Project to South Buffalo Electric, Inc. at their unit prices bid with a total cost of $616,435.99. I respectfully request your honorable body take the appropriate action and award this contract.
THOMAS LOVE, COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS

Moved by Jaworski, seconded by Schiavi that the Ridge Rd. Traffic Signal Project be awarded to South Buffalo Electric, Inc. in the amount of $616,435.99.

Yeas: Noman, Szymanski, Kulczyk, Schiavi, Jaworski CARRIED 5-0
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$

On this one, they voted to " Receive and File " which means to Throw out according to Mr. Jaworski, Noman's request to pave the streets he wanted to get done.

As for the $616,435.99 for the "Ridge Road Traffic Signal Implementation Project", I am not sure if we received some or a grant for this study and implementation OR is it coming out of " The $ 5,000,000 BOND "?
Just tried to call City Hall for verification.....Answering Machine.