LEGISLATURE DOWNSIZING: ASKING COURTS TO LET PEOPLE DECIDE

This morning, I’m traveling to Rochester, NY for what should be the final installment in the epic saga of compelling the Erie County Board of Elections to do its job, and let people decide on downsizing the county legislature.  In a functional community, we wouldn’t have to spend such time and resources securing the fundamental right of voters to speak.

Someday, perhaps, our collective efforts to create a functioning, sustainable Western New York will come to pass.  But it appears that first we’ll have to get around the machinations of politicians and their protectors.

Because the board of elections appealed the State Supreme Court’s ruling restoring the downsizing measure to the November 2^nd ballot, this morning my lawsuit goes before the appellate division of the court.  I’m appearing before the Rochester court along with my co-counsel, Tim LoVallo.  Tim had to spend the better part of last week with me preparing our court brief; so he’s guaranteed his place in Heaven.

In our court documents, we’ve strived to give the appellate court ample reasoning why voters’ voice should be heard.  If the court possesses any inclination to serve the peoples’ will, case law and state statutes give it strong basis on which to let this vote proceed.  But as any experienced litigation attorney will advise, you never know what will happen in a court of law.

Kindly know, though, that if the appellate court removes the proposition from the ballot, it will merely delay the people’s right to decide, not deny it.  In my efforts to reduce the size and cost of village, town, county, and state government, I’m still just warming to the task.  And our movement shall not rest until the functional, sustainable, and prosperous community to which we all aspire, comes to pass for every Western New Yorker.

Advertisement