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"News & Events"
Greetings & Regards to All.
Improvements Needed, For Our Community ... Across the Board ... These Are the Goals.
During the next several months, until the General Election in November 2016, I will be meeting & speaking with many of our citizens, residents & local businesses in our community. Listening to the views of the People is very important; as much as what they have to say has significant meaning & lasting value. In my respectful opinion, your views, ideas & opinions are not just a 'Get the Vote' & then disappear into an administrative office. This has been the case for far too long in this community; & presumably has also been the common practice that has been going on in other communities, where political candidates or elected officials seem to 'Forget' their campaign promises or actually putting the good ideas from people into action, by implementing them into better legislation, resolutions or administrative policy decision making ... simply put ...To Improve People's lives in This Community, no matter what it takes. There is no legitimate excuse or reason for this, or for not carrying out the responsibility to best represent the people of this community.
I plan to change things for the better, based upon the needs of this community. Your ideas & voiced concerns will resonate & remain as current daily issues on the table, until they have reasonable, workable solutions in place, for each & every day I hold public office as your mayor. This is the way things should be done. Public Officials should have no objection to be held accountable or responsible for their actions, decisions or performance while they hold public office. Either you make every effort & commitment to help & assist the good people of this community live better lives, including the encouragement of a good neighbor attitude through Community Service ... Or you don't, & have public officials & their administration abandoning the purpose they were elected for, by being 'Pre-occupied' with their own agendas or other areas of interest, which do not directly support or advocate exactly what the people's needs are in this community.
In my respectful opinion, we certainly cannot have or afford another four years of this nonsense. Enough is Enough. I will be speaking publicly at different places to be announced ... meeting & speaking with as many of you who wish to express your views & complaints, or share your ideas on community issues & improvements. We are going to get things done & accomplish these changes & goals without the typical political or bureaucratical 'Red Tape' obstacles that have hindered the long overdue progress this community deserves & is entitled to. This campaign is just beginning, yet I have spoken to dozens upon dozens of people who, with good reasons, have clearly expressed their frustrations & complete dissatisfaction with the conditions as they are. We are going to address each of these issues one way or the other ... through public debate & by a full cross examination of the current administration, as to their unavoidable responsibilities, performance & accountability ... to the good people of this community. ---- It's as simple as that.
If you wish to comment or discuss & share your views or recommendations on community issues or what changes & reforms you would like to happen, please start or continue this discussion on the Community Tab here ... by using the 'Community Discussion Forum Message Board'. This is for You ... A great place to present your views & convey your comments & grievances. You may also use our Facebook -- 'Wellsville Citizens Council' page to add comments. I will be giving updates on future appearances, 'Town Hall' gatherings & 'Meet & Greet' opportunities, as details become more available -- Please do Stay Tuned ...
Thank You for your interest in this Community & this important Election. The good ideas & discussions are encouraged & appreciated.
Wellsville Daily Reporter
Attention: John Anderson,
Regional Editor
Saturday, August 6, 2016
hi John,
I consider you with high regard as a very important member of this community. You have and continue to report on the issues, newsworthy events and incidents in our community, as an effective journalist. Your voice and viewpoints have an immeasurable, across the board weight and influence upon and within this community. It is an undeniable reality, that this mayoral election issue should be front and center; in addition to measuring this current administration's (lack of) overall performance in fairly representing our community over the last four years.
On Community Renewal and Reform;
Our ‘Wellsville Citizens Council’ Campaign represents a crossroads set of very different choices and benevolent alternatives in favor of community interests, actual community involvement in a long sought after process of fair representation on all issues —
... which directly compares by significantly stark contrast in how our community is currently governed, with all its patterned flaws, shortcomings, sense of detachment, separation from voters, residents and our workforce — compounded and worsened by faulty, inadequate legislation, arbitrarily adopted resolutions — Vs. — The long overdue essential and necessary improvements our community truly deserves and is lawfully entitled to. The realization is — none of us can afford or continue to sit on the sidelines.
The time to hear your voice and viewpoints has arrived, as it is from now and as often as reasonably possible or warranted, right up until our upcoming general election, this November. In the interests of justice and in the best interests of this community and its collective well-being, person by person, American citizen by American citizen, upon all the ethical values which have meaning to us, I implore you as an advocate of our community and for an overhaul change of the current municipal administration, to please utilize your accumulative experience and sense of better judgment, to be outspoken in defense and support of our community’s values and fair treatment.
I believe with a sense of urgency and an unwavering conviction, that you may find the inspiration and incentive to write an ‘OP—ED’ piece on behalf of the status and quality of life, that this community has endured, versus any improvements you believe in and are aware of. With the same emphasis of significance, I believe we need a ‘Public Opinion Rating Poll’ of the past four years and the past performance (or lack thereof) of our current local officials.
I would be most willing to give you an exclusive / interview on the aspects and issues of my candidacy, and most importantly, what it actually represents. Simply, to improve the lives for everyone who resides and works here, across the board, without the typical bureaucratic red tape, without politically styled excuses or inaction, without an arbitrary means of governing over our community, who, in the eyes of this administration, is only valued for their tax revenue base and voter collection in the four year election cycle.
I am working diligently to set up a 'Town Hall Meeting’ on these issues, with full community participation. From having a 'Citizen’s Panel’, commenting on the issues and their own viewpoints, to taking a closer look at the candidates through accountability and debate. I know I don’t have to remind you how vital or important this is, or what this election represents. I am doing my very best to de-politicize the label of ‘Politics’ as we know it, and respectfully remind our community that the real focus is always more about ‘The People and Issues’ on the basis of Accountability, Fairness and how to avoid Misrepresentation; All of these things that have been ongoing and longstanding in our community for far too long.
John, please find some of your valued time and energy in the benevolent effort to help our community, in any ways you can.
It means a great deal, as all of our unresolved issues are beyond any one person. It requires a community effort for change.
Thank you.
With best regards
Respectfully,
James Dorsette
Thank you for your email, Brian.
You have raised several questions and issues of mutual concern, for / from our community's well-being and standpoint.
The importance and significance of community issues have a sustained emphasis, each and every day, regardless of whether or not there is an election cycle in progress. After speaking with literally hundreds of residents and citizens who live and work in this community, I firmly believe and have concluded that people are frustrated with the ongoing, typical and familiar political ping pong bureaucratic red-tape methods of the current administration, regarding the arbitrary policy decision making process which excludes and separates local government from the majority of our community. Those I have spoken with, have unilaterally expressed their dismay, discontent and frustrations in being virtually locked out of the way our community has been governed over the last several years, in addition to the very noticeable complacency of silence and inaction for needed administration changes.
When was the last time a ‘Public Opinion Poll’ or Approval Rating of the current administration was conducted, through the newspaper or by any other reliable resource, which measures administrative performance, fairness and our community’s satisfaction? A consensus of public opinion discovered and affirmed by interviews conducted by my campaign, reveals the alarming fact evidencing the continued absence of any such poll taken. The entirety of community issues has once again been brought to the surface by this election and choice of candidates, and boils down to the arguments of fair representation versus misrepresentation.
The multiplicity of outstanding and unresolved issues which have continued to affect our community, cannot be settled by a limited or narrow set of questions, which in no way substitutes for an overall, objective analysis that is needed to overhaul a ‘Flawed, with a questionably-paterned track record, arbitrary administration.”
That said;
Accountability.*
Our local annual budget is approximately 6 million dollars / 24 million dollars over the last four years. Are we to accept that every word, action and deed regarding policy and budget allocation or expenditures from the current administration is, or has been 100% fair and correct, without question? I have generally questioned the budget and policy decisions as part of my campaign, demanding accountability and full transparency, for and on behalf of our community. My campaign assistant and I, have earnestly checked the village government website with consistent frequency going back to 2013. No such local annual budget was ever posted until September 2016, coincidentally occurring within the last four months of our current Mayor’s term of public office. When in fact it was posted online, it was posted online and presented so inappropriately, it could only be read by tilting your head sideways to make any sense of it. I have a problem with this, as I am quite confident there are many in our community who also share the general suspicious nature regarding this matter, among others. This hardly demonstrates accountability from day one.
With an approximate local annual budget of 6 million dollars, and without full access to internal records to evaluate and substantiate how this local budget has been administrated over the last four year term, I can only presume general approximations as to where fiscal and policy improvements or adjustments may or will be productive. If you examine the issue of paid subsidies for our devoted EMS and Fire Department Volunteers for instance, I would consider comparisons of other nearby or regional local government budget models. Approximately $250,000 annually, which represents only 3% of the current 6 million dollar budget, would provide paid subsidies on a per call basis, for every EMS and Fire Dept. Volunteer who serves our community with duty and priceless devotion. Emergency Responders are the core vital service of this community, unquestionably. Our dedicated Police are salaried very well. The Public Works Dept. is paid for their important services. Our wonderful Doctors and Nurses are paid. EMS and Fire Dept. Personnel also have families and expenses. They answer the call 365 days a year in any weather, without fail. The community supports and admires them. Our current local government administration demonstrates a noticeable ‘Taken—For--Granted’ indifference, regarding their recognition and financial compensation they are so deserving of.
It is my sincerest wish to bring this community more together and preserve the historically picturesque significance and value appeal, small village communities like ours deserve. That cannot be achieved with any mayor or an administration who fails to be a mayor and good neighbor to everyone, equally, regardless of their economic status in life, or whether or not someone is judged upon their prestige or individual accomplishments. We are all American Citizens, good natured people who live and work in this community, and who support its growth and prosperity. It’s the difference between how any person holding public office, or what attitude and approach they have, may ask … “What do you want, or what did you do?" — Versus … “Good Day, How can we help you?” You treat everyone with an appropriate welcoming respect, not alienate people with the imposition of strict, excessive or overkill enforcement policies. I am an advocate for appropriate policy enforcement and reform, on a case by case basis. It unites our community and is less divisive or unfairly punitive.
The Annual Local Budget needs overhaul improvements with benevolent goals and results. The people in any community are its greatest resource. The disproportionate imbalance that now exists by direct comparison with among the highest property tax rates here, not only in N.Y.S, but the entire U.S, … versus an average earned family income, is unfathomable, unconscionable beyond reason, and must be curtailed sooner than later. We are losing businesses and jobs at a faster rate, as our collective economic structure clearly leans more toward decline than growth. Our local newspaper can attest to the collection of events it has reported on, over the last several years. The Wellsville Daily Reporter, in my opinion, is and remains an unbiased witness.
I have written a motion for new, unprecedented legislature / resolution, for members in this community, to fully participate in administrative policy-making decisions, throughout the entirety of any term of public office, which clearly advocates and supports the standard of Accountability, Transparency and exercising the will of the people towards utilizing better judgment across the board to strengthen Public Trust - To prevent possible negligence, wrongdoing or misuse / abuse of Public Authority. The current administration, will of course reject that notion. Those in public office often have a historical tendency and preference to be left unchallenged, to foster an arbitrary atmosphere of governing. After all, isn’t this still a Democracy?
Shared community services and budget adjustments, with possible cuts in certain areas. I intend to offer my entire salary less one dollar, donated to the village treasury as a measure of good faith - To lead by example by expressing my genuine and sincere intent in support of this community. I would expect village employees to ethically consider this in the future, with reason and fairness, to exhibit the needed confidence to support their community. By taking reasonable small percentage deductions where most needed. It will be a joint effort, to accomplish goals of fairness and a renewal of community spirit and willingness to ensure overall satisfaction for law-abiding people in our community, creating opportunity, regardless of their status. That is what the Wellsville Citizens Council stands for; - It is what I stand for. Everyone who lives or works in this community is a member by default, without indifference to political party association, financial status or economic class. Wellsville, as a common people.
I believe property tax rates should be lowered and the reduction of unnecessary fines and penalties. We experienced a lowering of property taxes in the fiscal year of 2015, from approximately $20.00 to $17.65, after years of oppressive, excessive tax rates and overcharges. This was done in the later half of the mayoral term. Why was this not done prior to that time period? Sharing services / expenses between the Town and Village may prove to be quite beneficial, if people are willing to cooperate together in a joint-collaborative effort to find fair, workable and benevolent solutions. We can certainly achieve needed progress.
In my administration, I would encourage ‘All-Hands-On-Deck”, to review our entire budget, to gain a consensus decision with every local Village Official (on village issues) in addition to consulting Town officials on the prospects of sharing services, matched with joint fiscal allocation, as needed. The members of this community would also be involved with their participation, by written statements, policy reform issues (For / Against a specific policy proposal), before any final decision is rendered.
That is how American Democracy is supposed to work — Not a small group of people monopolizing their positions of public authority, who may misuse or abuse it, protecting themselves in an autocratic bubble of exemption and impropriety, who resist and challenge fundamental ethical standards of Accountability and Full Transparency, to the degree that their words, actions or deeds should not be questioned whatsoever, but to exist as an estranged community, who has been disenfranchised by the complacency of silence for years on end. It is time and long overdue for a healthy change . The Elections of November, 2016.
I am presently scheduling several Town Hall Meetings, for October - TBA.
Thank you, for your valuable time, effort and consideration.
Respectfully and Always,
James Dorsette
Dear Mr. Colligan,
First, thank you for your former service as Village Trustee.
In response to your comments, while I welcome and appreciate you weighing in with personal opinion and your ‘Non-Endorsement’, of which that is your right — I think it’s fair to say — it’s fairly easy to make presumptions, generalizations or arrive at pre-mature conclusions, without knowing or taking into consideration the whole picture, regarding difficulties many people face in their lives, the aspects and reasons for my candidacy, or factors concerning a piece by piece restoration of my future residence, you earnestly invested your time to investigate. That said …
After speaking with almost 200 people on an in-person basis, as part of my campaign, I have gained an increased understanding that it is a customary practice within ‘small town politics’, to anticipate bias, undue or undeserved scrutiny, when someone who is not part of the ‘political elite’, seeks public office. However, this does not bother me, as unwelcoming or unsettling as that may be. We are human beings after all, with varied ideas, goals and hopes for aspiring towards achieving a better community, mindful of a simple and shared notion that there is always room for improvements, given in good faith, to work together wherever possible.
Looking ahead, the prospect of having the honor to serve as mayor, is certainly not a responsibility taken lightly, or to govern with any method or template that represents being arbitrary or authoritarian. I believe our community has sustained enough of that, in what seems a very controversial, flawed administration, which has occurred over the last four years. There are numerous unresolved serious issues here, which have adversely impacted our community. I will endeavor to clearly point these out and substantiate why such criticism is long overdue and warranted, during this election.
In my understanding, any person running for public office (see campaign pamphlet — (wellsvillecitizenscouncil.org), must have empathy and moral compass, with recognition and acknowledgment to better relate to the community he/ she wishes to represent. As well, the ability to grasp complex issues, triage priorities, and apply fairness and benevolence across the board, to the residents and citizens who live and work in our community. One must serve as mayor/ public official (as in good neighbor to all), in the interest of our community’s well-being, without preferential treatment, bias, or unfair judgment, or excluding people based upon economic class, social status or exhibiting indifference / lack of concern towards anyone … especially if / when seeking votes of confidence, asked for during an election season. Such conduct would be hypocritical.
Acknowledging a sense of mutual respect between local government and the citizens of our community, encourages a working confidence. Such respect requires valuing people as more than votes, or as just a tax revenue base of local government income. This cannot be achieved by the current situation of disconnect, between local public officials and the majority of people in our community, which has been ongoing for years.
A responsible mayor, is also a dedicated liaison, negotiator, coordinator and diplomat, who strives to find reasonable solutions as possible (and keep at it), working through budget limitations, productive policy direction and reform, and occasional disagreement within the community and from fellow public officials. The goal is to serve and preserve the Public Trust; not at all to betray it.
My home is in a state of restoration — “disrepair”, as you call it. I could not afford a $250,000 home; as such, I certainly would not frown upon, or attempt to belittle anyone who seeks the traditional american dream of owning a home, or even a business — and then make untoward, impulsive critical judgments because some people have greater financial struggles than others. What does that accomplish? Being in that situation enhances my ability for empathy and a deeper sense of understanding for those people like myself, who have limited means, a smaller budget and less resources to make costly repairs instantaneously. It seems a bit insensitive that your judgment is unduly harsh, when as a former official, we both know that there are relevant circumstances which economically define our community as the highest taxed in NYS and the Country; disproportionately mismatched with among the lowest average earned family income, respective to the sixty-two counties in NYS. Surely, it’s burdensome, often excessively.
If you’re fortunate enough not having to endure that specific kind of economic disadvantage and hardship, consider yourself additionally blessed. The Burrous Building is another issue, involving certain complexities and circumstances beyond my control — which legally points towards a faulty, arbitrary, controversial administration, compounded by defective, outdated, inaccurate public records. In February 2015, I authored a 4000 word length editorial in the Daily Reporter, which discussed a great deal of the story. I also authored a follow-up article in May 2015. There was no administrative rebuttal or challenge to either article.
I proudly served my community in the Auxiliary Police, NYC for many years. Helping people. Listening to people. Being a visible deterrent in the interest of crime prevention. Bridging gaps of mistrust and misunderstanding. That is what public service is about, in or out of uniform. As for dash cams in patrol cars and body cams worn by officers, those are invaluable resources and tools that work well, to support our dedicated officers as well as provide a record for any necessary analysis of conduct between the officers and our community they protect. The same sound reasoning mutually applies to the majority of banks across the country that have them for obvious reasons. ‘Evidential reference’.
You commented on my lack of vision / approach to taxes. I’ll clarify, with a reasonable approach of tax reform. It means making an earnest, sincere attempt to maintain a balanced budget, reallocation in certain areas that are fair for everyone. There may be certain internal records I do not have present access or am privy to. If elected, I will be part of a team, to re-examine this information for practical solutions. It may mean small percentage cuts in village expenses, but not to a degree where municipal jobs are lost.
People have families to support, homes to take care of. I believe in a community effort for resolving problems, as much as humanly possible. We don’t have millions of people here to factor in. I’m confident people are reasonable and understanding, with good intentions to work together, towards helping one another. Any first steps would be transitional, to avoid unfairness or dissatisfaction. No one person or small group can accomplish change —without a unified community and worthwhile effort. We can all do our part, if we try.
I do have ‘vision’ for improvements that result in beneficial, more favorable conditions for citizens like myself, who live and work here. I will not make arbitrary decisions or encourage policy which unfairly infringes upon the majority of people who face daily economic struggles. There will always be a segment of criticism from those who wish to remain in public office; however — I would encourage you in whatever spare time you can put aside, to speak to people you do not know around the community as I have, and ask them how they are doing, ask about their concerns for their families and our community … and while you’re at it, ask them when was the last time they read a ‘Public Opinion Poll’ / Approval Rating, for our current administration and/ or our Mayor, for a measurement of performance, or anything that actually helped our community growth and/ or improve our quality of life … which makes people proud to call Wellsville their home. Ask them. The results may surprise you.
Animosity and discontent have never been key components of improving communities, if those are the only focus to deal with change or progress. I believe a motivated person who simply recognizes the importance of civic duty, even if it is to call into question the performance of local government. I have also found that the Wellsville Daily Reporter, as our local newspaper, is and has been an unequivocal witness to the state of affairs concerning our community. I also mention the online news-blog, RNN (regionalnewsnetwork.com). Despite the absence of a Public Opinion Poll in recent years, one story after another, references the awful tax situation, lost jobs, the economic pendulum leaning more decisively towards decline instead of growth, and an undeniable consensus majority of good people in our community, who have expressed their dissent and dissatisfaction, accumulative over the last several years.
In closing, there are many specific community issues I intend to address, during the remainder of my campaign. What necessary or essential measures were you, Mr. Colligan, able to accomplish to improve people’s situations, our quality of life and our community, during your term of public office? I’d be very interested to know. We have a current Mayor, who didn’t even bother to lend her support or encouragement to our wonderful high school students in their greatest achievement; she was a ‘No-Show’ at their Graduation 2016. I have not heard she ever attended any, during her entire term.
I have written letters to the editor of the Daily Reporter, addressed to both John Anderson and Brian Quinn. Among the issues I addressed concern with, were paid stipends / subsidies on a per-call basis, for our dedicated EMS & Fire Department Volunteers, who perform such a vital service to our community, who equally supports and admires them, yet our current administration has disregarded this important, essential issue on the table for consideration; their recognition with some financial compensation they well deserve. They also have families and expenses.
The Village Annual Budget is approximately 6 million dollars. $250,000 represents around 3% of the total. Were comparative budget models from other nearby or regional jurisdictions ever reviewed? What are the possibilities of joint funding, with mutual contributions from the village, town and county? Shared resources? As you know, the Wellsville EMS & Fire Dept. are mutual assistance services, sometimes responding to neighboring areas outside their normal service area. Have our local officials made efforts to contact officials from these areas, to discuss available contributory funding?
It is the tip of the iceberg; I have a list of issues which are in question. Nothing less than a serious disconnection currently exists between the actual needs of this community, compounded by arbitrary, controversial administrative policy, questionable judgment, with a patterned aversion to accountability, transparency and separation from our community … who once voted to elect them into office. Now this same administration wishes to govern for another four years. At who’s expense? Our citizens pay their salaries, yet we question daily, whether they are fighting for us … or against us.
Misrepresentation Vs. Fair Representation. The argument basis of my campaign.
I understand this is my objective opinion … The voters will decide November 8.
Respectfully,
James Dorsette.
