8/3/2019 Newspaper Auburn NY Citizen Advertiser 1987 - 6076

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TUESDAY. OCTOBER 27. I M 7Teacher-candidate disputes jonfMet lawBy STEVE COLLINS

State law and the county attorney sayRepublican Jam es Moochler, candidate forthe county Legislature from Owasco, can'tbe a county legislator and teach at CayugaCommunity College.But Moochler, an adjunct instructor inthe police science program at the college,says he doesn't see any conflict of interestand intends to be both legislator andteacher if he is elected.Moochler is running against incumbentDemocrat Paul Sedor for the 7th District

seat. Election Day is next Tuesday, Nov. 3.Moochler said Monday he is a part-time

teacher at the college, not involved in anycontract negotiations and with no vote onthe faculty, and cannot foresee a situationwhere a conflict could arise.He said that if he had reason to think aconflict might exist on a particular resolution in the Legislature, he would not vote onit.** The law , in the form of a Janu ary 1975opinion of the state attorney general, says,"A county legislator may not be employedon the teaching staff of a county-sponsoredcommunity college located within thatcounty."Cayuga County sponsors CCC.County attorney Raymond Sant saidMonday he informed Moochler of the law

some time ago.Moochler says that in other counties inthe state, there are legislators on thefaculty of county-sponsored communitycolleges. He says there is no reason theyshould not be there.He said that if he is confronted with thechoice of remaining on the Lgislature orcontinuing to teach at the college, he willdecide then what to do. He said he stronglydoubts he will ever have to choose.In August, Moochler said his part-timeteaching post would have little or no effecton his ability to represent the district.

. He said that a s long as he did not vote onanything from which he might gain some

economic or other advantage, which hevowed he would never do, there would be noconflict of interest.There have been persistent rumors thatMoochler would step aside if he is electedso another Republican could be appointedto the seat.Moochler denies vehemently that hewould do any such thing.He told a Conservative Party gatheringthis month that these rumors were"absolutely untrue" and he would not beworking so hard to get elected just to turnthe seat over to someone else.Moochler, 60, retired from the statepolice in 1979 with the rank of major after

30 years of service. He said he teaches fromone to four courses each semester, depending on demand. i. __Not surprisingly, Moochler supports thecollege generally.In July, when Moochler successfullyapproached the Conservatives for theirendorsement, he told them, "Everyone'sworried about sending money to thecollege, but for what we get back, it's worthit. 1 have seen many of our young studentsgo out and find good employment, contributing to the county because of thecollege."Legislators earn $5,500 annually andserve two-year terms.New school wouldend overcrowding

Continued from P age 1LaVallee said he agrees there is aneed for more space, and the newmiddle school would take care ofthat need. He does not support therenovations of the three existingbuildings because he says the taxload would be too great on residents. .Taxpayers of the district wouldpay 28 percent of the cost of theproject, with the state covering therest. If the project is approved,district taxpayers will see anaverage increase in their schooltaxes of about $100 a year, with thatamount decreasing annuallythereafter, Pimiiys said.The cost to taxpayers would netbe felt for two years, with borrowing by the district taking place in1988 and repayment beginning in1989, according to Gene Gruber,administrative assistant for thedistrict.Gruber said the-district wouldbond for the money for 30 years,make annual payments and thenreceive state aid on those paymentsmade.

650 students in these grades.Cost of the new school has beenestablished at $8 million $7.7million of which would come fromthe state.By m oving the 7th and 8th gradesto the new middle school, thedistrict would alleviate overcrowding at the high school.Renovations aT theTiIgh -school -will cost $1.2 million. Overcrowdinghas forced the teaching of classes int h e c a f e t e r i a ; t h e s c h o o lpsychologist to locate in a storageroom and certain counselors towork in hall corridors.The state has condemned theh a c a m a n t a n H w o i g h l rornn tnrstudent use. The KpMing also ito copy with state regulations forhandicapped students.Renovations proposed for theElbridge Elementary school includereplacement of existing windowswith new energy-efficient onesthroughout the building; new roofinsulation over the oldest section ofthe building; 12 new Classroo msfrom the expansion of som e alreadyexisting rooms, plus the addition of

About 40people attended th e county candidates forum. Kavht Grac/Tht Citiian

County candidates express their v iewsContinued from P age 1. ~Edward Johnson, a D emocratic "you're looking for a change,Cayuga County has been Re-newcomer to politics, said there public an for 130 years maybe-are two major issues: putting arecycling program into place as away to deal with the solid wasteproblem and doing more foragriculture.Johnson said he is "madbecause our Number 1 industry isbeing short-changed.'' Distr ict S (Montezuma,Aurelius, Throop) - Only one ofthree candidates for the seatappeared.Republican Paul Pinckney, afarmer, said, "I'm young andwilling and concerned for thefuture of the county." He vowedto work hard to break downcommunication barriers betweenthe county, city and towns.He opposes a county airportand agrees garbage is becominga big problem that will need greatattention.Incumbent George Steigerwald,D-Aurelius, and ConservativeWilliam Jon es missed the forum. - District 7 (Owasco) - In thisrematch of a tight 1985 race

that's where the change shouldbe."Both candidates promised to i^ampaignbattle to Keep uwasco Lakepristine, to back new enterprises,and to push the state and federalgovernments to fix the crumblingOwasco seawall. Distr ict 9 (Sempronius,Summ erhill, Locke and Genoa) Christopher Atwood, the youngD e m o c r a t i c c h a l l e n g e r t oLegislator C. Kenneth "Bud"Beyea, R-Genoa, appeared alone.He said "a failure of vision"has left the county backward,Palega pointed at h is per fect h uge industry that will save us."

between incumbent DemocratPaul Sedor and Republican-Conservative James Moochler,both candidates poured forththeir views.Moochler said, "It's time for achange. Change is needed. Ihaven't noticed any change sincemy first loss, so I'm back again.". Sedor responded that Owasco is"doing fine" and no change isneeded. Besides, he said, "If

particularly nis "most depressedand least populated corner" ofthe county.Atwood said Beyea "has completely ignored the four towns heis responsible for and has neverattended a town meeting since hegot appointed to the Legislature."Atwood said he would com-municate with the districtHe also vowed "to addressissues that should have been~addres! to mover.

attendance record at Legislaturesessions and committee meetingsas one reason voters shouldre-elect him. He said he is"committed to all the necessaryservices, while continuing to keeptaxes as low as possible."Lewandowski stressed the needfor greater cooperation amonglocal institutions trying to attractbusiness to the area." He said an

District 21 (Auburn) - Democrat Thomas Netti and Republican incumbent ChristopherDeAngelis presented differentpriorities.Netti said, "My first obligationis to take care of the West End, toget it cleaned up and keep itclean."DeAngelis said. "I'm a youngairport would help the airport,though it should start out small.Palega promised to introduce aresolution appointing a county-Board of Ethics, which has-existed only on paper for 17years.

Distric t 16 (Auburn) - Both.candidates seeking to take theseat of retiring DemocraticLegislator Robert Schneiderpressed their views.forward with vision."He cited the county airport andcounty manager as two issuesthat should be laid torest. District 15 (Auburn) - Incumbent Republican ChesterPalega and challenger HenryLewandowski, who has backingfrom the Democrats, Conservatives and the Right-to-LifeParty, squared off.

Republican Gerald Sincebaughsaid the county needs a masterdevelopment plan, an ideal planfor growth based on realisticassessments of how the countywants to develop. He said moreindustry and enterprise needs tobe wooedtohe county.Democrat James Dacey saidbringing in new industry wouldimprove the county's economichealth and expand its tax base.He said the county's budget couldbe pared by cutting back on

man with a serious interest ingovernm ent." -He said hisvigilance had saved the taxpayers money and that he had^successfully helped many constituents resolve problems at CityHall.Both Netti. and DeAngelispromised to fight to get the city""a fair share** of the county satestax receipts.

-legislatorseaca$5,500 an-

experience in the fieldContinued from Pag e 1.. During questioning from the press, Ferrara, who described himselfas retired from the Cayuga Home, defended his comparative lack oflaw enforcement experience by saying he served with the U.S. NavyShore Patrol during the Korean War and had worked with juveniledelinquents for about 2Q years at Cayuga Home and had served asthat home's executive director.'Quite simply andplainly, we did not have the luxuries ofconstraints. No bars, no handcuffs. We had to deal directly with 16-and 17-year-old delinquent youth," Ferrara said.. He also said the role of sheriff is "an administrative function. Lawenforcement pretty much largely is delegated to the undersheriff and-the deputies and the remainder of the staff where actual encounterstake place."Sponable, when asked about his department's relations with thepress, said, "I don't have any gag order if there is an accident andthe press wantstocall up and find out about it. I do have a gag orderon commenting on investigations where the investigation is notcomplete and where the district attorney has not gone over it.". Sponable said for things other than accidents "or something big"information would havetobe cleared by himself, the undersheriff orthe criminal deputy on duty before relea se. He also said his officers"In charge are free to speak publicly about non-investigatory matters.

social s ervices spending.While Sincebaugh agreed, hesaid most people receiving socialservices assistance want to workand if industry could be attracted, they would gladly go towork. District 19 (Auburn) - BenSorrentino, a young Republican,went head-to-head with eight-term Democratic Legislator.Charles Savage.

nually and serve two-year terms.

Clerkhopefulsspeak outContinued from Page 1.theme - "Let's Make the County

Savage said he supported acounty -manager to oversee the$42 million business of the countyon a daily basis.Sorrentino said it was totallyunnecessary. He said legislatorsshould keep an eye on the government and if they won't takethe responsibility they "shouldget out of office."Developing Cayuga CommunityCollege into a four-year institution would attract more businessto the county, Sorrentino said. Hedecried the vain wait--for "onr

Clerk's Office U ser Friendly" for most of the brief clerk'sforum. She said the office shouldbetter publicize its services andmake itself more inviting to thepublic by adding tables at whichto work and easier photocopying.Marshall said his hard workand dedicationtokeeping the postnon-political had improved theclerk's office since his election in-4984. Hesaid His more ---^-.responsive and effective topeople's needs than it was whenhe took over.He said, too, that under hisguidance many records havebeen put on computer and theworst problem in the office anoverburdened motor vehicledivision has been made farbetter.The county clerk earns $30,063annually and will serve afour-year, term. Election Day isnext Tuesday, Nov. 1.

Before renovations oi me existingbuildings begin, asbestos removalwork must be done. Cost for theasbestos work is estimated at-$512,000 and is included in the totalcost of the project.Construction of the new middleschool would begin in the spring of1988 and completed by fall 1989.Building renovations would begin inthe summer of 1989 and completedin 1990.If the project is voted down, theboard can schedule a vote on a

new unes. Cost of these renovationscarry a price tag of $3.2 million.Also, a major floor replacementis proposed for the oldest part of thebuilding. The floor has deterioratedto the point where it is deemedstructurally unsafe, Phillips said.Replacement costs have beenestimated at $150,000 for 5,700square feet of r epair.At Ramsdell Elementary school,work includes the replacement ofabout half of the windows withenergy-efficient windows and newrevised proposal 45 days afterWednesday's poll.The multi-million dollar projectincludes a new middle school forroof insulation and other code-compliance maintenance work.Cost for these renovations is $1.1million.grad es five-eight that would be built Plan s fui m e project were ae-adjacent to the Ram sdell Elernen- veloped by the architectural firm oftary school. The new school wouldhandle the projected enrollment of Sargent, Webster, Crenshaw andFoley of Syracuse.

Group wi l l ' tea o f fon Auburn 's tax rateBy TAMARA L.ALDUS Cosentino mirror those raised byThis isn't Boston, 1773.But, a trio of men a Republican, a Democrat and an Independent are having themselvesa tea party.

Lattimore in this year's campaign,both Cosentino and Lattimore denythe Republican Party is involved inFriday's planned march.Lattimore said, "I'm not involved

Friday evening the men callingthemselves Concerned Citizens forResponsible Government willlaunch a "peaceful protest againstAuburn's abnormally high tax rate"to demand a voice in city government and a "massive" tax cut.

financially, spirtually or anythingelse. I'm not even going to bethere."Cosentino said, "Timmy has beeninvolved in this in no way, any way ,shape or form."Democratic representatives willThe plan is to marcn on City Halland dump tea bags on its largestone steps as a symbol of theirdispleasure.The protest, at which representatives from each political partywill be asked to speak, will begin at7:30 p.m. in the State Street Mall.'Council candidates particularlythe Democrats are saying themarch is connected to CouncilCandidate Timothy Lattimore'scampaign and want nothing to dowith it. Lattimore denies he isinvolved or that he'll even attend.

probably not attend either."I don't think they need a representative from us to go to theirtoken meeting," said Katie Lacey, aDemocratic Party official. She saidthat if the organizers really wanteda tea party, it should be at the highschool, "where the real problemsare," rather than at City Hall.She said the protest also conflictswith the annual county Democraticdinner.The Citizen initially planned todonate space for the five ads, to runthrough Thursday. The Citizen"Everybody says there is a problem and nobody wants to doanything," says Guy Cosentino, aRepublican and one of the organizers. The idea took root"because we're fairly tired ofreading about the problems thataffect the city."Those problems include not onlyhigh taxes but lack of accountability, decision-making behindclosed doors and economic decline,Cosentino said.The other members of the trio areIndependent Paul Cammilleri, 23,an illustrator, and DemocratMichael La Montegue, 23, a writer.Last year, Cdhsentino served asTimothy Lattimore's campaignchairman in Lattimore's unsuccessful bid for Ormonde King's CityCouncil seat. He says he dis

assoc iated" himself from Lattimore's campaign this yearbecause of work commitments.Cosentino manages a law office in"Syracuse.

editorial board Publisher JackPalmer, Managing Editor DavidConnelly and City Editor DavidFigura withdrew its supportbecause of the citizen group'spossible link to the Republicans.Advertisements planned for todaywere withdrawn at the last minute.Palmer said The Citizen'seditorials have taken most of thesame issues the group is taking. Butthe protest's timing four daysbefore election day suggests thegroup would oust the Democraticincumbents King and DonaldPoole positions The Citizen is notnecessarily taking.Cosentino said the idea beganover dinner about two weeks ago."We want people to take an a ctiverole in government," Cosentinosaid.: Cosentino said he will be notifyingthe political parties Wednesdaynight or Thursday morning aboutthe protest.Cider and doughnuts will beAlthough the issues raised by served, but apparently no tea.