Quoted from Michael

4974.  

4930.

These are the two numbers I'll discuss in my next blog entry.  Anyone have an idea what they represent?

number of democrats to republicans in the town???

Or the amount of people it takes to solve the drainage problems in rotterdam???

And what will we win if we are right? A toaster?

MICHAEL, WHERE ARE YOU???

Maybe the 4974 got to him...

He better have a good reason for leaving us hangin' like this!

Bum, go check Michaels blog, the answer is there.  Michael, you will have your work cut out for you, and if or when you win you will realize what a small dog you truly are.  The answers to the woes of any town whether its Rotterdam or D'burg are always more easily answered on a local forum or in ones mind. I can attest to that.

No good reason at all...so toasters for everyone!  

Yes, they are vote totals but these were the two winners totals.  Impressive numbers too.  Mertz and Signore respectively in the Nov 2005 Town Board contest.  These are the numbers I've got to consider in any attempt I may decide to make.  

Calling me an underdog against these guys would be a gross overstatement.  I'd be more like whatever's under the dog.  

You seem to understand my dilemma and reluctance better than most, Rene.  So why do I feel myself being drawn into something I'd much rather avoid and actually have been successful at avoiding so far?

I'll likely lose.  If I won, it probably wouldn't matter.  So why bother?  I'm not saying the people doing it now are doing a horrible job or that I could do better...I'd just be doing some things differently because I think too much valuable time is disappearing.

So why?  I think it boils down to being able to look myself in the mirror and knowing that I at least tried.

I lived in D'burg 43 of my 48 years.  I was never involved in anything, Eight years ago was my first run for the Town Board.  I went into it totally blind and thought it would be fun and a way to make a difference in town.  I had no agenda and was not disgruntled about the way things were going.  Over the eight years it has truly grown on me in a way I never thought possible.  It's interesting that there are no schools for this stuff, only a course put on by the Association of Towns once a year.  I have been self employed all my life and it is humbling to be a part of a system that requires five approvals as well as the approval of an additional 5,900 residents.  No task is easy. I think I have managed to keep my principles and not become a patsy for special interest groups (although our totally volunteer emergency services hold a special place for me) or politics.  Even though the sex offender ordeal turned political it was, in my heart, an issue I was passionate about.  I never meant any disrespect to Mr. Kosiur, he is a good man but let politics rule his thought process.  The last 6 months of dealing with and observing the county leg, and the crappy politics of the last election have made me bitter.  Because of that, I am more of a loyalist to the Repbulican party then I was before.  I'm not saying the Republicans are perfect either and I have considered switching parties myself on many occasions.  Election season 2005, I was truly embarrassed to be a Republican.
Anyway, my point is if you go into it with the attitude you have people will see that.  The key is reaching enough people to have that attitude shine. If you aren't already, get out and start talking to the people now. "Campaign" all the time, not just at election time. I think people will appreciate that. I would like to think you can do it and perhaps you have the determination.  There are many people upset with their current situation and a fresh perspective would probably be welcome.  From what I can tell as an outsider, I would be concerned with the nasty politics in Rotterdam, it is clear candidates are not confronted with the issues, intelligent debate is non existent.  I was at the debate for Rotterdam Supervisor, Town Board, and Leg candidates and....well I will leave it at that.  It seems that when one can't run on the issues they resort to literally making stuff up on a personal level.  Be prepared for that.

Quoted Text

I'll likely lose.  If I won, it probably wouldn't matter.  So why bother?  I'm not saying the people doing it now are doing a horrible job or that I could do better...I'd just be doing some things differently because I think too much valuable time is disappearing.

If you win, it will matter.  We can ALL make a difference.  You have a long road ahead and I will enjoy watching your progress.  I would start down that path NOW. I know I'm naive but I need to believe the political party isn't going to matter, but if you shine as a person you will win.  GIVE ME A REASON TO BELIEVE, MICHAEL.

Michael, If you do decide to run, and you're starting a new party, then let me tell you, I will not only back you, but I would also be willing to be running right beside you.  The people in your neighborhood have seen just about othing over many years of (rightful) complaining.  It is about time that something gets done.  

Also, I am so surprised with how easy it is to get something re-zoned in this town as it is.  The zoning was set up a specific way for specific reasons.  I don't think this town is a "bedroom community" and we don't need a bunch of Multiple Family Residential Housing, which just sandwiches people closer together, as it is in the city.  If you have single family residences, you don't have absentee landlords, you have owners who live on the land they bought and feel responsible for it, as they need to see it each and every day they walk out their front door.  It's also easier to find them when they are needed.

There are many things that are needed in this town, and while I agree with some of the ideals of the people that are currently on the board, there is a need for a change in some of the policies.

On a board as small as ours is, 1 vote CAN make a difference, especially when it comes to spending outrageous amounts of money for study after study.

Quoted from 16

There are many things that are needed in this town, and while I agree with some of the ideals of the people that are currently on the board, there is a need for a change in some of the policies.

That's how I feel too.  Thanks for the support.  We'll see if we can get this thing off the ground and give people another alternative.  

I believe there are 'some' who want another alternative. HOWEVER...with Tommasone's re-election as town supervisor, only proves that the majority of this town is satisfied with the way the town government is being run. Mertz and Signore will be a shoe-in if they choose to run again! We clearly do not need a 'spoiler' party to make way for a democratic town board. We have lived through decades with the dems, let's not go backwards now. If  anyone is unhappy with a certain situation, than deal with it head on without the guessing games on the who and what of an issue! People want the straight forward facts so they can make an informed decision.

Quoted from bumblethru

I believe there are 'some' who want another alternative. HOWEVER...with Tommasone's re-election as town supervisor, only proves that the majority of this town is satisfied with the way the town government is being run. Mertz and Signore will be a shoe-in if they choose to run again! We clearly do not need a 'spoiler' party to make way for a democratic town board.  

Ahhh, is that what it proved?  I'd disagree but I voted for him.  Shoe-in's?  Again, I think not but certainly strong candidates.

I never liked the term spoiler.  THEY are the alternative that 'some' want and actually have the courage to pull the lever for what they want but can't seem to get.  I believe all this "satisfaction", "shoe-in", and "spoiler" stuff disappears when the right alternative comes along.  Given your logic, the Republicans would be running things in perpetuity.  In politics, things change in an eye blink or not at all, but every eye eventually blinks.

It took decades for Rotterdam to 'blink'. And it will take decades before the entire county 'blinks' before there is change in the country legislature.

Mertz and Signore- shoe-ins?  Only if the dems continue to put up weak candidates.  You have to consider who they ran against in 05'.  If you dont have the backing of a major party- you dont have a shot and if you are fortunate enough to get an endorsement from the dems or republicans and also get the 2 minor parties- conservatives and independence parties-  then you picked up about 2000 potential votes.  I think the conservatives have about 1600 and the independence 400 or 500.  If you can get both of those- you are no longer the dog.  Tommasone won easily against a 2 or 3 time loser but Steve Tommasone is not Mertz.  Tommasone seems to be a person who cares about the people he serves and his Town more than his ego. He does not appear to be a vindictive person and from everything I hear, Mertz's motivations are almost never for the right reasons or the moral reasons.  Hang in there Mike.