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
Sunday, July 22nd, 2007 Did Ed Kosiur Help Create 2,000 Jobs?
According to the flyer I got in yesterday’s mail, Ed Kosiur, Democratic candidate for the 105th assembly seat, claims he helped create 2,000 new jobs. He is making the same claim on his web site.
It’s always difficult to evaluate politicians’ claims that they created or help create x number of jobs. Of course, politicians never tell us how many jobs were lost during the same period, whether the jobs created were manufacturing or service jobs, how much the positions pay compared to the pay of the jobs that were lost, and how many millions of taxpayer dollars were spent to create the jobs.
I spent about an hour digging up the following statistics.
Labor Department statistics show that Schenectady County lost 1,881 jobs from 2000-2004. Information from the USDA shows a steady growth in unemployment in Schenectady County from 1999 until 2004 with a decrease from 2004 to 2006. Statistics from the New York State Department of Labor show that Schenectady County had more people employed in June of 2006 than in June of 2007.
While the above statistics don’t absolutely repudiate Kosiur’s claim, they seem to indicate that Schenectady County has lost as many jobs as it’s gained in the past half decade and that with all of its ups and downs, the employment situation in Schenectady County has not really improved over the past several years.
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
105TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT Laws for sex abusers still debated Amedore offers statewide plan BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter
Republican George Amedore Jr., candidate for the state Assembly from the 105th District, on Friday offered a plan to deal with sex offenders on a statewide basis, hoping to capitalize on a central issue in the hotly contested race. Amedore’s plan “would protect children in every community,” he said during a news conference in Amsterdam. Joining Amedore were Amsterdam Mayor Joseph Emanuele III, Montgomery County Sheriff Michael Amato and Rotterdam Supervisor Steven Tommasone, all Republicans. Schenectady County’s legislation to restrict where sex offenders may live has emerged as a polarizing issue in the Assembly race. It has pitted town supervisors against the county Legislature, with the town officials saying they were not consulted and that they fear their communities will experience an influx of offenders. Amedore, 38, of Rotterdam, faces Democrat Edward Kosiur, 51, of Schenectady, in the contest for the seat vacated by Democrat Paul Tonko. Tonko left the Assembly to head the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. The special election is Tuesday. Amedore’s plan calls for New York to enact Jessica’s Law, a measure passed in Florida that makes rape of a child under 14 punishable with a sentence of 25 years to life. It also calls on the state to increase prison sentences for other sex offenses against children, to allow probation officers to track and monitor sex offenders with GPS ankle bracelets, to equip local facilities where children congregate with sensors that trigger alarms when sex offenders with the GPS bracelets enter them, and to pass “anti-clustering” legislation that limits the number of convicted sex offenders who may live in any area. Amedore said Schenectady County’s laws are “a sex offender shuffle, and areas such as Duanesburg, Princetown, Rotterdam and Montgomery County are being dealt the bad hand. I believe, as many do, that the laws will have unintended consequences.” Tommasone said Amedore’s plan shows “he listens to all of us. George realizes we need a statewide approach to the problem.” Amato said residents in Montgomery County have expressed concerns that the Schenectady County legislation will cause convicted sex offenders to relocate there. “People have talked about it, and I think the people would come here,” he said. Montgomery County does not have residency restrictions on convicted sex offenders. The county Board of Supervisors discussed passing residency restrictions earlier this year, but dropped the plan “because the board felt it was a fragmented way to handle it,” Amato said. KOSIUR RESPONDS Kosiur said he does not believe sex offenders will relocate to Montgomery County as a result of his legislation. “We have been tracking sex offenders in Albany, Rensselaer and Saratoga counties, which have residency restrictions, and have found they are moving out of state,” he said. Kosiur said he agrees there “needs to be statewide legislation in place to prevent” sex offenders from moving to areas without residency restrictions, something he would push for if elected. Schenectady County’s legislation, he said, is a defensive measure until the state enacts consistent restrictions. He said several of Amedore’s proposals are already in place in Schenectady County, such as GPS monitoring on sex offenders on probation and alarms that trigger when these sex offenders move near restricted areas. He also said he supports tough legislation to increase sentences for sex offenders and civil confinement, which Amedore also supports. Kosiur accused Amedore’s campaign of using the issue for political purposes. “I’m glad my opponent has finally spoken up on importance of legislation that will protect our children and families from sexual predators.” He said, “the bottom line is I am the candidate with the proven record of advancing legislation that is tough on these predators and have not ever been afraid to vocalize my beliefs even when it has not been politically advantageous.” The Schenectady County Legislature passed the legislation June 12. Sponsored by Kosiur, DSchenectady, the laws make it a misdemeanor for a convicted sex offender to live within 2,000 feet of any facility associated with children. They also give the county the authority to remove any registered sex offender who has not moved out of an excluded area by Oct. 1. The Schenectady County town supervisors have asked the county to rescind the law, calling it “ill-advised and ill-conceived.” They also are upset the county passed the legislation without discussing their concerns. County leaders plan to meet with the supervisors and may consider changes to the legislation, said County Attorney Chris Gardner. The New York Civil Liberties Union is asking the county not to enforce the legislation and is threatening legal action should it ignore the request. The county laws effectively bar levels 1, 2 and 3 sex offenders from living in the city of Schenectady. Town supervisors fear the law will force sex offenders to move into their communities, which are dispersed enough to lack the exclusion zones, or force them underground where they can’t be monitored by law enforcement.
CARA GODLEWSKI Schenectady The writer is petitioning to become a county Democratic committee person.
Over the past several days I have read letters in these pages praising the Republican candidate to fill Paul Tonko’s Assembly seat. While everyone deserves a pat on the back for a good deed, I fail to see how his deeds qualify him to represent us in the Assembly. Ed Kosiur, on the other hand, has a proven track record as an elected official. He has cut taxes, saved taxpayers millions of dollars by identifying ways local governments could work cooperatively to reduce costs and improve efficiency, and led the charge to reinvigorate our local economy. Ed’s opponent has tried to compensate for his lack of experience by implying that being a politician is a bad thing. I couldn’t disagree more. Is Ed a politician? Yes, a great one, and that is why we elected him. He reminds me of another great politician many of us know — Paul Tonko. Assemblyman Tonko has endorsed Ed, and so do I.
In every political flier and add Kosiur supporters claim he's cut taxes and yet I've not seen any proof of this. We can find evidence that Kosiur raised taxes so who's not telling the truth?
Kosiur said he agrees there “needs to be statewide legislation in place to prevent” sex offenders from moving to areas without residency restrictions, something he would push for if elected.
Then why didn't he push for that right from the beginning instead of this BS, rinky dink, law that won't even stand up in a court of law, sex offender law? Just wasting more taxpayers money! Someone comes up with an idea and he jumps on it like it's his! Local politicians, such as Kosiur, make for strange bedfellows when they start pushing legislation on it's surrounding counties. And without even discussing it with them to hear of their concerns. Thank God we have the leadership that we do in these small counties, whether they be dems or reps. Clearly they seem to be looking out for their residents, where as Kosiur just thought of his own political agenda.
And shadow you are correct....Someone is obviously not telling the truth. Just check his 'public record'. http://www.kosiurtaxrecord.com/ Just go to this site and it will give you the resolution #'s of each tax increase.
OKAY, while I was posting this I got another recorded campaign phone call...this time from Ms. 'turncoat' Judy Dagostino. (but thank God the dems have her now) Well anyways it was obviously a ploy to vote for Kosiur saying that he has voted down 19...NINETEEN...tax increases. And that he also voted to cut property tax. She went on to say that Paul Tonko backs Kosiur and she does too! Like I would vote on her recommendation...NOT!
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
CARA GODLEWSKI Schenectady The writer is petitioning to become a county Democratic committee person.
Over the past several days I have read letters in these pages praising the Republican candidate to fill Paul Tonko’s Assembly seat. While everyone deserves a pat on the back for a good deed, I fail to see how his deeds qualify him to represent us in the Assembly. Ed Kosiur, on the other hand, has a proven track record as an elected official. He has cut taxes, saved taxpayers millions of dollars by identifying ways local governments could work cooperatively to reduce costs and improve efficiency, and led the charge to reinvigorate our local economy. Ed’s opponent has tried to compensate for his lack of experience by implying that being a politician is a bad thing. I couldn’t disagree more. Is Ed a politician? Yes, a great one, and that is why we elected him. He reminds me of another great politician many of us know — Paul Tonko. Assemblyman Tonko has endorsed Ed, and so do I.
And who is this 'Cara Godlewski'? Perhaps a relative of 'Bob'? hmmmmmm
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
You are so right Cara Mr Kosiur has a proven track record and his record tells me that he just loves to raise taxes and has no intention of cutting spending as he has some projects that will need to be funded by raising taxes higher. Kosiur is a member of the Dem team that runs the county council and I'm not happy with what they've done for the county either. All they have done is to pour millions of dollars into a 3 block of State St while the rest of the city falls down around their ears. Every one of you Kosiur supporters keep telling me that he voted to lower taxes, I'm from Missouri show me where he has cut taxes or shut up.
Schenectady has become our New Orleans. They boast about the 3 blocks while the rest of the city looks like the levys broke. Taxes are out of control, crime is out of control, the SPD is corrupt, the people are getting poorer and poorer, most are on public assistance, Bellevue/Mt.Pleasant is becoming like Hamilton Hill AND yet Mr. Kosiur continues to vote for tax increases and Mr.Stratton gets a raise. How do they look at themselves in the mirror everyday?
Listen people...Just look at the city of Schenectady. Is that what you want your town to become? Because it will. Do you think your taxes are too high now? They will get higher. And just as Schenectady, we will continue to get nothing for our tax dollar. Mr. Kosiur has already boasted about all of the government programs he will implement if elected to state assembly. We don't need anymore of Ed Kosiurs government programs. We need to put people to work, we need tax relief and we need to start seeing our tax dollar at work. And we clearly do not need our tax dollar/tax breakes going to special interest groups.
It's a NO VOTE FOR ED KOSIUR!
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
Ed Kosiur and the Schenectady County Legislature are grinning like Cheshire cats about their so-called sexual predator law. Did they consider the consequences of their actions when it comes time for enforcement? On July 24 the Gazette ran a column about enforcement wherein the sheriff stated that he would have to civilly and forcible evict a sex offender from his home — change the locks and hand them to his spouse! Can you say “gone too far”? To civilly and forcibly remove a man from his castle — his home — and to invoke nothing short of a civil divorce from a man’s family; where does it state Mr. Kosiur is the judge, jury and executioner of family values? Touting children’s rights while at the same time breaking up whole families; causing economic distress (the county didn’t fund any income for mandatory relocation of these sex offenders), emotional trauma to the children and spouses of sex offenders who have complied with the law and are trying to live their lives as normally as possible? And dumping these offenders on other counties and districts? Is that really what we want to be known for in Schenectady County? It is time to repeal this bad legislation — rethink the whole issue. The Department of Criminal Justice, the federal, state and local police know where these offenders live. Neighborhoods are notified, as required by state law, when an offender moves. Why, then, does the county need to step in and create more havoc, and more expense (yes, the sheriff’s office is going to need more manpower to police this new law, and guess who is going to pick up the tab)? People of the 105th District, think wisely before you vote July 31. ED JONES Rotterdam
This post is from the Schenectady forum and this email was sent to Pat. I thought it was worthy to print and post here. http://www.schenectadyny.info
Quoted Text
Quoted Text I got an email with an attachment this afternoon. Here is the email and the attachment. It is duplicated for members only. I wanted to make it visible to everyone.
Attached is a letter that was printed in The Amsterdam Recorder on Thursday 7/26. It was also submitted to the Daily Gazette and The Spotlight "newspapers", but they were not printed. The Gazette even called Anita to tell her they would NOT print it, claiming they are "getting a lot of complaints about too many letters against Kosiur". Can you believe it! Since when do the editors call you to tell you they are NOT printing your letter! Would you post it on your message boards? I would just put up a link to the paper, but it is a paid site and unless you subscribe, you can't read it.
Well that really tells it like it is, Kosiur won't even face his opponent in a debate about his record or explain to us about those 2000 phantom jobs and the 19 missing tax cuts that he voted for.
What I find most disturbing about Anita's 'opinion', is that the Gazette and Spotlight news WOULD NOT print it since they have been getting calls that there were too many 'anti Ed Kosiur' articles already in the paper. Now, who could the 'liberal gazette' have gotten calls from asking them to stop printing anti-Ed Kosiur articles? It's clearly a no-brainer here people!!
So now, not only are we being manipulated by politics, we are also being manipulated by our very own town news papers! FOR SHAME, FOR SHAME!!
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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