What's a Few Million Bucks Between Friends?


Having attended my first public hearing to discuss the
Town's 2004 preliminary budget, I wanted to make a few
observations (some, obviously tongue in cheek):

If the discussion and justification of the Town's
Preliminary 2004 Budget can be taken seriously, Hamlin
residents are in for a difficult year. Here's a few
examples:
a. The cost of electricity for the Highway Building
is projected to increase by $5700 (up 54% from the
previous year) and the cost of heat for the same
building is projected to increase by $8500 (up 81%
from last year)! The Superintendent of Highways
justifies this increase because of last year's cold
winter! We apparently are facing a frigid 2004.
b. While we're inside our homes trying to stay warm
and watching our cable TVs this winter, we must
realize that our cable franchise fee (TAX) is being
increased by $10,000. Yes, that's the same fee (tax)

that paid for new carpeting and rennovation of the
Town Supervisor's office. (On the positive side, if
you are a library supporter, you'll be pleased to know
that the Town will give the library $13,158.57 from
that special fund - let's applaud that. The library is
probably the best managed public agency in Town and
certainly one of the more valuable assets.) The
unanswered questions are who has access to that
special cable slush fund, how do projects get
submitted for consideration and who approves them???
c. Revenues from fines and forfeitures are projected
to increase 25%! Better watch your speed buddy!

The budget hearing revealed the following which I've
labeled as "funny, if you didn't know better:"
a. The budget category listed as "Personal Services"
is not what might be inferred (chauffeurs, valets,
concubines) but according to the Supervisor, "labor
costs." I found that to be a relief. Wouldn't a
better label be "Personnel Costs?"

b. The cost of printing is going up 56% and the cost
of mailing is going up 14%. But the good news is that
the increase reflects the cost of printing and mailing
that extremely popular "Hamlin Xpress."
c. The budget category "Publicity" has not been
decreased. Thank goodness we can continue to enjoy
the same level of publicity that we have in the past.
d. The budget category "Ethics" has been decreased
from $1000 to zero. (Come to your own conclusion on
this one)
e. Refuse and garbage collection is up $1000 (what
files?)
f. No increase in revenue from our cell tower - do
you suppose Verizon isn't making any more money?
g. $7,000 revenue from ESL ATM (but I couldn't find a
category under expenses to tell us how much
electricity it is costing us - however, if everyone
experiences the same electric rate increase that the
Highway Dept. projects, the ATM is going to be an
expensive little convenience)

About 20 interested citizens attended the hearing.

Several, including myself, asked questions. I
probably asked more than I should have but it appeared
otherwise we would have just skipped right through the
budget with little being asked. I have to be careful
because I even asked more questions than Peter Tonery
and I may end up with a reputation. Peter's questions
(all
intelligent and pertinent) were quickly waved aside or
even ridiculed, if he pushed too far. Of course we
all know how negative Peter is! On the serious side,
I was very surprised that only one Town Board member,
Paul Rath, questionned any of the items. Ed Evans
attempted to question parts of the cable tax but was
quickly squelched by the Supervisor. But,is Paul Rath
the only
councilperson with questions or with enough gumption
to ask them? Do the other members just accept budget
inputs (and increases) without question or did they
even look at the budget in advance? Why does the
Supervisor defer most questions to Mrs. MacIntosh?

Finally, in this age of easy-to-use budget software
and spreadsheets, is this the best we can do for a
budget format? Where is the detail? What are the
increases for? Where's the historical data. Why are
only the small percentage increases (2% for board
member salaries) listed and not the significant
percentages (81% for building heat)?

Unfortunately, my overall impression is that this
process mirrors many of the Town's other managerial
efforts - lacking in attention to detail,
conscientiousness, interest in input of citizens, and
professionalism. But hey, we're only talking about
$2.6 mil in appropriations (of which only $1,009,498
needs to be raised from our taxes).

Fair winds and following seas!

This email was sent to the All Hamlin web site from a guy that knows how to drive aircraft carriers.

Hamlin's New Supervisor


Supervisor Genetic Experiment Project a Success!

Hamlin Republicans acted quickly today after realizing that Supervisor Warner was totally ignorant about the town budget, and that our finances are actually controlled by his secretary, Pat Macintosh.

“We contacted Dr. Evil (Steve Minarik) and explained the problem,” said Al Campbell, Chair of the Republican Committee. “He told us to bring both the Supervisor and Pat downtown immediately and he would fix the problem.”

What happened then is a closely guarded secret. “Dr. Evil is a genius, everyone knows that, but even I wasn’t prepared for these results!” gushed the ebullient Campbell.

The new person, tentatively named Patricia Warner the First will be sworn in as Supervisor on January 2. In the interim, he/she will be acting Supervisor. Asked about the legality of installing an unelected person in the highest local office, Campbell just grinned and said, “You heard about Bush, didn’t you?”

Millard Rathbone III, relaxing.

Yantee Creek Yacht Club Endorses Supervisor Candidate

The owner/operator of the Yantee Creek Yacht Club, Millard Rathbone III, has broken a long traditon of silence on political issues in his hometown and has endoresed Independent and Democratic Candidate Peter Tonery for Supervisor.

"I love their signs!" said the fabulous Rathbone. "Blue and green are my favorite colors."

The flamboyant millionaire, who is well know for festooning his club with garlands and tissue paper animals throughout the year, was a little light on political details. "Oh, you know me, I don't pay much attention to that stuff!" he giggled. "I just saw how that 'other' club had endorsed some people," he stated while frowning and making air quotes, "and I thought I would too!"

Known as the "Commodore" by his "dear friends" Rathbone has been a fixture on the fringes of Hamlin's social scene. "They won't even let me in to the Hotel anymore!" he squealed as he poured a fresh Absolute martinti. "Something about 'getting fresh' or something." Informed that the Hotel had burned down nearly twenty years ago he looked sad and forlorn saying, "Oh, that's too bad. I liked it there." He brightened quickly however, "Oh well, Life goes on doesn't it!"

Asked if he would support his candidate in this year's election, the Commodore replied, "I think so. What do I have to do? No parades I hope, I haven't done one since Mardi Gras in '89, and THAT was a most wicked event!" he exclaimed waving his hands. Told that the reporter meant would he contribute and vote for the candidate he replied, "Well I don't even know the man! Though he does look dashing in that Van Dyke beard. I'm certain I'll vote for him! Where does one do that by the way?"

Executive Committee of the Hamlin Yacht Club


Yacht Club Endorses Candidates

The lesser know of the Sandy Creek Yacht clubs today endorsed candidates for local office in Hamlin.

Selected were: James Martin for Town Board; Nancy Pierce for Town Board; Mathew Turcotte for Town Justice and Kathi Rickman for Town Clerk. They declined to endorse a candidate for Supervisor.

In a statement to the press Lovey Howell, present Chair of the committee, said, “We believe these candidates are the most qualified by virtue of their education, world experience, management experience in the private sector and their deep knowledge of the community.”

The Skipper added, “Speaking for the crew, and I think I can speak for the crew, these are darn nice people!” “Yeah, they are!” chimed in a beaming, but red-eyed Gilligan.

“We believe it’s time for a change!” stated the Professor. “Hamlin has been stuck in the doldrums for too long. We need some bright, modern people, with energy and enthusiasm to bring our town up to speed with the others in the county.”

“They’re all cute too!” squeaked perky Mary Ann.

When asked why they hadn’t endorsed a candidate for Supervisor, Thurston Howell III spoke up, “In the first place this town isn’t big enough for two III’s! “

“Yeah, two thirds is almost a whole!” quipped the Professor.

“Well, that one fellow has had his chance, and he’s made a mess of things, hasn’t he?” Lovey asked.

Gilligan jumped in, “Yeah, just look at the Building Inspector mess, then there’s the ATM and the cell tower money we lost and the…” At that point the Skipper pulled off his cap and began hitting Gilligan on the head with it. “I told you not to talk, Gilligan!” The contrite sailor fell silent, with a silly, sheepish look on his face.

“How about the other guy, Tonery?” a reporter asked.

“Oh, he’s too mean!” a bosomy Ginger cooed. “I heard he made fun of Santa Claus!”

“Here, here!” Howell barged in, “We can’t have a Supervisor who might be tough on anybody! What kind of a town would we have if somebody was ever told ‘No?’ I’ve got investments here!”

“The entire structure of cronyism and ignoring regulations might collapse.” Added the Professor.

“Anyway, I like the big one, he’s cute! Right Skipper?” chimed in a sparkling Mary Ann as she gave the Skipper’s arm a squeeze.

With that, everyone had a fine laugh , music started playing and the press conference ended.

Bogus Survey Results? Shocking!

This is a real, unsolicited e-mail received at the AllHamlin.com website.

Dear Sirs:
I live at 30 Huntington Parkway in Hamlin and recently received a master plan
survey. I am writing to tell you the survey is invalid because of serious
flaws in the instrument. I would request that the master planning committee
please redo the survey in a correct manner. They likely should hire a
consultant to compose a valid survey instrument to collect accurate and usable
data.

The committee, the town board, and supervisor should be embarrassed that such
a defective document was circulated. If this is an indication of their
competence, we may be in for some trouble.

I would be happy to discuss the issue with any of the candidates, either
republican or democrat.

Sincerely,

Rob Blair

Robert Blair
SUNY College at Brockport
Office of Campus Life
Union Operations
Seymour College Union

Mr Blair, who is recognized as having an expert level education in statistics will be sharing his conclusions with local newspapers.

Additionally, it has been reliably reported that certain interest groups have been stuffing the survey "ballot box." These groups, who's interests will best be served if the survey results support their ambitions, have had their members complete multiply copies of the survey, sometimes 10 each, and submit them to the town! Since there is no way to determine if a survey document actually belongs to a property owner, this process works. If the administration is dull enough to believe that there is an "honor system" out there protecting the results, somebody should tell him that when it comes to money, there is no such thing.

How could the town be so naive? Maybe it isn't naive, perhaps stuffing the ballot box was the plan all along. After all, if the "majority" of survey respondents say that a certain group or issue should be financed by additional taxes, you better believe that the Town Board will move through hell and high water to get that issue funded!

Do they think that the average taxpayer is so dumb that we can't see through a faulty, rigged process?

If Warner had wanted a fair, blind survey then he would have hired an outside company to produce and tabulate it. A professional company has the means to identify fake submissions, protect anonyminty and tally the results accurately.

Do you, the taxpayer, want to know where the surveys go when they are returned to the Town Hall? They go into a box on Supervisor Warner's desk!

Hmmm. What's that count again?

Goll-ee, Mr. Editor, I dint' know Hamlin was in the 3rd world!


Stop the presses!

Scorned and embittered supervisorial candidate Tonery has submitted this open letter to the venerable Democrat & Chronicle for the edification of his prospective consituency. (NOTE: We at Blogspot are not responsible for the opinions, facts, details or veracity of what we print.)
***
October 21, 2003

The Editorial Staff of the Democrat & Chronicle


Dears Sirs and Madam,

In the interests of setting the record straight: When Austin Warner came into office in 1999 he inherited a surplus of about $320,000. Over the next two years he worked it down to $12,000. By raising taxes the following two consecutive years he managed to pull the revenues up.

However, nearly 50% of the “surplus” comes from the Time-Warner cable TV franchise tax imposed exclusively on local cable subscribers. This “sin tax” was refused by all previous administrations as being unfair. Warner embraced it and promoted it, saying publicly, “Hamlin is the last town in the county to have it!”

The D&C declares, “he is doing a solid job of handling its finances.”

The $82,000 Warner “recovered” was identified under Kruger’s administration by an outside company for a finders fee. Kruger left office, and the dept was on the books for two years until and audit pointed it out. Only then did Warner contact NiMo and ask for the payment. The D&C notes Warner’s, “attention to detail.”

Hamlin’s involvement in the Sweden/Clarkson/Brockport Recreation Center is anything but a “cost saving” strategy. It would cost residents $85,000 a year to belong! In a survey done two years ago by the Hamlin Recreation Department, more than 90% of respondents said they wanted local facilities and supported our own Community Center. Warner was the solitary advocate for membership in Sweden, and formed a clandestine committee to explore the issue, one which excluded the Recreation Committee Commissioners.

Hamlin is a town of about six square miles. The Sweden Recreation Center is about eight miles away from the center of Hamlin. To get there, a resident would have to drive through Clarkson, cross the two-lane canal bridge, drive through the Town of Brockport, and cross Route 31, about two miles away. The Recreation Center is opposite the Wal-Mart in Brockport! It is a ridiculous proposal.

Would the residents of Fairport be willing to drive to Webster for their recreation services? That is what you suggest we should do.

If you assume the responsibility for political endorsements then you are obliged to confirm the facts underling your decisions. It is not enough to read someone’s campaign flyer. The D&C suffers a false authority born out of a lack of competition. The Editorial Board knows practically nothing about Hamlin, but determines itself qualified to recommend a leader. What can be worse for the local political process than lazy journalism?

Sincerely,
Peter Tonery


PS: For the record: The D&C sent an email to me at 3:16 PM on 10/20/03 (yesterday) asking, “What line(s) are you running on?” Now that’s research!
They still got it wrong.
***
NEW STUFF BELOW
***


Getcha Free New Identity Here!


A new kind of “Open Government”

In these days of rampant identity theft homeowners are urged to protect themselves. Experts suggest that you shred bills, returned checks and bank statements so they are not plucked from your trash. They even advise that you remove subscription labels from old magazines before they are recycled.

But, here in Hamlin, that might not help.

The reason is the Warner Administration has adopted a new form of “Open Government” which puts many of us a risk.

The attached photos show several containers outside the Town Hall. These wer put outside yesterday. Outside for everyone to enjoy! Outside for the public to casually page through, or if you like, take a handful of files home for yourself to enjoy later.

What are in the piles? Town records. Specifically, old Building Department records. Documents which include: Building inspection reports on people homes and businesses; site plan maps, correspondence between the Building Department and various governmental agencies; letters from attorneys; copies of deeds; transfers of property. Your basic stuff.

What is the matter with this town? At a time when there is a legitimate risk of identity threat, the municipality puts hundreds upon hundreds of records out in the parking lot for all to share. The files are filled with people’s names, addresses, phone numbers and correspondences. It is mind boggling.

Setting aside the horrific breech of customer confidentiality, there is an equally troubling question as to why these records are so suddenly being dumped.

We all remember the events at Enron and Global Crossings when incriminating documents were destroyed to prevent their discovery. Why are these records, some of them dating back to only 2002, being thrown away now? Is there a relationship between the sudden firing of the Building Inspector and the rush to destroy documents from his department?

Gursslin has said that he was never confronted with charges or allegations of wrongdoing so he believed his dismissal was arbitrary and capricious. If it is true that there is no evidence of any wrongdoing, then it might benefit the town to destroy hundreds of records in anticipation of litigation. Is this possible?

Whatever the motivation, the sudden public dumping of a large number of documents- into the public parking lot for all to grab- is a distinct violation of public trust and government responsibility.


Helpy Selfy

Clarification

The D&C said that, “Warner’s administration favors farmers and farming issues.” That is true, but it oversimplifies a complicated issue. There are only about eight farmers who live and work in Hamlin as full time businessmen, and that is the only true measure of a farmer. Having been one in the past, or doing it as a hobby, will keep you off the list.

However, some of these part timers have an undue influence over both political thinking and political decisions in Hamlin. The Chairman of the Zoning Board, Norm Baas, is the prime example. He is retired from farming yet is relentless in lobbying local government about ideas and issues that are based on an old, out-dated perception of Hamlin. Baas, who has served on the Zoning Board for 25+ years, promotes the notion that ours is a little farming community. He can’t accept the real composition of the town as a commuter suburb.

Besides Baas there are two full time farmers who serve on other support boards. One of them, Jim Brezlawski, in partnership with his brother, owns perhaps the second largest farm in Hamlin. Jim has served on the Planning Board for close to ten years. Jim also lives in Hilton, not Hamlin.

There is nothing necessarily wrong with having 25% of Hamlin’s farmers serving on our support boards even though they represent only .5% of the workforce. However, it is realistic to think that their issues will be well promoted in local government. Perhaps at the expense of the interests of the other 99.5% of the population.

************************

The second clarification regards the All Hamlin Party. The Part was not, “created by the Democrats.” While some Dems, like Jim Martin were involved, it was organized primarily by independents. The All Hamlin Party is a political organization whose entire focus is on and about Hamlin. We have no larger agenda, our goals are to make the community a better, by having a smarter, more responsive local leaders. It should be known that the All Hamlin Party made overtures to several local Republicans to enlist them to run for public office. In some cases, they declined for fear of the backlash from the Hamlin Republican Committee. The All Hamlin Party is Independent and open to everybody.

Outing The Supervisor

It was a relief to see that Supervisor Warner has finally come out of the closet about his secret government. He states in this morning’s D&C, "the Land Use Committee meetings were closed because Tonery, who was invited to attend the meetings, had two letters published in the Suburban News, criticizing the committee's actions after each meeting."

You bet I did, and the actual letters may be found on our web sites: hamlindems.com or allhamlin.com, link to "Opinion Letters," (Click on, "Is This Representative?" and "Secret Government.")

The first letter challenged the composition of the committee. Originally, there were NO farmers and NO representatives from Huntington Park or Hillcrest or Lake Breeze in the group! As a direct reaction to the letter, Warner expanded the enrollment to include representation for these people!

At the same time, he closed the meetings to the public. That’s what the second letter was about.

As usual, Warner has tried to change the debate- he says that I criticized, " the committee's actions after each meeting." That's not even possible since, beginning with the second one, they were closed to the public! What I actually criticized was Warners's poor decision-making. Nobody knows anything- to this day- about what has happened in those meetings!

Perhaps what is most disturbing is that Warner believes he is justified barring both the public and the press from participating in such an important process, "without the fear of being in the paper next week."

What are they doing? What are they discussing that it has to be hidden from us? What exactly does Warner "fear?"

Maybe it's us who should be afraid.




Twice as funny!

The funniest statement in all of this morning's D&C article has to be the one from George Todd, "Todd wants to stay in office to continue the work of the town's recreation committee..."

Why is that funny? Because he rarely, if ever, attends the Recreation Committee meetings! He doesn’t go even though he is the official Town Board liaison. Anybody who knows about local government, knows that Todd has a very poor record as a liaison to anything! As far as advocacy on behalf of Recreation, the record is even worse.

For example, the Recreation Department has been trying for over two years to get dugouts built for our baseball players- and it never gets done! The town board never discusses it, never presents a resolution, never approves funding or never does anything. Why? Because George is the liason and he doesn’t go to the meetings! Todd's job is to report and advocate for the issues and concerns of the Recreation Department, but it's hard to do that if you don’t attend their meetings!

As noted elsewhere on this blog, Mr Todd did offer one solution for the dugout problem. He suggested that Hamlin accept some discarded bus shelters that his company was throwing away. Dirty, damaged and out of date- they'll look perfect on the Hamlin ballfields! Our kids will love 'em!

Thanks but, no thanks.

A local contractor has even offered to build the dugouts, for free, in exchange for a sign acknowledging the gift. The town is hung up on a regulation prohibiting advertising on public property! Come on! It's not an ad, it's a notice of a gift!

These are the people who claim they have "experience" in local government and want to stay in office. Thanks, but no thanks.




A Rose by any Other Name...


...will still smell the same. Stale.

Dave Rose has done everything in his power this election season to keep his head down, his name out of the public eye and his record as far from Austin Warner as possible. Dave's campaign strategy seems to be to hide, and hope nobody will notice him slip into office.

And really, who would notice? After all, Dave has been a fixture in Hamlin government for what seems like a 100 years. Pretty much his entire career has been spent drinking from the trough of the Hamlin taxpayer. If you care to look at the record, Mr. and Mrs. Rose have been the biggest earners, and enjoyed the most perks, from local government for decades. When he retired, Dave saw an opportunity to stick to the payroll by running for Town Board. While he denies it, most observers think it's the Supervisor's job he really wants.

While this Rose has been hiding in the shadows, insiders know there is a very prickly point about his candidacy: He was the reason there was such a public and divisive primary!

Ed Evans, saturated with the antics of Austin Warner and weary of the do-nothing town board, decided to retire. Dave rose up, said that he would run for office if nobody else wanted to. (A reassuring statement about the quality of candidates from the Hamlin Republican Committee!) Rose also assured everyone that if someone else wanted the seat, he would step aside.

Apparently, anyone except Evans! When Evans had a change of heart, based upon his supporter's encouragements, he went back the HRC and asked for his ballot spot back. Rose wouldn't give it up. Rose and Warner, who saw Evans as a traitor, were intent on composting Ed.

Here's the point: If Rose had stepped aside, as he claimed he would, Evans would never have run a primary. A primary he came close to winning, despite the fact that he didn't campaign!

Warner, as committed as ever to shooting himself in the foot, told Rose to block Evans. Rose agreed, wanting to nurse off the taxpayers for at least a few more years. It was a brilliant strategy!

The flower that is Dave Rose will soon be emerging from the shadows. Keep watching.

"Reasons? We don't need no stinkin' reasons!"

As many people know by now the Hamlin Building Inspector, Larry Gursslin, was fired by the Town Board on Monday night. While there are reasons why the Building Department needed changing, this was not the way to do it.

The firing was unceremonious and rude. Supervisor Warner had tried to make it effective on the night of September 29 during a “special” town board meeting. Ed Evans and Paul Rath intervened successfully to insure that some kind of process would be followed. The only concession that Warner would make was to set up another special meeting for the following Saturday morning, even though he knew that Gursslin was on vacation and that both Rath and Evans would be out of town. Now, in case you think this wasn’t a set-up, Evans and Rath, along with Hollink, would have been available for a meeting on Friday afternoon but George Todd would not. If Todd weren’t present Warner wouldn’t have his three votes to fire. He made the meeting for Saturday. (Details of that meeting are written below.)

Gursslin has said that in the intervening time, Warner pressured him relentlessly to resign. He even took Gursslin out for coffee and told him that if he returned to work he wouldn’t be paid! Gursslin refused to quit, saying that if there were problems or issues he was entitled to be confronted with them and allowed to respond. Warner didn’t want any part of that.

Why would Warner choose such a messy, clumsy and ugly action? Interviews with many people associated with the town all point to just one thing: Warner got it into his head that Gursslin would be fired, fired immediately, and NOTHING would change his mind. There were no charges, no jury, no trial- Warner went right to the execution.

It was as if the Supervisor was obsessed with the idea and nothing would stop him or alter his decision. Not due process, not the fact that Gursslin was on vacation, not the procedures established in the Employee Handbook- nothing.

What made Warner so angry and determined? No one knows. The best assessment came from one Board member who said, “He just got it into his head that Larry was going to be fired, and that’s it.” This doesn’t explain much, but it’s the best we have.

Gursslin only had two months left on his contract. Wouldn’t it have been more sensible to simply let it expire? If the town was going to contract with Greece for inspection services (which it has) the explanation would be reasonable. There would be no mess, no purposeless humiliation for Gursslin and no questions about motives.

Nah, that’s too simple.

On Farming:

Recently, I had an enlightening conversation with my neighbor who is a farmer. We were discussing his business and some of the problems farmers face. One of the most nagging issues, I was surprised to learn, is complaints from neighbors about routine farming operations. He said that suburban homeowners who have moved into the area complain about dust, noise, working at night or spraying. He said that people had no qualms about coming right up to him and telling him to stop his activity or even threatening to sue!

This situation describes one of the more complex social issues a town like Hamlin faces. New residents are rarely, if ever, told by the seller of a home, that they are moving into an “Ag District” and there will be farming operations nearby. New homebuyers aren’t informed that the activities are permitted and that the farmer is protected.

One of the key reasons why people move into Hamlin is its rural setting. However, what makes it rural is the fact that it is agricultural. The farmers keep our town green.

The idea of a “social contract” is one that gets too little attention. If a person chooses to buy a home next to a business, like a store or doctor’s office, they expect to see and tolerate the commercial activity that comes with it. They understand and accept the “terms” that come with living beside the business. Some suburban residents don’t recognize that farming is a business too and by choosing to live next to one they have to accept agricultural activity.

Who would consider going to the store next door and demanding that the manager move all their customers cars, turn out the lights and stop doing business? It doesn’t sound very normal. Yet normal people think it’s ok to say exactly that to their neighbor the farmer.

Wheat, corn and cattle don’t cover Hamlin so we all can have a nice view. They are a businesses’ product just like cameras or copiers. If you buy a home in an Ag. District you accept the social contract that comes with it- your neighbor, the farmer, has the right to run his business. Be glad of it too, because farming is what keeps us rural.

Have a nice vacation!
(PS: You’re fired!)

As first reported below, the Town Board acted SATURDAY MORNING to terminate Larry Gursslin, Hamlin’s Building Inspector.

This was a “Special” Town Board Meeting which was scheduled only last Monday night. That gave the community four days notice, which is not legal. On Monday, Supervisor Warner had been told that both Councilmen Rath and Evans would be out of town on family business. Warner was also informed that Gursslin would away on vacation.

He scheduled the meeting anyway. Supervisor Warner, Councilwoman Hollink and Councilman Todd all supported the plan to terminate Gurrsslin and they were available.

Several members of the public were made aware of the meeting and attended. There was no agenda posted and no “Open Forum” was allowed. The Supervisor opened the meeting, described the exits and immediately asked for a motion to go into executive session. Executive session is closed to the public. The ordinary citizens would have been forced to leave the proceedings. George Todd moved for executive session, but Councilman Rath, who had canceled his family plans to be at this meeting, intervened. He stated that he wanted to say something before the meeting was closed. He then read into the record some interesting aspects of the steps leading to this meeting. (The meeting minutes are not yet available. Rath’s entire statement was delivered to the Town Clerk for inclusion in the record.)

Rath said that the only notice Gursslin had received about this “Special” meeting was left on the Building Inspector's voice mail by Supervisor Warner. Warner told Gursslin that he had to decide on his priorities,”your vacation or your job!” Warner told Gursslin to be at the meeting if he wanted, but it would not be delayed by the fact that he (Gursslin) was on vacation and out of the office.

Rath pointed out that when a person is on vacation they are “getting away from work” and that includes checking the voice mail at the office.

Rath went on to say that there exists a clear and defined process for resolution of employee issues. He stated that the process is written in the Town of Hamlin Employee Handbook and then he read into the record the steps that the town is obliged to follow before termination of an employee.

Rath read the policies aloud and asked the Supervisor directly if they had been followed with Gursslin. Warner only stared at Rath. After waiting a few moments, Rath asked the Supervisor if he was refusing to answer, to which Warner replied, “Yes.”

Rath clearly established that the “Special Meeting” was simply an ambush, designed to fire Gursslin without the man being able to defend himself or even answer the charges against him.

After Rath read his statement, Warner immediately asked for a second to Todd’s motion for executive session and did not seek further discussion. The motion was seconded and the public left the room.

Approximately 45 minutes later, the boardroom was reopened and the public allowed to return to the proceedings. The Supervisor read a statement that the Building Inspector would be invited to attend the next Town Board meeting to confront allegations against him and have the opportunity to answer them.

This is the method defined in the Employee Manual, and read into the minutes by Rath. It took 45 minutes of debate to get to this resolution.

The Moral of this story? If you work for Warner, you better not go an vacation!


**********************************************

Informed sources inside the town hall contend that Councilwoman Hollink was the principle motivator in the rush to fire Gursslin. It seems that the B.I. would not give Hollink a permit for her B&B because she had announced that it was closed. To reopen meant new inspections and conformity to new codes. Hollink claimed that her old permit allowed her to renew on the old terms. The B.I. said that since the old permit had expired, and she’d announced that the business was closed, the process had to begin from the start, as proscribed in the Zoning Code.

Based on this, Hollink undertook one of her infamous propaganda campaigns. She lobbied everyone she knew to convince the Supervisor that this was “the last straw” and that the town needed to act immediately. She got her way. It was only Paul Rath’s insistence on following established procedures that keep Gursslin from being fired while he was on vacation.

Tasty!

Good Rumors!

The hottest rumors running around town are that the Town Board, in a closed meeting last Monday night, voted to fire the Building Inspector! Apparently, after allowing the situation on Wautoma Beach Road to fester and grow for so many months, the Supervisor decided that it would hurt his campaign to keep the problem around any longer!

The ironic thing is that the Hamlin Dems had just posted, that day, a platform plank stating that they will study outsourcing the Building Inspector,s job to save the taxpayers a bundle of money! Surprize! That is the solution now offered by the TB!
How remarkable! What timing! Who said they aren’t original!

The other rumor is that the Town has sent out a letter to the Ed Evans supporters who had lawns signs. The letter states that since the property owner had a sign supporting a Republican, then the Republican committee will place a sign for another, different Republican on their lawn- unless the homeowner contacts the committee and tells them “NO!’

Classy!

Warner must be so desperate to convince the public that he is liked and well supported, that every Republican in Hamlin is forced to become a de facto sign sponsor!

Ghost Story- Fact of Fiction?

Police Blotter: Hamlin, NY. Sept. 26, 2003

Two men, Mike --------- and Joe ----- reported to Sheriff’s Deputies that they were witness to a strange, ghostly apparition as they left a local tavern late Friday night. According to the police report, the two men had been “discussing business” for several hours in the Hamlin Inn. Around midnight, they left the establishment and began walking southbound on Lake Road to their vehicles. As the neared the parking lot adjacent to the Town Hall, the lights on the ATM suddenly flickered and went out. A peculiar cold breeze came up from the east and a dense fog, “almost like a wall,” approached the two men. They froze, staring at the weirdly lighted mist as it came closer and then enveloped them. “We wanted to run, but our legs were all rubbery. Then we saw the figures.” Inside the fog, according to the witnesses, was a group of men shuffling slowly toward them.

“It was horrible exclaimed Mike, “They were like zombies from ‘Night of the Living Dead!’ And we couldn’t move!”

The specters came right up to the men and stopped, staring with ghastly liquid red eyes straight at them- then one of the ghouls spoke!

“Who did this? Who did this?” it asked. The men, too frightened to speak, stood mute.

“Who let this happen?” another ghost whispered, is a sad gravely voice. “”Who let this happen to our wonderful town?”

Joe, the bigger of the two men, managed to reply, “Do..do..do what?” he asked.shakily.

“Who let our town fall so far behind?” spoke another creature. “Who kept Hamlin stuck so far in the past? Did you?” asked the first monster as he pointed a strong, bony finger at the men.

“No, no!” cried the men, “It wasn’t us!.”

“Who was it?” demanded another fiend, as it stepped closer to the men, his hands raised as if to strangle them. “Who failed Hamlin?” he asked sharply, “Tell me NOW!”

“It was them, it was them” shouted the men, pointing to the Town Hall. “They did it. They’re the ones who are keeping Hamlin in the past!”

“Who are they?” bellowed the monster. “The Town Board!” the men shouted.

“At that point we were so scared our feet finally began to work so we ran like hell!” reported Joe. “We ran across the street where our cars were and looked back” said Mike “The ghosts had turned and were walking toward the Town Hall. Now you could hear them moaning and gnashing their teeth, it was horrible!”

Joe added, “Then I thought, ‘Nobody will believe us!’ so I yelled to Mike ‘Get your camera’. He grabbed it outa his car and we ran back across the street.” “I took this picture and then I shouted at them, ‘Who are you guys?’ "

“It was horrible,” continued Joe “one of them turned and growled, ‘We are the spirits of Supervisors Past!’ the way he said it was terrible- scary like he was gonna murder somebody. That’s when we ran for good.”

The men quickly drove off, but called the Sheriff’s office from a nearby house.

Police are at a loss to explain the strange photograph. As to the testimony of the witnesses, their only comment was, “I think they might have been ‘discussing business’ a little too long.”

"Doouuu!" as Homer might say.

First the right foot. Goood! Now...

By now everyone has probably received their copy of the Hamlin X-Press. The "new" town newsletter. Besides looking like a flyer from the Ginther School, its arrival marks the unofficial start of the Republican campaign. After letting the newsletter lapse for years, Austin Warner had Shirley Hollink create one- just in time for the elections.

"Production problems" must have delayed its release before the primary. Actually, it wasn't released because the administration feared it would be thought of as Ed Evan's newsletter!

Evans had long ago been promised that the burden of the newsletter would be lifted from his shoulders. However, the rest of the do-nothing town board, including Warner himself, couldn't come up with a volunteer to take the job! So AW3, who loves to claim that he has, "improved communications," let the newsletter disappear.

Now, the public gets to pay for AW3's re-election efforts! Taxpayers fund the newsletter, proving his claim of "improved communications." It is a cynical way to treat your constituency. As campaign literature, it should be paid for by the candidate- just as Ed Evans did with his!

The real story however, concerns the notice about the "Town of Hamlin Comprehensive Plan Survey." The newsletter states that, 'You will be getting a questionnaire in your mail..." Then, a little later on, we are told to, "drop (it) in the mail and return it by September 15th."

Obviously, the newsletter was supposed to be mailed weeks ago! It was delayed, in this instance, because Warner can't manage the committee. If there was a deadline, it should have been met.

The survey has not been mailed. It is not even complete. As of Tuesday, Sept. 16th, the committee was still discussing its contents! Since the Comprehensive Plan/Zoning Code Rewrite Committee is a secret organization which is closed to the public, no one from the public knows when the survey will be mailed.

If you think that's funny, how about this- the newsletter states, "Your answers are completely ANONYMOUS. Sure they are!

This administration has once again demonstrated its lack of crediblity- and ability to manage.

...but small minded!

A Heritage of Petty Politics

In a letter to the Hamlin-Clarkson Herald, Austin Warner, chief beneficiary of the Heritage Day event, thanked people who had worked on it. All save one.
Teacher and Poet M..J. Iuppa had been commissioned by the organizers to write an original poem in honor of Hamlin history. She generously agreed, and sought no remuneration or other consideration.
Iuppa worked hard on the poem, meeting with the Town Historian on several occasions and absorbing numerous historical records. She wrote the poem (see below) and it was received with great enthusiasm by those attending Heritage Day. She autographed many of the published “broadsides” of the poem, which she had brought to distribute. Iuppa was very grateful for the reception to her work.
Apparently the Supervisor was not. Although Iuppa was introduced as, “Hamlin’s Poet Laureate,” by Shirley Hollink, Warner pointedly left her name off the list of people he thanked in the paper.
Why would AW3 be so impolite and petty?
Iuppa is married to Peter Tonery the independent candidate challenging Warner for Supervisor (and publisher of this weblog.) He must believe in visiting the “sins of the father,” since Iuppa has never been politically involved in Hamlin.
It serves as a reminder that even a big man can act small.

He walked the line.
1932 - 2003

Hamlin resident Fester Satterwhite celebrates.

Republican Primary Results In

Despite running only a "virtual campaign" Councilman Ed Evans lost a close contest with incumbent Austin Warner III in the Republican primary for town Supervisor. Evans, who did not canvass door to door, promoted his candidacy mostly through print ads and his familiar, "Hamlin Post" newsletter.

Despite the low key approach, Evans managed to garner a healthy 41% of the turnout. Warner's campaign, by contrast, was loud and long. He patrolled neighborhoods in a schoolbus and claims to have visited over 900 homes. This effort yielded a meger 466 votes. Warner's support dropped about 15% from his last primary, against Dick Kruger in "99.

Fan Mail

Note: These are a sampling of letters received lately on the Heritage Day stories.

Who the .... are these people that they think they can tell people how to act or what to do in public? This wasn’t a private party on private land. This is public land owned by us the taxpayer. These people are all POLITICIANS!! How do they think the thing (Heritage Day) isn’t political? Come on! RM, Hamlin
****
Having lived in Hamlin for over twenty five years I know how our local politicians think they have some special right to tell people how they are supposed to behave. Austin Warners administration has always acted Holier-than-Thou. Remember how he used town property and town employees to hold a prayer meeting at the town hall? EBW, Hamlin

****
In the first place, anything run by politicians IS political. How can it be anything else? How stupid does Shirley Hollink think the public is that they wouldn’t know that a stage full of yapping politicians isn’t political? TE, Hamlin

****
Any “councilperson” who tells a citizen that they can’t hand out a newsletter at a public event should be thrown out of office! ST, Hamlin

****
Who put Shirley Hollink and Austin Warner in charge of turning on and off the the First Amendment in Hamlin? Its not a faucet- its OUR RIGHT! LW, Hamlin

****
If Warner had stuck his face in my car and yelled at me I would have punched him in the nose! JK, Parma

Chitty, chitty,blah,blah

Suspicious Bus Found at Town Hall

Dectectives from the Brockton Ma. police department were on the scene Saturday investigating the possible theft of a Brockton school bus.

"We did have a report that a bus was stolen," stated Sgt. Schults of the Brockton PD. "A lady at a Burger King called in and said that a guy dressed as Santa Claus was driving out of the resturant in a school bus. She thought it was suspicious."

When the bus appeared in the parking lot of the Hamlin NY Town Hall a dilligent citizen contacted the County Sherriff's office, who in turn called Sgt. Schults. "I came up to use the ATM and saw this thing. There was nobody around and I thought the whole thing just didn't smell right. Sos I called the cops," said long time resident James B. Martin.

The investigation continues.

Sail on!

NOTE: I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS INQUIRIES WHETHER THIS IS SATIRE OR TRUE. IT IS TRUE!

Hamlin Officials Trim Constitution

Hamlin resident, Denny Roach, a registered Republican and retired U.S. Navy Captain was recently cited by Hamlin Town officials for "inappropriate behavior." During last week's Hamlin "Heritage Days" festivities Roach found that freedom of speech may not be alive and well locally. The celebration, which featured a dias of exclusively Republican dignitaries and starred incumbent Supervisor Warner visiting the stage at least three times, was naturally billed as “non-political.”

During the lull following the speeches and political back slapping, Roach began to ask people if they wanted the latest copy of "The Hamlin Post." He asked and gave them only to those who said yes. “Everyone either enthusiastically received a copy or thanked me, declining because they had already gotten one,” said Roach.

He had handed out about 12-15 copies when co-organizer and Town Councilperson Shirley Hollink approached. Shirley sternly informed the Naval Captain that the festivities were not supposed to be political and asked him to stop handing the newsletter out. Roach responded that he didn't think "The Hamlin Post" was political since it contained only Town news of interest to all, and no political ads. He then asked Hollink if she had asked the New Hamlin Democrats, several of whom were in attendance, to remove their "New Hamlin Democrats" t-shirts which were certainly more "political" than "The Hamlin Post." At that moment a lady walked up and requested a newsletter. Roach explained to the woman that he had just been told by Councilperson Hollink that he was not to give them out. Ms. Hollink intervened saying, " I ASKED you not to give them out, I didn't TELL you not to. There is a big difference." So he gave a copy to the lady. At that point however, he conceded to the Republican councilwoman's wishes and stopped handing them out. Apparently the newsletter was too "highly political" for a public event.

But that’s not the end of the story. Not by a bowshot.

Early the next morning, on his way to work, Mr. Roach found himself driving behind the Town Supervisor, Austin Warner. At the stop sign at Martin and Church Roads, Warner pulled over, jumped out of his car and flagged Roach down. The startled Roach rolled down his window and was immediately harangued by Warner for his "inappropriate action" the previous evening. The encounter ended with Mr. Roach shaking his head in dismay, yet smiling as well. Said Roach, "I don't know whether I should feel chastised or honored."

He wonders about government officials who seem afraid of town news being distributed to residents. "I am particularly surprised at Supervisor Warner's apparent reluctance to have news printed. He stood in my driveway during his initial campaign for office and promised improved communications. However, during his reign, he actually quit publishing 'The Hamlin Post,' and also decommissioned the very active and informative "public forum" section on the Town of Hamlin’s website."

Mr. Roach, a man not easily bullied, is deeply concerned that our right to freedom of speech may be impeded by the actions of certain Town officials. He thanked the publisher of this website for providing a means for citizens to air their concerns. “I encourage everyone who finds this type of bullying offensive to take the time to vote in the primary on September 9 and in the general election in November.”

Excellent advice.

Poet M.J. Iuppa reads "Looking For Hamlin"

Burying the Past
What a disappointing twist yesterday’s Hamlin Heritage Day event took. Promoted as a celebration of both town history and the contributions of important residents, it immediately turned into a long, annoying political promotion.

The concept for Heritage Day was first proposed by Town Historian Mary Smith as a way of recognizing residents, living and dead, who had made significant contributions to the development of Hamlin as a community. This was a worthy idea.

However, Town Board member Shirley Hollink seemed to wrestle control of the event away from the Historian and transform it into a local Republican “Love Fest.” Publicly, Hollink made much of the fact that no one on the dias was up for reelection. This turned out to be a mere technicality. The crafty Hollink managed to have incumbent Supervisor Warner lumber up on stage three separate times! Amazingly, he received an award, held up an award and give out an award.

The Heritage Day concept is good. It should have been an opportunity for residents to celebrate their collective past and learn something about the early contributors to Hamlin’s modernization. Instead, that goal was sadly overshadowed by Warner’s heavy-handed transformation of the event into a long, tedious self promotion. Rather than focus on past contributors, Hollink and Warner subtly switched the theme to “Supervisors” which allowed Warner to ponderously dominate the proceeding.

It’s really too bad. Another good idea buried under a load of self-interest.

**************************
Bright Spot

The highlight of the event was an original poem written for the occasion by local poet and teacher M.J. Iuppa. Entitled, “Looking For Hamlin” the poem shifts through time and space reflecting on the past and present of our community.

The poem is posted here with the kind permission of the author. It is reproduced here in the “Broadside” form that was made available to the public.

"Play Ball!" cries Umpire Cookie.

From the Department of Clownish Ideas


You never know what to expect when you go to a meeting in the Town Hall- as the story below about the deadly fungus demonstrates.

The Supervisor is campaigning that he “communicates” with the public, but that just isn’t so. Take the $8000 dollar sign for the front of the Town Hall. The first time it was mentioned publicly was when it was brought up for a vote! The public had never heard about the sign before and yet this costly outlay was going to be voted on immediately. The only reason it wasn’t was because Councilman Rath asked about the warranties on the two proposed signs (only two, by the way.) The advocate/proponent of the sign purchase was Supervisor Warner who, not surprisingly, had no idea about the warrantees. The vote was put off. But not for long- the TB held a “special” meeting on July 28 when they voted to spend the money. Some communication.

Which leads me to the real topic of this story- the outrageous, clownish proposal to install old, used RGRTA bus shelters as baseball dugouts for our kids! Has anybody in the public heard about this whacko idea?

Nope. This is one of those concepts that has been denied public scrutiny. Sometime, somewhere this ridiculous thought was presented to our elected officials and they ran with it.

Our poor children! Oh, how the kids who play baseball for Hamlin are going to be mocked! Our baseball program is already faced with huge obstacles. Now this! We will be the laughingstock of the entire westside athletic community.

Can you imagine? Stupid looking, outsized bus shelters?

Used no less. Used how? As spitting posts, graffiti slates and ashtrays? Where are these things coming from? Have they been cleaned, are they safe? Who knows?

The Town Board won’t discuss it in public. We have to assume that this is the brainchild of Councilman Todd who works for the RGRTA. He obviously is connected and would be in a position to lobby for the bus company's garbage.

The Recreation Department and parents of ball players have been begging the town to build dugouts- for years! The Rec. Dept has sought out private contributions in supplies and labor, but they must have town approval to build on town property. As usual, the Town Board never gets around to dealing with the issue. Put it off, put it off. Ignore it and maybe it will go away.

But used bus shelters? Who in their right mind would consider subjecting our kids to the inevitable, ruthless ridicule that will be heaped on them by the teams, with real dugouts, who come to Hamlin to play ball? How could the TB have overlooked such an obvious reaction? The idea is so clownish, so far out in left field, that one really has to wonder if any Town Board member is in touch with anything in our community.

Supervisor Warner claims Hamlin has a $200,000 surplus. This is enough money to afford an $8000 photo-op for himself, but no money to build real dugouts for our kids. Instead of allocating some funds to upgrade our ballfields, the Town Board proposes to humiliate the kids by sticking them in used bus shelters. What Bozos.

Not For The Salad!

Fungus Alert

According to members of the Hamlin Zoning Board a home on Benedict Beach Road will be torn down and removed due to an infestation of fungus. The house, numbert 7016, has been infected by Aspergillus Niger fungus that can cause numerous infections in humans, some can be fatal.

This is all the information I have now (and it comes c/o the ZB!) I will post more as it is revealed. (Please remember this website posting the next time the Hamlin Supervisor claims to have, "improved communications.")

For further information on this fungus and the steps recommended to mitigate it visit:

http://www.dehs.umn.edu/iaq/sop.html

Counting the bones


Dem Bones, Dem Bones...

Wow. The preliminary accounting is in for the fund-raising effort of the new Hamlin Democrats at the Fireman’s Carnival and it’s pretty impressive.

The Dems collected and contributed over $1200 dollar worth of prizes, gift certificates and donations from local individuals and businesses. They raffled off 20 beautiful gift baskets and 40 gift certificates! The merchants from Hamlin and Brockport were incredibly generous and supportive.

For their efforts, the Dems managed to collect over $700 to be used mainly in the upcoming elections. That is an impressive rate of return, about 60% on the donations! Ida Miller, treasurer of the Hamlin Democratic Committee was thrilled by the success. “For a brand new organization to raise that much money in their first effort is amazing!” she said. “More importantly, the public relations value of our presence at the carnival was worth far more then the revenues. It raised our profile in the community immeasurably.”

“We are extremely grateful to the many people and businesses which helped make the carnival such a huge success for us,” added Frank Delapa, Chairman of the Hamlin Democratic Committee. “We couldn’t have done it without them!”

A Sign in Every Pot

Sign of the Times

Well folks, they did it. In a Special Town Board Meeting, allegedly held to discuss a water district, Hamlin’s leaders voted unanimously to spend $8000 to replace the sign in front of the Town Hall. While I agree that the existing sign has some problems and could use an upgrade I KNOW it can be done for less than eight grand!

The old one will be removed and a new one constructed in it’s place. The replacement will still be somewhat cheap and old-fashioned however. While the sign is lighted, the lettering will still have to be placed by hand! That is a staff person’s hand. My, my- eight thousand dollars doesn’t buy what it used to, I guess.

Of course, we politically savvy Hamlinites know what the real motive is. Austin Warner wants a photo-op. If the sign can’t be erected prior to the primary, maybe Austin will distribute a photo of himself signing a phony contract, like an old FDR portrait.

Don't Be Afraid!

Campaigner Frightens Locals

After numerous reports of a strange man in a lighted suit going door to door in Harper Park investigators discovered that there was nothing to be alarmed about. " It's just a local politician on the campaign trail," said Tom Westfield who looked into the matter for the trailer park association. " It seems he rented a 'Dynamo' suit, you know the character from the Schwarzzaneger movie- 'Running Man.'" "I guess he figures looking like somebody from an Arnold movie couldn't hurt him- you know with the California election and all," the man added.

Logo of the All Hamlin Party

Indie Nation

There is finally a place for Independent voters to pull the trigger this year in Hamlin elections. Local candidates filed the independent All Hamlin Party with the Board of Elections today. The new party is a blended ticket with two candadates who are registered as Democrat and two who are non-affiliated or Independent (NOT IndependenCE.)

Independent voters are the second largest voter group in Hamlin and have long been ignored in local government. The All Hamlin Party was organized to recognize the Independent voter and, as the name says, be a political choice for all residents of Hamlin who are seeking a voice in local decision making.

Good news for Hamlin.

Frightened child reacts to monsterous hand (photo by Topper Bott)

Candidate Disfigured By Campaign

Hamlin, NY- Democratic candidate for Town Board, James B. Martin, has suffered a permanent, disfiguring injury as a result of relentless campaigning. The damage is the result of shaking hands. “The farmers and fireman out here sure have strong grips!” moaned the candidate as he held up the hideous maw for inspection. Much of the harm occurred at the recent Hamlin Fireman’s Carnival, “Friday night, in the beer tent, there were guys who just wouldn’t let go of my hand. I mean, I’d shake with them but they would just hang on and keep pumping my hand for what seemed like hours!” explained the distraught politician. “Usually these guys act pretty normal. You know, they shake your hand for a second or two and let it go. I don’t know what happened, it was like they were all under some kind of spell or something.”

The injury is serious. “It hurt so much on Sunday morning that I had to down to Lakeside for x-rays.” wept Martin, “They said every bone was broken and there was no hope of a return to normalcy!” “Look at this thing!” shouted the candidate as he wagged the giant, floppy mess in front of this reporter’s face, “It’s like a huge raw turkey, only sunburned!” Indeed, the monstrosity did look like a hunk of red, uncooked poultry. “I just thank God that I always drove my bulldozer with one hand, otherwise I’d be out of work,” sobbed the candidate.

The injury has not hindered Martin’s political determination however. “I will persevere!” he exclaimed too loudly, perhaps due to various painkillers. “I will go forward,” he shouted as he tried to point a gross, flopping finger into the air. Starting to giggle, and shake the horrible, fleshy lobster-like hand, he said, “I’m going to change my campaign slogan to- ‘Giving Hamlin a Helping Hand’” Mr. Martin then began laughing loudly and teetered away, ending the interview

Rebuttal

Turn the Other Cheek

Those were some pretty funny comments made by Alfred Campbell, Chairman of the Hamlin Republican Committee, in Wednesday's D&C. The story was about the energized Democrats who have shocked Republicans throughout the county by assembling a slate of candidates to run for local office here in town.

Right off the bat Campbell attacked, accusing the Dems. of putting forward candidates who hadn’t met with Republican approval!

In a previous D&C article, Democratic Town Leader Steve Klafehn had expressed the hope that local Democrats could work together with Republicans. To which Campbell said, “the slate doesn’t appear to be in keeping with Klafehn’s professed interest in having Republican leaders and Democrats work amicably together.” Apparently, Campbell believed that Steve’s words had given Republicans the right to select Democratic candidates!

Campbell then went on, trying to suggest a breach among the Dems saying, “If the Democrats put up candidates with different agendas, it might undermine what Steve is doing with the party.” It is certainly gratifying that the Republicans show such concern over the solidarity of their opposition.

However, Al is not familiar with the constitution of a typical Democratic organization. Unlike the tight lipped, lock step culture of the Hamlin Republicans, local Dems thrive on their differences. They reject stasis and blind conformity. They embrace diversity and believe that the best solutions evolve from conflicting ideas.

Also, in typical fashion, Mr. Campbell is guilty of the very thing he accuses the Dems of. Instead of nurturing an “amicable” relationship, his first comments to the media are divisive and aggressive. He has not offered an open hand or greeting. Instead of, “We welcome You!” he puts forward dark suggestions of dissent.

Perhaps that’s to be expected. Given that his own organization is embroiled in a contentious primary, it’s no wonder he sees the shadows of discord everywhere.

The Hamlin Dems are fine. They are charged up. They are unified, enthused and argumentative. They are also forgiving. They hold no grudge toward the splintered Republican party and look forward to working with its remnants after the primary.

Coming Soon!


Meeting Highlights

Monday’s Town Board was very eventful! Ed Evans put on a masterful display of “Here’s all the stuff I do. How ‘bout You?” giving a nearly endless report on all the meetings and committees he’s attended. You have to admire Ed, he does get out there. Unfortunately, it also suggests that he might dissolve into a messy “micromanager” if elected Supervisor. He’s very accustomed to being alone in the spotlight and often tries to be all things to all people.

During the Public Forum Jim Martin asked a detailed question about the costs to the town of maintaining the ESL ATM. He specifically asked the Supervisor if the electrical costs quoted in the recent newsletter at “$300" was for a day, week, month or year. Mr. Warner replied that the $300 was an annual cost for electric service. Martin questioned that, noting that there is a a fifty amp service to the machine. Warner asserted that it only costs Hamlin about $300 a year to maintain the ATM. Stay tuned.

There was a prolonged discussion about a new regulation making it easier for the town to cite and act on abandoned or overgrown properties. The town can’t just go on somebody’s property to cut the grass without first notifying the owner that they are in violation. The new regulation would speed up the process. It is another example of Hamlin being behind the times and slow to react. The issue of abandoned property has troubled the community for years without getting any legislative attention. This is because most of the properties are located in Huntington Park and local government is notorious for neglecting and spurning the residents of that development. With the upcoming primary and election there is now a selfish urgency to act. Business as usual.

There was a long and politically charged discussion on setting a public hearing date on the issue of increasing the minimum frontage for lots in RVL districts. More on this issue under its own article in a few days.

Speaking of the election, the board disclosed a horribly blatant election year stunt to garner attention for themselves- at the taxpayers expense of course. Without any prior public debate, the group revealed a plan to buy a giant LED message board to put in front of the Town Hall. This is intended to replace the existing lighted sign. It is so pitifully obvious what their plan is. Won’t it be remarkable when the “ribbon-cutting/lighting ceremony” occurs just before the election and creates a photo-op in the local papers?

This stunt is almost laughable. Only it’s not funny. The reason is COST. The town is looking at only two models of message board. One costs $7200 and the other $7700!

Pretty expensive photo-op wouldn’t you say? I wonder if any or our representatives have bothered to poll the public about whether they want to spend seven grand on a blinking sign. Hey, but why ask the public when the real point is to get “free ink” for your campaign.

The Republicans always carp about “no new taxes” yet our leaders have raised taxes three consecutive years. For what? For a flashy new sign I guess.

Casting its ballot.

Petition Denied

One of the least understood, and most distasteful, parts of the election process is “invalidating petitions.” As many people know, the path to democracy begins with prospective candidates canvassing their election area collecting signatures from registered voters. If you are a Democrat, Republican or other party, you must collect signatures from valid party members. If your party is recognized by NYS you need only collect 5% of the registered voters to qualify for the ballot. This applies to a primary as well as the general election.

After these petitions are collected they are validated at each party’s headquarters and then made available for public scrutiny. Anyone, especially an opponent, may examine the petitions in an effort to find fault and have them disqualified. If enough petitions are denied, then the candidate is booted from the election process.

Petitions are generally denied because of oversight. For example, if a witness (the person who actually collected the signatures) fails to date the document then the entire list of names on that sheet is thrown out. Obviously, the potential candidate and his/her volunteers must be diligent.

However, examination and the effort to invalidate is strictly optional! The Board of Elections does not seek to invalidate, only the opposition party or candidates. The opponent, tries to deny the voters a choice by removing a candidate on a technicality. It is a pitiful and dishonorable way of preventing democracy. It is willful, and those who do it know they are intervening in the democratic process. They do not want, "to let the voters decide.”

Hamlin has first hand experience in this matter. Six years ago the Republicans invalidated the petitions of a prospective Democratic candidate. That year there was no opposition in our local elections. No Hamlin voter had a choice. It was like a Banana Republic with only one line of local candidates. These people were delighted that they did not have to respond to an opponent and were content to deny their constituents a political choice.

Ironically, Ed Evans was a Town Board member at that time and advocated for the Republicans to invalidate the Democratic petitions. How the worm turns. Now the Republicans, lead by incumbent Austin Warner and guided by the experienced Dave Rose, are scrutinizing the petitions of challenger Ed Evans in his primary effort. If they can deny the Republican voters a primary choice they will. That shows how much they value the democratic process. Maybe it shows a little fear as well. It sure doesn’t show much class.

Hamlin Senior, James Martin (no relation to David), stands ready to break ground.


The Latest Development

There was good news for Hamlin at last night’s Planning Board meeting. A very preliminary concept was presented for a senior living development which would be built behind (east) Tops Plaza. The property, known as the Beehler/Kronenberg parcel, would be home to some 46 “townhouses” and 72 “condos.” The development would be age restrictive, with at least one home-owner 55 or older. Likely it would be managed by a homeowners association which would determine issues such as landscaping, recreational facilities, etc.

Chris Schlieter of the PB suggested the developers consider questions of access, public transportation and greenspace. The real purpose of the presentation was to measure support for the concept and gain a recommendation to seek rezoning from the Town Board. The PB supported the plan and made the recommendation.

This would be an excellent and important development for Hamlin. For many of our population there is no place to move to when they want to quit the burdens of property and maintenance. This opportunity would help keep long time residents near their families. It would also be key to attracting new services to the community. A dense population base of seniors is attractive to banks, pharmacies, restaurants and health care providers.

This is just what Hamlin needs. Let’s hope it is supported.

Beautiful Downtown Antennaville! (WDBJ-Texas)

Hallelujah!

George Kimble has seen the light. The plans to move the radio antenna targeted for Hamlin is underway! Read below, submitted by Les Wilson.
Thanks Les.

See http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=WMJQ
and
http://www.fybush.com/nerw-030609.html

As first hinted here on NERW a few months ago, there's an allocations shift
in the works for upstate NEW YORK, and it involves WMJQ (105.5 Brockport).
Right now, George Kimble's station is operating at low power with a
directional antenna from one tower of WASB (1590 Brockport), whose religious
and Spanish programming has been simulcast on the FM for a few years now. A
CP to move to a taller tower a few miles north in the town of Hamlin has
been stalled by local opposition.

Now WMJQ has a new plan: an application to move down the dial to 104.9 and
to move its transmitter site eastward, toward Rochester. From the new site
in Ogden, alongside route 531, 104.9 would use 4900 watts at 111 meters
above average terrain, which should put a much more respectable signal over
the city than 105.5 currently does.


Two interesting notes here: first, this is likely to cause a headache for
WIRQ, the class D noncomm station at Irondequoit High School that's been
bumped from 90.9 to 93.3 to 94.3 to 104.7 by new allocations, and is now
likely to be bumped again; second, the application's engineering work was
done by the chief engineer of Family Life Ministries, the fast-expanding
regional religious network in western New York...

Hey Ogden, give us a call...

Slipping Up

There was an excellent column by Mark Hare in Tuesday’s D&C. He said, “What we have in Albany is not legislative or governmental incompetence. What we have is a Banana Republic. Things don’t get done because they don’t have to get done.”
That is a precise description Hamlin’s town government too. It is perfect, and for exactly the same reasons- no competition. Without it there is no incentive for elected officials to respond to voters. Hare writes, “Legislative races are essentially noncompetitive...which means lawmakers are beholden to their leaders (who control the money), not the voters. The Speaker or majority leader can get rid of or marginalize a legislator; the voters cannot.”

That perfectly describes the situation in Hamlin. Local government is out of touch with the ordinary citizen, they are under no outside political pressure and they have grown so complacent that initiative is avoided at all costs. They ignore or exclude voters from the political process- unless faced with imminent anarchy like the Tower event.

They did “get rid of or marginalize a legislator,” remember what happened to Ed Evans?

For years, local government has only looked to, and responded to, the small inner clique which rules the Hamlin Republican Committee. Since the voters don’t matter, why shouldn’t they cater to them exclusively?

Watch out. The Republic is about to get peeled.

Where am I? Hamlin, New York.

Get Your Money and Bolt

Be prepared. The following story may be indigestible. It may make some readers gassy. A certain pun is about to be slaughtered.

Shredded. Chopped to pieces.
****

Hamlin is the Cabbage Capitol of the World. There is no doubt about it. Soon there will be a new way for local residents to get their personal cabbage.

Top’s Friendly Markets are about to do what the local government has failed at for years. Hamlin is getting a bank. A branch of Charter One will soon be blossoming inside the Lake Road store. It’s probably won’t be a branch, but a stem perhaps. Obviously, it’s won’t be a head office.

This was a business decision by mutual agreement between the bank and supermarket, just like the one between Tops and Blockbuster Video. Watch out now. Reality is about to hit the salad spinner. No doubt the Supervisor will shred the truth and boil up some story that makes the bank look like his accomplishment. Just in time for the appetizer- the Republican Primary. The truth will be wrapped up like an smelly egg roll and served to the public.

Leave it alone, don’t bite. Demographics cultivated the decision, profit is the crop. Steam from the rumor pot says that the first time the Supervisor heard about the bank was when Charter One applied for a sign permit! Any attempt to harvest the glory is so much corned beef!
****
I apologize.

Why can't we all just get along?


Dissent and Debate

The article in the D&C yesterday about the New Hamlin Democratic Committee came with a surprising dose of intrigue. Of course, dissension is a hallmark of every Democratic organization. How could it be otherwise if a group embraces diverse opinions, unlike the mute lockstep of the average Republican organization- including the Hamlin Republicans.
For some reason Steve Klafehn, the Town Leader, of the Dem Committee distanced himself from the written invitation sent out about the meeting tomorrow night at the Town Hall. Apparently, he did not agree with some of the statements in the letter. According to the D&C, it said, “Republicans have failed Hamlin.” It’s pretty hard to argue with that. Hamlin has suffered decades of inept, visionless Town Boards which manage, year after year, to do practically nothing. The Republicans don’t have a clue about suburbanization issues and their candidates are drawn from a town committee which loathes debate. The HRC is mired in petty intrigues, members gossiping behind one another’s backs while being devoid of candor and vision. Saying they have “failed” is simply a statement of fact.

Well, dissension and debate are good things in a political organization. Frank debate about points of view are what produce effective decisions. That Klafehn will publicly disagree with others in the committee is probably a good sign for Hamlin. Hopefully the Democrats will produce PUBLIC debate on a wide range of community issues- that alone is a huge advancement for our Town!

Please sign my petition.

Good Rumor

The story going around is that some people are refusing to sign the Republican nominating ballot because Austin Warner's name is on it! A nominating ballot is required to qualify each candidate as an official Republican in the election. This ballot must be trooped around town for the required number of signatures from registered Republicans. The most efficient method is to make a ballot with the names of all the sanctioned candidates on it, that is the "official" manner. In Hamlin the nominations are Warner for Supervisor, Rath and Todd for Town Board. Their names are all on the same document. It appears that Ed Evans has some friends out there. His supporters are refusing to sign the ballots if Warner's name is included. They are making the Town Board candidates produce a ballot sans Warner! Mmmm. that's tasty!

"It ain't no ferry, but the tourist'll probly like it." Developer, Dutch Wagner

Town Board Votes To Build Trolley

In a stunning development the Hamlin Town Board voted yesterday to build a "trolley" system along Lake Road. Further shocking the community, the funding will come out of the Hamlin Library budget. "We think 'this is the ticket,' if you will," said Shirley Hollink the project's sponsor. "Nobody else has a trolley and we are the home of Wheelfest you know."

"This should bring in a lot of tourist money," added George Todd who first introduced Dutch Wagner, the developer, to Hollink. Wagner, a part time welder, woodworker and maintenence man concieved of the idea one night at the Village Inn, a local "watering hole." "That SOB bartender took ma keys and I was wonderin' how ta git home," explained the dwarfish "imagineer." "I ain't callin no cab, so's I think, Dang, we need a trolley. Next day, I bang this out," he added with pride.

Others are not so positive. "It's insane," said local personalty Jim Martin when asked about the project. "Take money away from the library, which the whole town uses, so some slugabed doesn't have to stumble home? It's insane."

"I'm just concerned about cost," droned Councilman Paul Rath who voted for the project. "I'm just concerned about cost," he said agin stiffly. And again.

Councilman Ed Evan's who fought the plan vigorously, lashed out at his fellows, "They're just doing this because they felt stupid in the meeting to fund the library expansion. They didn't think it through then, and now they've lost their minds."

Supervisor Warner, who also opposed the plan, was unavailable for comment. His spokesman said he was counting lawnsigns.

Step on it Jethro! We ain't stayin' in no town with one a them fancy "libaries!"

Pride and Prejudice

If there is a single characterization of Hamlin that needs to be extinguished it’s that ours is a hick-town. Hayseed, rube, hillbilly, backwater, whatever. Hamlin’s perception in the county is not of a very high caliber. Not many people want to move to the backwater, and that affects our property values. Certain things work to defeat those labels. One of the most important is our library. As noted elsewhere (Detailed in, “What A Success,” 4/18/03) the Hamlin library has been an incredible success. A town which can boast that more than 50% of its residents hold library cards should be able to deflect the hick label.

Not so fast.

At last night’s Town Board meeting the community confronted the kind of anti-intellectualism and anti-cultural attitude that does so much harm to our reputation. The board struggled with a special request from the library for funding to expand.(Click archives, 4/18/03) It needs to expand in response to its success, and to better serve the demands of the users- the Hamlin taxpayers.

Supervisor Warner and Councilman Ed Evans, supporting Nancy Martin from the library Board of Trustees, fought a prolonged battle with the other council persons to approve the special funding. The principle opponent was Shirley Hollink who contrived to imply that the library had leadership, planning and personnel problems.

Hollink stated that the library had moved four times in four years. She presented some weird revisionist history to press her claims. She suggested that the original collection of donated books, which was temporarily stored in the Board Room of the Town Hall, was the first library location. What??? Then when this collection was moved to the old recreation building, our new town court building, this was its second move. Huh???

I hate to introduce reality here, but the fact is, there was no Hamlin Library until it received it’s New York State Charter in 2000. Whatever existed before that was not a library.

Hollink also implied that there were management problems because there had been turnover with the trustees. Ms. Martin pointed out that one had died, another had left for reasons of health and the third had quit in “a fit of pique.” To which Hollink blinked and asked, “What does that mean?” I’m pretty sure Martin considered suggesting that Hollink visit the library and look it up, but she has too much grace for that. (The turnover in other organizations is much higher. For example, the Hamlin Republican Committee has had about 10 Chairman in the last five years!)

The battle waged for what seemed like hours. The details are too many, and too agonizing, to list here. There was an unmistakable attitude on the part of councilpersons Hollink, Rath and Todd that the library was somehow bad or irresponsible for needing more money. They seemed unable to comprehend that the money was necessary to expand and expansion was required because of demand. Demand from the huge portion of the resident/taxpayer population which uses and supports the library on a regular basis. In the end, Warner and Evans carried the day (with limitations) only Hollink refused the funding. I have no idea what constituency she believes she is representing in this way

Instead of applauding and enthusiastically supporting the success of our library, three of our Town Board attacked, reproached and tortured its request. When Hamlinites look to deflect the “hick” label, we can point with pride to the growth and use of our library. But don’t let anyone see the little clique of Town Board members lounging around in their overalls “havin’ a chaw.”

Good work Mr. Warner and Mr. Evans! The Hamlin library is a great point of pride and achievement in a town starving for it. Thank you for fighting to better the community.

Welcome New Readers!

Welcome the many new visitors to this site! The purpose of it is to try to keep the residents of Hamlin informed about the activities of our local government. Town government is, in many ways, much more important in our daily lives than Federal or State rule. This is where we LIVE. Local government decides what kinds of structures can be built and where, whether businesses can be located in your neighborhood, or how close to your property a neighbor can build his house or deck or addition. The Town decides what permits you need if you want to improve your property and how much those fees will be. Local government indirectly controls the library and recreation in Hamlin.

The most important thing local government affects are your property values. If a commercial activity opens next door to you what happens to the value of your land? If the density is changed in your neighborhood, how will your parcel be affected? These are significant issues, important to every property owner in the community.

Equally important are the decisions local government makes about OUR FUTURE. Changes to the Town's Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Codes and Local Laws all have a profound, immediate effect on you, your family and your quality of life in the community while you live here. I believe that most citizens would be diligent about the decisions of local government, if only they had a means of monitoring it.

This is that way.

We strive to bring information about the activities and decisions of the Town Board as well as the Planning and Zoning Boards. We keep you up to date with the intricacies of local politics in the hope that an informed population will make informed decisions when they have the opportunity to choose.

Local government doesn't even try to communicate. For example, the current newsletter is the first one in 18 months and most insiders recognize it as the Town Supervisor's attempt to promote himself in the upcoming primary run off. Where else will you get that kind of news?

Please bookmark this page and return once or twice a week. Please don't hesitate to write to us either. We personally respond to every letter and your confidentiality is always protected.

If you would like to read our Archives click on a date in the list on the left side of the page or click on any day in the calendar on the right to see news from that day (Note we do not post news every day, but almost!)

Share this website with your neighbors, discuss the issues and, I hope, have a laugh once in a while!

Thanks,
Peter Tonery
Editor

Ms. B. we spoke after the Planning Board. I can't find you're e-mail address. Would you write again. Thanks for going to the meeting. I'd like to get the full story. I aplogize for rushing, but I was trying to catch some of the Board members before they left.
PT
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Not too sharp!


Such A Deal!

If I were Supervisor Warner I wouldn't brag too much about the Town's ATM, as he did in the Town newsletter. As noted below, he didn't even recognize it as a revenue source until Jim Martin cowed him into contacting ESL. Then, he didn't negociate for past revenues, using the lame excuse that, "we are the only Town in the County to have an ATM," (sic) meaning, I guess, that the model for revenue sharing used by businesses with ATM's wasn't applicable to Hamlin.

But the real dull witted part of the deal is that Hamlin's revenues are tied to the Consumer Price Index! What does the CPI have to do with anything in this matter? The banks don't charge users a variable rate for using an ATM, it's always fixed. Why should Hamlin's sponsorship fee be based upon anything but usage? Why should Hamlin's fees be any different from those collected by Tops or Bob's or any other outlet?

The answer is stupid suppositions and poor negotiating. When Warner was making this deal he supposed that providing an ATM was an act of generosity on the part of the Town and ESL. He imagined that he was "providing a service" to the residents and that it was an inconvenience to a bank to install an ATM. It was the Santa Syndrome raging out of control.

ATM's are huge profit centers for both banks and the property owners. If Warner had been sharp enough to do a little homework in advance he could have made a much better deal for the residents. It is a measure of how profitable these machines are, that they have cropped up everywhere, in every podunk mom and pop store to giant retailers, everybody is making money on them. And, they're all making more than Hamlin.

The bottom line is: We need to watch out when the Supervisor tries to cut a deal.

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For a complete explanation of the CPI go to: www.bls.gov/cpi/cpi1998g.pdf

Let's give it a shake!

The Birdcage

Years ago I heard a great analogy for how Kodak did it's management restructuring. It was described as "Shaking the Cage." It held that all the company ever did was pick up the cage holding all the top executives, give it a good shake and wherever the "birds" landed became the new pecking order. Same old birds, just new perches.

Hamlin politics seems a lot like that. Warner, Rose, Evans and let's not forget Rath (There's been a Rath in local government continuously for probably 50 years!). All the local Republican Party seems able to do is shake the cage, and we get the same old birds.

The world around us is changing fast, isn't it nice to know some things stay the same.

******************
Praise goes to Mark Reeves, Craig Goodrich and others who recently advocated for holding "Open Forum" meetings for the Comprehensive Plan/Zoning Code Committee meetings. They recognize that there is nothing to fear from creating public policy in front of the public. Unfortunately for Hamlin, their proposal was voted down. The actual vote, and the names of the people who voted against open meetings, did not make it to the bland and perfunctory minutes which are "published" on the Hamlin website (hamlinny.org.) I still ask: What about the Majority of residents who don't use the Internet? How do they have access to this information?

**********************
Praise too to Shirley Hollink for reprising the Hamlin newsletter. It's a start. Reading it, one can see the Supervisor had a heavy hand in the content. There are accolades for old news ( the Court Building) and another whitewash of the ATM and it's revenues. (No resident should ever forget that it was on the urging of one citizen, Jim Martin, that made these revenues possible. He, and he alone, reproached and prodded the Supervisor into asking for some of the profits from the bank. For the prior years it had cost the taxpayers money! Unfortunately, Martin couldn't bully the Supervisor into making ESL come up with some revenues for the past.)

Despite these, the newsletter looks nice, much more modern than the childish "Hamlin Post," and thank goodness, those stupid informational "tidbits" have been dropped. We could all use a little more content. The town shouldn't be afraid to repeat the truth. Tell us about the lawsuits, the problems in the Planning and Zoning Boards, even a little political gossip would be good.

Wait a minute- that what we do here!

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Isn't it interesting that the newsletter makes its appearance just before the primary election that Ed Evans is forcing with Supervisor Warner? The newsletter is clearly Warner's fluffy little propaganda piece. He was initially elected with a promise to "communicate with the public." He never did. He has increasingly hidden from public scrutiny. His meager accomplishments are largely do to the efforts of others, and he has taken credit for things he didn't do or was actually opposed to.

Didn't the county Republicans get in trouble for using tax dollars to promote their candidates? Warner must have seen an opportunity.

Ed's Dream


Good News, Bad News

Today is the day Ed Evans begins his challenge to Austin Warner. Evans has begun soliciting signatures from local Republicans to force a primary for the Supervisor's seat. There is little doubt that he'll get the necessary 250 signatures.

It should be interesting to see how things shake out. At last the whole communitiy will be able to see who supports who. In the little world of Hamlin politics, there is much intrigue. Many individuals on the Republican Committee will not acknowledge who or what they support. Then, if you manage to drag it out of them, the commitment is half hearted and vague- all the easier to backtrack on later.

Keep reading. We'll do our best to keep you informed. Knowing Hamlin's cultural distaste for discussion, confrontation and openess it can sometimes be hard to get details. Don't expect any debates, or letters to the Editor, or speeches, or public campaigning. This is all done quietly, behind closed doors.

The good news is the bad news: the same old sliver of Hamlin's population will enjoy political choice, while the majority, the 53 per cent of registered voters, will not.