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Post by lioneljoe on Aug 27, 2009 5:19:21 GMT -5
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Post by rodwilson on Aug 27, 2009 16:20:24 GMT -5
Unfortunately, he seems to be mostly hot air. Some of his other comments and ideas were way off. Maybe he was being factitious but I doubt it. He was rude and belligerent to a gentlemen who had something to with the budget. He was upset about the Oneidas not contributing to the bed and hotel taxes (legit) but threw hissy wanting to know why we couldn't use stimulus money to the Convention Bureau and relieve the the tax burden on the non-Oneida businesses. It was quickly pointed out that the stimulus funds were a short term cash flow only. There seems to be much fury and little substance.
Additionally it was pointed out during the session that the Couny Leg was warned by the FAA that they were on the verge of misconduct with regard to the ongoing fiasco @ Griffis. Mr. Hennessy is well entrenched in that.
I don't think that the Dems are the answer sorry to say. You have the "Old Guard", a couple of "good" guys, then you have Larry and Hennesey. I'm a really liberal guy and not one for pomp and circumstance let alone procedure but these guys were out of line in how they carried on. There were some other legislators on the other side who were out of line in response but I don't see these guys having the ability to really get much done. No one is really interested in working with them and I can see why. They really are disruptive and divisive. You have to go for yourself though because the cameras were off by the time they were telling each other to "go f$#@ themselves". I think Larry really does understand the problems and like I said, has offered solutions but he lacks the political savvy to really make anything happen. In fact I think his explosiveness is an obstacle. I think the best thing Larry can do is distance himself from Hennessey. Hennessey's not going any farther than he is right now. Larry might but for all his talk of having to play the game, he needs to understand the rules.
Then there's my Dem rep who voted Rep anyway. Always does.
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Post by tanouryjr on Aug 27, 2009 19:02:29 GMT -5
Rod,
Wow! I was just coming to thank you for the praise you gave me here and last night, only to see you deleted your post and totally changed your tone. Okay?
As for your statement on Griffiss... The discussion was due to Mr. Hennessy and Mr. Tallarino warning for MONTHS now that they believed we were violating the federal exclusivity clause with the FAA. No one listened to us and then we found out that the County Executive did in fact get a letter saying we may be in violation. So, it was Hennessy and Tallarino that were right. I don't recall being rude one bit to the Finance Commissioner, however, I certainly was elected to make sure that Department Heads are being held accountable, especially when it comes to the Stimulus money. The fact that the Stimulus money is not finding its way back to the community is the NUMBER ONE issue that I hear at the doors. And I had two people out knocking with me today that can attest to that. It's all we heard. And we spent almost two years trying to "play nice" with the old guard political culture up there, now it's time to fight for the people that elected us all...the taxpayers. These guys have absolutely NO INTENTION of changing anything or reforming anything. Therefore, if you want to make an omlette, you have to crack a few eggs. I am certainly tough when it comes to doing my job there. That's exactly what I promised in 2007. So I come as advertised. I make no apologies for that.
I really don't understand your last post. Obviously you're frustrated and I appreciate that...we all are. But you seem very inconsistant. That or someone got to you within that past 24 hours.
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Post by rodwilson on Aug 27, 2009 19:50:48 GMT -5
Larry,
I didn't delete anything. The post is in another thread.
You were not rude to the Finance Commissioner. Mr. Hennessy was very much so. And very unnecessarily.
I absolutely agree with your frustration with regards to the stimulus money. It should be doing what it was intented to do. My statement is regarding Mr. Hennessy's lack of understanding or being unable to see the faults in what he was suggesting. He was either emotional or didn't think it out. My posting in this thread was to share what I saw of Mr. Hennessy and to share that I don't think that the Democratic Party is the answer. I do believe that Mr. Hennessy is a fighter for his people, we see that all of the time and saw it again last night but he was outright combative.
With regards to yourself. I stand by what I say in both posts. I think you have the ability to help make great strides for the county. I also think you need to be a whole less combative. My point is not be insulting but to be informative and hopefully helpful. It was clear that your colleagues weren't very receptive to you. Clearly it's because of the work you do to upset the status quo. But it's also very much HOW you address issues and people. The personality conflicts are a hurdle to good government. And in fairness it wasn't just Larry. There was a serious lack of professionalism in the chamber.
"The discussion was due to Mr. Hennessy and Mr. Tallarino warning for MONTHS now that they believed we were violating the federal exclusivity clause with the FAA. No one listened to us and then we found out that the County Executive did in fact get a letter saying we may be in violation. So, it was Hennessy and Tallarino that were right." This is exactly my point. Because of the strained relationship amongst the various groups, nobody is listening to each other. I believe that was your point as well.
That's it. Perhaps I too closely grouped you with Mr. Hennessy's actions in my post. Like I said. I think you have great potential but you're never going to get anything done the way you're going about it. I really do like you. I guess the inconsistency label is fair. I guess it comes from me not quite being sure. I really want to believe that are some folks left that can get through the wall. I think you can.
I don't think anything that I've posted here is news to anyone. Your reputation precedes you as does Mr. Hennessy's. I found his behavior last night to be offensive and unacceptable as well as again being a major obstacle. If I pretend it didn't happen or share it. It'd never change and I'd just be part of the problem.
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Post by tanouryjr on Aug 28, 2009 0:19:04 GMT -5
I see what you're saying, Rod. I guess I took it as you were talking about me when you mentioned the Finance Commish. Sorry about that. I also see what you're saying about the approach we take. I can totally understand what you're saying and you may even be right. I just wish everyone had a chance to see all of the conversations and dynamics of the past two years. That might help to understand how we got where we are today. These guys have held absolute control for so long that they have become arrogant and feel entitled. When I first got in office, my first action was to sit down with the Chairman (Republican) and try to hammer out some reforms. I was able to pass several, but unfortunately every single one that he disagreed with was defeated. So, basically the entire board voted exactly the way he dictated. I still made MANY attempts to work with them. I have asked the CE MANY times to please start making appointed boards and commissions more diverse and reflective of the community. Not only more minorities, but more regular folks, not just politically connected people. He told me several times that he would give me the heads up before he appoints a board, in case I knew someone that wanted to volunteer. He still has NEVER done this. After a while of trying to work with them, you finally realize that you're banging your head against a wall. So, that left me with a couple options. I could have thrown the towel in or started using the bully pulpit to try to effect change and shame them into changing their ways. I'm not a quiter so I decided I would keep on fighting. I have also fought against Democrats as well. As you know, I spoke out last night against the City administration and Mrs. Destito. Will this make me any friends? No, but at the end of the day, when all is done (whether losing a re-election bid or simply serving out my time in public life), I will at least know that I never compromised on my principles and always fought for the people that don't have a voice. I certainly don't think I'm always right on issues, but not being able to have an honest debate is not good. If I'm wrong on an issue, I'll be the first to admit it. But I can't even get an honest debate. I can ensure you that it isn't due to my demeanor because I worked tirelessly to try working with the otherside AND some in our own party. They have simply become so arrogant that they refuse to work together. I am so serious about changing the culture there that I even offered to resign if they would all resign with me. That was to show that it wasn't all about me. It sounds pretty corny/idealistic, but I truly mean it when I say I want to change this county for the better.
I could easily have gone into office and played to good ol' boy game, kissed butt, stayed quite, took some cozy job and probably gone unopposed. But instead I decided that I wanted my service to be about something bigger than me - bigger than money or personal gain. If that means I live a simplistic life, then so be it. I live off our meager salary and some personal investments right now. I am starting a start-up business, which is actually COSTING me money at this point and still plan on finishing up school sooner or later. So, I certainly am not doing this for any personal gain.
I do appreciate your candor though. It's always nice to get a candid opinion. Too many people in politics are two faced. They'll say one thing to your face and try sabotaging you the second you turn your back. So I have a ton of respect for your honesty. Hopefully you will continue coming to the meetings and even some caucus and committee meetings. I think you'll see why a lot of these things happen the way they do. You'll also see another side of Hennessy. He is definitely the hardest working legislator I have ever met. He is honest and very informed on the issues. I have disagreed with hi on many issues, but his charachter is second to none. Until he came along, that board was like a country club that never had any debate on issues. It was just a rubber stamping session. So, even if I disagree with an issue, the debate and challenging of the status quo is long overdue.
Have a good night and I'm working on putting together a document to send you in regards to your other request.
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Post by Ralph on Aug 28, 2009 2:04:43 GMT -5
Ya know, at some point years ago we slipped way down in the caring about things like this and now they are taken for granted.
Look at the recent City Government screwups/coverups. Everything around here is so corrupt it is ridiculous! From the lowly NFP’s all the way up to the State level; gimme, gimme, gimme!!!
The most worrying issue is that they are all so blatant about it and then when someone calls them on it just make up a dozen different excuses and were just supposed to pick one and go with it, doesn’t matter which one as they are all BS anyway. They may as well wear a sign on their foreheads that says “We’re screwing you to the wall every day with your own tax dollars and there’s nothing you can do about it”.
There has always been elements of nepotism, cronyism, favoritism, and a dozen other “isms” in the political spectrum, but around here as of late it is like no one cares if you see it or not. The next political slogan will be “Elect me and I will put my whole family and all our relatives to work on your dime so we can tax you to death while we build our vacation home in Myrtle Beach.”
Hell I might vote for them……at least they would be honest!
Larry……keep plugging away and give me a call sometime.
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Post by lioneljoe on Aug 28, 2009 2:56:49 GMT -5
From Larry Tanoury: "As you know, I spoke out last night against the City administration and Mrs. Destito. Will this make me any friends? No, but at the end of the day, when all is done (whether losing a re-election bid or simply serving out my time in public life),"
Good, I'm glad to hear it Larry. I hope others follow your example. I wonder if Ms. Destito was surprised by the push back...
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Post by rodwilson on Aug 28, 2009 8:21:27 GMT -5
Thanks Larry. All points understood and appreciated.
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Post by rodwilson on Aug 28, 2009 10:21:25 GMT -5
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Post by tanouryjr on Aug 28, 2009 22:12:58 GMT -5
I guess this is the least he could do after years of her helping him send millions and millions in member items to NYC, with her name on them so he didn't get questioned. Also her supporting him over Upstate Democrat Bragman for Speaker a few years ago. Remember folks, we had a chance to have an Upstate Speaker if our own Reps didn't back stab him for Silver. So, when they complain that NYC gets everything and has all the control, you can thank her. |
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Post by wcup102 on Aug 29, 2009 16:09:31 GMT -5
Careful how much you speak out against the regime, you may be called astroturf and may be taken as a loon or nutjob.
I'm sick of not getting the answers we deserve and being chastised for asking questions or speaking out.
Retire all these bums in 2010.
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Post by rodwilson on Sept 24, 2009 8:04:56 GMT -5
Here is the exact issue that I was taking about with regard to Hennessey. I really can't believe that he's going to introduce this as legislation. You can not replace recurring revenue with a one time stimulus payout. This was pointed out to him in the above mentioned session. While I don't agree that the stimulus funds that we received are being held up to shore up medicaid, I certainly don't see this as a form of stimulus. It seems to me that Mr. Hennessy is looking for some votes without regard to the bigger picture. Does he really think more people will come because the county did away with the bed tax? Perhaps he should go after some of the millions that we waste in County EcDev "efforts" romesentinel.com/news?newsid=20090921-141155 |
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Post by rodwilson on Sept 25, 2009 20:38:28 GMT -5
So now it's only for a year. Pretty convenient in an election year. Elect me on it, if it doesn't work, we'll go back to the way it was. In the meantime, we piss away half a million dollars. Mr. Hennessey, I travel quite a bit. Never, not one time has my travel ever been influenced by a bed tax. www.wktv.com/news/local/61466392.html |
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Post by rodwilson on Sept 28, 2009 10:43:05 GMT -5
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