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Thread: Dion Watkins Residency and The IDIOTS COMPLAINING!!!!

  1. #1
    Member mnb811's Avatar
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    Thumbs down Dion Watkins Residency and The IDIOTS COMPLAINING!!!!

    Watkins says he’s living in 1st Ward
    Admits to owning house in HamburgBy Jay Tokasz

    NEWS STAFF REPORTER

    Published:
    September 15, 2011:
    Lackawanna mayoral primary unofficially separated by one vote
    Updated: September 15, 2011, 7:57 AM


    Lackawanna mayoral hopeful Dion J. Watkins acknowledged Wednesday that he owns a home in the Town of Hamburg, but he maintained that since April he has resided full time in a church-owned house in the city’s 1st Ward.

    Watkins’ stunning showing in the Democratic primary Tuesday —when he finished the night a single vote behind Geoffrey M. Szymanski, with 148 absentee ballots outstanding — brought the simmering residency issue to the forefront.

    The city’s charter requires only that city employees become residents of Lackawanna within six months of the date of initial service and maintain residency for the duration of city employment.

    But current Mayor Norman L. Polanski Jr., who endorsed Szymanski as his successor, called it a “a definite shortcoming of the code” and suggested Wednesday it was not ethical for Watkins to run for office without having been a full-time resident of the city for at least the past two years.

    Watkins shrugged off the criticism, saying it was an attempt to distract voters from real problems facing the city.

    “It’s not an issue for me. Obviously, if you run for mayor, you’ve got to live in Lackawanna,” Watkins said.

    In 2005, Watkins purchased a house with Latisha N. Dixon on Meadow Run in Hamburg, according to real estate transaction records tracked by The Buffalo News. Listing a Washington Street address, he has been registered to vote continuously in Lackawanna at least since 2002, according to Erie County Board of Elections records.

    Watkins also works as a teacher in the Lackawanna School District and is pastor of Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church on Wasson Avenue.

    “I’m always at Wasson, I’m always in Lackawanna,” he said. “Everything I do is in Lackawanna.”

    When he announced his run for mayor, Watkins said he decided to make the church house his domicile.

    “It was never a secret that I own property in Hamburg,” he said. “I can do that. It’s my right to.”

    Szymanski leads Watkins by 1,468 to 1,467 votes in the four-man race for the Democratic line on the November ballot. Chuck Jaworski finished third with 776 votes and Patrick A. McCusker fourth with 179 votes, according to unofficial results from the Board of Elections.

    Absentee and military ballots

    won’t be tallied until seven to 10 days after the primary, respectively, according to state election law. Currently, the Board of Elections has 148 absentee ballots, but others may arrive in the mail within the next several days and still be valid.

    “I’m just excited,” said Watkins, who was expected to be a long-shot candidate against City Council veterans Szymanski and Jaworski. “We were able to run with the machines. And it wasn’t just me. People are ready for change. The people spoke yesterday.”

    If Watkins loses the primary, though, his chances to seize the mayor’s seat will fade dramatically because he does not have another party line to fall back on in the general election.

    Meanwhile, Szymanski will still be able to use the Conservative Party line—and he plans to do so if the Democratic primary votes don’t fall his way.

    “I still believe I’m going to be the next mayor of Lackawanna,” said Szymanski. “I love this city too much to just forfeit to someone with no political experience who doesn’t live in the city.”
    [McCusker, who won the Republican primary, also will be on the November ballot. He said he will wait to see the final results of the primary before determining how active his general election campaign will be.

    McCusker expressed less concern about where Watkins lives and owns property.

    “It’s not troublesome if he’s going to do a positive job,” McCusker said. “He has ties to the City of Lackawanna. He has experience with you in the city.”

    Longtime resident and former city employee Walter M. Seres has pledged to run on the Time for Change line.



    Read that large line and it sounds like we have another Arrogant ASS in the house. All this coming from the residency experts of the city LOL. Would the Buffalo NEWS ask Norm and Geoff why the Commish of Public Works and The City attorney don't live in Lackawanna. What about your former Empire Zone Director BILLY EAGAN for god sakes he was the Director of the Empire Zone in Lackawanna and THE SUPERVISOR OF THE TOWN OF BOSTON AT THE SAME TIME!!!! You guys are a JOKE!!!!!BTW look at your ward Geoff and tell me what YOUR political expierence has done to it!!! Maybe you should do something worthwhile before you open your mouth.
    Last edited by mnb811; September 15th, 2011 at 10:00 PM.

  2. #2
    Member andreahaxton's Avatar
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    Post Twelve years and HE still does NOT know the LAW before he starts to mouth off..2x now

    " But current Mayor Norman L. Polanski Jr., who endorsed Szymanski as his successor, called it a “a definite shortcoming of the code” and suggested Wednesday it was not ethical for Watkins to run for office without having been a full-time resident of the city for at least the past two years. "

    FACT:

    The City of Lackawanna CHARTER states:
    CHAPTER 4 The Mayor (§ 4.1 — § 4.6)


    § 4.1 Mayor; election, term and compensation.
    [Amended 8-20-1984 by L.L. No. 3-1984; 4-18-1988 by L.L. No. 3-1988; at general election 11-8-1984]

    The Mayor shall be elected by voters of the City at large to serve for a term of four years beginning January 1 next following his or her election, and shall not be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms. He or she shall be a resident and registered voter of the City. The Mayor shall be elected at the general election in the year 1963 and every four years thereafter. The Mayor shall receive such compensation as fixed by ordinance adopted by the City at any time, provided, however, that the compensation of the Mayor shall not be diminished during his or her term of office.

    § 4.2 Mayor; vacancy; temporary disability or absence.

    In the event of the temporary absence or disability of the Mayor, the Council President shall have the powers and duties of the Mayor. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Mayor, the powers and duties of the office shall devolve upon the Council President for the residue of the term who shall serve as and be the Mayor.
    &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

    Serious stuff here.......Where oh Where does it state , " for at least the past two years ", ""Mayor Norman L. Polanski, Jr."" ?

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    the voters didn't care when they elected hillary clinton to the senate? the voters didn't care when they elected kathy hochul to the house of representatives? they each moved in after they won the election. do voters want someone that lives in the city and are part of the problems by neglecting their duties for 6 years, or someone that gets it done and will make lackawanna better? geoff thinks that just because he has POLITICAL experience that he deserves the democratic nod over watkins? geoff has not held a real job yet. he was appointed to the water authority, everyone knows that is where politicians go for their paycheck. people are tired of politicians and the mess they have gotten the country into.
    where does the joke af a mayor polanski get his idea that someone should be a resident for at least the last two years? every time this fool speaks he makes lackawanna look bad. and he wants to be assemblyman! heaven forbid! get these rats out of lackawanna, dion has done more for lackawanna than those two clowns put together. geoff will keep tom love in for 4 more years, he is an arrogant, egotisical, self serving person. he doesn't live in lackawanna either. over half the teachers in lackawanna live outside the city. how many firefighters and dpw live outside the city. if 150 city workers moved back into lackawanna and owned homes here. lets see 150 times say $2000 in property taxes. $300,000 additional to the city and schools. should the football coach have to live in lackawanna? if so then lakso never takes the kids to the state championships, he lives inhamburg too. i have a better idea. why don't we see what hamburg offers its citizens and bring that to lackawanna. maybe we can keep some of those that make over $30,000 per year and maybe bring some back to lackawanna. it won't happen with geoff as mayor. his only concern will be moving his professional, political career along. when he can't get something done he will place blame anywhere except on his shoulders.

  4. #4
    Member mnb811's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by andreahaxton View Post
    " But current Mayor Norman L. Polanski Jr., who endorsed Szymanski as his successor, called it a “a definite shortcoming of the code” and suggested Wednesday it was not ethical for Watkins to run for office without having been a full-time resident of the city for at least the past two years. "

    FACT:

    The City of Lackawanna CHARTER states:
    CHAPTER 4 The Mayor (§ 4.1 — § 4.6)


    § 4.1 Mayor; election, term and compensation.
    [Amended 8-20-1984 by L.L. No. 3-1984; 4-18-1988 by L.L. No. 3-1988; at general election 11-8-1984]

    The Mayor shall be elected by voters of the City at large to serve for a term of four years beginning January 1 next following his or her election, and shall not be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms. He or she shall be a resident and registered voter of the City. The Mayor shall be elected at the general election in the year 1963 and every four years thereafter. The Mayor shall receive such compensation as fixed by ordinance adopted by the City at any time, provided, however, that the compensation of the Mayor shall not be diminished during his or her term of office.

    § 4.2 Mayor; vacancy; temporary disability or absence.

    In the event of the temporary absence or disability of the Mayor, the Council President shall have the powers and duties of the Mayor. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Mayor, the powers and duties of the office shall devolve upon the Council President for the residue of the term who shall serve as and be the Mayor.
    &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

    Serious stuff here.......Where oh Where does it state , " for at least the past two years ", ""Mayor Norman L. Polanski, Jr."" ?

    It doesn't!! Just create it out of thin air and make up sh*t as we go along ! That is the Norm Polanski Way!!!! Let's elect him to the Assembly next !!Will somebody stop this crap once and for all!!!

  5. #5
    Member mnb811's Avatar
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    Article IV. Officers and Employees
    § 5-38. Residence requirements.
    A. Unless otherwise provided by law, it shall be the duty of each officer and employee of the City during the period of his or her employment by the City, to maintain his or her residence and dwelling within the corporate limits of the City.

    B. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any employee during a leave of absence duly granted. Failure to comply with the provisions of this section shall constitute misconduct and shall be cause for removal in the manner provided by law.


    Q: I wonder how Eagan, Love, Petricca and several others get/got around this rule? A: The City will just make s**t up as they go along just to suit their own needs.

    Q: So why is there a City Charter in the first place? A: To have a set of laws and rules to follow to maintain order,integrity and ethics. But in Lackawanna apparently none of this matters!

    In the case of Watkins residency the 2 year "Polanski Rule" is all to benifit STATUS QUO. By the way did you register you rental property yet Geoff? Or does that not pertain to you either?
    Last edited by mnb811; September 16th, 2011 at 09:40 PM.

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    Can't you people read, it was just Norm's suggestion that any candidate live in the city for two years prior. Ii don't know about two years but at least at the time of election the candidate should live here!

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    Tony Fracasso - Admin
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    Can't you people read, it was just Norm's suggestion that any candidate live in the city for two years prior. Ii don't know about two years but at least at the time of election the candidate should live here!
    And in my opinion they should own a home in the community they want to represent. Why? Because their actions will directly effect the taxes paid on other people's homes in that community.

  8. #8
    Member mnb811's Avatar
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    Watkins has done more for Lackawanna than any of the people running the city over the past 50 years combined. He is always doing something for others and giving back to the community. On the other hand those that have been in power just TAKE from it and give back NOTHING.They don't care about the kids and citizens and just give out promises they never keep. All lip service with no actions. Who cares if Watkins doesn't own any property in Lackawanna! Szymanski doesn't even own the house he lives in either his father does. The house he does own in Bethlehem Park, well he has been trying to sell for years. By the way guess who was on the deliquent property tax list for it a while back?
    Last edited by mnb811; September 17th, 2011 at 12:30 PM.

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    Member mnb811's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by blahblahblah View Post
    Can't you people read, it was just Norm's suggestion that any candidate live in the city for two years prior. Ii don't know about two years but at least at the time of election the candidate should live here!
    I know it was Normie's suggestion but let him follow the rules himself. Facts are he doesn't!

  10. #10
    Member mnb811's Avatar
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    Do you want to see the hypocrisy,audacity and double standard by the city:

    Geoff's Article: (please read larger lines then refer to bottom for details)

    Szymanski tax plan benefits businesses without hurting homeowners.... “There is an issue in our community that is inhibiting economic growth, development and prosperity for Lackawanna,” stated endorsed democratic candidate for mayor, Geoffrey M. Szymanski. “The main culprit is the inequity in residential versus commercial tax rates, otherwise known as homestead/non-homestead tax rates. Every mayoral candidate has addressed this issue during this campaign. Everybody realizes that this is a problem that needs to be addressed and won’t go away by itself. But how we go about repairing this inequity is like walking a tight rope. Nobody wants to see the average tax paying citizen get hurt with an increase in their tax rate, even if it helps out local businesses. However, we need to help out local businesses and help them out now, if we want to remain viable as a community,” cautioned Szymanski.

    “An article recently by one of my opponents stated that he wants to ‘reduce the burden on the commercial property owners while not adding burden on the homeowners.’ That’s stating the obvious. We all want that. How do we accomplish this? With a solid, long term plan. I believe a realistic five year plan needs to be implemented to bring commercial tax rates in line with surrounding communities so we have a chance at attracting new businesses and keeping the ones we have. A graduated plan will allow for the tax rates to be adjusted over time. During that period we need to go after new revenue sources to make up the difference. We need to close tax loopholes that currently exist. We need to get after the delinquents that don’t pay their fair share of taxes. By that I mean people that simply don’t pay their taxes, and there are many. We need to reduce the city budget while maintaining vital services. We need to be more efficient as a government, figuring out how to do more with less,” continued Szymanski.

    “I plan on working hand in hand with local business leaders to arrive at solutions to this problem. Let’s not kid ourselves, this won’t happen overnight, it’s too complex an issue. However, with a well thought out plan we can solve this dilemma. That’s why I believe a graduated five year plan is our best and most realistic option. Then and only then can we achieve equity for our business owners without inflicting pain and suffering on our homeowners. We will lay the ground work for existing businesses to remain in Lackawanna and give reason for new businesses to come to Lackawanna. It’s a solid, realistic plan that will result in economic growth, development and prosperity for Lackawanna,” concluded Szymanski.


    I wonder how do you explain this?
    City of Lackawanna delinquent tax list as of 5/10/2010 to be exact :
    #186 140900 sbl141.84-3-21 42 Pine St. Szymanski,Geoffery M. $391.11


    How can you complain about people when you do the same thing yourself! Besides you have 2 Public sector jobs one as a sitting City Councilman and another at the ECWA? No one stopped you from earning money did they? Please explain! I am sure people a lot of people would like to know!

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    Member mnb811's Avatar
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    Here's more proof they don't follow laws they voted for!

    Article XV. Code of Ethics
    § 5-110. Prohibited activities
    A. Conflicts of interest generally. City officers and employees shall not engage in any business or transaction or have a financial or other private interest, direct or indirect, which is in conflict with the proper discharge of their official duties.

    B. Attempts to secure preferential treatment. No person shall attempt, directly or indirectly, to secure preferential treatment in his or her dealings with the City government by offering any valuable gift, whether in the form of service, loan, thing or promise or any other form to Councilmen or other officers or employees. A person found guilty of this act shall have any current contracts with the City cancelled and shall not be eligible to bid on any City contracts for a period of two years.

    C. Accepting gifts. No officer or employee shall accept any valuable gift, whether in the form of service, loan, thing or promise, or any other form from any person, firm or corporation which to his or her knowledge is interested directly or indirectly, in any manner whatsoever, in business dealings with the City.

    D. Confidential information; advancing private interests. No officer or employee shall disclose confidential information concerning the property, government, or affairs of the City, nor shall he or she use such information to advance the financial or other private interest of himself, herself or others.

    E. Investments. No officer or employee shall invest or hold any investment directly or indirectly in any financial, business, commercial or other private transaction which creates a conflict with his or her official duties.

    F. Private employment. No officer or employee shall solicit, negotiate for, or promise to accept employment with any person, firm or corporation with which he or she is engaged on behalf of the City in the transaction of business or which is or may be affected by his or her official action.

    G. Appearing in behalf of private interests. No officer or employee shall appear in behalf of private interests before any agency of the City government.

    H. Representing private interests in actions, proceedings involving City. No officer or employee shall represent private interests in any action or proceeding against the interests of the City, in any litigation to which the City is a party, or in any action or proceeding in the municipal courts in which the City or any agency or any officer or employee of the City in the course of his or her official duties is a complainant.

    I. Disclosure of interest in proposed legislation. Officers and employees who have a direct or indirect financial or other private interest in any proposed legislation or who participate in discussion before or give official opinion to the Council shall publicly disclose, on the official records of the Council, the nature and extent of such interest.

    J. Appearing before agencies receiving compensation after termination of City employment. No person who has served as an officer or employee of the City shall within a period of two years after termination of such service or employment appear before any agency of the City or receive compensation for any services rendered on behalf of any person, firm, corporation or association in relation to any case, proceeding or application with respect to which such person was directly concerned, or which was under his or her active consideration or with respect to which knowledge or information was made available to him or her during the period of service or employment.

    K. Elected City officials and officers shall strictly abide by and adhere to their oath of office as provided by the Public Officers Law and the Lackawanna City Code §§ 5-39 and 5-40.

    [Added 6-2-2008]


    L. An elected City official or officer of the city Shall timely pay his/her real property taxes due and payable on any real property located in the City of Lackawanna, owned and assessed to said person on the records of the City of Lackawanna.

    [Added 6-2-2008]



    M. An elected City official or officer of the city Engaged in any business or transaction which requires that he or she shall timely pay as due any tax imposed by any lawful entity on sales or transactions conducted or consummated by said person or for the payment of employees withholding tax for federal or state income tax, Medicare tax, social security tax or any other tax due by an employer or owner on behalf of employees or customers shall timely pay such tax as due.

    [Added 6-2-2008]


    N. A City official or officer of the city who fails to abide by the provisions of Subsection M above and who shall fail to timely pay any such tax as required by the governmental agency for any tax collected by said City official or officer from a customer or employee in trust for payment to said government agency is guilty of unethical conduct involving moral turpitude as an elected official or public officer and shall be a sufficient basis for the suspension or removal from office of said person.

    [Added 6-2-2008]


    O. The Board of Ethics is further empowered to order the suspension or removal of a person described in this Code convicted of a violation thereof after a hearing on notice. The affirmative vote of three members is required to sustain such a finding. Any person accused hereunder is entitled to a copy of the charges against him/her and to be represented by an attorney of his or her choice at all stages of the proceeding. Any order of removal provided for hereunder shall be reviewed by the Mayor with the power and authority vested in the mayor to approve, disapprove or modify the decision of the Board. The Mayor’s decision is due within 30 days of the referral. The decision of the Mayor may be appealed by an aggrieved party within 30 days to the City Council, whose decision on the matter is final and due 30 days after the mayor’s decision is appealed with the City Clerk. In the mayoral or council referral, the Board shall include a copy of the transcript of the hearing, findings of fact and conclusions for review by each.



    Mr. Szymanski voted for this law in 2008 and in 2010 he doesn't pay his taxes on his property. So when did the ethics investigation take place? Why was this not public? Seriously what do you expect when every person who sits on your ethics board is an employee of the city or connected? Please explain. Furthermore when will Margaret Sullivan and the Buffalo News start going after these guys running the city and not honorable people like the Reverend Watkins????

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    First of all, Name ONE thing Watkins has done for Lackawanna! I said for Lackawanna, not Mt. Olive.

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    Member mnb811's Avatar
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    Mt. Olive is in Lackawanna is it not? So what ever he does there is for the community is it not? Food drives,clothing drives etc etc. Doesn't he tutor kids also? Better yet why don't you ask for the ethics investigation on Geoff? Why are you overlooking that hypocrisy? Are you blind? Other than throwing a free party at election time when exactly has Geoff ever given back to the community? How about it blah blah blah? Please answer that!
    Last edited by mnb811; September 17th, 2011 at 02:34 PM.

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    That's what I thought, Nothing!

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    Member mnb811's Avatar
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    Tutoring,food drives and clothing drives are not nothing. Nothing is what your buddy Geoff has accomplished in the last 6 years. Nothing is what Jenrose66 got when she complained to him about her neighborhood playground and nothing is what the people will get when he is mayor! Just look at his record. To bad that you and his blind posse just can't see the light! The guy is an arrogant self serving person who could care less about this city because if he did he would have already done something!Name one thing Geoff has done for his ward in the past 6 years? Community meetings? Nope. Blight program? Nope. Listen to problems then solve them? (This one I have firsthand expierence with!) The answer NOPE! Let's see what he has done Pass the buck, Blame others and give excuses!!! Now that is a YES a big one at that!
    Last edited by mnb811; September 17th, 2011 at 02:53 PM.

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