The Record Is Clear (Shameless Plug)

[tanouryjr]

*Sorry for the shameless plug. I haven't received the voiceover yet, but thought it came out well without it.

[rodwilson]

Hey Larry,

Is there somewhere, any venue, website or printed material in which candidates actually discuss their goals and agendas?

I know I myself would find this very useful. For example, I know you have voted against some things but what have you really done other than vote? How have you attempted to really make change HAPPEN? What are your PLANS for fixing Medicaid? What are any of your goals or what's on your agenda? I'm going to be honest. In your first 2 years it seems like you spent a whole lot of time grandstanding. The only thing worse the crooked bastards in office is one of their own running on a reform platform.

Additionally, It seems that my rep hasn't done much in the time he's been there. It looks like from looking back through legislative annals that the only piece of leg that he's introduced is the one I had asked him to introduce last year. And I will ask him to do so again. Other than that, he's a either a part of or protects the old guard.

So where does one go to learn about their reps, track records and political goals?

And for the record. I belong to NO party so my points are made simply from the stand point of resident, father and business owner.

[tanouryjr]

Well, Rod, if speaking out against the old guard is considered "grandstanding", I'm guilty. If trying to expose the corruption and nepotism is "grandstanding", I'm guilty. If voting my conscience and not with the powers that be is considered "grandstanding", I'm guilty.

I understand that you may be upset that I didn't go out and support the recall, and if that is a reason to have harsh feelings towards me or any other elected official, then so be it.

Rod, you can visit my website to see what I have done, www.larrytanoury.net . I think it is very clear what I have DONE to change things. Term-Limits, ending pay raises for elected officials, Go-Green legislation, Rules Changes that take away institutional power from the old guard, $534,000 for HOPE VI, New cars for Utica Codes Department, etc.

As for Medicaid, watch my video on my website regarding my plan to help reform Medicaid and Medicare reform. However, keep in mind that I'm a County Legislator (1 of 29) with little power over Medicaid. What I can and have done is speak out and advocate that State and Federal officials do their jobs. For example, bringing back the Ombudsman Program from the Red Cross to the Office of the Aging, where it belongs. Also providing Medicaid clients with the same statement of services that Medicare clients receive. Without that statement, they have no idea if there is fraud being committed and whether to report it or not.

The list goes on, Rod. Visit my site and talk to my constituents in UTICA.

[Swimmy]

I think it was less an attempt to insult your record, Larry, as opposed to asking if there is a general location, online or otherwise, where people can go to see what each candidate stands for. He was just using you as an example.

[rodwilson]

Thank you Swimmy. It was a general question looking for said info. It is also a challenge. When do we get beyond voting and start coming up with solutions? I hear about Medicaid and how it places such a burden on our tax base. What is being done to fix it? Is somebody looking into it or is it just talked about. I'm not mad about the recall. I'm mad because people have talked for way too long. Lets move forward.

I did run into Larry this evening and straightened him out with a pancake to the side of the head.

My point to Larry and any other "reformist" candidate is simply just get it done. Quit with the mating dance and start making it happen! People will support you.

[Swimmy]

Was it a blueberry pancake or a chocolate chip one? Inquiring minds want to know, lol! :-)

[Swimmy]

I think, though, that Mr. Tanoury's campaign site is very informative of the things he has done and plans to do. And, I meant it when I wrote on the od article that his constituents are very lucky to have him as their representative.

I think his biggest goals should be to reduce the number of legislators and implement term limits. I would also like to see something that restricts the chairman's power to control the entire board and distribute it among the various legislators.

[Clipper]

I agree with you Swimmy. I think that Larry has very realistic and attainable goals. The secret to his success will be to NOT take on too many things at a time, and to work hard on the issues that he does take on. He has made progress beyond the accomplishments of any other first term legislator that I can recall, and will continue to work to change the face of county government.

Everyone seems to expect miracles from this young man. He is not a miracle worker. He is simply an intelligent young man with a political science degree, ambition, a deep love for the city of Utica, and lots of heart.

I don't know how much you all know about Ralph Quinn, but he was another young man with an immense love for the city, and a huge heart full of ambition and dedication to the residents of Cornhill. He was belittled, and used by the East Utica political machine, and was defeated by money, rather than qualifications when he ran for office.

Campaign dollars are hard to come by in a district that has a large population of poverty level citizens. Especially when you are up against candidates with bottomless campaign chests that can afford bulk mailings, tv and radio time, and campaign rallies with cocktails and hors'deuvers.

Oneida County is lucky to have drawn such a candidate as Larry from a district that has lacked GOOD representation for many years. Larry represents his constituents. Larry represents the "little guy". Larry fights for "right" instead of fame, influence, or patronage. He truly has YOUR interests in mind when he speaks out, not the interests of the old school band of cronies with agendas that are aimed at personal gain and partisan interests.

Whether we live in Larry's 25th legislative district or not (I live in Tennessee for now, but can't wait to get back to Utica and the Mohawk Valley) we need to support the ideals that he stands up for. If I lived there now, I would be beating the sidewalks, campaigning for Larry Tanoury Jr. When things look the darkest for Cornhill and the inner city, Larry Jr is a ray of light and hope. Larry represents what we need much more of. Young ambitious people willing to stand up against the corruption and crap that has buried our good city and the county for way too long.

A young man Larry's age, that graduated from college, and didn't immediately look for employment as far from Utica as he could get, tells me that he is sincere in his commitment to the area, and rates all the support I can give him.

I hope that many of you get a chance to attend the picnic, and to talk to Larry in person. While he is young, and might be a new at the politics business, he is a really personable young man with lots of determination and guts. Fresh out of college, we can't expect the political savvy or mindset of a Patrick Henry, or Thomas Jefferson. Give him time. LOL

[Ralph]

I think Larry has more than kept to his agenda when first running for office. His record and that of his challenger is not even remotely comparable. At least he has stepped up to the plate, the other was never around unless there was food on it and a plaque waiting in the wings.

Just for the record; very few people really know what goes on in the political process, whether it is local, county, state, etc. Though the responsibilities and abilities to effect change increase the farther up the food chain you go.

City and county legislators really have little to do other than vote. And I apologize if that seems to over simplify the process, but when you cut through all the discussion and wheeling & dealing, that’s about the size of it. The legislation which is written on the local levels cannot supersede or override whatever has been passed down as law from the State. While there are many things that can be done at the County level, much of it depends on approval from the State. At least some of the things that people throw out there that really need an overhaul.

As far as the City level goes……parking laws and a few codes issues are about all they can really effect change with. “Resolutions” that are passed with much fervor and applause are in reality nothing more than official opinions handed down from the legislative body that passed them.

I mean this as no insult to anyone, especially Rod, who kind of made me think this explanation was needed. People really need to delve into the political process more and deeper to understand what really works and what is possible. Too many think that our local elected representatives are Gods instead of just people trying to make a difference. Their powers are severely limited in scope to what most think, and the old smoke filled back rooms of the past (replaced by the latte filled cafés) are really where the work was, is, and always will be done to some extent.

The executive positions are where the power really lies……and that usually has strings attached to it from afar. The system of “checks and balances” we have really doesn’t check and balance as much as you would think……or wish.

[rodwilson]

Yeh guys, got all that on both fronts. So what you're saying Ralph is that these positions are totally useless? Don't even need to exist? I understand the whole hierarchy of government and the whole 9. Did I mention that I spent my college years working in THE Albany restaurant where NY State gov't really happens? I'm not new to this and I understand it. Honestly, I'd been on my way out for 20 years so I just didn't care. I don't think our reps are Gods by any stretch. I actually believe the most talented folks don't even run for office. They're in the private sector. With no disrespect, I think the PolySci degree is getting way too much attention. I know lots of people that have PolySci degrees and maybe 5% work in politics. Damn, Bush went to Yale right and look how that worked out. And I don't think that Larry is fresh out college is he? Larry, you've been kicking around here awhile right? Marketing for the city and such?

My concern is faaar less about enacting new legislation than it is cleaning up what's there. So Larry has no ability to call out for investigation and discovery into why Medicaid costs are such a disproportionate percentage of our property tax compared to other counties? Then based upon finding offer suggestions and actions? Isn't it actually what reps are supposed to do? Solve problems?

I'm not hammering Larry, I like him but it's also time for people to step up. So by Ralph's explanation, we have to wait years and hope that Larry rises to the county (or committee?) Exec Position? Not buying sorry. And in time, I'll put my money where my mouth is.

[Clipper]

Well, Larry may not be "fresh out of college" as I mistakenly offered. He IS fresh in his journey into the political arena. Sorry for the misnomer.

If we want to take a very pessimistic view of the possible mission of different levels of government, we might even justify county government as protecting us from the bureaucracy(and/or corrupton) at the state level, and the state protects us from the bureaucracy (and/or corruption) at the federal level. At the local level, the city is our closest and lowest level of government and the largest source of corruption and political crap. NOBODY seems to be able to protect us at that level.

If as you say Rod, we could do away with all these intermediate levels of political office, we would have no representation at higher levels to lobby for funding or legislation for our home state and county. We could just endorse our paychecks to Barrack and send them on. Then we could ALL apply for welfare and medicaide in the socialistic society that the lack of lower levels of government would subject us to.

[Clipper]

As for why the percentage of Oneida County property tax is spent on Medicaide, it may have to do with the sheer demographics and the number of people living at poverty level and living on social programs. The area is economically more depressed, than some other counties in the state, and it is no secret that the area is not considered to be "thriving." I don't know this for fact and don't have time to research it, but I offer it as a possibility.

I might ask why you would think that with the public outcry, and the overwhelming figures, that the investigation is not already under way? Is it not kind of naive to think that the costs of medicaide are not on the radar of the legislators?

Is this not an issue that the County Executive should address as the leader of county government? Why don't we see an agenda that is discussed at the meetings, and what was voted on, along with how the legislators voted? That would certainly be a step toward "open" government at the county level.

With 29 legislators Larry is not the only one that can call for an investigation, and it probably has been done at some point. With budget being the biggest item on the agendas of ALL governmental bodies, Medicaide is surely an item discussed at every turn of the road.

As for belittling a poly sci degree, I have to offer only this. Politics, when practiced in an open and honest manner IS a science, and the study of that science gives a person the tools to productively participate. Unfortunately, politics has gone from a productive science to a "game" played by too many candidates with personal agendas and misguided reasons for serving. Maybe if ALL politicians were required to possess a degree in political science, politics might be more forthright and honest, and government MIGHT be operated in a more efficient manner. Just my idealistic alternative to the pessimistic view that poly sci is a waste of time and money.

[rodwilson]

That's a good point Clipper but I've also talked to folks in the industry that say a good part stems from misuse of the system, overuse of emergency facilities, lack of diversity in health care options, bringing in refugees, the prisons...

Let's ask Larry what's being done about it. I tried that once in this forum and I failed to receive a response. So Larry, what is going with medicaid? Is there a team of folks working to determine why it is such a problem? Wasn't Chad Davis posting somewhere else that it continues to be an ignored issue?

County Executive? So your attitude is that we should sit on our thumbs until it's addressed by the "responsible" party. How about the people being the responsible party?

I'm not belittling ANY degree. My point is is that I as do most of us know folks with post graduate degrees that are complete morons. I just think you point to it often to support Larry's credentials.

I don't believe for a second that many if any of these guys step up and take initiative to solve problems. I've seen it, been involved in the process. The meeting agendas are online. They spend most of their time shifting money from one account to another.

[Clipper]

I don't know if I am showing my ignorance, but I am not familiar with Chad Davis. As for mentioning Larry's degree, it is only a minor qualification compared to the fact that he was brought up in the inner city, and was the son of a community minded and politically active father. Larry's dad was much like Larry Jr. in his desire to advocate for the people of Utica. Unfortunately, issues in his private life, overshadowed his political effectiveness and he was not able to fully complete the pursuit of his political dreams and goals. Larry Jr. will fulfill that legacy of desire to improve the lives of those he serves.

As I have said before, I just find Larry to be a breath of fresh air, having been brought up in the area with all the corruption and political favoritism and patronage going on. I only know Larry from having read his website, followed his campaign, and questioned him via email. I met him last Christmas and found him to be a very intelligent and principled young man.

I try to further discussion and play devils advocate at times, but I believe in this young man's dedication to the cause, and will defend him whenever possible, although I am far away and not as well informed on local issues as some of you are. I don't wholly disagree with you Rod, and I will step back and let Larry speak to the medicaide issue himself, as I am basically uninformed of the facts concerning the local problem. ALL areas are having trouble funding medicaide, and the biggest reform is needed in such areas as those people using the emergency rooms like a primary care clinic and other areas of abuse by recipients, as well as greedy doctors misusing and over billing the program.

Here in Tennessee we have "urgent care clinics" that are a commercial enterprise. Some are even located in strip malls. They are manned by qualified and licensed healthcare professionals, and they accept medicaide, making the load on ER's much less. We also seem to have less greed among healthcare professionals, because we have "free" clinics that treat those without healthcare coverage at no cost. They are manned by volunteers, both doctors and nurses, and they operate on a limited hours strictly for those that have no other coverage. Have NY State's doctors managed to step away from the big bucks long enough to make such clinics possible up there yet?

[dgriffin]

Here might be one reason why some counties have higher Medicaid costs than others.
"New York counties vary widely in rejecting Medicaid applications for nursing home care" in Healthcare Finance News, at:
www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/new-york-counties-vary-widely-rejecting-medicaid-applications-nursing-home-care

"New research from the Rockefeller Institute of Government, funded by the New York State Health Foundation and provided to the New York State Department of Health, found a wide range of denial rates among the counties, with some denying close to half the applications examined in the study, while others denied less than 1 percent."

I'd want to see the numbers and the research. For all I know, some counties have higher and lower rates of nursing home admissions and those with higher might have a lower rejection rate. Also, WHEN the rates were measured (e.g., 3 weeks after initial submission or some months after) would be important, because some counties may not use rejection as a screen and instead accept the inevitable cases when they first come through the door, rather than spend resources fighting cases they know they will take.