"NOT A RESIDENT."
Breslawski likely to be removed as Board of Elections rules he is not a Hamlin resident; Cite his refusal to take oath as cause!
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Sunday, January 16, 2005
Democracy Fails in Hamlin- Again
On Jan. 3, the Hamlin Town Board appointed Ms. Mary Hueser as Deputy Town Supervisor. Ms. Hueser is well know and liked throughout the community. As Deputy Supervisor she would have all the power and authority of the Supervisor in the event that Austin Warner fell ill or was incapacitated. Ms. Hueser would be able to write checks, sponsor and write legislation, and amend the Town budget, among other things. She would enjoy full “command and control” over Hamlin.
There is only one problem. Ms. Hueser has never recieved one single vote from any Hamlin resident for any political office! If Supervisor Warner was unable to perform, a person who has never been elected to any office would assume political control of the town. This is not democratic. It is very poor practice.
Every other town prohibits such an appointment! Everywhere but Hamlin, the Deputy must be a person who has been elected, and usually, it must be a member of the Town Board. This only makes sense. A person who is “a heartbeat away” from the most powerful position in the community ought to at least have gotten some votes from the public.
Where are Hamlin’s mainstream Republicans? This appointment is another, glaring example of the Good-Ole-Boy network which controls the town. Our elected officials seem concerned only about promoting and protecting a small circle of friends. Only members of this in-crowd are permitted to reach public office. Is the average Republican satisfied with this situation? Republicans didn’t vote for Ms. Hueser either! Isn’t it time for the average, indifferent Republican to pick up a pen or phone and contact the Town Board? Legislators and chief executives should be elected, not appointed.
That’s what democracy means.
On Jan. 3, the Hamlin Town Board appointed Ms. Mary Hueser as Deputy Town Supervisor. Ms. Hueser is well know and liked throughout the community. As Deputy Supervisor she would have all the power and authority of the Supervisor in the event that Austin Warner fell ill or was incapacitated. Ms. Hueser would be able to write checks, sponsor and write legislation, and amend the Town budget, among other things. She would enjoy full “command and control” over Hamlin.
There is only one problem. Ms. Hueser has never recieved one single vote from any Hamlin resident for any political office! If Supervisor Warner was unable to perform, a person who has never been elected to any office would assume political control of the town. This is not democratic. It is very poor practice.
Every other town prohibits such an appointment! Everywhere but Hamlin, the Deputy must be a person who has been elected, and usually, it must be a member of the Town Board. This only makes sense. A person who is “a heartbeat away” from the most powerful position in the community ought to at least have gotten some votes from the public.
Where are Hamlin’s mainstream Republicans? This appointment is another, glaring example of the Good-Ole-Boy network which controls the town. Our elected officials seem concerned only about promoting and protecting a small circle of friends. Only members of this in-crowd are permitted to reach public office. Is the average Republican satisfied with this situation? Republicans didn’t vote for Ms. Hueser either! Isn’t it time for the average, indifferent Republican to pick up a pen or phone and contact the Town Board? Legislators and chief executives should be elected, not appointed.
That’s what democracy means.
Thursday, January 13, 2005
What will they do?
At the Planning Board meeting on Jan. 3 members were urged by the public to apply conditions to the new gas station planned for Tops Plaza. The PB must issue a Special Use Permit and is entitled to apply reasonable conditions on the construction and operations of a business requiring one.
Steve Truelson, owner of Bob’s Grocery and gas station, spoke about the impact this will have on his business. He pointed out that the parent company to Tops is in Denmark while he lives and works here in Hamlin. He stated that the Tops parent company was worth billions of dollars and if they start a price war at least one of the local gas stations would likely close. He estimated that each of the nearby gas stations will lose revenues of between 25 to 50 %! He asked the PB how the loss of a locally owned and operated business would be good for competition.
Several neighbors expressed concerns about an increase in traffic, noise, and odors from gas fumes. They also voiced concerns about foot traffic across their property and the littering that goes with it. Other neighbors were very concerned about the additional lighting and the overall aesthetic effect this fuel station will have on the community. John Picard of Lake Road asked how the Planning Board saw fit to permit another gas station while there are already three within a thousand feet of Tops. He wondered how this idea could fit into any reasonable concept of a town's "Comprehensive Plan."
Not surprisingly, the PB sat motionless and unmoved by the public’s concerns. Several PB members undertook to claim that the situation wasn’t their fault and that the PB was powerless to do anything about the situation. Like the Zoning Board, which rubber-stamped five variances for the project, the PB fully intended to whisk this SUP through untouched. The Zoning Board had told the public that the Planning Board would fix the situation and the PB turned around and claimed they "couldn’t do anything" once the Zoning had acted!
This is wrong. The PB has almost unlimited authority to apply conditions to a SUP and effect solutions for the neighborhood. However, to do that the PB would need to be creative, proactive and genuinely concerned about the impact the business will have on the neighborhood. They are not.
Instead, inventive and practical ideas came from the public. More and better landscaping to screen the business and deter foot traffic was suggested. Also, limiting the Top’s signage and hours of operation to "level the playing field" for Hamlin’s local businesses. All these ideas flowed from the citizens.
Peter Tonery admonished the PB members for their failure to provide solutions. He said that they knew ways to solve problems but didn’t try very hard. He said it was dishonest of them to say they "couldn’t do anything" when they were granting a SUP. He said the board failed the community by not "publicly advocating for change." He pointed out that virtually the entire west side of Lake Road was zoned commercial and this type of problem was bound to continue. He challenged them to work for change.
As a result of the demands of the public the PB took the unusual step of tabling the matter and setting a workshop to explore solutions. The blog will continue to watch and report the progress of their efforts.
The workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 25 at 7:30 PM in the Town Hall.
Breslawski Gets Reprieve
PB Chairman James Breslawski was granted a reprieve of sorts by the Town Board. Breslawski, is not permitted to serve on Hamlin’s Planning Board since he resides in Clarkson. His voter registration, which states that he lives in Hamlin, has recently been challenged with the Monroe County Board of Elections. The TB, apparently growing uncomfortable with the situation went into Executive Session at their organizational meeting on Jan . 3 (This was, once again, an illegal act in violation of the NYS Open Meeting Law, but the Hamlin TB routinely violates the statute.) Upon returning to an open meeting Councilman Paul Rath read a resolution which will permit Breslawski to keep his position "until a replacement is named by the TB." However, the TB, probably at the insistence of Councilwoman Shirely Hollink, conditioned the resolution saying, "Pending a decision on residency by the Monroe County Board of Elections."
The implication is that if the Board of Elections determines that Breslawski is not legally registered in Hamlin he will be replaced. That is the suggestion, but who knows. These "Law and Order" Warner-Republicans violate rules and regulations so often that residents can never take their word on anything. Supervisor Warner seems willing to move Hamlin and earth to keep Breslawski in power, apparently simply for financial support to his campaign. Well, that is the way of Good-Ole-Boy government.
The citizens of Hamlin deserve better. A lot better.
At the Planning Board meeting on Jan. 3 members were urged by the public to apply conditions to the new gas station planned for Tops Plaza. The PB must issue a Special Use Permit and is entitled to apply reasonable conditions on the construction and operations of a business requiring one.
Steve Truelson, owner of Bob’s Grocery and gas station, spoke about the impact this will have on his business. He pointed out that the parent company to Tops is in Denmark while he lives and works here in Hamlin. He stated that the Tops parent company was worth billions of dollars and if they start a price war at least one of the local gas stations would likely close. He estimated that each of the nearby gas stations will lose revenues of between 25 to 50 %! He asked the PB how the loss of a locally owned and operated business would be good for competition.
Several neighbors expressed concerns about an increase in traffic, noise, and odors from gas fumes. They also voiced concerns about foot traffic across their property and the littering that goes with it. Other neighbors were very concerned about the additional lighting and the overall aesthetic effect this fuel station will have on the community. John Picard of Lake Road asked how the Planning Board saw fit to permit another gas station while there are already three within a thousand feet of Tops. He wondered how this idea could fit into any reasonable concept of a town's "Comprehensive Plan."
Not surprisingly, the PB sat motionless and unmoved by the public’s concerns. Several PB members undertook to claim that the situation wasn’t their fault and that the PB was powerless to do anything about the situation. Like the Zoning Board, which rubber-stamped five variances for the project, the PB fully intended to whisk this SUP through untouched. The Zoning Board had told the public that the Planning Board would fix the situation and the PB turned around and claimed they "couldn’t do anything" once the Zoning had acted!
This is wrong. The PB has almost unlimited authority to apply conditions to a SUP and effect solutions for the neighborhood. However, to do that the PB would need to be creative, proactive and genuinely concerned about the impact the business will have on the neighborhood. They are not.
Instead, inventive and practical ideas came from the public. More and better landscaping to screen the business and deter foot traffic was suggested. Also, limiting the Top’s signage and hours of operation to "level the playing field" for Hamlin’s local businesses. All these ideas flowed from the citizens.
Peter Tonery admonished the PB members for their failure to provide solutions. He said that they knew ways to solve problems but didn’t try very hard. He said it was dishonest of them to say they "couldn’t do anything" when they were granting a SUP. He said the board failed the community by not "publicly advocating for change." He pointed out that virtually the entire west side of Lake Road was zoned commercial and this type of problem was bound to continue. He challenged them to work for change.
As a result of the demands of the public the PB took the unusual step of tabling the matter and setting a workshop to explore solutions. The blog will continue to watch and report the progress of their efforts.
The workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 25 at 7:30 PM in the Town Hall.
Breslawski Gets Reprieve
PB Chairman James Breslawski was granted a reprieve of sorts by the Town Board. Breslawski, is not permitted to serve on Hamlin’s Planning Board since he resides in Clarkson. His voter registration, which states that he lives in Hamlin, has recently been challenged with the Monroe County Board of Elections. The TB, apparently growing uncomfortable with the situation went into Executive Session at their organizational meeting on Jan . 3 (This was, once again, an illegal act in violation of the NYS Open Meeting Law, but the Hamlin TB routinely violates the statute.) Upon returning to an open meeting Councilman Paul Rath read a resolution which will permit Breslawski to keep his position "until a replacement is named by the TB." However, the TB, probably at the insistence of Councilwoman Shirely Hollink, conditioned the resolution saying, "Pending a decision on residency by the Monroe County Board of Elections."
The implication is that if the Board of Elections determines that Breslawski is not legally registered in Hamlin he will be replaced. That is the suggestion, but who knows. These "Law and Order" Warner-Republicans violate rules and regulations so often that residents can never take their word on anything. Supervisor Warner seems willing to move Hamlin and earth to keep Breslawski in power, apparently simply for financial support to his campaign. Well, that is the way of Good-Ole-Boy government.
The citizens of Hamlin deserve better. A lot better.
Friday, December 31, 2004
Baleful Breslawski?
It seems unlawful Planning Board Chairman James Breslawski has been huddling up with Town Big-Shots lately, maybe to finally take stock of his legal situation. Meetings, up to three hours long, involving Breslawski and Supervisor Warner and Breslawski and Zoning Board boss Norman Baas have been held. These "skull sessions" can only mean one thing- everybody is running scared! Breslawski might have had the good sense to talk to a private attorney about the reality of his legal status. As The Blog and Brockport Post have reported, Breslawski lives in Clarkson yet has registered to vote in Hamlin! In fact, he hasn’t lived in Hamlin for more than a decade! He registered in Hamlin to promote and protect his business interests. Breslawski owns a agricultural production company which controls thousands of acres in Hamlin. Being Chairman of the Planning Board gives him a huge competitive advantage over other farmers. It also enables him to foresee, and possibly control, the direction of growth in town. However, state law says that people have to register to vote where they live, NOT where their business is located. No doubt being Chairman of Hamlin’s Planning Board is good for Breslawski’s business, but the bottom line is that voter fraud is a felony!
But why should Supervisor Warner be so upset? There are several reasons. First, as he has done so often to others, Warner has mislead Breslawski about the seriousness of the situation. Years ago the Supervisor directed the town attorney to provide a letter which intentionally minimized the legal situation regarding Breslawski’s voter registration. Warner has had years to correct the information, but he didn't. Warner maintained the deceit because he needs Breslawski too much! Breslawski is not only the Planning Board Chairman, he is also Austin Warner’s biggest campaign contributor! The appearance of a payoff is unmistakable. Breslawski receives a position which benefits his ag business and in exchange Warner gets a loyal, generous donor for his reelection. Quid pro quo, it’s called; you scratch my back....
But what scares Warner just as much as losing his financier is losing Breslawski from the Planning Board. Because Breslawski has such an enormous personal interest in the operations of the Board he is one of it’s most active members! This is not saying much, mind you. Hamlin’s Planning Board is one of the most complacent and careless in the County. This is the group who fumbled the Bower dog kennel; the bunch who insulted the entire community by staging a one-way "public hearing" for the DeMarco Millstone subdivision; the crew who has botched the Tops gas station. This board has stalled the essential Senior Housing project while almost instantly permitting small businesses to pop up in the middle of neighborhoods where residents don’t want them. The Hamlin Planning Board stumbles with good projects and promotes the bad, almost always in direct contrast to the will of the public. There are only two guys who know or do anything on the Planning Board and Breslawski is one. If he quits, as he will have to once he acknowledges his true residency, the Planning Board will be hopeless.
That’s why Warner is scared.
But it probably won’t be enough to keep Breslawski from bailing.
It seems unlawful Planning Board Chairman James Breslawski has been huddling up with Town Big-Shots lately, maybe to finally take stock of his legal situation. Meetings, up to three hours long, involving Breslawski and Supervisor Warner and Breslawski and Zoning Board boss Norman Baas have been held. These "skull sessions" can only mean one thing- everybody is running scared! Breslawski might have had the good sense to talk to a private attorney about the reality of his legal status. As The Blog and Brockport Post have reported, Breslawski lives in Clarkson yet has registered to vote in Hamlin! In fact, he hasn’t lived in Hamlin for more than a decade! He registered in Hamlin to promote and protect his business interests. Breslawski owns a agricultural production company which controls thousands of acres in Hamlin. Being Chairman of the Planning Board gives him a huge competitive advantage over other farmers. It also enables him to foresee, and possibly control, the direction of growth in town. However, state law says that people have to register to vote where they live, NOT where their business is located. No doubt being Chairman of Hamlin’s Planning Board is good for Breslawski’s business, but the bottom line is that voter fraud is a felony!
But why should Supervisor Warner be so upset? There are several reasons. First, as he has done so often to others, Warner has mislead Breslawski about the seriousness of the situation. Years ago the Supervisor directed the town attorney to provide a letter which intentionally minimized the legal situation regarding Breslawski’s voter registration. Warner has had years to correct the information, but he didn't. Warner maintained the deceit because he needs Breslawski too much! Breslawski is not only the Planning Board Chairman, he is also Austin Warner’s biggest campaign contributor! The appearance of a payoff is unmistakable. Breslawski receives a position which benefits his ag business and in exchange Warner gets a loyal, generous donor for his reelection. Quid pro quo, it’s called; you scratch my back....
But what scares Warner just as much as losing his financier is losing Breslawski from the Planning Board. Because Breslawski has such an enormous personal interest in the operations of the Board he is one of it’s most active members! This is not saying much, mind you. Hamlin’s Planning Board is one of the most complacent and careless in the County. This is the group who fumbled the Bower dog kennel; the bunch who insulted the entire community by staging a one-way "public hearing" for the DeMarco Millstone subdivision; the crew who has botched the Tops gas station. This board has stalled the essential Senior Housing project while almost instantly permitting small businesses to pop up in the middle of neighborhoods where residents don’t want them. The Hamlin Planning Board stumbles with good projects and promotes the bad, almost always in direct contrast to the will of the public. There are only two guys who know or do anything on the Planning Board and Breslawski is one. If he quits, as he will have to once he acknowledges his true residency, the Planning Board will be hopeless.
That’s why Warner is scared.
But it probably won’t be enough to keep Breslawski from bailing.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
NEWSFLASH: Good-Ole-Boys Smack Down Innocent Girl!
The Hamlin Town Board met today in "Special Session" to fire Cindy Olds the Assistant Building Inspector and Clerk to the support boards!
Olds, who was well liked in the community and by local builders, was let go in the continuing aftermath of the Larry Gursslin firing fiasco of last year. Olds was perceived by Boss Warner as too "independent." Translation: She wouldn’t do something he told her to. Probably it was something wrong or illegal. Refusing Boss Warner will get you kicked out, every time.
No word yet on whether Olds will also sue the Town for wrongful dissmissal.
Correction: The TB didn’t "fire" her, they passed a resolution to "not reappoint" her.
Your tax dollars at work. Secretly, or at least below the radar, but at work! Happy New Year!
The Hamlin Town Board met today in "Special Session" to fire Cindy Olds the Assistant Building Inspector and Clerk to the support boards!
Olds, who was well liked in the community and by local builders, was let go in the continuing aftermath of the Larry Gursslin firing fiasco of last year. Olds was perceived by Boss Warner as too "independent." Translation: She wouldn’t do something he told her to. Probably it was something wrong or illegal. Refusing Boss Warner will get you kicked out, every time.
No word yet on whether Olds will also sue the Town for wrongful dissmissal.
Correction: The TB didn’t "fire" her, they passed a resolution to "not reappoint" her.
Your tax dollars at work. Secretly, or at least below the radar, but at work! Happy New Year!
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Zoning and Planning Fail Again
What does the public believe is the most serious threat to Hamlin?
Development- continued, commercial and residential growth.
How has local government responded to increasing development? With welcome arms! As fast as a proposal is presented, the support boards rush to approve them.
A case in point is the recent application by Tops Markets to put up a gas station in front of it’s store. The plan required environmental approval from the Planning Board and several variances from the Zoning Board. The SEQR review flew through without even a public hearing offered to the public. The Zoning Board hosted a hearing, as required by law, but then discarded all citizen complaints and concerns.
Two main issues were presented to the ZBA. The first need: How would another gas station impact the existing service stations and how three gas stations within 1000 feet of one another would effect the appearance and character of the community. The second issue was environmental impact. Citizens wanted to know how this station would look, how smelly, noisy and bright it would be, and how much new traffic would be generated.
How where the public’s concerns were handled? The ZBA took, at face value, virtually every reply offered by the Tops planners to citizen objections. Not much questioning, very little challenge. Of course, they gave Tops everything it asked for.
The process was similar to the infamous DeMarco, "Millstone" proposal. The public raised their concerns, the support Boards facilitated the developer, and the developer was allowed to "answer" the citizens without challenge or debate.
In Hamlin, despite overwhelming popular sentiment, all Town boards are naively infatuated with development. Some board members feel powerful when dealing with "big-time" developers, others hold a radical "business is good" philosophy which prohibits any challenge to any proposal.
Whatever their motives, they are bad for Hamlin.
Local government is hopelessly lost when the public says that they want to preserve the town’s "rural heritage." Elected and appointed officials have no clue what the residents mean, or want.
Supervisor Warner’s claim to be developing a Comprehensive Plan is an empty, failed promise. The ZBA Chairman steadfastly refuses to read outside of monthly meetings! He admonishes applicants for not being efficient and then, in the next breath, announces that he didn’t bother to bring his records to the meeting! This Chairman refuses to go to training, doesn't know or understand the Code Book and relentlessly promotes his own agenda for growth, an agenda which is twenty five years out of date!
The Planning Board is chaired by a man who is not even a resident of Hamlin! Mr. James Breslawski lives in Clarkson and every meeting he chairs violates state. The Town Board supports him because he is a "taxpayer" and "large landowner." Is that sufficient reason to permit a non-resident to be in charge of our town’s planning? This man is partner in a company which owns thousands of acres of land in Hamlin, yet fails to recuse himself from hearings on projects potentially effecting those lands.
* The Chairman of the Zoning Board won’t read or go to training.
* The Chairman of the Planning Board lives in another town. He owns thousands of acres of land. He is in charge of the direction of development.
* The Supervisor is under the corporate philosophical delusion that commercial development lowers taxes. He refuses to read or go to training as well.
The Town Board, Planning Board and Zoning Board all oppose the creation of an Architectural Review Committee which would have authority to block projects that make Hamlin look ugly and overdeveloped. For example, the Dollar General building or the new Tops gas station signs and kiosk.
The residents can answer surveys until hell freezes over, but unless and until there is a local government which understands the issues of development, nothing will change.
What does the public believe is the most serious threat to Hamlin?
Development- continued, commercial and residential growth.
How has local government responded to increasing development? With welcome arms! As fast as a proposal is presented, the support boards rush to approve them.
A case in point is the recent application by Tops Markets to put up a gas station in front of it’s store. The plan required environmental approval from the Planning Board and several variances from the Zoning Board. The SEQR review flew through without even a public hearing offered to the public. The Zoning Board hosted a hearing, as required by law, but then discarded all citizen complaints and concerns.
Two main issues were presented to the ZBA. The first need: How would another gas station impact the existing service stations and how three gas stations within 1000 feet of one another would effect the appearance and character of the community. The second issue was environmental impact. Citizens wanted to know how this station would look, how smelly, noisy and bright it would be, and how much new traffic would be generated.
How where the public’s concerns were handled? The ZBA took, at face value, virtually every reply offered by the Tops planners to citizen objections. Not much questioning, very little challenge. Of course, they gave Tops everything it asked for.
The process was similar to the infamous DeMarco, "Millstone" proposal. The public raised their concerns, the support Boards facilitated the developer, and the developer was allowed to "answer" the citizens without challenge or debate.
In Hamlin, despite overwhelming popular sentiment, all Town boards are naively infatuated with development. Some board members feel powerful when dealing with "big-time" developers, others hold a radical "business is good" philosophy which prohibits any challenge to any proposal.
Whatever their motives, they are bad for Hamlin.
Local government is hopelessly lost when the public says that they want to preserve the town’s "rural heritage." Elected and appointed officials have no clue what the residents mean, or want.
Supervisor Warner’s claim to be developing a Comprehensive Plan is an empty, failed promise. The ZBA Chairman steadfastly refuses to read outside of monthly meetings! He admonishes applicants for not being efficient and then, in the next breath, announces that he didn’t bother to bring his records to the meeting! This Chairman refuses to go to training, doesn't know or understand the Code Book and relentlessly promotes his own agenda for growth, an agenda which is twenty five years out of date!
The Planning Board is chaired by a man who is not even a resident of Hamlin! Mr. James Breslawski lives in Clarkson and every meeting he chairs violates state. The Town Board supports him because he is a "taxpayer" and "large landowner." Is that sufficient reason to permit a non-resident to be in charge of our town’s planning? This man is partner in a company which owns thousands of acres of land in Hamlin, yet fails to recuse himself from hearings on projects potentially effecting those lands.
* The Chairman of the Zoning Board won’t read or go to training.
* The Chairman of the Planning Board lives in another town. He owns thousands of acres of land. He is in charge of the direction of development.
* The Supervisor is under the corporate philosophical delusion that commercial development lowers taxes. He refuses to read or go to training as well.
The Town Board, Planning Board and Zoning Board all oppose the creation of an Architectural Review Committee which would have authority to block projects that make Hamlin look ugly and overdeveloped. For example, the Dollar General building or the new Tops gas station signs and kiosk.
The residents can answer surveys until hell freezes over, but unless and until there is a local government which understands the issues of development, nothing will change.
Saturday, December 18, 2004
It seems that Nixon-style paranoia continues to pervade the Hamlin Town Hall. Supervisor Warner, desperate to keep his errors, missteps, incompetencies and illegal actions out of the public eye, has again gone on a "security" rampage accosting virtually every employee in the building to make sure they don’t "talk to Tonery!"
Town workers all know that Warner’s highly advertised "Anger Management" counseling was largely a smokescreen- or else a total failure. In the words of one, Warner still "loses it" with regularity. By far the best, and funniest, instance is the recent confrontation between Warner and Councilman Paul Rath.
Apparently, Rath was attempting to have a discussion with the Supervisor on some aspect of the budget. As town insiders know, Warner, who is responsible for producing a Town budget, does not understand much about them. The Supervisor, challenged by simple arithmetic, has "secretly"turned the entire job over to his secretary, Patricia MacIntosh. During budget hearings, and in communications with the media, it is Ms. MacIntosh who answers and explains. (The Blog urges the public to confirm this: Obtain a copy of the budget and then question the Supervisor about some element- he will be unable to explain anything about it!) Rath, on the other hand, is a professional number-cruncher, a CPA in fact. Rath’s facility and mastery of the budgeting process is no doubt the source of Warner’s animosity.
The story has it that acrimony arose as the discussion progressed. When the Supervisor was inevitably bettered by the educated Rath, Warner switched gears, returning to more comfortable territory- he attacked Rath personally! Warner accused Rath of being a traitor and claimed he was the inside snitch to political gadfly Peter Tonery. As his blood boiled, Warner dug down deeply, searching for the worst, most hurtful, diabolical curse he could find. Finally he had it, "You are a DEMOCRAT!" he raged at the withering Rath.
How horrible! What slander! Why, can there be a worse thing to call someone in Hamlin? Can the relationship between Mr. Rath and Mr. Warner ever be repaired after such a scathing assault?
The BLOG contacted Mr. Tonery for his reaction to the story. "Oh yes, Paul and I talk all the time!" he said, "At least once a week. I call him at his office so we can talk politics without fear of spies. We have lunch together probably once a month." Asked how the two had patched up their differences Tonery offered, "Do you mean when Paul had me charged with a misdemenor for the red light on my ‘No Radio Tower’ sculpture, and then I turned him in for that ugly NY Yankees logo on his barn? Oh, we shook hands and buried that hatchet long ago. That was just politics." "Why, only last month, we spent a week together hunting down in Pennsylvania!" he exclaimed. "Paul and I see eye to eye on many problems regarding Hamlin’s future. He, better then most councilpersons, knows about the dilemmas that growth and development present to the community. We agree on many, many issues."
But is Rath the "Spy" Warner accused him of being? Tonery said, "Oh, no. Not really. I talk to lots of people in Town government. People call me on the phone all the time, we chat in the store, they send me email. Nearly everyone who works for the town is intimidated by Warner’s scare tactics, at the same time they are determined that the public learn the truth about his behavior. You wouldn’t believe the contacts I’ve had on this Breslawski thing, for example. Warner would be shocked to know who has called me to express their support!" Tonery was referring to his effort to oust the Chairman of Planning Board because he is not a resident of Hamlin, a clear violation of NY State law. "I’ve even had members of the Planning Board talk to me about it!" he added.
Town workers all know that Warner’s highly advertised "Anger Management" counseling was largely a smokescreen- or else a total failure. In the words of one, Warner still "loses it" with regularity. By far the best, and funniest, instance is the recent confrontation between Warner and Councilman Paul Rath.
Apparently, Rath was attempting to have a discussion with the Supervisor on some aspect of the budget. As town insiders know, Warner, who is responsible for producing a Town budget, does not understand much about them. The Supervisor, challenged by simple arithmetic, has "secretly"turned the entire job over to his secretary, Patricia MacIntosh. During budget hearings, and in communications with the media, it is Ms. MacIntosh who answers and explains. (The Blog urges the public to confirm this: Obtain a copy of the budget and then question the Supervisor about some element- he will be unable to explain anything about it!) Rath, on the other hand, is a professional number-cruncher, a CPA in fact. Rath’s facility and mastery of the budgeting process is no doubt the source of Warner’s animosity.
The story has it that acrimony arose as the discussion progressed. When the Supervisor was inevitably bettered by the educated Rath, Warner switched gears, returning to more comfortable territory- he attacked Rath personally! Warner accused Rath of being a traitor and claimed he was the inside snitch to political gadfly Peter Tonery. As his blood boiled, Warner dug down deeply, searching for the worst, most hurtful, diabolical curse he could find. Finally he had it, "You are a DEMOCRAT!" he raged at the withering Rath.
How horrible! What slander! Why, can there be a worse thing to call someone in Hamlin? Can the relationship between Mr. Rath and Mr. Warner ever be repaired after such a scathing assault?
The BLOG contacted Mr. Tonery for his reaction to the story. "Oh yes, Paul and I talk all the time!" he said, "At least once a week. I call him at his office so we can talk politics without fear of spies. We have lunch together probably once a month." Asked how the two had patched up their differences Tonery offered, "Do you mean when Paul had me charged with a misdemenor for the red light on my ‘No Radio Tower’ sculpture, and then I turned him in for that ugly NY Yankees logo on his barn? Oh, we shook hands and buried that hatchet long ago. That was just politics." "Why, only last month, we spent a week together hunting down in Pennsylvania!" he exclaimed. "Paul and I see eye to eye on many problems regarding Hamlin’s future. He, better then most councilpersons, knows about the dilemmas that growth and development present to the community. We agree on many, many issues."
But is Rath the "Spy" Warner accused him of being? Tonery said, "Oh, no. Not really. I talk to lots of people in Town government. People call me on the phone all the time, we chat in the store, they send me email. Nearly everyone who works for the town is intimidated by Warner’s scare tactics, at the same time they are determined that the public learn the truth about his behavior. You wouldn’t believe the contacts I’ve had on this Breslawski thing, for example. Warner would be shocked to know who has called me to express their support!" Tonery was referring to his effort to oust the Chairman of Planning Board because he is not a resident of Hamlin, a clear violation of NY State law. "I’ve even had members of the Planning Board talk to me about it!" he added.
It seems that Nixon-style paranoia continues to pervade the Hamlin Town Hall. Supervisor Warner, desperate to keep his errors, missteps, incompetencies and illegal actions out of the public eye, has again gone on a "security" rampage accosting virtually every employee in the building to make sure they don’t "talk to Tonery!"
Town workers all know that Warner’s highly advertised "Anger Management" counseling was largely a smokescreen or else a total failure. In the words of one, Warner still "loses it" with regularity. By far the best, and funniest, instance is the recent confrontation between Warner and Councilman Paul Rath.
Apparently Rath was attempting to have a discussion with the Supervisor on some aspect of the budget. As town insiders know, Warner, despite have responsibility for producing a Town budget, does not understand anything them. Warner can barely do simple arithmetic and has "secretly"turned the entire job over to his secretary, Patricia MacIntosh. During budget hearings, and in communications with the media, it is Ms MacIntosh who answers and explains. (The Blog urges the public to confirm this: Obtain a copy of the budget and then question the Supervisor about some element- he will be totally unable to explain anything about it!) Rath, on the other hand, is a professional number-cruncher, a CPA in fact. Rath’s skill is no doubt the source of Warner’s animosity.
The story goes that the acrimony rose as the discussion continued. When the Supervisor was inevitably bettered by the educated Rath, Warner switched gears, moving back to more comfortable territory- he attacked Rath personally and politically! Warner accused Rath of being a traitor and claimed he was the inside snitch to Tonery. As his blood boiled, Warner dug down deeply, searching for the worst, most hurtful, diabolical curse he could find. Finally he had it, "You are a DEMOCRAT!" he raged at the withering Rath.
How horrible! What slander! Why, can there be a worse thing to call someone in Hamlin? Can the relationship between Mr. Rath and Mr. Warner EVER be repaired after such a scathing assault?
The BLOG contacted Mr. Tonery for his reaction. "Oh yes, Paul and I talk all the time!" he said, "At least once a week. I call him at his office so we can talk politics without fear of spies. We have lunch together about once a month." Asked how the two had patched up there differences Tonery offered, "Do you mean when Paul turned me in to the Building Inspector because I had a light on my ‘No Radio Tower’ sign, then I turned him in for that ugly NY Yankee logo on his barn? Oh, we shook hands and buried that hatchet long ago. That was just politics." "Why, just last month, we spent a week together hunting down in Pennsylvania!" he added. "Paul and I see eye to eye on many problems regarding Hamlin’s future. He, better then most others on the Town Board, has a knowledge of dilemmas that growth and development presents to the community. We agree on many, many issue."
But is Rath the "Spy" Warner accused him of being? Tonery said, "Oh, no. Not really. I talk to lots of people in Town government. People call me on the phone all the time, we chat in the store, they send me email. Every one who works for the town is frightened and intimidated by Warner’s scare tactics, but they are also desperate that the truth about his behavior gets out to the public. You wouldn’t believe the support I’ve had on this Breslawski thing, for example." Tonery was referring to his effort to oust the Chairman of Planning Board because he is not a resident of Hamlin. "I’ve even had members of the Planning Board talk to me about it!" he added.
Town workers all know that Warner’s highly advertised "Anger Management" counseling was largely a smokescreen or else a total failure. In the words of one, Warner still "loses it" with regularity. By far the best, and funniest, instance is the recent confrontation between Warner and Councilman Paul Rath.
Apparently Rath was attempting to have a discussion with the Supervisor on some aspect of the budget. As town insiders know, Warner, despite have responsibility for producing a Town budget, does not understand anything them. Warner can barely do simple arithmetic and has "secretly"turned the entire job over to his secretary, Patricia MacIntosh. During budget hearings, and in communications with the media, it is Ms MacIntosh who answers and explains. (The Blog urges the public to confirm this: Obtain a copy of the budget and then question the Supervisor about some element- he will be totally unable to explain anything about it!) Rath, on the other hand, is a professional number-cruncher, a CPA in fact. Rath’s skill is no doubt the source of Warner’s animosity.
The story goes that the acrimony rose as the discussion continued. When the Supervisor was inevitably bettered by the educated Rath, Warner switched gears, moving back to more comfortable territory- he attacked Rath personally and politically! Warner accused Rath of being a traitor and claimed he was the inside snitch to Tonery. As his blood boiled, Warner dug down deeply, searching for the worst, most hurtful, diabolical curse he could find. Finally he had it, "You are a DEMOCRAT!" he raged at the withering Rath.
How horrible! What slander! Why, can there be a worse thing to call someone in Hamlin? Can the relationship between Mr. Rath and Mr. Warner EVER be repaired after such a scathing assault?
The BLOG contacted Mr. Tonery for his reaction. "Oh yes, Paul and I talk all the time!" he said, "At least once a week. I call him at his office so we can talk politics without fear of spies. We have lunch together about once a month." Asked how the two had patched up there differences Tonery offered, "Do you mean when Paul turned me in to the Building Inspector because I had a light on my ‘No Radio Tower’ sign, then I turned him in for that ugly NY Yankee logo on his barn? Oh, we shook hands and buried that hatchet long ago. That was just politics." "Why, just last month, we spent a week together hunting down in Pennsylvania!" he added. "Paul and I see eye to eye on many problems regarding Hamlin’s future. He, better then most others on the Town Board, has a knowledge of dilemmas that growth and development presents to the community. We agree on many, many issue."
But is Rath the "Spy" Warner accused him of being? Tonery said, "Oh, no. Not really. I talk to lots of people in Town government. People call me on the phone all the time, we chat in the store, they send me email. Every one who works for the town is frightened and intimidated by Warner’s scare tactics, but they are also desperate that the truth about his behavior gets out to the public. You wouldn’t believe the support I’ve had on this Breslawski thing, for example." Tonery was referring to his effort to oust the Chairman of Planning Board because he is not a resident of Hamlin. "I’ve even had members of the Planning Board talk to me about it!" he added.
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Planning Board Chairman
to Election’s Inspectors:
"I’ll kick your ass!" , "Shove it!"
Hamlin’s new Planning Board Chairman, James (Jim) Breslawski yesterday avoided committing perjury but may have committed assault instead. Breslawski is not a resident of the town. Voter registration law is strict and specific. Your residency is "where you lay your head down to sleep." Jim sleeps in Clarkson.
This election when he tried to vote in Hamlin he was challenged. Early on Election Day Steve Lipson, Democratic Elections Inspector Coordinator, instructed the inspectors in District 7 that if Breslawski attempted to vote he was to be challenged.
Immediately after the intent-to-challenge was registered, the Republican inspectors contacted Republican Coordinator Janet Haight who rushed to the scene. Ms. Haight was briefed and told the workers that she was "going right up to the Town Hall," to discuss the matter. Local Republicans officials were aware, from about 1:30 PM, that Breslawski would be challenged.
A residency challenge does not prohibit a person from voting. To overcome the challenge the person must simply swear that the address claimed on their voter registration is his/her actual residence. Refusal to take the oath bars the person from voting in that district. They may go to the district where they actually live and vote.
When Breslawski arrived at the voter table he was informed of the challenge and immediately became aggressive. To protect the flow of voters, Breslawski and the female inspector stepped away from the table. Breslawski was told that he had to swear that the address on his registration was his real, legal residence. He refused. He became angry and threatened the inspector saying "I’ll kick your ass!"
At that point Steve Lipson arrived and intervened. Breslawski was very agitated and belligerent. He demanded, "Why now? Why after so many years?" Lipson calmly explained that Breslawski was attempting to vote in a district in which he did not live and that was illegal. Lipson asked Breslawski if he lived in Clarkson and he refused to answer. Lipson offered Breslawski the opportunity to take the oath to which he replied, "Shove it!" Breslawski then stormed out of the polling station!
Breslawski had many options. He could have discussed the situation with a Republican inspector. He could have read the Voter Rights sheet on the sign-in table. He could have called Peter Quinn at the Board of Elections. He could have called a lawyer. He could have gone to his real election district and voted. He could have gone to the Town Hall for advice. He could have contacted Chief Inspector Ms. Haight.
He chose not to do any of these.
He was too "angry."
Breslawski stormed out and abandoned his civic duty. He knows where he lives, that is the only place where he is entitled to vote.
Local spin doctoring is already underway. Republican inspectors from District 7 were trying to blame everybody but the guilty. They claimed that the challenge made Jim "angry" and that justified his abusive and assaultive behavior. They claimed that Jim wasn’t given a paper ballot, ignoring the fact that Breslawski stormed out of the building without attempting to explore his options. Breslawski turned his back on his right to vote, nobody else did.
Anger never justifies threatening harm to another person. Typically, the only people who think it does are victims of abuse themselves.
[Assault: An attempt or threat... to inflict bodily injury on another, accompanied by the apparent present ability to give effect to the attempt..." Barron’s Law Dictionary]
to Election’s Inspectors:
"I’ll kick your ass!" , "Shove it!"
Hamlin’s new Planning Board Chairman, James (Jim) Breslawski yesterday avoided committing perjury but may have committed assault instead. Breslawski is not a resident of the town. Voter registration law is strict and specific. Your residency is "where you lay your head down to sleep." Jim sleeps in Clarkson.
This election when he tried to vote in Hamlin he was challenged. Early on Election Day Steve Lipson, Democratic Elections Inspector Coordinator, instructed the inspectors in District 7 that if Breslawski attempted to vote he was to be challenged.
Immediately after the intent-to-challenge was registered, the Republican inspectors contacted Republican Coordinator Janet Haight who rushed to the scene. Ms. Haight was briefed and told the workers that she was "going right up to the Town Hall," to discuss the matter. Local Republicans officials were aware, from about 1:30 PM, that Breslawski would be challenged.
A residency challenge does not prohibit a person from voting. To overcome the challenge the person must simply swear that the address claimed on their voter registration is his/her actual residence. Refusal to take the oath bars the person from voting in that district. They may go to the district where they actually live and vote.
When Breslawski arrived at the voter table he was informed of the challenge and immediately became aggressive. To protect the flow of voters, Breslawski and the female inspector stepped away from the table. Breslawski was told that he had to swear that the address on his registration was his real, legal residence. He refused. He became angry and threatened the inspector saying "I’ll kick your ass!"
At that point Steve Lipson arrived and intervened. Breslawski was very agitated and belligerent. He demanded, "Why now? Why after so many years?" Lipson calmly explained that Breslawski was attempting to vote in a district in which he did not live and that was illegal. Lipson asked Breslawski if he lived in Clarkson and he refused to answer. Lipson offered Breslawski the opportunity to take the oath to which he replied, "Shove it!" Breslawski then stormed out of the polling station!
Breslawski had many options. He could have discussed the situation with a Republican inspector. He could have read the Voter Rights sheet on the sign-in table. He could have called Peter Quinn at the Board of Elections. He could have called a lawyer. He could have gone to his real election district and voted. He could have gone to the Town Hall for advice. He could have contacted Chief Inspector Ms. Haight.
He chose not to do any of these.
He was too "angry."
Breslawski stormed out and abandoned his civic duty. He knows where he lives, that is the only place where he is entitled to vote.
Local spin doctoring is already underway. Republican inspectors from District 7 were trying to blame everybody but the guilty. They claimed that the challenge made Jim "angry" and that justified his abusive and assaultive behavior. They claimed that Jim wasn’t given a paper ballot, ignoring the fact that Breslawski stormed out of the building without attempting to explore his options. Breslawski turned his back on his right to vote, nobody else did.
Anger never justifies threatening harm to another person. Typically, the only people who think it does are victims of abuse themselves.
[Assault: An attempt or threat... to inflict bodily injury on another, accompanied by the apparent present ability to give effect to the attempt..." Barron’s Law Dictionary]
Friday, September 24, 2004
BYC Commander Celebrates New Committee
Summer always seems like a quiet time for town politics. Often however, it’s like the man said, "It’s quiet-- too quiet!" Here are a few things that went on while we were at the beach.
First, during an illegal "Executive Session" Supervisor Warner introduced a new government agency, the "Sandy Harbor Management Committee." Has anyone ever heard of Sandy Harbor? Probably not since it was invented by the town for the purposes of this committee. The committee is framed around phony "goals and objectives," but there is only one purpose- to find taxpayer money to give to the Brockport Yacht Club! The central figure in the committee is Deputy Planning Board Chairman Jim Nesbitt. Jim is a long-time member of the BYC and for more than a decade has pressured the town to give the BYC money to offset the expense of dredging the outlet to the lake. The BYC has a big chip on its shoulder because other people, notably motorboats owners, benefit from the dredging but can’t be forced to pay for it! So the solution was to create more government with the express purpose of trying to find state or federal tax dollars to help out the poor Yacht Club. The worst part of the story is this: the Committee claims that one of its responsibilities is homeland security! Get this: they claim that "Sandy Harbor" might be a refuge for the Fast Ferry and thereby, somehow, provide an unspecified security function. Imagine, a yacht club seeking homeland Security money, which is already very limited, just so they can be reimbursed for dredging for their deep-keeled boats. Get you get much lower than that?
Speaking of the Planning Board, it has a new Chairman. He is non other then Jim Breslawski. You remember Jim, he’s the guy who doesn’t live in Hamlin, he lives in Clarkson. Truth is, Jim hasn’t lived in Hamlin since 1993! So what qualifies Jim to be Chairman? Well, Jim is a principle in a corporation which owns thousands of acres of farmland in Hamlin. Jim was also the biggest contributor to Austin Warner’s election campaign! Because of that support, Warner doesn’t see a problem with putting a man in charge of town planning who is not a resident but simply an "investor." The good-ole-boy network lives!
Finally, Supervisor Warner has apparently anointed himself and the Building Inspector with some significant new powers. It seems that these two now comprise the "You Have No Rights" Committee. Recently, a businessman in central Hamlin sought to build a fence on his property. He wanted the fence because customers from the adjacent business constantly drove onto his property, interfering with his customers. Installing the fence is legal and permitted under Hamlin zoning law. However, since the adjacent business owner happens to be a longtime friend and supporter of Supervisor Warner, he was able to pressure Warner into denying the building permit! Acting completely outside the law, Warner directed Dick Bauman, the Building Inspector, to deny the application. In denying the permit Bauman wrote , "The Town of Hamlin believes that a fence between your two properties is really not appropriate and would be a detriment to the four corners of the town." He goes on to announce that there will be a meeting with himself, the Supervisor and the neighbor and requests that the businessman attend. He closes with, "A fence permit will not be issued until this meeting is attended by all parties concerned." This is all completely illegal. The Supervisor is not empowered to make aesthetic decisions about people’s properties and he certainly can’t block or delay a legally permitted activity! Oh, but this is Hamlin where they make it up as they go along.
Happy Fall!
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Feedback
The Blog has received several letters of note. Clarke, who iniated the conversation about the Memorial Day parade, objects to my treatment of bikers. Others wrote about the parade with the most striking comments about the Supervisor's ineptness. "I wasn't so bothered by the politicians marching in the parade, that's their perogative. But what frosted me was to have Supervisor Warner shake my hand, and many others, with the greeting, "Happy Memorial Day!" What the hell kind of a greeting is that? This is a sacred day. There isn't supposed to be anything particularly happy about it. His other faux pas wasn't quite as grating but was still insulting. In his little "speech", he honored all the "soldiers" who had died for their country. I guess he never heard about airmen, coast guardsmen, marines and sailors. Oh well, just another example of our favorite statesman at his best."
Clarke wrote:
I usually like most of what you put on the blogger but I found your last addition to be disgusting. You ridiculed the biker community as a whole. The bikers that were in Hamlin on Memorial Day, while they did drink, were there to honor the memory of the service men and women that gave their lives for this country. My son-in-law is a biker while he chose not to ride on Memorial Day. Many of the riders were Vietnam vets. If they happen to have a drinking problem today, it might have something to do with the attrocities that they saw during their service to this country. I really think that you owe them a public appology.
I also wanted you to know that even if I do show interest in your views, that in no way means that I endorse the Democratic Party. Neither does it mean that I endorse the Republican Party. I believe that voting straight party lines all of the time is a waste of a vote and is something that a robot could easily do. I choose to vote for the person that I feel will do the best job for the office no matter what party he/she belongs to.
One thing that I do appreciate is that I think that you give me a place to air my views, although you are free to tell me to lay off at any time. I hope that you know that I will not be at all offended if you do that.
Clarke M. Mahaney
The Blog responds: Bikers, like any group, have good and bad members. The history and culture of bike gangs is not too pretty, fundraising for vetrans does not by itself elevate their stature.
The Blog will be happy to retract its remarks if either of following things happens: A Federal Law is passed that all Confederate "Stars and Bars" flags will carry a large navy-blue letter "L" on their face. Or, biker gangs and Motorcycle clubs lobby the legislature to make it a felony for anyone to tamper with the exhaust and noise-supression systems on motorcycles!
The Blog has received several letters of note. Clarke, who iniated the conversation about the Memorial Day parade, objects to my treatment of bikers. Others wrote about the parade with the most striking comments about the Supervisor's ineptness. "I wasn't so bothered by the politicians marching in the parade, that's their perogative. But what frosted me was to have Supervisor Warner shake my hand, and many others, with the greeting, "Happy Memorial Day!" What the hell kind of a greeting is that? This is a sacred day. There isn't supposed to be anything particularly happy about it. His other faux pas wasn't quite as grating but was still insulting. In his little "speech", he honored all the "soldiers" who had died for their country. I guess he never heard about airmen, coast guardsmen, marines and sailors. Oh well, just another example of our favorite statesman at his best."
Clarke wrote:
I usually like most of what you put on the blogger but I found your last addition to be disgusting. You ridiculed the biker community as a whole. The bikers that were in Hamlin on Memorial Day, while they did drink, were there to honor the memory of the service men and women that gave their lives for this country. My son-in-law is a biker while he chose not to ride on Memorial Day. Many of the riders were Vietnam vets. If they happen to have a drinking problem today, it might have something to do with the attrocities that they saw during their service to this country. I really think that you owe them a public appology.
I also wanted you to know that even if I do show interest in your views, that in no way means that I endorse the Democratic Party. Neither does it mean that I endorse the Republican Party. I believe that voting straight party lines all of the time is a waste of a vote and is something that a robot could easily do. I choose to vote for the person that I feel will do the best job for the office no matter what party he/she belongs to.
One thing that I do appreciate is that I think that you give me a place to air my views, although you are free to tell me to lay off at any time. I hope that you know that I will not be at all offended if you do that.
Clarke M. Mahaney
The Blog responds: Bikers, like any group, have good and bad members. The history and culture of bike gangs is not too pretty, fundraising for vetrans does not by itself elevate their stature.
The Blog will be happy to retract its remarks if either of following things happens: A Federal Law is passed that all Confederate "Stars and Bars" flags will carry a large navy-blue letter "L" on their face. Or, biker gangs and Motorcycle clubs lobby the legislature to make it a felony for anyone to tamper with the exhaust and noise-supression systems on motorcycles!
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
Vistors to the Hamlin "Highway to Hell" Festival
Hamlin Rises From The Ashes
June 1, 2012: Hamlin, NY
Hamlin NY today celebrates its fifth anniversary as America's official “Biker-Town USA.” On hand to celebrate were the Hells Angels, Iron Horseman and the Hamlin Headknockers. The event was marked by the annual “Highway to Hell” motorcycle ride and rock concert held on the fireman’s field in the heart of Hamlin.
Town Supervisor, Sonny Barger III, elucidated the short history of the “Biker-Town” designation. “It really started back in aught-four with the Molly Hatchet concert. We had a big ride with about 2000 bikes to raise money for charity. We’d been tryin’ for a few years to find a home, ya know, a place where we could get s—-tfaced and kick out the jams to southern rock, ya know. Yeeehaaaa! Nobody wanted us- ya know Fairport turned us down, so did Spencerport, Brighton, Ontario, Albion, Holley, Clarkson, Sweden, and I dun know, a buncha others. Wait here aminute.”
Supervisor Sonny Barger III (Right) with the Hamlin Town Board
When he returned from the beer tent 35 minutes later, he continued. “So’s anyway, what was I sayin? Oh yeah, we wanted a ‘home’ ya know, someplace where bikers would be welcome, ya know, like a place we could call our own. Hamlin, man, they were just so great. The town board didn’t ask no questions, they didn’t ask for money or nothing- they just said like, ‘Come on down’ ya know? So later, kinda over the next few months or whatever, we got to talking, and s-—t, we figured, ‘Hey, maybe we oughta all just move OUT THERE, ya know, like, become residents, then we ‘d have a real home. I mean s-—t, if fifty percent of the town is bikers we can pretty much do what we want, ya know?”
Local pundit and unofficial town historian Martin Smith outlined what happened next. “At that time, back in ’04, the town board was pretty slow on the up-take. For nearly forty years, ever since the Duffy-Mott plant had abandoned the town, Hamlin had struggled to find a new identity, a new self-image. It tried a few things, like “Wheelfest,” which was supposed to compete with the Hilton Applefest. That didn’t work. I mean, that's like celebrating the history of the shoe, who cares? Despite all the farmland, the creeks and the park, the geniuses in local government couldn’t come up with anything. So when the bikers came, the town board just shrugged their shoulders. There was a mumbled, ‘Uh,umm,ok’ from them. After that, the politicians got a little giddy I guess. They liked seeing their name in the news. The Supervisor liked being on TV even though he looked like Andy Devine (No, not DEVINE, ANDY Devine!) Anyway, they just let the bikers keep coming back and the festival just got bigger and bigger. They brought in ‘Skynard’ and other big acts, bikers came from everywhere and just loved it. They’d take over the town for a weekend, all the local people would hide indoors. The fire department prospered since they had the beer sales, and the town board just continued to shrug and look at their shoes. ‘We can’t stop them now,’ is all they could come up with.”
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The new town flag
The tide turned when the DiMarco subdivision went up for sale in 2008. Originally built in 2005 as a “Senior “ and low-income housing complex, the 900 unit “Millstone” development soon failed. The builder hadn’t anticipated that, with no public transportation, even poor people wouldn’t move to the boondocks to live in sub-standard housing. The project never reached more than 30% occupancy.
Eventually, abandoned by the builder, the development went up for auction. Rob Schiller of Harris, Wilcox oversaw the sale, “Actually, nobody came except the Hell’s Angels. By that time Hamlin’s reputation as a town had hit rock bottom. Local government was a joke- slow, reactionary and petty- and now the town was home to half the motorcycle clubs in the five-county area. Property values had tanked, the good builders baled out and took their projects to Hilton or Clarkson. Anybody with any money had already left town. Hamlin was the first ‘Rural Ghetto’ as the census report described it.”
Hells Angels purchase Millstone Apartments, June 2008
Yet, there are positives to report as well. Crime is down significantly in Hamlin since the Angels took over the “Millstone” complex. In the first years of operation crime shot up 220% in this small town of 4500. Supervisor Bager explained, “Well, first we knocked on a few doors, then we knocked on a few heads. They got the message. Bye, bye.”
Now the sprawling, Soviet-style housing can almost be called homespun. “We’ve moved most of our moms in so we can be closer to ‘em!“ gushed the well-lubricated Butch Spanner, a mechanic at Wheelfest Motors. American and Confederate flags festoon the dull, grey buildings and the constant hum and thump of the Charlie Daniels Band can be heard day and night.
Apparently many ex-wives have also moved into the complex, “These guys would never see their kids if we didn’t!” said Bambi B. “Yeah, and we wouldn’t ever see a support-check either if we weren’t up their a---s everyday!” chimed in Lola D. Both woman declined to use their last names, “We don’t need to get beat up for talking to a freakin’ reporter!”
So it seems, after forty years of searching, Hamlin New York has finally found its identity, “Biker-Town, USA!”
"Highway to Hell" visitors pose for souvineir photo
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
Memorial Day, Not Advertising Day
The following is from a Hamlin resident.
I was quite dismayed to see our Republican politicians marching in the parade behind the "Hamlin Republicans" banner. To be truthful with you, I wish that politicians would stay completely out of Memorial Day parades unless they are there as veterans. Politicians are the ones that send our young people to other parts of the world to fight and possibly get wounded or die, sometimes for good causes and sometimes for bad. Then when they come back, it is the same politicians that virtually forget the ones that need government help. Remember "Agent Orange"? It killed all of the folliage but it didn't hurt our soldiers? Give me a break!!! The politicians need to let Memorial Day be a day to honor our fallen heroes and leave politics out of it. There, I've had my say.
Thank you,
Clarke M. Mahaney
The following is from a Hamlin resident.
I was quite dismayed to see our Republican politicians marching in the parade behind the "Hamlin Republicans" banner. To be truthful with you, I wish that politicians would stay completely out of Memorial Day parades unless they are there as veterans. Politicians are the ones that send our young people to other parts of the world to fight and possibly get wounded or die, sometimes for good causes and sometimes for bad. Then when they come back, it is the same politicians that virtually forget the ones that need government help. Remember "Agent Orange"? It killed all of the folliage but it didn't hurt our soldiers? Give me a break!!! The politicians need to let Memorial Day be a day to honor our fallen heroes and leave politics out of it. There, I've had my say.
Thank you,
Clarke M. Mahaney
Friday, May 21, 2004
Supervisor Warner, in costume for Wheelfest '04.
Bedrock Baloney
As usual, Supervisor Warner misses the point. His letter in the 5/16 Herald (written by Pat McIntosh, I’m sure!) actually brags about the secret meetings and dealings the town has had with the DiMarco developers. Doesn’t he understand anything?
Hamlin taxpayers don’t want the DiMarco project AT ALL! Not one piece!
And, we want to know all of the news, in detail. We want to know what DiMarco is up to, and how Hamlin is dealing with it. The public has demanded constant updating on the “Millstone” low-income housing plan. Nearly a thousand taxpayers signed a letter specifically demanding that. What was Warner’s response? “My office...will always be open.” He has transformed his duty and promise to communicate with the public into the breathtakingly arrogant, “Make an appointment.”
>
> Is Warner so out of touch with the average citizen? Does he think the typical Hamlin property owner has the time to meet with him? Our Supervisor only works part time hours, the same ones as everyone else. Since 87% of Hamlin’s workforce commutes, when exactly should they get together with him? Saturday morning? Right. “You thousand residents! Get in line. The
Supervisor will meet you shortly!”
>
> This is just another tired old politicians trick. Caught in a lie-of-commitment, he has tried to deflect the truth of the facts. He suggests that an ”open office” is equal to town-wide communication in our local newspaper. His flimsy, defensive letter is no substitute for sitting down with a reporter and explaining the DiMarco developments in detail- for all of us.
>
> The little bit he did reveal about “Millstone” should make every homeowner nervous. In the March Planning Board meeting, Chris Schlieter demanded that DiMarco present all three Phases of the development. He told the developer, point blank, that if all the details of all stages were not presented, there would be no action. What was the result? DiMarco, meeting privately with town, informed them that they would, “include a cluster plan of larger lots for sale.”
>
> The developer doesn’t have a very high regard for the intelligence of Hamlin’s Planning Board apparently. DiMarco knows how the process works. They offer a pacifying plan today, and take it off the table tomorrow. There is no law which prohibits a developer from changing his mind! Once the developer has established a relative value for his property through an initial Phase, then the town cannot stop them from developing the rest of the property to that same value! Even if there had been a previous agreement, the town cannot block full exploitation of a property.
>
> The only power the Planning Board has to block this project is through the sophisticated use of the NYS Environmental SEQR laws. Our representatives are not up to the task. DiMarco puts up high-priced lawyers, engineers and environmental specialists. What do we have? Jim Breslawski?! Then, there is Hamlin’s SEQR officer, Mr. Charles Hungerford, a private Warner appointment. Hungerford is a part time lawn-mower for the town and a retired Building Inspector. He used to be the SEQR officer and was terrible at it. He lacks legal training and sophistication. He is hardly a match for the professionals from DiMarco. Instead of hiring an expert to put the town on an equal footing, Hamlin has an unskilled, untrained SEQR officer who lost terribly the last time his work was challenged in court.
>
> Finally, the Stupirvisor’s claim that the conference with DiMarco was open to the public is a classic, “Lie of Ommission.” He knows that the public was given no notice of the meeting- not in the Herald; not in the Zoning Board, Planning Board, or Town Board meetings; not in the town hall, or on radio or TV. If no notice is given, and no one knows about a meeting, it can hardly be “open.” It’s fun to hear a local politician try to BS an entire community!
>
> Warner always called himself a “communicator.” If breaking promises, failing to speak to the press and lying qualifies as communication, then he’s doing a rock solid job. WIllmmaaa!
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
Little Billy Hamlin Gets Several Doses of Vile Tasting Government
At the May 3rd Planning Board meeting not one word was uttered about the DiMarco “Millstone” project. Earlier in the week, the Hamlin Clarkson Herald carried a story in which Supervisor Warner declared that the project had been withdrawn! Warner made this monumental announcement and the Planning Board had not one word to share about it with the public! Hundreds and hundreds of residents came out to two public hearings and more than 900 citizens signed a petition demanding to be kept informed and what is the result? SILENCE! Slurp, gulp. The PB assured the public, over and over, that we would all be apprised, kept up to date, blah, blah blah. They are either liars or just plain don’t care.
Slurp.
Worse yet, in a little bitty announcement at the bottom of the PB minutes (posted on the web), we learn that the Vice-Chairman has been meeting privately with agents from DiMarco! Privately!! Privately?? What business does he have doing ANYTHING about this project in private? Another way to describe “private” is secret. When government officials meet “privately” you’d better believe the reason IS to be secret!
What did they discuss? What decisions were made? Why were they made? (The Blog will file a Freedom of Information request for any documents.)
They public knows virtually nothing about these meetings, and the PB is happy to leave it that way. Silence. Secrecy. Slurp.
Why was the Vice-Chairman designated to hold these meetings? Most citizens now know that the VC is Jim Breslawski, who is not even a resident of the town. Yes he owns land in Hamlin, just like that corporate entity which owns Tops, but the law states that PB members must be residents. Compounding the issue is the fact that “Jim Cheney” (as he is sometimes referred to in the town hall) is one of Hamlin’s largest landowners. Hmmmm. Could there be any personal advantage to Breslawski in meeting privately with the DiMarco folks? Hmmmm. Let’s see, large landowner meets secretly with the largest developer of high density housing in the county...
Not Jim! Lord knows, he doesn’t keep any secrets!
Slurp, gulp.
The Herald story also quotes Warner as saying that the proposal has been withdrawn. What does that mean? Is a new one coming, maybe on somebody else’s land? Why was it withdrawn? A better offer? Is there a plan to relocate the development, maybe in some more “rural” location where the objections won’t be so great? Maybe the Vice Chair has the inside track. Maybe Jim Cheney has suggested that a different location might make its way through the PB a little easier and faster... Who knows?
Slurp, gulp, hack.
It doesn’t matter much to Breslawski anyway. He doesn’t live in Hamlin. It was reported he once said about the DiMarco project, “Can’t see it from my house.”
You can almost hear Warner right now, “Oh no! Not Jim! He’s loyal to Hamlin.”
Yeah, sure. That’s why HE LIVES IN CLARKSON!
********************************************************************
Two other quick notes that will be expanded on soon: Much of the public is aware that former Building Inspector Larry Gursslin has sued the Town for the manner in which he was terminated. Supervisor Warner, in his typical “Bull in the China Shop” personnel-management style, fired Gursslin, without cause, two months before Gursslin’s contract expired! By not giving a reason, Warner damaged Gursslin’s reputation and his ability to find new employment. The suit is for improper dismissal.
Slurp.
Now, the Zoning Board of Appeals has been sued! Yes, the ZBA in an act of simple cowardice and unimaginable illogic, passed a resolution declaring that the two-story residence on Wautoma Beach Road is actually a garage! If one can see, one knows it is a house. The applicant himself stated several times, on public record, that the structure was a house (he even said he had buyers lined up for it!), nonetheless the Hamlin ZBA saw the structure as a garage. To make matters worse, the house is being used a commercial storage facility for the applicants “remodeling” businesses. Naturally, a commercial use in a Shoreline-Residential zoning district is a violation of local law, but as usual, the violation is not being enforced. More on this later!
Gulp, hack, choke.
“Mmmmm. That’s a good little boy Billy. Doesn’t that slick government-issue fish oil taste good?
Friday, March 26, 2004
Help Wanted
He knows when you've been naughty...
Most people are probably unaware that Hamlin’s previous Building Inspector, Larry Gursslin, has filed a notice of claim against the town. This is a lawsuit. Gursslin, who was publicly fired without reason, is suing for defamation and libel. He wants his job back and his reputation restored.
Gursslin was fired, without cause given, in a very contentious public meeting of the Town Board on October 13, 2003. Many, many residents liked Larry and were concerned about the lack of justification for the firing. Two town board members, Ed Evans and Paul Rath, were visibly upset with the lack of process and the secrecy used by Supervisor Warner in the matter. Both men read detailed objections into the public record.
One item Gursslin is suing for is his earned vacation pay! Can you imagine that? The town of Hamlin has refused to pay him what he earned! Can you imagine how you would feel if an employer did that to you? Plenty of local people have been laid off, but no self respecting company would be so low as to try to screw an employee out of money they’d already earned.
Except in Hamlin! What could possibly possess the Supervisor to be so cheap, so mean and act so illegally? Well, anybody who knows him well can answer that. Supervisor Warner is a mean, vindictive, punitive bully. If he’s is mad at you, there isn’t anything too cheap, too stupid or too ill-advised that he won’t try if he thinks it will hurt you.
Many people who know the Supervisor in a surface way might find that hard to believe. Isn’t he the friendly, jocular man that brings new residents a big hunk of strawberry cake when they move into town? Isn’t he the chuckling giant who dresses up in costumes to entertain the kids at town functions? Yes, but he has a bad side.
It’s Santa’s evil twin- Bad Santa.
Bad Santa is the obsessive, micro-managing, secretive politician who thinks Ed Evans harmed him by running a primary and is paying Evans back by blocking him from serving on the Conservation Board (“After what he did to me?”) No matter how detrimental this act is for Hamlin.
Bad Santa is the chuckling goon who can’t string a sentence together that makes any sense either on paper or in person. He’s the one who fumbles and mumbles through budget hearings casting aspersions on anybody who questions the numbers.
Bad Santa is the Machiavellian autocrat who thinks he has unlimited, unrestrained power. He thinks he can fire employees at will and to hell with the legal process. He’s the guy who will sacrifice our zoning laws just to inflict a little pointless disturbance on misperceived political opponents.
Unfortunately, Bad Santa runs the town.
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
Don’t be shy…
More From the Interview!
Winner: Best Line Taken Out of Context!
In response to a question about gay marriage…
Supervisor Warner: “I understand the, the…um, other, ah… you know, ah…ah…the gay feelings…”
* * *
Referring to towns giving equal benefits to same sex unions:
Supervisor Warner: “…I think that’s something they will have to work out. If there’s something that you could unilaterally do, with that, um, I won’t really have a problem with that as long as, ya know, it was agreed upon by everybody. Um, this particular thing, right now, um, basically…I…I…guess it’s forcing awareness to it…um…as far as I’m concerned right now, I agree with you, there’s no law that says that the law does not state, uh, two, ah, that…that there is a marriage between, uh, same sex people as a husband and wife and until they resolve that, there’s really not much the Towns can do, other than to go along with that.”
* * *
There you have it. If everybody could just unilaterally agree on something- then we’d all be happy! And he claims he’s not a politician, oh peshaw!
Thursday, March 11, 2004
I think I did say this about that. At least, I assume so.
NOTICE: From time to time, The Blog has employed sarcasm, irony, farce, even audacious mendacity in it’s reporting of Hamlin news. We do not deny this.
However, what you are about to read is real. It is a word for word transcription of part of an interview that Mayor Josephine Matela of Brockport and Supervisor Austin Warner of Hamlin gave to the SUNY College radio station. The interview aired this past Sunday, March 7th at 8:30 PM on 89.1, The Point.
The Blog guarantees that this question and the following answers are EXACTLY as they were spoken. We have the tape to prove it.
Reporter: We now know that it is definitely John Kerry running for the Democrats and George W. Bush running for the Republicans. How do you both see this race playing out heading into November?
Mayor Matela: Well, I’ll just say there are 200 and some days left and , ya know, even though I am a politician, I hope that they will use good judgment and not try to bring up the past. I don’t think people are interested in what happened in the past, people wanna know, “What are they gonna do for…the people now? What are you gonna do for the economy? What are you gonna do for jobs?” That’s what we wanna know about. We don’t really wanna to know what happened in the past. Austin, what about you?
Supervisor Warner: (Chuckling) I’m, I’m not a politician, I’m a Supervisor!
Mayor Matela: Oh, ok! (Laugh)
Supervisor Warner: (Chuckling) And…and…and I agree with ya. I think what you do is, you go on your record. And I think George Bush ..uh..has..a good record. And I think…uh…the, the facts have to come out, and…and…the other, uh, in-fighting, back-biting, and all that... the, that unfortunately comes…uh…should not be there, it should be just strictly on the facts…of what ..uh, Bush thinks...uh…ya know, of what…he thinks he’s gonna do, and what he’s done, and also what Kerry thinks that he can do differently. And then, you go by that-- the facts.
Monday, March 08, 2004
Jimmy Duncan, Freelance Sheriff
You Got A Problem?
A bitch? A complaint? There sumthin' ya don't like?
You better see Jimmy Duncan, Freelance Sheriff. See Jimmy don't get paid but he's lookin out for ya. For all you folks. The little people, them ones that caint help themselves. He's a watching. He'll fix up yer problems right away. Yes, Mam. And at no charge too.
There aint no problem too big er too small you caint call on Sheriff Duncan.
It aint political, it's PERSONAL!
Wednesday, March 03, 2004
Mike's our Hero!
Hooray for Mike Marchetti
Mike Marchetti continues to be a hero in Hamlin. First, he organized the opposition to the DeMarco “Millstone” development. He got the maps, posted them in his store, wrote letters, made phone calls and generally sounded the alarm for all his fellow residents.
Last week he topped himself. Mike was the fireman who was injured fighting the trailer blaze up in Hidden Creek. Somehow a fire hose came loose and struck Mike in the back, breaking his shoulder. The injury is severe, but not life threatening. He has to rest and will be examined on Thursday to see if he requires surgery.
Mike is sore and bored. If you know him, you know that he is a ball of energy. Being in pain, and forced to rest, is hard on the guy. Mike likes to keep moving. If you see him try to cheer him up.
Despite his injury, and the normal discomforts of the Hamlin Meeting Room, Mike showed up for last Monday’s Planning Board meeting. Maintaining his diligence about Millstone, Mike makes sure he is present when the PB meets. Those who follow local politics know that anything can happen, at anytime, so you’d better beware- and you’d better go to the meetings!
Mike was there and he hung in very well even though the public hearings went on for a very long time. Eventually, the PB began the “Conceptual Review” for a subdivision on Town-Line Road. This plan calls for building 30 homes, in two phases. These are upscale houses ($180k+) and are on existing water and sewer lines. The property was recently rezoned from Commercial to Residential-Medium. If successful, it should raise considerable tax revenues while consuming few local resources.
Amazingly, for a project which is so straight-forward, the PB members began to beat it up. Conceptual approval is, in essence, not approval of anything, it is the opening step of the review process. The purpose is to identify, for the proponent, glaring issues which would be derail the project. This plan had no such issues. Nonetheless, the PB started to leverage issues in a way that would obviously delay the project’s start. Co-Chairman Breslawski (the guy who doesn’t live in Hamlin, and hasn’t for more than 10 years!) spearheaded the effort. Breslawski described subjecting the plan to a prolonged and unnecessary SEQR process which isn’t even appropriate at this stage of the process. He was obviously trying to apply irrelevant concerns to the project in an effort to delay it.
(As an aside, the reason Breslawski and his sidekick James Nesbitt were beating up on the project is because one of the developers, the popular Jim Beehler, is also a partner in the Senior Housing project planned for Rt. 18. The developers have retained former Hamlin Building Inspector, Larry Gurrslin, to help shepard the project forward. He is capable because he was the mayor of Hilton when a similar project was built there. Gurrslin, you may recall, was abruptly and unilaterally fired by Supervisor Warner and is now suing the Town. Since the developers are associated with Gurrslin the Supervisor has instructed Breslawski and Nesbitt to give them a difficult time on any of their projects. It is also reported that Warner called one of the developers on the phone and told him outright that “You won’t get anything done!” as long as Gurrslin is associated with the project!)
Marchetti, who may have known some of the dynamics at work in the meeting, sat listening quietly. Eventually he heard enough and spoke up. “Why are you doing all this stuff now, with this project?” he demanded. “You didn’t do any of this with the Millstone plan,” he reminded them. “You just talked about it for a few minutes and passed it. How come you didn’t look at it like this?” His questioned floated in the air like a big black cloud.
The Planning Board, aware that they are being scrutinized by the public, beat a quick retreat. Chris Schlieter, in a stage whisper to the staring Chairman, said, “This isn’t a public hearing. We don’t have to answer.” This was then regurgitated back to the public.
Mike, obeying the rule, sat silently for a few minutes more then left the proceedings.
Hip, hip, hooray! Mike Marchetti saw what was happening, and saw the injustice in the application of the rules. He saw how easily the Demarco Plan was handled compared to this one, and had the courage to speak up. Mike challenged the Planning Board. He sent them a message- “We are watching you! We know how you work and we don’t like it!”
Good for fireman Mike. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
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