Remember - blog posts migrate downward, so the most recent post is at the top; the oldest at the bottom.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Budget Workshop

The newly-elected Board members got a glimpse of the steep learning curve facing them last night at Treasurer Dan Crowell's first 2012 County Budget workshop. But after all the complexities are sorted out – and they are many, especially given the funding traffic among the County, towns, city, state and the federal governments – the news seems better than one might expect. Sales tax revenue is above expectations, and there are other expected expenditures which will be less than anticipated.

It's still a tough time to try and fund a municipal government – and so far it has taken the elimination of 23 full and part time positions to balance the budget. Even though 19 of these position are currently vacant, that will have an impact on services. Our fund balance is in good shape, especially compared with other nearby counties, with the possible exception of the $5 million owed to it by the Manor which, at this point, the Manor cannot pay.

The conversation last night – hard work, tough choices, good people trying to do an almost impossible job – strengthened my commitment to prioritization and planning. If we had a clear view of, for instance, the top three (non-mandated) County priorities, this process would be – well, not easier, but simpler.

The next budget workshop – open to the public – is on Monday, November 28 at 1:00 PM, in the Board room at the County Office Building.

I had an interesting reaction to the Pledge of Allegiance we all said at the beginning of the brief Board meeting which preceded the budget workshop. In a career in public schools, I've said the pledge a million times (most recently that morning). This time, my first as a part of the system of government that the Pledge is about, I was moved to tears by the words – especially “...one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

That's my job – a little part of maintaining that Nation. It's an awesome privilege, and a massive responsibility. I'll do my very best to live up to the confidence of the citizens who sent me to Cooperstown.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Civil Debate

I was a little distressed to see the headline on the front page of the Star – two days after the election - “Split county board could lead to clashes.” Of all the ways to characterize the new configuration in Cooperstown come January, this was not, perhaps, the most useful.

There will certainly be a new atmosphere at Board meetings; from a deficit of 5-7 (and, within the last year, 4-7), the Democrats will have an equal number of voices in debate. And although Republicans will have the advantage in weighted votes, the greater number, and variety, of Democratic voices will guarantee a new environment in the Board room on Wednesdays.

I think this is going to be a very good thing, but characterizing the new term as adversarial, rife with 'confrontation' and 'clashes,' can only make real progress much harder.

If there were no differences of opinion, there wouldn't be a need for democracy – or for government at all, actually. We expect those differences. They form the heart of the legislative process. Handled well, they lead to creative solutions to difficult problems.

I was not elected to sit quietly and listen; I'm not so good at that anyway. I will certainly join the debate, and make my points in no uncertain terms. However, the privilege I have been granted – to represent my neighbors in a democratic legislature – requires that I honor those citizens, and my fellow legislators, by acting with the utmost civility and respect. I suspect that this is the fundamental intent of all the County Reps, veteran and rookie, Republican and Democrat. Speculating on uncivil discourse which may never happen is in no one's best interest (although it makes better news than its opposite).

There's a lot of hard work to do. Let's go into the new term expecting not conflict and clashes, but lively and stimulating – and ultimately fruitful – debate.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Thanks!

Well, that was exciting!

Thanks to all who voted - you probably know how I feel about voting by now; it's patriotic, and essential to democracy.  Also essential are folks who are willing to take on the democratic process even when they're outnumbered.  Barbara Jass worked hard, learned a lot and provided friendliness and good cheer in a hard campaign.  Thanks, Barbara! 

I'm looking forward to January and the start of a new adventure.  The Democrats won't have the majority, but there will be seven of us, and seven Republicans, and the committee assignments should be interesting.  I know that I am not the only one who will be looking carefully for ways to have an impact on propositions and policy.  Right now, I am most interested in finding ways for the Board to establish a clear set of priorities for Otsego County; this will assist us in all major decisions, and will allow us to make decisions which are truly in the County's best interest.

Right now the plan is to continue this blog as a major channel of communication between me and the citizens of District 11 (and anyone else who's interested).  Feel free to use the Comments section available at the end of each post, or write me directly at otsego11@gmail.com.

And thanks again.  Let's make some progress!

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Election Day

Well, we're down to it.

Dozens of candidates in Otsego County, and thousands nationwide, have been working for months (in some cases, years) to prepare for Tuesday, Election Day. Citizens striving to be part of democracy in a different way.

I've met lots of you and heard from more. I've talked and listened. I've stuffed envelopes, and prepared for debates. I've walked every street in this District and knocked on just about every door. I am exceptionally grateful for your hospitality, as you welcomed me onto your porches and smiled while you let me say my piece. For a moment, we did democracy, together, there on the porch.

So let's do it again. Democracy. Let's go down to the Foothills atrium on Tuesday and vote. Everybody wins when people vote.

And, again, thanks. Win or lose, I've had a great time.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Debate

 It turns out that if you missed the League of Women Voters' debate last Tuesday night on the SUCO campus, it's available online (or will be shortly) here. I participated in the County Board candidate debate, with Barbara Jass, my Republican opponent, and the two candidates for the seat representing the Town of Oneonta on the County Board: Rich Murphy and Scott Gravelin.

I've been in awe of the LWV for a long time. They have a passion for democracy that is unparalleled in our society, I think, and they make an enormous effort to include all citizens in the process, without a taint of partisanship, ever.

Anyway – here's one more way to find out about the candidates. Enjoy!

UPDATE:  The video doesn't seem to be posted at the LWV site yet (it's 11/5).  Sorry - keep checking...