Do more then keyboard and read today ! Call Legislator John Bruso now.!

[Greg Sojka]

Today at 2pm the legislator Bruso will be voting to keep the corruption at the Erie County Water Authority or remove it. Call Legislator John Bruso at 681-2071. Tell him your unhappy with the corruption or tell him you like things the way they are. Make the call and be heard by our elected official. John Bruso 681-2071.

[mark blazejewski]

Today at 2pm the legislator Bruso will be voting to keep the corruption at the Erie County Water Authority or remove it. Call Legislator John Bruso at 681-2071. Tell him your unhappy with the corruption or tell him you like things the way they are. Make the call and be heard by our elected official. John Bruso 681-2071.

Most of the local politicos are timid when confronting the corruption issue. On the state level, IMHO, that includes Senator Gallivan and yes, Senator Kennedy as well. On the county level, that includes Hardwick and Burke. To urge the above-named to react in favor of reform is to engage a feel-good exercise to remediate a very important issue.

Not to excuse their timid behavior, but there is an important distinction between the above-mentioned, and those such as Ms. Wallace and Mr. Bruso, who ran on platforms with ethics and anti-corruption as their upper-most planks.

Regarding Mr. Bruso, he should not need to be reminded of the importance of ethics and fighting corruption, or to be urged to apply his voice in support of good and clean governance. He conveniently found the issues exploitable during his campaign, and profitable enough to get elected, so what's the hold up?

[shortstuff]

Today at 2pm the legislator Bruso will be voting to keep the corruption at the Erie County Water Authority or remove it. Call Legislator John Bruso at 681-2071. Tell him your unhappy with the corruption or tell him you like things the way they are. Make the call and be heard by our elected official. John Bruso 681-2071.

Done,
thx Greg

[Greg Sojka]

Tick tock! Will Legislator John Bruso find the courage to do the right thing for taxpayers? The odds at Ron’s boys and girls club of gambling say NO ! Bruso knows it is the right thing to do having Schad resign but odds say he will support his friends at ECWA and let taxpayers pick
Up the bill again. If he votes against his political handlers John will be snubbed later . Hey John Bruso ask yourself would UPS of put up with these activities? Surprise me John , do the right thing .

[Greg Sojka]

The vote was 6-5 to remove the corruption chairman at ECWA . John Bruso voted NO ! We taxpayers do not matter to our fellow Lancaster resident legislator John Bruso . Politics as usual in Lancaster? Gotta protect the Lancaster democrat chairman at taxpayers expense again and again .

[mark blazejewski]

The vote was 6-5 to remove the corruption chairman at ECWA . John Bruso voted NO ! We taxpayers do not matter to our fellow Lancaster resident legislator John Bruso . Politics as usual in Lancaster? Gotta protect the Lancaster democrat chairman at taxpayers expense again and again .

Based on information that I have received, it is my understanding that the Erie County Legislature voted 6-5 to remove Jerome Schad from the Erie County Water Authority.

Today, Legislator John Bruso, representing the 8th Legislative District, voted "No" on the removal.

John Bruso won his election in November, 2017 in large measure on a platform of ethical governance. The voters took him at face value, and entrusted their hopes for the same to him.


In my opinion, Mr. Bruso's "No" vote was more than a disappointment; it broke faith with many voters of the 8th District, and tended to reduce what might be termed the "ethics plank" of his 2017 campaign platform to nothing more than a deceptive sales pitch.

In the interests of full disclosure, I supported Ted Morton, but I can respect why some voters chose Mr. Bruso in 2017.

In light of the vote today, I hope those exact same voters, who put their faith into Mr. Bruso, and felt compelled to turn control of the Erie County Legislature over to the Democrat Caucus, potentially providing Mark Polancarz with unchecked power, will reassess their support for Mr. Bruso in 2019.

Just my thoughts.

[Greg Sojka]

Legislature calls on Water Authority chairman to quit, end culture of 'arrogance'
By Sandra Tan | Published Thu, Jun 21, 2018 | Updated Thu, Jun 21, 2018
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The fate of Erie County Water Authority Chairman Jerome Schad remains unclear, despite a majority vote by county legislators Thursday seeking his resignation.

Meanwhile, a week after firing Earl Jann Jr., the authority's former executive director, the Water Authority board has placed its faith in the deputy director, even after voiding and shortening his employment contract.

Here's what transpired Wednesday and Thursday:

After a heated, hourlong discussion, the Erie County Legislature voted 6-5 Thursday to call for Schad's resignation in light of a scathing report by a state oversight agency last week. The report by the Authorities Budget Office said every commissioner who served on the authority board in 2016 and 2017 should be removed and replaced.
Schad reiterated that reform of the Water Authority is underway under his leadership, so he will not resign.
Legislators Joseph Lorigo, C-West Seneca, and Thomas Loughran, D-Amherst, have submitted a separate resolution to fire Schad that will be considered at the Legislature's next meeting.
Water Authority commissioners agreed to shorten the employment contract for its deputy director, Robert Lichtenthal Jr., the authority's highest-paid employee, citing a legal requirement to limit his contract to one year.
At Thursday's contentious meeting, which involved one resolution, two amendments and a 10-minute recess, Loughran and members of the Republican-supported minority voted to support the resolution calling for Schad's resignation. The remaining members of the Democratic majority voted against it.

None of the legislators defended the criticisms laid out in the Authorities Budget Office report, but those against the call for Schad's resignation said the matter should be further aired in committee so that all legislators can ask questions and get answers before deciding what to do.

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Some Democrats opposed to the measure pointed out that it was Republicans who were in control of the authority when egregious actions by the authority occurred in 2016 and 2017 and that Schad, a Democrat, has since made many improvements at the authority.

"My comments are not to defend any of the actions that are contained in the ABO report," said Chairman Peter Savage, D-Buffalo, who opposed calling for Schad to resign. "How about general fairness and due process? It's a nonbinding resolution at this point, right? What's the harm in allowing the guy to defend himself?"

He also pointed out that if Schad were to resign, the authority board would be left with only one sitting commissioner, which could threaten public safety since there would not be enough commissioners to approve any important Water Authority business.

Those calling for Schad to resign said it's based on the direct recommendation of an independent state oversight agency. They said any due process or discussion necessary was already undertaken by a yearlong audit by the Authorities Budget Office.

There's no reason for such heavily criticized activity to be allowed to continue, they said.

Legislator John Mills, R-Orchard Park, said there's every reason to act swiftly to end a culture of "arrogance."

"Ladies and gentlemen, that party is over," Mills said. "It's over. I've had enough of it. My colleagues have had enough of it. There's a culture at the Water Authority that has to be broken and eliminated immediately."

Schad has repeatedly indicated he has no intention to resign, but will attend a Legislature committee meeting next week to address concerns raised by legislators and the ABO report. The committee meeting is also expected to review the feasibility of turning the authority into a county department.

Loughran and Lorigo, expecting Schad's refusal to resign, submitted a new resolution saying the Legislature "hereby removes Commissioner Schad from his position."

It would be considered at the Legislature's next regular meeting.

ERIE COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY
WATER AUTHORITY COMMISSIONER WON'T RESIGN

State agency censures authority, seeks commissioner's removal
How the ECWA broke transparency laws
ECWA executive director fired
Authority promises new 'gold standard' of transparency
Authority appointees are also big political donors
Legislator Patrick Burke, D-Buffalo, expressed outrage at the temerity of the Republican-supported minority to call for the resignation of an authority board Democrat, when the worst offenses by the authority occurred while the Republicans held the board majority.

Legislator Kevin Hardwick, R-City of Tonawanda, however, said the recommendation made by the Authorities Budget Office is independent and apolitical.

"This apolitical body, in its audit dated June 8, 2018, makes 20 recommendations to the authority itself. It makes one recommendation to this body," he said. "It recommends that the County Legislature terminate, or that the County Legislature causes to be replaced, the one remaining commissioner, Jerry Schad. And I think we should respect that. I think we should abide by that."

"The only people talking politics here today are the Democrats," Lorigo said in pushing for Schad's removal.

Meanwhile, the Water Authority board said Wednesday it intends to shorten the employment contract for its deputy director, Lichtenthal, the authority's highest-paid employee.

And it intends to revise the job description for the executive director, now that Jann has been fired.

Last year, the authority board approved a three-year contract for Lichtenthal, a veteran administrator who receives a $200,100 salary and was on track for raises of $6,000 a year through April 3, 2020. That salary far exceeds the salaries given to the authority's last two executive directors, Jann and Robert Gaylord.

The contract for Lichtenthal was criticized in a report recently released by the Authorities Budget Office. It pointed out that the authority approved a 36 percent increase in Lichtenthal's salary without any recent evaluation of his job performance. The authority later acknowledged that Lichtenthal's contract was voted on and approved by the board without the matter appearing on the agenda posted to the authority's website the day before.

The voided contract entitled Lichtenthal to receive all the compensation from his three-year employment contract if he were terminated without cause. It also allowed Lichtenthal to collect and cash out an unlimited amount of unused vacation time. The new contract does not.

Commissioners said Wednesday that Lichtenthal continues to have their full support and that the only reason his contract will be shortened is because the law does not permit a longer contract.

"We need stability and leadership," Schad said. "I think Mr. Lichtenthal brings a lot to the table, and has for years."

[shortstuff]

Legislature calls on Water Authority chairman to quit, end culture of 'arrogance'
By Sandra Tan | Published Thu, Jun 21, 2018 | Updated Thu, Jun 21, 2018
SHARE

TWEET


The fate of Erie County Water Authority Chairman Jerome Schad remains unclear, despite a majority vote by county legislators Thursday seeking his resignation.

Meanwhile, a week after firing Earl Jann Jr., the authority's former executive director, the Water Authority board has placed its faith in the deputy director, even after voiding and shortening his employment contract.

Here's what transpired Wednesday and Thursday:

After a heated, hourlong discussion, the Erie County Legislature voted 6-5 Thursday to call for Schad's resignation in light of a scathing report by a state oversight agency last week. The report by the Authorities Budget Office said every commissioner who served on the authority board in 2016 and 2017 should be removed and replaced.
Schad reiterated that reform of the Water Authority is underway under his leadership, so he will not resign.
Legislators Joseph Lorigo, C-West Seneca, and Thomas Loughran, D-Amherst, have submitted a separate resolution to fire Schad that will be considered at the Legislature's next meeting.
Water Authority commissioners agreed to shorten the employment contract for its deputy director, Robert Lichtenthal Jr., the authority's highest-paid employee, citing a legal requirement to limit his contract to one year.
At Thursday's contentious meeting, which involved one resolution, two amendments and a 10-minute recess, Loughran and members of the Republican-supported minority voted to support the resolution calling for Schad's resignation. The remaining members of the Democratic majority voted against it.

None of the legislators defended the criticisms laid out in the Authorities Budget Office report, but those against the call for Schad's resignation said the matter should be further aired in committee so that all legislators can ask questions and get answers before deciding what to do.

ADVERTISEMENT


Some Democrats opposed to the measure pointed out that it was Republicans who were in control of the authority when egregious actions by the authority occurred in 2016 and 2017 and that Schad, a Democrat, has since made many improvements at the authority.

"My comments are not to defend any of the actions that are contained in the ABO report," said Chairman Peter Savage, D-Buffalo, who opposed calling for Schad to resign. "How about general fairness and due process? It's a nonbinding resolution at this point, right? What's the harm in allowing the guy to defend himself?"

He also pointed out that if Schad were to resign, the authority board would be left with only one sitting commissioner, which could threaten public safety since there would not be enough commissioners to approve any important Water Authority business.

Those calling for Schad to resign said it's based on the direct recommendation of an independent state oversight agency. They said any due process or discussion necessary was already undertaken by a yearlong audit by the Authorities Budget Office.

There's no reason for such heavily criticized activity to be allowed to continue, they said.

Legislator John Mills, R-Orchard Park, said there's every reason to act swiftly to end a culture of "arrogance."

"Ladies and gentlemen, that party is over," Mills said. "It's over. I've had enough of it. My colleagues have had enough of it. There's a culture at the Water Authority that has to be broken and eliminated immediately."

Schad has repeatedly indicated he has no intention to resign, but will attend a Legislature committee meeting next week to address concerns raised by legislators and the ABO report. The committee meeting is also expected to review the feasibility of turning the authority into a county department.

Loughran and Lorigo, expecting Schad's refusal to resign, submitted a new resolution saying the Legislature "hereby removes Commissioner Schad from his position."

It would be considered at the Legislature's next regular meeting.

ERIE COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY
WATER AUTHORITY COMMISSIONER WON'T RESIGN

State agency censures authority, seeks commissioner's removal
How the ECWA broke transparency laws
ECWA executive director fired
Authority promises new 'gold standard' of transparency
Authority appointees are also big political donors
Legislator Patrick Burke, D-Buffalo, expressed outrage at the temerity of the Republican-supported minority to call for the resignation of an authority board Democrat, when the worst offenses by the authority occurred while the Republicans held the board majority.

Legislator Kevin Hardwick, R-City of Tonawanda, however, said the recommendation made by the Authorities Budget Office is independent and apolitical.

"This apolitical body, in its audit dated June 8, 2018, makes 20 recommendations to the authority itself. It makes one recommendation to this body," he said. "It recommends that the County Legislature terminate, or that the County Legislature causes to be replaced, the one remaining commissioner, Jerry Schad. And I think we should respect that. I think we should abide by that."

"The only people talking politics here today are the Democrats," Lorigo said in pushing for Schad's removal.

Meanwhile, the Water Authority board said Wednesday it intends to shorten the employment contract for its deputy director, Lichtenthal, the authority's highest-paid employee.

And it intends to revise the job description for the executive director, now that Jann has been fired.

Last year, the authority board approved a three-year contract for Lichtenthal, a veteran administrator who receives a $200,100 salary and was on track for raises of $6,000 a year through April 3, 2020. That salary far exceeds the salaries given to the authority's last two executive directors, Jann and Robert Gaylord.

The contract for Lichtenthal was criticized in a report recently released by the Authorities Budget Office. It pointed out that the authority approved a 36 percent increase in Lichtenthal's salary without any recent evaluation of his job performance. The authority later acknowledged that Lichtenthal's contract was voted on and approved by the board without the matter appearing on the agenda posted to the authority's website the day before.

The voided contract entitled Lichtenthal to receive all the compensation from his three-year employment contract if he were terminated without cause. It also allowed Lichtenthal to collect and cash out an unlimited amount of unused vacation time. The new contract does not.

Commissioners said Wednesday that Lichtenthal continues to have their full support and that the only reason his contract will be shortened is because the law does not permit a longer contract.

"We need stability and leadership," Schad said. "I think Mr. Lichtenthal brings a lot to the table, and has for years."

T
John Bruso ran on Ethics Reform, but what kind of ethical platform is it when you vote to continue this culture of arrogance? His vote to not fire Schad is disingenuous to the voters who took that leap and voted for him over Ted Morton. Terry McCracken's new position as Secretary to the Authority ranks him top of the food chain. As John Bruso's campaign manager (now the Chairmen of the Democratic Party in Lancaster) requires Bruso to act accordingly. Unfortunately, the Legislature seat is a two year term next year will be here before you know it, and the voters will remember this. Voters will remember this also when it comes to the Lancaster election (next year) when Johann, Dawn, Matt & Terronova are up for re-election.

[gorja]

Looking at John Bruso's campaign mailers, I don't see Ethics reform mentioned at all. Yet posters are posting that Mr Bruso ran a campaign based on Ethics reform.

[mark blazejewski]

Looking at John Bruso's campaign mailers, I don't see Ethics reform mentioned at all. Yet posters are posting that Mr Bruso ran a campaign based on Ethics reform.

Gorja, you are correct. Bruso ran as the Democrats' "ethical alternative" to Morton; he did not pledge to develop or support "ethics reform" legislation.

[gorja]

Gorja, you are correct. Bruso ran as the Democrats' "ethical alternative" to Morton; he did not pledge to develop or support "ethics reform" legislation.

But Mark, you wrote -

Ms. Wallace and Mr. Bruso, who ran on platforms with ethics and anti-corruption as their upper-most planks.

and

John Bruso won his election in November, 2017 in large measure on a platform of ethical governance.

And shortstuff wrote -

John Bruso ran on Ethics Reform

In my opinion, the posts inferred that Mr Bruso ran on an 'Ethics reform' platform but again that's just my little old opinion.

[mark blazejewski]

But Mark, you wrote -

Ms. Wallace and Mr. Bruso, who ran on platforms with ethics and anti-corruption as their upper-most planks.
and

John Bruso won his election in November, 2017 in large measure on a platform of ethical governance./QUOTE]

Yea, what about those words? Where do I mention ethics "REFORM?" I had this friend who once ran for office to pursue ethics reform legislation, so I certainly know the difference between ethical governance visa v existing standards, and developing new reform standards.

Do you seriously want me to accept the apparent damage-control talking point that Mr. Morton's so-called transgressions, and the Democrat-Bruso candidacy as the "ethical alternative," played only a marginal role in that campaign?

The Democrats constantly asserted that Morton was corrupt, and Bruso ran under their banner..

Furthermore, an apparent Bruso-supporting surrogate(s) circulated information such as:

THE TRUTH ABOUT ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATOR TED MORTON
By WNYmedia Network - October 13, 2017
Listen up voters in Erie County Leg District 8 (that means you #Lancaster, #Depew, #Alden and #Cheektowaga)

Legislator Ted Morton is stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from clients as a financial planner and then lied about it to a federal agency. He is morally bankrupt and unfit for Public office. On November 7th, you finally have a better choice! Vote John Bruso for Erie County Legislator

https://wnymedia.net/2017/10/truth-e...or-ted-morton/

Did Bruso refute the message illustrated above? Let me know.

To suggest that "ethics" did not play a key role in this campaign may fit a current damage control narrative, but it is at best, a strawman argument, and that is my opinion.

And shortstuff wrote -

John Bruso ran on Ethics Reform

Shortstuff apparently mis-communicated. Not my monkey, not my circus.

In my opinion, the posts inferred that Mr Bruso ran on an 'Ethics reform' platform but again that's just my little old opinion.

I dispute your interpretation, but, as always, l respect your opinion.

[gorja]

Originally posted by mark blazejewski:
I dispute your interpretation, but, as always, l respect your opinion.

Okay, in Bruso's mailers, there is no mention of any 'Ethics' plank, platform or reform.
Is that a better interpretation?
I do respect your opinion also

[Greg Sojka]

Legislator John Bruso ads claim he is a leader committed to the community.
Why did Legislator John Bruso vote NO to remove the corruption at the ECWA?
Was he told how to vote? Was he protecting his family and friends at the ECWA?
Here is an interesting post by Legislator John Bruso himself.image.jpg

Politics as usual in Lancaster. Same old playbook. WE deserve better!

[Lee Chowaniec]

Bazinga, Gorga!

I thought I was the only one that missed reading or hearing of Bruso’s ethical reform platform.

This does not give him a pass for voting as he did but is understandable as it is nothing more than another example of partisan politics practiced equally well by both the Democratic and Republican parties. “Do not piss on the legs of your county or district Chairman.”

Yes, and unfortunately, it is politics as usual in Lancaster, the same old playbook, and we certainly deserve better from all political parties and office holders.

There is enough turmoil and fake news going on right now with just the Judgeship in question – every candidate petitioning every party to get enough signatures to challenge for the party’s voting line, and with all the fake news in the mix to give one an advantage.

Next year's general election should be a hoot! Can't wait to see who the candidates will be on the ballot when all the BS is over and the air clears. So many rumors already and the election is 18 months away. Some of the bodies now considered dead and buried may rise up.