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RFH 2010, News

Public Meets Justice, Trustee Candidates

Fri, May 28, 2010

Public Meets Justice, Trustee Candidates

About 35 people had the opportunity to hear from the four candidates for two Board of Trustees positions and the two men seeking the village justice spot to be filled in next month's village elections.

The candidates appeared at the Hamilton Forum's Meet the Candidates Night at the Hamilton Public Library's community room. The forum has been restarted by the Hamiton Rotary and this was its first event.

Appearing at the event were incumbent village Justice Arnold Fischer and challenger Tom Bogan.

The trustee candidates at the event included incumbent Margaret Miller, Jay Whipple, Russ Lura and Deborah Sill Kliman.

Each candidate gave a five-minute opening introduction and then answered written questions submitted by memebrs of the audience.

It was obvious by several questions that were asked of the two candidates for village justice that someone -- or several someones -- in the audience believes there are two standards of justice for young people appearing before the village court. In both instances, it was suggested that Colgate students get off with lighter sentences than their local peers.

Fisher, a 20-plus year incumbent, said he is aware that there are many pre-law and pre-med students at Colgate who may be denied access to law or medical school if they have a serious criminal conviction on their record. He said such students should not have their lives ruined by one bad decision.

Bogan said all cases, regarless of whether the person is a Colgate student, should be considered equally. He said a person applyhing for a job at WalMart would also have problems with a serious conviction on their record.

Fisher added that he does not show any partiality.

The justices were asked if Hamilton should do away with the village court, as was considered recently. Fisher was adamantly opposed to that idea and said he fielded rather pointed questions from the state when it was learned that dissoltion was being discussed. Bogan said that while consolidation of governments and the services they provide is a current "buzzword" in Albany, he was not sure the village court should be eliminated.

Growth and economic expansion seemed to also be on the minds of those who attended the forum. There was also concern about what village services shoud be provided.

The trustee candidates were asked if the village should continue to provide:

  • curbside pickup of trash and recyclables;
  • tree trimming and planting;
  • sidewalk repair;
  • street and sidewalk snowplowing;
  • and 24-hour police patrol.

None of the candidates called for abolishing any of these services, but most agreed it would be good to keep track of the costs they generate ands to look for potential savings.

Future development -- residential and commercial -- was also a cause for questions.

Trustee candidate Lura said the nearly empty former Ames plaza (where Grand Union used to be) is among the biggest challenges facing the village. Sill Kliman suggested that if new businesses cannot be recruited to fill the vacant space, the buildingss be razed and some type of moderately-priced housing be constructed.

The question of funding for the SOMAC ambulance service was raised. All of the candidates said they would support continuing the village's contribution, which this year was $8,000. 

The village election is June 15. Miller's seat is open as is that of Carl Albrecht, who decided not to run. And, Fisher's term as village justice is expiring.

 

 

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Comments(1):

  1. Responses to the Candidates Forum

    Tuesday, June 01, 2010 Ben

    "Farming out" of municipal services generaly equals far fewer and less comprehensive services and very little savings are realized. I know this to be true. And by the way, we are NOT the only municipality conducting our own trash and recycle pick ups. Check it out. There is a reason that the Village of Chittenango does their own pickups. As for the Village Court, to state that the futures of these students are in any way comparable to a job at Wal-Mart, is laughable at best. In the past, Wal-Mart has resorted to the hiring Illegal Aliens. I don't think a criminal record would matter much to them on a job application. As for the old Ames plaza, there have been several attempts to open businesses in these properties. But local shoppers have basicly ignored shopping there. And at least one local business has continued to try to purchase either of these properties. But you are dealing with "Non-Resident" landlords who are not seriously invested in this community. In the meantime, they let the places stay vacant (for the most part) and run down and with no apparent concern for "OUR" community.