Will Jim's vacant seat be available this coming election?

[WNYresident]

Will Jim's vacant seat be available this coming election?

That means 4 seats right?

[Cheektavegas]

Will Jim's vacant seat be available this coming election?

That means 4 seats right?

No, if he resigns or is forced out this year, there will be a special election in November to fill his seat. If the Town Board acts to fill his seat for the remainder of the year, then whomever is appointed will have to run in said election to fill the rest of his term until 2021. If there is more than one candidate from each party, there will be a primary in September.

[gorja]

From the Buffalo News
Police called to home of Cheektowaga Councilman on prior domestic incident

Cheektowaga police were called to the home of four-term Councilman James P. Rogowski on a domestic incident one week prior to his arrest on Friday, a police official confirmed.

Police responded to a call from Rogowski's wife at 8:45 p.m. on Feb. 16, said Cheektowaga Assistant Chief James Speyer. Police said the call stemmed from an argument between Rogowski and his wife.

No criminal charges were filed as a result of the incident, Speyer confirmed.

But an Order of Protection was subsequently issued in Erie County Family Court against Rogowski.

Rogowski on Friday was charged with first-degree criminal contempt for violating that Order of Protection after he allegedly began chasing his wife in a vehicle as she drove her vehicle about 6 p.m. on Orchard Park Road, said West Seneca Police Lt. John R. Urbanski.

Rogowski, 45, also faces a second-degree menacing charge in connection with Friday's incident.

The incident was reported to West Seneca Police, who requested that Cheektowaga Police retrieve Rogowski from Doino's Pizzeria Bar & Grille at 2709 Harlem Road, said multiple sources in town government.

Rogowski was attending a retirement party of a Cheektowaga police officer, said sources who also attended the party.

Rogowski spent the night in the West Seneca Jail, located at 1250 Union Road, said sources with knowledge of the situation.

Rogowski is employed as a teacher in the Lockport City School District.

Michelle T. Bradley, Lockport school superintendent, could not be reached to comment.

Rogowski was first elected to the Cheektowaga Town Board as a Democrat in 2005. He is the son of William P. Rogowski, who served on the Town Board for more than 20 years.

Cheektowaga Supervisor Diane Benczkowski declined to comment on Rogowski's arrest.

A work session of the Cheektowaga Town Board is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday. The regular meeting will follow at 7 p.m.

[WNYresident]

Cheektowaga Supervisor Diane Benczkowski declined to comment on Rogowski's arrest.

Get all the facts straight. Good idea.

[grump]

So the Cheek police did what cops always do when called to an incident involving an elected official who can vote on their contract. Exactly nothing. This left Rogowski confident that he could ignore the protective order and continue to harass his wife because the Cheek police would cover it up. He made the mistake of violating the protective order in West Seneca. Rogowski doesn’t vote on their contract and they weren’t willing to do clean up after he caught his wife. So now the puke is in trouble...and after all he’s done for the people, like raping them on taxes for his friends. POS all the way!!!

[WNYresident]

when called to an incident involving an elected official who can vote on their contract. Exactly nothing.

Don't you think that is a stretch?

[grump]

Nope. The Cheek police felt nothing needed to be done but family court thought a protective order was warranted? There’s a disconnect there somewhere. I’ve always felt that when a local official is involved some other law enforcement authority, eg sheriff or state police, should handle it. It puts local law enforcement in an awkward position otherwise.