“How did it come to this,” I wondered as we filed court papers yesterday to ask a judge to order politicians to put our downsizing proposition on the November ballot in West Seneca.
For a guy who’s spent his public life advancing collaboration, it was maddening to be dragged into a legal battle by politicians desperate to do anything to deny people the right to decide. But by challenging our petitions, elected officials proved that they’ll waste even more taxpayer dollars in an attempt to stop citizens from saving taxpayer dollars.
Holy Chautauqua, pols love to fight. Town against town, village against town, city against county. And now they’re proving that – as the national economy falls on top of our collapsed local economy, as we pay the 4th highest property taxes in the nation, and last month joined America’s Top Ten list of fastest dying communities – politicians will even fight citizens.
For too many years, we’ve all known that local government is overgrown, overwrought, and overpriced. By discovering a little-known law that lets citizens petition government to change, I found a way in which we can finally break through their barricades.
As for their latest legal salvo, I’m confident that the court will affirm the people’s power of petition, and the people’s right to decide. We’re all tired of the bickering and pettiness that’s held us back. And yet we all believe that there is one thing worth fighting for: our future. And at stake is nothing less.
We will not be discouraged, disheartened, or dismissed. And we shall prevail. Like the students in Victor Hugo’s “Les Miserables,” we believe that something better lies beyond the barricades. And we know that every trick politicians try, and every stunt they pull, only strengthens our cause.
Martin Luther King once said that “change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability. Someone has to push.” I promise to devote all of my energy and spirit to push until we have a downsizing referendum in each town and village, and every Western New Yorker has the chance to decide.
October 1, 2008 at 11:16 am |
I think that the people should cause new legislation that mandates a ’surplus insurance’ fund that Towns in the County can tap into for unexpected expenses; instead of the current practice of carrying surpluses in each Town & Village. If somebody added up all the surpluses for every Town and Village, I am sure it would shock us all.
A socialized surplus/rainy day fund could lower taxes for everyone. Now the politicians use surpluses for other purposes, like holding down tax increases in election years.
October 1, 2008 at 11:35 am |
Kevin, You are wrong. A citizen brought the challenge because your petition was misleading. Apparently you want to trick residents into going along with you. You are either willingly or naively being used by Wallace Piotrowski to help him create a monarchy. Furthermore, your plan will do nothing to reduce taxes — NOTHING. Please go away and “help” another Town.
October 1, 2008 at 11:36 am |
Keep up the battle Kevin you fight a worthy fight.
But we must keep in mind we fight generations of apathy and the detritus of self satisfied sediment. We have too many layers of same ol’ same ol’ lackeys and their supporters. You saw with the different boards that just because their numbers were redundant and ineffective they liked dividing a small workload into fragments that allowed many discussions and little progress.
I see a new friction this election cycle with many incumbents taking their challengers to court. The old guard just can’t imagine that change will come and they represent the ennui of the past.
I commented on the Cheektowaga School boards on another blog yesterday. Imagine the comparison between eight school boards there and one singel school board in Fairfax Virginia for 160,000 students. Guess which place has lower taxes.
October 1, 2008 at 11:44 am |
Kevin,
I question the politicians spending tax payer money for legal expenses to save their own jobs. These people should be exposed for what their worth.
The rigged political system include judges who participate in the same benefit system. Less power for the taxpayer accompanied by more taxes. Term limits is our only source of resolution.
Tom Finn
October 1, 2008 at 12:49 pm |
Kevin – keep it up. I am afraid the politicians – locally, at the state level and nationally will only know that we are serious when we come with pitch forks. Every one of these guys needs to read the Declaration of Independence. The government at all levels has stopped working for the people that have elected them. We are not innocent bystanders as we keep elected them as they keep bringing home the pork. People wake up they are taxing and spending us into third world status!!
October 1, 2008 at 12:53 pm |
Kevin,
I support your efforts to reduce the cost of government. I’ve heard the mention of this little known law numerous times. Like most people, I don’t like being lead by the nose and I don’t take things at face value.
If your going to keep mentioning this little known law give us the information in a web link so that we can all go see it for ourselves. I believe that as more people read the statute and understand the implications the base of support for this worthwhile cause will be greater and more solid.
Since NY allows each municipality the right to chart their own destiny, it would make sense to go after Home Rule status. However, short of changing the entire face of NYS governance, the wheels you have put in motion is a good start.
MP
October 1, 2008 at 1:47 pm |
KG’s energy and passion must be admired. It is lovely to see a human whose zeal is not driven by personal gain or money. As an American pretty much ashamed of most things happening int he current political arena, KG’s stands out as a diamond, hidden in the sea of self serving BS. Please continue to fight for what is intelligent and good for NYS.
October 1, 2008 at 6:51 pm |
Kevin,
My family and I love what you are trying to do in reducing gov’t. We truly appreciate your hard work and dedication. Call if I can help in any way.
October 1, 2008 at 7:28 pm |
Bravo! I could not have said it better myself. It is about time that they let the average citizen, decide for themselves what they believe is right. It is kind of hypocritical to sit as judge and jury over your own job. This will take some, but the elected officials will eventually learn that they serve at the pleasure of the voters.
October 2, 2008 at 12:25 am |
Kevin!
Keep fighting, keep sharing your ideas, keep pressing through! This is what America is all about. With the great loss of population in WNY, it is high time we streamline the bloated excess number of politicians gobbling up taxpayer dollars. I look forward to the day our great WNY area is able to do more with less. Our dollars need to be put into community interests, not the pockets of the politicians. I hope to see your dream of a Buffalo-Niagara area that is free of the weight that hinders our progress. Do not be discouraged by the short-sighted and selfish. Your goals are noble, and will gain momentum as they begin to flatten the nay-sayers. Don’t despair! Set your eyes on the prize!
October 2, 2008 at 12:40 am |
With the financial meltdown & tightening of credit,, this may actually be a good thing.
Our local goons may have no other choice than to belt tighten. It’s laughable that we have have countless layers of government. Kevin, you may have started the great ball of reduction among out elected money mongers. It’s so frustrating living in WNY & watching wasted potential. Good luck to you! Sign me up for helping in Hamburg!
October 2, 2008 at 1:23 pm |
How appropriate that I’ve rented the John Adams series right now. I believe that all citizens (and particularly politicians) should watch it, and see that some things are worth fighting for. We’ve gotten so “off the mark” from what our fore-fathers had intended, it’s depressing. Keep trying, Kevin. At least you’re attempting to do something, rather than just go with the flow like the rest of them.
October 2, 2008 at 5:36 pm |
You know that anyone who is opposed to this is simply on the public paycheck somewhere saying whatever they have to say to keep the current system in place.
October 5, 2008 at 10:09 pm |
Mr/Ms. Anonymous is probably one of the two west seneca councilmen who are afraid of losing their jobs because of their personal greed and lack of forsight into good government….keep it up Kevin
October 8, 2008 at 9:59 pm |
Thanks to everyone for your kind and supportive comments. They mean the world to me. Together, we’re dismantling their final barricade lines, and nearing the day when every Western New Yorker will be able to decide the size and shape of their local government. I’m the luckiest guy in the world to be doing this work, and grateful to all the heroic West Seneca citizens who are giving their time, energy, and spirit to see this effort through to success.
October 10, 2008 at 4:16 pm |
As a FORMER resident of West Seneca (We left 3 years ago for North Carolina) I can say that this is long overdue. You guys need to get rid of these useless middle layers of Government before it’s too late. The model down here is that everything that can be done at the County level is. The taxes on my house in West Seneca, $5600/yr. The taxes on my BIGGER house down here $1900. Enough Said.