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Genesee County Democratic Committee

Genesee County Democratic Women's Caucus

By Jennifer Keys

Last month (December…can you believe it’s January already?) a few of the female members of the Genesee County Democratic Committee discussed formation of a Women’s Caucus. We discussed fund raising, volunteerism, and expanding the group to the larger four county GLOW coalition (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, Wyoming). One example of a fund raiser is to put on breakfasts or luncheons for female candidates or the wives of up ticket candidates (Schumer, Paterson, Cuomo, Gillibrand, …). We would also like to help form a Young Democrats Committee.

In a big election year, such as this one, we could share the work load and responsibilities for organizing and mobilizing for activities, such as the very successful event we had at Sweet Briar last summer.

We are looking to expand the group and hope that you will consider joining. We recognize that everyone is quite busy and believe that participation in the Women’s Caucus wouldn’t really require meetings as we can have discussions and make plans through e-mail, shared documents, or tools such as Face Book.

If you are interested please post a comment or send me an e-mail to jkeys2009@rochester.rr.com.

As always, thank you for your consideration.

 

With Deepest Thanks and Regards

By Sara Burk-Balbi

Over these last few months, I have had the privilege of being a candidate for Batavia City Council at Large. I was not successful with that campaign but I came away with a deep appreciation for the City of Batavia and for those that want to serve it.   I want to start of by saying Thank You to all of my supporters here in the City of Batavia. I continue to be deeply humbled by your amazing support. I would also like to thank all of the candidates, both Republican and Democrat. You all did a great job and ran a wonderful campaign. My hat is off to each of you. Lastly, I have to thank my family and friend. I truly believe that I have the best family a person can ask for and the greatest friends.

If there is one thing that I can take away from this election is I have made some life long friends and I had the chance to really get out there and meet YOU; our city residents. I am truly blessed to be able to call you my neighbors and to call Batavia my home. So in the end, I am still a winner.

With that being said, I am going to make one more promise to you. You have unleashed the community advocate within me. This will not be the last time you see me. I am going to become even more involved and more educated on the issues. An angel was sent to me this morning. I was out for my morning walk (mind you less then 12 hours after I was told I did not win this election) and an older women stopped me and simply said, “What a beautiful morning. But the snow is coming.” I agreed with her, “Yes the snow is coming.” You see while I was talking to her, I found out that this poor women has to walk everywhere. She has no vehicle and she does not always have enough money to ride the bus or call a cab. So in her world, yes the snow is coming. It physically stops her from doing her every day things. This literally made me start crying on Ellicott Street this morning. It reminded me why I decided to run in the first place; to be able to help out the people who need it most. I will not be afraid to stand-up to City Council and I will continue to fight for those less fortunate. I have a challenge for all of you. Do not let your voice go unheard. Do not just sit there as the train passes you by. Our biggest weapon is our words. Do not be afraid to stand up for what you believe in. There is still a lot of work to be done. To quote Eleanor Roosevelt,” You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.” Please do not stop fighting for what you believe in. We have to let our elected officials know , “The Snow Is Coming!”

My name is Sara Burk-Balbi. I am a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister. I am a student, a friend and I will be your candidate for the future.

With my deepest and most sincere regards,

Sara Burk-Balbi

Doing it for the Future of Batavia - My Home Town

By Sara Burk-Balbi

Hello, My name is Sara Burk-Balbi and I am a candidate for Batavia City Council at Large. I would like to take this time to thank all the people of Batavia that have been supportive and wonderful during my campaign for City Council. My neighbors, family and friends have encouraged me, walked door-to-door with me and campaigned for me. I am blessed with a lot of support.

I would like to remind each and every registered voter in the City of Batavia to go our and vote next Tuesday. It is important that we exercise our privilege and participate on Election Day. I also hope that you will consider supporting me for City Council. I want to be your Council Person. I want to work for the people of Batavia and I want to insure that your City Council handles issues openly and fairly. I am not a fan of back room politics. I like to make sure that as much that can be discussed out in the open is discussed and executive session material stays private. An open government is a good government.

I pledge that I will work hard. I will represent you fairly and I will be available to listen and to learn. I want to bring new Industry and Retail back into the city. I support fair wage jobs so that families and young people have the means to support themselves again in Batavia. I think the expansion of the Industrial as well as Retail development is by far one of our most important issues.

With increased Industrial and Retail programs comes an increase in property tax revenue that is currently the burden of the home owner. It is not enough to talk about new jobs and “green jobs” and new stores. You must act on them and provide a more intensive effort to make this a reality. Our tax base has to increase in order to see significant savings on our city taxes. You can only cut so much.  You have to depend on an increased base to spread the tax burden to a greater number of tax payers.

I also understand the need to provide services to our senior citizen and youth populations. They require our support and need services that both take care and improve their quality of life. Senior Citizen Programs increase self dependence and Youth Programs decrease incidents of youth crime and delinquency. These are very important programs.

I am humbled at the support and guidance that I have been shown during my campaign.   Next Tuesday, please consider voting for me so that I can serve you. Batavia is such a wonderful place. I would be honored to serve as your Councilperson.

I am endorsed by the City and County Democrat Committee, the New York  State Working Families Party, The Eleanore Franklin Foundation and Senator Kirster Gillibrand.

Sincerely and I thank you for your kindness and support,

Sara Jane Burk-Balbi

Meet and Greet Tonight

By Patrick D. Burk

Tonight the City of Batavia Democrats are holding another Meet the Democrat Candidates Night at Notre Dame High School.  Sara Burk-Balbi, Phil Ricci and Julie Wallace will all be present as well as Chris Charvella, Candidate in District 8 for the Genesee County Legislature.  It is at 7PM and in the school Cafeteria.  

I would like to take this moment to encourage everyone to come this evening and talk with our candidates.  They are young, bright and caring.  I also encourage you all to ask them questions and give them your idea. 

I should also mention that there are two conflicting meetings that Rose Mary Christian and Legislator Ed DeJaneiro will be attending.  If they have complete those meetings prior to the end of the Meet and Greet they will stop in as well.  Rose Mary is attending a meeting on the expansion of Rte 63-Ellicott Street and Ed has a County Legislature Meeting.

Please join us tonight for our Meet and Greet at Notre Dame.

Three Genesee County women get endorsement from Eleanor Roosevelt committee

By Billie Owens

Earlier this week, the Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee announced 150 winners of its 2009 Campaign Grants and Endorsements. Three are from Genesee County.

This information is from a press release:

The Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee was designed to build a new generation of pro-choice Democratic women candidates, informed voters and activists in New York State. It was founded in 2001 by former New York State Democratic Committee Chair Judith Hope.

This year, the ERLC awarded Sara Burk-Balbi of Batavia an endorsement in her race for Batavia City Council-at-Large, Alice Burkhardt-Calmes of Darien an endorsement in her race for Town Clerk of Darien and Jennifer Keys of LeRoy an endorsement in her race for LeRoy Town Council.

Genesee County Democratic Chair Lorie Longhany said: "The Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee’s endorsement is very important support for their campaigns and demonstrates confidence in their ability to win these offices. All three wonderful women are proud to be a part of Eleanor’s Legacy."

“To receive such an important endorsement is really an honor,” says Sara Burk-Balbi.  “Eleanor Roosevelt was not only an active First Lady of the United States, she was a front runner on the importance of women in our political system. Her support of women’s issues as well as the issues of children and families was astounding and life-long. I am proud to be one of three women in Genesee County to receive this honor.”

Keys stated: “This shows the commitment that the ERLC has in helping to elect women candidates across New York State. I accept their support with gratitude."

Alice Burkhardt-Calmes said: “I am pleased that this organization realizes the importance of women in local races. It shows their support of grassroots campaigns at the local level."

Since its founding, the ERLC has elected over 400 women to state and local office across New York State and equipped over 600 women with the skills they need to run and win. The ERLC endorses progressive women candidates with a demonstrated commitment to upholding a woman’s right to choose and to promoting the values of the Democratic Party. To be eligible, a candidate must be pro-choice, female, and an enrolled Democrat running for state or local office in the state of New York.

The ERLC will celebrate this year’s grantees at their Annual Fall Luncheon with special guests Abby Disney, Senator Charles Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. This year’s luncheon honors Geraldine Ferraro with the Pioneer in Politics – Lifetime Achievement Award.

County Democrats pick party leadership for next two years

By Howard B. Owens

County Democrats must be happy with the job Lorie Longhany is doing as county chair -- Tuesday, the County Committee met at the Elks Club in Batavia and unanimously voted her into a new two-year term.

Joe Cassidy, with more than 30 years on the committee, was selected for a second term as vice chair. Donna Ferry won for treasure and Carrie Henning, who filled a vacancy four months ago as secretary, wins a two-year term outright.

Sixteen new committee members were seated.

In a press release from the County Democrats, Longhany says, "Party building from the grassroots is my biggest priority with choice at the ballot box being the end result. It's exciting, we are adding many energized people to our ranks, including many young people."

As an example of energized people getting involved, the party can point to: Town Board candidate, Michael Plitt from Darien, Sarah Burk-Balbi, Phil Ricci, Julie Wallace running for Batavia city council at large, Jennifer Keys running for LeRoy Town Council, and Christopher Charvella running for the 8th District county legislature seat.

"I am proud of all the Genesee County candidates, elected officials and committee people but it is especially satisfying to see so many young people with fresh ideas willing to step up and serve their communities and their Party," Longhany said.

Download: Full Press Release (pdf)

City Democrats elect new leadership

By Howard B. Owens

Patrick D. Burk takes over as chairman of the Batavia Democrat Committee, replacing Cathy DeJaneiro, who becomes treasurer.

Also elected to leadership positions were Laura Bohm as vice chair, Malloryann Flanagan as secretary

The committee met Saturday in the Genesee County Legislature chambers.

The votes were unanimous, according to a press release issued by Burk.

Full press release following the the jump.

Against the backdrop of the historic Genesee County Legislature Meeting Chambers, the City of Batavia Democrat Committee elected new leadership at their re-organizational meeting on Saturday, September 26th.  In a unanimous vote, the committee elected First Ward Committee member Patrick D. Burk as the new Chairman.  Also elected were Laura Bohm as Vice Chair, Malloryann Flanagan as Secretary and Cathy DeJaneiro as Treasurer.

The newly seated committee members were also welcomed.  They included representing the First Ward – Lauren Penman, representing the Second Ward – Nicholas Burk and Ellen Jane Burk, representing the Third Ward – Elizabeth Kinsley and Robert Turk, representing the Fifth Ward – Alex Balbi and Jared Morgan and representing the Sixth Ward – Laura Russell-Ricci and Bea McManis.  “This is the first time in quite a few years that we have had all of our committee seats filled and active,” said outgoing Chair Cathy DeJaneiro.  “It is a tribute to the hard work this committee has been doing to promote positive, active candidates in the City of Batavia.  It is our goal to maintain a positive message in solving our communities concerns and problems.”  There are a total of 32 voting members on the City Committee.

“Democrat Leadership on City Council has helped to turn the downward financial situation into a more positive outlook”, Chairman Burk stated.  “It is all about facing the issues, knowing that they will not go away and tackling them with a positive attitude that the issue can be solved.  This year we have a solid slate of candidates in the City of Batavia.  Four of the six are brand new to politics.  They have great ideas, young families and a willingness to work hard to make this a great place to live, work and raise your family.”

The City of Batavia Democrat Committee has endorsed for City Council at Large, Sara Jane Burk-Balbi, Phil Ricci and Julie Wallace.  It also has endorsed for County Legislature, Edward DeJaneiro, Chris Charvella and Rosemary Christian.

“I am very honored to be elected Chair of the city committee,” Burk stated, “I am grateful for the committee’s confidence in me to get the job done and their continued support.  It is all about community service and finding those that want to invest time and commitment to better Batavia.  I believe our candidates and committee representatives have that core value at heart.  It isn’t so much about politics, but about the willingness to serve.”
 

Artist and activist Lorie Longhany enjoys night of arts and politics

By Howard B. Owens

Genesee County Democratic Committee Chair Lorie Longhany had a chance this week to combine her love of art -- she's an art teacher and an artist -- with her commitment to politics when she attended an event in Rochester honoring Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, whom Longhany described as a long-time, steadfast supporter of the arts. Slaughter co-chairs the congressional arts caucus.

Caroline Kennedy was the keynote speaker and quoted her father, President John Kennedy, who said, "I look forward to an America which will not be afraid of grace and beauty, which commands respect, not only for its strength, but for its civilization, as well."

Attendees also enjoyed performances by the Tony Award winning the Garth Fagan dance troupe and jazz pianist Gap Mangione.

Pictured above, Teresa Martillotta, former Orleans County chair and 53-year state
committee member, current Orleans County chair Jeanne Crane, Slaughter and Longhany.

Legitimate News Source

By bud prevost

I am not sure if you are aware of this Howard, but the LeRoy Democratic Committee jumped all over the issue concering Jay Grasso and his posting on your sight under assumed names.

In this past week's Pennysaver, the LDC added a flyer describing what happened several months ago, even using the "sock puppet" definition. I just found it interesting that the LDC realizes the Batavian is a legitamite and viable news source for Batavia and Genesee county. No longer does the "Daily Snooze" hold the title of Genesee's only news.

DeJaneiro, Christian, Charvella receive backing of county Democrats for County Legislature

By Howard B. Owens

Press release from County Democratic Chair Lorie Longhany:

The Genesee County Democratic Committee voted to endorse all announced candidates  unanimously for the Genesee County Legislature tonight at their regularly scheduled meeting on June 9th at the Elks Home.  Incumbent legislator, Ed DeJaneiro, who represents  district 9, is joined by city councilman  Rosemary Christian in district 7 and Chris Charvella in District 8.  These candidates represent a combination of strength and experience along with natural leadership and a new perspective on county government. The Committee is looking forward to an exciting election season and all of us are eager to get behind our endorsed candidates to help them move Genesee County in a new direction."

UPDATE: Russ Stresing submitted this statement on behalf of Rosemary Christian:

I am pleased and honored to recieve the Genesee County Democratic Committee's  endorsement.  Having the committee's enthusiastic support means a great deal as the campaign moves forward and I'm very enthusiastic about working with Chris Charvella and Ed DeJaneiro to try to bring balance, oversight and  transparency to county government.  So much more can be accomplished when people come together as a group than one person can do on her own and its exciting to be part of a real effort to help Genesee County move in a new direction.

UDPATE: Chris Charvella sends along the following statement:

It is with great honor and gratitude that I welcome the endorsement from the Genesee County Democratic committee.  I appreciate their enthusiastic and unanimous support as I continue to address the issues and concerns of the voters in the 8th District in the City of Batavia.  I'm looking forward to being a part of the team with Ed DeJaneiro and Rosemary Christian that can help bring balance, oversight and transparency to county government as we  chart a new course towards the future.

City Dems pick slate for November election

By Howard B. Owens

The city Democrats have lined up behind three candidates for Batavia City Council in the November election.

All three are running for at-large positions.

Getting the endorsements are Sarah Burk-Balbi, Phil Ricci and Julie Wallace.

For the County Legislature, the Democrats are backing Chris Charvella (District 8), Rosemary Christian (District 7) and Edward DeJaneiro, Jr (District 9).

Democrats report successful picnic with elected officials

By Howard B. Owens

Glowing report on the GLOW Democrats blog about their recent BBQ fundraiser. It sounds like almost all of the local elected Democrats where there serving food and talking with party faithful.

Russ Stresing reports the event was a sell-out and raised $1,000 for local Democrats.

GLOW Democratic leaders meet with Gillibrand to discuss dairy crisis

By Howard B. Owens

Earlier this month, a group of regional Democratic leaders traveled to Buffalo to meet with newly minted U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Steven Israel.

Among the issues raised by GLOW Democrats was the dairy farm crisis, which we covered previously.

The Democrats discussed with Israel possible candidates to run against Congressman Chris Lee in 2010.

The full press release from Judith Hunter after the jump:

 

 

 

Members of the GLOW Democratic Coalition traveled to Buffalo on Saturday, April 4, to meet with New York U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Steven Israel (NY-2) and discuss the needs of Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties.  “Now that our Democratic committees are working together across our region, we’re getting opportunities to speak up and be heard.  This was a great morning for our coalition,” said Lorie Longhany of LeRoy, Chair of the Genesee County Democratic  Committee.

Geneseo’s Phil Jones, Livingston County Democratic Chair, emphasized the importance of meeting with Senator Gillibrand.  “It was crucial for us to meet with our new Senator, because our federal Senators are our only legislators who are members of the majority.  Every legislator we have below that level is in the minority caucus and, of course, less powerful.”  The first issue the GLOW leaders raised with Senator Gillibrand was the crisis in dairy farming, with Harold Bush of Gainesville, Wyoming County Democratic Chair, stating that his county is projected to lose $60 million this year because dairy prices have fallen so drastically.  “I was very impressed with the Senator’s response.  She is a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and understands this issue and its importance very well.  She explained the problem was structural and that the pricing system has to be changed so that you don’t have the current situation of the price level being set lower than the cost of the production of milk.  She had some great ideas.”

The GLOW Democratic leaders also met with Representative Steven Israel, who asked them to come and discuss possible Democratic candidates for the 2010 Congressional race in New York’s 26th District.  Congressman Israel is in charge of recruitment for the DCCC (Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee).  Suzanne Coogan of Warsaw, Wyoming County, noted that “the rural counties are crucial to our Congressional election.  It’s a great development that the people guiding our national strategy want our input.”

One of the things that came up in both meetings was the new GLOWDemocrats.com website.  Senator Gillibrand’s staff was especially complimentary of the site, which tracks and analyzes developments that affect the GLOW region.
 

Local Democrats to attend Democratic Rural Conference

By Howard B. Owens

Press Release:

The Democratic Rural Conference (DRC) will hold its annual Spring Conference at the Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga, NY on April 17 and 18, 2009. The theme of this year’s conference is Winning Rural Campaigns and will feature a series of campaign training workshops.  Registration is required.

The DRC Spring Conference has a tradition of bringing top Democratic Leaders to upstate New York.  Confirmed speakers are United States Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Governor David Patterson, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith. Others are expected.

The DRC is an organization composed of the 42 New York counties with a population less than 250,000.  Its purpose is to represent and promote the interests of rural New Yorkers within the New York State Democratic Party and within the government of the State of New York.

Five Genesee County Democratic committee members will be attending the DRC.  Chairman Lorie Longhany along with state committee members representing the 147th assembly district, Bill and Connie Bruggman and state committee members representing the 139th assembly district, Joe and Dawn Cassidy.

Democrat's Genesee County chair offers take on state budget

By Howard B. Owens

We've had some discussion on The Batavian about "where are the local Democrats on the state budget." I've made at least one similar statement, and it's also come up in comments.

As part of an e-mail exchange today with Genesee County Democratic Chair Lorie Longhany, I asked Lorie for her statement on the budget.  Below is her statement, but she also said her teaching duties have been pretty full the past week or so.

Here's her statement:

While the budget has been controversial and has been the subject of much criticism, what needs to be considered is the unprecedented fiscal crisis that New York is facing. 

The budget closes the largest spending gap in state history -- 17.7 billion, 12 billion including the stimulus.  It includes 6.5 billion in spending cuts, nearly twice the amount of cuts as any governor from either party has ever proposed.

From the budget itself on the STAR rebate: The Enacted Budget eliminates the STAR rebate program as well as the corresponding enhanced NYC STAR tax credit, producing savings of $1.5 billion in 2009-10. Even after this action, the STAR exemption program and NYC STAR credit will continue to provide $3.3 billion in property tax relief.

Additionally, the Executive Budget proposal to decrease the “floor” reduction – the maximum reduction in STAR benefits that can occur as a result of changes in assessed value or market value –from 18 percent to 11 percent is not included in the Enacted Budget.

Cuts to health care waste and inefficiency, reforming the Rockefeller Drug Laws, the bottle bill and a temporary increase in personal income tax that progressively targets those making over $300,000 + help to reduce the gap.  The increase in spending is the result of stimulus money that will be redistributed throughout the state for infrastructure and job creation.

The budget is painful and not perfect, with some targeted cuts that I personally didn't agree with, but the situation that led us to this place culminated long before Governor Paterson and the newly elected Senate Democrats took over.  Tough times call for shared sacrifice and shared solutions. 

Now is the time for New Yorkers to come together and find viable solutions, not waste time with talk of division and secession.  Bringing high speed rail to fruition and creating a linkage between our upstate agri-businesses and downstate markets can bridge the divide and help both areas of the state to connect and flourish.

Letter from Democratic congressional delegation indicated Sen. Gillibrand may face primary challenge

By Howard B. Owens

A group of New York's Democratic congressional members are in a snit over the state Democratic Party sending out promotional materially supporting Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, the one-term congresswoman picked by Gov. Paterson to replace Hilary Clinton.

Ten members of Congress, including Eric Massa of Corning, sent party chair June O'Neill a letter urging the party not to openly support Gillibrand because the newly minted senator may face a primary challenge.

"Some of the co-signers of this letter may support Senator Gillibrand. Some are considering running for the seat," the letter, first reported about Monday by the New York Post, states.

"Others remain undecided. However, each of us wants a Democrat to win in a process that is fair, open and inclusive."

(via The Fighting 29th blog)

Area Democratic leaders meet with governor in Rochester

By Howard B. Owens

Lorie Longhany of LeRoy submitted this photo along with the following information:

Left to right: Genesee County chair Lorie Longhany; Wyoming County chair Hank Bush; Livingston County chair Phil Jones; Governor David Paterson; Orleans County chair Jeanne Crane.

Wednesday night after his town hall meeting in Rochester, Governor Paterson had dinner with the four GLOW Democratic chairs, as well as the chairperson from Yates County. The Governor spent two hours discussing local issues over dinner, along with posing for some pictures.

Genesee Co. Democrats endorse two incumbets in upcoming Corfu race

By Philip Anselmo

From the Genesee County Democrats:

Two Democrats were unanimously endorsed for the upcoming Village of Corfu election. Todd "Skeeter" Skeets, incumbent mayor, and Al Graham, incumbent trustee, received the endorsements at the Committee's monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 10th. Democratic Committee Chairwoman Lorie Longhany expressed the members impression of the two men. "The Genesee County Democratic Committee proudly endorses Todd Skeets for Mayor of Corfu and Al Graham for Village Trustee.  These gentlemen represent public servants who have dedicated their time and talent for the betterment of the Village of Corfu with the kind of no nonsense approach that is needed in local government."

Committee members were impressed by the considerable resume of accomplishments the two share as public servants and their record of fiscal responsibility. "We reduced the hauling of sludge from at least once a week, but sometimes more often, at a cost of $400 to $800 to not having to haul at all for 18 months." said Mayor Skeets. "In addition, we're working very hard on establishing relations with surrounding municipalities for the use of our sewer plant as well as other shared services."

The Genesee Democratic Committee is looking forward to supporting these outstanding local candidates and many more in upcoming elections.

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