Where have all the gadflies gone

[Lee Chowaniec]

One man’s gadfly is another man’s activist. Regardless, where are those meddlers whose intent was to hold the town accountable in myriad fiscal, environmental and developmental ventures?

Most likely dead, aged and incapacitated or have simply become disinterested because while the players change the game remains the same.

Public participation at the pre-file resolution and public comment sessions are at an all time low. The recent town board meeting consisted of 27 resolutions, a public comment period on the pre-file resolutions, board member committee reports, a communication submittal overview, and a public session on any town matter. There were no public comments and the meeting ended in 43 minutes. And, there were hiring and equipment spending increases where questions needed asking.

The meetings have become so tranquil with lack of public participation that the board has taken to the idea that all is well with their leadership. The gadflies of old would have certainly questioned the reason for the two new hires in the police department coming from districts outside our county and whether a study was done to corroborate the need to hire yet another police officer.

Were studies performed to determine the need for hiring in the highway and parks departments? Yes, the town is growing. However, at the same time the town has spent freely on technology, equipment, building and material additions and improvements; and where such advances and improvements should lead to better productivity and efficiency measures, and less need for manpower.

The gadflies would have questioned the 4.74% increase in the 2018 tax levy and the ever increasing debt service – and the spending continuing thereafter.
It was the pain-in-the-ass gadflies who brought to light the Walden Avenue Colecraft Building fiasco to the forefront – a gang of six that sued the town for fraud and waste of money. They lost in court but with a decision rendered by the judge that ‘there was no criminal intent, just bad governance’. The same group petitioned for a new police building from the get-go; a building that wasn’t built and in operation until 12 years later.

The gadflies brought to light the reason(s) and need for the waterline improvement project, the systemic and wanton destruction of valuable and functional wetlands (and bogus delineations); over-generous fire contracts; consequential rezone and rezone of rezone approvals; inferior subdivision road construction, overburdened roads and traffic safety issues, etc.

At the same time, the town should be recognized for the openness and transparency that resulted in the past several years with the consistent updating and improvement of its town website. The information provided on the website is extensive and comprehensive. And now that all Town/Planning/ZBA meetings are recorded there is no excuse for any resident to not know what is taking place in town and/or to participate in his or her government’s operation.

Much of what has taken place in the development of the website’s data base was accomplished through the request of the gadflies for the sake of openness and transparency. Then Supervisor Dino Fudoli took the initiative to contract for new software to update and upgrade the website and the current board has further improved it.

There should never come a time when residents don’t have a say in how their government is operating. The town needs to be held accountable.

Here’s hoping that the light of the gadfly has not been extinguished!

[mark blazejewski]

There should never come a time when residents don’t have a say in how their government is operating. The town needs to be held accountable. !

It is imperative that the citizen question and scrutinize.

Some citizens bravely do it as independent "gadflys." Most citizens entrust to their elected representative(s), the task of vocal, public skepticism.

Lancaster has a diverse Council consisting of two Democrats, one Conservative, one "blank," and one Republican. The entity of the Council, in theory, should be one by which the views of all philosophical sides are publicly aired.

In Lancaster, until now, such appears not to be the case. Regrettably, the entity of the Council, seems wrapped by a rather hapless belt of diversity, functioning only when secured by a rather myopic, self-serving, arbitrary, autocratic executive buckle.

The phrase "My way, or the highway" comes to mind when I think of the autocrat and those in her orbit.

IMHO, it certainly would be desirable if those on the Council, whose political philosophies are contrary to those of the ostensible autocrat, would become more vocal in representing the philosophical interests of those electing them.

[Lee Chowaniec]

It is imperative that the citizen question and scrutinize.

Some citizens bravely do it as independent "gadflys." Most citizens entrust to their elected representative(s), the task of vocal, public skepticism.

Lancaster has a diverse Council consisting of two Democrats, one Conservative, one "blank," and one Republican. The entity of the Council, in theory, should be one by which the views of all philosophical sides are publicly aired.

In Lancaster, until now, such appears not to be the case. Regrettably, the entity of the Council, seems wrapped by a rather hapless belt of diversity, functioning only when secured by a rather myopic, self-serving, arbitrary, autocratic executive buckle.

The phrase "My way, or the highway" comes to mind when I think of the autocrat and those in her orbit.

IMHO, it certainly would be desirable if those on the Council, whose political philosophies are contrary to those of the ostensible autocrat, would become more vocal in representing the philosophical interests of those electing them.

In theory the town board is a model for political party diversity. When looking at how this board has voted on the 2018 budget and acted in concert in the last six months on resolution approvals and spending, diversity is not apparent. It appears that a tax and spend agenda is in place and that the so-called board conservative and avowed independent ‘blank’ have lost their voices. And the Republican new kid on the block has yet to voice any concerns/comments/opposition to the liberal agenda.

The only voice of opposition has come from Democrat Ruffino – and not always on track.

The voting demographics have been changing in Lancaster where there has been a consistent increase in the number of registered conservatives, independents and blanks (unaffiliated voters).

The Conservative and Independence Parties have played significant roles in endorsing and assisting getting candidates from both major parties elected into office. At present, no board member appears to be acting conservatively or independently.

[gorja]

Lee, I think you are going to have to come out of gadfly retirement

[gorja]

Double post, IGNORE this one

[mark blazejewski]

Lee, I think you are going to have to come out of gadfly retirement

Funny thing about flies, they always seem to warn us that something stinks.

[mark blazejewski]

No worries "Gadflies," you are the heirs to a great tradition, and stand on the shoulders of giants.

Socrates and his purported student Plato both were considered to be "Gadflies."

Plato recorded and expanded on Socrates' words and thoughts, and sought the ideal city. To Plato, the "ideal city" (polis) city should be one governed by a virtuous, knowledgeable King, who contents himself with living the simple life, and who dutifully reigns over a city based on based upon justice and human virtue.

"Gadfly" is a noble title.

[shortstuff]

Interesting post Lee. I find it is sad that the *gadflies* are diminishing. The younger generation should pay more attention to what is happening around them, but for those who have young families and demanding careers, that is not going to happen. It's up to our generation to keep our pulse on our own government, this is for the sake of our grandchildren. It's too late for us.

The "tax & spend" polices are the main flagship of a liberal politicians platform. This has been historical, to even consider otherwise would shed an ignorant light on those who think they are about fiscal conservatism. It is a disingenuous platform Democrats use, and the voters buy it. Who is the stupid one(s)? We get what we have voted in, then the stupid voters complain.

The more we depart from the town hall, the more the tax & spend polices continue. The lack of media coverage is another example how far out of touch we have become. Someone told Johanna Coleman, "it would be a shame if no one attended a town hall meeting." Her response, "yes it would be." I think gorja is on to something, Lee it's time to get out of retirement......

[WNYresident]

As Lefty said in an earlier thread. The people who can make change have left the areas that need change. Err something like that. A "gadfly" can only point things our for so long before they realize it's a waste of time and move on.

[DebLemaster]

I am still a "gladfly" ...... just took a little break from all the drama.

[gorja]

Both the Lancaster Bee and Buffalo News reporters were at the last meeting.
Just as the meeting was starting, the supervisor thanked the bee reporter for the nice things she had written about Gaczewski, Terranova and herself in this article.
http://www.lancasterbee.com/news/201...ies_going.html

I'd say we can count on NO investigative reporting from the Bee as per the norm

[gorja]

I am still a "gladfly" ...... just took a little break from all the drama.

When are you "gladflying" in for another landing?

[mark blazejewski]

Both the Lancaster Bee and Buffalo News reporters were at the last meeting.
Just as the meeting was starting, the supervisor thanked the bee reporter for the nice things she had written about Gaczewski, Terranova and herself in this article.
http://www.lancasterbee.com/news/201...ies_going.html

I'd say we can count on NO investigative reporting from the Bee as per the norm

At times, I have noticed that articles are the collaborative efforts of various reporters. That editorial does not have a byline or an indication of specific authorship. How did Coleman know that a specific reporter wrote the editorial?

Has Mrs. Coleman become Katherine Graham?

Straighten me out please.

[gorja]

At times, I have noticed that articles are the collaborative efforts of various reporters. That editorial does not have a byline or an indication of specific authorship. How did Coleman know that a specific reporter wrote the editorial?

Has Mrs. Coleman become Katherine Graham?

Straighten me out please.

I don't know but she did mention Amy Robb by name.
At 5:27
https://cloudup.com/cOqmr8fSJDx

[DebLemaster]

When are you "gladflying" in for another landing?

LOL!!!
Will be in Florida for next one. Promise to join you for meetings after that....