I was pleasantly surprised to see ALL of the surrounding supervisors come together on this sex offender issue.
Bumble,
Like you, I was encouraged by the unified stand taken by the Town Supervisors of Schenectady County. I am, however, concerned that the amendment to the legislation that was passed to form a task force to study the issue of sex offender residency laws may have been a calculated "set up". The proposal made by Legislator Farley, was approved by the majority party without challenge. The task force will be comprised of dozens of elected officials, law enforcement officers, social workers, and others. IF you are able to successfully schedule meetings so as to accommodate all of these individuals' schedules, building consensus will be a challenge. The panel is being given only 90 days to study the issue and make recommendations. There will be three Legislators appointed to participate in the effort. Who will decide the representation from the County Legislature? Will it include members of both the majority and the minority parties? Will it include both those who supported Kosiur's Laws and those who opposed them? I suspect that we may see the appointees named to the panel being Savage, Kosiur, and Dagostino.
I will try to extend to those who proposed the creation of the task force the benefit of a doubt and not pre-judge their motivation or the results. I understand that Rene will participate and I have confidence that she will work toward a comprehensive solution to the issue if it is determined that the issue requires legislation to be enacted. Still, I have an uncomfortable feeling, based on past behavior of the legislative body, that the agreement to form this committee may be for political posturing purposes only. Stay tuned ...
Zim, if as you suspect that the appointees will be Savage, Kosiur, and Dagostino what chance would there be to modify the law so that it was both satisfactory to the city dwellers and the people in the rural areas. As long as the law has the same restrictions that it does now the sex offenders will still be forced out into rural areas in order to find a place to live. I still wish that the state would take a stand and pass a law that would be both constitutional and workable for the whole state and end all these laws being passed by the towns and counties in the state. Keep us posted on any progress or lack thereof.
I am, however, concerned that the amendment to the legislation that was passed to form a task force to study the issue of sex offender residency laws may have been a calculated "set up".
Of course it is a set up. I thought that right from the beginning. That is what the dysfunctional machine does. This will be the punishment that will have to be paid for going against the Democratic Dictatorship. They will try to crucify all who were a part of the 'revolt'!!! Pathetic!!!!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
What amazes me and even somewhat humors me is the actions of our infamous county legislatures. Their knee jerk acceptance of Mr. Farley's proposal just makes a stronger case, that this entire sex offender law was POLITICAL only!!! It had absolutely nothing to do with the so called protection of the children. NOTHING!
Right from the get go, this law was only proposed with the hopes that Eddy Kosiur would get elected. That is the only reason people. Clearly not on his past performance! So they than ran with the sex offender law ball. Well it backfired in their pathetic dictatorship face BIG TIME!
So now with the acceptence of Mr. Farley's proposal, was just another gamble on their part, in hopes that it will fail miserably. And of course the timing is perfect.....it's an election year!!! I must say that I am somewhat disappointed in Mr. Farley's proposal. I don't think it was very well constructed or thought out. (not that they were given much time to tweak it) And remember that the dems have law enforcment in their pocket.
Listen people, we have to still be very vocal in this matter. We can't just sit back and leave it up to our elected government officials to deal with this matter alone. I say, since it is an election year......let's ask for a referendum. Put it up for a vote! Let the people decide.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Bumble putting the sex offender law up for a referendum makes perfect sense but the County Council won't do it because they already know that it will be voted out.
Bumble putting the sex offender law up for a referendum makes perfect sense but the County Council won't do it because they already know that it will be voted out.
Bumble putting the sex offender law up for a referendum makes perfect sense but the County Council won't do it because they already know that it will be voted out.
My point exactly. It has nothing to do with protecting the 'children'. I has everything to do with protecting their political careers and agendas. They obviously already know that 'we the people' want the sex offender law rescinded. Yet they continue on their arrogant, dysfunctional way with no regard, whatsoever, for the people. This is truly a political dictatorship at it's best people. And they need to be voted out. And the top three contenders are: ED KOSIUR, SUSAN SAVAGE AND JUDY DAGOSTINO!!!!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Lawyer gets 12 years in death of man he thought molested daughter BY DAVE COLLINS The Associated Press
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — A lawyer who stabbed his neighbor to death because he thought the man had molested his 2-year-old daughter was sentenced Friday to 12 years in prison for first-degree manslaughter. “It’s a Shakespearean tragedy brought into the real world,” Superior Court Judge Richard F. Comerford Jr. said at the sentencing. “Something was set into motion in this man’s mind — real or perceived. It was very real to him.” Jonathon Edington, 30, attacked neighbor Barry James, 58, in James’ bedroom last year after his wife told him she thought James had molested their daughter. Officers said they found Edington washing the victim’s blood off in a kitchen sink. Fairfield police also investigated the molestation allegation and said they found no evidence to back it up. They said Edington’s wife, Christina, refused to cooperate with the investigation of the slaying, and prosecutor Jonathan Benedict has said a defense psychiatrist determined she suffered from postpartum depression. Jonathon Edington’s attorney, Andrew Bowman, said Edington was not in his right mind when he cut through a window screen, climbed into the room and stabbed James 11 times. “He is a good and decent man who suffered such a traumatic event in his life that he lost control,” Bowman said, urging a more lenient sentence of five to eight years in prison. Edington, a patent attorney, and his wife entered court holding hands. After the sentence was read, Edington, who had been free on bond, was handcuffed and led away as Christina Edington fell to her knees. The judge issued a 20-year sentence in a plea bargain, but suspended eight years of that, leaving 12 years to serve, plus five years’ probation. “He is extremely remorseful and takes responsibility for his actions as he has always done,” Bowman said after sentencing. James’ parents, Rita and Charlie James, filed a victims’ statement with the court saying, “We will never be the same.” Rita James witnessed her son’s stabbing. “A terrible tragedy has happened for nothing, but it has destroyed all that we have,” they wrote. Also Friday, an attorney for the Jameses served Christina Edington with a wrongful death lawsuit, accusing her of triggering the stabbing and making up the abuse claim. A similar lawsuit is pending against Edington. Benedict had asked the judge to impose the maximum 20-year prison sentence. “I’m a bit disappointed,” he said after the hearing. “To the judge’s credit, it was a very difficult case, a tough call.”
Schenectady County Legislature makes changes to sex offender law Written by: Jennifer Farnsworth, Contributing Writer email: news@spotlightnews.com
Following the June passage of a two-part sex offender law by the Schenectady County Legislature, many town leaders spoke out about the negative repercussions the legislation would have on their communities.
In response to the criticism, the county legislature met on Wednesday, Aug. 22, and again on Thursday, Aug. 23, to rework the law that prohibited sex offenders of any level from living within 2,000 feet of places where children congregate, leaving the rural municipalities of Duanesburg, Princetown and Western Glenville as some of the only places where newly released sex offenders may reside in the county. The law also stated that sex offenders living within the described boundaries would need to relocate by Oct. 1.
At the Thursday meeting, the county rewrote the law to remove the relocation deadline and exempt level one sex offenders from the restrictions. The 2,000 foot restriction will only apply to newly released sex offenders. County and municipal leaders will, in the next 90 days, further examine notification of residents, requiring landlord to notify tenants, creating a housing facility for level three repeat offenders, expanding the use of monitoring devices, and possibly restricting any contact with children under 18 for those individuals who are considered the most dangerous and likely to be a repeat offender.
After 90 days local authorities, social workers, town supervisors and legislators will meet to reexamine the law and its success. Any permanent changes will be made to the law at that time.
“We need to now move forward with this law by examining what is best for both the city as well as the five municipalities. This law was originally passed with little to no input from the people who know best how to handle these situations,” said Glenville Supervisor Frank Z. Quinn.
Legislature Chairwoman Susan Savage, D-Niskayuna, who has been criticized for her support of the original law, said she expects town supervisors to do their part in creating a law that satisfies the majority of county residents. “Our town supervisors wanted to be a part of this process, now they are,” said Savage.
Local leaders criticized the original law because they felt the residency restrictions protected only the city against post-release sex offenders. As the Oct. 1 deadline to move loomed, the concern among supervisors like Quinn was that these individuals would be forced to move to communities surrounding the city.
Gary Hughes, D-Schenectady, said he feels, despite criticism received, including from the New York Civil Liberties Union, he thinks the 2,000-feet rule will help bring a sense of security to parents.
“We know this not a cure-all prevention, but we feel, as well as those in neighboring counties, that it aids in cutting down on access to children,” said Hughes.
The legislature voted 12-to-2 against requiring current residents to move. Savage and Minority Leader Robert Farley, R-Glenville, voted against the change.
Residents of Scotia had lobbied Farley to vote against the measure in their effort to force a level three sex offender to leave the village neighborhood he moved into over the winter. After the original law, with the relocation requirement, was passed in June, many Washington Road residents rejoiced.
The reworked law goes into effect immediately. Lawmakers hope to have the law finalized, with possible additions and adaptations, by the end of November.
Legislature Chairwoman Susan Savage, D-Niskayuna, who has been criticized for her support of the original law, said she expects town supervisors to do their part in creating a law that satisfies the majority of county residents. “Our town supervisors wanted to be a part of this process, now they are,” said Savage
OHHHH..now I understand the motives here. Suzie and Eddy had 'how long' to devise this sex offender law? Ya know the one they thought Eddy would win the election with? And now, 'queen Suzie', has thrown a gazillion people from all different municipalities and specialties and gave 'em 90 days. Just in time for election, might I add.
So Queen Suzie and Eddy are pushing their responsibility on to the town supervisors and authorities. I WOULD HAVE SAID 'NO' AND PUSHED IT RIGHT BACK ON THEM! I seem to see now that it was a mistake for the supervisors to agree to this. (if they had a choice to begin with)
It was the county legislatures that should have been having these meetings with the 'specialists' first and foremost. Long before this law was even proposed. THAT IS THEIR JOB!!! I would throw it right back on their laps. They are setting up the supervisors for the fall!
This act of 'political bullsh**' just reinforces the fact that the county legislature has failed the taxpayers miserably. And have lost their ability to govern the people through their arrogance and inabilities!!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
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