Alice Kryzan's position on financial crisis and bail outs

Like she is going to fix everything.

It doesnt matter stuff roles down hill and she has no power or clue what is going to happen with our economy.

no matter who wins the economic crunch is not going to change for Batavia no matter who you vote for.

Hey Sunshine, more of that broken record wisdom? Is there anything that makes you smile?

I have lollipops for anyone wanting to run through the fields of Batavia with me
There are rainbows

Which fields? We cnnot run where the Muckdogs play. They kicked youth football off that field.

Easy Jay, I don’t remember taking shots at things being done in Leroy so, I would expect the same in return when it comes to Batavia. Besides, I don’t remember any help from you county people when the city needed help with the Muckdogs and Youth Football and don’t say we didn’t ask. Both of those things benefit the county as a whole in case you forgot. I guess it’s easy to throw rocks from your ivory tower.

If you really cared about the kids being able to play on the field, why didn't you county boys kick in some money for field repairs? Then you could have run through the grass all you wanted.

Excellent point Charlie. I guess J. didn't feel the need to offer that bit of information. The county likes to brag about the Muckdogs as part of the community, as long as City residents are the only ones paying for it. That's a smart play Mr Grasso, point out the fact that the County refused to help while trying to make the City look bad.

Did I say anything about the city? Charlie, last I checked, I have been there for the City. You know this to be true. I have an ivory tower? Where is it? Why take personal shots? As well, if I am not mistaken, youth football was made many promises. Now they have to pay the city. What about their concession stand and scoreboard? Charlie, I am sure you did the best you could, but baseball seems to have gotten a better deal than the kids.
True, the city did ask for a handout from the County and did not get it. The reasons are many and varied. Way to much info for this forum. Basically, it got down to priority and cost.

I didn’t take a personal shot at you or the county, which is my point. I don’t micromanage decisions that are made in Leroy or at the county level. You better than anyone should understand the fiscal constraints that we in the city live under and not make silly remarks to turn people against our Muckdogs. For whatever reason you decided to wake up this morning and take a shot at the Muckdogs and the city and I called you out on it. I don’t have any problem with the reasons for why the county chose not to spend money on the Muckdogs or Youth Football and never brought it up before, until you decided to play this game.

Last time I checked the Redwings picked up a huge amount of public debit and saved the Muckdogs. What deal did the Redwings get? The right to spend a lot of their money to take a big chance that people in Genesee County will support them? Only to have county legislators taking pot shots at them with cartoons in the paper and online.

What about Youth Football’s sign and concession stand? It’s a league that’s open to all county residents.

Jay what was the vote on the $15k to help the Muckdogs? I don't know the outcome. I would imagine it was 6-3 not to help with yes votes coming from the three City representatives, Mr. Upson. Mr. Hodgins and Mr. Dejaneiro. I mean after all the other six legislators don't represent the hard working people of our fine City. I completely understand 6 "No" votes. If you could tell me the results I would appreciate it. Another good point from Charlie. Is the county planning on helping youth football? I'm sure they would be extremely grateful. How about this, what ever the percentage is of City players vs. county players is the amount you can pledge to the program? That seems fair doesn't it?

Tim is right. All you county guys, including the 3 from the city, said no support for baseball in Batavia. You all talked about how important the team was to the area, but not one of you tried to help.

This will be an issue next year in the election with the 3 city legislators.

Mr. Paine: There was never a vote. The Legislature has a county wide vision. Unlikely it would have been 6-3. Likely, 9-0. Most County funds (over 80%) go towards state mandated expenditures. Very little is left for discretionary spending. Priority and cost. Unlikely the county would spend money on something like football. While the cause is worthy, where would it end? Everyone else would have their hand out. The County cannot afford that.
Charlie: Ivory towers was a shot. You know I have worked hard on behalf of Batavia. Correct me if I am wrong, if the team were to be sold down the road, I was told the Redwings get a hefty percentage of the sale. Is that true? Not trying to be a pain, just asking if that is true or not. The Redwings are not here to lose money. Charlie, a good friend and relation has lost a lot of sleep over this issue. He is worried about the kids.

John: the three city legislators were being prudent with County tax payer dollars. Should we raise the county tax rate for youth sports? What next? As I said, everyone would be asking. There is only so much discretionary spending. All three (repubs and dem) city legislators work very hard to represent the city. However, we look at things with a county wide vision, that benefit everyone.

Jerome what about the money you spend on GCC,new lit astroturf field and new locker rooms..is that mandated...Or the airport is that mandated..

So let me get this straight Jay. When the City makes a hard financial decision you get to say we threw the kids out. When the County makes a financial decision it's to benefit everybody? Does that sound about right? The city works with less then 1/5th the money the County has yet they have almost 1/3rd of the people. Sounds like our City leaders are way ahead of you at efficient spending. That includes re-paying the County for Dwyer Stadium, right? We pay that every year, right? I feel even better about our current City leadership and the direction we're headed. Knocked the debt down a ton and still current with the County. Thanks for lighting up my day Jay.

Sorry I forgot. Jay, so you're sure that Ed, John and Hollis would have voted not to help the City residents they were elected to represent? That's nice to know.

Tim,
Ed, John and Hollis all refused to help. They would not even bring it up for a vote.

Not Youth sports, but the Muckdogs. Before the Red Wings came in, all three, Ed, John and Hollis refused to help at all. Any money they could get for Dwyer and the Muckdogs would have made it easier to also help kids who come from all around the county. Mark is right about GCC and the airport.

Sorry I missed this, was at school all day.....

j just can't beat his own drum enough can he?

"I've worked hard on behalf of Batavia Residents,", I wonder then how your constituents in Le Roy feel?

The people of Batavia made off better in the end without having to pay 10k to keep Youth Football on the field, Youth Football also got a pretty good deal from the School District to play at John Kennedy school. Furthermore over 800 kids play soccer and you would never see any of the major uproar over a field from their organization like we've seen from Youth Football. I don't understand why they seem to think that they are a more important priority than any of the other sports.

I'm all for the kids, the fields will be fine at Lyons park and life will go on, as you always like to say j. The only ones that made off poorly are the adults that failed to find a newer location when they were quietly informed last year that they probably would have to move.

Don't get so cranky j, we're all just having a fun discussion.

Airport expenditures are about 97.5% covered by by the feds and state. They help bring business here. The state picks up half the bill for expenditures at GCC. The college is one of the most widely used facilities by all county residents. If we do not keep the college in good shape we lose students to other community colleges and then have to pay money to those counties where those students go. Its called a chargeback. Actually, GCC gets enough in chargebacks to cover most of the county share.
Dan: Dont recall being cranky. I think my constituants would be happy to know that ALL county legislators work to help every area of the county, including the city. Do not worry, I work plenty hard for LeRoy.
Tim: I am glad you are happy with the city leadership. They have had to make tough decisions to right their ship. The county budget is about $140 million and we have cut taxes while keeping services the same. We have large mandated expenses to deal with. Medicaid alone costs about $167,000 a week. The stadium was a city deal, not county one. We are doing our best. Once again, should the county fund everything?

I would think that your constituents would want you to be spending every second of your public life fighting for them in Le Roy, and therefore, fighting for the good of the county in the process. Unless your district somehow includes Batavia now, I don't see how that would change. Then again, you were re-elected, we'll just have to see how '09 pans out j. :)

Should the City fund everything? You entered this conversation with a "you kicked youth football off that field". I doubt that was meant to be a subtle statement. You meant it as a slam. All I ask is from any politician is to step up and stand up. Admit that you used an accusatory tone and tried to pull off a "Holier than thou" moment and it went wrong. Both the City and County have made and have more tough choices ahead. Don't be so bold as to say we kicked out kids but you decide for everyones benefit. I think the County is doing well and the City is now turning a corner. The current direction the economy is headed is going to make things tougher on every level. You can't say "should the County fund everything?" and out of the other side of your mouth say the City should.

Bottom line: When we came close to losing baseball, the County was asked to help out with $15,000. This was after many of the County Legislators said how important the Muckdogs are to the "quality of life" around here. Not one of the 9 offered any help. All 3 legislators from the city; Ed, John and Hollis, refused help. I hope candidates can be found to run against all three next year. Jay didn't help either, but he doesn't live in the City. As Dan Jones said, we'll see how LeRoy pans out in '09.

WASHINGTON (Sept. 24 ) - President Bush on Wednesday warned Americans and lawmakers reluctant to pass a $700 billion financial rescue plan that failing to act fast risks wiping out retirement savings, rising foreclosures, lost jobs and closed businesses. "Our entire economy is in danger," he said.

In May 2007, Bush issued a major presidential National Security Directive (National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive NSPD 51/HSPD 20), which would suspend constitutional government and instate broad dictatorial powers under martial law in the case of a "Catastrophic Emergency"

Has Bush found his scenario? Will he invoke emergency powers and suspend the November elections? Stay tuned...

Published on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 by CommonDreams.org

Will Bush Cancel The 2008 Election?

by Harvey Wasserman & Bob Fitrakis

It is time to think about the "unthinkable."

The Bush Administration has both the inclination and the power to cancel the 2008 election.

The GOP strategy for another electoral theft in 2008 has taken clear shape, though we must assume there is much more we don't know.

But we must also assume that if it appears to Team Bush/Cheney/Rove that the GOP will lose the 2008 election anyway (as it lost in Ohio 2006) we cannot ignore the possibility that they would simply cancel the election. Those who think this crew will quietly walk away from power are simply not paying attention.

The real question is not how or when they might do it. It's how, realistically, we can stop them.

In Florida 2000, Team Bush had a game plan involving a handful of tactics. With Jeb Bush in the governor's mansion, the GOP used a combination of disenfranchisement, intimidation, faulty ballots, electronic voting fraud, a rigged vote count and an aborted recount, courtesy of the US Supreme Court.

A compliant Democrat (Al Gore) allowed the coup to be completed.

In Ohio 2004, the arsenal of dirty tricks exploded. Based in Columbus, we have documented more than a hundred different tactics used to steal the 20 electoral votes that gave Bush a second term. More are still surfacing. As a result of the King-Lincoln-Bronzeville federal lawsuit (in which we are plaintiff and attorney) we have now been informed that 56 of the 88 counties in Ohio violated federal law by destroying election records, thus preventing a definitive historical recount.

As in 2000, a compliant Democrat (John Kerry) allowed the coup to proceed.

For 2008 we expect the list of vote theft maneuvers to escalate yet again. We are already witnessing a coordinated nationwide drive to destroy voter registration organizations and to disenfranchise millions of minority, poor and young voters.

This carefully choreographed campaign is complemented by the widespread use of electronic voting machines. As reported by the Government Accountability Office, Princeton University, the Brennan Center, the Carter-Baker Commission, US Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) and others, these machines can be easily used to flip an election. They were integral to stealing both the 2000 and 2004 elections. Efforts to make their source codes transparent, or to require a usable paper trail on a federal level, have thus far failed. A discriminatory Voter ID requirement may also serve as the gateway to a national identification card.

Overall, the GOP will have at its command even more weapons of election theft in 2008 than it did in Ohio 2004, which jumped exponentially from Florida 2000. The Rovian GOP is nothing if not tightly organized to do this with ruthless efficiency. Expect everything that was used these past two presidential elections to surface again in 2008 in far more states, with far more efficiency, and many new dirty tricks added in.

But in Ohio 2006, the GOP learned a hard lesson. Its candidate for governor was J. Kenneth Blackwell. The Secretary of State was the essential on-the-ground operative in the theft of Ohio 2004.

When he announced for governor, many Ohioans joked that "Ken Blackwell will never lose an election where he counts the votes."

But lose he did....along with the GOP candidates for Secretary of State, Attorney-General and US Senate.

By our calculations, despite massive grassroots scrutiny, the Republicans stole in excess of 6% of the Ohio vote in 2006. But they still lost.

Why? Because they were so massively unpopular that even a 6% bump couldn't save them. Outgoing Governor Bob Taft, who pled guilty to four misdemeanors while in office, left town with a 7% approval rating (that's not a typo). Blackwell entered the last week of the campaign down 30% in some polls.

So while the GOP still had control of the electoral machinery here in 2006, the public tide against them was simply too great to hold back, even through the advanced art and science of modern Rovian election theft.

In traditional electoral terms, that may also be the case in 2008. Should things proceed as they are now, it's hard to imagine any Republican candidate going into the election within striking distance. The potential variations are many, but the graffiti on the wall is clear.

What's also clear is that this administration has a deep, profound and uncompromised contempt for democracy, for the rule of law, and for the US Constitution. When George W. Bush went on the record (twice) as saying he has nothing against dictatorship, as long as he can be dictator, it was a clear and present policy statement.

Who really believes this crew will walk quietly away from power? They have the motivation, the money and the method for doing away with the electoral process altogether. So why wouldn't they?

The groundwork for dismissal of both the legislative and judicial branch has been carefully laid. The litany is well-known, but worth a very partial listing:

The continuation of the drug war, and the Patriot Act, Homeland Security Act and other dictatorial laws prompted by the 9/11/2001 terror attacks, have decimated the Bill of Rights, and shredded the traditional American right to due process of law, freedom from official surveillance, arbitrary violence, and far more.

The current Attorney-General, Alberto Gonzales, has not backed away from his announcement to Congress that the Constitution does not guarantee habeas corpus. The administration continues to act on the assumption that it can arrest anyone at any time and hold them without notification or trial for as long as it wants.

The establishment of the Homeland Security Agency has given it additional hardware to decimate the basic human rights of our citizenry. Under the guise of dealing with the "immigration problem," large concentration camps are under construction around the US.

The administration has endorsed and is exercising its "right" to employ torture, contrary to the Eighth Amendment and to a wide range of international treaties, which Gonzales has labeled "quaint."

With more than 200 "signing statements" the administration acts on its belief that the "unitary executive" trumps the power of the legislative branch in any instance it chooses. This belief has been further enforced with the administration's use of a wide range of precedent-setting arguments to keep its functionaries from testifying before Congress.

There is much more. In all instances, the 109th Congress---and the public---have rolled over without significant resistance.

Most crucial now are Presidential Directive #51, Executive Orders #13303, #13315, #13350, #13364, #13422, #13438, and more, by which Bush has granted himself an immense arsenal of powers for which the term "dictatorial" is a modest understatement.

The Founders established our government with checks and balances. But executive orders have accumulated important precedent. The Emancipation Proclamation by which Lincoln declared an end to slavery in the South, was issued under the "military necessity" of adding blacks to the Union Army, a step without which the North might not have won the Civil War. Franklin Roosevelt's Executive Order #8802 established the Fair Employment Practices Commission. Harry Truman's Executive Order #9981 desegregated the military.

Most to the point, FDR's Executive Order #9066 ordered the forcible internment of 100,000 people of Japanese descent into the now infamous concentration camps of World War II.

There is also precedent for a president overriding the Supreme Court. In the 1830s Chief Justice John Marshall enshrined the right of the Cherokee Nation to sovereignty over its ancestral land in the Appalachian Mountains. But President Andrew Jackson scorned the decision. Some 14,000 native Americans were moved at gunpoint to Oklahoma. More than 3,000 died along the way.

All this will be relevant should Team Bush envision a defeat in the 2008 election and decide to call it off. It's well established that Richard Nixon---mentor to Karl Rove and Dick Cheney---commissioned the Huston Plan, which detailed how to cancel the 1972 election.

Today we must ask: who would stop this administration from taking dictatorial power in the instance of a "national emergency" such as a terror attack at a nuclear power plant or something similar?

Nothing in the behavior of this Congress indicates that it is capable of significant resistance. Impeachment seems beyond it. Nor does it seem Congress would actually remove Bush if it did put him on trial.

Short of that, Bush clearly does not view anything Congress might do as a meaningful impediment. After all, how many divisions does the Congress command?

The Supreme Court, as currently constituted, would almost certainly rubber stamp a Bush coup. If not, like Jackson, he could ignore it as easily as he would ignore Congress.

What does that leave? There is much idle speculation now about what the armed forces would do. We also hear loose talk about "90 million gun owners."

From the public side, the only conceivable counter-force might be a national strike or an effective long-term campaign of general non-cooperation.

But we can certainly assume the mainstream media will give lock-step support to whatever the regime says and does. It's also a given that those likely to lead the resistance will immediately land in those new prisons being built by Halliburton et. al.

So how do we cope with the harsh realities of such a Bush/Cheney/Rove dictatorial coup?

We may have about a year to prepare. Every possible scenario needs to be discussed in excruciating detail.

For only one thing is certain: denial will do nothing.