Will Lancaster politicians Wallace and Bruso help taxpayers?be ethical?be brave!!

[Greg Sojka]

Water Authority appointees donate generously to politicians

By Matthew Spina and Sandra Tan | Published Sun, Apr 15, 2018 | Updated Sun, Apr 15, 2018

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The staff comptroller gave $20,000 and counting. The human resources director, $23,000. Some $43,000 came from an agency lawyer.
The Erie County Water Authority's appointed administrators give generously to politicians in need.
By the end of March, 45 non-union managers and lawyers, along with their spouses, had given a combined $408,000 to local and state political funds since taking their Water Authority jobs.
County Legislature candidates benefit, too. In their most recent two-year election cycle, County Legislature candidates accepted $11,400 from the agency's non-union staff, which includes the three commissioners overseeing the organization.
Four former employees said it works like this: Invitations to fundraisers are mailed to the home. A colleague might mention they will attend. A friendly party operative will note candidates worthy of support.

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Peer pressure and the fear of losing political friends takes care of the rest.
"If you're getting an $80,000 job, or 90 – you definitely know you're giving," one former staffer told The Buffalo News.
Any employee who owes their job to a political connection could become isolated if they consistently refuse to give back, the employees said.
"They could definitely make your life miserable," one of the former workers told The News.
All asked that their names not be used to avoid repercussions.
The Water Authority says it maintains a hands-off policy regarding political giving.
"The Authority doesn't monitor any of this stuff," said Michael Caputo, the agency's public relations consultant. He said Water Authority bosses don't scrutinize whether workers give to charities or to politicians.
"At the end of the day, the workers have to be qualified for their jobs," Caputo said, adding that he knows of no employee who is not qualified.
The list of non-union administrators includes current and former party leaders, major donors, former elected officials, a former judge and their families and friends. Those working full-time earn between $70,000 and $191,000 a year.
"To get those jobs, you need to be friends with somebody pretty darn high up in the game," said one of the former employees.
James C. Battista is a University at Buffalo political science professor who has studied trends in civil service employment.
"Nobody's going to say this is a great thing," Battista said. "The best spin you can put on any partisan patronage is that, 'Eh, maybe it doesn't hurt anything.' "
"The downside," he said, "is you have people who have to pay to have a job."
The bureaucracy

"The whole system is very unseemly," said Daniel M. Ward, an agency customer and a former Amherst supervisor who says the Water Authority is too immersed in local politics.
He said the agency is similar to the county Board of Elections. Both, he said, employ partisans who "pay their dues" so the parties keep them in their jobs.
Ward doesn't see how the Water Authority, under the current system, will ever be allowed to exist simply as a water agency and not have to double as a party asset. Usually, when one party gouges a state agency or public authority for its own benefit, the other party will call them out on it, Ward said. But with the Water Authority, both major parties take turns enjoying the lion's share of its benefits, so both parties protect their arrangement, he said.
The authority, with approximately 230 employees, will spend about $97 million this year providing water to more than 550,000 people in Buffalo's suburbs. It also retains the services of myriad consultants and raises its rates nearly every year.
The bureaucracy starts with an executive director. Then there's a deputy executive director, a director of operations, a director of administration and a deputy administrative director. The authority employs a director of human resources, a coordinator of employee relations, an employee benefits specialist and a director of equal employment opportunity. It has a comptroller, a cash manager, an assistant manager for accounting, a business office manager, an assistant business office manager and a risk manager. There's an authority secretary and a secretary for the authority secretary.
From nearly all of those salaries, political donations flow.
The total of $408,000 in political contributions from the non-union employees since they got their jobs may be low because more than a third of them started work prior to Jan. 1, 2006, when the state Board of Elections began posting campaign finance reports for county and municipal races online.
Some appointees average hundreds of dollars a month in donations. Take Joseph T. Burns, for example. With the blessing of Republican Chairman Nicholas Langworthy, Burns in April 2015 became "secretary to the authority," a plum patronage position. In a break from the past, Burns also serves as the general counsel. Over the three years of his employment, Burns donated $15,829 to assorted Republican causes, which includes the $335 he gave Republican candidates for the Legislature's 2017 election.
From his annual salary of around $149,000, Burns gave an average $450 a month to the GOP.
For those with longstanding political involvement, their campaign giving didn't start at the moment they collected their first Water Authority paycheck. Daniel Michnik, for example, is the Republican Party chairman in Clarence and a Water Authority "administrative assistant,'' a job that paid him about $84,000 last year. Michnik has donated at least $5,166 to political accounts since taking the job in February 2016, or about $200 a month. But he donated at least $6,900 in the years before the Water Authority hired him, according to state records.
The News asked the authority for comments from Burns and Michnik but received no response.
Pols at the top

The example is set at the top, by the three part-time commissioners who form the water agency's governing board. In practice, they are selected by the party chairmen and ratified by the County Legislature. Typically, they are politically active and reached into their wallets long before taking a post atop the Water Authority.
Earl L. Jann Jr., a Republican who last year moved from Water Authority chairman into the better-paying post of executive director, has donated nearly $16,000 to various Republican accounts since he started collecting an agency paycheck in 2013.
Like Jann, Jerome D. Schad, the Democratic Party chairman in Amherst, contributed to campaign funds before he became a water commissioner. But Schad has given more than $19,000 since his name appeared on the payroll in 2013.
Robert Anderson, a former highway superintendent in Amherst, gave $6,262, or roughly $2,100 a year from his $22,500 commissioner's salary over the last three years.
With the Republican Anderson leaving the Water Authority board this year, Democrats in March arranged for politically connected lawyer Mark S. Carney to replace him and give their party a ruling majority on the board, meaning Democrats could take most of the patronage and perks.
Like the water commissioners before him, Carney long ago established himself as a friend of his party. He and his law firm donated more than $25,000 to Democratic accounts over the last five years.
Lawmakers benefit

In January, as the sun started to set on Republican control of the Water Authority, the two Republican commissioners gave their Republican-appointed executive director, Jann, a contract making it too expensive to fire him. When The News revealed it would cost $300,000 to $400,000 to fire Jann without cause this year, many county lawmakers reacted angrily. Carney's appointment, which lawmakers had to approve, gave them a springboard to complain about the Authority's patronage-soaked nature and to say it was time to end business as usual.

Aside from receiving campaign contributions from Water Authority employees, legislators rely on the good will of their party leaders to help win re-election every two years. But for a few days in March, lawmakers seemed willing to buck the system. They talked about freezing the appointment for 90 days, during which time a panel of experts would determine how to reform the Water Authority or end its existence by folding it into county government.
They also talked of installing one of the other candidates who hadn't been selected by – as three party insiders told The News – Democratic Party Chairman Jeremy Zellner.
Then came the vote. Ten of the 11 lawmakers approved Carney's selection. The symbiosis that exists between the parties, the Legislature and the Water Authority survived.
Legislator Patrick Burke, a South Buffalo Democrat, was among those willing to lambaste the authority over the Jann contract. But Burke then joined most of the others in a vote for Carney, and he rebuked fellow Democrat Thomas Loughran for suggesting a 90-day delay.
Burke, whose County Legislature campaign account included $340 from the non-union employees, says those donations did not sway his vote. He says Carney was clearly the best of the three candidates. And he agreed with the logic that rejecting Carney would have rewarded the Republican commissioners who gave Jann his golden parachute; Anderson would have been retained until a replacement was named.
"I think the biggest corrupting influence in all of government is campaign finance. Elected officials have to spend way too much time raising money," said Burke, who is running for the State Assembly in a special election later this month.
But anyone who takes a campaign contribution and yet can't vote based on their own conscience doesn't belong in politics, Burke said when The News asked whether county lawmakers should take money from an agency in their purview.
"Someone's campaign contribution does not determine what I do as an elected official," he said.


Generous lawyers

Workers who had to pass a test to get their Water Authority jobs tended to give the least. Of the 50 non-union employees on the payroll last year, The News found just five who never made a political contribution, according to state Board of Elections records. The five work in positions in which civil service tests are required. One was hired after a national search to fill a post that requires a high set of skills to safeguard water. Paul J. Whittam, the director of water quality, is not enrolled in a political party.
The non-givers stand in stark contrast with the Authority's most generous crew – the legal staff. The authority employed six lawyers in 2017, aside from Burns, the secretary and general counsel. The six were Republicans and Democrats, full-time and part-time, and they have given some $125,000 to political causes since taking their agency jobs. Four of the top six political contributors at the authority were lawyers who have given more than $20,000 since they were hired.
Said one of the former employees: Anyone who takes a legal post at the authority without recognizing the need to contribute to politicians doesn't deserve a law degree.
The six lawyers include: the son of a former state senator; the daughter of a former surrogate judge; a former judge and major Democratic Party fund raiser; the wife of a large-scale GOP donor; and a lawyer who became a City Court judge in January.
Then there's a veteran municipal lawyer who also serves as counsel for four towns and the County Legislature.
Republican Ronald P. Bennett of Holland has given more since joining the Water Authority than any other employee. The News found he has given $43,255. But Bennett, who began his Water Authority job in 2001, acknowledged that tally is low.
He's always been an active contributor, he said, going back to his days as a town attorney for Holland in the 1970s. Today, as one of the county's most experienced municipal lawyers, Bennett said he contributes because he likes the candidates he supports, and he believes in the Republican Party.
He said he has never felt compelled to give in order to keep government jobs he has held for decades.
"That's never been true for me," he said. "I know municipal law."


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[Greg Sojka]

Both parties are guilty of abusing the taxpayers. Lancaster Assemblywoman Wallace and Lancaster Legislator Bruso ran on ethics. Now that legislator John Bruso has worked so hard to ban conversion therapy,which NO doctor or medical group used and Assembly woman Monica Wallace voted yes to legalize full term Abortions Right up to the 9th month on 3/13/2018. Since they worked on their own agenda now is the time to put some effort into helping Erie County taxpayers with stopping patronage hiring. I know it will be difficult because some are your friends and gave your campaigns a lot of money.I still believe you are elected to serve the people. I am hoping your mailers will hold true and you will show us your ethics. The guy who ran the gambling ring above the Lancaster boys and girls club is betting you both do nothing! I have faith and I never count out the long shot.Monica and John DO THE RIGHT THING!

[Breezy]

Both parties are guilty of abusing the taxpayers. Lancaster Assemblywoman Wallace and Lancaster Legislator Bruso ran on ethics. Now that legislator John Bruso has worked so hard to ban conversion therapy,which NO doctor or medical group used and Assembly woman Monica Wallace voted yes to legalize full term Abortions Right up to the 9th month on 3/13/2018. Since they worked on their own agenda now is the time to put some effort into helping Erie County taxpayers with stopping patronage hiring. I know it will be difficult because some are your friends and gave your campaigns a lot of money.I still believe you are elected to serve the people. I am hoping your mailers will hold true and you will show us your ethics. The guy who ran the gambling ring above the Lancaster boys and girls club is betting you both do nothing! I have faith and I never count out the long shot.Monica and John DO THE RIGHT THING!

From what I understand about the process here, it would take an act of the NYS Legislature to change this public utility. And Assembly Member Wallace has submitted legislation to address the golden parachute matter, at least. So, Ms. Wallace has stepped up, and naturally Greg Sojka leaves that out. Hypocrite!

Mr. Sojka also leaves out the State Senate representative for Lancaster, Patrick "Do Nothing" Gallivan. Where is you attack on this man, Greg ??? Funny how you NEVER mention him and he has more power in Albany than Ms. Wallace. More Greg Sojka hypocritical malarkey to say the least.

And who wouldn't bring 'conversion therapy' into a thread about a public utility that delivers water ???? Yup, good ole H2O has a heck of a lot to do with 'conversion therapy' - sounds like Greg is reading more and more grump on here. Of course grump being a standup guy with a screen name only - that's perfectly cool with Greg Sojka, since grump is 'on his side' being another always complaining, grousy Gus, whining all the time about those darned Democrats! Gee, I recall grump going wild over the 'conversion therapy' thing, but wasn't that Legislator Patrick Burke asking for this legislation ??? And for a few years now, waaaaaaay before Mr. Bruso took office ?????

Greg you are such a Hypocrite - ONCE AGAIN!

I also find it revealing that Greg Sojka and Mark Blazejewski attack Monica Wallace on abortion, yet these two punks supported Dino Fudoli, Joe Brainard and Donald Trump, whose combined moral authority toward women are anything but pure, wholesome or righteous - heck, these three men treated women as objects. It would be interesting to pull back the curtain to see how abortion affected these three pigs in their past.

Just more Greg being a Hypocrite.

[mark blazejewski]

.I still believe you are elected to serve the people.

Agreed.

Given the bizarre practices and behaviors of some tenants on our street in 2014, some felt that two properties may well have been an undisclosed state or county "facility." I had serious questions and some neighbors shared those concerns.

Ted Morton was quick to answer my questions: Hopefully, Mr. Bruso will continue in that tradition.

orton, Hon. Ted
3/18/14

to me
Mr. Blazejewski,



I spoke with the town’s building inspector today who informed me that both 38 and 40 Newell are owned by a corporation. Neither of the homes are government owned or sponsored. He did receive a complaint yesterday regarding 38 Newell and is going over there today to investigate the situation and find out what’s going on. I will let you know if I get any other information but it is not county or state based at all.



--

Ted Morton | 8th District

Erie County | Legislative Branch

92 Franklin St., | Buffalo, NY 14202

P716) 858-8856 | F716) 858-8895

ted.morton@erie.gov | www.erie.gov/legislature/republican

[mark blazejewski]

I also find it revealing that Greg Sojka and Mark Blazejewski attack Monica Wallace on abortion, yet these two punks supported Dino Fudoli, Joe Brainard and Donald Trump, whose combined moral authority toward women are anything but pure, wholesome or righteous - heck, these three men treated women as objects. It would be interesting to pull back the curtain to see how abortion affected these three pigs in their past.

Just more Greg being a Hypocrite.

EEOC charges are civil in nature, and settlements and decisions are often negotiated. "Full Term" abortions are FINAL, with no representation for the nine-month old human being.

Monica Wallace's support for 1748 would redefine murder. I guess the government can make anything legal. I want that definition left alone, if not revised in favor of the the unborn.

Pathetic play for the guilt by association thing. Can you spell Dirschberger "Breezy?"

[Lee Chowaniec]

Through his involvement in Lancaster, Cheektowaga and now the county, it appears Bruso is exemplifying personal moral values – ethics. CPS workers have an extremely difficult job and are grossly underpaid.

The fight over pay and turnover at Child Protective Services

http://buffalonews.com/2018/04/15/th...tive-services/

Legislator John Bruso, a Lancaster Democrat who leads the Health and Human Services Committee, encouraged the workers to do the survey. He shared the results with the Social Services commissioner and asked for a plan.

"Even with this job upgrade, this is not life changing money," Bruso said of the need for a comprehensive response. "They save kids lives. They're not doing this because they're going to be very rich someday."

Cannon and other top department administrators said they recognize and acknowledge the difficulties faced by CPS caseworkers and have worked hard over time to address concerns. She sent Bruso a five-page letter outlining the many prior and ongoing efforts the county has undertaken to address issues ranging from worker training and safety to support and communication.

[mark blazejewski]

I also find it revealing that Greg Sojka and Mark Blazejewski attack Monica Wallace on abortion, yet these two punks supported Dino Fudoli, Joe Brainard and Donald Trump, whose combined moral authority toward women are anything but pure, wholesome or righteous - heck, these three men treated women as objects. It would be interesting to pull back the curtain to see how abortion affected these three pigs in their past.

"Punk," Seriously?

At my age, I need to trade-in my leather jacket for a shawl.

I just wonder, was every Lancaster voter, such as myself, who cast a ballot for Fudoli, Brainard, and Trump a "punk?" There were many who did vote for all three. I just wonder how many of my fellow "punks" are females?

Was every Lancaster voter who cast a vote for Polancarz a "punk," and are somehow responsible for his nomination of Dirschberger?

For that matter, is Poloncarz a "Punk," because he gave us Dirschberger in the first place.

"Breezy," since you have such a principled character, and exert a broad-brush, no-tolerance approach to those who have supported, even unwittingly, those who engage in ""treating women like objects," let alone those accused of rape, it is perfectly obvious to me that you will not be supporting Poloncarz in 2019.

Welcome aboard "Breezy."

As I said in previous posts that you choose NOT to answer, YOU KNOW NOTHING!

[Greg Sojka]

image.jpg This is cozy! From the left Erie County Democrat Chairman,?,assemblywoman Monica Wallace, and Lancaster democrat chairman and also ECWA employee @123,000 a year plus he is scheduled to get a nice raise this year. Readers of Speak Up WnY we can do better,we must do better. BOTH PARTIES ARE WRONG! Step up John Bruso and Monica Wallace lead by example. Remember your mailer ETHICS!

[Greg Sojka]

Alligator arms Lee, i posted the board of elections donation list showing that your ice cream man John Bruso received political donations from Erie county director of social services Al Dirschberger who has been arrested for rape of an Erie county social services employee. Dirschberger was appointed by Mark Polonczar. How's the ethics look now Lee? More pay to play.******. Breezy can you explain your guilt by association common core math regarding Bruso, Dirschberger, and Polonczar on these issues?

[Breezy]

Breezy can you explain your guilt by association common core math regarding Bruso, Dirschberger, and Polonczar on these issues?

Sure!

You (Greg Sojka) and Mark Blazejewski supported and even funded the campaigns of Mr. Fudoli and Mr. Brainard KNOWING FULL WELL of their horrible pasts with regard to women, and of course everyone knows of Donald Trump's sordid history with women, but then you went ahead anyway and supported them (even gave money knowing the history of the two local candidates).

So bottom line here is Mr. Sojka and Mr. Blazejewski have the ethics of ally cats - morally depraved with no ethics whatsoever.

On the other hand with the Dems these two punks go after, Mr. Dirschberger donated money BEFORE his arrest. And - - - Didn't your beloved Ted Morton vote to confirm Mr. Dirschberger ???? Why not hold him accountable ?? Here's why you can't - because he was appointed before the arrest, not after. Once the arrest had occurred, any support this man had rightfully evaporated. Am I wrong ??? Heck, Mr. Poloncarz even forced the man to resign before any legal due process - because Mr. Dirschberger violated a policy of fraternizing with a subordinate employee, according to many media reports.

The two punks, the Sojka/Blazejewski ethically degenerate tag team supported scum knowing full well their pasts.

The Dems - from what I understand from friends in the Dem Party donated the money to charity, anyway, plus some!

[mark blazejewski]

QUOTE=Breezy;
You (Greg Sojka) and Mark Blazejewski supported and even funded the campaigns of Mr. Fudoli and Mr. Brainard KNOWING FULL WELL of their horrible pasts with regard to women, and of course everyone knows of Donald Trump's sordid history with women, but then you went ahead anyway and supported them (even gave money knowing the history of the two local candidates).

Are you seriously comparing Fudoli and Brainard to Dirschberger? You are becoming unhinged.

Also, the more you post, more credibility you lose "Breezy." Show me where I supported Fudoli with contributions? You have already produced my undenied contribution to Brainard, so you surely must have my contribution to Fudoli. POST IT!

Like I have said, you just throw-out accusations based on unsupported facts in an effort to smear, and ergo, YOU KNOW NOTHING!!!

So bottom line here is Mr. Sojka and Mr. Blazejewski have the ethics of ally cats - morally depraved with no ethics whatsoever.

Some Republicans and Democrats in the county legislature had SERIOUS questions about Dirschberger's background and character prior to their vote to confirm him. They all must be "punks" with the ethics of alley cats too.

Talk about your ethics "Breezy," answer these questions:

https://www.speakupwny.com/forums/sh...et-off-the-pot!

On the other hand with the Dems these two punks go after, Mr. Dirschberger donated money BEFORE his arrest. And - - - Didn't your beloved Ted Morton vote to confirm Mr. Dirschberger ???? Why not hold him accountable ?

At least Morton did receive money from Dirschberger.

Here's why you can't - because he was appointed before the arrest, not after.

Morton's vote, like those of the other supporting legislators, to approve Dirschberger ALSO occurred before the arrest also. Little desperate double standard there?

Again, you are becoming unhinged and flustered.

The two punks, the Sojka/Blazejewski ethically degenerate tag team supported scum knowing full well their pasts.

Neither had a criminal background. People in business make all types of enemies. Some time the civil process, while necessary, does not tell the whole story.

Many voters in Lancaster, including woman voters, must be ethical degenerates as well. Here's a theme for a campaign mailer for the Democrats "Breezy:"

"ALL LANCASTER VOTERS, WHO SUPPORTED FUDOLI AND BRAINARD ARE ETHICAL DEGENERATES."

I wonder how that would work out for the Democrats?

I understand from friends in the Dem Party donated the money to charity...

Dirschberger was not so friendly with Morton as to give him money.

But, more importantly, who donated the money to charity?

You can SAY anything, like you usually do. POST THE NAME OF THE OFFICEHOLDER/CANDIDATE AND TO WHAT CHARITY IT WAS DONATED, or have the office holder commit him/herself to such a donation publicly. Would like some proof here "Breeezy," not just more hot air.

Your are almost incoherent today.

But "friends in the Dem Party" sounds like you know those Democrat players really well, "Mr. Citizen Warrior." That smacks with overtones of political hackery. As I observed when you unjustly accused me of being a "Republican Big:"

"

Breezy," your accusations suggest the words of Shakespear: "Suspicion always haunts the guilty mind."

But, I digress. Talk about your own ethics "Breezy," and answer these questions:

https://www.speakupwny.com/forums/sh...et-off-the-pot!

[Greg Sojka]

Breezy , you carry on like a child having a tantrum. Post the facts on your make believe accusations. In the past someone using the breezy name said I was the big financial backer of the Republican Party.That was a lie . Al Dirchberger has donated much more money then I. Who did Legislator John Bruso give his dirty donations to? Did Mark Poloncarz give his dirty donations to a non profit ? How about that picture I posted ? It must be difficult for Monica to take away the political silver spoon from her friends and donors. Alligator arms Chowaniac ask your ice cream man who did he donate that dirty donation to ? Frosty s is closed today,tomorrow is a better day. Lee we are still waiting to hear what or if any non profits or youth programs you donate to in Lancaster? You probably missed the question in the other thread .

[mark blazejewski]

Breezy , you carry on like a child having a tantrum. Post the facts on your make believe accusations.

You got that right.

In 2015, "Breezy," the epitome of virtue and morality said that I was some sort of "Republican Big." I told him that my advocacy for the Republican ticket that year was based solely on my disgust with the political leadership in the VOL, and its kindred spirits in the town.

He called my explanation "malarkey." These are those comments I posted in 2015:

I have watched at close hand the serious deterioration of my neighborhood. In a reverse progression, I have witnessed it devolve from a pleasant neighborhood into a disruptive, dysfunctional ghetto of de-stabilized bedlam. Repeatedly, I have brought this situation to the attention of village officials, but my requests for remedy, even when the issue concerned life and death, were, for the most part, rebuffed. Sadly, I have watched as government officials, un-moving and vain, indifferently turn their backs on my measured, but desperate, pleas for remedial intervention. To wit, I have decided that if the village and town governments can not respond to my subtle expressions of concern, perhaps they will hear my amplified First Amendment voice.

This was "Breezy's" response:

Anyone who reads Mr. Blazejewski's article can see right through this malarkey. It's a political hit for crying out loud.

"Breezy"was not concerned about the law; it was concerned about the politics, and what it perceived to be a "political hit." When I had explained to it that my disgust with the VOL leaadership stemmed from problems in connection with an in-home Hospice program for my mother, "Breezy" did not retract the "malarkey" comment; in fact, "Breezy" doubled down, and continues to this day, to charactize my explanation and the attendant circumstances with the exact same spiteful word.
It's a political hit for crying out loud.

I have in fact asked it to provide evidence to support his version of my motives for support of 2015 Republican ticket. To date, it has not:

https://www.speakupwny.com/forums/sh...et-off-the-pot!


When I FOILed certain documents related to the delayed proceeds to the Food Pantry, and accused me and my wife of "colluding" with Republican Party:

Sounds like the Mrs. is writing your posts again!

Nothing wrong with that, of course.

Kind of wholesome, IMHO!

Kinda also verifies the collusion with the Town GOP candidates.

When Dawn Gaczewski and Bill Schroeder, unknown to the VOL Records Officer, show-up at my door, unannounced and uninvited, to question me about the FOIL, which the VOL Board described as "inappropriate," he accused me of "setting Dawn up." (Still curious to know how I forced her to come to my house?)

I also note that the VOL Board termed that "visit" as "inappropriate.

Most recently, he publicly posted on this forum, that I was responsible for the delay of the proceeds.

Strange, Mark Blazejewski goes wild over his own screw-up over donations for a soup kitchen, thread after thread after thread, yet in this case it's no big deal until he's pressed - then his gives his tame admonishment.

I have asked it to provide support for his assertion that I was responsible for the delayed proceeds to the Food Pantry. To date, it has not:

Since I never had a functional position within the organizational structure of the Food Pantry, never held ANY position within the VOL "Special Events," nor participated in any way in the "Special Event," outside of support that event with my tax dollars, your comments are bizarre.

Are you alleging that I was somehow in control of the donations?

Are you suggesting criminal conduct on my part?

A very troubling and serious charge concerning my specific person, posted on a public forum "Breezy." You need to fully explain what you perceive to be my "screw-up over donations" was, and what that purported "screw-up" specifically entailed.

If you can not explain this allege screw-up, you need to retract the comment.

Your bracketed comments are a BOLD FACE LIE, thrown out by you in the hopes that if you repeat a lie long enough, it will be believed.

Again, you know nothing.

Over the last two and a half years, I have repeatedly asked him to factually refute the my version of the FOIL matter, and the words of the VOL Clerk when he responded to my concerns regarding the Gaczewski visit. To date, he has not:

Mr. Stegmeier,

Since my receipt of your August 4, 2015 I have had no further written response from your office regarding my outstanding FOIL request.


I did however receive an unannounced visit at my home on Saturday, August 15, 2015 from an individual identifying herself as a "Dawn Gaczewski," along with an unidentified gentleman. Ms. Gaczewski inquired as to the nature of the FOIL request. She was told that the reason for the request stemmed from my wife's concern regarding the Food Pantry, and she would have to discuss the specifics of her concern with her. I did provide Ms. Gaczewski with our home telephone number, but to date, I understand, there has been no attempt by Ms. Gaczewski to contact my wife.


I am assuming, consistent with your letter, that your search is in progress, and is not yet complete. As such, this communication does not constitute an appeal within the meaning of the Public Officers Law.


Rather, it is an assertion that there was nothing within the scope of my conversation with Ms. Gaczewski which in any way compromised the integrity of my initial FOIL request.


Thank you for your attention.

Mr. Blazejewski –

I have attached my response that was placed in the mail to you on Tuesday morning. I expect that you may receive the original letter within the next few days.

I was not aware of any visit to your home and such visit was not precipitated by my office.

Please let me know if you would like to proceed further regarding your request per the attached letter.

Thank you,

Michael E. Stegmeier, CMC
Clerk & Treasurer
Village of Lancaster
5423 Broadway
Lancaster, NY 14086
(716) 683-2105 ext. 13
(716) 684-4830 (fax)

This morning, he suggested that I supported Fudoli with campaign contributions. That is false. Did support Brainard with a $50 contribution, but gave nothing to Dino's, Wisenberg's or Morton's campaign.

It needs to walk that back too.

The "Breezy" account appears to be a political "hit" tool for the Democrat Party- PERIOD. He is all about character assassination, blind advocacy, no facts, and just hateful opinions: characteristics of the ultimate hypocrite and party hack.

[WNYresident]

Since they worked on their own agenda now is the time to put some effort into helping Erie County taxpayers with stopping patronage hiring. I know it will be difficult because some are your friends and gave your campaigns a lot of money.I still believe you are elected to serve the people. I am hoping your mailers will hold true and you will show us your ethics. The guy who ran the gambling ring above the Lancaster boys and girls club is betting you both do nothing! I have faith and I never count out the long shot.Monica and John DO THE RIGHT THING!

Never happen. They are not going to close the door on patronage hiring as we see here. They are going to keep that door open when their turn comes up.

[Lee Chowaniec]

Breezy , you carry on like a child having a tantrum. Post the facts on your make believe accusations. In the past someone using the breezy name said I was the big financial backer of the Republican Party.That was a lie . Al Dirchberger has donated much more money then I. Who did Legislator John Bruso give his dirty donations to? Did Mark Poloncarz give his dirty donations to a non profit ? How about that picture I posted ? It must be difficult for Monica to take away the political silver spoon from her friends and donors. Alligator arms Chowaniac ask your ice cream man who did he donate that dirty donation to ? Frosty s is closed today,tomorrow is a better day. Lee we are still waiting to hear what or if any non profits or youth programs you donate to in Lancaster? You probably missed the question in the other thread .

Poor Greg, he can spend money to gain influence and attempt to make change, but you can't change stupid.