An update on the budget issues: First off, I hear there is a public forum on 10/8/09 at the old courthouse (Montgomery St., next to the civic Center) at 7 PM. Second, I additionally sent a copy of my email regarding child protective's role in the budget to Legislator Bill Meyer, as he is chairman of the legislature.
Also, last Friday I attended the 5th annual 40 below summit. I enjoyed it quite a bit and got to reunite with a lot of members of the Young Democrats. Congressman Maffei was there, as well as all three mayoral candidates. Shook each candidates hand, the Congressman was only there at a time when I was heading to an informative session. Lots of organizations came, offering ways to volunteer and help in the community. Of the three mayoral candidates, I think I still like Otis Jennings, although the fact that one of my friends works with Ms. Miner and finds he agrees with her on most things does reassure me. Here's hoping for an interesting race!
September 28, 2009
September 25, 2009
Where budget cuts should not come from
I sent the following email to my county legislator, and a close variant to those legislators whose campaigns I worked on. I urge you to also contact your county legislator (mail, email, phone, whatever), whether it is this issue (child welfare) or whatever you feel is vital and needs protection in our County budget.
Dear Mr. Warner,
As one of your constituents, I am writing to you on an issue that is of importance to me and which I have some firsthand knowledge of. I was watching the news last night. The news of a conviction in the Erin Maxwell case was followed shortly by a story talking about how the budget cuts being made propose that child protective workers have their hours reduced.
http://www.9wsyr.com/news/local/story/CPS-caseworkers-may-see-reduction-in-hours/jUALCIoxlkC2vWPsROjYxg.cspx
As a former child protective worker and as someone who still knows most of the staff, this situation alarms me. As I understand it from the report, the workers doing the investigations, determining if there is indeed abuse or not, are exempt from this. This means it would apply to those workers dealing with the long term providing of services. In short, this means that those workers dealing with families where the investigators found there was an issue, and found that the family needs some help, would be the workers that are affected. Investigations often get priority, and to a certain degree this makes sense, as any report has to have a response within 24 hours according to state mandate, and as we quickly have to determine whether there is an issue or not, and in some cases this is a matter of life or death. However, the workers that will be affected by this cut in hours are the workers we have monitoring those families where we have already determined there are some issues. They have mandates from the state as well, with the state mandating the number of times per month or months when family members have to be seen in person. Additionally, the hour cut on these workers will end up impacting the investigators as well, as investigator caseloads will increase due to the additional time it will take to transfer the case on to the long term worker (caused by those workers increased work load in decreased time).
This comes at a time when, as the report mentions, caseloads are increasing due to high profile cases making the news. Additionally, what the report did not cover, was that the summer is typically a time of less reports. Reports rise after the school year has got underway (due to school teachers being able to see the children on a regular basis and notice the signs of possible abuse), and my friends in the department have told me that this increase in cases is most definitely starting up again. Please take this under consideration when determining the county's budget.
Dear Mr. Warner,
As one of your constituents, I am writing to you on an issue that is of importance to me and which I have some firsthand knowledge of. I was watching the news last night. The news of a conviction in the Erin Maxwell case was followed shortly by a story talking about how the budget cuts being made propose that child protective workers have their hours reduced.
http://www.9wsyr.com/news/local/story/CPS-caseworkers-may-see-reduction-in-hours/jUALCIoxlkC2vWPsROjYxg.cspx
As a former child protective worker and as someone who still knows most of the staff, this situation alarms me. As I understand it from the report, the workers doing the investigations, determining if there is indeed abuse or not, are exempt from this. This means it would apply to those workers dealing with the long term providing of services. In short, this means that those workers dealing with families where the investigators found there was an issue, and found that the family needs some help, would be the workers that are affected. Investigations often get priority, and to a certain degree this makes sense, as any report has to have a response within 24 hours according to state mandate, and as we quickly have to determine whether there is an issue or not, and in some cases this is a matter of life or death. However, the workers that will be affected by this cut in hours are the workers we have monitoring those families where we have already determined there are some issues. They have mandates from the state as well, with the state mandating the number of times per month or months when family members have to be seen in person. Additionally, the hour cut on these workers will end up impacting the investigators as well, as investigator caseloads will increase due to the additional time it will take to transfer the case on to the long term worker (caused by those workers increased work load in decreased time).
This comes at a time when, as the report mentions, caseloads are increasing due to high profile cases making the news. Additionally, what the report did not cover, was that the summer is typically a time of less reports. Reports rise after the school year has got underway (due to school teachers being able to see the children on a regular basis and notice the signs of possible abuse), and my friends in the department have told me that this increase in cases is most definitely starting up again. Please take this under consideration when determining the county's budget.
September 13, 2009
Primaries!!
Don't forget to vote in Tuesday's primaries if you're a registered Dem or Rep. Particularly if you live in the city of Syracuse. Syracuse.com once again has a voter guide that can tell you if there are primaries for you to vote on. They've also got some nice bits on the mayoral race. Also, democracywise again has a list and short bios for all Onondaga County races this fall.
Something I found interesting, La Bella Pizza has signs up for Dave Stott's Republican oponant, Judy Tassone, in the November election for County Legislator of district 4. I know at one point Dave part owned La Bella. And Ms. Tassone also has her headquarters in the building Dave used during the last run. To say anything else would be speculation on my part, but it is curious.
Anyway, back to mayor, which I can't vote in, as I just moved out of the city of Syracuse (dang). Anyway, here are my endorsements:
Republican party: Otis Jennings. I like that he wants to spend a day a week in city schools and talk with staff and students to try to work on our terrible graduation rates. He's pledged to hold himself responsible if those rates don't improve. My criminal justice education also leads me to believe his views on reducing crime might be more viable then his opponent, Steve Kimatian. Kimation did mention having worked with Don Schaefer, former mayor of Baltimore, during it's revival, and I like that. Plus, Kimatian seems to have business experience that might prove useful. In the end though, I give Jennings the nod.
Democratic party: Joe Nicoletti. This was a tough choice for me. Number one it seemed harder to get information on concrete views in this race. Number two, it was particularly hard to get information at all on long shot candidates Carmen Harlow and Alfonso Davis. To their credit, I like that Harlow wants to start working with tenants and landowners before properties become vacant, and I like that Davis's views on community policing. In the end, I like Nicoletti's plan to re-establish an office solely to seek grants. There's plenty of aide money I'm sure we're missing out on. Also, Nicoletti wants to have monthly meetings with the mayor, school board and superintendant, and the common council. It's not quite going to the schools once a week, but it's another way of putting our schools near the top of the list. The other Democratic candidate, Ms. Miner, has the disadvantage that I've seen her in person. I have not been impressed and in fact was a little bit irritated. I can see how she could get a reputation for having a personality that might prove a hindrance to some negotiations. So Joe gets my nod.
Something I found interesting, La Bella Pizza has signs up for Dave Stott's Republican oponant, Judy Tassone, in the November election for County Legislator of district 4. I know at one point Dave part owned La Bella. And Ms. Tassone also has her headquarters in the building Dave used during the last run. To say anything else would be speculation on my part, but it is curious.
Anyway, back to mayor, which I can't vote in, as I just moved out of the city of Syracuse (dang). Anyway, here are my endorsements:
Republican party: Otis Jennings. I like that he wants to spend a day a week in city schools and talk with staff and students to try to work on our terrible graduation rates. He's pledged to hold himself responsible if those rates don't improve. My criminal justice education also leads me to believe his views on reducing crime might be more viable then his opponent, Steve Kimatian. Kimation did mention having worked with Don Schaefer, former mayor of Baltimore, during it's revival, and I like that. Plus, Kimatian seems to have business experience that might prove useful. In the end though, I give Jennings the nod.
Democratic party: Joe Nicoletti. This was a tough choice for me. Number one it seemed harder to get information on concrete views in this race. Number two, it was particularly hard to get information at all on long shot candidates Carmen Harlow and Alfonso Davis. To their credit, I like that Harlow wants to start working with tenants and landowners before properties become vacant, and I like that Davis's views on community policing. In the end, I like Nicoletti's plan to re-establish an office solely to seek grants. There's plenty of aide money I'm sure we're missing out on. Also, Nicoletti wants to have monthly meetings with the mayor, school board and superintendant, and the common council. It's not quite going to the schools once a week, but it's another way of putting our schools near the top of the list. The other Democratic candidate, Ms. Miner, has the disadvantage that I've seen her in person. I have not been impressed and in fact was a little bit irritated. I can see how she could get a reputation for having a personality that might prove a hindrance to some negotiations. So Joe gets my nod.
August 20, 2009
Sorry for not posting more. Has been a busy summer, even for someone between jobs. As such I'm late posting about this, but it's due: Tom Buckel is considering running for State Senate against Defrancisco next year, because Tom has no Republican opponent for his County Leg seat this year. Go for it Tom. The problems with the Senate this year have proven that it needs overhaul if we can get it.
Meanwhile, Tom also posted on facebook asking what constituents want to protect or get rid of in the county budget, due to the sudden large deficit. Mahoney's first answer was to ask employees to either take a bunch of unpaid time off or ask them to give back the raise they already negotiated. Yeah, there's a little thing called a contract. You're supposed to follow it once you agree to it. So if you've got any ideas about what to trim, feel free to post here and I'll send any good ones Tom's way.
Getting back to the state front, a recent poll of NY Democrats shows AG Cuomo would get 4 votes for every one of Governor Paterson's. I agree Paterson has done nothing and in spectacularly bad fashion, but I'm not yet convinced I want another Cuomo in the top spot.
Bill Magnarelli secured a $10000 grant for Onpoint for College. Good program, good news.
More commentary on the Mayoral race: Finally saw some evidence of Nicoletti running, in that I saw a TV ad for him. Nice little ad, actually covered a bit of issues while poking a little good fun at himself. Showed him trying to fix a table at home and having it fall apart, then said he worked on a much more successful renovation in clinton square. Still, both Joe and Ms. Miner seem far too quiet in the news. Meanwhile, Otis Jennings makes it in the paper for saying he'll spend a day a week in city schools if elected, so he can talk with students and staff and work with the commish to ensure money is being spent wisely, and to see what can be done about the poor graduation rate. Also, I've seen billboards up for him. Not sure how effective that is in a race where most of those driving on the highway are driving into the city and therefore can't vote in the election, but I'm still liking some of the things he's saying. And since I've yet to hear much from Nicoletti, and Ms. Miner isn't getting my support so she can stop sending things to my mailbox...
Meanwhile, Tom also posted on facebook asking what constituents want to protect or get rid of in the county budget, due to the sudden large deficit. Mahoney's first answer was to ask employees to either take a bunch of unpaid time off or ask them to give back the raise they already negotiated. Yeah, there's a little thing called a contract. You're supposed to follow it once you agree to it. So if you've got any ideas about what to trim, feel free to post here and I'll send any good ones Tom's way.
Getting back to the state front, a recent poll of NY Democrats shows AG Cuomo would get 4 votes for every one of Governor Paterson's. I agree Paterson has done nothing and in spectacularly bad fashion, but I'm not yet convinced I want another Cuomo in the top spot.
Bill Magnarelli secured a $10000 grant for Onpoint for College. Good program, good news.
More commentary on the Mayoral race: Finally saw some evidence of Nicoletti running, in that I saw a TV ad for him. Nice little ad, actually covered a bit of issues while poking a little good fun at himself. Showed him trying to fix a table at home and having it fall apart, then said he worked on a much more successful renovation in clinton square. Still, both Joe and Ms. Miner seem far too quiet in the news. Meanwhile, Otis Jennings makes it in the paper for saying he'll spend a day a week in city schools if elected, so he can talk with students and staff and work with the commish to ensure money is being spent wisely, and to see what can be done about the poor graduation rate. Also, I've seen billboards up for him. Not sure how effective that is in a race where most of those driving on the highway are driving into the city and therefore can't vote in the election, but I'm still liking some of the things he's saying. And since I've yet to hear much from Nicoletti, and Ms. Miner isn't getting my support so she can stop sending things to my mailbox...
July 7, 2009
The latest plus I weigh in on the mayoral race in Syracuse
Rep. Dan Maffei held a town hall meeting on health care, and a good time was had by all. No, actually what happened is the people from both extreme sides came out and tried to shout over the other, with one fellow being escorted out early on by Syracuse Police. Apparently whenever someone tried to speak that advocated for expanding the government's role in health care, that person was often booed by those advocating for no government role in health care. So, to those of you who didn't go because you thought it sounded kind of dull...
NY state is reinstating empire zone benefits to 96 businesses. Without looking into each one I can't really tell if this is good or not, but at least they're looking at it closer. As opposed to previously when they were basing it entirely on whether the companies answered a single complex question yes or no (really. Sadly, this was in the Post-Standard. And no, they didn't check to see if the yes or no was accurate) (FYI, yes was the bad answer).
State assemblyman Will Barclay states he won't run for John McHugh's soon to be open Congressional spot. Good. Having lived in Barclay's district a good portion of my life, I've yet to see tremendous progress due to him, and mostly seen him winning his seat back year after year due to the fact that the "big city" in his district is Fulton. Yeah, lots of Dems in that territory. Please, no emails, no disrespect meant to Fulton.
I feel I should weigh in on the mayoral race. Early yet, don't know much about too many of the candidates, but I am not a Miner fan. Saw her speak at a Magnarelli rally and she spoke longer than the candidate (which was slightly annoying) but didn't manage to impress me at all. She's managed to continue this trend of not impressing me. Don't know much about Nicoletti, but I think he needs to pick it up a bit if he wants to win a primary. Jennings is for accepting city construction bids without making sure the company pays the prevailing wage, which I'm against, but is for increasing participation by minority owned businesses in city contracts, and for creating an economic development office focused on small businesses, both of which I'm for. Nicoletti's and Kimatian's websites don't say much concrete on their views. Jennings website seems informative and allows you to ask him questions. Be interesting to see how the primaries turn out.
NY state is reinstating empire zone benefits to 96 businesses. Without looking into each one I can't really tell if this is good or not, but at least they're looking at it closer. As opposed to previously when they were basing it entirely on whether the companies answered a single complex question yes or no (really. Sadly, this was in the Post-Standard. And no, they didn't check to see if the yes or no was accurate) (FYI, yes was the bad answer).
State assemblyman Will Barclay states he won't run for John McHugh's soon to be open Congressional spot. Good. Having lived in Barclay's district a good portion of my life, I've yet to see tremendous progress due to him, and mostly seen him winning his seat back year after year due to the fact that the "big city" in his district is Fulton. Yeah, lots of Dems in that territory. Please, no emails, no disrespect meant to Fulton.
I feel I should weigh in on the mayoral race. Early yet, don't know much about too many of the candidates, but I am not a Miner fan. Saw her speak at a Magnarelli rally and she spoke longer than the candidate (which was slightly annoying) but didn't manage to impress me at all. She's managed to continue this trend of not impressing me. Don't know much about Nicoletti, but I think he needs to pick it up a bit if he wants to win a primary. Jennings is for accepting city construction bids without making sure the company pays the prevailing wage, which I'm against, but is for increasing participation by minority owned businesses in city contracts, and for creating an economic development office focused on small businesses, both of which I'm for. Nicoletti's and Kimatian's websites don't say much concrete on their views. Jennings website seems informative and allows you to ask him questions. Be interesting to see how the primaries turn out.
July 1, 2009
Fairly Random
Both Destiny USA and the NY State Senate seem to have stalled. I am not really surprised at either. If I had to pick, the senate surprised me just a little more, which is slightly more than not at all.
Onondaga County bans texting while driving. I may be in trouble.
On a humorous note, Democrats in the stalled Senate claimed to have a quorom (majority of members there so they could vote, to save some of you the trip to www.m-w.com), when one of the Republicans cut through the Senate Chambers to get a across because Democrats had blocked the other path for a press conference they never held. Sure. Whatever works in New York State.
Somehow I have ended up on Fred Thompson's email list. Didn't realize he still had one. I am looking for a job. Maybe I should count this as contact and ask if he'll add me to his linked in network if he has one.
My two legislature faves, Tom Buckel and Dave Stott, picked up endorsements from the working families party, as did Monica Williams, whom I also helped last time around a bit.
That seems enough chatter for now.
Onondaga County bans texting while driving. I may be in trouble.
On a humorous note, Democrats in the stalled Senate claimed to have a quorom (majority of members there so they could vote, to save some of you the trip to www.m-w.com), when one of the Republicans cut through the Senate Chambers to get a across because Democrats had blocked the other path for a press conference they never held. Sure. Whatever works in New York State.
Somehow I have ended up on Fred Thompson's email list. Didn't realize he still had one. I am looking for a job. Maybe I should count this as contact and ask if he'll add me to his linked in network if he has one.
My two legislature faves, Tom Buckel and Dave Stott, picked up endorsements from the working families party, as did Monica Williams, whom I also helped last time around a bit.
That seems enough chatter for now.
June 7, 2009
Hey, look, I do post!
But because I need a job. Although I do plan to post maybe a few things now and then, to force myself to keep in the loop on the local scene. But yeah, I'm looking for work right now, which also leaves me open to do volunteer work (either for a campaign or not). So if you got something interesting, let me know.
How to explain the lack of posts during the past year? I kind of fell out of it after the local elections finished two elections ago. National elections were fun as heck to follow, but harder to feel like I was playing a large role in. New local ones coming up though, lets see how they go.
Hadn't booted up the blogger in a while. 81 posts prior to this. Wow, I was more prolific than I thought.
How to explain the lack of posts during the past year? I kind of fell out of it after the local elections finished two elections ago. National elections were fun as heck to follow, but harder to feel like I was playing a large role in. New local ones coming up though, lets see how they go.
Hadn't booted up the blogger in a while. 81 posts prior to this. Wow, I was more prolific than I thought.
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