New Amherst Planning Board Member Has Residence Elsewhere

[WNYresident]

Did anyone catch what channel 4 wivb is reporting?

Luke Moretti Email him if you have any questions about this.

(January 4, 2007) - - Questions have been raised about where a recent appointee to a suburban planning board really lives. Can you legally serve on a town board if you actually live someplace else? News 4 Investigative Reporter Luke Moretti is Asking 4 You.

James Monroe was just appointed to the Amherst town planning board.

It's a volunteer position, but considered powerful in terms of future town development.

According to the state's public officers law, you must be a resident of the town in order to serve on the board.

But we found Monroe residing at an apartment in the City of Tonawanda. He even answered the door.

Moretti: Mr. Monroe?

Monroe: Speaking, yes.

Moretti: Luke Moretti, Channel 4. How are you?

Monroe refused an on-camera interview, but says it's not his official residence, even though his name is on the mailbox, and he admits to having the apartment for over a year.

Moretti: How can you be on the planning board in the Town of Amherst if you live in the City of Tonawanda?

Full story on WIVB.COM

[nomomo]

I saw that on the news. What a wreck this man is. What on earth is he doing on the planning board? Who nominated and approved him?

[forreason]

He was the Supervisor's appointment. Just another poor choice, where this individual not only lives outside the Town, but has a track record of being totally anti any development. He is taking the place of an individual who wanted to be reappointed who lives within the Eggertsville area and has volunteered in different ways for years including being a past fire chief. Once again it could be perceived that this is another way the Supervisor can show his true feelings for the fire service. He was requested by several people to reappoint the incumbent, but true to form did something like this. We look more and more foolish each day.

[wnybillsfan]

Kudos to the TV media for covering this story. The Buffalo News is still trying to prop up Mohan.

The Buffalo News failed to mention in Mohan's Deputy Supervisor fiasco how he had asked Mike McGuire to serve and continues to hide from the public what is really going on.

[|- Amherst Stakeholder -|]

He was the Supervisor's appointment. Just another poor choice, where this individual not only lives outside the Town, but has a track record of being totally anti any development. He is taking the place of an individual who wanted to be reappointed who lives within the Eggertsville area and has volunteered in different ways for years including being a past fire chief. Once again it could be perceived that this is another way the Supervisor can show his true feelings for the fire service. He was requested by several people to reappoint the incumbent, but true to form did something like this. We look more and more foolish each day.

Doesn't the Wnzig man live on Getzville Road? That's "Eggertsville"? Wouldn't that be more in the Snyder area? Is Daemen College in Eggertsville? Or you just talking about the Eggertsville Fire District? Also, wasn't he fire Chief MANY MANY years ago... maybe in the '80's? Whayt would that have to do with getting rid of him?

[forreason]

Yes he does reside as stated (approx. 2 blocks out of the Eggertsville Fire District). He was the Fire Chief in the 80's, but has held other positions within this organization since then. The concern here is that the fire service for as long as can be remembered has had a voting member on the Planning Board. This was done to provide a voice in the design of projects that provide for proper access, water flow, etc. for fire/life safety. Although the drawings are reviewed internally by employees in town government, they do not hold a voting interest in the final design. This individual wanted to be reinstated, but was not even after the Supervisor was aware of his intention as well as the history of the position. For those that have seen or heard the newly appointed member at meetings or in another committee that he is active in, he can have a very narrow minded position on a matter that is presented for discussion.

[left wing]

Yes he does reside as stated (approx. 2 blocks out of the Eggertsville Fire District). He was the Fire Chief in the 80's, but has held other positions within this organization since then. The concern here is that the fire service for as long as can be remembered has had a voting member on the Planning Board. This was done to provide a voice in the design of projects that provide for proper access, water flow, etc. for fire/life safety. Although the drawings are reviewed internally by employees in town government, they do not hold a voting interest in the final design. This individual wanted to be reinstated, but was not even after the Supervisor was aware of his intention as well as the history of the position. For those that have seen or heard the newly appointed member at meetings or in another committee that he is active in, he can have a very narrow minded position on a matter that is presented for discussion.

From what I have heard, the new appointee has a very specific agenda, which can be deduced from the location of his former residence on Bucyrus Drive.