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Showing posts with label Rick Abbott. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rick Abbott. Show all posts
Saturday, January 30, 2016
By +Scott Leffler
scott.leffler@eastniagarapost.com
In the minutes following an ENP news story this morning concerning a special meeting of the Common Council slated for Tuesday and Council President David Wohleben's problems with it, two city officials took the Republican to task. Just moments ago, a third chimed in.
The three group emails -- from Democrat Aldermen Rick Abbott, Anita Mullane and Joe O'Shaughnessy -- all disagree with Wohleben's original assertion that the work session called for is illegal. O'Shaugnessy even goes so far as to call the Council president "shameful."
The mass email exchange started at 10:25 p.m. Friday with a group message from Wohleben to his fellow Council members, as well as Mayor Anne McCaffrey, City Clerk Richelle Pasceri, Corporation Counsel John Ottaviano, and members of the media: East Niagara Post, the Lockport Journal, Buffalo News and LCTV. It is unknown if Abbott and Mullane knew the media was in on the exchange. O'Shaughnessy clearly did, however, as he dressed down Wohleben for including the media. All three Democrats' responses appear below in their entireties and unedited. Wohleben's original email can be seen here. (link)
At 10:22 a.m. -- the exact moment the ENP story ran on Wohleben's email -- Abbott sent an email to Wohleben saying that his presence wasn't required for the meeting and that he did not have the "the authority to disqualify someone's signature or request." One of Wohleben's published concerns was that Alderwoman Anita Mullane's signature was on the request for the meeting. Wohleben took issue with that,"because Anita is a direct blood relative (to Lena Villella) and therefore she has a clear direct conflict of interest."
At 10:27 a.m., Mullane chimed in, noting that she has abstained from the votes in regards to the assessor's position "when I legally could have voted on some of them." She also states that the letter calling for the meeting was signed by four Council members.
Then, at 12:50 p.m., Alderman at Large Joe O'Shaughnessy backed up Abbott and Mullane, calling it "shameful that as Council President (Wohleben has) chosen to bash your fellow Council members in the media."
Whether the 4:45 p.m. Tuesday meeting will be held and whether it will include Villella remain to be seen at this point.
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scott.leffler@eastniagarapost.com
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| Joe O'Shaughnessy |
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| Anita Mullane |
The mass email exchange started at 10:25 p.m. Friday with a group message from Wohleben to his fellow Council members, as well as Mayor Anne McCaffrey, City Clerk Richelle Pasceri, Corporation Counsel John Ottaviano, and members of the media: East Niagara Post, the Lockport Journal, Buffalo News and LCTV. It is unknown if Abbott and Mullane knew the media was in on the exchange. O'Shaughnessy clearly did, however, as he dressed down Wohleben for including the media. All three Democrats' responses appear below in their entireties and unedited. Wohleben's original email can be seen here. (link)
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| Rick Abbott |
At 10:27 a.m., Mullane chimed in, noting that she has abstained from the votes in regards to the assessor's position "when I legally could have voted on some of them." She also states that the letter calling for the meeting was signed by four Council members.
Then, at 12:50 p.m., Alderman at Large Joe O'Shaughnessy backed up Abbott and Mullane, calling it "shameful that as Council President (Wohleben has) chosen to bash your fellow Council members in the media."
Dave,
Thanks for your input BUT:
1) You as Council president have the right to cancel the meeting if not properly notified.
2) A group of Council members can hold an open meeting at any given time that we desire as long as we conform with the Open Meeting Law.
3) The fact that an alderwoman has a relative in the employ of the City does not prevent her from participating in public forums in regards to the duties of a given job, especially a job the relative
does not hold. Although that presentation may be better served by a representative of the Civil Service.
4) As Council President you do not have the authority to disqualify someone's signature or request.
5) Please remember the Ethics Committee is only a Committee and does not have any power in regards to policy. It can make recommendations but the final decision is made by the Council, the same as any other committee or Board.
6) If the Council decides to bring in outside people for consultation, I will rest assure you that it will be a committee of individuals that we all agree to, and the outside consulting will not be cherry picked.
7) Your presence is not required for all work meeting, open meetings or Council meetings.
Thanks,
-- Rick Abbott
-- Alderman 5th Ward
Dave, a few things I would like to address with you regarding this email.
1. I have abstained on all resolutions during my tenure as a Council member that would give the appearance of any impropriety when I legally could have voted on some of them.
2. The letter requesting the COTW meeting for 2/2/16 was signed by FOUR Council members. Please refer to your email from the City Clerk's office sent on 1/28/16 with the aforementioned letter attached to it. The signatures are also provided.
Thank you, Anita
Dave,Aldermen Mark Devine and Joe Oates -- both Republicans who voted for the creation of the assessor's position -- have not responded publicly to the exchange.
Let me say I emphatically agree with the statements from my fellow Council members. I find it shameful that as Council President you have chosen to bash your fellow Council members in the media. Your statement sends a message to me that this is an early and defining moment of who is going to run this City. This City is going to be run by the people. Let me remind you that we have been elected by the people. It has been stated by the Mayor that our current actions are clearly a step backwards financially, ethically and that we are simply not informed and have poor judgement.
Dave, what is the fear of bringing a staff member to address the Council on one of the most important Departments of the City? This lingering question of mine is being brought about at the right time for the right reasons.
-- Alderman at Large
-- Joe O'Shaughnessy
Whether the 4:45 p.m. Tuesday meeting will be held and whether it will include Villella remain to be seen at this point.
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Thursday, January 21, 2016
By +Scott Leffler
scott.leffler@eastniagarapost.com
Lockport Mayor Anne McCaffrey has issued her first veto as mayor, striking down a pair of resolutions approved Wednesday night by the Lockport Common Council.
The resolutions -- 012016.6 and 012016.8 -- would have rescinded a shared services agreement with Niagara Falls and created a full-time assessor's position for Lockport.
McCaffrey, in a release to the public, explained her reasoning for the rare veto, calling the resolutions "a step backwards financially and ethically."
Her announcement says the proposed Council changes would cost the city "in excess of $77,000 which includes pension and health care costs."
The bills were put forth by 5th Ward Alderman Rick Abbott and approved by a four-member majority of the Council with Alderwoman Anita Mullane abstaining from the votes. Council President Fourth-Ward Alderman David Wohleben cast the "no" vote.
Reached at home this evening, Abbott said the veto could be overridden. "If everybody stands their ground then the veto will be overturned." He added that Mullane could vote in the affirmative on the resolutions, making way for a 5-1 vote.
Mullane's position is unique in that it is her sister, Lena Villella, who could be appointed as the full-time assessor. Villella is the city appraiser and has filled in as acting assessor when it was needed previously. She has been a city employee nearly 30 years.
Abbott said he thinks that's the real rub. "It's very obvious that she doesn't want to hire the current appraiser as the assessor."
McCaffrey noted the familial relationship in her veto message.
Abbott said he believes the move could save the city money rather than costing money. It would save $30,000 by getting out of the shared services agreement with Niagara Falls. Approximately half of that savings would be put towards promoting Villella to the Assessor's post. While the city would then have to hire another person in the department, he said the city would then be able to share the position with another local municipality, negating the cost of the added personnel.
Whether of not the veto will be overridden -- and whether Mullane votes on the issue -- remains to be seen.
An attempt to reach McCaffrey for further comment was not immediately successful. Her prepared statement follows in its entirety.
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scott.leffler@eastniagarapost.com
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| Anne McCaffrey |
The resolutions -- 012016.6 and 012016.8 -- would have rescinded a shared services agreement with Niagara Falls and created a full-time assessor's position for Lockport.
McCaffrey, in a release to the public, explained her reasoning for the rare veto, calling the resolutions "a step backwards financially and ethically."
Her announcement says the proposed Council changes would cost the city "in excess of $77,000 which includes pension and health care costs."
The bills were put forth by 5th Ward Alderman Rick Abbott and approved by a four-member majority of the Council with Alderwoman Anita Mullane abstaining from the votes. Council President Fourth-Ward Alderman David Wohleben cast the "no" vote.
Reached at home this evening, Abbott said the veto could be overridden. "If everybody stands their ground then the veto will be overturned." He added that Mullane could vote in the affirmative on the resolutions, making way for a 5-1 vote.
Mullane's position is unique in that it is her sister, Lena Villella, who could be appointed as the full-time assessor. Villella is the city appraiser and has filled in as acting assessor when it was needed previously. She has been a city employee nearly 30 years.
Abbott said he thinks that's the real rub. "It's very obvious that she doesn't want to hire the current appraiser as the assessor."
McCaffrey noted the familial relationship in her veto message.
Whether of not the veto will be overridden -- and whether Mullane votes on the issue -- remains to be seen.
An attempt to reach McCaffrey for further comment was not immediately successful. Her prepared statement follows in its entirety.
To The Residents of the City of Lockport:
Today, I vetoed resolutions 012016.6 and 012016.8 sponsored by Alderman Abbott on January 20, 2016 and adopted by the Common Council. I did so because these actions are clearly a step backwards financially and ethically for the City of Lockport. As I recently said in my inauguration speech, I will sound the alarm whenever I see a serious lapse in judgement and my responsibility is to you - our residents – to protect your hard earned dollars and to ensure that our city is run with the highest of ethics.
For the past 2 years, I have focused on putting our city back on the path to financial stability. This required cost benefit analysis and a commitment to consider all options to ensure that our services are provided in the most cost efficient manner. If there is a less expensive way to provide services, we must pursue that option.
Last year, the City entered into discussions with Niagara Falls for a shared services agreement for assessment services. The agreement ensured that a qualified assessor will be in the City of Lockport weekly for the entire year, as compared to four months this past year. The cost of this agreement is $30,000 per year. I discussed this agreement in detail with our contact person at the New York State Financial Restructuring Board (FRB), who indicated to me that he was pleased to see Lockport pursuing shared assessment services. He also said there was a very good chance that this type of shared services agreement would be supported and incentivized with an FRB grant to the City of Lockport and possibly Niagara Falls. He told me that this type of action is what is necessary to increase efficiency and is an excellent step towards decreasing the cost of city government and emerging from fiscal distress.
However, the Common Council voted to abandon this shared services concept and to force Lockport out of this agreement. With all due respect, the arguments some Common Council members provided are contradictory and simply not informed.
First, some Common Council members claim to like shared services – just not this one – a hypothetical one that doesn’t exist. Second, they want a Full Time assessor in the City of Lockport – but state that we should share this person with another municipality. So, if we share this person, then they aren’t full time for the City of Lockport, are they? So which is it? Third, in order to ensure that an employee of the department, who just happens to be Alderman Mullane’s sister, is the one protected and promoted, they want to create a third position in the department, which they claim will also save us money. The math is simple - 3 people cost more than 2 people, especially when adding in the health care, pension and legacy costs. A full time assessor position with two support staff will increase the assessor's department budget line in excess of $77,000 which includes pension and health care costs over the shared services contract figure and this amounts to an almost 1% increase to taxpayers in future years’ budgets. Unfortunately, the city cannot afford reckless tax increases when a solid cost-effective alternative arrangement is available to the City.
In addition, the action to reduce the legal consultant line by more than half shows the Common Council’s intent that they do not want provide the essential resources and expertise to represent the city. The New York State Comptroller’s Office approved the City’s 2016 budget after a careful review to ensure that each line was properly funded. By drastically reducing the legal budget line, this action has in effect created an unbalanced budget and may cause the Comptroller’s Office to be concerned. In addition, Standard and Poor’s recently improved our bond rating to “stable” and indicated that this rating could be impacted by the new Common Council’s actions. The ramifications could be far-reaching.
There are serious problems in this Common Council action. In my opinion, it is financially irresponsible and a serious lapse in judgement to demand that an Alderman’s sister be promoted and financially benefit. Isn’t this the type of behavior that gripped City Hall for decades and needs to stop?
If you agree with me that nepotism and fiscal irresponsibility should be a thing of the past, please call your alderman and let them know how you feel.
I respect our City Charter and the separation of powers between the branches of government which are provided for. So, please know that I will not stand by quietly and watch reckless and serious financial mistakes occur, without doing my part in using my executive powers, to sound the alarm to the taxpayers of our City when necessary.
--Anne E. McCaffrey
--Mayor of Lockport
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Friday, January 1, 2016
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| Mayor Anne McCaffrey, center, is surrounded by family as she takes the oath of office Friday afternoon. Administering the oath is City Court Judge Bill Watson. (PHOTOS BY SCOTT LEFFLER / ENP STAFF) |
By +Scott Leffler
scott.leffler@eastniagarapost.com
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Lockport Police and Fire department officials served as Honor Guard for the
afternoon ceremony.
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McCaffrey, one of only two incumbents re-elected in November, said the election's results meant city residents want change in city hall, but trusted her vision to "put our city back on track."
The Republican mayor, who must now work with a Common Council composed of three Democrats and three Republicans, as well as a Democrat treasurer, Sue Mawhiney, said she relishes the opportunity to work with the evenly split officials.
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County legislators Keith McNall and Will Collins were also sworn in during
the ceremony.
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McCaffrey said steps have already been taken to right the city, noting a "new independent audit committee, non-partisan ethics reforms, and a new budget development process."
"The future is bright. And we've taken the steps to put us on the path to success," she continued.
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| City Treasurer Sue Mawhiney gives a brief speech during the ceremony. |
Fourth Ward Alderman David Wohleben was sworn in as Common Council president, a position McCaffrey once held herself. Wohleben thanked Fourth-Ward voters and congratulated his fellow aldermen on their elections.
Also sworn in were aldermen Joe Oates, Anita Mullane, Mark Devine, Rick Abbott, and Joe O'Shaughnessy; Police Chief Michael Niethe; Fire Chief Pat Brady; and Corporation Counsel John Ottaviano, David Blackley, and David Haylett; as well as county legislators Keith McNall and Will Collins.
An invocation and benediction were given by Father Joseph Dumphrey of St. John's Roman Catholic Church. Lockport Police and Fire officials served as Honor Guard for the ceremony, and Pete Robinson performed the National Anthem, while City Court Judge Bill Watson administered all oaths of office.
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| Lockport Police Chief Mike Niethe is sworn in to office, surrounded by his family. Niethe takes over following the retirement of Larry Eggert. |
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Monday, December 28, 2015
ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com
Lockport's latest batch of elected officials will be sworn in during a ceremonial inauguration to be held at 1 p.m. Friday at the Historic Palace Theatre.
Mayor Anne McCaffrey will offer a speech during the ceremony in which she will be sworn in, along with Treasurer Sue Mawhiney, 1st Ward Alderman Joe Oates, 2nd Ward Alderwoman Anita Mullane, 3rd Ward Alderman Mark Devine, 4th Ward Alderman David Wohleben, 5th Ward Alderman Rick Abbott and Alderman at Large Joe O'Shaughnessy.
Only McCaffrey and Mullane are returning to their posts. The city's other five aldermen and treasurer are new to office.
Wohleben, one of three Republicans on the new Common Council will be given the position of Council President, a post McCaffrey held prior to her ascension to the mayor's spot when former Mayor Mike Tucker resigned in February of 2014.
Appointed officials are also expected to be sworn in during the ceremony, which is free and open to the public.
Check out East Niagara Post videos on YouTube, Vine and Periscope.
news@eastniagarapost.com
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Anne McCaffrey is sworn in as 2nd Ward Alderman in this
January, 2014 file photo. On Friday, she will be sworn in to
her first elected term as mayor of Lockport in a ceremony at
the Palace Theatre. (ENP FILE PHOTO BY HEATHER N
GRIMMER)
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Mayor Anne McCaffrey will offer a speech during the ceremony in which she will be sworn in, along with Treasurer Sue Mawhiney, 1st Ward Alderman Joe Oates, 2nd Ward Alderwoman Anita Mullane, 3rd Ward Alderman Mark Devine, 4th Ward Alderman David Wohleben, 5th Ward Alderman Rick Abbott and Alderman at Large Joe O'Shaughnessy.
Only McCaffrey and Mullane are returning to their posts. The city's other five aldermen and treasurer are new to office.
Wohleben, one of three Republicans on the new Common Council will be given the position of Council President, a post McCaffrey held prior to her ascension to the mayor's spot when former Mayor Mike Tucker resigned in February of 2014.
Appointed officials are also expected to be sworn in during the ceremony, which is free and open to the public.
Check out East Niagara Post videos on YouTube, Vine and Periscope.
Monday, November 2, 2015
The 5th Ward alderman candidate discusses why he wants the job ...
East Niagara Post is the official media sponsor of Hockey Day in Lockport.
ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.comEast Niagara Radio's "On the Record" is broadcasting interviews with Lockport alderman candidates Rick Abbott and Joe Oates at 7 p.m.
Abbott, a Democrat is running for 5th Ward Alderman, while Oates, a Republican, is seeking the 1st Ward slot.
Click here or the image above to listen.
The interviews will be made available for download later this evening.
East Niagara Post is the official media sponsor of Hockey Day in Lockport.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com
Former Lockport Streets Department employee Rick Abbott announced his candidacy for the 5th Ward seat of the Lockport Common Council today.
Abbott, a newcomer to politics, held numerous public service roles over a 35-year career, including with the Niagara County Dept. of Health, New York State Dept. of Health, and Office of People with Developmental Disabilities in addition to his time with the city Streets Department. While he was a state employee, he was a member of Public Employees Federation (PEF) and held elective office for 15 years.
He retired from public service in 2007 and has been employed by People Inc. for the past six years.
Abbott has been a resident of the City of Lockport for more than 60 years, living in what is now the 5th Ward for the majority of that time.
"I love Lockport and its community," the registered Democrat said. "I believe in Lockport. The city has to have a vision and we need to evolve and seek our identity for the future. Lockport is an older city that requires new ideas, so that it can once again be attractive to new residents and their families while maintaining our current residents.
We are paying a premium tax rate; so therefore, we need to provide quality services to our residents. Quality services is not a perk, it is an obligation."
"Lockport has many problems but we cannot dwell on the past, we need to move forward and improve our streets, our parks, our relationships with our employees and the way we do business," he continued. "We need for everyone to adopt a philosophy of cooperation."
Abbott has two daughters and two sons, all of whom are lifelong residents of the City of Lockport.
Former Lockport School Board member Allan Jack previously announced as a Republican candidate for the seat, which is currently held by fellow Republican Ken Genewick, who is not seeking re-election.
RELATED LINKS:
news@eastniagarapost.com
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| Rick Abbott |
Abbott, a newcomer to politics, held numerous public service roles over a 35-year career, including with the Niagara County Dept. of Health, New York State Dept. of Health, and Office of People with Developmental Disabilities in addition to his time with the city Streets Department. While he was a state employee, he was a member of Public Employees Federation (PEF) and held elective office for 15 years.
He retired from public service in 2007 and has been employed by People Inc. for the past six years.
Abbott has been a resident of the City of Lockport for more than 60 years, living in what is now the 5th Ward for the majority of that time.
"I love Lockport and its community," the registered Democrat said. "I believe in Lockport. The city has to have a vision and we need to evolve and seek our identity for the future. Lockport is an older city that requires new ideas, so that it can once again be attractive to new residents and their families while maintaining our current residents.
We are paying a premium tax rate; so therefore, we need to provide quality services to our residents. Quality services is not a perk, it is an obligation."
"Lockport has many problems but we cannot dwell on the past, we need to move forward and improve our streets, our parks, our relationships with our employees and the way we do business," he continued. "We need for everyone to adopt a philosophy of cooperation."
Abbott has two daughters and two sons, all of whom are lifelong residents of the City of Lockport.
Former Lockport School Board member Allan Jack previously announced as a Republican candidate for the seat, which is currently held by fellow Republican Ken Genewick, who is not seeking re-election.
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