Amherst Times

The old faces, the do-nothing politicians, will be voted out of office this November for example, Assemblyman James Hayes(R) NYS, who has served for five terms.  We only hear from him through flyers delivered to our mailboxes during election periods.  Rarely do we see him doing anything other than shake hands with other money people who will donate to his war chest.

Most politicians, including Hayes himself, expected he would be endorsed by the Republicans to run for Mary Lou Rath’s seat in the NYS Senate.  Mystery of mystery, this didn’t occur.  Rumors flew as to why not.  Hayes came out with a very weak excuse saying he needed more time to finish his work in his present District.  If that were the case he would be 110+ before he finished the work, because he hasn’t started it yet!

In political circles, when you get passed up for a seat you were promised, it usually means your political career is kaput.  There is a danger for the public when politicians know their career is over.  The public has to watch them very carefully.

If you look at Hayes’ record you will see there are many instances of unethical behavior.  Here are just a few examples:

• Jim Hayes’ dear friend Supervisor Mohan gave a $5000 donation to his campaign in the past.  In turn Hayes gave Mohan $5000 for his campaign.  One hand washing the other, so to speak. 
• Hayes was caught making threatening phone calls to the attorneys on the staff of his friend the NYS Attorney General.  He pressured them to make monetary donations to the Attorney General’s campaign or face the possibility of being fired.
• Back when Hayes was an Amherst Councilman he was no stranger to shady ethics.  His uncle, through marriage, asked Hayes to talk to the Town Highway Supertendent to take a look at his sidewalk. There were two blocks of the sidewalk which were damaged.  It was finally decided, by Highway Supervisor Tom Wick, that the whole driveway should be done.  It cost the town $3300. When I inquired why his whole driveway was done the Chairman of the Ethics Board told me, “The man wasn’t a blood relative of Jim Hayes so there was no problem”.

When will the voters catch on?  It’s time to show Hayes the door.