Jan 10
Burin does not care what the electorate has to say, or what we think. He knows best.
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Tags: CityCouncil,Politics
Burin Sticks With City Attorney Appointment, Despite Threat From Councilmember
Elmira City Manager John Burin says he is confident John Ryan, Jr. is the most qualified for the position, despite Republican Councilwoman Sue Skidmore’s opposition. I mean, she was elected to represent, well, just the people. Who is she to question Mr. Burin?
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Well, let me see…which saying best defines our Mr. Burin? Methinks: What Johnnie Wants, Johnnie Gets (one might wish to add ‘regardless of what YOU think’ to that).
I do believe that Mr. Burin has turned out to be much more like his mentor, Sam Iraci, than previously suspected. Apparently he tolerates no suggestions nor does he tolerate any questioning of his decisions.
Mr.Burin has decided to keep his good personal friend, John Ryan, as Corporation Council elect…oops…that isn’t an elected position is it? It’s an APPOINTED position! Just like City Manager is an appointed position!
So the wheels go round and round and the appointed appoint others and….where it will stop nobody will know.
Mr. Tonello, of the ‘we need to give him wide berth’ statement continues to support Mr. Burin right down the line. No questions asked.
Ain’t love grand?
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Leadership would be nice, yes. I don’t feel that is what we are getting now so much. I look at several of our City Council and other administration and frequently see people who aren’t questioning items that I feel should be questioned. Perhaps these folks are questioning items in workshops but that isn’t being made known unless one happens to attend one of the workshops.
I see council members frequently just following the pack rather than ‘bucking’ the system and making their own ideas and objections known. I’d love to see more council members making their objections and ideas known to the public.
Sue Skidmore is to be congratulated for thinking on her own and stepping up to the plate. We need more like here before Mr. Burin is allowed to become an unquestioned dictator,IMHO
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well, in ‘theory’ all concerns are ‘worked out’ during the workshop that takes place in City Hall on the Thursday morning (10 AM) before the Monday of Council Meetings. Those meetings are also open to the public but the public is not allowed to speak.
Knowing that, one can readily understand that the council person who votes ‘no’ on an agenda item during a council meeting has some kind of serious objection to that item.
Unfortunately, that objection is seldom voiced when the ‘no’ vote is given. I’d like for a ‘nay’ voting council member to give the reason for the ‘nay’ vote when it is given. Not only would that give listeners more scoop on the item in question but it would also help us understand why a council person is taking the stand they are taking.
It would also have the added advantage of allowing the public to better understand the thinking of their Council person.
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And politicians wonder why they are so vilified?
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Gotta love it. ‘you may attend but we aren’t going to speak to you and you better keep your mouth shut, too!’
And they wonder why we’re so suspicious.
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But, saying that, I do agree with them that meetings go much smoother when the citizens are muzzled. The trains will run on time.
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Sorry folks, but I’m getting a little confused with Sue’s comments. Here is the entire article and an excerpt from Sue Skidmore. Can we have it both ways ?
Elmira Politics are pretty darn convuluted and these comments make them even more so. Does anyone see a pattern developing here ? And if so, could it be that they are ALL “Old Guard ?” Just some food for thought !
“Councilwoman Sue Skidmore, R-1st District, said Burin rose to the top of the candidate pool. “He really did jump out at us,” she said. “He can hit the ground running and instill changes. We’ve already seen some proof of that.”
Burin named Elmira city manager
Council, Iraci pleased with work of former city assessor.
By BROOKE J. SHERMAN
Star-Gazette
bsherman@stargazette.com
March 17, 2006
BURIN
John Burin joked Thursday morning during the Elmira City Council’s workshop meeting about the dust not fully settling from bricks that fell from the city’s Armory last week.
But other things have settled at City Hall, including who will lead Elmira as city manager.
Burin, the city’s assessor since 1996 who has served as acting city manager since Jan. 1, was officially appointed to the job Thursday by Mayor John Tonello.
“He re-sponded well in crisis and it’s part of his humble style to not take credit,” Tonello said. “He is a strong, unassuming leader with a positive outlook.”
Burin, 52, said he was honored to take the position - one he’s admired since he first worked for the city in the parks department in the mid 1970s.
“I always looked up to the city manager. It was Joe Sartori then. He had a flood. I have the Armory,” Burin joked.
Burin was the council’s unanimous choice after a three-month search drew 38 applicants from across the nation. Six finalists were chosen; two dropped out, Tonello said, and the remaining four, including Burin, were interviewed by phone. The city council unanimously supported the decision to appoint Burin.
“I’m looking forward to getting the ship on the course. … You’re the man at the helm,” said Councilman Terry McLaughlin, D-4th District.
Councilwoman Sue Skidmore, R-1st District, said Burin rose to the top of the candidate pool. “He really did jump out at us,” she said. “He can hit the ground running and instill changes. We’ve already seen some proof of that.”
City Chamberlain Joy Bates said the council made a good decision to appoint Burin.
“He understands how the city operates,” Bates said. “He is already up to speed and can be at a plateau where he can launch future plans on a much better basis. Someone new coming in would have to start all over from square one.”
Burin, an Elmira native, graduated from Elmira Free Academy, raised three sons in the city and resides on Hoffman Street with his wife and youngest son.
Former City Manager Samuel F. Iraci Jr. recommended Burin as his replacement when he announced his retirement in November. Iraci, reached Thursday at a spring training baseball game in Palm Beach, Fla., said he was pleased to learn of the council’s decision.
“I don’t think the city could have made a better choice,” Iraci said.
Burin’s first duty will be to fill the city assessor’s post.
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Thats kinda what I want in a legislator, someone to formulate an opinion, test that in the real world, see the results, then go back and modify their opinion, based on facts, as opposed to feelings. Thats what I get form this article, and from todays disagreement with Burin that she is having.
Younever changed you mind, when faced with fcts to the contrary? Come on herb, even old dogs like us can change our minds, no?
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Not on this issue Bill. I can honestly say that I didn’t like Iraci then and I still don’t like the guy. In fact , he should be Investigated along with all the others from that era. So I find it hard to fathom why someone would not realize that anyone he ” recommended ” would not be the one for the job. There were 38 other candidates to choose from at the time and I don’t recall being told anything about any of them. In fact , I would like to see some of these so called Republicans that were put in office to replace those who ” took flight ” step up to the plate once in a while and take a vote of NO CONFIDENCE on JIm Hare.
Seems as though he pretty much gets his way over and over again without any interference or question from the MAJORITY on Council. Ryan may have been there during that time period but he was a paid employee doing the bidding of the Council and the City Manager and Mayor. And I do believe that they had to approve anything he did. If Sue is going to object to his appointment then maybe that objection needs to go just a step further. Hare seems to have a habit of setting the City back a foot or so everytime we move an inch forward.
So I truly haven’t changed my mind on that issue and most likely never will. Iraci put us where we are today and ANYONE he recommended should not have been given ANY consideration. But thats just my opinion and it most likely means nothing anyway.
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I don’t know nor have a bone to pick with John Ryan so heres a little story from 2002 that I believe may add some credibility to what I have stated above………..
Sometimes it pays to hit the ” Save ” buttom I do believe………….
Local News for Tuesday 11/19/02
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City wants to target own code violators
- Council asks county DA to OK crackdown by Elmira’s lawyers.
By CHARLIE COON
Star-Gazette
ccoon@stargazette.com
The Elmira City Council on Monday voted to request that the Chemung County district attorney authorize the city’s lawyers to prosecute code violators.
In particular, the city wants to crack down on tenants who lay waste to the apartments and houses they are renting, then vacate the property, leaving the landlord to deal with the mess — and the expenses.
The city also wants to step up its prosecution of landlords who do not keep their properties up to code.
City Manager Samuel Iraci Jr. has complained in recent months that District Attorney John Trice and his staff have not prosecuted enough tenants for criminal mischief for damaging their landlord’s property.
Trice in the past has said his office has not received prosecutable cases from the city’s code enforcement officers or police department.
The Star-Gazette on Monday was unable to contact Trice or his chief assistant, Charles Metcalfe, for comment.
Mayor Stephen Hughes said he hoped Monday’s vote would implore the district attorney’s office to more vigorously prosecute code violators in criminal court or allow the city to do it themselves. Or both.
“It’s a nonbinding request for help,” said Hughes, who added that Trice and John Ryan Jr., the city’s corporation counsel, have recently had “productive” talks on the subject.
“The DA for the first time seems willing to work with the city to prosecute the most egregious cases,” Hughes said.
City attorneys used to routinely prosecute code-violation cases in city court until the late 1990s.
Leo Keebler of Pine City, who said he manages “several” rental properties in the city, said he has lost $3,000 to $4,000 on one duplex, between the vandalism and the rent lost while repairing the damage.
“We need to be getting something done about the tenant who trashes houses, instead of punishing the owners,” Keebler said. “We get a letter (from city authorities) saying we’ve got to fix something, but I say they should do the same to (tenants).
“It happens an awful lot.”
Also on Monday:
- City Manager Samuel Iraci Jr. reported that the city collected $1,086 in parking revenues from the Nov. 9 Bob Dylan concert at the Coach USA Center. “And there were no major parking problems,” Iraci said.
The next meeting of the Elmira City Council will be at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2. The meetings are held at City Hall, 317 E. Church St., second floor, and are open to the public.
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Just for fun, but what is stopping you from organizing a recall campaign for Hare?
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Well Bill its called a job. Just like I don’t attend Council meetings. I value my time off and have many things on a full plate. I care about Elmira but I also care about my future and well being. Let the new guys/gals on the block figure it out. I’m just a bearer of bad/good tidings who ’stirs the pot ‘. And besides, we have both ‘been there and done that ‘ and found out what it gets you in the long haul. Nothing !
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I’d say there would be an option for some sort of activity that might result in a recall of any council person. However, since only those who live in that particular district would be eligible to vote or petition for a recall, the leaders of such an effort would need to be residents of the district.
Neither of you qualify.
Sowwy
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Sue Skidmore’s problems with the city manager are personal, not professional, which was nicely evidenced by her very loud “discussion” she had with Nina and Carol in city hall before the last council meeting. Friendly tip ladies, the halls of city hall do echo, so if you’re going to act unprofessionally, speak a bit quieter so others can’t hear you.
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There was nothing unprofessional about our conversation and much of it was on a personal level…just chat and so forth.
I thank you for your concern as well as the advice, Stedman.
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might be for you, Bill, but I’m already in the doghouse for telling secrets.
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Politicians, almost always should not be keeping secrets.
The two, work hand in hand.
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