I agree people need to be more vocal about what elected officials do or don't do.  They are pretty good in D'burg letting me know either way.  The secret is being available.  I try to make sure everyone can reach me at any time. People will walk into my office or call, I make sure my home number is available, and I have people who even stop by my home. That was the deal, I was elected to represent, but how can I be representative if I don't see and hear those I'm representing.  Sometimes it is inconvenient, but it is always worthwhile.  It's that type of communication that made the grassroots effort against the sex offender laws such a success here. The relationship with the Supervisors of the Towns is a big factor also.  Its amazing what can be accomplished when we all work together.  I also have faith that at the end of the day the legislature will realize their error on this issue and perhaps they will join us in WORKING TOGETHER.  I am a political "idiot" but I am smart enough to see that our government is truly dysfunctional.  When a member of the legislature cannot bring an issue to the table because she is not part of the majority is a disgrace.  It is, in my humble opinion, the same concept as not being able to ride in the front of the bus because you aren't the right color. They (the leg) and all of us should be working as a team.  Ok, i've rambled enough.

Rene,

I see you as definition #1.  At least what I've seen so far...

Quoted Text

1 : a person experienced in the art or science of government; especially : one actively engaged in conducting the business of a government

I think you're working the art.  But then again, you do need to know the science of it, too.

Quoted from 47

I agree people need to be more vocal about what elected officials do or don't do.  They are pretty good in D'burg letting me know either way.  The secret is being available.  I try to make sure everyone can reach me at any time. People will walk into my office or call, I make sure my home number is available, and I have people who even stop by my home. That was the deal, I was elected to represent, but how can I be representative if I don't see and hear those I'm representing.  Sometimes it is inconvenient, but it is always worthwhile.  It's that type of communication that made the grassroots effort against the sex offender laws such a success here. The relationship with the Supervisors of the Towns is a big factor also.  Its amazing what can be accomplished when we all work together.  I also have faith that at the end of the day the legislature will realize their error on this issue and perhaps they will join us in WORKING TOGETHER.  I am a political "idiot" but I am smart enough to see that our government is truly dysfunctional.  When a member of the legislature cannot bring an issue to the table because she is not part of the majority is a disgrace.  It is, in my humble opinion, the same concept as not being able to ride in the front of the bus because you aren't the right color. They (the leg) and all of us should be working as a team.  Ok, i've rambled enough.

This is no rambling.  It's straight to the heart of the manner, stating exactly what needs to be said that some people don't have enough grey matter between their ears to figure out...or take the time to figure out.

That "When a member" sentance reminds me of exactly what's been going on down in Washington D.C. since the beginning of the year.  Remember that "no earmarks" promise?  Whatever happened to that?

I have been learning the "science" as I go, but I prefer the "art."

Are you all done praising Rene Merrihew??  She is a wonderful politician. Rene and other Duanseburg republicans did a wonderful job creating an anti Kosier sentiment, and getting Mr Amedore elected. They demonized a law introduced by Kosier and signed by many county republicans, yet the catch slogan was "stop the Kosier law".  Demonizing with no solution is a great political strategy.  With quotes in the times union like "The county needs to look at experts, mental health, those kinds of people and develop a plan that's going to be effective," Merrihew said.  Now that she's a registered member of this site, I will follow Merrihew's progress in finding a comprehensive solution for the placement of sex offenders in Schenectady County. Because like she said "These laws are just wrong in so many ways. Number one on the side of the sex offender. Number two on the side of the victims. It just isn't fair in any respect," said Duanesburg Town Supervisor Rene Merrihew.  She wasn't trying to just keep sex offenders out of Duanesburg, she was concerned about the fairness of the law.  For the sex offenders and the victims.

A petition containing 750 signitures in a county of 150,000+ is about 1 half of 1 percent.

It seems to me that county republicans answer to problems is to have a study.(ie: rotterdam town board)  Let's do a study, and by the time the study is done it will be out dated and there will be a new set of factors to study, and new laws to review, and no decisions made.  Study's seem to be the safe decision when the politician doesn't have the answer.

I believe the general concensus was to impose Jessica's law statewide, that is now being held up in the assembly by Sheldon Silver. Again, the general concensus was being hopeful for this passage of this law with Mr. Amedore as an advocate.

Where do I begin to challenge the statements of one who is seemingly more concerned with party loyalty than with the effectiveness, enforceability and constitutionality of legislation sponsored and enacted by those who were more concerned about getting their candidate elected than addressing the needs of the people?  Local Laws 03-2007 and 04-2007 are correctly referred to as "Kosiur's Laws" because they were sponsored by Mr. Kosiur and proposed to the County Legislature coincident in time to the announcement of his candidacy for the NYS Assembly.  The introduction of the legislation was political pandering by a politician who had an otherwise lackluster record on which to run for higher office.  Despite their espousal of the spirit of inter-governmental cooperation, the Democratic majority of the County Legislature rushed passage of the legislation without performing due diligence or soliciting the input of Town Supervisors, City and Village Mayors, and, most importantly, the public.  The law is being "demonized" by Republicans and Democrats alike.  The opposition is bipartisan as is the desire to establish comprehensive and effective legislation to address the needs of all the residents of the county.

Lastly, Cicero, you need to review your statistics regarding the number of registered voters in Schenectady County.  The number (150,000) that you offer must include adults, minor children, pets, etc. There are approx. 4800 registered voters in the Town of Duanesburg.  Thus, the 750 represents over 15% of the voters in our town.  As one who obtained signatures on petitions, I will state that, given more time, we could have collected minimally 75.5% of the signatures of the town residents (as that is the % who supported Mr. Amedore in the election) and, more likely 98% based on the refusal of only 2 individuals of the 135 from whom I obtained signatures.

We invite you to join the Republicans, Democrats and Independents, led by our elected representatives, to enact effective and legal legislation to protect our families from the threat that sex offenders, both repeat and first time offenders, pose to our communities.  And, you can begin by urging State Assembly Leader Sheldon Silver to allow Jessica's Law to come before the Assembly for an up or down vote.

We can start making a change in out local government this November when we go to the polls to vote and vote for the candidates that want to improve our towns, cut taxes, and cap spending.

One would think that if the city of Schenectady was so burdened by sex offenders, that they would have JOINED the other municipalities and put pressure on the assembly/Sheldon Silver to pass Jessica's law. That clearly would have been the solution for the entire state.

Instead, we, the counties, are held hostage to a governing body that is clearly a, rebelous, self serving, partisan, uncooporative, arrogant dictatorship wilth an obvious blind eye for the counties. You can rest assure that this county legislature will not rescind this law. They will 'tweak' it but it will NEVER admit defeat, humble themselves and come up with the white flag.
They will, instead, rally behind Mr. Ed Kosiur, who has failed miserably, with the hopes of resurrecting his political career. When in fact, it could and should back fire on the entire legislature.

Surely, the people can now see that this county governing body is dysfunctional and not capable of not only governing it's residence but also not capable of working with it's county leaders that they are elected to represent.

With all of this said, I would still thank Rene Merrihew for taking a vocal stand in representing and listening to her constituants. And, in part, representing the rest of the counties as well. An attribute some government officials clearly lack.

"RENE FOR COUNTY LEGISLATURE"..... this would be the right time! The residents of the counties have FINALLY had their eyes open to the dictatorship that holds us hostage. So the time is ripe!! You have my full support if you so choose to run!

As Ms. Merrihew and very likely others in elected office have been reading the posts on this board, this may be one forum in which to express the concerns that we have regarding the sex offender legislation as well as other issues.  All sides of the issue can make their positions known.  Perhaps, as a result, comprehensive legislation can be developed in the true spirit of bipartisanship and inter-governmental cooperation that addresses the needs of all of the residents of the county, both those in the City of Schenectady as well as those in the rural communities.  

I have several concerns regarding the legislation.  They are noted below:

• The failure to protect against crimes committed by first time sex offenders.  Statistics obtained from the County District Attorney's Office indicate that the overwhelming majority of sex offense charges in Schenectady County during the past two years were by first time offenders.  The passage of Jessica's Law at the state level should deter those who consider committing these acts.  It would also ensure that those who are charged and convicted of these crimes are not returned to society where they can reoffend for a minimum of 25 years.  The question of where they should reside (in prison) is predetermined.
  
• The effectiveness of legislation that restricts only where those convicted of these heinous crimes can sleep, not where they can travel or establish a presence.
  
• The unintended effects of the legislation that may include the failure of convicted sex offenders to register their places of residence in accordance with Megan's Law if they are denied a place to live after serving their sentences as ruled by a court of law.
  
• The consitutionality of the retroactive provision of Local Law 04-07 that provides that those convicted sex offenders who currently reside in an exclusion area can be forceably removed from their place of residence.
  
• The cost to the taxpayers of the county to defend the legislation in the face of a threatened lawsuit by the NYCLU.
  
• The cost to the taxpayers of the county to compensate those who are forced to relocate for expenses related to sale of property, early termination of leases, moving expenses, etc. that may be awarded by the courts as damages if the laws are ruled unconstitutional.
  
• The ability to enforce the law and the additional cost to the taxpayers of the county related to the forced eviction of the offenders from their homes.  Sheriff Buffardi has expressed concerns regarding the need for court orders to be issued prior to an eviction and the permanence of the eviction of only one member of a household.
  
• The provision that those convicted sex offenders who presently reside outside an exclusion area may be required to relocate if a new exclusion area is defined in the future with the establishment of a school, park, day care, etc.
  
• The relocation of those who are displaced and the establishment of a new place of residence in rural communities that do not have the necessary resources to monitor their activities.  Towns such as Duanesburg have no resident police force.  Rather than play a "shell game" with these predators, moving them from one community to another, let us enact Jessica's Law so that they are incarcerated in the state prison system.
  
• The failure of those who supported Kosiur's Laws to provide substantiation of their statements that those who are displaced from the city will not move to the rural towns and surrounding counties, but will, rather, leave the New York state.
  
• The failure of the legislation to enact restrictions on the establishment of residence by convicted sex offenders in housing complexes (i.e., apartment buildings) in which children reside.
  

I have provided above only a partial listing of my concerns.  I believe that there are many other legitimate issues that need to be considered and addressed prior to the passage of legislation.  The objective that we all share is the protection of our families, friends, and neighbors.  The approach to accomplishing this end requires that due diligence and deliberation of evidence be performed by those who we have entrusted to represent us.

I think that everything that z2im said is very good and makes a lot of sense. But we need people who will actually work toward this and will work together. I do not see that it will happening with the folks that are in the county legislature now. But I do see all of the town supervisors working very well together for their residents.

Ask Sheldon Silver.....he weilds the power....

As for GPS tracking---ARE WE WILLING TO PAY FOR THAT....

I work in nursing homes and our wonderful "steamroller Spitzer" has enacted a law that requires background checks for Nurses/aides etc....that is fine....
but, because the staffing situation is so tight(lack of folks who want to and more importantly like to do this work), the government allows for provisional staff,,

Provisional staff-already certified, previously been employed somewhere else,,,the facility is to do drug testing, fingerprinting and background checks (limited due to constitutional constraints)

it is a waste of time, because as we ALL KNOW, ANY HUMAN BEING CAN BECOME A CRIMINAL AT ANY TIME, not to mention...even if they are a criminal(as per the law definition and allowable background check) they may not have been caught or even convicted..... the facility is to provide staff to watch over these provisional folks,,,that means right over their shoulder, even when wiping a butt, giving an enema etc....is this feasible or even rational---you tell me.....it certainly wouldn't be cost effective--then we complain about the cost of healthcare........

He did this while he was the state Attorney General---ALL FEAR BASED FOR HIS CAMPAIGN.....LOOK WHAT I DID--I PROTECT YOUR ELDERLY.....

This is what happens when we cry to the government to protect us from ourselves

The sex offenders appear to be protected from the masses of the angry/upset public/parent/guardian etc.....there is no mass in the outlying areas to cause civil unrest.....and a law like this automatically says you will do it....that is a thought crime-prejudgement--minority report.....slippery ,strange and foundationless slope.....

Just put a big painful bite in the bark of the law........public hangings for instance.....I would start with the tittlating business owners of "adult shops", Mr.Flint of Penthouse, Mr.Heffner of Playboy, Paris Hilton(although she appears to have been rehabed from her stint), Britney Spears etc.......

And dont forget----SHOW ME THE $$ TRAIL.....

In reference to Cicero's post earlier.  Thank you for your thoughts and I will do my best to work with all Supervisors and County Legislature members in the hopes of developing a more comprehensive law. Please do follow my progress and feel free to call me if you have any ideas we could use.  Will I be effective?  In all honesty probably not, but I will try. You are right. I do not have a solution, I do not have the answer, we need to work together to find one.  I would like to see us band together with other counties and appeal to the state the same way we responded to the toward the county leg.
I can assure you my motives for opposing this law were not politically motivated. As you indicated, there were republicans as well as democrats who voted in favor.  It did not matter to me which party members got thrown under the bus on this.  The residents in Duanesburg who oppose this are from all political parties and probably many who were not even registered to vote.   You are also right, that I wasn't just trying to keep sex offenders out of Duanesburg.  That alone is a shortsighted and nimby attitude that isn't going to help the situation.  I am very concerned with the fairness of the law.
I realize in the scheme of things how unimportant the signatures may be to you, however, for the residents of Duanesburg it meant a great deal. It gave them a feeling of empowerment and they felt as though they could make a difference.  When I delivered the petitions I made it clear they were from the residents in D'burg, not the county.  Please don't belittle the time and effort put forth by them and myself.
I did not create the anit Kosiur sentiment, he did.  I did not demonize Mr. Kosiur or the law, we simply opposed it.  I have worked with Mr. Kosiur on other projects and know he is a good man, his love for children is undeniable.  I can not to this day understand where he was coming from on this.
I agree with you totally on the study thing, but the answer is not to let a few politicians make these decisions without the input from professionals who deal with it on a daily basis. We've been discussing the definition of politican on this site and "Know it All" is not in the definition.  Anyway, thanks and I look forward to reading more debate on this later.  Who knows, maybe we can come up with some answers right here.

Rene, maybe a group of Town Supervisors could get the attention of Jim Tedesco, George Amedore, Hugh Farley and thru the legislature get Sheldon Silver to consider passing Jessica's Law instead of blocking it from being considered. I know what you mean about trying to get something done by going thru governmental channels it's the same as trying to move a mountain.

Sheldon Silver is on the payroll of a VERY prominate law firm......

Is he an egotist?...not his idea, not NY idea?
Does he have strange bed-fellows?
Show me the $$ trail?
Is he holding out for some bizarre rider-law to go unchallenged?

He is not a dumb fella.....something is here.....