Quoted from Libertarian4life

So, you have thoroughly examined all the candidates and their performance records as incumbents?

Quoted from joebxr

No, since thread is only about your nephew.
His Bio now says he attended Mohon, but didn't include that when he ran for Schdy board????
His given address is a vacant building that he does not appear to be owner of????
He claimed a salary previously that was not accurate????
His resume is confusing...corrections officer or what????

Those are a few of the items that stood out when I looked further to see if he is someone I would vote for.
So not discussing others, just the one this thread is about.  Care to reply and clarify?

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

I am not entering into the debate.  Just want to clarify/correct a point.   The address on Guilderland Avenue is NOT a vacant building.   It was approved and converted into 1st floor office and 2nd floor apartment.  It is my understanding that both spaces are being used.

Quoted from joebxr

That might very well be. As someone else pointed out, it appears it is vacant right now.
http://www.homefacts.com/addre.....-Ave/155264117.html#

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

The information on that website is from 2011.  The conversion to office and apartment was approved sometime last year or in later 2013.  Last year, work has been done on the interior of the building.  I have seen a vehicle belonging to the person who uses the office parked there from time during the day and different vehicle parked behind the building late at night.

I will add only two things to the discussion:
#1) Bob Godlewski has a hell of a nerve claiming that anyone else is "politicizing" anything.  He politicizes EVERYTHING that he is involved with.
#2) I have met Dan Garrow - briefly - on two occasions.  He seems to be a pleasant enough person.  I can't possibly say that he is a good or bad candidate for any office based on those two interactions.  

Quoted Text

Another interesting factoid ... 3078 Guilderland Ave is what most of us remember as the former Rotterdam branch of Sunmark FCU... In a recent drive by I noticed it's not only vacant but under construction to be utilized as what appears to be an office (given the few desks inside). The building permit located in the window doesn't have Garrow's name on it at all... Owner or applicant. So .... Is this his actual residence, or simply an address in which to qualify to run for the school board???

Quoted from joebxr

Only saying, as was previously posted:


Would add one other thing...he may be a very good person, don't know him.
But I would think that a board rep should be a resident as well as a parent (IMHO).
Would think as a parent there is another element of understanding that would be
valuable in board matters versus someone without children...but that is strictly my opinion.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

I don't believe that the building is vacant.  Whether he owns the building, which he does not, or rents, is (IMHO) not relevant.  The only thing that is relevant is whether or not he actually lives within the school district.

Most school board members are parents and (IMHO) some have made good school board members while others have not.  One could argue that a younger person, who is not to many years removed from being a student, could bring a different perspective to the board.  But again - the history of electing young people to the school board has been both bad and good.  Take that Congressman from Illinois who started out (much younger than Mr. Garrow) by being elected to a school board and then ending up a dozen years later to being nothing more than a self-absorbed, corrupt official.  Then there is John Kasich who started out the same way (again - younger than Mr Garrow) and is now doing pretty well as Governor of Ohio.

I wouldn't exclude a non-parent from consideration.  I would have to look at the whole picture -- what talents does the person bring to the board.  For example, a non-parent, who has a proven track record of crafting budgets and finding cost savings while still maintaining excellent service, might make a a great board member.  

Quoted from joebxr

Good points and make sense...might change my thinking on the parenthood based on age, etc.

Quoted from Libertarian4life

Every single candidate is a member of a political party.

Dan is my nephew. He has lived almost his entire life in Rotterdam. He did move to 12th Street to be in the city when he ran for the city school board.
He started his Garrow Landscaping business in 2012 and made over $50,000 his first year. He's 25 years old, has a realtor's license and wants to go into politics.
He owns an immaculate 2 family home on Brandywine Avenue which he rents out, and keeps it perfect. He was never into drugs, and he believes in his community. He understands school taxes and property taxes, because he also pays them as a homeowner. He is investing in Schenectady County when others like me, want to flee. He was raised by a beautiful compassionate mother who fought cancer several times, succumbing to the cancer about 2 years ago. People want to bash the kid for not finishing high school, but he was there for his mother which is a lot for a teenager to handle. Daniel is a decent hard working, law abiding, young man with plans to serve the community. I would be proud if he was my son. He has always had one job and often worked 2 jobs. He is an actual product of the Mohonasen school district and he sees only positive things for Schenectady County. Unlike me. We don't always agree on politics, but he has always urged me to go to town board meetings and speaking up, but that's something I have any interest in.
As far as all the above gripes, not one of the complaints mentions why any other candidate deserves to be elected. I will be voting for Daniel for the following reason. Because he isn't part of the incumbent regime who received the increased state aide, but chose not to lower school taxes.

But if you people are happy with the way the incumbents raise taxes and can't control spending at all, then go ahead and vote to keep them in office.

The incumbents put out the hate posts and you all gobble it up, knowing absolutely nothing about him.

Daniel isn't out there bashing the other candidates. He talks to people every day, about what he would like to do for them.

Other candidates, are out there badmouthing him as inexperienced, but I would rather not have hardcore professional experienced spenders raising my taxes even higher.

Margaret Bielecki is his aunt, but she is a wonderful loving person, that knows what she is talking about.

That isn't a reason to vote for other candidates.

Their own accomplishments of keeping school taxes down, reducing class sizes and reducing the dropout rates, should be their sales pitch, but unfortunately they have been miserable failures at keeping taxes down, reducing class sizes and trying to reduce dropout rates. Touting experience when you have failed is not a reason to re-elect those who will continue to do the same old thing.

Quoted from Alva White

Saw this on FB.

https://scontent-iad.xx.fbcdn......52c0&oe=55CDF172

Quoted from bumblethru

It appears that the folks who vote party line will be the only ones voting for this 'kid'.
nothing personal.....k?

Quoted Text

Mohonasen budget, buses approved by voters
May 19, 2015


Ryan, Young, McFarland elected to the board of education

On Tuesday, May 19, Mohonasen residents voted to approve the district’s 2015-2016 proposed budget by approximately 69 percent, with 1,217 voting in favor and 548 voting against it. The $48 million budget carries a 3.44 percent spending increase over the current year and a 2.13 percent increase in the tax levy.

The tax levy increase is at the state’s tax levy limit or “cap.” The limit is determined by a state formula and varies by district.

“I want to thank everyone who came out and voted. We are fortunate to be in a district where people recognize the value in education and their local schools,” said Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Spring.

Voters also approved a $460,000 proposition to purchase two full size, 66-passenger school buses and four, 34-passenger buses, by approximately 71 percent, with 1,244 voting in favor and 512 voting against it.

Three candidates were also elected to the Mohonasen Board of Education; newcomers Patrick Ryan (866); Pamela Young (800); and Chad McFarland (776), defeated incumbents Gary Spadaro (738 ) , Stacey MacTurk (565) and Tom Andriola (561) as well as newcomer Dan Garrow (461).