The first annual Democratic forum which was organize by Jeanne Vinal was a huge success. I have been involved in politics for over 40 years and this was the first forum I have seen where anyone in the audience could ask questions of any of the Democrats running for office which would affect Amherst.
There was a different feeling in the room, a feeling of truth, passion and caring for the public which I haven’t felt or heard in years. The politicians actually spoke with a sense of honestly and genuine caring for the people of Amherst.
It was the first time I actually listened to Bob Foladare. Bob is one of the three Democrat candidates for our Amherst Town Board. I asked him a tough question which I felt he would try to BS me. He didn’t. He stood his ground, not backing down at all from what he had said from the stage to the audience. He was a breath of fresh air.
Foladare is a fresh new face, filled with excellent ideas ranging from helping our children to helping straighten out the mess Amherst has found itself. Bob’s answers had depth and were well thought out. He had answers for problems that were understandable, rather than the POLITICO junk we have heard for years. It was an evening of shocking but invigorating feelings of hope for our town.
The other two Democrats running for our own Amherst Town Board, Mark Manna and Jerry Schad, each gave a ninety second speech with clarity and heartfelt feelings. They both answered questions with straight-forward answers which made sense. Neither spewed out any of the bunk usually heard from politicians who been around for a while. The veterans usually tell us they are going to lower our taxes and not cut services. They never tell you how they’re going to do this. Why? Think about it. Usually they end up raising taxes and charging more for services.
It was a night unlike any other. A new window was opened which let fresh air fill the room and drove the old choking, political smoke out through the back door.
The other Democrat politicians spoke but only a few had the magic which is needed to help Amherst. One of the sharpest candidates who really knew her stuff was Erie County Clerk Kathy Courtney Hochul. Kathy Kaminski, candidate for Highway Supertendent, was another sharp candidate. Kathy’s promise to remove political appointees in the Highway department rang a bell of truthfulness.
It was only fair to appoint an employee who has worked in the Highway department to be positon of Deputy Supertendent instead the job was given to a Republican Joe Speth,who has worked for years in appointed jobs. He never worked a day in his life in our Highway department. In all fairness Bob Anderson,our present Highway Supertendent, who appoint him should remove him from this patonage job. This is a sick system which hurts the regular workers who should get the jobs not the republican dough boys.