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genesee county libertarian party

Local Libertarians select Potwora as chairman, endorse Glogowski for Assembly

By Howard B. Owens

The Genesee County Libertarian Party held its annual convention Monday evening at T.F. Brown's in Batavia.

Mark Potwora (top photo) was elected chairman. Dave Olsen is now vice chairman, and Lisa Whitehead is secretary.

The party endorsed one candidate for office in the 2018 election: Mark Glogowski for the State Assembly, District 139.

There will be a fundraiser for Larry Sharpe and Andrew Hollister, who are running for governor and lieutenant governor, July 22 at 1 p.m. at T.F. Brown's. 

GC Libertarian Party to hold convention at T.F. Brown's on Monday

By Billie Owens

From Dave Olsen, chairman of the Genesee County Libertarian Party:

The 2018 GCLP convention will be Monday June 4, at 6:30 p.m.; we will meet in the side room at T.F. Brown’s Restaurant, 214 Main St.

There are a couple things of note for you to think about between now and then. 

We will be electing a new Chairperson for sure. I shall be resigning as soon as the next chair is elected.

We will be electing or re-electing the Vice-Chair. The Secretary position is also up for election. Jim Rosenbeck has served in that capacity in addition to his duties as Vice-Chair of the LPNY for three years. He has now been elected as the LPNY Chair and would rather someone else take over the duties of Secretary. That is understandable as state chair is a time-consuming post. Many thanks to Jim for all his hard work and dedication to the GCLP and all the great things to come.

Please consider if you would be willing to serve the GCLP as Chair, Vice Chair or Secretary. In my five years with this party, the board has always worked together as a team and I expect that would continue. You will have lots of help. Please let me know if you are interested, so I can nominate you. 

LPNY chairman Jim Rosenbeck has asked that each county chapter designate a county coordinator for petitioning efforts which will begin on July 10 for statewide offices. Fifteen thousand signatures are the minimum required to get our Governor candidate on the ballot. We usually like to see at least 50-percent more to reduce the chance of a challenge knocking us off the ballot.

Mark Glogowski, the local NY Assembly candidate, will need a minimum of 3,000 signatures; he wants to double that. The more petition signatures gotten by volunteers reduces the amount of paid petitioners the LPNY will need to hire. Finances are slim and every opportunity for savings is important.

This also gives us all an opportunity to continue the outreach the GCLP has designated as our primary mission; you get to talk to registered voters about Larry Sharpe and Mark Glogowski along with the other statewide candidates and spread the message of liberty!

Serving as the GCLP coordinator will not be overly time consuming. You will be the liaison to volunteers who may need guidance or tips on how to petition.  We will provide the resources you need. The petitioners will submit their completed petitions to you for a quality review and then you would mail them to our master petitioning operation in Albany. Petitions will be electronically distributed by the LPNY communications division. If this interests you, please let me know.

Our convention speakers will be: Andrew Hollister, Libertarian for New York Lt. Governor, Mark Glogowski, Libertarian for NY Assembly, and James Rosenbeck, Libertarian Party of New York Chairman.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone again on Monday! Bring a friend, tell others.

Libertarian candidates for Batavia council turn in signatures

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Today, Aug. 18, Batavia City Council Libertarian Candidates Lisa Whitehead, Mark Potwora and James Rosenbeck submitted ballot petitions totaling 378 signatures. That is more than double the requirement set by the Board of Elections. A total of 378 Batavians say "Change the Direction in This Election."

Thank You to those who signed, without your support this would not have been possible. Lisa, Mark and Jim will continue to visit with Batavians to hear your concerns and work with you to shape a financially responsible direction for the City of Batavia. Please learn more at www.facebook.com/Liberty4Batavia.

Libertarian Party announced candidates for Batavia City Council

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Genesee County Libertarian Party is pleased and excited to announce three candidates for three Batavia City Council at-large positions. Lisa Whitehead, James Rosenbeck and Mark Potwora.

All three are longtime Batavia City residents who care deeply about their city and want to continue and improve its great quality of life while being fiscally responsible to future generations.

We envision Lisa, Jim, and Mark as a team who will take on this challenge as a team. The GCLP endorses and will support them fully.

Libertarians seeking candidates for local offices

By Howard B. Owens

Press release from David Olsen, chairman:

“Just because you do not take an interest in politics...does not mean that politics won't take an interest in you.” This quote from Pericles -- who lived in Athens, Greece 2,500 years ago -- was true then and is true today in Genesee County. The 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Obama said in his farewell speech: “If you're disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clipboard, get some signatures and run for office yourself. Show up. Dive in. Stay at it. Sometimes you'll win. Sometimes you'll lose."

Many have lost interest and faith in our political system. I won’t argue that it is perfect, nor will I say it’s fair. It’s far from either, but it is what we have and we all have access to it. It is possible for virtually anyone to run for and win a seat in our county legislature, Batavia’s city council or a town board in our county.

The Libertarian Party is the fastest growing political party in the United States. Have you had enough of the continued partisan bickering and the constant growth of government, both in cost and intrusiveness? Have you decided, as have many others that the Republicans and Democrats are not for you? Do you want to make a difference? Then contact us, we would love to hear from you and discuss any and all potential candidacies.

Please feel free to contact me or Vice Chairman Mark Potwora at gclp.ny@gmail.com. You can also message us through our Facebook page www.facebook.com/GCLP.NY/

GC Libertarian Party to host fundraiser for its Senate candidate, Alex Merced

By Billie Owens
Press release:
 
From 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 9th, the Genesee County Libertarian Party is pleased to host a meet-and-greet fundraiser. Have hors d'oeuvres and a light meal with your next Senator from New York.
 
Meet Libertarian U.S. Senate Candidate Alex Merced at a relaxing afternoon of food, drinks, and only a couple speeches at Carter’s Restaurant, 60 Main St., Batavia. Alex's team will be doing the cooking, the bartending, and the serving so that you can sit back, relax, and get to know Alex.
 
Food included in price of admission. Cash bar available. Tickets are $30 each
 
 
All proceeds go to the Alex Merced for U.S. Senate campaign.

Interested in Running for a Local Office?

By Dave Olsen

An Open Letter to all Genesee County Residents:

Friends and Neighbors;

Every Genesee County Legislature seat is up for election this year, along with the ward seats in the City of Batavia and many town boards and supervisors. Do you feel your interests are being represented by your specific representatives either in your municipality or at the county level? If you think you or someone you know would do a better job, the Genesee County Libertarian Party would love to hear from you. We are a grassroots organization of friendly folks. There are very little politics involved in being endorsed by us. Our endorsement may not bring very much funding to a campaign, but we do bring enthusiasm and the commitment of our members to help collect petition signatures and campaign with you.

From The GCLP bylaws: “The GCLP holds that all individuals have the right to exercise sole dominion over their own lives, agree to the Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States, and have the right to live in whatever manner they choose, so long as they do not forcibly interfere with the equal right of others to live in whatever manner they choose.” We ask only that any candidate seeking our endorsement agree with this statement and be committed to transparency, limiting government and fiscal responsibility.

If you agree and want to serve your community, please contact me at this private e-mail address used only by me for this purpose: GCLP2015Election@gmail.com

The GCLP will never just find folks to fill a ballot slot; we will only put our efforts into those candidates who are driven to make a difference.

Learn more by visiting our website  www.gclpny.org and our

Facebook page www.facebook.com/GCLP.NY

Our meetings are announced on the webpage and the Facebook page, all are welcome to our meetings.

We can make a difference, but good people need to step up.

 

Respectfully;

 

David A. Olsen, Chairperson

What is a Libertarian and Why Vote for them?

By Dave Olsen

Over the past two years, I’ve been asked “What’s a Libertarian and why should I vote for one?” If you asked ten Libertarians, you will get different answers. Our core value is individualism - free thinking. We are guaranteed specific individual rights through the Constitution of the United States; Libertarians advocate the protection of all those rights.

I’m also asked what our position on different issues that come along is. To answer that question, first consider a few basic questions. Ask yourself how, in general, you view other people. Consider those people you encounter every day. Are they generally good, decent, honest folks, who would share what they have with someone in need and help another who was in danger?  Or, are they bad, scheming, selfish, and look the other way and not want to be involved in helping others in need? Next, ask yourself who should make decisions about people’s welfare? Are the people you know capable of making good decisions, or should they be prevented from doing so to protect themselves?

There are only 4 possible outcomes (Labels are as used today):

1). Folks are good and should be responsible for their own welfare. (Libertarian)  

2). Folks are good but society (government) should be responsible for their welfare. (Liberal)

3). Folks are bad and society (government) should safeguard from bad decisions they make, folks are however responsible for their welfare. (Conservative)

4). Folks are bad and society (government) needs to control them. (Authoritarian)

That’s it. Yes, it seems simplistic. There will always be grey areas. Free thinkers will disagree on finer points, naturally. However, the Libertarian’s position on any topic can typically be found by determining what solution would put the most faith in people and require the least government involvement.

With individual freedom, of course comes responsibility. Unfortunately, Americans have become dependent on the state. The expectation is that government will solve issues. It’s easy to understand why. Government takes a chunk of everyone’s earnings right off the top through income tax. Add property tax, sales tax, license fees, tolls, etc. and it averages out to almost 50% of everyone’s income. I use as a reference taxfoundation.org. You will work for over five months before your pay is yours. Why are people still hungry, homeless, uneducated, with inadequate health care? Is our system broken? Why is our country on the offensive around the world? Shouldn’t our defenses be better than anyone’s offense, especially considering what we pay for it?

The ancient Chinese philosopher Laozi said “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”. You can take that step by voting for Libertarians. Libertarians can’t just turn a switch and make it all better but Libertarians will shrink government whenever and wherever possible. We will enable the American spirit of independence, innovation and generosity, by getting government out of the way, respecting your right to make decisions for yourself, and stopping government from confiscating the fruits of your labor. It will take time, but if you find that you agree with the Libertarian philosophy, that people are generally good and should be making the decisions about their lives, then register as a Libertarian, take a stand with us and make a statement with your vote. You’ll never regret it. Principles are powerful things.

 

David Olsen

Chairman, Genesee County Libertarian Party.

Batavia resident Phil Ricci elected to leadership position with NYS Libertarian Party

By Dave Olsen

Official GCLP press release from David Olsen, vice chair:

Phil Ricci, currently the chair and state representative of the Genesee County Libertarian Party, a recognized chapter of the Libertarian Party of New York, will now be an officer of the LPNY. At the LPNY Convention in Albany on April 26, 2014, Ricci was elected a vice chair of the State party. According to the LPNY bylaws, among the responsibilities which may be delegated to him by the chair or the State Committee are the operations of the State headquarters, production of the party newsletter, promotion of county organizations and Party membership and development of literature for distribution by the LPNY.

The GCLP is proud of Phil and all his accomplishments and we are happy he will share his creativity and leadership abilities with the LPNY all across the great State of New York. Phil will retain his membership in the GCLP and will continue his work on local issues along with his new statewide duties.

Also at the LPNY convention, a slate of candidates for statewide office was elected. After hearing from six very strong Libertarians who sought the nomination for Governor and after five rounds of voting, Michael McDermott, of Huntington, was selected to be the party’s nominee. Chris Edes of Rochester is our Lieutenant Governor candidate, John Clifton, of Queens, is the State Comptroller candidate and Carl Person, of Manhattan, is the Attorney General candidate.

The Genesee County Libertarian Party was formed in 2013 as a chapter of the LPNY. We will be having our 2nd annual convention followed by the  GCLP sponsored Buffet & Free Play: A Community Celebration  on Saturday, May 31, 2014 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Batavia Downs Gaming on Park Road in Batavia. Admission to the celebration is by advance ticket purchase only. Tickets are limited so purchase yours soon! Tickets are $25 and are available by contacting any GCLP member, calling Debbie Paine at 716-474-0125, or seeing Debbie Paine in person Monday-Thursday 8 a.m to  5 p.m. at Arctic Refrigeration, 26 Cedar St., Batavia. The $25 ticket price includes a buffet dinner, tax, gratuity, and $25 free play for the gaming floor (you must be 18 or older to redeem the free play). There will be a Community Basket Raffle sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Batavia -- all proceeds will benefit the Genesee County Child Advocacy Center. Also there will be numerous other baskets to be raffled to benefit the GCLP. For more information, please go to: http://www.gclpny.org/buffetfreeplay. Plan to join us May 31, we’d love to see as many of our neighbors as we can.

The Libertarian Party is America's third largest political party, founded in 1971. Our vision is for a world in which all individuals can freely exercise the natural right of sole dominion over their own lives, liberty and property by building a political party that elects Libertarians to public office, and moving public policy in a libertarian direction.

Genesee County Libertarian Party February Meeting

By Dave Olsen

Genesee County Libertarian Party February Meeting
Monday, February 17, 2014 at 7 PM. at
Tully's Good Times, 522 E Main St, Batavia, NY 14020
The speaker will be Mark E. Glogowski Ph D , author of "The Political Primer" to talk about his book and the fundamentals of politics.

Please RSVP if possible on our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GCLP.NY; or by e-mail to gclp.ny@gmail.com.

Event Date and Time
-

Letter to the Editor: No Media Bias In Genesee County

By Dave Olsen

At the close of our first election season as a party, I am thinking about lessons learned and successes achieved by the Genesee County Libertarian Party. Being novices to politics, we expected surprises along the way and we had some. Pleasantly, the inclusion and interest toward our party and candidates by the local media did not surprise us. In the national media and statewide as well, candidates not from the 2 largest political parties are shunned, ignored and outright ridiculed. Not so here in Genesee County. The Daily News, The Batavian and WBTA were always interested in including the three Libertarians, Jim Rosenbeck, Lisa Whitehead and Robert Brown and independents Rosemary Christian and Esther Leadley in their respective interview series. All 3 media organizations were represented at our election night reception, same as the other parties.

The message of the GCLP is “Educate, Advocate and Choice." We know, without question that The Daily News, The Batavian and WBTA believe in choice as well. All 3 sought to get you, the voter, information from all the candidates. That will always benefit us all. As a voter in Genesee County I want to learn as much as I can before I vote for anyone or anything; I believe most folks will agree.

As we continue to grow, and form town and village committees within Genesee County; it is encouraging to know that local media will continue to let you know what’s happening around your county.

David Olsen
Vice-Chairman, Genesee County Libertarian Party

Sponsored Post: Ride the "Liberty Taxi"!

By Lisa Ace

Ride the “Liberty Taxi”!

The Genesee County Libertarian Party wants everyone to have a chance to vote in today's City Council election, and they don’t want a lack of transportation to prevent that from happening! The GCLP will be providing rides at no cost to voters of all political affiliations within the city from 8 a.m. until polls close at 9 p.m.
 
“It doesn’t matter who you are voting for," said Phil Ricci, chair, Genesee County Libertarian Party. "This is not about just getting more Libertarian votes. This is about making sure that every person has the ability to exercise their choice. Too many have given their lives so you can have that -- lack of a car should not take that away!”

If you need a ride to your polling station within the City of Batavia on today, Nov. 5, please call Debbie Rosenbeck at 585-356-8623.

“This is the first year of our party, but we hope to expand this service even more into the future! We look forward to helping our neighbors!” Ricci said.

The Genesee Libertarian Party encourages everyone to get out and vote! Freedom is the culmination of Education and Choice, exercise your voice on Tuesday!

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Phil Ricci at gclp.ny@gmail.com or click here visit our facebook page!
 
Event Date and Time
November 5, 2013 - 8:00 a.m  - 9:00 p.m.

Please Consider

By Phil Ricci

On January 21st of this year, a small group of concerned, like minded citizens, set to the task of creating an alternative to the existing political parties. We didn’t know how to do it really, and we most certainly had no idea if it would work, but we felt strongly enough about our core principles, and even stronger about the lack of real choice, to give it a go. It has been a great success!

As of June 8th, that little ragtag group of four people grew into a solid core group of committed individuals whose numbers were reaching one hundred fifty, and we’ve grown even more since then. On that same evening, we were not only officially formed as a chapter of the New York Libertarian Party (Fastest ever to do so), but we also nominated our series of candidates, Jim Rosenbeck, Lisa Whitehead, and a few weeks later, Robert Brown. It’s these wonderful people, we would like just a moment of your time to discuss.

 Jim is one the finest men we know. He’s caring and compassionate, just ask the hundreds of students that he impacted in his twenty seven year career as a school counselor at Pembroke Schools. He is giving with his time, willing to listen to any and all opinions, and respecting everyone who brings it. He is honest, transparent, and most of all, incredibly thoughtful. Jim doesn’t react first, then ask questions like we have seen too much in recent years. Jim asks questions, gathers facts, seeks input from those it will affect, and then makes a non-emotional decision based on a long term vision. He believes in not just impacting today, but tomorrow as well.

Lisa is the perfect example of a powerful woman! She is a no nonsense individual that knows how to get things done, negotiate to find the best solution for all sides, and has the foresight to understand that all perspectives can lead you to the correct path if you just listen. Yet, she is also “Mrs. Whitehead” to hundreds of our kids at John Kennedy, guiding them with care and compassion. Lisa knows how important a good plan is, which is why she is always seeking to understand the full vision in everything she does. She is kind, creative, honest and open to any and all that need her.

Robert, or Bob to us, is sincerely all of the good qualities of A Beautiful Mind. He is without a doubt one of the most analytical minds that we have ever met. He doesn’t just understand things, he is able to dissect them into fundamental pieces, then show anyone how they’re interacting with everything else. What you end up getting from that, is one of the most thoughtful, prepared and fact driven individuals in this area! Bob cares so deeply for his neighbors, and is always willing to listen to anyone that approaches him. He is honest, open, and brave.

Yes, we really like these people, and yes we are the people who endorsed them, so we should, right? True, but as two individuals, we also wanted to share with you how excited we are to actually have people we want to represent us! It has been a rare thing these past years to have that, and now we do! So with that, we like to humbly ask you to consider voting for Jim Rosenbeck and Lisa Whitehead for Batavia City Council at Large, and Bob Brown for Genesee County Legislature District 8 on November 5th!

Thank you,

Phil Ricci and Dave Olsen

Chair and Vice Chair,

Genesee County Libertarian Party

Libertarian candidates raise money for charity

By Dave Olsen

Batavia, NY: On Monday October 7, 2013 Batavia City Council at large candidates Jim Rosenbeck and Lisa Whitehead along with Genesee County Legislature candidate Robert Brown were the guest bartenders at The Ten Cent Millionaire on Park Rd in Batavia. All tips were donated to the Salvation Army, a private charity. A big Thank You to Jerry Arena, owner of The Ten Cent Millionaire for offering us his establishment. Many thanks for the generous support from members of the Genesee County Libertarian Party and other patrons who attended the event and tipped for charity.

from left to right: Brown, Whitehead, Rosenbeck & Jerry Arena

Major Patricia Kurtz of the Batavia Salvation Army accepts the $200.00 donation  from Brown, Rosenbeck and Whitehead.

To learn more about Jim, Lisa or Bob go to

https://www.facebook.com/GCLP.NY
http://www.gclpny.org/
https://www.facebook.com/Whitehead4Batavia
https://www.facebook.com/Rosenbeck4Batavia
https://www.facebook.com/Brown4Genesee

Local Libertarians oppose state taking house to build roundabout in East Bethany

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The United States Constitution was crafted to protect the rights of individuals. An Eminent Domain clause was entered into the 5th Amendment to protect individual property owners from seizure of their property without the just cause of “public use,” and not without "just compensation."

We at the Genesee County Libertarian Party (GCLP) stand firmly against the seizure of the Douglas family home in East Bethany, NY. There can be no "just compensation" for a family who is forced to sell their home against their wishes. This violation of rights affects all taxpayers as well, since there is no justice in forcing said taxpayers to compensate property owners for a theft committed by bureaucratic means.

While it may be so that a roundabout will reduce the chances of accidents at this particular intersection, the GCLP believes that there are less expensive, and less intrusive solutions available to the NYS DOT which would could help alleviate this issue, while still respecting the individual rights of its citizens.

The GCLP urges the NYS DOT to explore those options, save the taxpayers undue expenses, and offer the Douglas family the security of knowing they are safe from government eviction.

Local Libertarians turn in candidate petitions for the first time

By Howard B. Owens

There was a bit of history at the county's election's office this afternoon -- for the first time in Genesee County history, Libertarians turned in signatures to put their own candidates on a local election ballot.

Batavia City Council candidates Lisa Whitehead (center) and Jim Rosenbeck (right) need 191 valid signatures to get spots on the ballot.

In New York's system, the Republican and Democrat candidates get to gather signatures first. When they're done, so-called third party candidates can gather signatures. None of the third-party signatures can duplicate signatures gathered by the Republicans and Democrats.

They all, of course, must be registered voters.

The Libertarians turned in 459 total signatures, which will now be reviewed by the election commissions to see if the minimum threshold of valid signatures have been met.

With Whitehead and Rosenbeck is Phil Ricci, chairman of the Genesee County Libertarian Party.

Libertarians say their message resonates locally, ready to compete in City Council race

By Howard B. Owens

"Liberty is local" was a recurring theme of speakers today at the inaugural convention of the Genesee County Libertarian Party.

Some 60 people gathered Homestead Event Center in the Batavia City Centre to ratify the party's charter and nominate the party's first two candidates for office.

Jim Rosenbeck and Lisa Whitehead will be on the November ballot as candidates for at-large seats on the Batavia City Council.

"The Genesee County Libertarian Party is going to represent trust, transparency and truth," said Phil Ricci, party chairman. "We're not going to tell you what to think. If you disagree with our position, we will try to educate you on why we believe what we believe. The Republicans and Democrats will tell you that we're on the fringe, but we will show people we're on the local level, we're here to represent you."

Guest speakers included Drew Beeman, Greater Rochester Libertarian Party chairman, attorney Paul Wolf (first inset), and Mark Axinn (second inset), chairman of the New York Libertarian Party.

Beeman congratulated the Genesee County Libertarians for coming together with an energy and numbers that is unique to the region.

His group represents all of the counties surrounding Rochester and he said he would welcome more counties breaking way and forming their own parties. It will take that kind of energy, he said, to reverse the trend statewide and in the nation to constrain individual liberty.

"Gary Johnson got 1 percent of the vote," Beeman said. "Are you going to have a Libertarian Party president anytime soon? Probably not. But we could have a Batavia City Council member. We could have a school board member. Liberty is local."

Picking up on Ricci's comment about the propaganda of the major parties to portray Libertarians as on the political fringe, Beeman noted that when you sit down and talk with people about their views of individual liberty, they actually believe what the Libertarian Party believes.

"The Libertarian Party is for people who don't want to push around others nor be pushed around themselves," Beeman said.

Wolf is an expert on reinventing government. He's registered as a Democrat, but Ricci said after reading his Web site, he told him, "No, you're a Libertarian."

There are three themes local Libertarian candidates can run on, Wolf said: That there is too much government, that there is wasteful spending and there is a culture of secrecy.

Wolf was critical of New York's layers of local governments -- villages within towns, authorities and agencies covering overlapping jurisdictions.

Mentioning a consultant's report in the City of Batavia that faulted local residents for having negative attitudes, Wolfe said, "Isn't it funny that the study said it's the attitude of citizens that's the problem. I think it's the attitude of politicians that's the problem."

On wasteful spending, he was critical of the Genesee County Economic Development Center's tax subsidies to COR Development for Dick's Sporting Goods, mocking the perception that the GCEDC board declared Dick's a tourist destination (the board didn't do that). He also questioned the $240,000 Steve Hyde, CEO of GCEDC, earned in 2012.

"This spending is not sustainable and it doesn't make sense," Wolf said.

Government likes to operate with as little transparency as possible, Wolf said. He said he did a study on three years of meeting minutes for his local City Council and found that the council went into secret session at every meeting it held during the three years. Those private sessions lasted an average of 60 minutes, while public sessions lasted an average 54 minutes.

"They're not used to being held accountable, not used to being questioned," Wolf said. "So what you're doing is important."

The message of individual liberty and smaller government appeals to most people, Axinn said, if they're used to pulling levers for Ds or Rs.

"Most people have a live and let live attitude and they need to realize that it works at the government level, too, if they will vote it in," Axinn said.

What is happening in Genesee County for the cause of liberty is important for the whole state, Axinn said.

"We're a small voice in a symphony of bigger government, but the truth is, we're a necessary voice and an important voice and thank you all for being that voice in Genesee County."

In running for City Council, Whitehead said she will hold true to her libertarian values, which includes promoting a business-friendly city and lowering taxes.

"We should be creating an environment that is friendly to business, not crushing it," she said.

"Shouldn't all people be entitled to keep the fruits of their labor," Whitehead said.

Rosenbeck said Libertarians are already making a difference in local politics. The issues have ranged from garbage collection to licensing landlords.

"You will remember, we spoke out to remove the City of Batavia from the garbage tote and trash collection business and they did just that," Rosenbeck said. "Guess what? The sky didn't fall. Somehow everyone's garbage got picked up this week. Freedom and choice is a good thing, my friend."

The Libertarian message opposing retail tax breaks has also resonated with local voters, Rosenbeck said.

"As elections approach in the fall, political insiders will attempt to frame us as a fringe movement," Rosenbeck said. "They will try to marginalize us and dismiss our message. They will patronize us and treat us as if we are just petulant little children. They won't take us seriously because for way too long, it has been all about duopoly. It has been all about two parties defining the message and providing the candidates, but remember we are the voice of reason. Our message resonates in our neighborhoods. We are here, we are engaged and we are on point. It's time to reject the status quo."

Phil Ricci

Jim Rosenbeck and Lisa Whitehead

GC Libertarian Party's inaugural convention, public invited

By Billie Owens

The Genesee County Libertarian Party invites the public to its inaugural convention at the Homestead Event Center in the Batavia City Centre from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 8. The afternoon's program is as follows:

Registration and Social Hour: 1 p.m.

Convention: 2 p.m.

Event Date and Time
-

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