Councilmen Hicks and Osmanski - In the Hot Seat

[count alucard]

If you think friends and family is only an Erie County thing, think again. It's alive and well in West Seneca. If you're looking for some interesting reading, check out westseneca.net and go to the June 26, 2006 Town Board minutes. The last motion before adjournment really catches one's attention.

It deals with the re-appointment of Gerald Greenan on the Town's planning Board. Be advised that the Planning Board meets once a month and each member receives over $3,000 per year for this sweet little gig. If one has any knowledge of West Seneca politics you would find out that Mr. Greenan has been calling the shots for the Republican Party in West Seneca and for the Town for a long time. He is a former councilman who has used the town as a financial buffet for his family. He is the father of Town Attorney Timothy Greenan. He is the father-in-law of 4 term Councilman Christopher Osmanski. He is the father-in-law of a town police officer, whose father is also on the Town payroll as a van driver. Timothy Greenan's mother-in-law is the Town Clerk. And the list goes on. The senior Greenan is also the father of Giambra's Personel Director, John Greenan. Another son is said to have an appointed position with the State of New York. As you can see, the Republican Greenan family has taken good care of itself.

How can the Republican Greenan family do so well in a highly Democratic Town of West Seneca? You be the judge. People have found it quite odd that certain Democrats run for Town office with little or no opposition and certain Republicans run with little or no opposition. If someone tries to buck the system, both parties come after them. Ask Councilman Bove.

The people in West Seneca have been hoodwinked by the Republicrats in West Seneca. Things have not changed as proven by the vote that re-appointed Mr. Greenan. There are 4 Democrats and 1 Republican on the Town Board. A motion to re-appoint Mr. Greenan was made by his son-in-law Councilman Osmanski and seconded by Democratic Councilman Vincent Graber Jr. The vote was 3-2 with Osmanski, Graber and Councilman Craig Hicks voting in favor of re-appointment. Independent Democrat Christina Bove voted no and so did Supervisor Paul Clark. Clark has been in bed with the Greenans for years but I guess when you are running as a democratic County Executive candidate it would not be beneficial to vote for a guy who controls the Republican Party in West Seneca.

This vote raises another question: Was it legal in the first place?
Does the fact that Osmanski lives at the same address and is the son-in-law of Mr. Greenan warrant him to recuse himself? If that would have been the case, the vote would have been 2-2 and the motion defeated.

Mr. Osmanski and Mr. Hicks are the next two councilman who are up for election in November 2007. Neither deserves re-election. This is just one example of the back door deals that are made at the expense of the residents. There is no logical reason why Graber and Hicks voted for this guy other than "past considerations." The whole thing stinks. Nothing will change if Hicks and Osmanski are re-elected.

[woodstock]

Mr. Osmanski and Mr. Hicks are the next two councilman who are up for election in November 2007. Neither deserves re-election. This is just one example of the back door deals that are made at the expense of the residents.

"Back-door deals" consumes me. Thank you Count, you're a gem!!

[WNYresident]

When will they be up again for re-election and who would most likely want to run against them?

[BigGuy]

Chris Osmanski is up in 2007. He has been a Councilman since being elected in 1991, knocking off Mike Graber, who Chris said had been in office for too long after 12 years. Go figure.

Craig Hicks has been in office since his uncle, Jerry Hicks, died in office. People in West Seneca still think they are voting for Jerry, who was a good guy.

But then, people in West Seneca vote for Vince Graber Jr., thinking they are voting for the real Vince Graber, who is a lobbyist in Albany for twelve years now.

Who will run? Who knows? Paul Clark runs both political parties in West Seneca.

[count alucard]

Chris Osmanski has been on the West Seneca Town Board way too long. He is an invisible councilman. The only thing he does is show up for Town Board meetings and pick up a paycheck. His lifestyle has created a situation where he has neglected the voters in the town by not representing them. He has a high pressure, high paying management job with National Fuel that takes up a considerable amount of his time. He also has at least 6 young children that also put huge demands on his time. Unfortunately, the business of the town has suffered. He has no time for town business. The council job may be part time but Osmanski is devoting little or no time in the operation of the government. Osmanski is rarely or never seen representing his constituents at special town functions like parades, veteran services, etc.

His main concern is getting his friends and family jobs on the Town Payroll. It's too bad that this political hack has been on the Board for 15 years. He is not doing the right thing for the taxpayers in the Town. The people deserve more. He may be a great National Fuel executive and family man but he is not a good councilman.

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The count says:

"It's better to look forward than backward."

[woodstock]

Chris Osmanski has been on the West Seneca Town Board way too long. He is an invisible councilman. The only thing he does is show up for Town Board meetings and pick up a paycheck.

Gee Count, I don't know. I googled him and Councilman Osmanski seems pretty "visable" within the West Seneca Town Board Minutes - 05/22/2006

As a side note, I also noticed that during this particular town board preceeding 70-something motions were carried with all "AYES".

No disrespect to West Seneca - but never have a seen a "perfect" town board meeting whereas all of the motions were carried under unanimous proportions. Are all these meetings so "easy-breezy"?

[count alucard]

As stated, he shows up to the meetings and picks up a pay check.
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The count says:

"It's better to look forward than backward."

[wnyfuture]

anyone but Osmanski