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#THREADALERT: I'm going to start a new thread here, we'll call it a Supervisor Greg Lazzaro highlight reel. Highlight may be an inappropriate term. I'm editorializing here, and no, I'm not sorry. I'll contribute to it throughout the afternoon as I recover old reporting.
Supervisor Lazzaro was recently NOT supported for another term by his own party. They didn't provide reasoning, but perhaps the next several tweets can help explain what this 'administration' has looked like. fingerlakes1.com/2019/02/22/fer…
In November 2016, Supervisor Lazzaro asked three board members, whom he did not agree with on specific policy points to turn in their keys. He stripped them of their committee assignments until after the start of 2017. Here's that story: fingerlakes1.com/2016/11/18/sup…
That was really a move to prevent a local law from passing, which would force closure of Seneca Meadows Landfill in 2025. That local law passed anyway. Here's that story (and some video!): fingerlakes1.com/2016/12/06/sen…
Then, after a protest at a meeting in May 2017 Supervisor Lazzaro called protesters 'zealots'. “I think the people in the audience were angry and mean,” Lazzaro said. “They were zealots and didn’t want to listen." fingerlakes1.com/2017/05/02/sen…
Then after one councilman was charged with harassment, because of a physical confrontation that happened at a local restaurant after a meeting - Lazzaro did not seek his resignation. Here's that story: fingerlakes1.com/2017/05/19/sup…
Taxes have also been a big issue: In fact, taxes have increased by more than 60% in Seneca Falls since Supervisor Lazzaro took office. Here's a story with some background on that: fingerlakes1.com/2017/12/05/res…
That winter, I wrote a column about snow removal downtown. Due to vacancies downtown - business owners brought concerns to me. Here's that column (THINGS GOT COMPLICATED): fingerlakes1.com/2018/01/14/opi…
Then, after requesting a comment - Supervisor Lazzaro told me to "Print the news don't try to make it." He added, "Since when did @FingerLakes1 become the complaint division for the Town." Here's that story: fingerlakes1.com/2018/01/14/off…
Residents were concerned. Businesses were concerned. A year later - policy was passed, and additional staff was hired (it didn't impact the budget) to handle snow removal downtown. fingerlakes1.com/2018/07/12/add…
Then, the Supervisor himself was charged with harassment following an incident in December 2017. He was accused of striking a family member's hand in attempt to knock a cellphone loose. The issue was resolved without conviction. fingerlakes1.com/2018/04/18/sta…
That summer, the Town Board held a special meeting during the day, in which a single-issue executive session lasted over 3-hours. I used the phrase 'ramble on' to describe it. We learned after that there may have been other issues discussed during that session.
That didn't matter though, because Supervisor Lazzaro called me out and demanded an apology at the following meeting to the full-board. To be clear, I spoke with other board members, and they were neither offended, or concerned with the word choice. fingerlakes1.com/2018/06/27/upd…
The sentiment was that the executive session lasted too long, and residents/media were not there for it's conclusion because of the length and poor planning by the Supervisor, who said the executive session lasted that long at his direction.
At another meeting in the following months - Supervisor Lazzaro referred to the audience members as the 'peanut gallery'. These are taxpayers. People who pay his salary. The ones who routinely show up to meetings and bring their concerns.
There was an updated host agreement that Lazzaro wanted to make a reality. Would've ensured Seneca Meadows remained operational through 2037 instead of 2025: fingerlakes1.com/2018/10/01/lat…
He's walked out of several public sessions, too. Here's the most-recent one that comes to mind: fingerlakes1.com/2018/10/12/wal…
Then, there was the 'tone' of debate among board members the the community. A group of concerned clergy members asked them to seek out a third-party to work out differences. Supervisor Lazzaro called them out, suggesting that they focus on the "hate-filled messages" against him.
He said: “The hate-filled messages on Facebook and other social media against me have to stop. I would consider the mediation only if this campaign of venomous, hate-filled attacks on me on Facebook over the last year can end.”
There's more, but I have a lot of work to do this afternoon. I'll add to this later as additional items come to memory.
Thanks to @mzetti16 for reminding me of the time Supervisor Lazzaro banned signs from meetings!
OH, let's not forget about the ongoing state audit. One-of-four reports have been released so far by the Comptroller's Office. Here's #1: fingerlakes1.com/2019/02/28/sta…
To be clear: The audit is OVER, but all of the reports have not yet been released. A lack of institutional control is the underlying theme. Which shouldn't be a stretch for anyone who's read this thread.
