BUY ONLINE

18th District

RE (Bob) Antonites

I am a candidate for a seat in the legislature Monroe County this year because the stakes this year are much more serious than a few years earlier.

As I speak too many of my neighbors, I met people who are unemployed or have seen their pay and / or reduced benefits. I talked to many seniors who can not afford the ever increasing taxes and fees at all levels of government, including people on fixed incomes.

I have the experience, vision and ideas to continue this office, now including 24 years in public service as an elected town meeting representative and member of the Finance Committee, in Milton, MA, demanding the balance of budgets of several ministries and to lower taxes due to Prop 2 mandates the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

As important as the budget and tax issues, I think the social justice issues must be addressed in our community.

I received the inspiration to my earlier first college graduate from Northeastern University in the opening speech given by then junior Senator Edward Kennedy.He talked about the school system both in Boston because of the de facto segregation.

His inspiring words started me early in the implementation of policy to help right the wrongs in our society. This work continues today, as the needs are as great as they were decades ago.

Help me continue this work.

Nora brèdes

There are three essential steps of any effective government and democracy:

* Opening;

* A willingness to engage with citizens and with other elected representatives - especially when they disagree with the majority, and

* An ethical commitment to raise public affairs above party loyalty.

Currently, the Monroe County Legislature fails on every measure. This moral bankruptcy has led us to the brink of financial collapse.

Some evidence:

* The plan just changed the main assumptions about the funding that has affected all communities in the county - school districts, our college community, and taxpayers. But instead of inviting everyone involved in public hearings on the fundamental changes, the legislative and executive branches have used tactics of massive reassessment exclude discussion. They passed within hours of giving notice to fellow Democrats. The result? Poor design, short-sighted plan that has a balanced budget for one year only at the cost of an additional $ 3 million dollars over five years. It is not only arrogant, it's just stupid.These kinds of "corrections" are the reason for the Monroe County has the lowest bond ratings in New York....

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