This Area under Development -- This weekend 11/5 - 11/6
"People Before Politics." -- "Your Rights Make A Difference."
"Of the People ... By the People ... For the People."
Full Article
The Future of Wellsville -- The Next Four Years.
“Promise only what you can deliver; Then deliver more than you promise.”
Author Unknown
Goal: “To Achieve The Greatest Good.”
Endeavor to set new Standards. To recognize the collective frustrations people feel and have felt, due to ‘Politics As Usual’… or in this case, “Small Town Politics.” From the very beginning of my campaign, which began in June 2016 and up to now, I’ve had in-person conversations with over 200 - 300 people in our community. This also includes speaking with a few officials at the Town & County level. One official is quoted in a news headline reference on the issue of gauging how our government is doing, its continuous negative affect and impact upon our citizens, residents, business, economy and official overall performance; “…Calls Government, Dysfunctional.” I know what he means. I also want to clarify that it is certain methods and/ or officials within gov’t, which are problematic, not its foundation or intended purpose to serve the people of any given community with necessary benevolence and fairness.
This is why we have an ‘Election Process’.
On November 8, 2016, you will vote for the person who best represents the potential to make our community and future stronger, while at the same time, reaching out directly to people, being concerned about their well-being, and encouraging them to participate in local policy decision making. While I wish to acknowledge our current administration for their public service, it is a matter of due diligence and civic duty to also point out that our current administration has fallen short of its public obligations in one area after another, including; to have a manageable, lowered property tax rate to match the overall decline of our local economy, directly impacting our residents and local businesses particularly hard. We need stability and growth. Progress, not excuses. We all want what’s best for our community.
Add to that – An increasing list of flaws and unresolved issues which conflict and undermine confidence in what ‘The Public Trust’ is supposed to look like. Lack of Accountability (who are local officials accountable to?) Answer: Every single person in our community and the Governor’s Office. Has this standard been maintained? Unequivocally, no. Our administration should be able to account for every dollar spent (approximately 24 million dollars worth) in the budget allocation over the last four years, without any deviation, omission or misrepresentations (‘Transparency’). They should accept full responsibility for defective, missing, inaccurate or out of date public records, including controversial, erroneous tax matters, inconsistent / selective / aggressive code enforcement practices and faulty policies. In fact, this local administration has been through three different code enforcement appointees over the last several years. There are many unanswered questions.
They have or what appears to be policy misconduct of Non-Disclosure or ‘Rolling-Disclosure’ (Delayed release) of Public Information, In Violation of NYS Law ‘FOIL Requests’, Art.19NYCRR, Chapter 80, subsection 2. I’ve substantiated by established factual basis, no less than 12 such committed violations. In other words, they have an operating policy… ‘We will selectively enforce / impose laws arbitrarily and at our discretion, for our own purposes; similarly, we are under no direct authority or obligation to be in compliance with those laws which may be ‘politically inconvenient’. Unacceptable. The annual budget figures for the last several years, were posted online just a few months ago, according to my research and information. Defective public records, arbitrary / faulty administrative policy and aggressive code enforcement can be directly attributed to people losing their homes and property, in addition to increasing the property tax revenue deficit, which depletes our local economy.
Our current administration knows and has known about this 'high property tax rate', it is solely responsible for. During the recent mayoral debate held at the Library Auditorium (Thursday Oct. 27, 2016), both of my opponents, current Mayor Judy Lynch and Trustee Randy Shayler, mentioned this issue. They have had several years to work on this, without beneficial results. In the latter part of 2015, the area property reassessment scale went from 80% to 100%, an approximate increase of 25% ( !! )... which probably left our community residents figuratively screaming from the rafters with dissent and dissatisfaction. Then they 're-adjusted' the tax rate from approx. $20.48 down to $17.65; a decrease of approximately 12.5%. You can do the math here. I do not believe this 'new' statistical ratio brings or represents an across-the-board tax reduction for the majority of our community. Some people have referred to this as a 'Back-Door-Fix', which is misleading and does not begin to fairly resolve this longstanding issue.
The “Mayor’s Corner” on the village website has only a single entry since 2007 – (08/24/2016). Is that staying connected with our community? I refer to this as a ‘Lockout Process’, an existing bias, complete disregard and a noticeable double standard to bypass our community in decision-making, or keeping them properly informed. A few random people attending public hearings and short meetings held thereafter, is a disproportionate ratio, inadequate to represent the voices / viewpoints of this community of 5000+ residents, on important or critical matters / issues.
The mayor tried to address the recent ‘water issue’ crisis as an “Anomaly”, overshadowing potential risk or jeopardy to our residents. After a week-long delay, a notification was finally sent to our community. After holding public office for four years and under the pressure of an impending election, we now get drip-drop update notices stuffed into our utility bills. A ‘Doing-business-as-usual’ practice. The Wellsville High School has had four Graduations over the course of this administration. To the best of my knowledge, our current mayor did not attend any of them, to wish them well, congratulate our students, or encourage their higher college education. The Principal and entire teaching staff should also be commended for their efforts and dedication they display every day, in caring for our community's youth. What about the recognition they deserve?
I Firmly Believe Our Community Deserves Better Than This.*
The recent mayoral debate did not cover issues of accountability, whereby a ‘can of worms’ would’ve inevitably been opened. I was the only candidate to address and raise the issue of Paid Stipends for our dedicated EMS / Fire Departments. This issue must remain on the table. I also addressed dash & body cams for Police, for obvious reasons, and applications for Grant Funding.
Why was the Burrous Building seized by ‘Eminent Domain’ for blight and safety reasons, yet the building's accumulative deterioration over two decades can be evidenced and traced back to 'Defective Public Records', which showed no administrative property tax or code enforcement documentation, that was ever handled properly, adjusted or corrected. That is why the building sustained a partial collapse in May 2012. The property tax rate for this building was excessively overcharged by an unbelievable amount of 1800%. A total lack of Accountability. Of course the current administration will not mention this, or accept any degree of responsibility. My advice; Double-check your property tax assessment. Who knows what you may find. The multi-story building adjacent to Walgreens Pharmacy, has had a missing rear wall for over a decade. Not one code violation or enforcement to speak of... at least none I'm aware of. Why? Let's ask this administration. That building’s owner sits on the Allegany County ‘Ways & Means’ Cmte, and according to informed sources, has owed the county landfill arrears and late fees between $60,000 to $90,000, and was still awarded local gov’t excavating and sanitation contracts? Where is the proper explanation for this?
As a responsible public official, you must ask specific questions in seeking justifiable answers. Period. You cannot engage in acts of public disservice which compromise or reduce the integrity of the ‘Public Trust’. We have not had a single ‘Public Opinion or Approval Rating Poll’ in recent memory, no meaningful dialogue or significant editorial articles which provide ‘checks and balances’, to correctly address warranted criticisms and objective analysis of the performance or (mis)-conduct by this current administration, including both mayoral candidates who have held public office for the last several years. I published three editorial articles in the Wellsville Daily Reporter in February and May of 2015, addressing the Burrous Building and how severely defective the public records were. Astonishingly, there was no official rebuttal, challenge or response given. That 'silence', is unjustifiably presumptive to dismiss any liability, or act with indemnity / impunity. It equates to any public official dodging tough questions; "No comment."
Negligence and wrongdoing are benchmarks to measure Accountability; So is fulfilling obligations (or any lack of) to Serve and Preserve ‘The Public Trust’. There is much more I could comment on, such as the potential loss of MTS Medical Service, community based for three decades, who provide Critical Care EMT’s in response to '911' calls. There is no current plan or alternative to replace them if MTS goes down. Our '911' medical lifeline for anyone needing these vital services will spiral into perilous jeopardy. The plainly visible vacant stores in our business district are indicative to the decline in our local economy. Our community faces many serious unresolved issues, while it has been a matter of political influence and prestige for both mayoral opponents to hold public office. For this administration to be so detatched from our community, is both inexcusable and indefensible. While I know that one person cannot wave a magic wand of change and improvements, I also know that it takes a community and teamwork to correct the derailed course of events. After personally speaking with hundreds of people since June, I can certainly say there is an increased sense of widespread frustration with the current administration.
If I am elected, a full, thorough budget allocation review will be conducted. The overall criticism of the current administration, is based upon questionable judgment and a controversial track record, as a matter of civic duty. I am also aware of several community infrastructure projects the current administration has in progress. I will advance those accordingly, respective to their practicality and feasibility. An 'Open-Door Policy' of working together, is extended to all, who have sincere intentions, in the interest of improvments and building a better, safer community. I have written unprecedented Motion Proposals that will change our course towards a stronger community and future. These can be found, read and reviewed on the Website for The Wellsville Citizens Council; located under the tab on this website – 'New Programs' ...
www.wellsvillecitizenscouncil.org
Mayor Judy Lynch and Trustee Randy Shayler, are part of the same administration, holding public office for the last several years. I believe it fair to conclude that you cannot anticipate or expect desired changes or progress from the same people, which uplifts the working class and protects the rights of people who face daily economic struggles. You cannot impose discriminatory policies or aggressive code enforcement against the good, law-abiding people of this community, or based upon economic / social status. It is unfair and punitive to people who already have great difficulty living from paycheck to paycheck or have minimum wage earnings. Trustee candidate for mayor Randy Shayler quoted on 'Blight Issues' (homes, property in disrepair)... "Deadbeats", "I will use every legal means to force..." // This is not the best answer, only the most politically convenient. I have some news for you Mr. Shayler; Those people facing economic difficulty & hardship, such as families with children, the elderly, military veterans, the disabled, etc., *Are Not Deadbeats*. People who clearly have the financial means to fix their properties and bring them from disrepair to code compliant, are the people you should be speaking with. Try opposite the Burrous Building for starters.
Elected Public Officials have a direct obligation and responsibility, to craft and design solution-based policy which allows for appropriate flexibility, to balance the budget and maintain services, but also to actually help people whenever appropriate or possible. For example, I have an excellent plan specifically to help foster community-based incentive assistance for local homeowners to make costly home repairs more affordable, with less code violations. "Save Our Homes Toolbox Rescue & Renewal Program". Your flawed plan of unnecessary / aggressive code enforcement places homeowners in jeopardy of losing their homes, decreases our tax revenue base and weakens our local economy. I clearly point out the reasons why, in the 'New Programs" tab on this website. Our local government should not issue ultimatums, not have bias or treat anyone unfairly. A responsible mayor is a good neighbor who values people and their views; without favoritism. 'Benevolent Representation'; not misrepresenation. Finding solutions that actually work for people.
Allegany County is a place of scenic beauty, a picturesque landscape, having approximately 50,000 people who call it their home. A myriad of smaller communities, each with their own charm. Here in Wellsville, friendly conversations happen every day from people sharing opinions, their stories and experiences with each other ... and those times when people have coped with all kinds of life's difficulties. The part where my attention naturally becomes more focused, because caring brings out compassionate understanding and basic human decency when it's most needed. There are valid, general reasons why people do not like the typically cold nature of 'politics', a word not found in the U.S. Constitution. Their frustrations are quite understandable. It is your right to question local public officials (We pay their salaries), and hold them accountable, based upon their conduct, judgment and track record; not just during an election season. I have firm belief this current administration (including both mayoral candidates now holding public office)... has failen short of its public obligations to our community overall, in one area after another.
When you combine political gridlock, detachment from our community, lack of accountability and a striking absence of basic human decency with compassionate understanding... what has clearly resulted, is an administration of questionable judgment, a controversial track record and more questions than answers. The difference between 'every person for themselves', versus working together as a community, as good neighbors with worthwhile goals. I have every intention to serve with unwavering, dedicated commitment, so our future experience and success is better than the 'small town politics' we have witnessed over the past four years. We've all been through enough.
Elections are about people and the issues which affect them. Genuine Public Service is best defined by helping those within our community; not for public officials to help themselves to it. To be a Community Advocate*, is my #1 Goal. It is for you, an American citizen, resident and voter, to decide whether the last four years have been beneficial, what direction the next four years will be like, and who you will support. Your good faith can make a difference; your vote really does matter.
Thank you for your time and this opportunity to proudly serve our community.
Public Service is a great responsibility; with best intentions, to work for you.
Respectfully & Sincerely,
James Dorsette, Mayoral Candidate
Let's restore basic human decency and understanding.
"The best resource in any community... Are its People."
Better Representation, to improve Our Quality of Life*
"We can achieve a stronger future by working together."
