Political reform also on the mind of Buffalo? This is another interesting part of the article at Artvoice.com. Although it may be free speech there is also another and probably more important part of this issue.

We have to consider the intimidation and threatening tactics behind this too. So many jobs in Buffalo and Erie County are “Patronage”, they are there for a few reasons. The people that have these jobs are required to get signatures, attend fundraisers, donate, hand out literature and generally “help” their candidate. The worst and most egregious part of this is all the political work that is done for their “Party” on the Taxpayers dime. Yes WE pay them to do all this while on the clock and supposedly doing work for the government, NOT candidates or the Party.

Keep this in mind, who’s “Free Speech” will be infringed? Or is the free speech being silenced by the politician having control over these peoples jobs. The argument can go both ways but, to me employees of the Tax Payers should not be required to do ANY political work. Better still, eliminate ALL patronage and we won’t have to worry about this quite so much. Just my opinion is all. :)

Political reform is on the Common Council’s mind this week. Delaware District Councilmember Mike LoCurto and South District Councilmember Mickey Kearns have co-sponsored a resolution asking the city’s law department to draft a law that mirrors the federal Hatch Act. The measure would prohibit most city employees from carrying petitions for candidates, donating to campaigns, or running for public or party offices. Lovejoy’s Rich Fontana and Niagara’s David Rivera have signed onto the measure, and Council President Dave Franczyk joined those four in passing it by a five-to-four margin.

North District Councilmember Joe Golombek declined to support the Buffalo Employment Protection Act, on the grounds that he felt it inhibited free speech.