Political Concern

Randa seems to think that the School Board and the Legislature should act as a check or balance against one another when, in fact, they exist in completely separate spheres of responsibility. This is the reason that Ms. Whiting could serve on both if elected to the Legislature.

Of course, I've witnessed the strange occurrence of Randa wearing a garbage bag in public, so her misunderstanding of a basic concept doesn't really shock me.

The fact is, Jackie Whiting has spent her entire adult life serving LeRoy in a hundred different ways. She works all day, every day to better her community, and she never does anything half-way. Here's an abbreviated list of the things Jackie does on a regular basis:

President of the LeRoy Knights
Past President of Sunshine Nursery School
Youth Bureau President
LeRoy Business Council Member
LeRoy Little League Board
March of Dimes Mother's March
Past President Leroy Youth Football
Member American Red Cross

Jackie does all of that and doesn't miss a beat. She's not going to have a problem serving on the legislature. Fact is, she'll end up outworking everybody there.

I have known Jackie since high school. I have never met anyone with any more ability to compartmentalizing her commitments and in doing so give much more than 100% to all of them. She works circles around the rest of us.

I happened to be over at Jackie's the other night and being a visual person one thing stood out to me -- her deep and abiding love for her family with pictures of the boys everywhere and her love for the community in neat organized separated piles of paperwork. On the kitchen table there were files for her job as Team Mother for the U of R football team, on a desk in another room sat a stack of LeRoy Business Council files, in the den there was information on breast cancer awareness and the work she does with that, In fact everywhere in her home I was surrounded by the presence of who Jackie Whiting is and how she impacts the rest of us. What became crystal clear to me was my own epiphany. There is no magic wand. Jackie does all this through hard work, organizational skills and a deep dedication to always do her very best in anything she takes on.

When Jackie received the LeRoyan of the Year award last month another thing stood out to me. The Legion was filled to capacity. Filled with all political persuasions. And when she was honored we all sat in amazement when things were revealed that none of us knew about. The quiet unnoticed things. Things like making 10 or 20 extra lunches and packing extra snacks on her own dime for sports teams and Rec. field trips because she never wants to see a child go without if something was forgotten at home. The revelation that while she was battling breast cancer she had to slow down a bit and her concern that she couldn't physically do all the things she normally did. But even in the battle for her life she still did more than you and I do combined.

Yes, she is my candidate and I want her to win this race, but I want her to win because I know how hard she'll work for this community.

So thank you Randa, for asking for comments.

It is quite common for members of school boards to have an actual full-time, paying job in addition to the school board gig. Ms. Whiting's record speaks for itself. She is a hard-working woman, dedicated to her community. I should think LeRoy residents would be grateful and relieved to know such an honest woman cares enough to serve them, rather than engaging in a lame call-out that demonstrates not only superb addition skills, but a general lack of comprehension regarding local government.

I didn't go to law school, so no.

How exactly did the garbage bag protect your Constitutional rights? Did it provide mystical protection from a socialist wind? Provide dry comfort from the Commie rainstorm that is Andrew Cuomo?

Don't give me that nonsense about not choosing candidates based on their political affiliation either. We're all political committee members here. You're not fooling anyone.

I heard Rick Perry is giving away a free burlap sack for every hundred primary votes you can swing his way. Better get in line before they're all gone..

<blockquote>Strangely, besides wearing garbage bags to guarantee my Constitutional rights are being protected,</blockquote>

Wearing what to guarantee what, now?

Hey Alan, what was your letter grade in Constitutional Law? It seems to be relevant to the wearing of garbage bags and other janitorial items.

At the time I should have been attending my Constitutional Law class I was just lazing about in a foreign desert protecting Randa's freedom to wear garbage bags, so I guess I'm just ignorant on the issue.

I went to law school in 1994, and I don't let my school career guide my life in any sort of ongoing way, so I'd be hard-pressed to tell you any letter grade I ever received in any course, ever.

Garbage bags are quite chic.

This shows a good reason to vote for Sid Horgan.

Jackie Whiting is the best candidate in LeRoy. She has the perfect combination of experience, community service and work ethic. She'll be a great representative.

Sid Horgan is honestly the second best choice and Shelly Stein is a distant third. Stein's supporters know that and that's why they're here posting shrill inanities.

I had Sid and Jackie reversed.

Randa be thankful you don't live in Batavia...We pay 44.00 dollars..per thousand...You make a valid point...Nobody should serve on two different parts of government that have the taxing authority that the legislator and school board does.. ...

Randa, I'm curious, what right have you lost?

I have had the pleasure of serving on committees with Jackie Whiting and can honestly say without reservation that she has an amazing amount of energy. She has impeccable follow through and an amazing ability to stand up for what she believes in regardless of what others around her have to say. She will be an excellent advocate for all Le Royans. Jackie is not afraid to ask questions. She is creative and will bring fresh ideas to the table.

School Board and County Legislature are separate entities which is why she is legally able to hold both positions. I, for one, am more concerned about campaign issues, such as assisting Le Roy to expand its economic base, which Jackie has concrete ideas about.

Have you spoken with Jackie, Randa? I don't recall seeing you at the Candidates' Forum last week where this question could have been asked of all candidates in the open.

How does one person become a "they"? I'd like to know because if it's possible for me to morph into a group of people maybe I can finally catch up on my ever-growing "to do" list.

The Founding Fathers couldn't possibly be angry about taking 'God' out of the Pledge of Allegiance. They had all been dead for a century before God was even put in there. Not that it matters because no one is seriously trying to take that word out.

Mark, Randa's candidate is the one who will allow the continuation of ridiculous practices at the GCEDC like compensating a public employee at a quarter million dollars. Unacceptable.

I'm curious as to which rights of Randa's are being taken away and, if she can name some, how are those things related to a county legislature race?

I think Randa may want to add a tinfoil hat to her fall wardrobe.

And Randa, if you want to know where I live, just ask your friend, fellow committee member and soon to be former-legislator, Jay Grasso.

Matter of fact, tell him to call me first if he plans on making a visit to my house on election day this year. I'll be sitting on the front porch with a plate of cookies and a life size Chewbacca cut out. We wouldn't want any misunderstandings this time around.

The pledge was written by a socialist, Francis Bellemy, in 1892, so the Founders would be flummoxed by its very existence.

It wasn't adopted by Congress until 1942.

"under God" was added in 1952.

I do, however, support the right of somebody to wear a garbage bag, or anything else, in protest of whatever political issue one wishes to protest. I wouldn't expect somebody who supports freedom of speech to ridicule another person for their choice of protest. It's rather beside the point of the issue being protested. And I'm sure, Chris, you've seen much stranger garb being worn at the Occupy gatherings.

"And I'm sure, Chris, you've seen much stranger garb being worn at the Occupy gatherings."

Actually, I haven't. At least not in person.

"Mr. Mallow, do you honestly believe that you have the same rights as your parents and grandparent's generations?"

Rhanda, you're a Republican, right?

Most of what you complain about Congress doing to limit freedom falls squarely on the shoulders of George W. Bush and Congressional Republicans, primarily the Patriot Act and the very existence of the Office of Homeland Security.

You oppose the Republicans on that, of course, right?

Didn't Congress recently renew the Patriot Act?

Oh, I'm fairly certain I interspersed some facts amidst the hilarity.

Ahh, I see. Randa Williams, LeRoy Republican Committee member and Republican poll worker meanders over to The Batavian to make a non-sequitor attack on the qualifications of the Democratic candidate for legislature and we're to believe she spends her time as an undecided voter.

You're not fooling anybody.

@John, yes they did and it was a bad idea.

Chris,
Good or bad, both parties had to support it to get passed is my point.

Yeah, John. Hate it, there's not much more to say than that. Honestly you would have thought that the libertarians and the liberals would have teamed up to kill it.

There are very few, if any, real libertarians in Congress. Ron Paul comes closest.

I see the childishness among the party members has ramped up again just in time for election season.

You all make an excellent public image for yourselves. Grow up.

People have a right to know who is doing the attacking and why. You don't get to pretend you're just a curious citizen.

Randa, it's ok to be a political hack as long as you're honest about it.

Chris i didn't realize that.About GCEDC...And i don't know much about the players in this race ..I was just agreeing with her point that no one person should sever on two public offices that can tax .....Its Either one or the other not both...Would you want some one to be your county legislator and your city councilman at the same time...

Once again, you're not fooling anyone.

Assuming this is the question you are referring to "While I do not think there are enough hours in the day to do both jobs
properly, I am quite concerned at the possibility of one elected
official having control over more than 90% of our tax rate. That is
too many eggs in one basket , and almost alleviating our constitutional
right to the checks and balances system."

This has been answered. First, there is no checks and balances in the system of County Legislature vs. School Board, which is why legally she can serve on both.
Second, I believe that there are 9 county legislators and 5 BOE members (my bad if I have that wrong), the point is that ONE person is NOT in control.

Also, something that seems to be forgotten when we run for local politics is that we (the people voted to represent you) pay the same taxes as you, except for Jackie and me in your case specifically as we also pay Village taxes, so if you think that Jackie is looking to raise the taxes you are wrong. In addition, going back to the second point above, she does not single handedly have the power to do so. She does, however, have the power to say "no" if/when everyone else says "yes" and vice versa.

The good points made above about things such as making sandwiches for the team, do in fact have something to do with the issues. They point to Jackie's warm heart, ability to take care of others AND organize in the midst of the chaos of campaigning, in other words, her ability to balance her time and schedule and still follow through on all of her committments regardless of the number of hours in the day. So, while you or I, or the average person, might not have enough time to be able to do both jobs, Jackie does. She will do it well. She will speak for everyone. She will speak up when others are afraid to and she will advocate for us.

Whatever your agenda in writing this, I don't see any remarks here to contradict what I've said.

Randa, so I am clear. You do blame both parties for our rights being taken away?

@ Mark, I'm not sure if I would want someone to serve on both Village Board and County Legislator, I'd really have to think about that one some more, BUT I can tell you that I do not mind one person serving on BOE and County Legislature. They do not govern the same issues. Again, Jackie would be one member.

Hey, it just struck me, maybe she really does have a magic wand and can control how others vote on issues. Hmmmmm, I might need to borrow that, Jackie. :7 (insert sarcasm here)

Final note, Randa, there are actually 3 candidates for this county legislature seat. I'm sure we all know this. :)

Mark, holding a position as City Councilman would exclude you from holding a position as a Legislator and vice versa because the taxing entities/services/etcetera overlap. There are other reasons as well like holding two paid, elected positions, but NYS election law clearly defines the conflict of interest.

The reason Randa's initial point was ridiculous is because the School Board and the governing body of the county operate in completely separate spheres of responsibility. They are both taxing entities, but that's where the comparison stops. They don't effect or hold sway over one another. It's also the reason I shake my head every time a person complains about City Council when discussing school issues.

The genesis of this thread was just something the LeRoy Republican Committee cooked up as an issue. I'm sure they were pleased with their originality, and Randa probably thought she wouldn't be called out as an establishment politico, here we are.

Like I told Randa, it's ok to be a political hack, it's just not ok to pretend you're not.

A memorable line from one of my favorite old movies, "Anatomy of a Murder," '...this is a cross examination in a murder case, it's not a high school debate...' Ms. Williams purports to ask a mere question. ("I asked a question in an open forum, and have been beaten on since...") There is no question- not even a question mark. She asserts that a candidate for County Legislature is over-extending herself time-wise and pursuing a conflict of interest. Ms. Williams publicly presents her case to disqualify Jackie Whiting, and when called-out, pretends to be Little Bo-Peep. "My aim was to discuss an issue;" which one? Since opening the bomb-bay on candidate-Whiting, Williams has behaved like a pinball between bumpers: sandwiches, the Pledge of Allegiance, healthcare, grandparents and garbage bags. If I said, "I wasn't confused," I'd be lying. I don't even live in LeRoy, Randa. I have no dog in this fight. I suggest you decide whether you're on the attack, retreat or entertainment committee.

Point well taken Chris..But it is one to be debated...Charlie i blame both parties for the freedom issue...Patriot Act is one both parties endorse....I can't move 10,001 dollars around, the government has to know about it..Is another ....It doesn't matter if i don't have anything to hid...Road blocks are another ..All they want to do is raise money when they do that..There are many less freedoms today...TSA has over stepped there bounds also..I'm sure all on here could list many more ...Lets not forget the city with there crazy rules..No longer can you go to a park and share a bottle a wine with your picnic lunch in Centennial Park....

Why hide in the shadows while minions scuttle around engaged in guerrilla warfare: planting lawn signs, planting innuendo and planting confusion. There seems to be a pattern of deception, chicanery and subterfuge. Is there cause to avoid straight-out, face-to-face, in-the-open contests? (By the way, that's a question.)

Mark, I agree we have given up too many rights and it might be worth wearing a garbage bag to highlight. My only problem would be wearing a garbage bag to pretend only one party was at fault. The idea was that those rights would be restored, I hope that promise doesn't get lost.

Charlie your rights are like taxes once they take them your never getting them back....The minute you make a dollar you have to give up part of it..

Mark, only for us 99%, the richest amoung us have seen their burden lessened over the last 10 years. All the rest of us have seen is a loss of real income and a dried up job market. Unless of course you live in China...

"TheBatavian" is not "reserved for Mr. Charvella and his friends;" it is a community that has no problem recognizing blatant opportunists.

Randa,
You made a post that inferred a person should not be a legislator and on a school board at the same time. You hinted that the person would not have enough time and that they would have too much control over taxes. While entitled to your opinion, your premise was wrong, and was shown to be so. You even the got the "God" in the pledge wrong. You brought that on, nobody else. And when you are political committee member, advocating for your candidate,you get called out when not identifying yourself as such.

I blame neither party at this point, freedom was the cost of the war on terror. I don't like the Patriot Act but, I lived with what Bush and the Republicans did and their reasoning behind it. I also see why the Democrats helped continue the law. As the war winds down I expect our rights to be restored, if not i might have to take your place with my own plastic bag costume.

What you have written here leads me to believe that your real motivation in fighting for our "freedoms" has more to to with extreme partisanship. That's exactly how you have come across as you try to rip down a woman who obviously works day and night to make your community a better place. Its clear you have done far more to help her campaign than hurt it.

Actually, we know each other too, Randa. PTSO. Holiday Bazaar. ...

I've tried to debate you as well here, supporting my candidate. Howard Owens has also tried to debate you here, but you have chosen almost exclusively to only debate with Chris Charvella.

I'm just saying...

It occurs to me that I in fact do have much more freedom than my grandparents. I can marry who I want (which I did). I can wear jeans in public. If I wanted to smoke, I don't have to write to my husband to ask for his permission (my grandmother had to write to my grandfather as he served overseas during WWII in order to get written permission to go buy herself cigarettes so she could start smoking---I can't tell you how much I wish he said no, but that isn't the story here). I can buy a house on my own, a car, ... . I have great credit and do not need anyone to cosign for me. My grandmothers didn't get those freedoms. Heck, my mother and mother-in-law didn't have all of those freedoms at my age.

We may not live in a perfect world, but it is better in many respects.

I've read, with great interest, the interaction between Randa and others. I've got to throw in my 2 cents now.
First, for disclosure reasons; Randa is a good friend of my family, and in particular, like a 2nd mom to my wife. I can personally attest to her sense of duty. She has done much for our community, and I respect her commitment to Leroy. Whether you agree with her, or not, you do have to appreciate her years of hard work and loyalty.
With that said, I also must express gratitude and admiration to Jackie Whiting. She is one of the busiest people I've ever met in my life. Now that all her boys are grown, I think she's looking for something to fill the empty nest void she may be facing. I don't question her ability; she is more than capable of fulfilling her obligations. I do, however, question the necessity. It would be different if we had a lack of interested candidates for the county seat, but we don't. In fact, we have 3 candidates, all of whom would make a good legislator.
And, in my own selfish way, I would like Jackie to give 100% to the school board, instead of possibly having to split her responsibilities between the county and the school board. She is a strong voice in our community, and I believe a very effective school board member.
And, finally, it never ceases to amaze me the depths people will go to over partisan politics. At the local level, we are all citizens. Not GOP, not Democrat, but Geneseeans. Randa knows this about me, and she respects that. Just because I'm a registered Republican, doesn't mean I will blindly support my party candidate. Matter of fact, last election cycle, I signed petitions for most of the candidates, but refused to sign Grasso's. (for obvious reasons, Michael Barney).
Howard, as always, I thank you for the forum to discuss this topic. I encourage EVERYONE to vote on Tuesday. I don't care who you vote for, but make sure you vote. That is a right we haven't lost yet.

Bud, great post.
You wrote:
"She has done much for our community, and I respect her commitment to Leroy. Whether you agree with her, or not, you do have to appreciate her years of hard work and loyalty.".
It certainly does look like Randa has kept busy over the years. I appreciate anyone who can post such a lengthy and worthy list of activities.
That said, it is too bad that Randa diminished Jackie Whiting's equally lengthy and worthy list down to "just a sandwich maker". Belittling Jackie's work in the community did nothing to validate Randa's comments.
It's too bad that Randa wasn't up front with her involvement as a Republican Party Committee Member.
Leaving out that little bit of information here, and in her letter to The Daily News, is, in my book, misrepresentation.
The rest of us, who are committee members have never kept it a secret. Why didn't she come forward in the beginning?

Provocation isn't the issue; not even, necessarily, validity. Aside from a courtesy provision against libel and slander, this site thrives on the provocative. It seems more than coincidental: a Republican Committee member who never set foot in this forum drops by during campaign season for the sole purpose, sandbag a Democratic candidate for legislature. ...Mirroring a salvo fired in The Daily News. Randa needs to learn two things: attacks invite counter-attacks and presentation is everything. ...An understanding of group dynamics wouldn't hurt either.

Randa, Jennifer is talking about the debate here on The Batavian.

The jury is in. People recognize Randa's "concern" for exactly what it is. A political surrogate coming in with anything they can come up with -- most likely devised by the group -- ie Grasso and Marguerite and maybe even their candidate to discredit the Democratic candidate, who they all know is a worthy opponent. It's been all coming back to us in the drip drip drip of their desperate whisper campaign they've been waging for weeks.

First it was questioning how Jackie was picked for LeRoyan of the Year. What warranted the award and where her support came from. Sorry Republican Party. No one on our committee even wrote a letter of nomination. Not that any of us wouldn't have, but we didn't. Her support probably came from a lot of Republicans.
Then it was the timing of the award. Sorry Republicans. It's always held in the fall.

And there have been so many other desperate attempts to discredit. Just Friday I heard from some Red Hatters who found themselves uncomfortable when a luncheon for the club turned into the "Why you shouldn't vote for Jackie" event.

It's all so desperate and unbecoming. It's too bad that Randa decided to jump on the band wagon. It tends to negate any of her good community work. It would have been so much better if you just wrote a nice letter about your candidate

Randa wrote:
The garbage bag, or anything else I choose to wear has nothing to do with either candidate. I believe that my protest must have hit home since you are still talking about it years later.

Years later?
The garbage bag caper took place a year ago, Oct. 25, 2010.
http://thebatavian.com/blogs/howard-owens/democrats-pack-larrys-hear-ca…

Randa has a way of making up timelines as she goes along. A in Constitutional Law?
Was that after you took the same course at GCC?

I am always leery of people who refer to themselves in the third person. Always have been.

Billie, not only did Randa refer to herself in the third person, fueling speculation that it isn't her posting, BUT she has also brought up the reference she accuses Chris of perpetuating. She is just as guilty of that perpetuation.

Yes, Lorie is correct. I was referring to the debate here.

I also continue to find it curious that your very first comment after your original post refers to those who share your concern posting here. Obviously we all get to post here & those of us who do not share your concern have posted quite a bit, but the support you were looking for is largely absent.

Nice comment above, Lorie!

Someone answered:
"News flash !!!!!!! It was not Randa who keeps bringing up the garbage bag incident, but Mr Charvella"

Any idea who that could be?

Randa,
You brought this on. You stated an opinion, which is certainly OK, but not based on fact. Then you gave the "under God" comment, and got it wrong. And it is clear you are a political partisan (Republican Committee member), and did not state it. That's not a good idea here.

I said it ore, this is all a good reason to vote for Sid Horgan in Leroy.

"After two days of this foolishness, I find it interesting that the best you can do is pick on me." You've got that right. Have you always harbored such masochistic tendencies?

The one thing that we all know is that almost everyone on this site will go to the polls on Tuesday.

Randa wrote:
"The garbage bag was not used as armor, but, I do believe that the political message on it gave me the right to be seen and heard."

It rained on Oct. 25, 2010. I can see where the GOP headquarters would hand out garbage bags to use as protection from the elements. I'm sure they weren't thinking "garbage in - garbage out".
The protest for Gov. Cuomo to have a REAL debate was quite amusing. There was a debate the week before. Remember, "The rent is too damn high"?
The handful of Paladino supporters, standing out in the rain, were more than welcome to come inside and bring their issues to Cuomo. They didn't.

You came to this site and made a post. It was answered, but not in the way you expected. You underestimated the people who frequent this site. Savvy, intelligent people, from all points of view, who can see a last ditch political move from a mile away.
We may have heated discussions, but the one thing that makes us all stand together is someone coming in and rewriting history to serve thier purpose. You did that several times and were caught each time.
We will stand together when we, as a group, know we are being used. You played us and it backfired.

Randa, it looks like you can add the University of TheBatavian to your education profile. You got schooled.

Well Randa in answer to your "question" it appears that almost no one shares your conveniently timed concern, (myself included). And as it has been pointed out there is absolutely no way that Jackie can achieve anything resembling control in either capacity she wants to serve in due to the fact that there are also many others that can nullify any yes or no vote she places on any topic. I wont touch on the other debated topics that others have discussed with you here other than to say that I would be looking into a refund of the money spent on any constitutional law or theory classes that you took as this in no way abridges any rights, especially that of checks and balances and it appears that you dont grasp the course material fully.

Some advice as well Randa, if you were truly passionate about the idea that this is an improper thing to do stop shining the light of your argument on what others are saying and stick to the facts of the issue you originally posted on. I'm sure whatever committee you belong to will properly commend you for this little tirade and forum discussion, and will thank you for the results of Tues elections as a result of your well thought out and timed concerns.

Hopefully citizen to citizen this was the clear and concise response you were looking for in response to your concerns...

Randa,
You show why we should not vote Republican this year. Want to be partisan, fine, do it, but don't pretend you're not. Jackie Whiting would be far better choice in LeRoy than your candidate, S.Stein any day of the week.

We should thank Randa for bringing harmony to this site so close to election day. When was the last time anyone can remember that happening?