The son of our State Assembly representative and a former city council member are the two people recommended by the city GOP committee to fill two vacancies on the Batavia City Council.
The city's charter provides that vacated seats be filled by appointees from the party of former seat holders.
Awaiting council approval are Brooks Hawley, son of Assemblyman Steve Hawley, and James Russell, a former council member.
They will replace, if approved, Frank Ferrando and Marianne Clattenburg, at-large members elected in November to seats on the Genesee County Legislature.
What are Brooks Hawley's
What are Brooks Hawley's qualifications, besides being the son of a local politician? I see he is the Intramural Director at SUNY Geneseo, so he obviously has organization skills (don't underestimate how much work can go into herding cats and organizing college students). But what else will he bring to the table and add to the Council?
I do not mean this to be anything derogatory against Mr. Hawley - I am merely questioning the pattern of political inheritance.... "Mommy or Daddy were decent politicians, so Sonny or Daughter are good choices"?
Tim, Hawley's qualifications
Tim,
Hawley's qualifications are the same as anyone new serving, he wants to. If you look at the three new members who ran and won this year, they are the same.
And if you look at Mr. Russell's, you will see he had the same the first time he ran.
You will also note that only 5 people even applied. A few others were approached, but declined.
And a history of family public service is not a bad thing. Of course, if anyone thinks this is not good for the city, they can run against him next November.
It's City Council, not the
It's City Council, not the Presidency, it's a serious position but it's not like he's the commander in chief. I'm willing to give him a chance. If he's anything like his Dad he'll be fine.
John - thanks for the info on
John - thanks for the info on the folks who applied.
As for Daniel's comment of "If he's anything like his Dad he'll be fine" - be very careful of that line of reasoning.... Consider GHW Bush vs. GW Bush - sometimes the apple of competence falls very, very far from the tree.