Chemung County Politics Open Chat

[MsKreed 1,571]

For the record....

Although I believe it’s wrong for Moss to shirk the ACFR reporting, I tend to agree with the other point he made in his letter:

If the County taxpayers are stakeholders (“owners”) of any facility or venue that has operating expenditures and revenue, the operations and financials of said facility need full transparency and accountability.

This has been the case since.....forever. The Airport, Park Station and the Nursing Facility are county-owned "operations" that draw revenue from utilization. And all of their personnel decisions and expenditures are transparently reviewed and approved by the Legislature. Their revenue/expense books are transparently included in County financial reporting.

Example: The Aviation Director's appointment (and his salary) are approved by the Legislature, and if he wants to pay someone to wax the floors at the Airport.....that process is subject to oversight and approval.

The same premise should apply to the Arena (as well as the Fairgrounds Community Center, once it comes to fruition).

However under CCCR, we don't know who appointed Robert Kramarik Marketing & Sales Director for First Arena. Is the “operating team” made up of volunteers or are they salaried positions?

We also don’t know how events like “Cabin Fever” are funded.   

We know they had “carnival activities” (like inflated attractions and giant games). But no idea if those attractions were donated by a sponsor, or if the Arena put out for bids.....or if the Marketing Director has the authority to hire Bobby K Entertainment if he wants.

 

 

On a final note:

Just as Moss seems determined to clash with the Legislature, there are also a few Legislators who continue to look for reasons to clash with Moss.

I think most of the public has had enough of the bickering and tit-for-tat attacks between the local branches. And we do appreciate those Legislators who don't engage in that petty power struggle.  

[Chris 3,211]

1 hour ago, MsKreed said:

I think most of the public has had enough of the bickering and tit-for-tat attacks between the local branches. And we do appreciate those Legislators who don't engage in that petty power struggle.  

Amen!

 

[Twin Tiers Living 489]

Quote

 

18 News reached out to Commissioner Avery on Thursday morning to ask about the concerns raised by Legislator Morse. In an email, Mr. Avery said “All news inquiries, per County policy, must go through the Chemung County Executive’s Office. Kevin Adams, the Chemung County Director of Public Information, was copied in the news inquiry sent to Avery. Mr. Adams did not reply.

After Mr. Avery told 18 News he could not comment, we reached out to Chemung County Executive Chris Moss. We asked about the questions posed to Mr. Avery, and the reason behind the policy that prevents Commissioners from answering news inquiries without prior approval from the County Executive’s Office. Kevin Adams, the Chemung County Director of Public Information was also copied in the email inquiry. Executive Moss did not reply to our questions regarding road visibility concerns raised by Legislator Morse, or questions regarding the County’s mowing efforts this season, before the holiday weekend. 

On Thursday afternoon, 18 News reporter Nick Dubina did receive a phone call from Chemung County attorney Hyder Hussain. Mr. Hussain said he was calling because he was told a reporter needed an explanation on the county policy regarding media inquiries. Mr. Hussain told 18 News reporter Nick Dubina it was a “longstanding policy” put in place by Executive Moss to make sure “no incorrect information gets put out.”

 

Source

[MsKreed 1,571]

WTF?

It’s no wonder legislators have raised concerns about deciding on expenditures when Department heads don’t attend meetings and answer questions as they have in the past.

Of course, it would be inappropriate for department employees punching a clock to speak to the media.....but the Commissioner is under a gag order?

Quote

Kevin Adams, the Chemung County Director of Public Information, was copied in the news inquiry sent to Avery. Mr. Adams did not reply.

Why even have a Director of Public Information, if even he is not allowed to respond to media inquiries?

 

Also....how “longstanding” is this policy?

Avery was allowed to speak to the same reporter at the media outlet last year. 

And the Aviation Director also made media statements on multiple occasions last year. (This) (and This)

Planning Commissioner Kevin Meindl has put out public statements and spoken to the media as recently as THREE days ago.

[MsKreed 1,571]

It actually kind of weird that this is the topic Moss considers so controversial to impose a media blackout

Heaven forbid that Nick Dubina could share misinformation about tall grass. 

[Adam 527]

so much for transparency

[KarenK 503]

2 hours ago, MsKreed said:

It actually kind of weird that this is the topic Moss considers so controversial to impose a media blackout

 

Heaven forbid that Nick Dubina could share misinformation about tall grass. 

First thing I thought when I saw that earlier was that it was a huge amount of drama over some tall grass on the corner.  I mean just say you are working on it and carry on.  Sometimes I think Mr Dubina really causes drama where there doesn't need to be any.

[MsKreed 1,571]

When we visited my hometown in Iowa, my husband found it absolutely hilarious that local radio stations reported frequent “Corn Alerts” throughout the day......reminding drivers to be aware of low visibility at intersections.

 

"There's corn in the cornfields in Iowa!" Stop the presses! LOL

[command_prompt 298]

On 4/25/2024 at 8:23 AM, Lawana Morse said:

Bingo 

Because drama always works. Sigh. 

[Lawana Morse 94]

On 5/29/2024 at 1:52 PM, KarenK said:

First thing I thought when I saw that earlier was that it was a huge amount of drama over some tall grass on the corner.  I mean just say you are working on it and carry on.  Sometimes I think Mr Dubina really causes drama where there doesn't need to be any.

This is a very true statement.

All I did was post a response to an email that I received because I had quite a few constituents reaching out to me about those intersections. Figured a quick public post was easier than sending the info one by one and would help anyone else with the concerns to know it was being looked into. NEVER thought it was news worthy and certainly didn't see it taking the angle it took...but - will say, it hightlights the frustration of communication I have seen over the past year and a half. 🙊

[Pvt Snowball 44]

15 minutes ago, Lawana Morse said:

This is a very true statement.

All I did was post a response to an email that I received because I had quite a few constituents reaching out to me about those intersections. Figured a quick public post was easier than sending the info one by one and would help anyone else with the concerns to know it was being looked into. NEVER thought it was news worthy and certainly didn't see it taking the angle it took...but - will say, it hightlights the frustration of communication I have seen over the past year and a half. 🙊

Instead of allowing Moss to hold up leg try working on a Solutions and resolutions at this point I'm willing to support anyone else to run against him he has shown no let up or cooperation and yet people of this fun town votes red.

Edited May 31 by Pvt Snowball

[Chris 3,211]

23 minutes ago, Lawana Morse said:

Sometimes I think Mr Dubina really causes drama where there doesn't need to be any.

Yeah... While sometimes he does a better job at digging into things than anyone else has in a long time around here, I think you have a point. 

On the other hand, it did shed some light on how communication is being handled in Chemung County, which I find troubling. So props to him, I guess. 

[Lawana Morse 94]

On 5/31/2024 at 12:34 PM, Pvt Snowball said:

 I'm willing to support anyone else to run against him 

I am willing to talk to anyone interested in running against him.  I do not know if he is planning on running in 2026. I've heard conflicting information. 
I would love to see a page full of candidates for all seats at all levels. 
We passed the terms limits for Legislature and Executive and now we have to prove that quality candidates will step forward. One of the opposition arguments was no one steps up to run. 

I am talking with others to put together a candidate bootcamp type of program. Whatever level of government, we need to help candidates navigate running campaigns. BUT we also need recruitment at all levels. Finding those willing to run who may not have thought about it or who feel like they don't have what it takes. 

[MsKreed 1,571]

I know when he first ran in 2018, Term Limits was among the things he promised: 

However....he was also campaigned on cutting the Executive salary. 

Quote

For a community, a county of 88,000....the County Executive and Deputy Executive salaries are ridiculous. They’re making more money than counties like Onondaga, Monroe, Westchester and those are counties with millions of people.

Source- WETM Video

And he did take a 15% cut, as promised. But then he did a 180 degree spin and argued that he needed consecutive raises to add back the 15% that he (now) says was meant to be "temporary".

And now he's back to the "ridiculous" salary.....making as much money as the Westchester County Executive, and more than the Monroe County Exec....so who knows whether he'll stick to his Term Limits promise?

🤷‍♀️

 

[KarenK 503]

I don't think there is much he can do about term limits.  That was voted on and approved by the voters at the last election.  Margeson did tell me that he was out (can't remember how long. 3 yrs maybe) due to term limits.  He can't wait.  lol

[MsKreed 1,571]

3 minutes ago, KarenK said:

I don't think there is much he can do about term limits.  That was voted on and approved by the voters at the last election.  Margeson did tell me that he was out (can't remember how long. 3 yrs maybe) due to term limits.  He can't wait.  lol

The Term Limits law is three 4-year terms (retroactive to the beginning of the current term) for both legislators and the Exec. So everyone currently in office is eligible to run 2 more times (2026 and '30).

Moss's first term (2018) election isn't counted, so he could keep running for a total of four terms. Since that's twice as long as the two terms that he said should be the Exec's limit when he first ran.

I was referring to whether he'd stick to what he used to think was appropriate, or try to stay almost as long as his predecessor did. 

[Adam 527]

On 6/10/2024 at 3:30 PM, Lawana Morse said:

I am talking with others to put together a candidate bootcamp type of program. Whatever level of government, we need to help candidates navigate running campaigns. BUT we also need recruitment at all levels. Finding those willing to run who may not have thought about it or who feel like they don't have what it takes. 

please be sure to work on someone out in Town of Baldwin. the Supervisor and his spouse( board member) have been poison to this Town and whats left of the community. theres another board member needing gone as well due to the response of "elections have consequences" when approached about the Board not keeping Sup in check nor following state/local laws

 

On 6/10/2024 at 3:30 PM, Lawana Morse said:

 I do not know if he is planning on running in 2026. I've heard conflicting information. 

i saw he was advertising another fund-raising pig roast for this summer, so highly likely

[Pvt Snowball 44]

12 hours ago, Adam said:

please be sure to work on someone out in Town of Baldwin. the Supervisor and his spouse( board member) have been poison to this Town and whats left of the community. theres another board member needing gone as well due to the response of "elections have consequences" when approached about the Board not keeping Sup in check nor following state/local laws

 

i saw he was advertising another fund-raising pig roast for this summer, so highly likely

Are you going to be in the Chemung area? Lawan 

[Chris 3,211]

9 minutes ago, Pvt Snowball said:

Are you going to be in the Chemung area? Lawan 

Could you clarify this?

[Lawana Morse 94]

39 minutes ago, Pvt Snowball said:

Are you going to be in the Chemung area?

In regards to hosting a candidating training program? I plan to have it open to anyone in Chemung County - or surrounding if someone is interested. As far as where it will be held, I will go wherever the interest is. Probably will start with a county centralized session and then go from there based on feedback and interested. 

As far as recruiting candidates for offices, everyone needs to be talking to neighbors and "evaluating" them for their potential for various elected positions within the county, whether it be town, school, or county level. Or ecen state level. Those who care and pay attention should always be looking for those who would make good candidates. I never would have run if someone didn't first approach me about it. I feel that is an area we have all been lacking in. We just wait for someone to step up and then get frustrated when it's always the same ones. It was the argument against term limits - that no one runs. We have to be looking for those people to run and put in place mentoring. I hesitate to say "groom" candidates due to the negative conotations, but that's what needs to be done: preparing quality people for campaigns and the job of office.

[Pvt Snowball 44]

5 hours ago, Lawana Morse said:

In regards to hosting a candidating training program? I plan to have it open to anyone in Chemung County - or surrounding if someone is interested. As far as where it will be held, I will go wherever the interest is. Probably will start with a county centralized session and then go from there based on feedback and interested. 

As far as recruiting candidates for offices, everyone needs to be talking to neighbors and "evaluating" them for their potential for various elected positions within the county, whether it be town, school, or county level. Or ecen state level. Those who care and pay attention should always be looking for those who would make good candidates. I never would have run if someone didn't first approach me about it. I feel that is an area we have all been lacking in. We just wait for someone to step up and then get frustrated when it's always the same ones. It was the argument against term limits - that no one runs. We have to be looking for those people to run and put in place mentoring. I hesitate to say "groom" candidates due to the negative conotations, but that's what needs to be done: preparing quality people for campaigns and the job of office.

I'm a registered Dem and I'm tried of my town board not being transparency you give me a time and location and I be there 

[Chris 3,211]

I have a lot of respect for anyone who puts themselves out there and runs for office. Even more for the person who wins the race and tries to bring honest change. 

Once upon a time I thought maybe I’d get more involved and before I could barely dip a toe into the waters I saw how people and their attitudes towards me changed. I had what was pretty much a sure seat to replace someone and had the letter of interest typed up, ready to deliver. Then I saw the writing on the wall and noped the eff out.

They call it the “political arena” for a reason; your ass is coming out of it bruised and bloody in spirit if nothing else.

 

[Pvt Snowball 44]

1 hour ago, Chris said:

I have a lot of respect for anyone who puts themselves out there and runs for office. Even more for the person who wins the race and tries to bring honest change. 

Once upon a time I thought maybe I’d get more involved and before I could barely dip a toe into the waters I saw how people and their attitudes towards me changed. I had what was pretty much a sure seat to replace someone and had the letter of interest typed up, ready to deliver. Then I saw the writing on the wall and noped the eff out.

They call it the “political arena” for a reason; your ass is coming out of it bruised and bloody in spirit if nothing else.

 

I can relate since I've gotten involved I've noticed you start to see a different side of people even if you both can't again. 

[Chris 3,211]

Well, time for a new city/county pissing match apparently:

[Chris 3,211]