Town Planning Board replacement competition

[Lee Chowaniec]

Lancaster Planning Board member Kristin McCracken recently submitted a letter of resignation. Her term expires 12/31/2023.

Three candidates submitted letters of intent to fill the remaining term, along with resumes. Current Planning Board member Lawrence Korzeniewski whose current term expires 12/31/2021; Mark Aquino, former Town Board member; Anthony Guarino, III, currently employed by the Village of Lancaster Department of Public Works.

Monday evening Supervisor Ruffino is sponsoring a resolution (#17) to appoint Korzeniewski to fill the remaining term of the vacated position. Councilmember Leary is sponsoring a resolution (#22) to appoint Guarino to serve as the replacement.

It will be interesting to see the outcome as the board is still under Democrat control – until January 1,2022. Ruffino, Wozniak and Mazur have voted in unison on resolutions over 90% of the time.

What is difficult to understand is why Korzeniewski has decided to petition for the two-year replacement appointment. He has served on the Planning Board for twenty years. His term is up this year. Perhaps it will be made clear Monday evening why he will not be seeking reappointment for another seven-year term. Reappointment is a given.

Although Mr. Aquino was not considered for the appointment, one has to wonder whether his intent to serve on the Planning Board now is a precursor for his intent to petition for Korzeniewski’s vacated slot, should Korzeniewski be appointed to replace McCracken.

Ah politics, not what it always appears on the surface.

[mark blazejewski]

It will be interesting to see the outcome as the board is still under Democrat control – until January 1,2022. Ruffino, Wozniak and Mazur have voted in unison on resolutions over 90% of the time.

Some feel that Mazur may have heard the voters' November 2 message, and will begin a transition back to his purported Republican roots.

This appointment may be an early test of that theory, just my opinion.

Will Mazur remain faithful to the Democrat Party, and permit it to pack key positions with its appointees for the duration of 2021, and then cozy-up to the new Conservative majority after January 1, 2022?

Will he promptly and boldly depart from his 2019 benefactors Monday night?

Or perhaps, he will continue his support for Ruffino Monday night and after January 1, 2022.

Mazur should realize that after January 1, he will no longer be the balance of power on the Town Council, but rather, fall to possible irrelevancy. Potentially, the remainder of his Council term could become simply celebratory in nature.

However, Mazur does have an opportunity to preemptively seize the moment by promptly acknowledging the will of the voters, and acting nobly in their name.

That would raise him from irrelevancy to one who honors the will of his constituents, and that would make him a Lancaster asset.

[Frank Lee Blunt]

Mr.Mazur, I know someone will get this message to you. Sir, this is your chance to step out from under the GIZA GANG dark cloud and be an asset to the town you serve. Enough with the old Ruffino adage"we have three votes". It's time to LISTEN to the VOTERS, Mr. Mazur. A loud message was just sent to the Town Board by them. You ARE the swing vote until Jan. After that you will be working with a minority support in any issue you would like to push through. A quick look at your choice between the GIZA GANG and Debbie Le Master suggests you might be a lot more free, by working with her, as is Mayor Ruda of the VOL, since she got out from under the GIZA GANG influence.

For far too long, a Democrat majority has ruled with an IRON fist. It led them astray and made them pretentious to the voters.

On another subject, Mr. Ruffino, on Wednesday evening you were informed of the dumping of paper records that included maps and drawings by a High Way Dept employee. You were informed by a union official while at a negotiation meeting. What did you do about that? Can you assure the public that anything disposed of has been entered into the new computer system mainframe?
I would hope the Stupervisor would not let the citizens' ability to receive timely and safe service. If the people of the town of Lancaster find that valuable information has been lost because of some after election retribution, they will be justifiably furious.
Mr. Ruffino, you better have some answers tomorrow. Forget about planting your people in any spots. The public has had enough of your poor choices. That resounding 2 to 1 margin of votes cast ARE a reference on you also. Step back, Ron and let the adults back in charge.

[Frank Lee Blunt]

Readers, look for another good meeting in the TOL tomorrow. Ron Ruffino never met a rule or bylaw he thought pertained to him. Monday night, the Stupervisor will get another lesson in governance. he-he

[Frank Lee Blunt]

Lee, they will be stopped in their tracks. Ruffino has no right from any proposal to appoint anyone to that position. He should read the Bylaws of the agency.
Everyone on that board "SERVES" at the PLEASURE of the TOL board. Any member can be relieved of their position any time the "town" decides. The agency only needs 3 members to operate legally. It can have 3 to 7 members. No proposal can change the bylaws that were amended by Democrats in 2018. In fact, after the swearing in of the new majority in this coming Jan, the town board by majority vote CAN dismiss the ENTIRE agency board. There IS no full term guaranteed to any person on that agency board. That agency has an executive officer and treasurer that are not board members that oversee and direct it's focus. They ARE NOT board members. They serve at the agency's pleasure and work hand in hand with that agency. Mr. Ruffino has had his hands on WAY too much power through the LIDA. That's going to come to a screeching halt. Hey Stupervisor, next time you go to Florida, take a copy of the LIDA bylaws with you. It didn't take me long to read it. You give it a try.

[Frank Lee Blunt]

Readers, as Ron Ruffino gets ready to pull a rabbit out of a hat tonight and stack the planning board to his liking, he may want to consider the outcome for his own spot on the LIDA. Kiss that position goodbye, Ronny. When the majority takes control in Jan next, you WILL be given the one-day notice required to throw you off that agency's board. Keep the planning board, Ronny. The entire board can be listened to and their info and advice can be recorded and filed. They have no power without a majority. The LIDA board on the other hand can be used to great advantage if done properly. Expect that to happen, RON.
Mr. Mazur, get on board the train tonight or endure a long two years.

[gorja]

I'll be honest. I would have loved to apply for the planning board position but had no experience in that field.
But I guess that didn't matter as they appointed a village DPW worker/Florida male dancer/court clerk.
Is that qualifications or patronage?

[shortstuff]

Lancaster Planning Board member Kristin McCracken recently submitted a letter of resignation. Her term expires 12/31/2023.

Three candidates submitted letters of intent to fill the remaining term, along with resumes. Current Planning Board member Lawrence Korzeniewski whose current term expires 12/31/2021; Mark Aquino, former Town Board member; Anthony Guarino, III, currently employed by the Village of Lancaster Department of Public Works.

Monday evening Supervisor Ruffino is sponsoring a resolution (#17) to appoint Korzeniewski to fill the remaining term of the vacated position. Councilmember Leary is sponsoring a resolution (#22) to appoint Guarino to serve as the replacement.

It will be interesting to see the outcome as the board is still under Democrat control – until January 1,2022. Ruffino, Wozniak and Mazur have voted in unison on resolutions over 90% of the time.

What is difficult to understand is why Korzeniewski has decided to petition for the two-year replacement appointment. He has served on the Planning Board for twenty years. His term is up this year. Perhaps it will be made clear Monday evening why he will not be seeking reappointment for another seven-year term. Reappointment is a given.

Although Mr. Aquino was not considered for the appointment, one has to wonder whether his intent to serve on the Planning Board now is a precursor for his intent to petition for Korzeniewski’s vacated slot, should Korzeniewski be appointed to replace McCracken.

Ah politics, not what it always appears on the surface.

Sorry to hear that Kristen McCracken is resigning from the Planning Board. She has always been fair and balanced and is one of the few who would actually do her due diligence.

As for Aquino, he has applied for the a seat on the board? Do we have short term memories, his reputation on the town board and his position at the village level regarding the development organization and his conflict of interests...personally I thought he was done in politics...

[Frank Lee Blunt]

I see a complete removal of anyone connected with the GIZA GANG come this Jan. A reorganization plan is already drawn up. Expect a big turn-over in more than one dept. Expect the planning board members to start looking in a new direction other than the one Dems have been carrying out for far too long. Old habits die hard.
There is a haunting quiet now that precedes a coming storm of change for the Dems. That storm will be here right after New Year's Day.

[Breezy]

I'll be honest. I would have loved to apply for the planning board position but had no experience in that field.
But I guess that didn't matter as they appointed a village DPW worker/Florida male dancer/court clerk.
Is that qualifications or patronage?

You should apply, and you have more qualifications than most. Maybe they can get you in before the year ends !!!!! Step up Dems and put gorja on there !!!!

[Breezy]

I see a complete removal of anyone connected with the GIZA GANG come this Jan. A reorganization plan is already drawn up. Expect a big turn-over in more than one dept. Expect the planning board members to start looking in a new direction other than the one Dems have been carrying out for far too long. Old habits die hard.
There is a haunting quiet now that precedes a coming storm of change for the Dems. That storm will be here right after New Year's Day.

Hey, to the victor goes the spoils. No doubt. Some folks are just lazy and could have helped save themselves. Time for the Dems to rebuild, and, I would not count them out. Remember, even with a Dem majority for years Republicans have been elected a bunch of times. The GOP does not have a lock. Heck, didn't a Republican just win in Cheektowaga ??? And this candidate was the top vote getter.

[Lee Chowaniec]

Sorry to hear that Kristen McCracken is resigning from the Planning Board. She has always been fair and balanced and is one of the few who would actually do her due diligence.

As for Aquino, he has applied for the a seat on the board? Do we have short term memories, his reputation on the town board and his position at the village level regarding the development organization and his conflict of interests...personally I thought he was done in politics...

No Shortstuff, there are many who have memories of Aquino and his town activities – especially those in the political world. Much of that will surface should he be considered for the replacement planning board position, or for an opening that may occur in 2022.

This political play taking place will be watched by many. Monday night Supervisor Ruffino withdrew his resolution to appoint Lawrence Korzeniewski to fill McCracken’s position which expires on December 31, 2023. Ruffino had to withdraw his resolution because Korzeniewski is still a planning board member until December 31, 2021. He would have to resign from his position and be reappointed. This would leave an opening on the planning board to be filled on January 1, 2022 – a seven-year term.

Councilmember Robert Leary sponsored a resolution to appoint Anthony Guarino, III to the Planning Board for The Period November 16, 2021, to December 31, 2023. The resolution was voted down by the three Democrats.

There is consensus that Ruffino will request Democrat Korzeniewski resign from his position on the planning board and Ruffino will sponsor a resolution to appoint him to serve out McCracken’s term.

If Korzeniewski agrees, that leaves an open seven-year planning board position. Guarino is out, Aquino is left standing alone for the open planning board appointment The three Democrats would take pleasure in appointing Democrat Aquino to the planning board.

Unless individuals send in their intent to serve, along with resumes validating qualifications that meet planning board competencies, that very well could happen. As Councilmember Aquino used to say, and Ruffino now does, "We have the votes!"

[gorja]

Sorry to hear that Kristen McCracken is resigning from the Planning Board. She has always been fair and balanced and is one of the few who would actually do her due diligence.

As for Aquino, he has applied for the a seat on the board? Do we have short term memories, his reputation on the town board and his position at the village level regarding the development organization and his conflict of interests...personally I thought he was done in politics...

Yes, we do have memories shortstuff.


Lancaster councilman resigns after DWI arrest

https://buffalonews.com/news/local/c...63db92c06.html

[gorja]

Originally posted by Lee Chowaniec:
What is difficult to understand is why Korzeniewski has decided to petition for the two-year replacement appointment. He has served on the Planning Board for twenty years. His term is up this year. Perhaps it will be made clear Monday evening why he will not be seeking reappointment for another seven-year term. Reappointment is a given."

Listening to Councilman Leary tonight, I very much doubt that reappointment would have been a given for Mr Korzeniewski after the new board takes over.

[Lee Chowaniec]

Originally posted by Lee Chowaniec:
What is difficult to understand is why Korzeniewski has decided to petition for the two-year replacement appointment. He has served on the Planning Board for twenty years. His term is up this year. Perhaps it will be made clear Monday evening why he will not be seeking reappointment for another seven-year term. Reappointment is a given."

Listening to Councilman Leary tonight, I very much doubt that reappointment would have been a given for Mr Korzeniewski after the new board takes over.

Yes, I believe you are spot on!

And, as long as Aquino does not fill that position, I take that as a win for the town!