Zoning Board of Appeals job posting (Lancaster website)

[DebLemaster]

The last applicant's reasons for withdrawal weren't too clear.

I have to wonder what conflict she is referring to.

[mark blazejewski]

I have to wonder what conflict she is referring to.

In my humble opinion:

Apparently, the applicant was surprised that questions on the lawfully prescribed-process were raised. Those questions seemingly were occasioned by some rather "suspicious" institutional behavior. Ergo, she was apparently upset by those questions, which seemingly challenged a rather obvious expectation of non-controversial entitlement/approval.

Simply put, I think she was upset by the questions, did not like the political climate, and withdrew because the position was not worth the hassle.

You would certainly be my choice for the position Mrs. L.

[gorja]

I have to wonder what conflict she is referring to.

It could be regarding her appointment to the position prior to the job being posted. She could have heard of James Perry's death and sent in her letter of interest not knowing that the job had not been posted yet. Then, Abraham or someone had to inform her that no appointment was going to be made until after the job was posted. She may have felt it was a conflict because people were inferring that it was a political appointment

[Lee Chowaniec]

Thank you gorja! I was interviewed by two Council Members only. if the board members are looking for a "YES" person, that is not me. I believe in doing my own research and voting in the best interest of the community.
I am trying to figure out why my letter was never added to the communications. Do I have to resubmit my letter and if so, WHY? I have reached out to one of the Council Members for an answer.
I am also wondering why the last applicant withdrew her letter.

I will not be able to attend Monday evening's Town Board meeting because of serious back issues.

I sincerely hope Mrs. Lemaster that you will attend Monday's meeting and address the board on why your letter of intent submittal was not in any communication publication, to ask why Mrs. Kreavy withdrew her name from consideration, and whether any other applications have been received for the position. As taxpaying stakeholders the public also has the right to know what's going on with a process that was flawed from the beginning.

Gorga: I hope you will able to attend as well and record the meeting and place it on Speakup as you have recently been doing (and within 24 hours). It serves the following purposes:

• To show that the recording can be conveyed to another vehicle
• Will give credence to Councilman's Ruffino's resolution to place the recording on the Tow's Website - much more accessible to the public that a TV showing and allows for repeated reviews, allows for transparency and credibility, and for much less expense.
• Will allow for people who cannot attend the town board meetings to still know what's going on and still have voice in the community through the written word.

[Saras2017]

I will not be able to attend Monday evening's Town Board meeting because of serious back issues.

I sincerely hope Mrs. Lemaster that you will attend Monday's meeting and address the board on why your letter of intent submittal was not in any communication publication, to ask why Mrs. Kreavy withdrew her name from consideration, and whether any other applications have been received for the position. As taxpaying stakeholders the public also has the right to know what's going on with a process that was flawed from the beginning.

Gorga: I hope you will able to attend as well and record the meeting and place it on Speakup as you have recently been doing (and within 24 hours). It serves the following purposes:

• To show that the recording can be conveyed to another vehicle
• Will give credence to Councilman's Ruffino's resolution to place the recording on the Tow's Website - much more accessible to the public that a TV showing and allows for repeated reviews, allows for transparency and credibility, and for much less expense.
• Will allow for people who cannot attend the town board meetings to still know what's going on and still have voice in the community through the written word.

After watching what has been going on the past few months very closely, I know that Deb cares about us and our best interests and her appointment would be a great choice. I watch Lee, Gorja, and Shortstuff post great ideas all the time also. I just wish that you guys would step it up and try to make change like she has instead of limiting yourselves to posting on speakup. I agree with most of your posts but I have a very positive outlook this year for once. We finally have people stepping up to the plate and change is coming and very long over due. Gorja's profile picture supports who she feels is best suited for the upcoming election. Four years ago she posted a picture of Giza, God rest his soul, Ruffino and Abraham that said time to take out the trash with them in a trash can. Now she supports Ruffino. Why? Because it's an election year and he is trying to step up his game? What has he done the past twenty years and almost $400,000.00 he has made from our tax dollars? Wow, he got us two clocks. Great job... We finally have two great candidates challenging the current "administration". After they came to my door and I ran them through the ringer for half an hour I know they have excellent ideas and both have their own unique backgrounds and insight that I feel would positively compliment our Town Board. One is a retired federal law enforcement officer with a background in finance and the other works for the Village Highway Dept, has years of experience with the fire and EMS services and the ZBA. What more do we need to debate about time for a change? These guys work together as a team. They came to my house together and explained why they are a team and work together. Nobody else on that board works together as a team. Time for team players who will represent us!

[gorja]

Originally posted by Lee Chowaniec:

Gorga: I hope you will able to attend as well and record the meeting and place it on Speakup as you have recently been doing (and within 24 hours). It serves the following purposes:

• To show that the recording can be conveyed to another vehicle
• Will give credence to Councilman's Ruffino's resolution to place the recording on the Tow's Website - much more accessible to the public that a TV showing and allows for repeated reviews, allows for transparency and credibility, and for much less expense.
• Will allow for people who cannot attend the town board meetings to still know what's going on and still have voice in the community through the written word.

God willing, I will be there. I'll try to get it online prior to going to work Tuesday morning

[mark blazejewski]

t

Deb cares about us and our best interests and her appointment would be a great choice.

I simply could not agree more. She would do a terrific job.

We finally have people stepping up to the plate and change is coming and very long over due.

.

]We finally have two great candidates challenging the current "administration".

Twice in this post, you suggest that previous candidates did not step "up to the plate," or otherwise challenge with sincere commitment, the longstanding majority on the Town Council.

Furthermore, on July 19, on page two of the "Special Events" Thread, you suggested that previous candidates did not "care" and lacked the credentials to both seek office, and to serve. Your precise words: "It's about time we have a candidate let alone two, who actually care and have the creds to back it!"

Having expressed these thoughts on at least two separate occasions, obviously, your words articulate a heartfelt opinion.

I submit that past campaigns have offered some rather outstanding, credentialed candidates, who devoted themselves to challenging the longstanding majority, and advocated the change that you so desperately seek. One such candidate was Bob Leary. I thought he approached his past campaign with dedication, and would have discharged his office with skill and competence.

"... both have their own unique backgrounds and insight that I feel would positively compliment our Town Board. "

I assume you mean complement.

Nobody else on that board works together as a team. Time for team players who will represent us!

How will these two candidates, both of whom you seem to support, "complement" a Council that you seemingly suggest is dysfunctional? That seems to be rather oxymoronic.

[shortstuff]

Mrs. Lemaster will make an excellent ZBA member. She is alert, she won't fall asleep, she'll do her research, she will make sure her vote represents the town as a whole, her attendance will be solid, and she has standing in the community.

Not posting her letter of intent is not surprising. This move on the boards part is considered "politics as usual" and quite frankly, it bores me. Most of Lancaster already knows that Lemaster is vying for the board spot and hopefully she'll be voted in.

Sara,
We play a key role in our town and its political arena, our roles ensures our ability to participate in our local, county & state politics to enact the changes needed. Our role is our voice and our vote. We love our town, we attend all the functions needed and necessary to help our candidates out. We support our new team who is running on the Republican and other lines, great folks and I feel will work together with the current board members for the betterment of Lancaster. Ron Ruffino has shown a level of competence that I appreciate. His hard work is starting to show, you want to know why? It's because he finally has broken ranks with the likes of Abrahams and same old politics. His voice is finally louder than theirs. I am pleasantly pleased by that. Matt Walters disappointed me with his move on paying for an assessment that IMO was not necessary and that the outcome will be the same, no purchase. As for Dawn G. well she has shown both positive and negative judgement(s) as Town Council as well. The jury is still out, and that is not good considering both of those town members are up in two.

[mark blazejewski]

Our role is our voice and our vote.

I agree Shortstuff.

[Lee Chowaniec]

After watching what has been going on the past few months very closely, I know that Deb cares about us and our best interests and her appointment would be a great choice. I watch Lee, Gorja, and Shortstuff post great ideas all the time also. I just wish that you guys would step it up and try to make change like she has instead of limiting yourselves to posting on speakup. I agree with most of your posts but I have a very positive outlook this year for once. We finally have people stepping up to the plate and change is coming and very long over due. Gorja's profile picture supports who she feels is best suited for the upcoming election. Four years ago she posted a picture of Giza, God rest his soul, Ruffino and Abraham that said time to take out the trash with them in a trash can. Now she supports Ruffino. Why? Because it's an election year and he is trying to step up his game? What has he done the past twenty years and almost $400,000.00 he has made from our tax dollars? Wow, he got us two clocks. Great job... We finally have two great candidates challenging the current "administration". After they came to my door and I ran them through the ringer for half an hour I know they have excellent ideas and both have their own unique backgrounds and insight that I feel would positively compliment our Town Board. One is a retired federal law enforcement officer with a background in finance and the other works for the Village Highway Dept, has years of experience with the fire and EMS services and the ZBA. What more do we need to debate about time for a change? These guys work together as a team. They came to my house together and explained why they are a team and work together. Nobody else on that board works together as a team. Time for team players who will represent us!

Interested in knowing where you got the $400,000 number from. The following are the annual salaries paid a Council Member from 2002:

2002 - $14,728
2003 - $15,317
2004 - $15,930
2005 - $16,408
2006 - $ 16,900
2007 - $ 17,404
2008 - $17,929
2009 - $18,467
2010 - $18,467
2011 – $18,975
2012 - $18,975
2013 - $18,975
2014 - $18,975
2015 - $18,975
2016 - $18,975
2017 - $18,975
Total amount $284,378

And as you can see Ruffino has been on the board 16 years.

Now, if I remember correctly council members received health insurance prior to 2009 or received a stipend if they had outside insurance coverage. Ruffino did have such coverage. If I also remember correctly the stipend was never above $6,000. So, if Ruffino received a stipend for six years at $6,000 that amount is $36,000 and increases the total payout to $320,378. So, what am I missing?

I also found it interesting and commendable that the annual salary has stayed the same since the start of the Fudoli administration budget in 2012 and has continued as such.

[DebLemaster]

Long story short, I have to bring my letter in tonight. I will be sure to request a "time stamp" copy for my records.

[gorja]

Long story short, I have to bring my letter in tonight. I will be sure to request a "time stamp" copy for my records.

Wow, they misplaced it? LOL

[Lee Chowaniec]

Wow, they misplaced it? LOL

Another SNAFU?

[DebLemaster]

Another SNAFU?

I was told they needed a "signed" copy which I supplied last evening.

[Lee Chowaniec]

I was told they needed a "signed" copy which I supplied last evening.

The Town ZBA job posting notice on the Town website states:

Job Postings 2017
Member – Zoning Board of Appeals

The Town of Lancaster is accepting letters of interest for the position of Member – Zoning Board of Appeals, part time to fill a vacancy from July 18, 2020 to December 31, 2020. For complete job description and duties, please contact the Supervisor’s Office at 716-683-1610 or the Town Clerk’s Office t 716-683-9028.

Mail or deliver your request for appointment to:
Town of Lancaster / Office of the Supervisor/ 21 Central Avenue, New York 14086


Ah, Mrs. Lemaster, as usual you are acting gracious and understanding when in reality the following has been taking place:

You submitted your letter of interest too late to be entered into the July 3rd communications. When it did not appear in the July 17th or August 7th communications, you questioned why.

You entered your first letter of interest for the position via email. You were told the town never received the email when in fact it did and some council members have copies of your submittal.

Then you were told the email was found but not considered acceptable because it was not personally signed at the bottom of the email. Considering the email you submitted had your identity attached I have to believe you are getting the run-around.

Considering no other letters of interest were published in the communications I have to ask whether you were informed whether other applicants have likewise submitted letters of interest via email that were considered ineligible, or have no other individuals applied for the position? Then I am really miffed as to why the position has not been filled as the Supervisor and Councilman Abraham made known the importance of the position and its need to be filled ASAP at the time when the individual scheduled to be appointed for the job (by resolution, and who has since withdrawn her application) was selected by by-passing the hiring protocol (job posting).

This is a SNAFU, Mrs. Lemaster where once again politics rears its ugly head. As someone who has attended board meetings religiously over the past several years, and years more in the past, you possess the knowledge of how the town works and have participated in many of its operations. Choosing someone else other than you is analogous to choosing political candidates who after primary or election defeat never enter the town hall again to participate in town issues that impact the best interest of the community. Then again, some of these candidates never attended or spoke at a town board meeting but herald themselves to be knowledgeable and able to bring positive change to the community.

Watch your back, Mrs. Lemaster, all politicos carry knives!