When I was elected, almost 12 years ago, I ran on the principle that “Aurora needed her own voice,” A local would be on the village board with no ties to Wells College. It was paramount that at least one trustee would be looking out for the well-being of all village residents versus the Goliath (Wells College).
To this end, I failed and Goliath won. I resigned both my position as deputy mayor and village trustee at our last meeting, after realizing the giant would not be dropped by my little stone.
The main issue was how could a private entity (Wells College) with the cooperation of a fellow board member, circumvent the whole local governing body and establish an office for the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office in Aurora.
I felt, and still do, with respect to this issue, that we no longer need a village board because we are just pawns. I feel violated, abused and embarrassed.
I am sorry for letting so many good people down and am withdrawing from any future political life due to this type of unchecked corruption.
Because of who you vote for in the next mayoral election, you may gain some unwanted bedfellows.
Kenneth Zabriskie
Aurora
Zabriskie is former deputy mayor and village trustee of Aurora
The main issue was how could a private entity (Wells College) with the cooperation of a fellow board member, circumvent the whole local governing body and establish an office for the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office in Aurora.
I felt, and still do, with respect to this issue, that we no longer need a village board because we are just pawns. I feel violated, abused and embarrassed.
I am sorry for letting so many good people down and am withdrawing from any future political life due to this type of unchecked corruption.
Because of who you vote for in the next mayoral election, you may gain some unwanted bedfellows.
Kenneth Zabriskie
Aurora
Zabriskie is former deputy mayor and village trustee of Aurora
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Auroran wrote on Oct 1, 2008 4:30 PM:
Farmer's Gal wrote on Sep 21, 2008 11:26 AM:
I see the Aurora Coalition has a link to instructions on the NYS govt site for how to ask the Governor to remove your mayor (i.e. to impeach him). 2010 is too long away -- I hope some folks in Aurora still have the backbone to stand up to the corruption one more time, and they find someone with as much eloquence as your opponent's wife to put together the evidence and argument to get Gov. Patterson to take action on behalf of the CITIZENS of Aurora.
Good luck to you all. "
jmh wrote on Sep 21, 2008 10:48 AM:
Farmer's Gal wrote on Sep 21, 2008 5:26 AM:
After 26 years in Aurora, I've moved to another town, not unlike Shelby Harris.
You are not the first person I've known to resign from a board in Aurora (Village Board and Wells Board of Trustees) due to disgust with corruption, but it has no effect. There are too many entrenched generations of those who are used to doing whatever they like, laws or no laws, like an inherited medieval fiefdom where noblesse oblige is the everyday way of life.
You were sitting right there the day I questioned Mayor Gunderson in a public meeting about the legality of a particular aspect of one of his projects. You were sitting right there when he responded "Tough -- it's already done." Even then, with a much smaller issue at hand, he was already applying his approach to governing: "I'll just do what I want and tough luck if it isn't legal or ethical (and how dare anyone question me!)"
This recent glaring incident was the final straw that made your decision, I'm sure -- but I am equally sure it wasn't the first time you saw this kind of behavior from these individuals.
Thanks again for trying. If the Zabriskies, with all their local influence and social position, can't effect a change against local corruption, then it's pretty hopeless indeed.
As Ken implies, be very careful whom you elect next time. "