Independent...for good.

The reasons I chose to run as an independent have been clear to me from the outset of my campaign, however recent political activity in Penfield has brought these very principles front and center for all to see. 

More than ever, Penfield deserves a government that is focused on the needs of the town, and free of party influence.

During the collecting of signatures for my nominating petition, I enjoyed more than 500 conversations with voters in Penfield. The vast majority of them feel that many town level decisions are being made with too much party influence. Fortunately, at the local level an independent candidate can rise to become a legitimate and formidable choice. This we have already accomplished.

Recently there have been several situations where a Penfield elected representative has resigned, and the vacant position has been filled by appointment. It is in these situations where party influence is perhaps at its worst. Instead of undertaking a fair, equitable and open process, these appointments have become a reward to one of the party faithful. Once appointed, the appointed individual is in a much stronger position to be elected when they are eventually required to face the voters.

Succession by election is the heart of the democratic process; succession by serial appointments can subvert it.

I am not suggesting that appointments are inherently bad. When there is a vacancy, appointments make more sense than special elections, especially at the town level. The problem is that it has become a common practice for individuals who are not seeking reelection, to resign so that the party’s chosen replacement can be appointed and subsequently run as an incumbent.

If we accept that appointments are necessary, how then do we make the process more open and fair? As your Supervisor I plan to take specific steps that can return appointments to serving the people instead of a political party:

 Open Appointment Process

1. When there is a need for an appointment, a well-publicized, public informational meeting will be held for all interested individuals. The details of the opening and the process will be discussed and all eligible candidates will be encouraged to apply. This meeting will be televised live and available online thereafter.
2. Once the submission process is complete, all submitted credentials will be posted to the town website. Candidates will be notified in advance that this is part of the process. The town will then accept any letters of support or concern from residents and will consider them accordingly in the interview/selection process.
3. The town board will conduct interviews and arrive at a selection for the appointment, based entirely on the experience and credentials of the submitted candidates. The Town of Penfield will not be told who to pick, period.

This may seem like a bit of a theoretical subject to be discussing, but we are in the middle of an appointment process right now to replace Penfield Councilperson Debbie Drawe who herself was appointed to replace Tony LaFountain in the Monroe County Legislature. Additionally, should Councilperson Jim Mulley be successful is his bid for Town Justice, he will create yet another town board vacancy that will require an appointment by the newly elected Supervisor and three town councilpersons, two of which will have just been (re)elected.

As I stated in my blogpost last week, Penfield’s current elected officials (and their chosen successors) are trying to serve too many masters. Decisions driven by party leaders (no matter how well intentioned) will never have the needs of the town, and its residents, at their core. The Town Supervisor exists to serve the needs of the town of Penfield, period. One cannot effectively lead while looking over one's shoulder to make sure the party agrees with every decision – or looking ahead to see how decisions made for the town will serve the party. By accepting the support of a political party, a candidate is agreeing to consider the needs of that party once in office. The greater the support of the party for the candidate, the greater the expectation that the party will have a seat at the table. This is nothing new and it is one of the greatest political challenges we face as a town, county, state and nation.