Genesee County's two elected state legislators applaud the get-tough-on-drunken-driving provisions in Leandra's Law, even while saying they need to work toward making the new law less burdensome on local government.
While county officials raised a number of objections to a provision of the law that will require all drivers convicted of DWI to install an ignition interlock device, both Sen. Mike Ranzenhofer and Assemblyman Steve Hawley said that was an aspect of the new law they fully supported.
Razenhofer pointed to the county probation's chief, Julie Smith, who said interlock devices are effective at stopping drunk drivers from getting behind the wheel.
"I knew it (the provision) was in there and I thought it was a good idea," said Ranzenhofer. "It's supposed to be a deterrent to keep drunks off the road. The point is to keep the person off the road so he doesn't kill, maim or harm other individuals."
Hawley said if people are going to drink and drive, when they're convicted, the need to "pay the price."
"The alternative," he said, "is to go to jail, and that is an alternative."
Both Ranzenhofer and Hawley said they are talking with Genesee County officials and trying to find ways to address their concerns, but Hawley also said of all the counties he represents, only Genesee is raising vocal objections. The other counties, he said, indicated they can find a way to accommodate the provisions of the law.
Hawley said he wants to see if it's possible to delay implimenation so counties with concerns can find ways to get them addressed.
Neither Hawley nor Ranzenhofer expressed a lot of sympathy for the spouse of a person convicted of DWI who might also be required to start blowing into a tube to start his or her car.
"My sympathies lie with the victims, the people who are hurt or killed by drunken drivers," Ranzenhofer said.
As for the cost, Hawley said the county shouldn't pay for these devices if someone convicted of DWI can't afford it.
"If they can afford the alcohol, and they can afford the insurance, and they can afford the car, then they can certainly afford the device," Hawley said. "If not, they have to get rid of their cars."
People who haven't been
People who haven't been convicted of DWI can drink and drive just as easily as those who have been convicted. Shouldn't we put these devices in everyone's car? Everyone will be safe then right?
I was convicted of DWI in 2005, do I have to install this device in my vehicle? I've been good for 5 years, does that count for something or no?
I have heard that speeding is a problem too. Why do we allow cars on "our" roads that will exceed the speed limit? I'm sure we can have a device installed to limit speeding(a governor).
Just thinking.......
There's no argument that DWI
There's no argument that DWI is a bad thing, but this is a stupid law that will accomplish very little except for adding to the already overburdened county budget.
This is a typical New York State throw the baby out with the bathwater approach to a problem.
Just hypothetically, if someone who has this installed on their vehicle, what's to prevent them from getting another person to provide the breath sample?
Not surprising that Hawley is in favor of this. What idiot politician wouldn't want a vote against DWI on his voting record? Too bad he didn't think of the ramifications for the county he "represents".
It's still not right that the
It's still not right that the tax payer would have to pay anything for somebody who needs this device because they broke the law. That has to be changed.
I read this early this
I read this early this morning and thought of It as I was going through my day..I believe the convicted guilty should pay for the new device..
^^^ Right, if they can't pay
^^^
Right, if they can't pay they can't drive.
The time to keep a new law
The time to keep a new law from being 'burdensome on local government' is during the drafting process, not after it's been voted on. These guys know that, they just chose to ignore it in deference to political expedience. Now they're paying the piper.
Congratulations to Mr. Hawley and Mr. Ranzenhofer on creating their very own unfunded mandates, perhaps you'll vote against yourselves this November as punishment for your irresponsible spending.
Posted by Chris Charvella on
Posted by Chris Charvella on April 21, 2010 - 12:53am
The time to keep a new law from being 'burdensome on local government' is during the drafting process, not after it's been voted on. These guys know that, they just chose to ignore it in deference to political expedience. Now they're paying the piper.
Congratulations to Mr. Hawley and Mr. Ranzenhofer on creating their very own unfunded mandates, perhaps you'll vote against yourselves this November as punishment for your irresponsible spending.
Sadly, here in GOP country, they'll get elected over and over. All they have to do is stand in front of the court house, have a handful of people behind them and they're off to the races.
On another note, I understand Chris Lee will be in Batavia this weekend with an elite few. I think he has abandoned the idea of more town hall meetings.
Bea, Just to be fair, I am
Bea,
Just to be fair, I am sure that you also want all the Democrats in Erie and Monroe County who also voted to pass this voted out, right?
John, The point, which you
John,
The point, which you seem to miss, is that the GOP in Genesee Co. have a lock.
It doesn't matter what they do, the constituents will smile and vote for them.
I'm sure it happens to the Democrats in other counties, but I was specific about Genesee.
Im with you Bea we the people
Im with you Bea we the people need to look at what we are voting for.
Bea, The GOP does not have a
Bea,
The GOP does not have a lock on the County. There are Democrats elected all over.
Mr. Hawley.s district is not just Genesee County (and not even all of that).If you run a good candidate against Steve, you might win. But, you have to find somebody, right?
John, the hidden message is
John, the hidden message is that there aren't any good Democratic candidates.
You may be surprised.
Bea, No hidden message. I
Bea,
No hidden message. I already said Democrats are elected all over the County.
You just have to find a good one who wants to run, that's the hard part.