Lynne's blog
November 1, 2009
I am grateful to The Buffalo News, ABC, The Partnership, and the hard-working citizens fighting for better government for their endorsements! It was a blitz weekend, trying to get out the message and the vote. I know you may be tired of the phone calls and mailings, but please understand there is such a short window to reach the many thousands of voters in District 12. In addition, in a non-presidential year, turnout is typically pretty light, so we are efforting the Get Out The Vote message in these final hours. I urge you to vote this Tuesday, and encourage your friends, neighbors and family to do the same.
October 28th, 2009
i've been in the Village of Hamburg the last few days knocking on doors. Many have told me they're struggling with sick kids at home. Illness has struck our house, too, and we've been working to get the kids healthy - especially with Halloween right around the corner. Some points to keep in mind these last few days before Election Day: Downsizing the legislature from 15 to 13 hardly goes far enough. In my mind, that is not true reform. We have to be willing to make tougher choices and take stronger stands. We CAN and SHOULD reduce the legislature by more than just two. We need to reduce the pay of the legislature. At a time when everyone is hurting, when Erie County, like many other regions of the country struggles with what costs will be a few years down the road, we cannot afford to continue paying 43-thousand dollars, plus full benefits. It is not fair to the taxpayer. Most have other careers or are collecting retirement. We need to eliminate district offices, and create outreach programs at already-existing town halls/public buildings. This will do a better job of getting legislators out into the communities they represent and save taxpayer money. I also believe it's time to eliminate the majority and minority leader positions in the legislature. That only divides the body, and we see what that power-struggle did in the New York State Senate. Allowing the public to decide on whether to downsize should come with no strings attached. That is, lengthening of terms is a separate issue. Voters should NOT be asked to group them together, as is currently proposed by lawmakers. Also, I am in favor of term limits. There absolutely should be term limits!
It should be noted that Erie County's finances improved primarily because the Legislature voted to hike the sales tax three-quarters of a penny, and has voted to extend that tax increase every year since. That 3/4 of a penny brings in about 100 million dollars a year. THAT's what returned the County to sound financial footing. Lawmakers both last year and this have suggested further tax cuts - but have little other option than to raid the county reserve funds to make that happen. Just such a business plan, in part led to the red/green budget crisis a few years ago.
We should NOT have, the same year Erie County got back on track financially, move to give legislature staffers pay hikes. We also CANNOT add spending without allocating funds for those expenditures. That costly legal battle between the County Executive and Legislature cost 25-thousand dollars.
So, there you have it. In the end, YOU are my boss. The taxpayers, ALL the taxpayers, should have their voices heard in County Hall. YOU should know what is being voted on, YOU should be represented by a citizen legislator whose votes are not influenced by special interests. I am excited about where this journey has taken me, because YOU have inspired me in more ways than I can count. Now, more than ever, I need your help as we head toward the finish line. Thank you to everyone who has taken a moment out of their busy days to share their thoughts with me these last several months. I am hoping for a successful run. You will continue to be what guides me through the issues that lie ahead!
October 16th, 2009
By now you have received some mailings and phone calls from me. I wanted to thank you for taking the time to listen, and to read what my campaign is all about. While I am eager to meet as many voters as I can, it's just not possible to reach everyone.....and that explains these other avenues of reaching out to you. There will be more in the remaining weeks to come, and my message is the same; REFORM! We have to change the way we think and do business and be wise with our spending in Erie County if we are to ever move this region forward. But it starts with the people minding the store. There have been a few candidate forums where I have had the good fortune of meeting with taxpayers/citizens. Among them: a taxpayer forum, SCOPE, the Good Government Club, and Southeast Works, where we were joined by a lovely crowd to discuss the funding resources and efforts to help people with developmental disabilities. I have had a couple of radio debates, a couple of radio interviews, and look forward to another candidate forum. Remember, YOU are the ones who deserve a voice. YOU are the ones who have said the status quo is not o-k. Oh, and one other thing; It was hard to believe that the snow started flying while I was knocking on doors in the Town of Boston Thursday! Hope to see you soon!
October 9th, 2009
As the Erie County Legislature continues to look over the County Executive's spending plan for next year, I wanted to point out some things that are hopeful, while looking at some things we need to be mindful of. It is good news, of course, that the property tax rate will remain flat. I also think the 77 million dollars, including federal and state matching funds, is critical for road and bridge repairs. I do not believe that the legislature's cutting of the road reserve funds this past year was the right thing to do. We have to continue sending the right message by not raising salaries of department heads, and cutting government costs wherever possible. Because of the economic climate, it is believed we will lose out on sales tax revenue again next year. Remember, it is the sales tax revenue that pays for just about everything, since every property tax dollar goes to pay for medicaid. The best and most responsible thing to do would be to continue looking for spending cuts, continue to streamline county government, and be mindful NOT to rely on one-shots, etc. to CUT the tax rate further - leaving no money in reserve. That is the path Erie County took just a few short years ago, and that's when we were all introduced to the red and green budget, a road that led to great troubles and an even greater disruption in services and the workings of county government.
October 3rd, 2009
In my travels today I had a great conversation with a couple married 55 years. Their wisdom and insight into the right and wrong turns this nation has taken were interesting, their love for one another refreshing. I had a nice talk with a couple and their neighbor friend, deciding whether or not today would be a good day for the motorcycle. We ended up talking about county politics and some of its problems, dating back to the early 1990s. I caught up with some people busy putting up their Halloween decorations (which reminds me-I better get to it), and some trying to get in some gardening before the rain. Concerns ranged from response time to county issues to the cost of living here. All are troubled by the tax burden. We are encouraged by the proposed budget released yesterday, but will continue to call on our government leaders to make the right - and responsible decisions for our region moving forward. I, of course, hope to be part of that discussion very soon. ALSO, I did want to pass on that today is the day we are allowed to put up our election signs (I know, I know, how come so many have been up for weeks already), but seriously today is the OFFICIAL day. And I DO have signs. So if anyone is interested in one, just send me an email. Thanks, and have a great night!
September 30th, 2009
To all of those I PERSONALLY got a chance to speak with today, thank you for letting me in to your homes and sharing your thoughts. For those who were not home, thanks for taking the time to read my palm card and check out the web site. I am trying to reach as many of you as I can over the course of the next five weeks. When I walk the neighborhoods, people often ask why I would leave a long journalism career to enter the often nasty political fray. This is why: I witnessed first-hand just how partisan the Erie County Legislature is. I did NOT see the proper sharing and vetting of ideas. Politics ruled the day rather than putting the concerns of taxpayers first.. Too often bad politics got in the way of good business. It was special interests often dictating the vote. It should be about YOU, and that is what guides me during the course of this campaign.
September 29th, 2009
I had a great weekend, spending time with some wonderful people in Brant, North Collins and Evans. We talked about energy efficiencies, alternative forms of energy, etc., in Brant, the good volunteers and folks in North Collins worked to raise money for the library and schoolhouse, celebrated homecoming etc., and there were some good chicken barbeques in Evans that the family continued to enjoy two days later. The weather, of course, has been a big issue the last couple of days. I would like to hear from those impacted by the extended rainfall, how it's impacting their property and their roads, specifically the county roads. That has been and continues to be an issue for many residents that needs to be addressed moving forward.
September 25th, 2009
I was sorry to learn of the passing last night of Tim Russert's father. I had the great fortune of meeting "Big Russ" on a number of occasions. I had great respect for him in large measure because he shared many of the same values as my father; proud to be South Buffalo born and bred; understood that hard work was not a virtue but an expectation; and pain was something that was felt silently. The World War 2 Generation that embraced the love of neighborhood and recognized that whatever life, liberty and this country had given them was to be cherished and respected. They were values Big Russ instilled in his own children. I often thought of the great joy he must have found in being Tim Russert's dad, not so much for the world of privilege it brought him, but for the great pride it afforded him to share with the world. It can't go unnoticed that Tim's sister, Kathy, was a wonderful daughter to her father right until the end. My sympathies and prayers go out to Kathy, her siblings and the grandchildren for what surely has been a trying time in their lives. I am blessed to have had the chance to meet them, know them, and learn valuable lessons, not just from Tim, but from the entire Russert family. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a seat on the couch and listen to the stories father and son must now be sharing.
September 23rd, 2009
I have some great volunteers! Thanks to you I won't be up until 3am with writer's cramp! Spent some time in a couple of Hamburg neighborhoods today. Also, stopped by the dedication ceremony for the great new garden at Union Pleasant Elementary School. The volunteer parents and teachers did a great job getting the dollars for the project, and creating a garden where the kids will learn much. It's interesting the different viewpoints I get on what's wrong with Erie County, NYS and our country. Both nationally and statewide just about everyone tells me spending is way out of control, that painful cuts have to be made. Locally, no one likes the tax burden. The reality is, we have a shrinking tax base which makes it increasingly difficult to sustain some of the county's costs going forward. That's why we need to reform the way we think here. But it starts with lawmakers looking in the mirror. That's why I am for reducing legislature size, salary, and removal of district offices. Lead by example!
September 22nd, 2009
Six weeks to go before election day! The best part is going door to door and meeting so many people I may not have otherwise met. To everyone who came out on primary day, I want to thank you! The victory for the Independence line is only because so many of you who told me you would go out on September 15th, did. The good news for you is, I won't be pestering you again for a little while. There are so many people I need to reach out to and meet before November 3rd. I trust that they will be every bit as interested in seeing this region move forward as you are. YOU are the reason I am doing this. YOU are the ones who I am listening to each and every day. Thank you for taking an interest in my campaign. Thank you for letting me know what you expect. This week I visited firefighters in North Collins and also had a meeting to hear about the issues and concerns of the various fire departments moving forward. I've heard from some young people ready to get involved in the campaign. Your help will prove to be invaluable in the coming days. I have visited some neighborhoods and met some great people. I'll try and keep you updated as often as possible over the course of these next few weeks through my blog, so keep checking back.
