Comptroller Stefan Mychajliw calls Social Services security lapse a serious matter. 

Social Services tossed confidential documents in unlocked containers, comptroller’s office says

Erie County’s Department of Social Services potentially imperiled the privacy of hundreds of county residents seeking benefits because of the sloppy and inefficient way in which workers disposed of old records, according to an ongoing audit by the county comptroller’s office.

Comptroller Stefan I. Mychajliw said department employees have been careless in how they discarded of sensitive data that the county received from individuals who applied and re-applied for government assistance. Among the inappropriately discarded documents, he said, were copies of birth certificates, personal medical records, Social Security numbers, bank accounts, tax returns, inmate records, payroll information, court records and passports.

“This is mind-blowing for two reasons. First, this would have been an identity thief’s dream. Also, this supposedly highly confidential material that our auditors were not allowed to look at, Social Services was dumping in unlocked boxes and bins and leaving them at the curb,” Mychajliw said.
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Paul Wolf posted a great article on wnymedia.net addressing many of the same issues I am concerned about surrounding Buffalo Mayor Brown and the way his government functions.

The public has a right to know what government officials are doing. The New York State Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) allows citizens to request the ability to review or obtain copies of government records. The federal Freedom of Information Law was enacted in 1966. New York State adopted its own FOIL act in 1974.

In 2009, after being jerked around on several Freedom of Information requests made to the Brown administration, the Buffalo News in complete frustration wrote an editorial stating:

The law is clear. When we request city records, you must provide them, completely and in a timely manner.

But you aren’t exactly following the law at the moment.

You’re stonewalling.

So, with all due respect, Mayor, cut it out.
Read more…

I met with Howard Cadmus, Candidate for the Amherst Town Board on Thursday May 17, 2013.

As the interview progressed I became aware of the fact that I just met a man who isn’t your typical politician.  He wasn’t touting the patterned answers I usually hear from political candidates. He spoke with sincerity and a clear understanding of what must be done to help Amherst.

Cadmus was fully aware of the hotels being built in Amherst and how they relate to the three Town Boards: the Planning Board, the Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Amherst IDA. He plans to do more research on the subject and understands that many people are unhappy with recent “developments.”  He wants to learn more about why the people are unhappy with the developments.

He favors the plan the Village of Williamsville is working on.

An important part of his tenure as a Town Council member, when he wins, will be transparency in government.  The people will learn to trust his word.

Cadmus plans to tour the Waste Water Treatment plant which seems to be a concern of many residents. He thinks that the town might benefit from an evaluation done by outside experts.  Those experts would be expected to submit a written report of their findings. We need to understand what work must be done to have it operate more efficiently.

Howard says that taxes will be one of his top priorities.  He will also focus on the infrastructure of Amherst, as infrastructure can always be improved.

I asked what his image was of the Amherst IDA.  He felt that in general, any IDA needs to help smaller businesses and not give tax breaks to companies which don’t need them.

Some businesses in Amherst need help. Every business area in Amherst needs to find fresh and creative ways to attract new customers. One of Howard’s first efforts will be to work with the small businessmen in Amherst to help where he can.

Cadmus is a visionary who believes in working with people, whether they are town officials or citizens. He doesn’t care where the ideas and plans come from to help Amherst remain a place of beauty and thriving community.

He ended our meeting by saying, “I want to be elected because I believe in the ability of the people of Amherst and my ability to work with them.  I will study and Amherst’s problems to better understand them and work to find real solutions that will benefit us all.

I found Howard Cadmus to be a rare person, a man of virtue who believes in people and himself.  There is hope for Amherst.

Amherst Democratic Club

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Loughran’s – 4543 Main Street

Snyder, New York – 7-9 p.m.

Stop in to meet with fellow Democrats –

Discussion of Amherst issues and candidates

Come on Down!

Questions, call Dan Ward at 444 – 5326

or djw159159@gmail.com

Breaking News – A deal is being developed in which Dennis Ward’s wife, Michele Iannello, will be taking Lynne Martinelli’s seat when Lynne moves up to Personnel Director.

Dennis Ward, one of the Commissioners of the Erie County Board of Elections, is being considered as a Judge for the New York State Supreme Court.  Say what?  Say it ain’t so!

This is a high honor for any deserving candidate, but for a man of Mr. Ward’s caliber, an artist at playing the system to his advantage, the thought is really upsetting.

For example, where does he really live?  Depending on who is asking and for what reason, Dennis has a couple of answers.

He actually lives on Columbia Highway in Kenmore with his wife.  They have been there for over 5 years yet he still votes in Amherst using the address of a rental property he owns in Snyder.  His driver’s licence continues to list his address in Snyder.  Isn’t there some law that requires you to vote WHERE YOU ACTUALLY LIVE?  Hummmm?

Dennis Ward, up until last year, was the Chairman of the Amherst Democratic Committee.  During his tenure he removed a committee member who moved from Amherst to West Seneca because he didn’t live in Amherst.  A funny thing occurred with this gentleman since Dennis removed him from the ADC.  Dennis put him in charge of the Amherst Democratic Committee website.  Dennis almost always finds way to silence an angry voice.

Dennis Ward must straighten out his acts of deceit before he can honestly hold power in Amherst.  As a man representing Amherst he has more power to push his political agenda and his democratic partners.  As things are he is an albatross.

Dennis truly believes he can’t be brought down.  He believes he is above the law and has enough powerful friends to protect his hide.

Amherst has been controlled and corrupted by Dennis Ward and his cohorts for many years.  Look at the candidates from Amherst that Dennis and his group put forth who have made a difference for the good of Amherst.  Save your time; forget it; there aren’t any.  Ward never cared a bit about the Amherst candidates he personally chose.

To those individuals who are pushing to put Dennis Ward on the bench ~ better make it one that’s crooked and sways from side to side.

Dennis Ward made it up the ladder of politics by making deals and lying to himself it was all right because he was Dennis Ward.

Dennis it’s a big NO it never was alright.

           Erie County Legislature Chairperson Betty Jean Grant (D-Buffalo) is seeking six students age 16 and older to serve as unpaid interns for the Summer 2013 semester.

             Interns will assist the elected legislators and their support staff during the regular session of the Erie County Legislature for college credit or for experience, and will be expected to commit to 15 hours of service a week. Interviews will be scheduled with prospective intern candidates to determine the selected interns; women and minority students are strongly encouraged to apply.

           The desired intern qualifications are:

• A strong desire to learn about public policy and the legislative process;
• Good written and oral communication skills;
• Strong analytical and research skills;
• Strong work ethic;
• Mature judgment;
• Ability to handle a fast-paced environment.

Duties may include assisting staff in the day-to-day operations within the Legislative offices; answering inquiries by phone and through written communications; preparing letters, memos, certificates, resolutions, proclamations or reports; assisting with research assignments and special projects; analyzing policy; attending meetings or community events; filing, faxing, photocopying, etc.

Students meet weekly with legislators, department heads, and various committee members to deepen their understanding of all components of local government. Students interact with County officials as they learn about the function of county government, the procedures for introducing new legislation, and the roles of the various departments in each branch. Interns will be supervised by a legislative staff person and will be assigned to either subject-oriented committees or to the offices of the Democratic staff.

For more information, please contact intern program coordinator Shiana Denise Eve at 858-8853 or eves@erie.gov.

This Wednesday 5/15/13 the ADC will endorse Democrat Councilman Mark Manna as their candidate for Supervisor of Amherst.

The Republicans have endorsed Dr. Barry Weinstein for a second term for Supervisor.

This race should be the one to watch.  It should be a very interesting race for Supervisor.

Steven D. Sanders

Howard Cadmus

Local Republicans announced that they have formally endorsed 2 candidates for the Amherst Town Board.

The two are Steven Sanders, who is looking to be re-elected, and Howard Cadmus, a local businessman and lawyer.

***

As an interesting side note to this item,  we just received a comment from, “Oh My” on our story: Republicans Put Off Endorsing Candidates For The Amherst Town Board which was posted back in April.

That story did not mention Cadmus at all, although he was mentioned in a comment from TowneWatcher.  ”Oh My’s” response to TowneWatcher follows:

Townewatcher: You claim the chocolate lawyer Cadmus is both a newcomer and someone with government experience? Can’t have it both ways? Either he is a rookie or a veteran…and how is running a candy store any qualification for town board …unless he plans on giving it all away ..

Wednesday night Mark Manna was officially endorsed by the Amherst Democratic Committee to be the Democratic candidate to run for Supervisor of Amherst.

Mark is currently on the Amherst Town Board.  Mark’s opponent is Republican Dr. Barry Weinstein, who is the current Amherst Town Supervisor.

Once upon a time there was a frame, 2-story home located at 350 Abbott Rd. in South Buffalo, NY. It was built around 1920, like all the other frame structures that line Abbott Rd. on both sides for miles.

The home was built well, had good owners for years, but fell into the hands of fraudsters and scammers. It became a victim of white collar crime.

Why was this structure demolished? Why is there only a vacant lot there now? 350 Abbott Rd. never had a chance once Kathleen Martin, A.K.A. Kathleen Flynn, got her hands on it.

According to Erie County property records, 350 Abbott Rd. was purchased by the Lackemier family in 1974. It was well maintained, landscaped well and fit in perfectly along this middle-class, blue collar neighborhood.

In 1981 it was purchased by the Clarke family, once again, it was maintained, repairs made as needed and the mortgage always paid on time.

Then in 1989, it was purchased by Kathleen Martin, A.K.A. Kathleen Flynn, a vice-president of the mortgage department of M & T Bank in downtown Buffalo. It was the beginning of the end for 350 Abbott Rd.

Martin enjoyed the house, during the 1990′s, but soon began to dislike the area and decided to move to Orchard ark about 1993. Martin, then turned the long-time owner occupied property into a rental property. Martin then purchased a condo in Largo Florida and rented the Abbott Rd. property, often re-financing to suck out the available equity and never really reducing the principal balance. By 2003, Martin grew weary of maintaining the property and tried to sell it. After a year, with no bites, Martin decided to refinance the home once more, this time, turning to a rival lender! Martin had a mortgage with M&T, but as her employer, they had recourse on her if she stiffed them and stopped paying the mortgage. So, Martin, well versed in the business of mortgage, re-financed through Charter One Bank and Wells Fargo.

Martin paid off M & T and stiffed the rival lender, never making even 1 payment! Some call this mortgage fraud, some say white collar crime, some simply wink and nod at Martins corruption!

After the Martin fraud, the home was foreclosed and now bought by East Coast Capital Company. This time, scammers, Joshua and Jessica Douchette bought the property and began their own mortgage scams, Ponzi schemes.

In May 2007 word of these scams was brought to the attention of then-Attorney General, Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo prosecuted the Douchettes and the property sat vacant until 2010. Finally, after mortgage fraud by Martin, and house scamming by Douchette, 350 Abbott Rd. was purchased by a dentist, who privately tore down the structure, way before its time.

All that remains now is a vacant lot. The Douchettes were punished but ironically Martin is still employed at M & T Bank and continues working in the mortgage industry untouched by her fraud and financial misconduct.

Justice or business as usual for M & T Bank? They got their money in the Martin re-fi, so they wink and nod at Martin’s corruption!