Press release:
The Town of Batavia Republican Committee has endorsed two candidates to run in November. Incumbent Town Justice and local attorney Tom Williams has been endorsed and former councilman Chad Zambito has been tapped to fill a vacant seat on the town board.
Zambito, a town resident for 12 years, also serves on the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He has served on an advisory board for Genesee Community College’s BEST Center and the GLOW Region’s Workforce Investment Board. The seat was left open after John Gerace resigned in May. Both Zambito and Gerace were first elected in 2003.
“We are fortunate to have two good candidates and are happy that there was significant interest in the open town board seat,” said Town Republican Chairman Andrew Young. “I think it shows we have a great board and support staff that many are interested in working with.”
The committee will hold its annual picnic June 22 at Kiwanis Park. Senator Mike Ranzenhofer and Assemblyman Steve Hawley are both expected to attend and longtime Republican supporter Sharon White will be honored for her service. Tickets can be purchased from any committee member.
Note: The board vacancy was created when John Gerace resigned abruptly and without explanation in April.
Howard you forgot to mention
Howard you forgot to mention that Chad Zambito is also the chair for the consolidation charter task force. Huge conflict of interest if you ask me. Do Town residents we really want someone on the Town Board that's on this task force and pushing for consolidation with the city?
Huge conflict of interest.
Huge conflict of interest. One position or the other but no way should he be seated on both boards.
When I was on the Task Force
When I was on the Task Force and ran for City Council, I was advised by the City that I could not serve on the Council if elected and the Task Force simultaneously. I can imagine that Chad will have to resign the Task Force. I live in Buffalo now so the point is moot on both ends, but the rules are set up so the above mentioned conflict of interest can't exist.
Take it for what it's worth, Chad is an outstanding leader and a guy who understands local government. His serving on the town board will do good for the residents of town of Batavia. He's a guy who takes listening to people seriously, and I have no doubt that he'll be even more stringent in that attitude in representing his constituents.
I believe the Task Force's
I believe the Task Force's mandate expires this November. If that is correct, then the problem goes away. And for the Task Force to be reinstated, it will take the vote of the Town Board, that for all practical purposes, just killed it. Also, to go forward, who would give the Task Force anymore money?
Dan, thank you for the kind
Dan, thank you for the kind words. I too have great respect for your insight and commitment to public service. Robert, I never pushed for consolidation. I believe that the idea needs to go before the voters. During the process it became abundantly clear that the residents of the town did not view the additional state funding as a viable reason to support the plan. The inter-municipal agreement would prohibit anyone from being on the charter committee and a member of either board so if I were elected I would need to resign. John, there is no expiration on the committee. The task force was asked to draft a proposed charter of what "One Batavia" would look like. The TF was comprised of a dedicated group of residents that donated a year of their time only because we believed we had a once in a lifetime opportunity to build "A better mousetrap." While I am disappointed we did not produce a document that received wide support, I am extremely proud of the group and their commitment to the community.
Chad, Thanks. I had thought
Chad,
Thanks. I had thought your mandate ran for a period that ended this November when the TF was supposed to be done. I didn't know it was a semi permanent board. But as a member, can you tell us how much of the approx. $50,000 budget is still left?
Damn, John! That was pretty
Damn, John! That was pretty slick how you slipped that in there! Your technique is definitely improving.
CM, Just wondering where the
CM,
Just wondering where the money to keep going is coming from. I would not wan to see any more money wasted.
I can't say exactly how much
I can't say exactly how much has been spent to date although I would guess it is along the lines of 2/3rds. The grant money flows through the City since they were the official applicant and therefore they could answer that question. The committee's charge has largely been completed with the exception of info sessions and public hearings. The only other task would be submission of home rule legislation for the proposal to go to referendum in 2013 and that needs to come from the city council and town board. None of those tasks should prove to be very costly. If, however, either board indicated they wanted drastic changes to the charter or wanted the TF to consider ideas or processes that were not in the original IMA, that type of effort would likely need additional funds.