Want to be Ulysses Town Supervisor? If you are a registered Democrat, please get hold of me or another Democratic committee member. If you are a Republican, get hold of the Republican Committee. If you don’t want to run yourself, please don’t start any dumb rumors about other people’s intentions. On second thought, don’t start any dumb rumors if you want to run, either– everybody is much happier and more harmonious if we all are above-board.

I am stuffy. I have spent my life sorting out problems in aircraft control systems, drawing and writing specifications for buildings, and teaching heroic computer programmers and designers to give it up and work together in efficient, fun teams. Structure and stuffiness are part of me.

If stuffy seems like aggrandizement I can understand that. I am trying to bring dignity to the participation of citizens in their local government, if that seems like an effort to bring grandness to myself I can see how that confusion might arise.

My mother helped me to feel as grand as I will ever need to feel – and also a bit stuffy.

Let’s focus on the hard work, I am just not that interesting.

http://www.twainquotes.com/quotesatoz.html

We see prime examples in Washington of ignoring the truth about everything for some obscure goal which is always hidden and the mountains are rearing their predicted ugly heads as we speak.
Having spoken to Mr. Ellis a few times I have come to the conclusion that nothing he says can be believed at face value if at all and that there is always a hidden agenda (His self promotion). It seems to me this kind of politics is not preferable to the honest if awkward representation of Mr. Austic. I would by far prefer the honesty of a Mr. Austic to the slimy natter of life long politicians. We definitely do not need a junior George Bush or Ted Kennedy in local government. Thirty years of political experience is far too long to be in government of any kind. When Mr. Ellis was the fire department representative when first in office on the board he never went to a fire department meeting nor did he ever speak to the fire chief. Wouldn’t it seem he should be concerned with fire operations and protection as the representative to the Town Board?
As to Mr. Ferrentino, his actions are consistent with his own views of what is good for the town and village whether or not they will benefit him directly. Mr. Ellis seems to follow Mr. Austic around saying “no” is that any better than a yes man? Is there really anything that Mr. Austic does or has done to warrant any criticism in the many productive years he has been town supervisor? I think not. Often I find myself agreeing with Mr. Austic. Is that being a yes man? No one lacks more luster than the current mayor of Trumansburg. At least Mr. Ferrentino never got embroiled in a ridiculous controversy about a skate park which should probably be on land donated by Rose Hilbert bordering the school grounds. That would be the most obvious and perfect spot for the skate park. Funny how that never shows up in discussion. The misrepresentation in the village and the town by the trustees and board members is unconscionable and destructive of local government. Mr. Ferrentino and Mr. Austic have common sense and live in the real world not a virtual one. The town and village need accurate, unspun politics. At least less spin and more progress.
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