Congressman Chris Lee has returned from a fact-finding trip to Afghanistan. WBTA interviewed him this morning and Dan Fischer has posted an extended audio file on WBTA1490.com (mp3).
Tune into WBTA's Main and Center tomorrow to hear Lee talk about the health care being considered in the House of Representatives.
Computer problems kept the votes from being tallied last night, but this morning the Board of Elections released unofficial numbers for the referendum on revising the City of Batavia Charter.
It passed, 748 to 503.
When I visited a couple of polling places last night, poll workers told me they heard from several people who had no idea what the revisions were. They hadn't seen the coverage, and more importantly, hadn't read the actual document.
It is kind of hard to find on the City's Web site, so here's a link to what you just approved (PDF).
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
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate my opponent for Le Roy Town Council, 2-year term, Kelly Lathan, on her win this evening. I will be calling you tomorrow (thought it kind of rude to call this late as your daughter might be sleeping).
Thank you so much to every one who helped and supported me with my campaign. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to meet so many new people and hear their concerns. This has been a wonderful experience and I look forward to many more.
The perenially popular fairy tale of "Cinderella" comes to life beginning 7:30 p.m. Thursday, the opening of the 61st annual Rotary Club of Batavia Musical.
The Rodgers and Hammerstein classic will also be performed Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 and there's a matinee at 2 on Sunday, Nov. 8.
The production is directed by Patrick D. Burk and takes place in the Batavia High School Auditorium, located at 260 State St., in the City of Batavia.
Tickets are $16, available online at <bataviarotary dot com> or at Hawley & Associates Insurance Center, 260 State St. in downtown Batavia, Lawley Genesee in Jefferson Square, or at the door.
More than 40 friends, students, associates, neighbors, citizens, Americans and so forth have put countless hours and great effort into bringing the community this enchanting story. Ditto dozens more in the orchestra and production crew.
It's very much a family show and little ones are welcome -- encouraged -- to come dressed in a befitting costume.
This stage performance of "Cinderella" is one-hour-45-minutes long and has a happy ending, but there's soooo much to keep you entertained until then!
"Once upon a time there was a young maiden named Cinderella, who lived with her wicked stepmother and two wicked stepsisters..."
You are cordially invited to come reimagine the magic, timeless tale of romance-against-the-odds. And invite someone you care about.
Both photos were taken during rehearsals and provided by the Batavia Rotary Club.
About 9:45 p.m. as I arrived at the Board of Elections, voting machine tallies were being checked in as well.
Le Roy firefighters are responding to a report of a tractor-trailer fire at Ontario Service Center, 8700 Vallance Road in Le Roy.
Pavilion firefighters are on standby.
UPDATE: 10:25 p.m.: Auxiliary personnel have been requested, too.
UPDATE: 11:47 p.m.: Mission acccomplished; Le Roy responders back in service.
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.
Everybody was in good spirits when I stopped by 400 Towers this evening, just as the annual bake sale was wrapping up.
To tell you the truth, I have been toying with this question for some time. I have spent some time and bent some ears asking this question and I still don't have a clear answer. This question is perhaps more complex than I thought which has lead me to a few underlying questions. The answer revolves around anonymity, openness and the trouble with confidentiality. Let me try to explain my thinking.
For most bloggers or participates in a site like TheBatavian, anonymity isn’t an issue. Even if you were to use your real name, you’re still basically anonymous. Ask yourself how many people know you and if they do know you are those people unaware of your political leanings, or outlook on life? Political figures have no such anonymity. On top of this there is also a general feeling of negativity towards anyone holding public office. I personally have been attacked several times on this site by people who disagree with my viewpoints and at times told that I shouldn't have the right to post at all. I find those to be among the most UN-American suggestions I have ever heard. I would think that people would want to hear what their elected officials think, whether they disagreed or not. Some might say it is a duty of every elected official to respond to any question asked.
Another part of this question is openness and why elected people would fear it in the first place. The fear for an elected person is that every time you offer an opinion someone will most certainly disagree with it and you will have one less vote come election time. Maybe they are right, if politics is a game being used to "play up to the crowd" or manipulate people. I think for the most part, a game is what politics has become in this country. Lies and deceit, playing up to the crowd and goading the other guy are now common place in politics. Our state is not in trouble because of Republicans or Democrats; it has more to do with the system that is now in place. This hurts us when tough decisions need to be made. Instead of working as a team, the party that is not in power plays politics to the detriment of the entire state. Personal gain and power is the driving factor in all of it. The attitude is, if your party is not in power, than to hell with the state or the country. That's the political mantra of our country.
I wonder what politics would be like in our country without political parties? Without anyone to do you’re thinking for you, would people have to dig deeper into issues and have a better understanding before they took a side? Without political parties would politicians have to get their own message out without having a mob of blind followers to spin it for them? Could future politicians survive without the shield a political party offers? If this took place, wouldn’t all politicians have to turn to the web and blogs? Isn't that the type of system we should be striving for to run our country? Isn't that "The more perfect union" we have been looking for? The answer is, we are not there yet but, we can not achieve the goal without people taking the first steps to "real" open government.
If you're disappointed to find many races in Genesee County with only a single candidate, many voters in rural communities across the country are having the same reaction.
In fact, Genesee County may be among the fortunate to have candidates for all of its seats at all, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times.
State officials and political scientists say finding candidates has always been a problem for small towns and rural communities, but the recession has made it particularly tough this year.
"It's a very scary time out there, economically. They're under the gun with their own finances, let alone being responsible for their town's financial health," said Marty Newell, chief operating officer for the Center for Rural Strategies, a Kentucky-based advocacy group.
...
Being a local politician, even in tiny towns, is not an easy job. The pay is low, the hours long and the complaints loud.
The most interesting anecdote is about the mayor of one small town who has never actually run for office. From his first election in 1987, he's been a write-in winner.
Dofner, a fire department engineer and diesel engine mechanic, had just gotten home from work when his phone started ringing with congratulatory calls.
"I thought it was a mistake," said Dofner, now 63. "Then, I thought it was a joke."
...
The town held an election. No one ran for mayor, so the residents wrote in Dofner's name again. And again. He expects to be reelected by write-in vote today for a 12th term.
He said he'll take the job.
"I can't say no. I can't leave my community in a lurch," Dofner said. "It's just not right. A town needs a mayor."
(via the Rural Blog)
A little while ago, there was a two-car accident at Main and Center in downtown Batavia. There were apparently two people injured.
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.
James M. Kulik, 19, of Alden, is charged with assault in the third degree, unlawful imprisonment, criminal mischief and harassment. Alden was arrested by State Police in Darien at 6:10 p.m. yesterday. He was jailed on a cash bail. No further details were released.
Kyle Earl Viehdeffer, 21, of 114 Bank Street, Lower/Front, is charged aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle. Viehdeffer was turned over to the Sheriff's Office on a bench warrant issued out of the Town of Batavia Court. Viehdeffer was released on $200 bail.
Juan Alberto Ramos, 19, of 110 E. 177th St., Apt. 2E, Bronx, is charged with trespass. Ramos allegedly entered College Village without appropriately signing in with security.
Christopher Patrick Ball, 27, of 4902 Route 63, Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment. Ball allegedly called a woman's cell phone numerous times, causing an annoyance. Justice Tom Williams issued an order of protection.
The railroad crossing at Wortendyke Road in the Town of Batavia is closed until Thurdsay afternoon.
A boy whose death Oct. 22 shocked the communities of Pembroke and Corfu is a confirmed case of H1N1, according to Randy Garney, interim director of the County Health Department.
In a news release this morning, the health department said it would not identify the boy, but when we spoke to Garney, he said the death was the same one as a boy who died in Erie County.
That boy has been previously identified as Jared Peters, child of Timothy and Linda Peters.
Meanwhile, the county has begun receiving supplies of the H1N1 vaccine and is scheduling clinics as doses become available.
The priority group for vaccination include pregnant women, caregivers for infants 6-months and younger, health care and emergency medical personnel, people from 6-months to 24-years of age, and people over 25 with health conditions associated with a higher risk of complications from the flu.
UPDATE 1:15 p.m.: Randy Garney asks that we clarify that he did not explicity provide the name Jared Peters.
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