BRIAN GREAR SHOWS SUCH DISRESPECT FOR TOWN LAWS and he wants to be Sheriff??

Nitrogen_Widget · Senior Member

RE: BRIAN GREAR SHOWS SUCH DISRESPECT FOR TOWN LAWS and he wants to be Sheriff??

shughes · Senior Member

Nitrogen_Widget wrote:

Can any of Beilen's signs be seen while driving in Pendleton? We know the letter of the un-posted law in questions is being followed, but what about the spirit?

Why I do believe they can NW. But let's not forget that we have not actually viewed this law, so how can we really know if the spirit of it is followed. I don't think there really is a law that prohibits plows and or signs. I think some one is just blowing smoke.

Date: Wed Aug 10 6:06 PM, 2005

The intent of the sign ordinance is defined in Section 247-53 A. of the Town Code. As I said above, the sign ordinance is intended to, among other things, create a more attractive economic and business climate and protect the physical appearance of the community.

This section cross references Section 196 for Political Advertising which pretty much prohibits any type of political advertising, with the exception of freestanding political signs which are permitted for weeks before the date of the election.

As I have said from the beginning, Mr. Grear's political advertisement since the beginning of July shows tremendous disrespect for local ordinances. I cannot see how anyone can consider him for the County's chief law enforcement position.

Jim Sacco · Senior Member

The previous comment was mine.

Sorry, but I must have signed in on another page.

Best regards,

Jim Sacco

shughes · Senior Member

The intent of the sign ordinance? Protect the physical appearance of the community! Pretty much prohibits? These are pretty vague statements for a local law. A drive down Transit will show you that this is a long abandoned “local ordinance”. I would still like to see the actual ordinance, I still think your stretching it to make your point. That point that doesn’t seem to be catching the attention of our local law enforcement. Has there been any citations issued for this major crime?

But I have a question about state election law. Isn’t it a no no for public employees to participate in campaigning activities while working?

Nitrogen_Widget · Senior Member

I saw a Beilen bumper sticker on a van driving in Pendleton this morning.

I demand this vehicle is impounded for violating the sign ordinance.

In fact, I would like to know the difference between a bumper sticker on a car in Pendleton & the plow.

I see no difference.

I find it very irresponsible for Beilen's people to distribute a political advertisement of this nature to anyone without verifying which town they live in.

shughes · Senior Member

Wow, how can an elected public official show such a tremendous disrespect for local ordinances. This guy is sworn to uphold the law!

Date: Fri Aug 12 10:57 AM, 2005

Nitrogen_Widget wrote:

In fact, I would like to know the difference between a bumper sticker on a car in Pendleton & the plow. I see no difference.

Well, one of them goes on the front....

shughes · Senior Member

Actually they both can go on the front, but only one should be on the back. Does any one know the answer to my question from the other day?

"Isn’t it a no no for public employees to participate in campaigning activities while working?"

Jim Sacco · Senior Member

I met Brian Grear at the Wendleville Fire Company parade and field day in Pendleton.

I was speaking with Sheriff Beilein waiting for the parade to start and Mr. Grear abruptly introduced himself to me. He also ackowledged the Sheriff.

I told him who I was and that I had concerns since I saw his political advertisement on Transit Road in July and how it was disrespectful to Pendleton Town Code requirements for signs.

When he realized who I was, he told me that he read my emails. Then he said he had to go.

I cannot believe that he can be so arrogant about his political advertisement. You would think that someone who is looking for votes would want to know the concerns of a resident. Also, since he works in law enforcement, you would think that he would want to know what my perspective was on this ordinance and be able to address it.

And to think that he wants to be the chief law enforcement officer of Niagara County.

Scott Leffler · Guru

Jim,

If you were Brian Greer, would you waste much time talking to you? I don't mean that in a derogatory way at all ... but you and I both know that if he spends 30 seconds ... or 30 days with you, you're still not going to vote for him. And you're still probably going to talk him down. At least you know he's reading your comments.

Mindcrime · Guru

So lemme get this stragiht: The current Sheriff was right there in the midst of an election law violator, with formal introductions, and he didn't issue Grear a citation or at the very least scold him? Sounds like either Grear isn't breaking the law, or Beilein isn't enforcing it.

shughes · Senior Member

Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner!

Jim Hufnagel · Senior Member

I've come of late to this discussion, but it's "settled law" that lawn signs for political purposes are protected by the 1st amendment right to free speech. Courts have even held this to be true in so-called "gated communities" where otherwise the housing council rules with an iron fist. So even if a sign ordinance exists in Pendleton or elsewhere, it doesn't apply to political signs and even if they did, it wouldn't stand up to a legal challenge.

By the way, Beilein doesn't enforce much of anything in this county. He's much too occupied building his kingdom of boats, horses and helicopters like so many tinkertoys horded by a little boy, and promoting those who pledge undying fealty to his reign (and covering for them when they screw up big time) to bother with instructing deputies to enforce simple quality of life things. Ever ask yourself why there is always a deputy present at Town Council meetings, cancer walks, or field days? When was the last time someone got out of hand at a Wilson Town Council meeting? But it sure is much better pr to have a uniformed deputy present with a pistol on his hip and his arms folded, than citing some motorcycle rider for waking up the neighborhood within the radius of a mile at 2 in the morning.

Jim Hufnagel

Democrat voting for Grear

Jim Sacco · Senior Member

Good point Scott,

If I were Grear I would not talk to me either.

shughes · Senior Member

shughes wrote:

Does any one know the answer to my question from the other day? "Isn’t it a no no for public employees to participate in campaigning activities while working?"

Ann was kind enough to answer my question on another thread, thank you Ann.

"YES........THERE IS A LAW FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES TO ABSTAIN FROM CAMPAIGNING DURING THERE SCHEDULED WORK DAYS.......OFF HAND.....I CAN'T REMEMBER THE SECTION OF THE LAW...BUT I REMEMBER READING ABOUT IT..........I HAVE TO CHECK IN AT THE LAW LIBRARY."

Looking back at the political postings the last couple of months it would seem that someone is a hypocrite. Maybe we should foil a certain DEC employee's time off requests. You have basically called Mr Grear a criminal for painting a plow, yet you have logged several posts on work time. I wonder if the agency in question has a policy about using state owned computers for personnel use. I guess we could foil that as well.

niagaranow · Veteran Member

Sorry my friend, but have to disagree with you on this one! Every suit that has ever been to court has been lost by the township or candidate that brought about the suit. The municipalities are infringing on Freedom of Speech and no court anywhere (BUT maybe Niagara Co.) would ever find a candidate guilty. Let's not get pickieoon about who has a sign where; let's see some cold hard facts about the two candidates. This is probably the most important race of the Political Season, and both sides should be able to campaign on their merits. A normal candidate who is not politically savy would never think to tell someone not to put their sign up until a certain date. Who are you gonna fine? The Homeowner? Think the courts could take away their right to be on the ballot for putting a sign up too early? I think not!

Smitty · Novice

Hello All~ First of all to all the Beilein supporters who LOVE to steal a sign from my property, I hope you will get caught. Brian Grear has worked very hard on his campaign and he earned his vote with my entire family. But, when you constantly come home and notice that someone has entered your property and stole a sign, not once but three times, I hope you get whats coming to you. You know they say " What Comes around, Goes around. Shame on you Beilein people. What are you scared that Brian will beat the Current Sheriff? You Bet ya! Peace!!!!

Jim Sacco · Senior Member

Smitty,

I have a similiar problem, but I do not think it is the Grear Lovers.

Kids are always knocking my Beilein sign down, or bending the polls. I have not caught them yet, nor have I had to replace it yet.

But I believe it is the kids from the neighborhood. You might have the same problem.

Unless you catch someone doing it, your arguement that it is a Beilein supporter does not hold any relevance past the words you put out.

Jim Sacco · Senior Member

niagaranow,

Sorry it took so long for me to respond, my friend, but I am quite busy now.

I must say that you can talk about free speech rights, but as one who feels that candidates should show the upmost respect for the laws on the books, I believe that Mr. Grear is showing a clear disrespect for a local law in the Town of Pendleton. Maybe he feels he is above the law?? Especially since when I met him at the Wendleville parade last month, he told me he had been reading my messages on this topic (which started in JULY!!)

This knowing disrespect for local laws is a sad case for someone who wants to be the Chief Law Enforcement Officer in Niagara County.

So what is next?? Eliminate Sheriff Road patrol?? He already demonstrates his utter disrespect for local laws, so why not also eliminate services to these municipalities??

Obviously, the man is getting poor directions from the people who are working for him.

Date: Sun Sep 11 9:11 PM, 2005

Jim, why don't you let it go? You are making yourself look like a fool. What do you get out of that piece of monkey poo winning? You know what they say Jim. Your only as good as the company you keep!

Smitty · Novice

Hey Jim; Let me tell you something. In my neighborhood, the Beilein signs are still up. What happend to all the Grear signs? Come On. Return them. You will get caught! Answer my other question? Are people afraid that Grear will win over Beilein? You bet ya!!! Peace

shughes · Senior Member

I think there is some sort of law about stealing signs off of private property within 30 days of an election!

Nitrogen_Widget · Senior Member

I can't believe this thread is still churning.

If someone kept stealing a sign off my property I would replace it with steel posts & a nice outdoor light attached to it for illumination.

Though I would hope no one grasps the metal poles of the sign because I’m not an electrician & I wouldn’t want anyone getting shocked by my poor wiring skills.

Jim Hufnagel · Senior Member

That's an interesting scheme, N-W.

The only problem is, the trespasser could rightfully plead that the Beilein sign was an "attractive nuisance".