Larry T speaks up.... finally

[lucy]

I would like to say thank you to all of you here. This place has really opened my eyes up on how the government works for us in New York State. Last night my husband and I got into a political argument he told me to stop bitching about things and do something about it. I don't feel very knowledgeable, but would like to step up and do something. Could someone on here help me out and just direct me on where I should go to start?

[frankcor]

Lucy, are you registered to vote? That's where you start.

Here are my thoughts:

Write or call your representatives -- especially, state and federal. Tell them how you feel about issues. If more people did it, it would make more of a difference.

For a greater impact on local issues, attend meetings -- town, village, county, school board, and address your representatives. Tell them what you think about their decisions and how you think they need to vote to best represent your interests.

You might want to join your political party's committee if you belong to one -- Democrat, Republican or Conservative. I know the Libertarians are always looking for people who want to get active and they have a pretty good program to get you connected.

And when you're ready to make the greatest impact, pick up petitions and run for office. We need to stop electing professional politicians and start electing regular citizens.

Bless you for wanting to make a difference. We're all depending on you now.

[Swimmy]

New York State Assembly Homepage

New York State Senate Homepage

The above-two links are very useful for finding out what is new at the state level. There you can even look up your state senator and state assemblymen to write them.

New York Public Interest Research Group

NYPIRG is sometimes a little too liberal for my taste. But the organization was integral in 2003 when the state tried to increase state tuition by 33-1/3 %. They always have some interesting projects going on.

Oneida County Homepage

There is some useful information there, but not much. Yes that is intentional!

You also want to check out some local blogs:
Fault Lines
Concerned Citizens of New Hartford for Open and Honest Government
CNY Snakepit

Check the legal notes section for public announcements about town and county board meetings. As frankcor stated, be sure to go to those to voice your opinion.

Another option available to you is to file FOIL requests for information on topics you would like to learn more about.

Steer clear of us Libertarians. We've been put on DHS's watch list.... lol.

I hope that gives you a good start. And always ask questions, don't believe the articles printed in the od as gospel. Nine out of ten times, the paper has either skewed the facts or omitted key facts to suit Donna's personal agenda.

[dgriffin]

Apr 17, 2009 7:26:43 GMT -5 Swimmy said:

Courtesy of strikeslip's excellent blog post on urban sprawl. Property Tax on Owner-Occupied Housing, by County, Ranked by Property Taxes as a Percentage of Home Value*, 2005-2007 Average

Looks like Picente and company are looking to make us number one! Good, I hate coming any place other than first!

Swimmy, that's a very interesting page and chart, but unfortunately it doesn't take into account the wild swings in property market "values." For example, when market forces drive up your home's value, your county will slip way down the chart and it looks like you're getting a good deal. But you're keeping your house, not selling it, and all the while your taxes continue to rise, your income remains the same or lessens and you find yourself in a bind.

It would be quite simple to construct a chart that is more meaningful ... the percentage of household income paid out to property taxes. That's a simple takeoff from tax returns.
Any percentage over 5% of AdjustedGrossIncome should set off bells.

[tanouryjr]

Apr 17, 2009 6:21:09 GMT -5 lioneljoe said:

From Clipper: Well Larry, I know that you will stand up for YOUR principles and stand against a Democratic County Exec as quick as you would against a Republican County Exec.

Larry, its to your credit to you that Clipper has great faith in you. However, the road to hell in CNY is paved with good intentions from our local pols. I have an open mind and I always want to be fair but I live and vote in the MV so I am going to harbor some skepticism. I only go by what you publicly do or say, not on what you may do.
I'm looking for the same political courage that Cathy Lawrence and Ed Wiatr have shown taking on their own party in New Hartford. That’s what we need from our politicians if we are to have real change in Central New York. So, the question is, when the Democratic County Executive pushes for higher taxes and spending or you going to take him on with the same determination as you do with Mr. Picente?

Thank you so much for all the support and kind words, Clipper. And Lionel, I can certainly understand your skepticism. I consider myself a skeptic and cynic of any politician. Unfortunately, I am a politician myself. I need to find a way to prove that a person can be a politician and have the best interests of the people at heart, at all times. That will only come through actions and building a record. That's why I was proud to get the #1 ranking on the Conservative Party's 2008 Legislative Ranking. They released it a couple weeks ago and ranked all 29 legislators. Being on the County level, all issues were fiscal. 1, 2 and 3 were, Tanoury, Scott and Hennessy.

As for taking on a Democratic CE: I have probably pissed off more Democrats in my first term than Republicans. I don't attack Picente because he's a Republican, or because I don't like him. I do it because he is the Chief Executive of the County, and with that comes the responsibility of the old "buck stopping there." As they say, "Heavy is the head that wears the crown."

If a Democrat ever wears that crown, I will be right there to hold them accountable for their actions too. I have already done so with our Minority Leader, Mayor, Assembly, Congressman, etc. And I never make it personal. Unfortunately, most of them take everything personal. If someone does something I think is right, I am the first one to commend them. The next day, if I believe they did something wrong, I'm the first one to criticize them. Needless to say, that doesn't make me very popular in political circles.

However, I was out yesterday and today knocking on doors. Not asking for votes or getting signatures, just talking to the people. I got a lot of great feedback. It seems people are paying much closer attention to issues nowadays. Maybe it's the recession. A few told me they have heard the whispers that I'm a "troublemaker." I would ask "what does that mean to you?" Everyone of them said, "it tells me you're doing your job." I made it to maybe 100 doors and it was overwhelming (in Cornhill at least) that people are not happy with the state of things here. They want someone that isn't the status quo.

I don't make many promises, but I will make this one: I will NEVER sellout to the political powerbrokers. Maybe that will be my downfall. All I know is that I have staked everything on being the voice of the average person. That may sound like a slogan, but it's really that simple to me. I am a representative. I am sent there to speak on behalf of the people, not the other way around. And even if I disagree with what the people want, I am there to fight for them. Politicians have forgotten what a Democracy is all about. They feel entitled to their jobs. I pray I never act that way. If I do, kick me out.

[tanouryjr]

Lucy, if you have any specific interests, and want to try to get on any committees or boards, send me a message. I can at least submit your name for consideration for any appointments. Plus, I think Frank gave some very good suggestions too.

[lucy]

Thank you guys very very much, I really appreciate it. When my husband is all done using the computer I am going to check out all the websites. By the way Swimmy the link you posted earlier I sent that to everyone! I want everyone to see that. I wish we could over throw Patterson, personaly I would like to rip him out of the Governor's Mansion, and throw him in the streets. That is only my opinion, I'm sure nobody else feels the same.... hahaha....

[tanouryjr]

As promised, here is video of some of my statements on the Common Cents Radio Show the morning after the meeting in which I called for the County to end the sales tax increase or share it.

[Ralph]

That was excellent Larry, straight and to the point as well as completely truthful.
About time the County leveled with everyone and cut the damn budget instead of throwing up a smokescreen every year.

[frankcor]

Bingo! It's not a binary choice between higher property tax or higher sales tax.

Cut county government spending!

[Clipper]

Exactly Frank. Good job Larry. Keep on bringing the truth to the voter. Your popularity rating is based on what the VOTER thinks, not what Tony Picente and his "Back room Buccaneers" think.

Every appearance that you make on radio or video, and every opportunity that you take to bring reality and unadorned straight talk to the general public, is a golden opportunity that the average citizen would not be afforded without your courage and dedication to the mission of spreading the truth.

Hang in there Larry. You are doing a hell of a job so far.

[dgriffin]

Great tape, Larry. Tell us more about the "CEO's of these agencies (that we're giving millions of dollars to) that don't even have a high school education, making 6 digits."

[lucy]

My first letter will be going to David Townsend, my next letter will be going to Arcuri.

[frankcor]

You go girl!

[lucy]

My third letter will be going to Larry! hahaha... just kidding....