The more I hear about Trump and his claim that Biden tried to have him assassinated... or that his ambition during his anticipated next term as POTUS that Trump will establish a New Reich....or that Trump’s first act on “ day one” will be to conduct himself as Dictator for a Day.......
Coupled with my Congresswoman Elise Stefanik’s obvious seduction into a fantasy world of MAGA compounded by her apparent suspension of personal integrity and honesty to her constituents.....my body and mind go completely cobblewobbly.
A major factor in voter participation in local school budget elections seems to be taxes.
Once the 2 percent property tax cap became effective in the 2012-13 school year, participation in local school budget votes statewide steadily declined, from 804,000 down to 508,000 in 2019-20. As you point out, it took the Covid-19 pandemic for it to substantially increase, when elections were conducted entirely through absentee ballots.
I suspect most people in NYS are satisfied with their local schools. Participation in voting likely depends on pocketbook concerns and any controversies that arise locally.
I agree, the tax cap has made a huge difference in school taxes and almost every board is afraid to go over the tax cap, although while school population declines - Qby is down 900 in 20 years I believe - they added $3 million to the budget this year (reportedly health care costs). I'd feel better if at least half the voters turned out to show they are paying attention.
You are SO right about absentee voting as a great way to increase voter participation - particularly for so-called "down-ballot" elections. Personally, I winter in New York City but vote in Lake Luzerne. This year I requested and returned a ballot for the Rockwell Falls Library board. I was very familiar with and involved in the library saga. I wanted to vote even though the candidates on the ballot were running unopposed because I believe in voting. Regretfully, I didn't know the school board candidates at all, so didn't request that ballot. I'll try to do better next time, since the school board is where politics start! Because school boards are so elemental, I'd favor some Hadley-Luzerne informational campaigning - perhaps a "Town Hall" or a debate if there are opponents.
Our Elise and her MAGA brethren say that absentee voting invites fraud. Nonsense! Signatures for comparisons are right on the envelopes. Rather it invites universal participation, which, after all, is the foundation of democracy.
The Rockwell Falls library trustee vote was disturbing. Clearly there was a bullet vote effort against Ted Mirczak and Maggie Hartley who worked hard to stabilize the library board and re-open the library. I suspect in the next board meeting there will be an effort to remove Mirczak as board president and when the Strategic Planning Committee is established there will be rules or limitations on policies they will be allowed to consider.
I'm unable to find any journalistic discussion of this election, so I don't understand what's behind your troubling comment. Can you explain? What is a "bullet vote effort?"
I'm just not ready to concede that bigotry and misinformation have won and need to define the next battle.
There were 4 seats available and 4 candidates. I think the top 2 candidates would get 3 year terms, the 3rd a 2 year term, the 4th 1 year term. Something like that but I may not have it exactly right. Results:
Janice Waterhouse 214
Carl Haggadorn 187
Maggie Hartley. 166
Ted Mirczak. 139
Hartley and Mirczak were 2 of 3 who had been reviewed and appointed by the state to fill out the board after resignations made it impossible to function. They did a good job avoiding politics. Mirczak was elected as board president, Hartley was elected as secretary.
Carl Haggadorn has been one of the antagonist of the library and the former library board. He is convinced there was some sort of financial improprietary. I don’t know anything about him except seeing him at board meetings being argumentative and difficult towards the people trying to make the library function.
Clearly from the results there was an effort to prevent Mirczak and Hartley from obtaining the longer terms. Haggadorn will almost certainly be an ally of Josh Jacquard and I think there will be a 3-3 split on certain library issues in the next board term.
CORRECTION: there are only 5 board seats. My mistake. So the faction I’ll call “side normal” has the advantage.
Thanks for sharing the election results, which do show considerable support for the "Book Police." BUT, there are five Board members, and three of them are vigorous supporters of Freedom to Read. Am I wrong? If not, that's a narrow majority.
Not so sure about that. Janice Waterhouse is a staunch supporter of Freedom to Read. She is also a member of the Strategic Planning Committee. I’m fairly sure that there is a majority of like- minded people on the new board…
Most school board candidates run unopposed, but there have been a couple wild cards out there who seems to want more control over what books are in the library.
The state of Oregon does all voting by mail. They achieve tremendous voter percentage numbers around 40-50% in primary elections and around 75-80% in general elections, tho in fairness Oregon voters have voted in very high percentages for decades of in-person voting.
I suspect voting by mail would be a cost savings.
We have a “tradition,” sort of like New England meeting day, of in-person voting and I doubt we will go to 100% mail voting in NY any time soon, but it’s worth exploring.
Also, wouldn’t mandatory gun owner insurance be a good thing? Why should society at large absorb the costs of people who choose to own and use guns. Assault rifles would presumably require much higher rates than a 22. If your gun was stolen or lost it would be in your best interest to report it to police. If you have a concealed carry permit insurance companies would assess your likely danger in terms of potential payout. Taking gun safety courses on a regular basis would lower your rate, and purchasing a gun would require showing proof of insurance.
I realize some people’s heads exploded reading that but it seems fair to me.
Which is worse, not being accepted to law school, or graduating and never passing the bar? On one hand, you avoid the colossal embarrassment after spending years of education pursuing your future. On the other, you may still reach a chairmanship in the House Judiciary Committee. Regardless, you have much in common with those lawyers and wishtheyweres attempting to besmirch the lower judiciary while defending or turning a blind eye to the corruption within the SC. As a voter, there has never been a time I can recall when so much widespread activity (aka conspiracy) has resulted in coast to coast indictments of dozens of members of one political party. Fraudulent electors, obstructing the electoral count, fraudulent voters, "Election integrity" attorney indicted in election fraud scheme, attorneys indicted in multiple states for their roles in a nationwide conspiracy to overturn the will of the majority of registered voters. For one who is now known for her support of fraud on many levels in many degrees, it shouldn't surprise us that she now wants to throw darts at one person and ignore her entire party. Undermining the rule of law, overthrowing the will of the voter, supporting the installion of a "unified Reich" as you speak in Israel...our little traitor is busy indeed.
Today, Nixon is a shoplifter and Reagan is a liberal as their party now fights to keep themselves out of prison.
A trip to Israel. A speech before the Israeli Parliament. A nod from Netanyahu. Does that qualify her for Secretary of State? Oh, my! If so, for a crash course in international relations, I'll loan her my back issues of "Foreign Affairs" (publication of the Council on Foreign Affairs). But only if she promises to return them in four weeks (or a non-negotiable fine will be imposed by my personal librarian--yours truly).
I'm thinking a cabinet position such as Secretary of Defense. Stefanik has already proved her allegiance to Trump above all else. Stefanik has passed Trump's litmus test.
I did vote. I was very disappointed that the Granville Sentinel, which I prescribe to, did not run an article about the 9 people running for the school board seats. They did partner with the Granville PTO and hosted a Meet the Candidates forum on the 8th of May. This was then broadcasted on the Granville PTO Facebook page. So for those who aren’t on Facebook or missed the post, they had no idea what the candidates stood for. We as a community have to do better to get the information out about the candidates and ask our journalists to do better also.
So odd that there are students chanting genocide Joe when Trump, Kushner and Stefanik would be glad to pave Gaza and Gazans over to construct the Trump Tower Gaza with no qualms.
There is no way to convince a Trump supporter, but Trump’s rejection of the nuclear deal with Iran along with his apparent efforts to cozy up to MBS and the Saudis while encouraging Israel to make nice with Saudi Arabia escalated the danger to Israel.
Gaza would make a nice beach resort area and provide opportunity for Gazan’s if they were allowed basic human rights. Having freedom, property, and jobs would drastically reduce any likelihood of terrorism.
where to start? elies (cq)sent me two fundraising emails yesterday trying to profit from the idiotic claim that biden wanted to have tfg taken out. this canard is either bullshit, horseshit or chickenshit. perhaps a combination of all three. whichever form of feces it is, she should be ashamed. in fact, in the recent series of mattress firm ads, in which people behaving badly are asked: "how do you sleep?" elies would make a great candidate.
Couldnt locate the morning joe program for the Lindsay Keys segment. BUT found a podcast with her and her partner in the documentary. Also got the name of the Dr. in NYS who was referenced there.
My son had (has?) Lyme Disease several years ago - not diagnosed in NY but in PA by a homeopathic dr. there & was treated over a period of time. My former (put to sleep) dog was diagnosed at one point after she refused to stand up or walk. She was treated for it & seemingly recovered but then had one skin infection after another until it was time - she was 13.
I've had the "lyme test" here and its always negative as was my son's right before a positive test in PA.
Do you know there IS a Lyme vaccine for DOGS!! How effective? I dont know.
Its shameful that the medical profession doesnt understand or seemingly care, how prevalent this disease IS. According to this podcast I just watched - there is a Dr. in NYS who has a clinic where Lyme is only one of the issues they are researching. Sure isnt publicized!
Two laws, nationally might help. 1. Tigger locks in all guns at all times unless being used by the owner or under direct supervision of the owner. 2. Liability insurance on all fire arms AND ammunition. and while we are at it , a special tax on firearm manufacturers to compensate schools for remedial action required to guard against fire arm violence. But we have Republicans standing in the way of anything remotely resembeling common sense. Our dear Elise is married to a gun industry lobbyist, while she demeans Judge Juan Merchan as being influenced by his daughter's work for political party. You can't make this stuff up....
despicable
/dĭ-spĭk′ə-bəl, dĕs′pĭ-kə-/
adjective
Deserving of contempt or scorn; vile.
Fit or deserving to be despised; contemptible; mean; vile; worthless.
"a despicable man; despicable company; a despicable gift."
Similar: contemptiblemeanvileworthless
Morally reprehensible.
"a slimy little liar"
Sadly, this sounds about right.
Sounds like you are describing Donald Trump.
The more I hear about Trump and his claim that Biden tried to have him assassinated... or that his ambition during his anticipated next term as POTUS that Trump will establish a New Reich....or that Trump’s first act on “ day one” will be to conduct himself as Dictator for a Day.......
Coupled with my Congresswoman Elise Stefanik’s obvious seduction into a fantasy world of MAGA compounded by her apparent suspension of personal integrity and honesty to her constituents.....my body and mind go completely cobblewobbly.
Excellent!!!! You had me laughing out loud!
A major factor in voter participation in local school budget elections seems to be taxes.
Once the 2 percent property tax cap became effective in the 2012-13 school year, participation in local school budget votes statewide steadily declined, from 804,000 down to 508,000 in 2019-20. As you point out, it took the Covid-19 pandemic for it to substantially increase, when elections were conducted entirely through absentee ballots.
I suspect most people in NYS are satisfied with their local schools. Participation in voting likely depends on pocketbook concerns and any controversies that arise locally.
I agree, the tax cap has made a huge difference in school taxes and almost every board is afraid to go over the tax cap, although while school population declines - Qby is down 900 in 20 years I believe - they added $3 million to the budget this year (reportedly health care costs). I'd feel better if at least half the voters turned out to show they are paying attention.
You are SO right about absentee voting as a great way to increase voter participation - particularly for so-called "down-ballot" elections. Personally, I winter in New York City but vote in Lake Luzerne. This year I requested and returned a ballot for the Rockwell Falls Library board. I was very familiar with and involved in the library saga. I wanted to vote even though the candidates on the ballot were running unopposed because I believe in voting. Regretfully, I didn't know the school board candidates at all, so didn't request that ballot. I'll try to do better next time, since the school board is where politics start! Because school boards are so elemental, I'd favor some Hadley-Luzerne informational campaigning - perhaps a "Town Hall" or a debate if there are opponents.
Our Elise and her MAGA brethren say that absentee voting invites fraud. Nonsense! Signatures for comparisons are right on the envelopes. Rather it invites universal participation, which, after all, is the foundation of democracy.
The Rockwell Falls library trustee vote was disturbing. Clearly there was a bullet vote effort against Ted Mirczak and Maggie Hartley who worked hard to stabilize the library board and re-open the library. I suspect in the next board meeting there will be an effort to remove Mirczak as board president and when the Strategic Planning Committee is established there will be rules or limitations on policies they will be allowed to consider.
I'm unable to find any journalistic discussion of this election, so I don't understand what's behind your troubling comment. Can you explain? What is a "bullet vote effort?"
I'm just not ready to concede that bigotry and misinformation have won and need to define the next battle.
There were 4 seats available and 4 candidates. I think the top 2 candidates would get 3 year terms, the 3rd a 2 year term, the 4th 1 year term. Something like that but I may not have it exactly right. Results:
Janice Waterhouse 214
Carl Haggadorn 187
Maggie Hartley. 166
Ted Mirczak. 139
Hartley and Mirczak were 2 of 3 who had been reviewed and appointed by the state to fill out the board after resignations made it impossible to function. They did a good job avoiding politics. Mirczak was elected as board president, Hartley was elected as secretary.
Carl Haggadorn has been one of the antagonist of the library and the former library board. He is convinced there was some sort of financial improprietary. I don’t know anything about him except seeing him at board meetings being argumentative and difficult towards the people trying to make the library function.
Clearly from the results there was an effort to prevent Mirczak and Hartley from obtaining the longer terms. Haggadorn will almost certainly be an ally of Josh Jacquard and I think there will be a 3-3 split on certain library issues in the next board term.
CORRECTION: there are only 5 board seats. My mistake. So the faction I’ll call “side normal” has the advantage.
Thanks for sharing the election results, which do show considerable support for the "Book Police." BUT, there are five Board members, and three of them are vigorous supporters of Freedom to Read. Am I wrong? If not, that's a narrow majority.
Yes, I think you’re correct. Momentary brain problem.
Everyone should have a similar brain!
Thanks for getting us the results of the election and a clarification of what it means.
See my comment above- but yes… Hagadorn will align with Jacquard…
Not so sure about that. Janice Waterhouse is a staunch supporter of Freedom to Read. She is also a member of the Strategic Planning Committee. I’m fairly sure that there is a majority of like- minded people on the new board…
Yes, see my correction.
Most school board candidates run unopposed, but there have been a couple wild cards out there who seems to want more control over what books are in the library.
ABSOLUTELY! No NON- BINARY BOOKS! Predators in the stacks. And God is on their side.
The state of Oregon does all voting by mail. They achieve tremendous voter percentage numbers around 40-50% in primary elections and around 75-80% in general elections, tho in fairness Oregon voters have voted in very high percentages for decades of in-person voting.
I suspect voting by mail would be a cost savings.
We have a “tradition,” sort of like New England meeting day, of in-person voting and I doubt we will go to 100% mail voting in NY any time soon, but it’s worth exploring.
Also, wouldn’t mandatory gun owner insurance be a good thing? Why should society at large absorb the costs of people who choose to own and use guns. Assault rifles would presumably require much higher rates than a 22. If your gun was stolen or lost it would be in your best interest to report it to police. If you have a concealed carry permit insurance companies would assess your likely danger in terms of potential payout. Taking gun safety courses on a regular basis would lower your rate, and purchasing a gun would require showing proof of insurance.
I realize some people’s heads exploded reading that but it seems fair to me.
The gun insurance is absolutely worth exploring, but I doubt any public official around here will have the guts to propose it.
Which is worse, not being accepted to law school, or graduating and never passing the bar? On one hand, you avoid the colossal embarrassment after spending years of education pursuing your future. On the other, you may still reach a chairmanship in the House Judiciary Committee. Regardless, you have much in common with those lawyers and wishtheyweres attempting to besmirch the lower judiciary while defending or turning a blind eye to the corruption within the SC. As a voter, there has never been a time I can recall when so much widespread activity (aka conspiracy) has resulted in coast to coast indictments of dozens of members of one political party. Fraudulent electors, obstructing the electoral count, fraudulent voters, "Election integrity" attorney indicted in election fraud scheme, attorneys indicted in multiple states for their roles in a nationwide conspiracy to overturn the will of the majority of registered voters. For one who is now known for her support of fraud on many levels in many degrees, it shouldn't surprise us that she now wants to throw darts at one person and ignore her entire party. Undermining the rule of law, overthrowing the will of the voter, supporting the installion of a "unified Reich" as you speak in Israel...our little traitor is busy indeed.
Today, Nixon is a shoplifter and Reagan is a liberal as their party now fights to keep themselves out of prison.
SUPPORT UKRAINE
I think Stefanik knows she won’t get VP at this point and is just hoping for some other high profile promotion that I’m sure Trump promised her.
Going to Israel, another attempt to take down a college president. It all seems like grandstanding, a last ditch attempt to gain Trump's favor.
A trip to Israel. A speech before the Israeli Parliament. A nod from Netanyahu. Does that qualify her for Secretary of State? Oh, my! If so, for a crash course in international relations, I'll loan her my back issues of "Foreign Affairs" (publication of the Council on Foreign Affairs). But only if she promises to return them in four weeks (or a non-negotiable fine will be imposed by my personal librarian--yours truly).
I'm thinking a cabinet position such as Secretary of Defense. Stefanik has already proved her allegiance to Trump above all else. Stefanik has passed Trump's litmus test.
She would definitely get a cabinet position. I’m guessing she doesn’t get veep as well. All that Ozempic for nothing.
At least that would get her out of NYS.
I did vote. I was very disappointed that the Granville Sentinel, which I prescribe to, did not run an article about the 9 people running for the school board seats. They did partner with the Granville PTO and hosted a Meet the Candidates forum on the 8th of May. This was then broadcasted on the Granville PTO Facebook page. So for those who aren’t on Facebook or missed the post, they had no idea what the candidates stood for. We as a community have to do better to get the information out about the candidates and ask our journalists to do better also.
So odd that there are students chanting genocide Joe when Trump, Kushner and Stefanik would be glad to pave Gaza and Gazans over to construct the Trump Tower Gaza with no qualms.
There is no way to convince a Trump supporter, but Trump’s rejection of the nuclear deal with Iran along with his apparent efforts to cozy up to MBS and the Saudis while encouraging Israel to make nice with Saudi Arabia escalated the danger to Israel.
Gaza would make a nice beach resort area and provide opportunity for Gazan’s if they were allowed basic human rights. Having freedom, property, and jobs would drastically reduce any likelihood of terrorism.
Amen to responsible economic development of Gaza and human rights.
where to start? elies (cq)sent me two fundraising emails yesterday trying to profit from the idiotic claim that biden wanted to have tfg taken out. this canard is either bullshit, horseshit or chickenshit. perhaps a combination of all three. whichever form of feces it is, she should be ashamed. in fact, in the recent series of mattress firm ads, in which people behaving badly are asked: "how do you sleep?" elies would make a great candidate.
Without a daily paper people forget and then they get whatever they deserve .
A daily paper is a “jog” for the memory and tells us to get off our duff and engage with the community we live in. GO OUT AND VOTE!!
Couldnt locate the morning joe program for the Lindsay Keys segment. BUT found a podcast with her and her partner in the documentary. Also got the name of the Dr. in NYS who was referenced there.
My son had (has?) Lyme Disease several years ago - not diagnosed in NY but in PA by a homeopathic dr. there & was treated over a period of time. My former (put to sleep) dog was diagnosed at one point after she refused to stand up or walk. She was treated for it & seemingly recovered but then had one skin infection after another until it was time - she was 13.
I've had the "lyme test" here and its always negative as was my son's right before a positive test in PA.
Do you know there IS a Lyme vaccine for DOGS!! How effective? I dont know.
Its shameful that the medical profession doesnt understand or seemingly care, how prevalent this disease IS. According to this podcast I just watched - there is a Dr. in NYS who has a clinic where Lyme is only one of the issues they are researching. Sure isnt publicized!
Watching "The Quiet Epidemic" should be a must for anyone who lives in the North Country and encounters ticks. So that would be evreryone.
True - too many people think this is a danger only in the woods etc. Not so.
One of my son's friends was hit so hard with it hes no longer able to walk. He was the one who told my son about the dr. in pa.
Just like climate change. the attitude towards tick-borne diseases depends on current views.
This was a tragedy. I hope the Gillis people get compensated somewhat.
Two laws, nationally might help. 1. Tigger locks in all guns at all times unless being used by the owner or under direct supervision of the owner. 2. Liability insurance on all fire arms AND ammunition. and while we are at it , a special tax on firearm manufacturers to compensate schools for remedial action required to guard against fire arm violence. But we have Republicans standing in the way of anything remotely resembeling common sense. Our dear Elise is married to a gun industry lobbyist, while she demeans Judge Juan Merchan as being influenced by his daughter's work for political party. You can't make this stuff up....