Golisano backs efforts to downsize West Seneca Town Board
Billionaire launches $5 million reform effort
Billionaire B. Thomas Golisano’s $5 million campaign to change government in New York State is about to be launched in West Seneca.
The Rochester businessman and Buffalo Sabres owner will commit the power of his new “Responsible New York” fund to reducing the size of the West Seneca Town Board from five to three members during an 11 a. m. news conference today at Town Hall.
G. Steven Pigeon, the former Erie County Democratic chairman and point man for Golisano’s latest political effort, said the Town Board reduction plan mirrors the fund’s aim of streamlining New York government to make the state more competitive.
“This fits in exactly with what he’s trying to do,” Pigeon said. “We need less government, more efficient government and people who make better policies for us.”
Pigeon, a longtime Golisano associate, said he expects the three-time Independence Party candidate for governor to make a financial commitment to the West Seneca project. Because Responsible New York is an independent operation that he said is not allied with any party, candidate or committee, he contends that it is free to spend money on an unlimited basis.
Though Pigeon would not specify any number, he expects Golisano’s offer will prove substantial.
“When he gets behind something, he does what it takes to win,” he said.
Pigeon said Golisano already has financed his new committee with a $5 million contribution and will announce today a second committee called “People for a Responsible
New York.” He said Golisano will provide the new political action committee seed money to get it started and will then encourage contributions from anyone who agrees with the premise of reducing government.
“We think we’re going to do very well with this among small donors,” he said, adding that the fund will have to abide by regular limits guiding PACs.
Pigeon, a former county legislator from West Seneca, said he also will attend the event to lend his personal support.
Golisano’s new fund is already making its mark in state politics, especially among candidates favored by Pigeon, who is often at odds with Leonard R. Lenihan, the current Erie County Democratic chairman. State Board of Elections records show Golisano gave $3,800 to Barbra Kavanaugh, a former Buffalo Common Council member who is challenging incumbent Assemblyman Sam Hoyt in the Sept. 9 Democratic primary.
Golisano has spoken approvingly of Kathy Konst, a Democrat running against veteran State Sen. Dale M. Volker, R-Depew, and there are increasing signs he will back Joe Mesi, a former boxer, in the Democratic primary for the post held by retiring State Sen. Mary Lou Rath, R-Williamsville.
But Pigeon emphasized that Golisano is not aligning himself with any politician or faction, that he is concerned over the size of government and its effect on business and population loss.
“This has nothing to do with local politics,” Pigeon said.
The downsizing plan in West Seneca stems from the recent effort of attorney Kevin P. Gaughan, a former candidate for mayor of Buffalo, who has long advocated regional cooperation and consolidation. After his campaign to reduce local government failed to excite many town and village governments, he launched a petition drive to force a referendum in West Seneca.
While the proposed reduction of the Town Board was not officially mentioned during a special meeting of the West Seneca Town Board om Monday night, the subject was on the minds of several residents unhappy over possible delays in fixing mold problems at the town’s hockey rink. The meeting was interrupted on several occasions by angry audience members shouting at the board about the possible reduction.
One resident said a good way to save the town $60,000 would be to eliminate “two of you,” while outside Town Hall, residents were collecting signatures on a petition to put the issue on the ballot in November.
Continuing an effort to downsize its ranks that started eight months ago, Lancaster’s Village Board voted, 7-0, on Monday to trim the number of elected trustees from six to four by 2011. That means there would be five at-large voting members, including the mayor. The measure must now go before village voters Nov. 4.
The Amherst Town Board voted, 5-2, against a resolution by Council Member Shelly Schratz to downsize the board from seven members to five.
Only Schratz and Council Member Barry Weinstein, who had offered a similar resolution in January, voted for the resolution.
Gaughan warned the board Monday he is prepared to have residents go door-to-door with petitions to have a downsizing resolution placed on a future ballot for public referendum.
