On Monday, November 15, 2010, the League of Women Voters hosted a public forum which was held at the Polish Community Center 810 Columbia Street in West Utica with Robert Freeman, Director of NYS Committee on Open Government, as the guest speaker.
Mr. Freeman spent about 2 1/2 hours responding to questions from the audience regarding the Freedom of Information Law and the Open Meetings Law.
Concerned Citizens videotaped the forum:
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Koziol Files Federal Court Civil Rights Lawsuit...
NYS Chief Justice & Others Named
OFFICE OF LEON R. KOZIOL, J.D.
1518 Genesee Street
Utica, New York 13502
(315) 796-4000
www.leonkoziol.com
TO: ALL MEDIA AND INTERESTED PARTIES
DATE: November 17, 2010
FROM: CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCATE LEON R. KOZIOL
RE: FEDERAL COURT CIVIL RIGHTS LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST NYS CHIEF JUSTICE , STATE COURT SYSTEM AND OTHERS CHALLENGING PARENTING LAWS AND LIBERTY DEPRIVATIONS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
In what may be described as the most sweeping challenge to date upon our nation’s draconian child control laws surrounding Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, New York Civil Rights
Advocate Leon R. Koziol, J.D. has filed a comprehensive test case in United States District Court in Albany, New York. Named in the action are judicial and law enforcement officials, including New York’s Chief Justice and Unified Court System. The lawsuit, served upon select parties this week, takes aim at “custody” and “child support” laws which alienate children from their parents as part of a government money generating scheme. A 39 page, 24 count civil complaint sets forth the manner in which lawyers and forensic agents feed off of manufactured controversies in domestic relations courts to harm parent-child relations and the financial stability of mainstream households. According to Koziol, it is a process which is harming the productivity of an entire nation.
Until his public stance against the legal profession in recent years, Mr. Koziol enjoyed an unblemished 23 year career as a constitutional rights attorney. His accomplishments include six figure jury verdicts on behalf of race, gender and free speech victims. In 2004, he secured a final judgment in New York Supreme Court declaring unconstitutional the operation of the largest casino in that state. He has appeared on the CBS Program “60 Minutes”, New York Times and CNN, among other national mediums. The current action provides a startling look at the manner in which government actors are suppressing free speech, due process and the People’s liberty interests in childrearing. Mr. Koziol is seeking similar victims of courtroom abuses to join this action and transform it to class action status. Support is needed behind his sacrificial cause on behalf of “parents similarly situated”. As the holiday season approaches, Mr. Koziol hopes to target family preservation issues and the scheduling of a national parenting rights convention.
###
VIEW LAWSUIT HERE
OFFICE OF LEON R. KOZIOL, J.D.
1518 Genesee Street
Utica, New York 13502
(315) 796-4000
www.leonkoziol.com
TO: ALL MEDIA AND INTERESTED PARTIES
DATE: November 17, 2010
FROM: CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCATE LEON R. KOZIOL
RE: FEDERAL COURT CIVIL RIGHTS LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST NYS CHIEF JUSTICE , STATE COURT SYSTEM AND OTHERS CHALLENGING PARENTING LAWS AND LIBERTY DEPRIVATIONS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
In what may be described as the most sweeping challenge to date upon our nation’s draconian child control laws surrounding Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, New York Civil Rights
Advocate Leon R. Koziol, J.D. has filed a comprehensive test case in United States District Court in Albany, New York. Named in the action are judicial and law enforcement officials, including New York’s Chief Justice and Unified Court System. The lawsuit, served upon select parties this week, takes aim at “custody” and “child support” laws which alienate children from their parents as part of a government money generating scheme. A 39 page, 24 count civil complaint sets forth the manner in which lawyers and forensic agents feed off of manufactured controversies in domestic relations courts to harm parent-child relations and the financial stability of mainstream households. According to Koziol, it is a process which is harming the productivity of an entire nation.
Until his public stance against the legal profession in recent years, Mr. Koziol enjoyed an unblemished 23 year career as a constitutional rights attorney. His accomplishments include six figure jury verdicts on behalf of race, gender and free speech victims. In 2004, he secured a final judgment in New York Supreme Court declaring unconstitutional the operation of the largest casino in that state. He has appeared on the CBS Program “60 Minutes”, New York Times and CNN, among other national mediums. The current action provides a startling look at the manner in which government actors are suppressing free speech, due process and the People’s liberty interests in childrearing. Mr. Koziol is seeking similar victims of courtroom abuses to join this action and transform it to class action status. Support is needed behind his sacrificial cause on behalf of “parents similarly situated”. As the holiday season approaches, Mr. Koziol hopes to target family preservation issues and the scheduling of a national parenting rights convention.
###
VIEW LAWSUIT HERE
Sunday, November 14, 2010
This week's meetings...UPDATED 11/17/10
On Monday, November 15, 2010, the League of Women Voters will host a public forum with Robert Freeman, Director of NYS Committee on Open Government, as the guest speaker.
This event is to be held at the Polish Community Center 810 Columbia Street in West Utica (in back of the Utica Club Brewery) starting at 6:30 p.m. and is open to the public.
MEETING CANCELLED DUE TO FAILURE TO PROVIDE PROPER NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC!! Meeting rescheduled for Tuesday, November 30, 2010.
All meetings are open to the public.
This event is to be held at the Polish Community Center 810 Columbia Street in West Utica (in back of the Utica Club Brewery) starting at 6:30 p.m. and is open to the public.
MEETING CANCELLED DUE TO FAILURE TO PROVIDE PROPER NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC!! Meeting rescheduled for Tuesday, November 30, 2010.
All meetings are open to the public.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
New Hartford Public Library Emergency Meeting...
was held tonight...lasted less than ten (10) minutes.
As reported in the Observer Dispatch article, Changes Continue for New Hartford library board, the purpose of the "emergency" meeting was to accept the resignation of William Bonsted; to reappoint Earle Cunningham in Bonsted's place; and then to once again elect Mr. Cunningham treasurer.
Trustee Edmund Wiatr, Jr. spoke in opposition stating many reasons why it might be a good idea to get some new blood on the board as well as appoint someone with a financial background to be treasurer. However, true to form, no one on the board wanted to hear what Mr. Wiatr had to say; particularly the Library Director.
After the meeting, Ms. DuRoss explained to Mr. Wiatr that she agrees with him, but that the change needs to take place gradually over perhaps a six month period.
However, when Ms. DuRoss was asked if Mr. Cunningham wouldn't be willing to "shadow" someone new as the treasurer, Ms. DuRoss said he would be willing. But when the question was asked whether we can expect that someone new would be elected treasurer at the next meeting with Mr. Cunningham working with that person to familiarize them with the library finances...Ms. DuRoss at that point skirted the issue.
Seems funny that there would be a veil of secrecy regarding the New Hartford Public Library finances; they even go as far as to completely ignore FOIL requests from Mr. Wiatr who shouldn't have to resort to FOIL requests to receive information in the first place. Since almost half a million dollars is included in the town budget each year for library operations [paid for with tax dollars] it would stand to reason that residents have a right to know the finances of the library.
It became obvious that the outcome of tonight's meeting was pre-determined particularly since just prior to the start of the meeting, Library President Mary DuRoss had the audacity to openly discuss with Trustees Sheldon Storrier and Connie Stephens the plan to bring forth a motion to first nominate Mr. Cunningham [that was Sheldon Storrier's job] and then Connie Stephens was to make the motion to elect Mr. Cunningham treasurer. Got to love it when a plan comes together...Ms. DuRoss should be proud.
By the way, isn't it unbelievable that we have a first rate library and the trustees have to meet in a cramped space in the Library using a card table? Or is that just part of a "plan" so their backs are to the camera?
Mark your calendar for Wednesday, November 17, 2010; the day of the next library board meeting which is to be held at noon in Butler Hall. This is the Annual Meeting when the Nominating Committee will present the slate of officers to be voted on by the library trustees. Any guesses as to what names will be put forth?
As reported in the Observer Dispatch article, Changes Continue for New Hartford library board, the purpose of the "emergency" meeting was to accept the resignation of William Bonsted; to reappoint Earle Cunningham in Bonsted's place; and then to once again elect Mr. Cunningham treasurer.
Trustee Edmund Wiatr, Jr. spoke in opposition stating many reasons why it might be a good idea to get some new blood on the board as well as appoint someone with a financial background to be treasurer. However, true to form, no one on the board wanted to hear what Mr. Wiatr had to say; particularly the Library Director.
After the meeting, Ms. DuRoss explained to Mr. Wiatr that she agrees with him, but that the change needs to take place gradually over perhaps a six month period.
However, when Ms. DuRoss was asked if Mr. Cunningham wouldn't be willing to "shadow" someone new as the treasurer, Ms. DuRoss said he would be willing. But when the question was asked whether we can expect that someone new would be elected treasurer at the next meeting with Mr. Cunningham working with that person to familiarize them with the library finances...Ms. DuRoss at that point skirted the issue.
Seems funny that there would be a veil of secrecy regarding the New Hartford Public Library finances; they even go as far as to completely ignore FOIL requests from Mr. Wiatr who shouldn't have to resort to FOIL requests to receive information in the first place. Since almost half a million dollars is included in the town budget each year for library operations [paid for with tax dollars] it would stand to reason that residents have a right to know the finances of the library.
It became obvious that the outcome of tonight's meeting was pre-determined particularly since just prior to the start of the meeting, Library President Mary DuRoss had the audacity to openly discuss with Trustees Sheldon Storrier and Connie Stephens the plan to bring forth a motion to first nominate Mr. Cunningham [that was Sheldon Storrier's job] and then Connie Stephens was to make the motion to elect Mr. Cunningham treasurer. Got to love it when a plan comes together...Ms. DuRoss should be proud.
By the way, isn't it unbelievable that we have a first rate library and the trustees have to meet in a cramped space in the Library using a card table? Or is that just part of a "plan" so their backs are to the camera?
Mark your calendar for Wednesday, November 17, 2010; the day of the next library board meeting which is to be held at noon in Butler Hall. This is the Annual Meeting when the Nominating Committee will present the slate of officers to be voted on by the library trustees. Any guesses as to what names will be put forth?
Monday, November 8, 2010
EMERGENCY...
meeting of the New Hartford Public Library Board of Trustees was called by Board President Mary DuRoss.
The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, November 9, 2010 starting at 7:00 p.m. in the Sammon Room [downstairs] of the New Hartford Public Library. This meeting is open to the public!
Recently, two members of the Library Board of Trustees were replaced after failing to take their Oath of Office in a timely fashion. According to the NYS Library webpage [part of the NYS Education Dept.]:
At last weeks town board meeting, the town board appointed John Kalil, Jr. and John Klein as Library Trustees to fill the vacancies of Earle Cunningham and Peter Rayhill.
See video below showing that portion of the November 3, 2010 town board meeting:
In calling for the meeting, Board President Mary DuRoss, stated that Earle Cunningham, one of the trustees who failed to file his Oath of Office, was the treasurer, therefore, the trustees will need to vote on a replacement treasurer at tomorrow night's meeting. Also, according to Mary DuRoss, President of the Library Board, Mr. Bonsted, a library trustee that was slated to serve until December 31, 2014, has tendered his resignation; that leaves a slot open for the trustees to fill since mid-term vacancies are filled by the Library Board and not the town.
Emergency? This is the time of year that new Library Board officers are selected by the trustees anyway. It was mentioned at the last library meeting that the slate of officers would be presented at the November meeting.
The question was also raised at that meeting whether or not a previous President of the Board could once again be voted to serve as President. This is an interesting question...what could be in the works?
The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, November 9, 2010 starting at 7:00 p.m. in the Sammon Room [downstairs] of the New Hartford Public Library. This meeting is open to the public!
Recently, two members of the Library Board of Trustees were replaced after failing to take their Oath of Office in a timely fashion. According to the NYS Library webpage [part of the NYS Education Dept.]:
The Public Officer's Law requires public officials to take and file an oath of office. This requirement is set forth in Public Officer's Law §10, which provides, in part that "[e]very officer shall take and file the oath of office required by law..." The oath to which public officers must affirm is set forth in Section I of Article XIII of the New York State Constitution
A public officer is required to file his or her oath of office within 30 days of commencing the term of office for which he or she is chosen, in the case of an elective office, or in the case of an appointive office, within thirty days after notice of his or her appointment or within 30 days after the commencement of such term. Public Officer's Law §30(1)(h).After 30 days, if the appointees have not taken the Oath of Office, the office becomes vacant.
At last weeks town board meeting, the town board appointed John Kalil, Jr. and John Klein as Library Trustees to fill the vacancies of Earle Cunningham and Peter Rayhill.
See video below showing that portion of the November 3, 2010 town board meeting:
In calling for the meeting, Board President Mary DuRoss, stated that Earle Cunningham, one of the trustees who failed to file his Oath of Office, was the treasurer, therefore, the trustees will need to vote on a replacement treasurer at tomorrow night's meeting. Also, according to Mary DuRoss, President of the Library Board, Mr. Bonsted, a library trustee that was slated to serve until December 31, 2014, has tendered his resignation; that leaves a slot open for the trustees to fill since mid-term vacancies are filled by the Library Board and not the town.
Emergency? This is the time of year that new Library Board officers are selected by the trustees anyway. It was mentioned at the last library meeting that the slate of officers would be presented at the November meeting.
The question was also raised at that meeting whether or not a previous President of the Board could once again be voted to serve as President. This is an interesting question...what could be in the works?
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
No 'Use Variance' for Two NH Projects...
Zoning Board of Appeals met Monday, November 1, 2010.
Two projects before the Zoning Board of Appeals:
According to the story in the November 2, 2010 Observer Dispatch article, it would appear that it is the intention of these developers to present their projects again in some fashion. Therefore, Concerned Citizens feels that it is important that residents, particularly those most affected by the proposed projects, take the time to view these videos to get a better understanding of each proposed project.
The September 20, 2010 video:
Below is the video of the November 1, 2010 meeting. This is the meeting where the Use Variance was denied.
Two projects before the Zoning Board of Appeals:
- Continuation of the application of Mr. Ned Walker of Walker Planning & Design for Jay-K Lumber, 8448 Seneca Turnpike, New Hartford, NY. The applicant's property is zoned Manufacturing which does not permit a mercantile occupancy. Therefore, the applicant is seeking a Use Variance to construct a 15,400 square foot mercantile occupancy. Tax Map #328.011-1-20.1; Lot Size: 13.97 Acres; Zoning: Manufacturing.
- The application of Affordable Senior Housing Opportunities of New York, Inc. represented by Mr. Christopher Trevisani in conjunction with property owners James & Harold Julian, and Realtor Domic Pavia who is representing the Julian's. The applicant is proposing a 126 unit senior housing complex locatedd to the rear of the building formerly housed by the Julian's at 4752-4756 Middlesettlement Road, New Hartford, NY. This area is zoned RB3 (Office Business) which does not alow for multi-family or congregate housing. Therefore, the applicant is seeking a Use Variance to build a senior housing complex in an RB3 zone. Tax Map #316.016-6-64; Lot Size: 13.25 Acres; Zoning: RB3 Office Business.>
According to the story in the November 2, 2010 Observer Dispatch article, it would appear that it is the intention of these developers to present their projects again in some fashion. Therefore, Concerned Citizens feels that it is important that residents, particularly those most affected by the proposed projects, take the time to view these videos to get a better understanding of each proposed project.
The September 20, 2010 video:
Below is the video of the November 1, 2010 meeting. This is the meeting where the Use Variance was denied.
2011 Budget Public Hearing...
There will be a Public Hearing on the budget tonight, Wednesday, November 3, 2010, starting at 7 p.m. in the Perry Junior High School, 9499 Weston Road.
Agenda now online!
Agenda now online!
Monday, November 1, 2010
2011 Preliminary Budget...
is now online!
At this point, the 2011 tax rate appears to be an overall 10% decrease from last year's tax rate. However, for town residents living in the Village of New York Mills, the decrease is less:
The town proper and those living in the Village of New Hartford will pay $2.87 per thousand of assessed value; those town residents living in the Village of New York Mills will pay $1.04 per thousand.
There will be a Public Hearing on the budget on Wednesday, November 3, 2010 starting at 7 p.m. in the Perry Junior High School, 9499 Weston Road.
At this point, the 2011 tax rate appears to be an overall 10% decrease from last year's tax rate. However, for town residents living in the Village of New York Mills, the decrease is less:
The town proper and those living in the Village of New Hartford will pay $2.87 per thousand of assessed value; those town residents living in the Village of New York Mills will pay $1.04 per thousand.
There will be a Public Hearing on the budget on Wednesday, November 3, 2010 starting at 7 p.m. in the Perry Junior High School, 9499 Weston Road.
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