AuburnPub.com - Politics as usual on the board

Politics as usual on the board

By Judy Ducayne

Monday, March 19, 2007 12:15 PM EDT

Despite comments to the contrary, it seems clear that backroom politics is alive and well and living in Auburn.

Most recent case: the Auburn Enlarged City School District Board of Education's manipulating around the “secret meeting” controversy and a seat on the Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES Board of Education.

It looks like some strong-arm tactics are being used.

Auburn board member Joe Leogrande was true to form when he courageously exposed what was clearly a shady deal with that gathering at a local restaurant involving board members Mike Stearns, Charles Cator and Ginny Kent - who make up the entire board audit committee.

Now we have Cator, who was threatening to go after a BOCES seat, dropping out of contention. This leaves the coast clear for Kent Brandstetter, an ally of Leogrande's on the school board, to move into the top spot on the BOCES board. It's a position that Brandstetter has earned after serving nine years.

It's so obvious that even I could figure it out. You file a complaint, we threaten your colleague's job. You drop the complaint, we don't threaten his job.

See how easy it works?

There's a part of me that hopes this isn't the way it went down. We all would like to give people the benefit of the doubt in situations like this. We like to think that most people, especially elected representatives, are well-intentioned and are trying to do the right thing. But this time it sure looks like the good guys are outnumbered and are being strong-armed by the bad guys.

And once again the people who lose are the lowly taxpayers who elect these guys.

I don't blame Leogrande. Sometimes I guess you have to admit when you've been out-maneuvered by the bad guys and wait for your next chance to watch out for the taxpayers. But we all need to become more aware of how things work in this town so we can act accordingly in the next election.

Of course it would have been Leogrande who made the first move to try to smooth things over and create a more peaceful atmosphere on the school board. Now let's hope they can move past this experience and learn from it. Maybe they can avoid the typical infighting of the past, ignoring the best interests of the taxpayers and pull together as a team.

That's what we elected them for, and that's what we expect.

Leogrande and Brandstetter are role models for the others and they're exactly what we need from our elected officials. Watchdogs to keep things honest and above board.

Ducayne's column runs

Tuesdays in The Citizen and she can be reached at

sacredheart6005@hotmail.com

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The Citizens' Say

There are 21 comment(s)

notametfan wrote on Mar 19, 2007 12:41 PM:

" Hey Joe take the test. Sounds like a good opportunity "

PLEASE! wrote on Mar 18, 2007 9:42 PM:

" Can we please see something new in the paper; I'm tired of going to the Ithaca and or Binghamton paper for new news. Thank you... "

Joe wrote on Mar 18, 2007 7:52 PM:

" When is Jerry going to raise his voice about the high salaries of prison guards? They start at 37 thousand and after the pobationary period get 41 thousand. "

editorial snoop wrote on Mar 17, 2007 11:38 AM:

" Ithink he was answering just one or two individuals who were talking directly to him. What does it matter to you? At least he is taking the time to answer questions on topics that important. Instead of attacking him join in and give your opinion that matters, and believe me there are enough topic to make your head spin "

Gumper wrote on Mar 16, 2007 6:26 PM:

" Good God! Has The Citizen hired Jerry Morgan, Sr. as its new opinion writer? Count all his posts. Makes my brain spin. First, there was Kufs, then Ducayne, and now Morgan? Will wonders never cease? "

Chaos wrote on Mar 16, 2007 12:54 AM:

" Can you say "TABOR"? If we control the spending of those whom we put into office, we then control those whom we put into office. They work for us, remember... Because of the insane practices of upstate politics, more money equals progress (and secures a retirement), I will sell my home and move out of state. How many others have done the same. Negative growth equals negative prosperity. Dah... Think I'll secure my future someplace other than NY, no future here. Chaos P.S. Hasn't this article been around long enough. Tired of going to the Binghamton Press or the Ithaca Journal for new news, enough is enough. "

MIKE wrote on Mar 15, 2007 3:43 PM:

" I could always tell good guys from bad guys by the color hats they wear.Black for bad, white for good. Today everybody wears grey. As for you, Jerry Sr., You are not doing yourself any favors by rebutting everybody's staements. State your case, and move on. "

Jerry Morgan Sr wrote on Mar 15, 2007 2:30 PM:

" Jim maybe you were unaware if the comments made by Robert Freeman. He stated that it was indeed an illegal meeting. No spin is needed to address the tenure of Plume and his administration and this BOE. They have failed miserably except when it comes to spending taxpayer money. You would think by now Plume would have presented a dedicated fund for vehicle maintenance, but no, we have to borrow money and pay interest to get these vehicles. With the tax hikes and the enormous fund balances they could have statred this dedicated fund years ago. "

Jim wrote on Mar 15, 2007 12:18 PM:

" Judy and Jerry...you're wrong. Did you read the article in the paper last night? The Committee on Open Gov't. has issued a verbal decision on the Audit Committee's alleged illegal meeting. It has decided this was NOT an illegal meeting. It was, as described, three people having breakfast. They will issue a written decision soon. So let's try another spin on what happened last weekend...Joe Leogrande found out last week that the decision was going against him. Instead of doing the stand-up thing and announcing that fact, he rescinds his complaint and offers his self-serving "olive branch." Ooops...turns out the Audit Committee didn't want his complaint rescinded because they knew they'd done nothing wrong. Get the facts Judy before you start labeling people good guys and bad guys. Joe Leogrande appears to me to be a self-serving manipulator. Is that your description of a good guy? "

Jerry Morgan Sr wrote on Mar 15, 2007 7:32 AM:

" I challenge you to point out one incident where I said anything remotely close to your comments. I understand cost of living increases and building maintenance. However, we are talking about spending millions of dollars frivolously. In the last 8 years this school district has raised taxes over , and I mean OVER 40%. Can you tell me what the cost of living increases were? But lets stay on the subject. Wouldn't it be nice if we were able to maneuver around a public vote like Plume and his board? Wouldn't it be nice if we could say to Plume, "We don't especially agree with the outcome of the budget vote." "I think the public deserves another shot at voting the budget down." Of course you will never see this happen. Why then should it be acceptable for Plume to do it? By the way if you would like to debate my tenure and Stearns tenure at least have the courage to identify yourself "

Jerry Morgan Sr wrote on Mar 14, 2007 11:51 PM:

" I challenge you to do two things. First tell us your real name. Then I challenge you to point out when I ever said anything remotely close to zero spending. I understand cost of living, however, this is not what we are talking about is it? In the last 8 years the district has raised taxes over 40% and that is with the STAR program. On the same token can you tell me what the cost of living increases were? That is my point, when you add the county in and then the city, you are driving people from their homes, you are driving jobs away. You are destroying neighborhoods. If you would like to have a debate on these issues I would love to accommodate you. But lets not put lies and innuendos into the fray. Lets stick to the facts. "

Evenkeeled wrote on Mar 14, 2007 9:50 PM:

" Jerry, Again, your mouth can only speak with a single statement. No Taxes. Let's keep everything at zero spending Jerry. Let's ponder that for a moment shall we. Let's not have any additional funding, or any additional programs, or any additional construction. Ok. No adds. Will spending stay the same? I anxiously await your well thought out response! "

Jerry Morgan Sr wrote on Mar 14, 2007 12:39 PM:

" No spin is needed concerning Mike Stearns and his voting record. And no I didnt forget there were 9 members on the board. But in reality they were all one voice for years. They only thing that concerned them was Plume, and they gave him what ever he wanted. Stearns as President of the Board endorsed the spending proposals to the board and recommended that the peoposals be brought to the public. They rest is history. But lets consider that for a minute shall we? For the very first time a proposal was voted down by the public, this board and Plume dosent like it so what do they do? They bring it back up. Nice spin huh? Well I dont like the tax hikes that passed does that mean I can bring it back up for another vote? Of course not Plume won and the public lost. But the same principal does not apply to Plume and this board. If they dont like the voting results they will present it again with a different spin to try to get their way. The bottom line is the public said no! Live with it. Mike Stearns is a big spender and no matter how hard he tries to paint himself differently he cant. "

evenkeeled wrote on Mar 14, 2007 7:12 AM:

" Jerry, do you forget that there are nine members on the BOE? I believe in this country, votes are won by a majority. Mike Stearns didn't do anything with taxes alone. The public decided, as a majority, what needed to be done. The BOE proposed the taxes, and the community voted for them. The bottom line is, you don't like Stearns, and that's why you put your spin on things on forums like this. "

Jerry Morgan Sr wrote on Mar 14, 2007 6:07 AM:

" I have no words to eat! Mike Stearns and his ad hoc committee violated the open meeting law. Plain and simple. As for his spending record I would love to compare his with mine. Even with the STAR program he increased spending more than any board in the history of the county. Rest assured I will get more information as to why Joe opted to drop the investigation. "

evenkeeled wrote on Mar 13, 2007 10:14 PM:

" Well, well, well Jerry. Just got a call from a friend of mine that sat in the audience at tonight's school board meeting. You should be interested to know that the audit committee specifically asked to have the open government committee to continue with it's opinion. The audit committee has nothing to fear, or hide. Looks like we'll get the official opinion from Mr. Freeman afterall. Will you eat your words after his opinion is made public??? "

Jerry Morgan Sr wrote on Mar 13, 2007 8:08 PM:

" Evenkeeled, I would be more than happy to review my tenure on the board. In fact lets review Mike Stearns tenure. In regards to health insurance as you claim, I have the facts and figures for the last 5 budgetary years. I would love to show you some discrepancies. But then again it wouldn't matter to you what I was able to show you. People like you are like sheep, you believe what you believe and nothing else matters. Thank God for people who dare to raise their heads above the crowd to ask the questions that need to be asked. Because if that didn't happen, we would have more graft, and thefts on a unprecedented state.Personally I was sorry to hear Joe dropped the complaint against Stearns. I wish he pushed this through to the end, because as it is it does nothing but allow people like you to deny deny deny "

It would be nice wrote on Mar 13, 2007 5:10 PM:

" to see discussions stick to the facts and what happened and when rather than always slamming politics as the driving forces here. Back room politics of any sort when public funds are concerned is wrong. The best way to judge an elected official is by their record. If the citizens of Auburn aren't capable of doing that without sticking the proverbial political needles into every damn issue then this city, the politics and local mentality merely continue a practice where no one gains. "

evenkeeled wrote on Mar 13, 2007 4:47 PM:

" Well Judy, I see you are up to your usual conspiracy theories. Some people might say that Cator was pressured into backing down or Leogrande would continue to push this issue with the State Education department. Problem is these are all theories and like a good journalist, you should get the facts before making assumptions. You and Jerry are two peas in a pod. Your lives are built around the sky is falling. Well thankful for the world, there is plenty of sunlight otherwise the grimness of your pen would make us all wither. Regarding Mr. Morgan, you were on the board right? Well what spending did you control? Perhaps we should review your tenure, find out what issues took place while you were in office, where you stood on spending and health insurance..you know the things that really drive costs. It would be interesting to see what contracts looked like when you were in office and what kind of leadership you brought. Well I guess that is food for thought. Interesting word "thought". You should use it more often. "

hats811 wrote on Mar 13, 2007 4:27 PM:

" Jerry, (and Ms. Ducayne - whoever you are) you have got to be kidding me!!!! Do you think, for one second, that you have a clue what really went on regarding Leogrande and Brandstetter????? Let me assure you...you have NO idea!!! Suffice it to say, the two "good guys" that you refer to are rotten to the core. Watch out...one of these days you'll all see it. As far as Stearns running for a seat at the county...at least he's trying. Jerry, what are you doing except criticizing everyone who may have a different opinion than yours. Do you think for one minute that Stearns isn't a free thinker? He is TRULY one of the GOOD GUYS! Mike would vote for what is best for the community as a whole and not special intrest groups. Personally I think Mike would better serve us at the city level, but whatever he chooses to do, I wish him the best of luck. People who know Mike, know what kind of person he is. "

Jerry Morgan Sr wrote on Mar 13, 2007 2:41 PM:

" What is even scarier is Mike Stearns is considering a run for a seat on the county legislature. What do these antics tell us about this man and his political ambitions. His name is being circulated as a possible replacement for Mike Lepak. In my humble opinion the democratic party will be better served if they choose a candidate that does not condone and or participate in illegal back door meetings. If this individual is selected and if he is elected, I believe it would be safe to assume he would fall into the fold of the ruling majority thus continuing the practice of illegal meetings, and free spending tax hikes. Remember, Mike Stearns, as board president, endorsed the largest increases in spending in the history of the school district. More importantly, we do not have a star program for the county to protect us from increased spending and tax hikes. We have too many liberals in the county right now under the guise of conservative republicans. Adding a politican with the record of spending like Mike Stearns will only make the matters worse. "

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