What needs to change in West Seneca

[Psycho1]

Recently, there have been numerous posts regarding residents dissatisfaction with the current West Seneca Town government. With that in mind, I ask the residents who frequent this site, tell me what upsets you most about the current administration?
I am currently speaking with several people in the community regarding my run for one of Council seats. Since I believe in people over politics, I want input from you.
Some of the issues I would like to see changed in the Town are:
- Work sessions of the Town Board that are open to the public. Comment would not be allowed until the open session however
- The elimination of paid health care for the four Council members, as well as other political employees who are part-time, and have benefits from their primary employer. This would also end the $4000.00 payment in lieu of insurance they receive for having other coverage.
- Continued health insurance only to a Supervisor who retires from the position, not one who leaves for another office or loses the seat through election. We currently provide lifetime coverage after someone serves two terms.
- Review all of the "part time" positions that are awarded on a regular basis at board meetings, but never seem to advertised.
- Complete review of the Town's hiring process for all positions.

On a personal note, if I were to be elected I would hold periodic meetings in an open forum (no 3 minute rule) to discuss issues you would want brought before the board. Obviously a format would need to be developed, but we could exchange information important to the residents of WS.

When we fully take off on the campaign trail, I will change my screen name to my true identity.

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to your input and hearing your thoughts.

[Psycho1]

Am I the only one who sees the need for change?

[BigGuy]

Am I the only one who sees the need for change?

No.

You may be the only person who sees the need to talk about your candidacy.

[Psycho1]

No.

You may be the only person who sees the need to talk about your candidacy.

Fair enough. I was hoping learn what people actually thought about the state of West Seneca government.
I never intended to use this forum as a platform for a possible run for office.

If I have offended anyone, I am sorry. The subject is now dropped.

[yokes]

While I think in order to run and or win an election you have to fire up the constituancy and vote, but if you ask most people (I said most not all) things in WS are pretty good, running on a "Change everything now" platform wont get anyone very far in this town. IMO

[CCRIDER]

Recently, there have been numerous posts regarding residents dissatisfaction with the current West Seneca Town government. With that in mind, I ask the residents who frequent this site, tell me what upsets you most about the current administration?
I am currently speaking with several people in the community regarding my run for one of Council seats. Since I believe in people over politics, I want input from you.
Some of the issues I would like to see changed in the Town are:
- Work sessions of the Town Board that are open to the public. Comment would not be allowed until the open session however
- The elimination of paid health care for the four Council members, as well as other political employees who are part-time, and have benefits from their primary employer. This would also end the $4000.00 payment in lieu of insurance they receive for having other coverage.
- Continued health insurance only to a Supervisor who retires from the position, not one who leaves for another office or loses the seat through election. We currently provide lifetime coverage after someone serves two terms.
- Review all of the "part time" positions that are awarded on a regular basis at board meetings, but never seem to advertised.
- Complete review of the Town's hiring process for all positions.

On a personal note, if I were to be elected I would hold periodic meetings in an open forum (no 3 minute rule) to discuss issues you would want brought before the board. Obviously a format would need to be developed, but we could exchange information important to the residents of WS.

When we fully take off on the campaign trail, I will change my screen name to my true identity.

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to your input and hearing your thoughts.

I am not from West Seneca but I like your ideas. Best of Luck!!!!

[Psycho1]

While I think in order to run and or win an election you have to fire up the constituancy and vote, but if you ask most people (I said most not all) things in WS are pretty good, running on a "Change everything now" platform wont get anyone very far in this town. IMO

Not looking to change everything at once. I made a list, of some, of the things that stand out. In hopes of starting an informative discussion and learning the thoughts of people.
I DO NOT intend to use this as a platform for election

[ghosthunter]

I am not a West Seneca resident, but my family lives there - and I can tell you that what the town needs RIGHT NOW is attention on the west end near the city line and Cheektowaga border.

The trash has moved in and the place is going downhill rapidly. If something drastic isn't done soon, you're going to see the Pine Ridge section of Cheektowaga in West Seneca.

Start by knocking down those rat traps called Oakwood on Harlem Road - nothing but trouble.

[Psycho1]

While I think in order to run and or win an election you have to fire up the constituancy and vote, but if you ask most people (I said most not all) things in WS are pretty good, running on a "Change everything now" platform wont get anyone very far in this town. IMO

I agree, on the surface West Seneca is a great place to live. It's when you dig deeper you discover the amount of waist that exists.

[WNYresident]

I agree, on the surface West Seneca is a great place to live. It's when you dig deeper you discover the amount of waist that exists.

And the point about waste is it not needed. All the waste can be money in the pockets of the people that work for it.

[Psycho1]

And the point about waste is it not needed. All the waste can be money in the pockets of the people that work for it.

The "waste" I refer to is not from the people who earn it. The majority of the Town employees are worth every cent. There are positions in the Town that exist only to reward those loyal to Paul Clark. A prime example would be the Asst. Dog Warden at 50K plus overtime and vehicle. From what I've been told and seen, WS does not have a large animal issue. Not to mention numerous part-time positions not open to all of the Town residents. When you read the appointments, it's always the same family names. One board member stated at an open meeting that they had the "privilege" to help their friends. That's fine, but not to the exclusion of all residents.

[Alan J. Kerner]

Thought I would scribe a few words of your concern that my position of
Assistant Dog Control Officer is a waste of govenment monies. I am quite
proud of the job that I do and am more than willing to open my files, my
daily log, along with the chance to see what I do everyday, then you can judge me. I'll take some time to tell you my duties, most town residents
do not know what our office does until you need us. Here are some of our
resposibilities: Maintaining and operating the Animal Shelter, Caring for
stray animals, enforcement of local and state laws concerning animals, num-
eration of licensed dogs, picking up and disposing of road killed animals, main-
taining qualifications as New York State Peace Officers, investigations concerning humane treatment of animals and maintainence of our equipment.
My position is contractual through the CBA Blue collar unit, and I have been
a town employee for over 32. When I was appointed to this job 6 years ago
it was unaminous by all five members of the board. I am not related to any
member of the board, and I believe I was appointed because they know I
would to a good job. Please feel free to call me (# in phone book) if you
have any other questions.

[FisherRd]

Alan,
I had a stinky a$$ed dead deer in my backyard last summer and you guys wouldn't pick it up (hell, I wouldn't either, that thing was frikkin disgusting!).

I have no problem with your job, how you obtained it, or what you keep your day busy with. I just read your duties and remembered that absolutely revolting smell from a rotting deer in 90 degree heat and felt like complaining.

Enjoy, and don't sweat the small stuff.

[Psycho1]

I'm glad to hear that a dedicated Town employee such as yourself was able to move into a better position. But, can you deny that your boss is Paul Clark's brother-in-law, or related in some way to the Town's supervisor? In my opinion, it should have been an employee such as yourself with a real track record and years of service who should have been the Dog Control Officer. You sir, have been placed in a bad situation with many residents.
Understand, I am not attacking you personally since we have not met. However, there are communities larger than West Seneca that do not have the budget, vehicles, and salaries you have. And yes, I have seen Mr. Clark's poor excuse for a budget. What is the average number of stray animals housed in the shelter per month? How many abuse calls has your department responded to in the last six months? What is the carcass count for the past year? Does this warrant two full-time officers? Why do both of work days, instead of one days and one nights if your that busy? I believe you and the DCO earn overtime after your regular shift. It has been rumored that one or both of you averaged close to $80,000.00 in previous years with O/T. Several people have filed FOIL requests, but Town Hall is very very slow to release actual expenditures of any type.

On the subject of dead animals, I myself passed a dead dear carcass for almost a week on my way to every morning this past summer.

Please feel free to prove me wrong, as I would like nothing more than to know my hard earned money is not not being wasted.

[Psycho1]

Virginia Grandoni, 870 Orchard Park Road, commented on three bad experiences she had with the Dog Control Officer. Mrs. Grandoni lost her dog on a weekend and it took the Dog Control Officer four days to call her back. A police officer shot a deer on a Friday night and it lay dead in her front lawn until Wednesday. Also, when Mrs. Grandoni had a bat in her house last summer and trapped it between a window and screen, she called the Dog Control Officer because Erie County wanted the bat to check it for rabies. The Dog Control Officer came to her house, took the screen out, and let the bat go free. As a result, Mrs. Grandoni and her husband had to go through six weeks of rabies shots. Mrs. Grandoni did not believe the Dog Control Officer was worth the salary he was paid.

Please comment.