Council now to vote on waivers!!!!

[WestmoGuy]

Dec 4, 2008 11:03:17 GMT -5 Clipper said:

I want the job that can direct all the federal moneys away from street scapes and store front awnings, and into affordable housing and job training.

If Roefaro wants to move the statue into the middle of Oneida Square, he will have to do it with funeral profits, and a few of the good ole boys with jacks and a sturdy snowmobile trailer, LOL. (Did that ridiculous idea fall by the wayside, or was THAT tabled until the 17th of December also???)

LMAO

The city administration has turned in a joke. I mean it's hilarious.
Too bad Uncle Henry's wasnt there anymore. Someone there coulda run the city better than it is now.

[Clipper]

Well Lilbump, I won't profess to speak for Larry, but I think he is in a great position to effect change right now. Why would he want to run for the mayor of a city that has historically crucified dedicated people like himself. Some close to his own heart. Politics in Utica can be very nasty and cruel. The "machine" that I keep mentioning, can chew you up and spit you out, if you don't conform to their agenda.

Ask Ralph if HE would run. HE was also kicked in the teeth for his efforts to make things better in the city. Like I said previously, if you aren't "family" or one who "oils the machine" you are not going to go far in Utica politics.

I have no aspirations to do anymore at my age than to support great and ambitious people like Larry Jr. But if I were to want to run for mayor, with my limited education and political experience, I would assemble a team of folks with strength in the areas needing attention, and NOT part of the old school party politics. I would then address the issues that affect the average citizens of the city, not the rich and influential.

I was treated rudely, and even threatened many years ago, when I campaigned for an unnamed friend. It was long enough ago, that he was running for "alderman" rather than common council. That is how long ago it actually was.

Ya see, the problem is this. I would never be able to fund a campaign to run on that platform, and I would never get the support of either party with a platform of such contrasting ideas.

It is sad that there ARE very qualified people in the city that could turn it around but that are afraid or have no desire to open themselves to the bullshit that is politics in Utica NY. Unless one could have a majority of the council replaced at the same time, progress would be hard to achieve. A WHOLE NEW governing body would be necessary to get the support for such an agenda as improving the neighborhoods and not giving the city away to developers and funding it with federal money and tax breaks.

[tanouryjr]

lilbump - I think Clipper pretty much summed Utica politics up. However - call me idealistic - I do believe it can be changed. I think there are many regular government employees and workers that went into it for the right reasons and are overall good people. Unfortunately, they have been oppressed for many years by the usual political games. Anyone that does come along and stir things up, tends to either get thrown out or has their own personal issues that get exposed. So these people tend to lose faith. I think once I prove myself and show that I am NEVER going to conform or compromise my principles, and that I don't have any skeletons in my closet, maybe then will be the time to run for an office that can make a bigger difference. Then these people will see that there is a voice that they can trust. Right now I'm just focusing on trying to change the landscape of the County Legislature and get politicians to start addressing the real issues and stop the political pandering and games. We simply can't keep doing the same thing we've been doing for the past couple decades. It hasn't worked and we need to change. I may not have the solution, but I CAN tell you the staus quo is NOT the solution. It's that simple. What do we have to lose by trying something NEW?

[Clipper]

Thh "clean closet" and the tenacity factor will carry you as far as you want to go Larry. You are the ONLY breath of fresh air that the area has seen in a long time. Your mission and your agenda to simply clean house and make it honest and forthright, are admirable, and with time, I think you will see a surge in your popularity and others will jump the fence and join your cause. Just hang in there and keep doing what you are doing. Change takes time. It is an evolutionary process, and doesn't happen overnight. There will be leaps ahead, and stumbles back, but I have faith the YOU have the guts and the patience to make it happen, and to ride it over the top.

Just stating facts, and not slinging unfounded accusations will keep you on track. Just don't fall into the trap of "digging for stuff", and the "stuff" will come to YOU. Don't let them bait you into playing their game on their field. Make them come and meet you "on the Busy Corner" and get honest with the residents and taxpayers. Good will triumph over evil., and if you play your cards right, you will emerge triumphant and wearing the "white hat".

Thanks for what you do Larry. Hang in there. I think even those that don't agree with you politically, here on the forum, have to admit that your honesty and your motives are clear and clean. Cya soon!(Yes, we WILL go and harass Ralph, AND make him spring for the java! haha!)

[Ralph]

Things haven't changed much down there since I was playing around in the arena.
Same faces, just different positions....they move them around like a game of musical chairs. I have seen the same hardworking, knowledgeable and DEDICATED person in the Codes Department passed over for the Commissioners position for years and the rest of the department shuffled like old playing cards.

And that is just the tip of the iceberg.

Sometimes the more things change the more they stay the same....or get worse.

[bobbbiez]

Yeah Clipper, had no doubts it would be tabled because a large group of people (me included) got together and called not only our own area council person, but all of them, voicing our anger over the idea of a residency waiver.

The voters of Utica have spoken through the proper procedure and are very anger that Mayor Roefaro would have the b*lls to even consider this.

Don't think our common council with all the angry calls they're receiving even want to handle this and are pretty upset that Mayor Roefaro dumped it in their laps. They are the ones in the lion's den now and are feeling the heat.

[Clipper]

Good job sunshine. Somebody has to hold that pompous jerk's feet to the fire. Who the hell does he think he is? What was the object of a referendum on the ballot, if he was going to waiver people anyway? NOBODY should be waivered, if the law is to have teeth. I am not in favor of the law myself, but since it has been passed, let EVERYONE comply.

[lilbump1980]

Larry and Clipper I never thought of it that way. You are both 100% correct! Thanks

[lrtill]

I have a very close friend who is a long time member of the UPD and who's father and uncles are retired UPD. My friend lives outside the city limits as did his dad. Making long time UPD employees move into the city after all these years is a farce! Why would you want to upset the family of the employee, put the burden of changing schools etc. on their children. My friends wife works in the opposite direction from where they live to Utica and it would make her commute more difficult. Not to mention they would have to leave the home they love and have put their blood, sweat and tears into as well as having so many memories there. This law was never enforced in the past, in fact was really ignored like it didn't exist. I don't think it's fair to those who have lived in another town (suburb of greater Utica), to now have to give up their current lifestyle and home because someone all of a sudden decided it would be a good idea to enforce an old outdated law that had been ignored for years. If the law is to be enforced from this point on, I don't think it unreasonable to grandfathe in those who built a life based on the old way of ignoring this idiotic law. The UPD needs good, experienced, dedicated employees and should not treat those who have given years of their life to serving and protecting the people of the city they love. I think those of who live in the greater Utica area all consider ourselves Uticans. Most of us "native" to the area were born in Utica. Maybe we branched out to the burbs but we're all still Uticans at heart and these dedicated police department employees obviously care about people in the city or they wouldn't be putting their lives on the line to protect those who live in or are just visiting within the city limits. Let's face it the city itself has always been "divided", N. Utica, S. Utica, E. Utica, W. Utica , Cornhill, downtown have all been seen as separate areas and the people who live in some of those areas wouldn't think of living in some of the other areas.
As for property taxes, I think we can excuse them from paying property taxes in another city or town in order to provide their families with the life they choose to live, since they are risking their lives daily to provide those who choose or need to live within the city limits. This isn't just another job in the city! Remember Tom Lindsey! Would we have thought less of his loss and the service he provided if he had lived outside the city limits. Why would we turn down someone who is willing to take on this high risk career that serves us in such a selfless manner just because he or she lives just outside the city limits. I am no fan of Roefaro, but I think this waiver/ grandfather clause is right for those who serve us. Actually, I think they should throw the damn law out!

[lilbump1980]

Lrtrill... The residency law DOES Not effect current employees.. It is just those hired after jan 1 2009

[bobbbiez]

irtrill, libump is right.

Let me just add this. Your friend should consider themselves lucky that they got away with not living in the city limits for all those years.

I have two boys who have been with the UPD for over 20 yrs. now and they did "honor" the contract they signed when they were appointed and that was to live in the city. They knew what was expected of them to be appointed and did the honorable thing which the majority of UPD officers have done.

My total respect goes to all those Officers that did the right thing.

[lilbump1980]

bobbbiez, I agree I give your sons, my friends husband and my cousin and my friends that all are on the force,,some new some old that bought houses in utica b/c they signed a contract.

[denise]

I believe that most people who choose a career in law enforcement will serve and protect to their highest ability with no difference made whether or not they too happen to live in that municipality.

Living within the municipality is not "doing the right thing". Doing their job to the best of their ability is "doing the right thing".

[lrtill]

I had not heard the 2009 thing - thanks for the info. I have not had a chance to talk to my friend about this and was worried for them that they might have to upset their children's lives by moving into the city proper, changing schools, leaving friends etc. I respect the choice to live in the city but don't think it should be requirement. I think being highly qualified, dedicated to the job should take preference to living within the city limits or in one of the burbs.

[lilbump1980]

I disagree, I think they should live in the city that they work for. Our taxes pay their salary they should contribute to property taxes. If utica is good enough to pay them, it should be good enough for them to live in. My family and friends signed a contract to live in Utica, they stuck to it.. Everyone should.. No exceptions!!