Ah, here we go, the vaunted “off year” election. An event that occurs every couple of years when I try to determine whether or not it’s worth my while to get off my ass and vote. Let’s see what I have to choose from.
First up, NY State Supreme Court Justice. I can vote for any two, which should be easy ‘cuz there are only two people running – both on the Republican, Conservative, and Independent lines. Then I can vote for a County Legislator. Only one guy running there – again on the Rep/Con/Ind lines. Not much voter motivation there. Next up, the Town races.
Town Clerk? Only one Republican running. Ah, but for Town Councilor we actually have a race on our hands. Three people running for two seats – and one of them’s even a Democrat (of course, he’s also on the Conservative line, but I guess you take what you can get around here). And it’s another Demservative candidate running for Town Supervisor. She’s a woman running against an incumbent male, and while that’s extent of what I know about her, that’s good enough for me.
That’s pretty much it for candidates, but there are actually six proposed NYS Constitutional Amendments up for consideration. The first one is to authorize casino gambling. Seems to me that’d be stepping on the good things the Native Americans have going around here, so I think I’ll vote no. Plus, until they put legalizing pot on the ballot, I’m gonna vote against everybody else’s vices.
Proposal number two is to grant veterans with disabilities additional Civil Service credits. No-brainer there.
Prop three is to let municipalities keep excluding debt for sewage facilities from their constitutional debt limits until 2024. Hey, why not? Maybe they’ll extend sewers to my house and I can get off the old septic system.
There are a couple of proposals dealing with land exchange in the State Forest Preserve. Basically a land swap between the State and private entities. Sounds innocuous, but one of these deals with land to be used for mining minerals up in a very pretty area of the state by Lake Champlain. Screw that – I say no!
And finally they want to allow judges to serve until they’re 80. Forget that – time to make room for some young judges.
So I suppose I ought to get out there and vote after all. But I think I’ll wait ’til it warms up a little.