C. M. Barons

This weekend was particularly rewarding.  I had the opportunity to meet voters in three counties, folks attending the Stafford Fireman's Parade, a group of voters in the Town of Murray and attendees at the St. John Lutheran Church hosted Hamlin Strawberry Festival.  Not only did I walk away with a fulfilled sense of voter sentiment, I purchased a delicious bowl of shortcake while at the Strawberry Festival.

As much as the 139th is diverse in its four-county membership and the unique communities that comprise the district, voters seem to share the same sense of urgency.  The state is in dire need of responsible leadership.  The most discerning question that was often repeated, "Are you the incumbent?"

Incumbency may be a focus, and "Throw the bums out," has been a rallying cry for some time; I do not intend to invest my time exploiting that single itch.  The voters deserve a comprehensive action plan for righting state government.  I do not intend to rely on slogans, generalities and gladhanding to engage district voters.  My approach to the campaign is my approach to the business of state: ideas, study, dialogue, study, alliances, concensus.  I don't mean to oversimplify the legislative process.  I have a long history conducting negotiations, and I know the dynamics well.  Please anticipate a detailed look at my policies.

I hope everyone had time to celebrate Father's Day.  I did so vicariously.  The weather was spot-on!  See you along the campaign trail...

Chris

“When will CM post here on his own.” “…Baron's having an email is not the same as his posting at least a statement on this site.” “Mr. Barons is starting to look like a very 'handled' candidate.” “It seems like the very forum that gave C.M. his voice has seen him go completely silent since announcing his desire to run.” “I have sent an e-mail and received a response from Mr. Barons, however that does not change the fact that he seems to have come under the control of the Democratic party.” “It would be nice to have an un-handled dialogue with all the candidates not just Mr. Barons.” “If you are reading this C.M., please return to our forum, and share with us. Don't be just another candidate, or a puupet (sic) on a string. Do what you do best, BE YOURSELF!” “Bottom line, Barons is now being ‘handled.’” “I looked back at previous posts to see how CM felt on some issues and was dismayed to find that he edited his posts after he announced his decision to run.” 

The area defined by the 139^th Assembly district covers four counties and 23 townships. They are served by numerous, unique and varied-format news organs not limited to The Daily News, The Batavian, The Medina Journal-Register, WBTA, Time Warner’s YNN, The Suburban News, The Buffalo News, The Democrat and Chronicle, Pennysavers, other radio & television stations and blogs. Blogging on The Batavian has been a personal choice that I exercised frequently with little concern for favoritism. Since becoming a candidate, I am no longer reacting to news; I am news. I am competing in a milieu dependent on equal access to all available news organs. Consequently, I have re-evaluated my relationship to ALL media, aiming at a wider base with intent to avoid perception that my candidacy is derivative of or proprietary to any faction. 

Part and parcel to developing my media presence, I encouraged my Genesee County Campaign Manager, Chris Charvella to excite local news outlets with unique and format-optimizing approaches to bi-lateral engagement during this race for the 139^th Assembly seat. To instill a level playing field, I limited my media contacts to press releases. This was my practical response to a situation that I deemed in need of adjustment. Any assumption that my hiatus was the result of “handling” or re-packaging is ill-informed. 

I have spent the last few weeks cementing endorsement, drafting position papers and developing comprehensive plans for intended action once elected. The respite from blogging has allowed me to distill my own ideas into coherent action plans. I do not take my role lightly. I’ve dedicated all available time to establishing a candidacy that models my commitment to best represent my district. Although heartened by urgings I resume blogging on The Batavian, I trust that those who have embraced the spirit and relevancy of my past posts will afford me the opportunity to not only fashion a corpus worthy of the people I have chosen to represent in Albany. I ask that they measure the need of district residents in Niagara, Orleans and Monroe County who have yet to become familiar with my views.    

I promise no unveiling of a new, improved or beta version of me. The Democratic Committees representing the four-county area have accepted me, unadulterated. I respect them for their generous and unqualified support. Any suggestion that I have been influenced remains unfounded and erroneous. My ideas are my own; my press releases are penned by me.  As much as I reserve the right to change my mind in the presence of new data or circumstances, suggestions that I have engaged in Orwellian revisionism are inaccurate. My editing tendencies can be blamed on Gladys Walker, Sixth Grade English teacher who imposed grammatic structure as if the eleventh commandment.

I have returned to The Batavian, albeit a return defined by the reciprocal presence of my opponent and the discipline of fair-access. I consider The Batavian, family. As much as family roles are changed by circumstances, the elasticity of family bonds are only tested- not broken by distance. I will be making regular blog-posts detailing my positions and answering voter questions. I hope we can share some time as I take my campaign to the streets.  

Chris Barons