AuburnPub.com - These three made a difference

These three made a difference

By Judy Ducayne

Tuesday, January 2, 2007 10:42 AM EST

Three people have consistently been brought to my attention as having had a tremendous impact on our community in the past year. Now is a good time to acknowledge some of their achievements.

� Jerry Morgan has become a household name in Auburn. His many letters-to-the-editor have provided a platform for his straightforward viewpoint. He stands for honesty in government, like the budget process and tax hikes. He tries to expose corrupt leaders. He's strongly on the pro-life side of the abortion issue and draws our attention to return to strong family values and sound morality.

He is the taxpayers' hero. He prays that someday our community will elect officials who actually care about the people, rather than what they can get for themselves. He is an idealist with a vision of how things could be in this town and has proven he is willing to fight to get us there.

� Billy Kufs was well known for, among other things, writing an opinion column for this newspaper from the conservative viewpoint. One of the things I kept hearing from so many people when I started writing my column was that they hadn't read anything like this since Billy Kufs was in the paper. They missed him and were so happy that someone was picking up where he left off.

In addition to his newspaper column, Billy was also serving the community with a talk radio program, and now his new TV show, “The Voice of Truth,” which normally airs on the public access cable channel 4 on Sunday and Wednesday at 6 p.m. Billy's core belief is that one person can make a difference and he's setting a great example for all of us. He repeatedly tells us that apathy is destroying this country and believes it's crucial that citizens roll up their sleeves and get involved in any productive way they can to express their viewpoint and effect change. Billy urges us not to be afraid to say what we're thinking because most people will agree with us. In an age of absurd political correctness, Billy encourages people to resist the pressure to conform and go along with the crowd. Instead he wants us to have the courage of our convictions.

� Gina Speno, Fingerlakes Mall's general manager, has had some issues brought to her attention that demanded her immediate response. I know of several instances when she had to take action to ensure that the mall continued to be family-friendly. She advocated to safeguard traditional family values when she was approached by shoppers who felt that their family was violated by objectionable displays. She understood the importance of setting boundaries to help maintain an atmosphere that was safe for family shopping. We wish her well in her future endeavors.

We thank all three for their courageous contributions.

Ducayne can be reached at sacredheart6005@hotmail.com

Ducayne's column appears

Tuesday's in The Citizen,

and she can be reached at

sacredheart6005@hotmail.com

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The Citizens' Say

There are 12 comment(s)

Kevin of DC wrote on Jan 7, 2007 5:58 PM:

" Sweet Judy Blue-Eyes could write prose until she becomes blue in the face. She has that right -- I guess. But, what really concerns me is her obvious sense of righteousness. I mean, what sort of person would use a "sacredheartXXX@hotmail" e-mail account? Look, I'm a practicing Roman Catholic. But, I find the misuse of Christ's name, as Judy is doing, a sacrilege. That misuse implies that by sending e-mail to Judy, one is also sending it to Christ. Judy: You're _not_ divine. So, let's lose the "sacredheart" moniker, and leave it for the only One entitled to it, please. "

DiCondito wrote on Jan 6, 2007 3:54 AM:

" To those whose haven't lived here long, be advised that it takes a while (about 45 years in my case) to come to a full appreciation of the unique combination of manic humor and manic genius that is Billy Kufs. I don't think you can get it in a day, a week, a month or a year. He is a very complex man. Judy, on the other hand, is very straight forward, immediately understandable, and always on the side of the angels. "

Billy Kuffs is a JOKE!! wrote on Jan 5, 2007 9:09 AM:

" Billy Kuffs? Now I havn't lived in Auburn very long and just recently started seeing Billy Kuffs on public access and I have to say that the man is a bumbling fool. He never makes any sense and is always paranoid. I think one show that I saw he said that the liberals were taking over his set knocking down the background and that he had to transport his entire crew by bus blindfolded to an underground bunker where the "liberals" wouldnt be able to find them, and even after all that, there might be a crew member that infiltrated the set posing as a "follower". What is he trying to do, start a cult. I think he is the most paranoid man I've ever hear of. He is not very credible at all! He's a JOKE!! "

Bill Balyszak wrote on Jan 4, 2007 10:48 PM:

" Gina Speno, we're going to miss you terribly. You should have received the top award...whatever that may be...from both the city, the county and the Town of Aurelius. You did more for this county than all the Economic Business Development Agencies of Auburn and Cayuga County combined. You most certainly deserve an "ATTABOY...oops, ATTAGIRL" Award. (I just may have one laying around...we'll see) And again,thanks a bunch!!!! "

cm wrote on Jan 4, 2007 9:27 PM:

" I so enjoy sitting at my computer and read all the name bashing in Auburn.. Everyone has opinions-Everyone has someone that disagrees with them. I do beleive there is way to much behind the scenes hand-shaking/butt-kissing going on and thats why Auburn has become what is it now. It's not just about opinions--it's about getting something done.SO whether you agree or disagree with the writers or responders--name bashing won't clean up the city! "

Judy's not conservative! wrote on Jan 4, 2007 5:02 PM:

" Please, please, please... let me make one point clear. Judy is not a conservative. She may carry some conservative ideas (about 1%), but most of her commentary verges on nazism ideology: belief in race/culture superiority, strong sense of nationalism, homophobic, anti-communistic (who isn't these days), and quite possibly anti-semetic (while she hasn't come straight out and said it, she has publicly attacked pagans and the use of "happy holidays" -- as if "Christmas" was the only holiday worth celebrating this time of year). I'm expecting her thrashing to Jews to come within the upcoming weeks. Usually I respect viewpoints of conservatives, liberals, and moderates. However, I can not tolerate sheer ignorance and viewpoints that are so extreme they are un-American. But I do respect her right to say it. Hey, it's America, if she wants to make a fool of herself and the Auburn Citizen... I say go for it. But don't call it conservative! "

From South Florida wrote on Jan 4, 2007 10:08 AM:

" I just moved up here from South Florida. I am used to the Sun-Sentinel and the Miami Herald. Both papers are pretty liberal. I am NOT used to reading the hateful rants of one Judy Ducayne. I cancelled my subscription about 2 months ago when she was ranting about Gays and Wicca. Why are conservatives so intolerant? Can anyone answer that question for me? "

What A Joke wrote on Jan 3, 2007 11:02 PM:

" Jerry, you are not an office holder last I checked. If I remember correctly, you've had a bad run lately trying to obtain office. Perhaps my opinion is believed by more people than you think. Keep posting though. I get good laugh out of them. I just think the paper can do a service to its readers by placing your comments some where between Peanuts and Fox Trot. "

doog wrote on Jan 3, 2007 8:31 PM:

" My god, how truly pathetic that the people that you hold as role models are among the most bigoted, intolerant, vile voices in this community! It must be a sad, bitter world which you and your fellow miscreants live in! I'm only shocked that you didn't include that goofball Bob Ward! I have a suggestion--read John Dean's "Conservatives Without Conscience" to maybe finally see yourselves in the mirror of truth. You are all scared of the world, feeling out of control and unable to influence a discussion with intelligence or compelling reason so you resort to the basest behavior--demonizing, spewing bile and playing the "poor me" temper-tantrum tactics of a child, who, ironically, feels that same way until they mature. Too bad poor Judy, Billy and Jerry have not yet...What a trifecta of utter, and pathetic misery! "

Jerry Morgan Sr wrote on Jan 3, 2007 5:49 AM:

" You are entitled to your opinion. As I said in a earlier letter to the editor, I am not against paying taxes for services we need. I am however, against paying taxes when budgets are buldging at the seams, and we are told they need the money. I am against rising taxes to pay for nepotism, cronyism, and corrupt politicians. I have never once in my life fought against a budget that was well put together with the interests and the needs of the community and the service being met. But as I said before, you are intitled to your opinion "

What A Joke wrote on Jan 2, 2007 10:44 PM:

" You select Jerry Morgan? What a joke. The man is as intolerant of other views as you are! Jerry Morgan often exclaims that the government is corrupt, stealing tax payer money, and that the actions of the citizens of Auburn will send them to hell. If you follow many of his published comments you find that he contradicts himself often. In one case he argues that the City of Auburn needs more police officers. Did he forget that he is upset with his rising taxes? Its easy to complain about a problem that is right in front of you. Mr. Morgan is incapable of analyzing intertwined issues and solving complex problems. Instead of complaining and attacking all the time perhaps he should learn a few problem solving skills, the ability to compromise, and that contradicting oneself is a poor debating skill. Again: ha, ha, ha. What a joke. "

Don, Killeen, Tx wrote on Jan 2, 2007 6:02 PM:

" I enjoy Mr. Morgan's responses also because he writes often, causing me to respond and sometimes agreeing with him. I enjoy Mr. Lynch's responses also, once again, allowing me to respond one way or another one topics. But the one I get my most material for is the 'two cents' column writer, for I have a heyday in that area. These are my three for the past year. WRITE ON. "

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