Home | About Kathy | Legislative Work | Campaign | Email Kathy
 Photo courtesy of Kent Loeffler In 2001, I ran for public office here in Ithaca, New York, and was deeply gratified to win, serving for four years. In 2005, I ran unopposed for re-election. I've just begun my second term as a Tompkins County Legislator. This website has become an essential tool for communication with community, constituents, my family, and you. Go ahead, browse a bit. And let me know what you think! Personal Political Survey Tourism Events Blogs Labor Blogs Community Local and Regional National and International Labor Media Other Fun Sites Heroes Candidates
|
Here's where I'll post about issues, family, community, and events.
Click on "Email Kathy" to send me your comments or information to post. Sunday, November 06, 2005 Helpful Voting Information From Marilyn Ray Thank you, Marilyn Ray, noted local attorney and activist, for this helpful summary of races and issues that will be on our ballot on Tuesday November 8th: "Countywide: District Attorney Gwen Wilkinson (Dem & Working Families Party) vs. George Dentes (Rep & Independent) This race is about supporting Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) programs that work or putting everyone in jail. It is about very different concepts of justice, fairness, and punishment. It's about prosecuting traditional women's and serious violence issues vs. prosecuting petty drug users, peaceniks, and environmentalists. County Legislature: There are 15 districts with races and many of them have Dems/Working Family Party people who are up for reelection. Next, I list all the races for County Legislature so you can locate your own district. If you don't know your district, go to Tompkins County Board of Elections' website: there's a map on the site. Also, for more information about the candidates, go to the Ithaca Journal's website where they have been running a series about each of the county races. In my opinion, we have a choice: we can vote to continue providing services to those who need them and trying to help those in need of help while keeping taxes as low as possible OR we can do what the Feds. are doing and cut services to those in need and rehab services, cut taxes, and put more money in the pockets of the haves. The Republicans talk about cutting taxes, but Eric Lerner has recently reviewed county budgets over the last few years when Reps controlled the legislature with a similar period of years under Dems control and guess what folks, the Dems have been much more careful with our money. To see the unedited Op-Ed (a very shortened version was printed in the Ithaca Journal), go to http://www.ericlerner.net/taxes.htm In my opinion two key races are Tim Joseph (Dist.12) and Martha Robertson (Dist.13). I have worked with both Tim and Martha and wholeheartedly support them both! Tim is the progressive Dem who has led the county to institute ATI programs and to resist the state's mandate to build a bigger jail that we don't need. So far, this plan has saved us all lots of money. Martha Robertson has been instrumental as well in getting these ATI/jail initiatives passed. Tim is in a three-way race in District 12 and there are other three-way races in districts 8 & 15. District 1: Pamela Mackesey (Dem & Working Families Party) vs. Thomas Ludgate (Rep & Concerned Citizen's party). Many of us know Pam from her work on the Ithaca City Council and she has support from a lot of us. We need her on the Co. Legislature AND she needs our support. District 2: Leslyn McBean-Clairborne (Dem & Working Families Party) unopposed District 3: Richard S. Booth (Dem & Working Families Party) unopposed District 4: Nathan Shinagawa (Dem & Working Families Party) unopposed District 5: Kathy Luz Herrera (Dem & Working Families Party) unopposed District 6: Hurf Sheldon (Dem & Lansing Lighthouse Party) vs. Michael J. Sigler (Rep) District 7: Ben Boynton, Jr. (Dem & Working Families Party) vs. Frank Proto This is my district and if anyone else lives in the Town of Caroline or Danby. Frank has been in ever since I moved to Caroline in the mid-80's, and I think it is time for a change in our representation on the county legislature. District 8: Greg W. Stevenson (Dem & Common Sense) vs. Michael J, Kobre III (Rep & Taxpayer's Relief) District 9: Athena Kalandros (Dem) vs. Duane T. Randall II (Rep) District 10: Dooley Kiefer ((Dem & Working Families Party) vs. Clifford B. Buck (Rep & Citizens for Change) Those of you who care about the environment know Dooley and her knowledge, careful attention to detail, and the scope of her intelligence. I for one think we really need her in the Legislature. District 11: Michael Koplinka-Loehr (Dem & Working Families Party) unopposed District 12: TIM JOSEPH (Dem & Working Families Party) vs. Larry A. Nivison (Rep & Taxpayer's Relief) vs. Eric Krantz (Homeowner's) District 13: MARTHA ROBERTSON (Dem, Working Families Party, & Greater Dryden Party) vs. W. David Resty (Rep & Coalition for Change) District 14: Michael E. Lane ((Dem & Free Will) vs. Michael R. Hattery (Rep and Coalition for Change) District 15: Jim Dennis (Dem) vs. James R. Rohan (Rep & Taxpayer's Relief) vs. Benjamin Curtis (Ind) PROPOSITIONS There are three proposals on the ballot for those of you who live in the City of Ithaca, and there are only two statewide ballots for most of the rest of us in Tompkins county. The exception is Groton which has three of its own proposals up for votes on 11/8. To look at a pdf file of the Ithaca city proposition, click here. "Proposition No. 1: Shall a local law be approved amending the Ithaca City Charter to repeal Section C-18 of said Charter relating to the position of Municipal Surgeon? Under the abstract section it says "The purpose and effect of this local law is to repeal the provision of the City Charter that establishes the position of Municipal Surgeon." To look at a pdf file of the two State propositions, click here." Please use your right, take part in your community, and VOTE! |
