I recall that, back in my younger days, parents would conduct fundraisers to raise revenues to pay for the needs of their childrens' sports teams. Parents and other community members would volunteer their time and labor to maintain and enhance park facilities (baseball fields, etc.). Parents volunteered as coaches, referees, team parent, and such. Merchants would contribute money to sponsor sports teams. Local business owners would place advertisements in school yearbooks and drama production programs to support youth programs and activities.
Today, parents demand that the government fund youth programs. Further, we support with our public revenues (i.e., taxes) the government employment of "Youth Program Commissioners" and "Assistants to the Commissioner of Social Services for Youth Development" (Kosiur's new patronage position), and such to espouse what is best for our youth and to supervise and entertain our children during our absence from their lives.
The "government" neither produces goods nor generates revenues. The responsibility for the proper upbringing and the nurturing of our children, traditionally provided by loving and caring parents, relatives, friends, and neighbors cannot and should not be assumed by the "government". Be careful what you ask for. Otherwise, you just might get it.
Is the position for which Kosiur is being considered one for which anyone can apply? Are candidates required to take a civil service test to prove their qualifications?
The responsibility for the proper upbringing and the nurturing of our children, traditionally provided by loving and caring parents, relatives, friends, and neighbors cannot and should not be assumed by the "government". Be careful what you ask for. Otherwise, you just might get it.
Brad,it almost seems that this is exactly what the people want. Sad.
It amazes me that with taxes as high as they are, they are actually CREATING a position at the cost of the taxpayers. Although I am all for youth programs, this is not an initiative that should be prioritized at this time.
gather the college kids around....Union/SCCC and tap into their energy....as for youth programs where are the schools we pay so much to??? where are the parents and their involvement?...that's right,they are working too much paying for NYS's 'shadow government' and the likes of NYRA, Thruway Authority, Metroplex etc.....
I say put those boomers to work too......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
I just saw this little gem of a story and read all your posts. I couldn't agree more with all of you. I am, unfortunately, seeing the glass half empty this evening and need to say that if more than a handful of people will even notice this I would be surprised. And don't think the Republican's wouldn't be doing the same thing if the shoe was currently on their foot. I agree with one of Michaels other posts on another thread.....I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired...........Yes, the glass is half empty tonight. I'm disgusted, disheartened and quite frankly give up.
Somebody had to save Kosiur's a**! If he didn't have an appointed position, what the hell would he do? Perhaps he could be a stay at home mom and donate his time to the youth programs. Set an example of what caring, nurturing parents are supposed to do. They are all a bunch of dimwits!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
I believe this is bigger than “Ed Kosiur” though I understand he is the particular beneficiary this go-round.
It’s a government problem. The mindset is all wrong. And this type of thing is equal opportunity for whatever party can manage it – don’t kid yourself.
Until enough people stand up to oppose it (and that means getting involved as a citizen), don’t expect it to change much.
It amazes me how someone like Ed Kosiur who lost the state assembly seat to Mr. Amedore and who has NEVER been elected to a political position, is being jammed down the people's throats whether they like it or not. And let us not forget that this created position is NOT NEEDED especially at a time when taxes are so friggin' high!
And I agree that the dems are not the only political party privie to this type of behavior. The dems just happen to have ALL of the control right now. And they are doing a pathetic job at governing the people. They are clearly out of touch.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Quoted from: At the risk of getting totally beaten up here, I will say that Ed Kosiur will do a great job, it's just shameful how he is getting the job.
Rene,
Allow me to be the first to flame you...
Kosiur has never been elected to any of the positions that he has held in government. He was soundly rejected by the voters in a district with a considerable Democratic enrollment advantage, when he ran for the NY State Assembly seat. Since his resounding loss, he has become embittered and has assumed the role of Democratic party attack dog. His contemptuous behavior and conduct during a recent Legislative meeting in which he attacked Legislator Lazzari are testaments to his partisanship, vitriol, and unprofessionalism. To her credit, Mrs. Lazzari did not respond in kind, but maintained her professionalism and dignity during Kosiur's unprovoked attack.
Further, quotes that were attributed to him by the Daily Gazette on Election Day as the returns were coming in were juvenile and hateful. Although he may once have been a person with the interests of children and those of the residents of Schenectady county at heart, he no longer exhibits those traits.
The creation of a county government position that will pay Kosiur $85K / year is fleecing the oppressed taxpaying residents of Schenectady County. As a government position, there should be civil service tests required to be taken by applicants. County government positions should be awarded to the most qualified applicants. By all accounts, Youth Bureau Director Shane Bargy, whose Civil Service-protected position was eliminated under the reorganization, was an effective leader who had performed admirably. The taxpayers will now be paying for positions for both Kosiur and Bargy, the latter who will receive an increase in salary in his new position.
The appointment of Kosiur to this position continues to speak to the Democratic party's efforts and intent to solidify power, control and influence. It will be viewed by all those county residents who follow government as government employment welfare being awarded to a party loyalist whose political career met with an untimely demise. With his departure from political office at the end of 2007, Kosiur becomes a private citizen. As such, comments directed toward him should be measured. He has become irrelevant in county politics.
I advocate that, when the Republican (or other) party takes control of county government, that the position being awarded to Kosiur be eliminated as well as many of the other patronage positions that were created and filled by both the Republicans and the Democrats.
A smaller, efficient, and more effective government is needed in Schenectady County. Let it begin with the disolution of the Schenectady County Legislature and the implementation of a Board of Supervisors.
I don't diagree with a word you say Brad. Kosiur has become a cry baby and embittered by his loss. Our only hope is that people will see this and I believe they will. I disagree with the salary and wonder how much more fluff is in the county budget if they can allow for this range in the salary of one person. You don't need to tell me how effective Shane Bargy was in his position. I have worked with him on our summer program and youth program for years. Brad, I ask you, when does this crap end? You suggest the Republican (or other) party should eliminate the position and get rid of Kosiur when they become the majority. This will simply allow for patronage positions to be filled by the Republican (or other) party, and if you think otherwise you are mistaken. Does it ever end? Let me rephrase, the Ed Kosiur I knew prior to the sex offender debaucle and his loss to the Assembly would do a good job. Considering the things he has said and done since that time, I hope he will do a good job for the youth of our county. You may be right, he may be too bitter.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.........SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN FOR TRUE REPRESENTATION OF ALL THE TOWNS IN THE ENTIRE COUNTY.
Kosiur has never been elected to any of the positions that he has held in government.
Quoted Text
KOSIUR CLINCHES COUNCIL
A City Council member was holding on to his appointed seat but a Rotterdam Town Board member was losing his as voters Tuesday cast ballots in a limited number of races throughout the county.
In the city of Schenectady, Democrat Edward Kosiur defeated Republican William Jenkins, a former chairman for Habitat for Humanity who serves on the city's Zoning Board of Appeals. With all 48 districts reporting, Kosiur had 6,664 votes to Jenkins' 5,136 votes. Green Party candidate Loralynne Krobetzky finished a distant third with 346 votes.
``I voted for Ed Kosiur because he is good for the kids,'' said Laurie Leon, who voted at the Price Chopper Community Room on Eastern Parkway. ``He does a lot of work with the children in the city.''
Kosiur will serve on the council for the final year of a term left open when Brian Stratton left to join the County Legislature. If he wants to serve another term, he will have to run again next year.
``I think the power plant was a big issue, and it drew votes from across party lines,'' Kosiur said, referring to the controversial plan to build an energy plant in Glenville.
With Kosiur's victory, the council will retain its 6-1 Democratic majority.
In Rotterdam, Democratic Town Board member Anthony Martin lost to Republican challenger Steven Tommasone by a vote of 6,533 to 3,888 with all 25 districts reporting. Green Party candidate Jacqueline Williams had 123 votes.
Martin was appointed to the board when Republican Councilwoman Judy Dagostino stepped down last January to take a seat on the county Legislature. The election Tuesday was for the last year of a four-year term.
In other Schenectady races, Democrats were headed to victory in the race for two new city judge seats.
For the newly created full-time position, Democrat Guido Loyola defeated Republican Robert DePaula 6,836 to 6,048 with all 48 districts reporting. Loyola had held the half-time city judge position eliminated by the Office of Court Administration this year.
For the new part-time position, Democrat Vincent Versaci handily defeated Republican Brian Ferrucci by a vote of 7,977 to 4,885 with all 48 districts reporting. Edition: THREE STAR Section: CAPITAL REGION Page: B5
Copyright (c) 2002 The Times Union
Quoted Text
Democrats keep control of Legislature
SCHENECTADY - Democrats locked up control of the county Legislature Tuesday night, picking up five of eight contested seats for a 10-5 majority.
They had been the top party for the last six months, with an 8-7 plurality, but that was due only to the defection of Republican Judith Dagostino of Rotterdam.
They have now won the Legislature outright for the first time in 37 years.
"It's an exciting night. It's fantastic," said Cristine Cioffi, D-Niskayuna and current leader of the Democratic majority.
"The seeds for this were sown through the years," she said.
Winning seats were Democrats Mike Petta and Vincent DiCerbo, an incumbent, in District 1, with unofficial votes of 3,150 and 3,141.
Democrats Ed Kosiur and Gary Hughes won in District 2 with unofficial votes of 3,961 and 3,566. Democrat incumbent Kent Gray won in District 4 with 6,043 unofficial votes.
The unofficial election of Democrat Brian Stratton as mayor also will open his District 2 seat on the county Legislature. Kosiur, as top vote-getter in the district, will get to select Stratton's replacement should his election stand.
Peter Guidarelli, currently Legislature chairman, chose not to run, instead seeking the mayor's position as a Republican.
Incumbents Michael Kirvin, D-Rotterdam, and Robert Serotta, R-Schenectady, lost their re-election bids. First-timer Republican Carolina Lazzari won in District 4 with 5,808 unofficial votes.
Incumbent Robert Farley and James Buhrmaster, both Republicans, won in District 3 with 7,640 and 7,261 votes. Incumbent Conservative Susan Lazzari lost in District 2 with 2,885 votes.
The prediction by Chistopher Gardner, chairman of the county Democratic Committee, that Democrats would pick up three or four seats at the expense of the Republicans proved close.
Nonetheless, Gardner said he "felt great because we worked hard to win. In the county Legislature, we pulled it off."
He said Kirvin could have won re-election if he had "focused on the campaign."
Kosiur, currently a city councilman, said his first order of business is to "establish cooperation and communication between the city and the county. It's important to get that sense of leadership and cooperation going." Like Kosiur, Petta is also a city councilman who chose to run for the county office.
DiCerbo said that Democrats plan to "put their stamp" on county government, but will not be "overtly partisan. You'll see a professional approach to county government. We'll be fiscally conservative."
Serotta said his switch from Democrat to Republican several years ago likely cost him the election. But he said he had no regrets.
Republicans had a more formidable challenge for control of the Legislature. They needed to win at least six of the eight contested seats.
Reach Gazette reporter Michael Lamendola at 395-3114 or lamend@dailygazette.com. Edition: Schenectady Albany; Final Section: Local News Page: B-01
Index Terms: Elections -- Schenectady County, long version Copyright 2003, 2006 The Daily Gazette Co. All Rights Reserved.
I stand corrected. I had confused Jasenski's history with Kosiur's. The former was initially appointed to his seat on the Schenectady County Legislature before his recent successful (re)election bid.
Logged
