Judge to rule on dismissing defamation suits

The Cortland Standard reported on Tuesday 9/15 (Front page top article) that a Judge has heard arguments in dismissing the dafamation case against Scott Schrader and should have a ruling in the next few weeks. It somehow did not get top billing on the Substandard website, losing to "College says it’s prepared for swine flu", and a two week old recycled photo of a Cortland Standard doctor. Ah well, priorities.

Anyway, back to the reason for this post -

The arguments seem to revolve around the use of the word "paramour" - which carries the following definition under the webster-mirriam dictionary:
* Pronunciation: \ˈpa-rə-ˌmu̇r\
* Function: noun
* Etymology: Middle English, from par amour for the sake of love, willingly, from Anglo-French par amur
* Date: 14th century
: an illicit lover

From the newspaper report, Mr. Schrader's defense indicates that
(1) The term is proper and was not derogatory toward the plaintiff(s)
(2) He is not prone to suit for defamation because of law preventing such action for public servants.

So, the use of the term paramour in describing the relationship between the two litigating individuals has resulted in the dafamation lawsuit.

To defame, by definition by Webster-Mirriam-
* Pronunciation: \di-ˈfām, dē-\
* Function: transitive verb
* Inflected Form(s): de·famed; de·fam·ing
* Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French deffamer, diffamer, from Medieval Latin defamare, alteration of Latin diffamare, from dis- + fama reputation, fame
* Date: 14th century

1 archaic : disgrace
2 : to harm the reputation of by libel or slander
3 archaic : accuse
synonyms see malign

— de·fam·er noun

Seems pretty clear to me.
Whether or not the accusation is true (which I do not believe is the issue here), I guess it comes down to whether the term is in fact deemed slanderous and dafamatory, and if the Administrator can be held liable for saying such.

Let's wait and see. Either way, the people need to know how much this defense has cost the County and whether the embarrassment to the County is worth it.

From my view, I know there was a considerable amount of animosity between one of the plaintiffs and the Administrator.

Congratulations to Primary Day winners

Cortland County Legislative Primary results are below (winners are in bold). Congratulations for the winners, and my condolences for the non-winners... or perhaps the other way around!

Election Day is NOVEMBER 3!!! 48 days!

Leg. District 2 Democratic Primary: Raymond Parker 40 v. Angela Wilde 21
Leg. District 3 Democratic Primary: Melissa Bramley 52 v. Amy Cobb 62
Leg. District 4 Democratic Primary: Thomas Hartnett 19 v. Cassandra Schneider 10
Leg. District 6 Democratic Primary: John McCallen 18 v. Donal Spaulding 33
Leg. District 7 Democratic Primary: Anthony Pace Jr. 70 v. Michael McGee 39

I will provide a list of contests for Cortland County once ballots have been counted for LD10 and LD14 (write-ins).


source - www.9wsyr.com

9/15/09 - PRIMARY DAY

As Primary Day is here, Election season is in the air; and there is a slight odor... Just kidding! It is the smell (I hope) of progress, enthusiasm and CHANGE.

For most those running today in the primary, good luck. For some- good riddance. I have a few in mind on both sides of those wishes.

As we move ahead, I will post the victors for your information. I hope that transparency, accountability and open communication prevail with those who promise it. I had a very difficult time trying to promote that behavior beyond about 4 or 5 very good, thoughtful and caring individuals on the Legislature.

I will also be bringin up more of the important topics that have been lingering since I was on the Legislature and tell you why they are moving along (or why not).

Cheers!

09/14/09 - My Letter to the County Legislature on the 2010 Budget

Hi everyone,

Just wondering how you all are doing on our Cortland County 2010 budget process? It seems as though our Tompkins County neighbors are pretty far along, and are currently at a projected 3% TAX LEVY increase. I attached a portion of a page from the Tompkins Weekly for your information. It can also be found at www.tompkinsweekly.com. Pretty good, eh? That's even before a thorough review by the Legislature. How can they do it so quickly and yet we cannot?

I have and seen heard snippets of budget talks on the radio and in the Substandard, but honestly you folks should be shouting to the public the fact that you are going to keep the budget increase down a lot more loudly and frequently, especially as Election Day approaches. Leaving the work to the Administration is political suicide - especially after last year's budget fiasco (of which I unfortunately played a part!). Do you think another year of 15% tax levy increase is the way to quality life in Cortland County? My guess is that if you let the budget talks and decisions slide until November without correction we will be staring at least 25% in the face. Although, if budget numbers aren't published in November after Election Day... hmmm.... you guys out for re-election might have a chance!

Please be proactive and begin to discuss and make the difficult choices NOW. I advocated for immediate review after the last budget was voted on, however you all might know what transpired in December 2008 and January 2009 that re-organized my priorities on the Legislature. I understand that 14 of you think our Administrator is doing a good enough job to contract his services for another 4 years, but it is your job to best represent the taxpayers and you have the ultimate say in how much more - or less - we have to pay for services.

Please don't take the easy way out and listen to the Chairman and Administrator when they lobby for a 1% sales tax increase. Do you think that is the best way to balance the budget? How do you balance your budget at home? You live with what you have and within your means - that is how taxpayers have to do it. Does anyone know what kind of additional burden an increased sales tax would put on families in the County? I didn't think so. Maybe proponents think that the sales tax will be spread to and borne by shoppers coming into Cortland. My guess is that those people will shop at other Walmarts and stores closer to their homes, or even that Cortland residents will begin to travel to adjacent counties to shop rather than stay here. After all, we already have higher than average gas prices, and with 281 expanding and bypassing the heart of the County who would want to stop and shop at all once we have the highest sales tax in the state? In case you were wondering where we stand now - http://ny.rand.org/stats/govtfin/salestax.html

Best of luck. YOU control the budget.

Chad

PS - any word yet on how many millions the Jets brought in?