Open Letter from Chad Zambito, candidate for the Republican line in the Town of Batavia board race:
As you probably know, there is a primary for a position on the Batavia Town Board on Thursday and the polls are open from noon-9 p.m. This position was left open when my opponent, John Gerace, resigned after an incident that occurred at the Town of Batavia Fireman’s Installation Dinner. I was not at this event and have heard several accounts of what happened but will take Mr. Gerace at his word that the incident has been blown out of proportion and was actually a “hiccup” and not characteristic behavior.
I certainly appreciate John’s service, he and I served together beginning in 2003 and he had spent a few years on the planning board prior to his election. I am, however, disappointed with his efforts to exploit my failing business for his political gain. The people of the Town of Batavia deserve better than muckraking politics. This type of campaign hurts the system and discourages good people from running for public office. I have attempted to run a clean campaign and not engage in dirty politics. I do, however, feel I need to set the record straight on some level.
I take issue with several statements made by Mr. Gerace. In a recent interview, he stated that the consolidation charter effort, which he supported every step of the way, wasted $100,000 of taxpayer money to produce a document that he says he has never seen. This is simply not the case. A $54,000 state grant was awarded to the City of Batavia for the study and the work only came to a halt when the Town Board failed to act on a home rule legislation request that simply would have allowed the process to continue. It concerns me that my opponent has not read this document since it easily available online. My sense is that he realizes consolidation is an unpopular issue in the town and he hopes to connect me to that effort regardless of the fact that he has supported it at several junctures.
Upon my appointment, Mr. Gerace went to great lengths to have the appointment nullified claiming that the process used was invalid. That claim was quickly dismissed by the town’s attorney as unfounded. I also take issue with a political postcard Mr. Gerace has issued. He claims a “Zero Tax” rate for in town as one of his top accomplishments but the town has enjoyed a zero tax rate for decades. He has asked voters to “Re-elect” him and also labeled himself “Councilman John Gerace” in a recent political postcard. That statement is inaccurate and misleading.
I have always felt that I was the best candidate for this position. I have been appointed by the Town Board and have the endorsement of the Town Republican Committee. I am a dedicated professional that has three years of economic development experience and I have had a direct hand in the town’s growth. I worked diligently to resolve issues related to Gateway II while serving on the board, paving the way for Ashley Furniture to open its doors and provide nearly 80 jobs. I wrote the grant that led to the design of the Med-Tech Center Building and negotiated an easement that brought much needed sewer capacity to the Ag Park. I have generously volunteered my time to Chamber of Commerce, an Advisory Committee for GCC’s BEST Center, the GLOW Region’s Workforce Investment Board and numerous career days and community events. I currently work for Paragon Advertising in Buffalo and also serve as the Director of Advancement for St. Joseph School of Batavia, a position I find extremely rewarding.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who have supported me every step of the way, including my wife, Jennifer. My one regret is that the issues brought forward in this election have caused her undue stress and frustration.
I encourage you to head to the polls from noon-9 p.m. on Thursday and hope you will give me your support when you do. Feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions or comments at chadzambito@gmail.com. Thank you.
Paid for by Chad Zambito.
Another problem with Mr.
Another problem with Mr. Gerace, was his saying he had not taken a stand on consolidation. In fact, when this first came up, he attended a meeting at the Batavia High School and spoke in favor of consolidation. He later voted for the Town Board to create the task force to develop a charter. The claim of a $100,000 cost showed he misrepresented the facts, or had no clue what was going on.
His father is on the task force, so he could have asked him for the facts.
Consolidation is not popular in the town, but he could have just said it was a bad idea he had and had changed his mind. He did not have to spin it.
Very well written. Mr gerace
Very well written. Mr gerace lost me when he resigned then said he wanted the position back. He should have never resigned in the first place.
Good luck Chad, i hope you win.
I have to agree with Jason
I have to agree with Jason and John, while I am a city resident and dont have a vote. Mr. Gerace's behavior and actions really havent been anything I would like to see in a public official of any kind. And the mudslinging only exascerbates <sp> the situation making me think of how such dirty politics speaks to the hidden character of this man.
Good Luck Chad I'm pretty sure you got this.
Mr. Zambito's memory fails
Mr. Zambito's memory fails him. Let's get the facts straight. First of all I have served the residents of the Town of Batavia for over 17 years, besides the planning board, I have also served on the Zoning Board of appeals and most recent over 10+ years as your councilman. I do not take credit for the "Zero" tax rate as Mr. Zambito mentions, however I have fought to keep the rate at zero through the budget process and the tightening of our belts. In reference to Mr. Zambito's claim that I have used "smear" tatics in this campaign, he should look in the mirror. I never brought his financial problems to the public, he did! There is a public notice taped to the front door of his now defunct business. As for consolidation isue. You are absolutely correct that I support and have supported the process of investigating the overall impact of a Town and City merger. I never voted to consolidate, because there is no document to vote on. Let's see why there is no document...Mr. Zambito has resigned again from another position once the tough questions were about to be asked. Hence cancelling the public input on the matter after the Town and City of Batvaia have spent $100,000 of tax payer monies. I have also been "Elected" 3 times to the position of Town Councilman, you have only been appointed as of know, that's why I can use the "re elect" term. It amazes me the Mr. Zambito can employ resident's and non residents to try to dig up dirt on me and then cry foul when it back fired in his face. I am the first to admit I made a terrible mistake the evening of the Fireman's Installation, But I have now realized how perfect all of my critics are. After over 17 years of service to the Town residents I have never spoken to or have witnessed any of these people at a town board meeting. But yet you hide behind alias's, because your a coward. If anyone has had any questions in reference to the town of Batavia I have made myself avaliable. But because Mr. Zambito has some ulterior motive to run for office we will all pay the price. Mr. Zambito has said in a board work session recently that there could be a new tax rate to the residents. Mr. Zambito does not have the experience to be in charge of a Multi million dollar budget, when he can't even run a small laundry mat. Give me a break!! Also Mr. Zambito would only be on the board if he was elected only until something better comes along as he did before, leaving the Town Board in limbo.. I think the town residents are smarter than that when they go to the polls tomorrow. I LOVE MY TOWN AND HAVE DEDICATED MANY YEARS TO MAKING IT A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE. IF ANY OF YOU SO CALLED NO-IT-ALLS WOULD LIKE TO CHAT ON ANY MATTER RELATED TO THIS ELECTION I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU, BUT I KNOW I WON'T BECAUSE I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM YOU IN 17 + YEARS OF SERVICE. I DON'T CLAIM TO BE PERFECT , BUT I DO TAKE THE TOWN OF BATAVIA BUSINESS TO HEART. NO ONE HAS ASKED MR. ZAMBITO WHAT HIS QUALIFICATIONS ARE, HE SAYS HE DID ALL OF THIS GREAT WORK WHILE EMPLOYED FOR A VERY SHORT TIME AT THE GCEDC. THAT'S GREAT IT WAS HIS JOB TO DO THAT!!! MR. ZAMBITO IS NOT QUALIFIED TO BE YOUR REPRESENTITIVE. VOTERS PLEASE READ THROUGH THE LINES. I WILL DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO CONTINUE THE GREAT WORK OF THE TOWN OF BATAVIA. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!1
Mr. Gerace, Not true,
Mr. Gerace,
Not true, again.
There is a document that could be voted on for consolidation, just ask your father, who is on the task force.
The whole process came to halt was you truly know, because the Town Board decide not to vote to ask for home rule legislation, which was required. The City did vote for it, but the Town said no. At that point, as your father knows, the whole thing came to a halt.
And the document is not that good because you, and others, required that the task force only look at the town merging with the City. You did not allow them to look at desolving the City and merging with the Town. Why did you do that?
And why did you state that it cost $100,000? That was not true.
Finally, if you state Chad will only stay on the board until something better comes along, why can't we say you will stay only until you misbehave in public again? Neither accusation is fair.
Also not being a resident of
Also not being a resident of the Town, I am an outside observer and impartial but I am pretty sure Howard stated that Mr. Gerace is the one who specifically taped the Public Notice re the laundromat on Howard's door. Is that true Mr. Gerace? If so, it speaks volumes about who is running a smear campaign. And there are no cowards here, no aliases are allowed on the site.
There was a notice taped to
There was a notice taped to the laundry's door and John told me about it because he thought it only fair that I cover both sides of the story (after we did a story about Mr. Gerace). That was his stated intention. If people wanted to ensure The Batavian reported his own troubles, then it's only fair, John said, The Batavian report Mr. Zambito's troubles. Since the conversation with John wasn't off the record, I thought it should be noted the source of the heads up, and part of that thinking was the idea that John thought it only fair Chad's issues be as public as his own.
An anonymous person dropped off information about Mr. Gerace at our office that was used in the story about Mr. Gerace.
If im not mistaken, a 54,000$
If im not mistaken, a 54,000$ grant is taxpayer money.
So who do i vote for if im against consolidation? Thats all that really matters
Good question CJ. I would
Good question CJ. I would offer this. I sat on the consolidation board. I spent a year of time looking into the issue and believe it needs to be decided by the voters. That being said, there needs to be a clear and present benefit to the town present. Under the current agreement with the city I do not believe that is possible. So while I believe we should always look for ways to reduce costs I do not believe that efforts should continue unless there is a clear benefit to both parties in both the short and long term. Feel free to email if you have more questions at chadzambito@gmail.com. FINALLY a question about an issue that matters!