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Thread: The Circus opened yesterday

  1. #1
    Unregistered Cgoodsp466's Avatar
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    The Circus opened yesterday

    Well I see the circus opened yesterday under the controll of the New ringmaster Voom Voom Marenelli. They opened with hireing a chief of staff for $73,000 of your tax dollars.And all the new clowns voted for it. I am looking forward to watching the screwing you all get this year. I told you so.

    So as Lyny would say.Step right up my friends to the screwin that never ends.Enjoy the show chumps you voted for the male appendages.

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    didn't take them long at all

    Now they are talking about making the " temporary" 3/4% permanent, to fund ECMC. It hasn't even been implemented yet. Cutting never even entered the picture. It is a joke.

  3. #3
    Member LaNdReW's Avatar
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    The worst part is this..

    The funniest/sad part is how the article starts:
    "A new Erie County Legislature, steeped in the public's demand for change, swiftly approved a multimillion-dollar pact Thursday that buttresses the Erie County Medical Center - though lawmakers are not sure how to pay for the multiyear deal in 2007"

    Are you kidding me??

    http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial...06/1008097.asp

    I just bought a new car, but I am not sure how I am going to pay for it next year because I do not have enough money!!
    "When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." - Sinclair Lewis (1935)

  4. #4
    Member sharky's Avatar
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    what do they need a chief of staff for?
    Vote for freedom, not political parties.
    Politicians need to cut spending

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    About "Chief of Staff"

    Originally posted by sharky
    what do they need a chief of staff for?
    Set forth below is a Job Description that I edited and submitted to the Majority for consideration. I have not heard if it will be implemented, but I am posting it here to help describe the function of the position.

    The guy who was hired is a practicing attorney with 10 years experience.

    It should be noted that this position did not increase the legislative budget as money was moved from within the budget.

    "Chief of Staff-Legislature

    Distinguishing Features of the Class:

    This is an executive managerial Position which provides leadership and supervision to the Staff of the Legislature and contributes to the fostering and sustenance of strategic relationships among and between the Legislative Majority, which this Position serves directly, and the Legislative Minority, the County Administration, the Majority Party Leadership, and federal, state and local government officials and representatives, as needed.

    Direct supervision of this Position is provided by the Chairman-Erie County Legislature with advice and consent from the Legislative Majority.

    Typical Work Activities:

    • Directs or assists in directing the activities of a staff of professional, technical, administrative, clerical, and other employees in the implementation of a professional legislative office to insure the smooth operation of the Legislature as a governmental deparment.

    • Establishes program objectives, goals, and priorities; determines operating policies and implementation methods, within the context of overall legislative office policies and guidelines. Prepares and presents progress and activity reports as required, assesses effectiveness of operations, and determines need for improvement.

    • Accepts assignments from legislative members to investigate, research, and comment upon proposals submitted for consideration and/or approval by the Legislature; delegates related research to lower level staff members;

    • The incumbent, leading other staff members as well, reviews and researches proposals through a variety of methods and techniques, such as contacting County departments and outside agencies, investigation and verification of data, consulting related reference libraries, programs, reports and laws;

    • Prepares written reports on findings and conclusions to substantiate recommendations and appropriate courses of actions.

    Full Performance Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics:

    Comprehensive knowledge of: County operations and functions; laws and regulations governing the operation of the County Legislature; matters of lawmaking, governance, public administration and policy, and municipal law.
    Working ,knowledge of the principles and techniques of administrative management including organization, planning, staffing, training, budgeting, and reporting. Knowledge of program planning, development, and evaluation methods Knowledge of fiscal planning and management. Knowledge of public relations techniques. Knowledge of local state and federal legislative processes.

    Demonstrated ability to plan and carry out complex research in substantive, policy and procedural matters in the analysis of governmental administrative matters.

    Proven ability to utilize a variety of research and investigative techniques.

    Ability to: subordinate personal convictions to the collective findings and recommendations of legislative committees; prepare and present concise, logical and convincing reports and recommendations; solve problems and make decisions based on the evidence at hand; motivate and lead others in the accomplishment of a task; formulate policies and procedures based on information from varied and complex sources and of a conceptual nature; and maintain good interpersonal relations with others.

    Possesses tact; good judgment; initiative; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

    Minimum Qualifications:

    A) Bachelor’s degree in government, economics,public policy or administration, management, political science or related field is required. An advanced degree (ie, PhD, MA, MBA, JD), is preferred.

    B) Substantial management and leadership experience in an external or community relations or related area of responsibility typically gained through 7 or more years progressively responsible assignments; at least 2 of which were in a leadership role in a multicultural and diverse organization.

    C) In-depth knowledge of requirements necessary for policy and lawmaking processes under the Constitutions of the United States and the State of New York, New York State Law, and the Erie County Charter and Amendments thereto.

    D) In unique and limited circumstances, An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A) through (C) above, may be considered adequate by a majority of the Legislative Majority.

    Note: Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting full-time experience requirements."

  6. #6
    Unregistered Cgoodsp466's Avatar
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    Re: About "Chief of Staff"

    Originally posted by CindyLocklear
    Set forth below is a Job Description that I edited and submitted to the Majority for consideration. I have not heard if it will be implemented, but I am posting it here to help describe the function of the position.

    The guy who was hired is a practicing attorney with 10 years experience.

    It should be noted that this position did not increase the legislative budget as money was moved from within the budget.

    "Chief of Staff-Legislature

    Distinguishing Features of the Class:

    This is an executive managerial Position which provides leadership and supervision to the Staff of the Legislature and contributes to the fostering and sustenance of strategic relationships among and between the Legislative Majority, which this Position serves directly, and the Legislative Minority, the County Administration, the Majority Party Leadership, and federal, state and local government officials and representatives, as needed.

    Direct supervision of this Position is provided by the Chairman-Erie County Legislature with advice and consent from the Legislative Majority.

    Typical Work Activities:

    • Directs or assists in directing the activities of a staff of professional, technical, administrative, clerical, and other employees in the implementation of a professional legislative office to insure the smooth operation of the Legislature as a governmental deparment.

    • Establishes program objectives, goals, and priorities; determines operating policies and implementation methods, within the context of overall legislative office policies and guidelines. Prepares and presents progress and activity reports as required, assesses effectiveness of operations, and determines need for improvement.

    • Accepts assignments from legislative members to investigate, research, and comment upon proposals submitted for consideration and/or approval by the Legislature; delegates related research to lower level staff members;

    • The incumbent, leading other staff members as well, reviews and researches proposals through a variety of methods and techniques, such as contacting County departments and outside agencies, investigation and verification of data, consulting related reference libraries, programs, reports and laws;

    • Prepares written reports on findings and conclusions to substantiate recommendations and appropriate courses of actions.

    Full Performance Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics:

    Comprehensive knowledge of: County operations and functions; laws and regulations governing the operation of the County Legislature; matters of lawmaking, governance, public administration and policy, and municipal law.
    Working ,knowledge of the principles and techniques of administrative management including organization, planning, staffing, training, budgeting, and reporting. Knowledge of program planning, development, and evaluation methods Knowledge of fiscal planning and management. Knowledge of public relations techniques. Knowledge of local state and federal legislative processes.

    Demonstrated ability to plan and carry out complex research in substantive, policy and procedural matters in the analysis of governmental administrative matters.

    Proven ability to utilize a variety of research and investigative techniques.

    Ability to: subordinate personal convictions to the collective findings and recommendations of legislative committees; prepare and present concise, logical and convincing reports and recommendations; solve problems and make decisions based on the evidence at hand; motivate and lead others in the accomplishment of a task; formulate policies and procedures based on information from varied and complex sources and of a conceptual nature; and maintain good interpersonal relations with others.

    Possesses tact; good judgment; initiative; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

    Minimum Qualifications:

    A) Bachelor’s degree in government, economics,public policy or administration, management, political science or related field is required. An advanced degree (ie, PhD, MA, MBA, JD), is preferred.

    B) Substantial management and leadership experience in an external or community relations or related area of responsibility typically gained through 7 or more years progressively responsible assignments; at least 2 of which were in a leadership role in a multicultural and diverse organization.

    C) In-depth knowledge of requirements necessary for policy and lawmaking processes under the Constitutions of the United States and the State of New York, New York State Law, and the Erie County Charter and Amendments thereto.

    D) In unique and limited circumstances, An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A) through (C) above, may be considered adequate by a majority of the Legislative Majority.

    Note: Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting full-time experience requirements."




    Wow have they got you brain washed.Lynn has a freind with you/

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    Please, Explain why you say this

    Originally posted by Cgoodsp466
    Wow have they got you brain washed.Lynn has a freind with you/

  8. #8
    Unregistered Cgoodsp466's Avatar
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    Re: Please, Explain why you say this

    Originally posted by CindyLocklear
    Ok I am going to explain why I said this.First let me preface this by saying,my inlaws live in your district and voted for you.So far all I have seen is you going with the status quo. All your votes have been to spend money,and I am willing to bet next year when the 3/4 sales tax is supposed to go away It stays. My mother in law and father in law live on social security and no one cares about the folks on fixed incomes. I am trying to get them to sell their house and buy something out here in Niagara county.
    Your signature on this blog is very condescending. You do live to serve the taxpayer,the taxpayer is your boss. Lynn Maranelli is the anti christ,she hasnt met a tax she doesent like. She is part of the problem and the people in her district are as dumb as a box of rocks. Your signature sounds just like something she would say.
    I will give you credit at least you have the backbone to post
    here,Lynn is a coward and an incompentent. If I didnt like my wifes parents and my son and duaghter that also live in Erie County I would just harass the incompetent politicians in Niagara County.
    When I was in college I had a business professor that gave me some advise I will never forget.He said a Monkey can solve a problem by throwing money at it,It takes real leadership to solve problems with the resources at had. I always think about that when I have tough choices to make. Your elected body better take in a large supply of bannanas, You can make a difference,just watch out who you emulate., Marenelli Bad ,Weinstein good.

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    I think the newbies in the Legislature deserve a little bit more time before we sart heaving them overboard.

    Certainly not one of the members who is willing to post on this MB. I'm not aware of too many who do.

    I opposed Ms. Marinelli, in though, word and deed. But I do not think she is the anti-Christ.

    Right now, I believe anyone is better than "Butch" Holt. But I may be wrong. (BTW-Remember last December when he left a Legislature meeting to go off on a golfing trip? To Louisiana. A guy who can't afford to pay his taxes on his hot dog stand can afford an out of town golfing trip??? Really!! I never heard any investigation into this. Oh yeah. Louisiana is where that bribe, err campaign contribution came from.)

    But Lynn has the capacity to change my mind.
    Truth springs from argument among friends.

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    CGoodSp, please dont hold back, tell me what you really think...

    You Said:

    So far all I have seen is you going with the status quo

    1. Yes, I voted along with the 14 to 1 Majority to settle the ECMC litigation. This decision SAVED EC taxpayers $$. On Friday January 30 the COUNTY had lost a Summary Judgment motion which would have been a worst case scenario for the COUNTY. This settlement saves the County a Quarter of a Billion Dollars over 10 years. I did my own research on the pros and cons of the settlement and made my own decision based on my evaluation of those pros and cons and my evaluation of Michael Young's ability, integrity and business plan for ECMCC. While I am concerned that the expendiures in 2007 are 'unfunded' today, my position is that the ADMIN is forewarned of this future liability and it is the Executive's Job to cut spending to accommodate this liabilty. One of my duties is to carry this message forward on behalf of the taxpayers.

    2. Yes, I agreed to fund the Chief of Staff position. I agreed to fund the position based on my requirements stated at 3 different meetings in the Caucus, that all Legislative Staff positions be governed by new, detailed and enforceable job descriptions (an example of which I posted above, and which I researched and edited to strengthen and tighten) and that all Staff be informed that they are being carried over PROVISIONALLY, and that each of them will be required to submit resumes and meet the credentials and experience requirements in addition to our 'in the field' evaluations of performance after 6 months. I could not come up with a more responsible or professional solution for 9 new legislators to function and perform duties for government without the carryover support of staff.

    3. Yes, I voted in favor of the DO staffing changes based SOLELY on the representations made that none of the budget amendments INCREASED THE LEGISLATIVE OR COUNTY BUDGET. These amendments were specifically stated to have NO FISCAL IMPACT ON THE APPROVED BUDGET. The amendments were to shift monies among approved items within the Budget.

    CGood, what you dont know is that based on my objections voiced on the day before the Meeting, a further action to award raises to certain staffers was removed.

    4. Yes, in the meeting I voted to support Marinelli for Chair. Marinelli was not my first choice. I was the ONLY legislator to Publicly support Kathy Konst for Chair. In Caucus I "publicly" voted for Konst. With Marinelli having won the overwhelming majority, and Konst having then withdrawn from the race, only Marinelli remained. My only alternatives were to nominate myself or vote against Marinelli. My conclusion was that both alternatives were subpar as I wish to be able to be a functioning member of the legislature and not banished. Although I challenged the status quo, I was assigned Chair of the Health Committee and Vice Chair of the Gov Affairs committee. As much as you may have your beliefs about Marinelli, I must now work within the Body that chose her.

    One approach would be to do battle on every front, at every fray and on every issue to prove a point of independence. Another approach is to do a ton of homework on each issue, ask studied questions, by public discourse educate my peers, by intellectual integrity and wisdom seek to lead by example and logic. I am choosing the second approach.

    Cindy

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    one weak point, but I'll buy the rest for now.

    Originally posted by CindyLocklear
    It should be noted that this position did not increase the legislative budget as money was moved from within the budget.
    Oh, good. I was wasting money on drugs, but now I am in rehab and blow it all at the casino, now.

    Thanks for coming back.
    The evil hide even when no one is chasing them.- Proverbs

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    Reply to CGoodSp Part II

    You Also Said:

    I am willing to bet next year when the 3/4 sales tax is supposed to go away It stays

    You may be right, but it wont be because I vote for it, or havent done all I can think of to fight it.

    no one cares about the folks on fixed incomes.

    This is gratuitous blather that has nothing to do with my work or my personal circumstances or convictions. BTW, my 76 year old mother lives alone and is on a fixed income after having worked fulltime until her 70th bday. In the future, I would appreciate it if you allowed me some benefit of the doubt that I may be someone who is a human being who actually has a conscience and recognizes personal responsibility.

    Your signature on this blog is very condescending. You do live to serve the taxpayer,the taxpayer is your boss

    You are wrong: I do not "live" to serve the taxpayer. It is my job (not my life) to serve the residents of Erie County, whether they are taxpayers or not. It is very idealistic to say the taxpayers are "my boss" it is only partly true, Last time i looked, taxpayers werent the only group with the franchise. The community as a whole contains my bosses. People who voted for me, those who voted against me and those who didnt vote at all. That's democracy fella.

    Furthermore, the 'taxpayers' are not a monolithic group. Some taxpayers are left wing tax and spenders, others are welfare recipients, others are publicly held companies and others are libertarians, tax reformers, and home owners. Each has potentially different and contradictory desires, needs and intentions. It would an IMPOSSIBLE TASK to make and keep each of the potential taxpayers happy much less all segments of a community. That is NOT MY JOB.

    My Job is to bring my education, discernment, wisdom, experience and judgement to each issue and task, and apply all my talents and abilities to identify solutions that will benefit the most people the most fairly equitably to all.

    My ultimate goal is to REDUCE our property and sales taxes, provide the services we can afford through a more efficient and concise government, and begin to attract new business and jobs.

    That is why I like the quote for my signature. If you find it condescending, so be it. I wont apologize for a perceived offense from someone whose standard op is to criticize or malign.

    Cindy

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    Re: one weak point, but I'll buy the rest for now.

    Originally posted by Stevenco
    Oh, good. I was wasting money on drugs, but now I am in rehab and blow it all at the casino, now.

    Thanks for coming back.
    Hi Stevenco; Its good to be back and getting back to 'normal'.

    as to your reply; If its any consolation, many of the new leggies actually view themselves as stewards of the public trust and are insisting on transparency, accountability and reform and we are starting with the legislative staff. Just give us a chance to stand or fall. In time you will see who the reformers are.

    Cindy

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    Post Read it slower

    Cindy's signiture is NOT condescending and here's why:

    It says that we have legislators who think it is their duty ONLY to listen to the people. She is implying there is more to it than JUST that.

    If she said there are some that think it is their job to listen to the people, then that would have been condescending. Yes the difference is the word "only" which makes it an entirely different thought and attitude. Thank you. Thankyou very much./

    I'm glad I could clarify that for you. You're welcome.
    Last edited by Stevenco; January 11th, 2006 at 03:06 PM.
    The evil hide even when no one is chasing them.- Proverbs

  15. #15
    Unregistered Cgoodsp466's Avatar
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    Re: Reply to CGoodSp Part II

    Originally posted by CindyLocklear
    You Also Said:

    I am willing to bet next year when the 3/4 sales tax is supposed to go away It stays

    You may be right, but it wont be because I vote for it, or havent done all I can think of to fight it.

    no one cares about the folks on fixed incomes.

    This is gratuitous blather that has nothing to do with my work or my personal circumstances or convictions. BTW, my 76 year old mother lives alone and is on a fixed income after having worked fulltime until her 70th bday. In the future, I would appreciate it if you allowed me some benefit of the doubt that I may be someone who is a human being who actually has a conscience and recognizes personal responsibility.

    Your signature on this blog is very condescending. You do live to serve the taxpayer,the taxpayer is your boss

    You are wrong: I do not "live" to serve the taxpayer. It is my job (not my life) to serve the residents of Erie County, whether they are taxpayers or not. It is very idealistic to say the taxpayers are "my boss" it is only partly true, Last time i looked, taxpayers werent the only group with the franchise. The community as a whole contains my bosses. People who voted for me, those who voted against me and those who didnt vote at all. That's democracy fella.

    Furthermore, the 'taxpayers' are not a monolithic group. Some taxpayers are left wing tax and spenders, others are welfare recipients, others are publicly held companies and others are libertarians, tax reformers, and home owners. Each has potentially different and contradictory desires, needs and intentions. It would an IMPOSSIBLE TASK to make and keep each of the potential taxpayers happy much less all segments of a community. That is NOT MY JOB.

    My Job is to bring my education, discernment, wisdom, experience and judgement to each issue and task, and apply all my talents and abilities to identify solutions that will benefit the most people the most fairly equitably to all.

    My ultimate goal is to REDUCE our property and sales taxes, provide the services we can afford through a more efficient and concise government, and begin to attract new business and jobs.

    That is why I like the quote for my signature. If you find it condescending, so be it. I wont apologize for a perceived offense from someone whose standard op is to criticize or malign.

    Cindy
    Great spin spoken by a true politician. You stand by your signature I stand by mine.Oh I see their is a $175,000 special election problem. I know that that Lynn will solve and that all you good little bundists will work in your assighned area. I hope you accomplish your ultimate goal. Dont spend more then you have and stop balanceing your budgets on the back on the taxpayer.Again be carefull of you emulate.

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