The dust has yet to settle from this year's campaign and former Assembly candidate Brian McGrath has a press release out excoriating the Lewis County Legislature's "callous" disregard for residents...Guess they raised taxes.
This could be a preview of Mr. McGrath's future ambitions....Perhaps a run for County Legislator in order to set himself up as a member of the community, an issue that dogged him in his Assembly bid. While a native, Mr. McGrath had moved back to run after a successful and lucrative law career in NYC.
A quick engagement in local politics is McGrath's message that he's here to stay.
47 comments:
I'm not sure if I am a fan of McGrath or not, but I am a fan of exposing these sob legislators who keep raising our property taxes to build multi-million dollar slush funds.
Right- we want pols who spend every last dime.
We need pols who understand that we cannot keep raising taxes!
We need pols who understand whose dimes they keep spending and hoarding.
At a minimum, we need these Republicans to stop calling themselves the fiscal conservatives when they keep digging deeper into our pockets every budget year.
The days of the old guard are numbered.
Go youngin go!
Where is Lewis county?
Jeff, Didn't you used to do a rant about the WDT's territory and how we all go to Syracuse 50 times for every trip we make to Lewis county?
That's nice, make fun of people who live in Lewis County.
Classy.
Lewis County is a GREAT place! It is fortunate to have someone like Brian McGrath fighting for it!
I proudly voted for Brian McGrath, and would do so again in a heartbeat. People in the North Country need to wake up and realize that it really is time for a new group of leaders.
If McGrath is on the ballot next year the year after or whenever, I'm voting for him!
6:25Thats your choice to do so but please tell me what does it do to bitch about it,thats what he is doing,what has he done productive for the community still waiting for response on that...He can be your hero on doing what?Constructive things he has done please...Has he givin back some time or is he just trying to tell us all he is the man for the job....
Brian McGrath is correct on his stance against raising property taxes, to help create a slush fund, for county coffers. I have said it before, the government is thier own worst enemy, when it comes to saving money. You can bet your bottom dollar, when there is money sitting in waiting, someone,WILL, find a foolish way to spend it. GO TO THE BANK ON IT.
Rick is on the money. What possible justification can their be for building slush funds in times like these? McGrath is right. This stuff will come back to bite the Elephants.
There is no doubt that McGrath and Rick are right on the money here.
Why do I need to pay more in property taxes in Lewis and Jefferson Counties these last few years?
a) Because they have budget shortfalls.
b) Because they have cut everything out that they can.
c) Because they want to build slush funds.
A or B might be acceptable reasons, but unfortunately the answer in C.
If mcgrath runs for county legislator, he'd win in a landslide. WOuld he be running against that weasel Lucas? God I hope so. Lucas is such a weasel.
Why on earth did we elect Ken Blankenbush over this guy? McGrath actually seems to understand basic economics.
Blankenbush seems to understand that he can enhance his pension.
So sad. I really hope McGrath runs again.
7:34. You have to understand. Many of us do not or did not know McGrath. To us, he was a NYC lawyer who blew into town for a job. That label stuck. And all the "grew up on a farm" stuff wasn't quite true. I have nothing against the guy. He just has to establish himself with people who don't know him.
7:46 - Had you not just taken Blankenbush's attack mail at face value and actually taken some time to learn the facts about Blankenbush and McGrath, there is no chance ytou would have voted for anyone other than McGrath.
Oh, and, yeah, he did grow up on a farm - they cows pigs, etc they raised wree not pets.
Ya how about had to move away for greener pasture when infact his family values (that own a diner) mind you in the adirondacks, where starving him....bawhaaaaaaaaa.I will vote for him when hell freezez over!!!!
8:46 - you make no sense. Like literally no sense.
Brian is going to be an important advocate for NNY. I do believe more and more people are of the opinion they'd like to see him play an important role both politically and as an idea person for our children's education and NNY's overall development.
Whil eI like McGrath, I have to wonder how much of the slush fund is just exactly that and now much is pre-funding retiree health benefits? While I am not a big supporter of the county providing health care to its retired workers, if they are going to do it the benefits should be pre-funded otherwise the benefits won't be affordable.
Well, McGrath certainly has some sway in the county, as the Board has immediately capitulated and is now looking to keep property taxes flat.
Sorry, the Board didn't capitulate. Yes, they are demanding more cuts which should lead to no tax increase, but... the effect is to further increase the size of the fund balance. Until they commit a sizable portion of that fund balance to tax reduction we just have slush fund growth with our tax dollars.
Further, by demanding the cuts that they did last night on top of the cuts already made, we may be at a point where not only are they hoarding tax dollars, but are now hurting services to taxpayers.
Many of us who worked for the County did so with the knowledge our retirement would provide health ins.
We have contributed and continue to contribute to our ins. premiums, nothing is free. Most of us made a lot less than the factory workers and did our jobs well. We considered ourselves fortunate to have jobs and took pride in them.
Why would someone resent retired workers receiving what they were promised and deserve?
As for McGrath, I feel he is using his return to Lowville as a stepping stone to bigger ambitions. I do not trust him and did not vote for him. He will keep his name and face in the public as much as possible but many of us see him as an opportunist. He is immature and needs to realize he cannot always get his way.
Contrary to 10:57, McGrath seems to be the only adult in this conversation, and the only one who seems to get the central issue killing the North Country - property taxes!
He ran a very mature campaign, and to suggest otherwise is just ignorant.
I did not know McGrath when the campaign began, but met him and was very impressed. He is very mature, thoughtful, well spoken and caring. Bash him as you will because he had the audacity to leave Lewis County for a while, but in doing so, you only demonstrate why we are not making the progress here that we need, because we don't embrace change and encourage and respect people who have worked hard to obtain some success.
Again, it is your right not to like McGrath, but be prepared to live with your ignorance and know that we all lose when we needlessly put down such a bright young guy like him.
I agree that McGrath is a very great future leader! I was throughly impressed. Anyone who says otherwise is simply a partisan or a bigot, plain and simple. This guy is the real deal. He proved it during the campaign, and underestimate him at your own peril.
everybody crusading for Jeff/Lewis county to "give back your money",,,,,better not bitch in 2 years when your taxes go UP double digits (IF the boards "give back your money")
In 2 years when Assemblyman Blankenbush is reelected, Jefferson taxpayers might be thanking him for having a longer term view.
Business owners and mature adults tend to think that way.
Thanks Ken, I mean 11:34.
That is such an ignorant statement. You know, for many, many years our counties have managed quite well and kept any property tax increases quite modest when they didn't have such ridiculously high slush funds.
I'm a tea party supporter and cannot ever say that I'd rather the government keep and hold my money than letting me keep and hold it. That is how real adults see economics. Only "political adults" think it is better for government to take and hold my money.
Grow up people and take your government back!
Amen to that! Let me keep my own damn money! Government simply wastes it.
And boo hoo if we actually ask our county employees to make some sacrifices. I have certainly had to make more than my fair share of sacrifices just to be able to afford my taxes.
It literally disgusts me that there are idiots who believe government should be hoarding OUR money. Get your damn hands off my money, period!
Isn't it funny that the only conservative in this discussion is the Democrat McGrath? Just saying.
What a crock of sh*t this whole thing is...McGrath is a failed candidate for Assembly and now just another ordinary citizen. Why in the hell does Newzjunky post this crap from him? Brian, you lost. The people spoke and you should listen to the people...grow up little boy.
Any I have to laugh at his tag line that he's a "political outsider". You just ran for office, you are the slickest politician in 1000 dollar suits in Lewis County. Go back to NYC with your husband - your fifteen minutes of fame are up.
Thanks homophobe 12:19. Why don't you open your mind a little?
And Kent, why are you qualified to serve on the Jeff Board of Elections. Oh, sorry, I just exposed your true identity, you dirtbag.
Real classy 12:19, attack the messenger, ignoring the message - our local politicians keep raising our property taxes while building bank accounts.
Get a life, McGrath ran a great campaign and lost. That doesn't make him a bad person or someone who isn't allowed to share his thoughts on bad political decisions.
Brian had a very strong showing for a Democrat running in a very Republican district. One does not need to be in the State Legislature to make a difference. I am glad that Brian is going to play an active role in the economic well-being of the area.
Amen to that! Here here for progress and open minded new leaders!
Love him or hate him, McGrath seems to energize people the same way Palin does.
Don't discount this kid.
It would be nice if McGrath or all you who support him would come back to Jefferson County and clean up his trash. Those signs should go now.
It's hilarious that the Republican old guard is on here defending higher taxes and telling us that we're better off letting the government hold on to our money. Really!? Run on that next time.
These are the same people who said that Ken Blankenbush cut taxes, even though everybody knows that's bull if they just look at their tax bills.
McGrath is in his early 30s; Kenny is in his 60s. McGrath is smart to keep riding the tax issue.
Ken won't get anything done in Albany; he'll just vote "no" a lot with the GOP conference. Nobody actually has high expectations for him. But in an overwhelmingly Republican district, in a year where Democrats got slaughtered, McGrath gave him a good race. If there's a re-match, and Ken can't back up his promises with a record (and he won't) then I think McGrath can win it.
I would be very surprised if Ken doesn't find his house in the 118th Assembly District next time out. That would give McGrath a clear path, which I think he knows.
More slush money in the county coffers, is going to lead to bigger wasteful spending, and bigger government to support. It's a given.Our county gov'ts need to balance what they currently have to support now,and in the future.Just look at the way Jeff county spent (and wasted money) i.e. going off the state contract for road salt, the MetroJeff PSB, now the sherriff is crying about needing a cleaning service for the deputies locker room.So before anyone says we need this money for the future, just start looking at the recent past/current ways that our county is wasting money. Excess money leads to greed, make no mistake about it
Sorry 7:55, I know what NYC is, and I know what a lawyer is. I also know who Sheldon Silver is. That's why I voted for Blankenbush. I would do so again. But I'll watch your guy and see what he's all about.
Sorry to do a Wiley but I meant to add this. This slush fund the county Elephants have insisted upon is wrong. This will come back to haunt the Republicans. The people aren't happy about this and they will remember what is being done. The Donkeys lost a chance to use this as an issue during the campaign. Their mistake.
Mayor, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that 80% of the comments on here are from the same four people.
I also am laughing that McGrath still calls himself an "outsider" but claims he knows what is best for the North Country. Kind of having it both ways isn't it? It is also poor form to put out a release like that after an election and before his victorious opponent is sworn in...kind of an unspoken rule. The people spoke, as one person already said.
Well put 7:56 he is acting like he won so when We The People speak out please dont judge us and say we are bragging.He is not being positive he is telling us what he thinks what is wrong,solutions like I said would be nice.....We in this area are blessed to have things the way we do its way way worse in other parts of the country.I think the sheriff should get what he needs.I think he cares about the people of Jefferson County he won the election.He to should not be bitter about his freind at the State level not winning thats what is wrong, grudge matches should be a thing of the past here,the problem is they wont be people will try and hang others the first chance they get.John Burns won he is the law man I respect that.....
Glad to see the Jefferson County Board of Legislators (last two posts) have now weighed in. Thanks for defending tax hikes and slush funds. I hope that's your next campaign platform.
Morons.
I also love the fact that you somehow think McGrath broke some rule by putting out a release criticizing a tax hike. Does he not have a right to advocate as a private citizen?
You are very sad, close minded, ignorant people. Got back to patting yourselves on the back and get a life.
10:57,
"Most of us made a lot less than the factory workers and did our jobs well."
Where exactly are these factory job you speak of? I bet most make a lot more than the Wal-mart workers or diary farmers.
As far as doing jobs well, how do we know that is true given it is almost impossible to fire a government workers who fails to perform?
"Why would someone resent retired workers receiving what they were promised and deserve?"
Perhaps private secotr workers are sick and tired of paying for lavish benefits to others- who sometimes don't do any actual work- that they themselves don't receive. It's time to pull the plug on this gravy train.
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