The Batavian doesn't do endorsements, but no reason who you can't.
Who are you voting for (with maybe a short explanation why)?
Of particular interest, what is your position on changing the terms of Genesee County legislators?
I met Marc Coppola on Saturday and today he sent along this note, which I thought worth sharing:
Howard,
Nice running into you at Summer in the City in Batavia this past Saturday. As I mentioned, I thought it was ironic that someone commented on your site that I was anti-gun when in fact I hold and carry permits for my own guns (and have) for almost 19 years now. And, in case anyone should ask, I do support the right to keep and bear arms. I believe that while the approval process for obtaining a pistol permit in NYS could be quicker, we do it right, trying to assure that those who pose a real threat to society or themselves, don't wind up with a dangerous weapon.
On a more current legislative issue, microstamping, I think that the reasoning and idea behind it has merit, but there are two things lacking that would prevent my support: technology and economics.
My understanding is that the technology of microstamping is still in its evolution stage. Given this, I think it is a large step and therefore premature to enact such a law for NYS at this time.
Secondly, since the law would only apply to guns legally purchased in NY state, and data shows that most guns used in the commission of a crime originated from outside NYS, you have to question the true impact of the legislation.
On the economic side of the equation, this may cause just another burden on NYS businesses that sell or deal guns and related equipment. It puts NYS again, in a less competitive position, which could hurt a strong industry, especially in upstate NY.
Sorry if I sound like I'm on the soap box, just something I wanted to clarify since it was mentioned.
Unfortunately our government leaders, well-intentioned at times, take knee-jerk reactions to things without fully exploring and considering the true impacts, both positive and negative. Using guns for hunting and sport is a tradition and culture particularly in upstate, throwing the baby out with the bathwater so to speak is not good policy.
Take care,
Marc Coppola
(Note: He is a Democrat running for state Senate in the 61st District.)
Whatever anti-incumbent mood might be sweeping the nation didn't carry over into today's Batavia City Schools School Board election.
Both incumbents -- Steve Mountain and Pat Burk -- won re-election while challenger Denine Scott fell short.
Mountain received 486 votes, Burk 381 and Scott received 336, based on preliminary results.
The 2010-11 school budget of $39.945,756 passed with 413 votes to 223.
What's more surprising than the Republicans winning all of the key contested races is the margins. That may merely reflect the GOP registration advantages and the fact there were no real wedge issues to define the campaign. Voters basically said they're happy with the GOP incumbents on the City Council and satisfied with the GOP majority in the County Legislature.
Go back and look at the video of the interviews we did with the candidates in conjunction with WBTA: There were few disagreements. There was no big issue to sway voters toward a particular candidate or a particular party. The Democrats just didn't have a big enough flag to wave to say "this is what voting for us means." I've not been around Batavia politics long enough to say this with certainity, but it seems if Democrats want to win multiple-ward seats, they need to articulate issues that set them apart. And they need to unite around the candidate(s) with the best chance to win.
What may have hurt the Democrats the most was infighting. The "Coffeecake Caper" brought a lot of that to the surface, with Tim Paine explicitly accusing a faction of Democrats with bringing forth Julie Wallace to block him from a clear path to the nomination.
Speaking of Julie Wallace, she seems like a really goodhearted person and a sweet lady. I bet she's fabulous with kids. Good luck to her on her quest to be a CASA volunteer. She will undoubtedly do a great job. That doesn't mean she was qualified to run for City Council.
Did the Coffeecake Caper sink Rose Mary? I don't think so. In the end, I think it was a wash. Rose Mary came out looking like an honest, tell-it-like-it-is, stand-up person, which is why she's represented her ward for 18 years. But the Republicans, particularly Joe Gerace, played their cards just right by disavowing Tim Paine's actions without hesitation, which probably neutralized any benefit Rose Mary might have gained from the attack on her.
Word has it it (though numbers aren't available yet) that the City Charter revision passed. That's good and bad. John Roach is right -- the city engineer position should be done away with. But opening the door to the elimination of the Police Department without fully vetting the options could be a mistake.
Following this campaign helped me get greater insight into local politics, and I came away with the impression that the local political parties, especially the city parties, are less about partisan ideology and more like civic social clubs. Both the Republicans and Democrats work very hard to try to help their candidates win, but not in the name of pushing a partisan agenda, but rather because they want to see their own club do well in the big game. At least that's my impression this time around.
What can I say? Thank you so much for everyone who supported me through this endeavor. Even though we ended on the wrong side of the line, you have no idea what an honor it has been being invited into your lives these past six months.
I would like to thank the City of Batavia Democratic, City of Batavia Conservative and the independent Better Batavia parties for their endorsements!
For those who shared my line, Sara Burk-Balbi and Julie Wallace, congrats on a job well done and kudos to you for the courage you showed to put yourselves out there! I would also like to say congrats to Chris Charvella and Rose Mary Christian who fought long hard campaigns as well.
Chris did an amazing job and I believe we will and should see him again soon! Kudos Sir!!!
To those who won; Marianne Clatenburg, Frank Ferrando, Tim Buckley, Hollis Upson and Bob Radley. Congratulations on a job well done! Now DON'T STOP!!!!! Our city and County has so much potential and there is just show much work to be done. We need you now more than ever!
Last, I would like to thank those who walked with me through this journey. Charlie Mallow asked me to run and he has stayed by my side throughout. He is a great friend and I am grateful for him. Sara Burk-Balbi and I became friends because of this experience and her friendship helped me on more than one occasion! Finally I would like to say thank the great God above for my wife, Laura and my two amazing girls, Delilah and Vivian. Life is nothing without you.
Thank you all again and God Bless,
Phil Ricci
Final Unofficial Numbers, posted 11:09 p.m.
Note: City Charter question not yet tallied and those numbers are not expected to be announced until tomorrow between 11 a.m. and noon.
Office Votes Percent County County Clerk Don M. Read 4610 District Attorney Lawrence Friedman 5077 City - Vote for 1 Genesee County Legislator District 7
About 9:45 p.m. as I arrived at the Board of Elections, voting machine tallies were being checked in as well.
There were some dour faces when I left the Democratic HQ at the Elks Club, with one candidate whispering to me as I left, "It's not looking good for Democrats tonight."
Republicans were smiling broadly by the time I reached the Polish Falcon Club. Joe Gerace told me, "It looks like a clean sweep."
I'm now at the Board of Elections awaiting first unofficial tally.
It's still quite at Dem HQ at the Elks Club on East Main Street in Batavia. The first early numbers are being tallied, but nothing to report yet. From here I'll head to the Falcon's Club and the GOP HQ.
The Batavian's election coverage will start some time around 8 p.m.. We'll spend time during the evening at both Republican and Democratic headquarters and plan to stop by 400 Towers and anyplace else we hear there's election-related activity.
We will post results as soon as they are available.
WBTA will be on the air with election coverage at 9 p.m.. The Batavian and WBTA1490.com will provide live online streams of WBTA's on-air coverage.
Well it's November 3rd and the polls are open!!! To say that this has been an experience I will never forget is an understatement. I am so incredibly grateful to all of the people who have been by my side through this all!
We have so much to be proud of here in Batavia, yet so much work that has to be done. As you make your choice today, know that regardless of what lever you pull, it has been an immense honor to have been invited into your lives these past six months.
I hope that each of you will exercise your right that so many have died to give you. No matter the outcome, or whom you may support, Please vote today.
Thank you so much for everything!
Respectfully,
Phil Ricci
Below are the results of the election survey taken of readers of The Batavian over the past three days.
Please keep in mind:
All of that to say: You shouldn't let these results influence your voting decisions, from who to vote for or whether to show up at the polls. Treat this as a potentially interesting reflection of how readers of The Batavian are responding to the candidates, but not necessarily a prediction of what will happen on Election Day.
Two other notes. We are not randomly deleting responses as we previously said we would. We had to delete too many as it is because SOOO MANNNNY people didn't follow the instructions on the survey.
The most common reason we deleted surveys (and whole surveys were deleted, not just specific questions) was people voting in BOTH district elections for the County Legislature. The next most common reason, was saying you lived in the Town of Batavia or another town and then voting in Batavia races or on the charter question.
We have 165 completed surveys. We trashed at least 200 more for failure to follow the instructions and another 25 for stating not registered to vote and unlikely to vote (you see, those were trick questions). We also deleted five surveys with duplicate IP addresses.
We're also not displaying results for jurisdictions that had only one or two respondents.
Here's the results:
Very likely to vote: 149 (90%)
Batavia City Council - Council at Large Answer Marianne Clattenburg 49 (22%) Timothy E. Buckley 45 (21%) Frank C. Ferrando, Jr 44 (20%) Phillip J. Ricci 39 (18%) Sara J. Balbi 26 (12%) Julie Ann Wallace 15 (7%)City of Batavia Charter Revision Yes 52 (64%) No 29 (36%)
Genesee County Legislator District 7 (Wards 1 & 6) Robert H. Radley 22 (59%) Rosemary Christian 15 (41%)
Genesee County Legislator District 8 (Wards 2 & 3) Christopher M. Charvella 17 (55%) Hollis D. Upson 14 (45%)
Darien Town Clerk Alice E. Calmes 5 (56%) Linda P. Graber 4 (44%)
Darien Town Council (Vote for 2) Michael A. Plitt 7 (35%) Stephen J. Ferry 5 (25%) Christopher M. Nicastro 4 (20%) Charles J. Flagg 3 (15%) Jimmie E. Flaming 1 (5%)
Darien Town Council, unexpired term David D. Riker 7 (70%) Samuel E. Williams 3 (30%)
Le Roy Town Justice Answer Kermit Arrington 13 (65%) Darryl D. Sehm 7 (35%)
Le Roy Town Council (Pick 2) Thomas Stella 15 (58%) Christine M. Smith 8 (31%) Jay E. Whipple 3 (12%)
Le Roy Town Council, unexpired term Kelly J. Lathan 14 (67%) Jennifer AO Keys 7 (33%)
Stafford Town Council (Vote for 2) Ronald Panek 10 (38%) Donald L. Mullen 9 (35%) Michelle Mouery 7 (27%)
Stafford Superintendent of Highways Answer Steven Boldt 13 (87%) James D. Pontillo 2 (13%)
"The children" is a key part of the City Council campaign platform for Julie Wallace, but when it comes to her claims of serving the kids of Genesee County, there appears to be inconsistencies in her resume.
In our Oct. 15 candidates' forum in which The Batavian and WBTA interviewed Wallace, Wallace said, "I do a lot for the children. That's basically what I want to do. I want to do more for the children than anything."
She also claimed that evening that she is a volunteer for CASA, a claim repeated in her bio in the Daily News interview earlier this week.
"I do a lot of volunteering," Wallace said Oct. 15. "I volunteer for CASA."
After being tipped by a reader, The Batavian called Tara Pariso, executive director of CASA, and Pariso said Wallace has never volunteered for CASA.
CASA stands for "Court Appointed Special Advocates" and the job of volunteers is to help children in foster care.
Pariso said her predecessor, Sara Munger, had started the application process with Wallace, but Wallace never completed the interview process required for all volunteers. Pariso said Wallace was supposed to do one of the two required interviews last week, but missed her appointment. She also said volunteers require an extensive background check, checking for any criminal record, and Wallace has not yet had a background check.
Wallace today had a different story. She didn't explicitly repeat the claim to volunteer for CASA, but she did say that Munger interviewed her and cleared her for training to begin in November.
When asked if she had that in writing, she said she did not.
"I just touched base with Tara last week, since Sara had left," Wallace said. "Everything was all set to go with Sara."
Wallace was adament that she will start training in November.
When we spoke to Pariso yesterday, she was equally adament that Wallace had done no volunteering of any kind for CASA and that she needed to be interviewed and pass a background check before she could start volunteering.
UPDATE Monday, Nov. 2, 9:42 a.m.: We just received this e-mail from Sara Munger:
As the former director for Genesee County CASA for Children I would like to verify some misconceptions that have been shared with your readers. I did in fact interview a Julie Wallace near the end of my service as the Director for CASA for Children. At no time during the interview did I tell Ms. Wallace that she was accepted as a volunteer for CASA, or that she would be going through the training process as a volunteer. When interviewing CASA advocates it was my policy to review all of the materials after our interview, check at least three references (by phone, or through mail) and complete a thorough back round check on all potential candidates. When I interviewed Ms. Wallace I explained to her that after reviewing her application and completing these appropriate steps, I would then contact her to set up a time for training. Shortly after our interview, I stepped down from my position as the Director, and Mrs. Tara Pariso was hired as the new CASA director. At this time Ms. Wallace's application was handed over to Mrs. Pariso, and the application process and background checks had not been completed. Ms. Wallace did contact me to follow up with the interview, and it was explained to her that due to current circumstances, I was not able to move forward with her application, but ensured her that I would hand over her information to the new director. At no time did I indicate to Ms. Wallace that she was accepted as a CASA advocate, or indicate that she would be training in November.
One of the things that I have stated time and again throughout this process is the lack of forward thinking I see here in Batavia. After months of walking the streets of our city and meeting the hundreds of neighbors that took time out of their day to speak with me, I, with the help of those who know more on these subjects, have created a look of possibilities at some very important issues.
We still have our election survey online (link below).
PLEASE READ: I have invalidated at least HALF of the surveys cast so far. People are not following the instructions. If you say you're voting for one candidate for County Legislature in District 7 and then also select a candidate in District 8, I'm throwing out your survey. That is by far the biggest reason for invalidating a survey. I've also invalidated surveys for voting in every jurisdiction.
Also note that I've only included in the survey races that are competitive. For jurisdictions or districts that have candidates running unopposed, there are no survey questions.
var PDF_surveyID = '290AD911A70E920F'; var PDF_openText = 'View Survey';
Take SurveyWe are experimenting with an online survey for the County's 2009 Election. The survey will be up until Friday evening. We will publish the results over the weekend. Please read the instructions carefully.
NOTE: Please follow the instructions. Do not vote in multiple jurisdictions. I just deleted half of the first 12 survey responses because people voted in every race, or, more common, both contested Legislature races. You can't vote in both District 7 and District 8.
var PDF_surveyID = '290AD911A70E920F'; var PDF_openText = 'View Survey';
Take SurveyFor the better part of two years, I have watched and witnessed the current council as it sits now. I have seen certain members try to push public agendas that would help the greater good and benefit the city as a whole. I’ve also unfortunately, witnessed those pushing private agendas without any care of how detrimental the collateral damage could be. Here’s the truth as I see it.
My wife and I as we were making our departure from Europe decided to return to Batavia. We believe to this day that it is an amazing place to raise our family! We also have an amazing sense of community pride, which is just one of the reasons that I have been involved in many different organizations here. I have not done this for any kind of personal gain, except for the satisfaction that I could make a difference. You see, I was raised by the mantra: “Do something or Shut up” from two very stern parents; one Italian, one Irish. They believed, as I do now, that the only way you’re going to make it in this world, is by putting your hands to the plow and working to get it done. Well that’s why I’m running for office; plain and simple. I don’t like the way things work now. It makes no sense how we prioritize our finances and how afraid we are to change it.
Unfortunately it took a horrific budget gap for us to be willing to consider that change was needed. The council took action behind the leadership of a man, who many have called a radical, Charlie Mallow. Love him or hate him, he did the one thing that so many former and currently sitting members never did; he started the conversation. He accepted the fact that people would hate him for saying what he felt and that some of his ideas would be smashed to the ground. Yet he said it and did as much as he could in during his time on Council. Now, this isn’t some ringing love note for Mr. Mallow, but a reality check of the past two years. Hard choices were made to right the ship, but now it’s time to fix the hull once and for all. We have to continue the conversation by continuing to move on and act on tough decisions.
We also have to include you in on the process! That’s right, it’s time to stop just having talks in private rooms behind closed door, but to put them out to the open floor and let government work for the people of Batavia. Charlie Mallow asked me to run and take his place because; he believed I was strong enough to continue this conversation. Now it’s our turn.
You want to create jobs in Batavia? Then you have to cut the waste out off our city budget so that you can lower the cost to actually run a business in our city. You want to improve neighborhoods? Than we have to sharpen our focus on holding these absentee “business” owners to their commitments while still protecting the personal liberties and freedoms of our citizens. You want a more open government? Then we have to get council over itself and publically print every council agenda before each meeting for every citizen that wants it! We have to put tough decisions to special votes and let us all collectively decide our fate! Most importantly, you have to vote! Speak with that voice as loud as you can.
Lastly, do you want to cut taxes? Then understand that we have to right size our service levels to do that. Notice I didn’t say eliminate! I’m not one of these extremist that buys into the “ALL OR NOTHING!” way of governing. There are practical and pragmatic ways to achieve a balance! I’m not going to sit here and promise you that I can bring about a zero tax rate in Batavia, but we should be able to roll the recent increases back. Give back the money that was ripped from our pockets just to play catch up! Achieving that though is going to take some tough decisions.
Over the next few weeks I will put out a plan to each of these points. They will be collective ideas from me and also those who I have been asking for advice and guidance along the way. You may like some, hate others. That's great! Let the conversation continue! WE CAN DO THIS! I know we can. If I didn’t believe it with my whole heart, I wouldn’t say it. We can make Batavia better. No, even more, we can make Batavia the kind of place that every city in New York State dreams of becoming.
Why not? We can do it!
Respectfully,
Phil Ricci
Candidate, Councilman-at-Large
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My wife and I as we were making our departure from Europe decided to return to Batavia. We believe to this day that it is an amazing place to raise our family! We also have an amazing sense of community pride, which is just one of the reasons that I have been involved in many different organizations here. I have not done this for any kind of personal gain, except for the satisfaction that I could make a difference. You see, I was raised by the mantra: “Do something or Shut up” from two very stern parents; one Italian, one Irish. They believed, as I do now, that the only way you’re going to make it in this world, is by putting your hands to the plow and working to get it done. Well that’s why I’m running for office; plain and simple. I don’t like the way things work now. It makes no sense how we prioritize our finances and how afraid we are to change it.
Unfortunately it took a horrific budget gap for us to be willing to consider that change was needed. The council took action behind the leadership of a man, who many have called a radical, Charlie Mallow. Love him or hate him, he did the one thing that so many former and currently sitting members never did; he started the conversation. He accepted the fact that people would hate him for saying what he felt and that some of his ideas would be smashed to the ground. Yet he said it and did as much as he could in during his time on Council. Now, this isn’t some ringing love note for Mr. Mallow, but a reality check of the past two years. Hard choices were made to right the ship, but now it’s time to fix the hull once and for all. We have to continue the conversation by continuing to move on and act on tough decisions.
We also have to include you in on the process! That’s right, it’s time to stop just having talks in private rooms behind closed door, but to put them out to the open floor and let government work for the people of Batavia. Charlie Mallow asked me to run and take his place because; he believed I was strong enough to continue this conversation. Now it’s our turn.
You want to create jobs in Batavia? Then you have to cut the waste out off our city budget so that you can lower the cost to actually run a business in our city. You want to improve neighborhoods? Than we have to sharpen our focus on holding these absentee “business” owners to their commitments while still protecting the personal liberties and freedoms of our citizens. You want a more open government? Then we have to get council over itself and publically print every council agenda before each meeting for every citizen that wants it! We have to put tough decisions to special votes and let us all collectively decide our fate! Most importantly, you have to vote! Speak with that voice as loud as you can.
Lastly, do you want to cut taxes? Then understand that we have to right size our service levels to do that. Notice I didn’t say eliminate! I’m not one of these extremist that buys into the “ALL OR NOTHING!” way of governing. There are practical and pragmatic ways to achieve a balance! I’m not going to sit here and promise you that I can bring about a zero tax rate in Batavia, but we should be able to roll the recent increases back. Give back the money that was ripped from our pockets just to play catch up! Achieving that though is going to take some tough decisions.
Over the next few weeks I will put out a plan to each of these points. They will be collective ideas from me and also those who I have been asking for advice and guidance along the way. You may like some, hate others. That's great! Let the conversation continue! WE CAN DO THIS! I know we can. If I didn’t believe it with my whole heart, I wouldn’t say it. We can make Batavia better. No, even more, we can make Batavia the kind of place that every city in New York State
dreams of becoming.
Why not? We can do it!
Respectfully,
Phil Ricci
Candidate, Councilman-at-Large
Robert Radley, an engineer who previously served on the Batavia School Board, will be the GOP candidate for District 6 7 of the County Legislature, according to WBTA.
The county Republicans have yet to select a candidate for District 7, Radley will be a candidate for the seat now held by John Hodgins, who is retiring at the end of his current term.
Also getting GOP backing are incumbents Don Read for County Clerk and Lawrence Friedman for District Attorney.
Of 105 Genesee County GOP committee members, 78 attended the endorsement meeting last night.
We just received this as a press release:
Dear Neighbor;
My name is Christopher Charvella and I would like to take this opportunity to announce my candidacy for Genesee County Legislature in the 8th District. I grew up in Genesee County and after serving our country for six years in the United States Air Force I decided to bring my wife back to Batavia so we could begin our life together in the place I love so much. We recently had our first child, a girl, and it is my goal to make Genesee
County a place where she can grow and flourish.
Sadly, our area is in decline. We are facing a multitude of problems: empty storefronts on Main Street, an unemployment rate at nearly 9% and climbing, and a local government that seems incapable of coming up with real solutions. We have watched businesses close their doors or leave town. We have seen County bids and purchases go to companies that aren’t even based in New York State and our stagnant Legislature has been a part of the problem instead of being a part of the solution. It is time for us to change the way we do business at a local level.
I pledge to bring balance, oversight and transparency to our local government. When elected I will immediately offer legislation that will open the County bid process to all qualified local contractors and distributors, set up a County website that tracks exactly where your tax dollars go and make County Legislature and Committee meetings accessible to working people. Together we can bring an end to the ‘rubber stamp’ legislative environment that has plagued us for so long.
I’m looking forward to meeting you in person as I walk the District over the next few months. Feel free to stop me on the street and let me know how I can make Genesee County a better place for you and your family. I am committed to working hard for the 8th District and all of Genesee County and I am looking forward to earning your vote and working for you over the next two years.
Sincerely,
Christopher M. Charvella
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