STONEWALL DEMOCRATS of Western New York

PO Box 857, Buffalo, NY 14205

www.sdwny.org
OFFICERS Bryan Ball President Kitty Lambert Vice President Community Outreach Bruce Kogan Vice President Party Outreach Ronald Groth Treasurer Thomas Peglowski Secretary

Website:

June 2011 Dear Hon. Mark Poloncarz, Stonewall Democrats of Western New York is the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning/queer (LGBTQ) Democratic voice in western New York. We are the largest LGBTQ political organization in WNY, working to advance the civil rights of the LGBTQ community in our community and government and elect Democrats who are supportive of the civil rights movement and other progressive issues important to our community. Since the 1990s, our membership has included community activists and citizens, straight allies and representatives from city, county, state and federal government. Our endorsement process for the 2011 election season is now underway. As a candidate for Erie County Executive, we are interested in your candidacy, especially given Republican County Executive Collins anti-gay policy positions. We would like to provide you with the opportunity to engage in our process for endorsement by Stonewall Democrats of WNY. As you may know, an endorsement from Stonewall Democrats of WNY is important to many local LGBT community members, as well as our family, friends and supporters, as they decide whether to volunteer for particular campaigns and as they prepare to head for the polls to cast their vote. To be considered for endorsement, please complete and return the enclosed questionnaire to us by Friday, June 24, 2011, so that we may consider endorsement for City Court at our next general membership meeting. In addition, you will be asked to appear in front of the organization during the meeting on Tuesday, June 28, at 7PM. Please contact Bruce Kogan or Tom Gleed to schedule a time for your interview. The completed questionnaire should be either emailed to endorsements@sdwny.org, faxed to (716) 853-2448 (Attention: Bryan Ball, Stonewall Democrats of WNY) or mailed to: Attention: Endorsement/GOTV Committee Stonewall Democrats of WNY PO Box 857 Buffalo, NY 14205 You should also be aware that our revised endorsement process is attached. Should you have any questions in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact us. We thank you and look forward to receiving your completed questionnaire for consideration for endorsement by Stonewall Democrats of WNY. Sincerely, Bruce Kogan Vice-President for Party Affairs Tom Gleed Endorsement/GOTV Committee

(716) 886-7283

(716) 510-5507

Stonewall Democrats of Western New York Endorsement Process Candidates for elected office who wish to be considered for endorsement must complete our questionnaire and schedule an interview appointment with the membership at a general meeting. Endorsement of a candidate requires a vote of sixty percent of the membership present at that meeting. If no candidate receives the required sixty percent vote for endorsement, subsequent ballots shall be taken deleting the candidate receiving the least number of votes or no votes on the previous ballot. If, after the completion of balloting, no candidate has received the sixty percent of the vote required, candidates may be rated as acceptable, unacceptable, or no position, depending upon the candidates record and/or position statements. If sixty percent of those voting cannot agree on a rating, the candidate will be assigned the rating of no consensus. If a candidate is endorsed, the remaining candidates will not be rated.

Stonewall Democrats WNY Erie County Executive Questionnaire 2011, page 2

STONEWALL DEMOCRATS of Western New York

PO Box 857, Buffalo, NY 14205
Website: www.SDWNY.org

2011 ENDORSEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE ERIE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Name:___Mark Poloncarz_______ Campaign Address: 2861 Harlem Rd Cheektowaga NY 14224 Daytime Phone:_716-896-2680____ Evening Phone:____716-400-8497___ Fax Number:____________________________ E-mail:_information@poloncarz.com____ Office Sought:_____Erie County Executive__ Party Affiliation:____Democrat____________
Before you continue, please understand that: Stonewall Democrats of WNY may publicize your responses in press releases and voters guides, on our web site, and via other channels of communication. Stonewall Democrats of WNY will also identify candidates who fail to respond to this questionnaire. Stonewall Democrats of WNY will hold you publicly accountable for actions inconsistent with your responses during your campaign and if elected during your term in office. Stonewall Democrats of WNY will not consider endorsement of any candidate if they support any state or national version of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) legislation. Stonewall Democrats of WNY will not consider endorsement of any candidate if they advertise on or support any homophobic website, including but not limited to, politicswny.com/politicsny.net. Part 1: Please submit your typewritten responses to the following questions on a separate sheet. 1) Why are you seeking this office? Chris Collins has failed to represent the interests of the people of Erie County, his real bosses. By choosing to rule, not govern, Chris has forced through an agenda that does not serve in the best interests of WNY. I will restore a sense of responsible leadership to the office, while fighting for the kinds of programs that the people of Erie County deserve, like well funded libraries, and rodent control. 2) Why are you seeking the endorsement of the Stonewall Democrats of WNY? As a lifelong progressive, and the founder of one of Buffalos most active progressive groups I have long advocated for LGBTQ rights and issues. I am proud to stand with my brother, who is gay and married to his partner and I am proud to stand with you. 3) What issues do you consider to be most important to the people served by the office you seek? For each issue: a) Provide an example of specific action you have previously taken--either as a public official or as a private citizen--to bring about positive change relative to this issue; and b) Specify what additional action in regard to this issue you intend to propose if elected to the office you seek.

Stonewall Democrats WNY Erie County Executive Questionnaire 2011, page 3

1. Sound fiscal management-Erie County is a $1billion dollar entity. Thats a lot of money and taxpayers, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation, deserve for it to be spent wisely and responsibility. As County Comptroller Ive been the taxpayers fiscal watchdog, saving almost $30 million dollars for Erie Countys citizens. As County Executive Ill make sure we spend our money wisely and fairly. No lavish salaries for top friends and advisors, that money is better spent providing the kind of services that have been cut in recent years, like public libraries. 2. Accountability and Transparency- Everyone deserves to know what happens in County government, and who should be held responsible. As comptroller my office frequently audited the various aspects of county government to inform the public about how their money is being spent, and how their services are being delivered. Thats the same approach Ill take as County Executive. 3. Rebuilding our infrastructure- Erie County has an aging, worn infrastructure. Chris Collins was handed tens of millions of stimulus dollars to create jobs. He chose to instead pocket those millions to create the illusion of a surplus. If elected County Executive, Ill prioritize the maintenance and repair of the same infrastructure Chris Collins has ignored. 4) What three civil rights issues do you perceive to be the most important to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) community? For each issue: a) Provide an example of specific action(s) you have previously taken--either as a public official or as a private citizen--to bring about positive change relative to this issue; and b) Specify what additional action(s) in regard to this issue you intend to propose if elected to the office you seek.

1. Marriage Equality-I have both as comptroller and head of the New Democrats of WNY endorsed,
funded and campaigned for pro-marriage equality candidates, including long time marriage equality advocate Eric Schniederman. As County Executive I will lobby Albany for the passage of the Duane/ODonnel bill. 2. GENDA-Transgender individuals deserve just as many rights as the rest of us. I have in the past fought for candidates that sponsored the GENDA bill and I have will work to pass similar legislation in Erie County. 3. Domestic Partnership-In the unfortunate event that NYS does not pass a marriage bill this year, I will work to pass legislation in Erie County granting same-sex couples the rights of domestic partnership. 5) Stonewall Democrats of WNY strongly believes that candidates have a responsibility to provide voters with truthful, fair and clean campaigns for public office and to conduct themselves in a manner conducive to a civil, issue-oriented debate with their fellow candidates. Will you sign a written pledge to conduct your campaign accordingly? Yes 6) If endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats of WNY, will you list the endorsement on all applicable campaign literature (i.e., all literature listing any other endorsements)? YES 7) If endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats of WNY, will you attend a LGBT community forum to introduce endorsed candidates? YES 8) What are you doing or what will you do to advocate for greater LGBT representation and empowerment at the ballot box and in elected office locally? Supporting candidate that support the LGBT agenda. 9) Would you seek endorsement of or advertise on any homophobic websites, including but not limited to, politicswny.com/politicsny.net?
Stonewall Democrats WNY Erie County Executive Questionnaire 2011, page 4

Yes

No

10) Have you advertised on, supported or intend to advertise on such websites for your election or reelection? Yes Part 2: Although the office you seek may have no direct authority over local, state or federal legislative matters, if elected you will have the ability to indirectly influence Western New Yorks local, state and federal policy and elected officials. Please indicate your support or opposition for the following county legislation and state and federal policy and issues not covered in the county legislation: Legislation Inclusion of LGBTQ persons in Erie Countys Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policy: In 2011, Legislator Maria Whyte sponsored a resolution including sexual orientation and gender expression and identity (whether real or perceived) to the Countys EEO policy. The resolution passed unanimously, and County Executive Collins refused to sign off on the resolution, as the language included gender identity and expression. County Domestic Partnership legislation: To provide legal status for domestic partnerships and to extend provisions of laws that currently apply to spouses or next-of-kin to domestic partners. County bereavement leave for domestic partners: To provide that bereavement leave be granted to individuals involved in same-gender domestic partnerships/relationships on the same basis as those granted to employees who are married. County Gender Expression NonDiscrimination Act (GENDA): Prohibits X Support Oppose

No

discrimination based on gender identity or expression; defines "gender identity or expression" as having or being perceived as having a gender identity, self-image, appearance, behavior or expression whether or not that gender identity, self-image, appearance,
Stonewall Democrats WNY Erie County Executive Questionnaire 2011, page 5

behavior or expression is different from that traditionally associated with the sex assigned to that person at birth; further includes offenses regarding gender identity or expression within the list of offenses subject to treatment as hate crimes.
X NYS A 7732 | S4401 (2010 Session) Marriage Equality Bill: Relates to an individuals ability to marry. This bill provides same-sex couples the same opportunity to enter into civil marriages as opposite-sex couples. The bill also provides that no member of the clergy may be compelled to perform any marriage ceremony.

U. S. Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) (Pub.L. 104-199): Makes a marriage absolutely void if contracted by two persons of the same sex. At the NYS level, the legislation was last introduced during the 2008 session.

I attest that this questionnaire represents my opinion of the issues on this questionnaire:

Candidates Signature:_____Mark Poloncarz_________ Date: ___June 9th 2011________ Please complete the attached issues surveys, sign below and return questionnaire, surveys and your resume by Friday, June 24, 2011 by either by email to endorsements@sdwny.org , faxed to (716) 853-2448

(Attention: Bryan Ball, Stonewall Democrats of WNY) or mailed to: Attention: Endorsement/GOTV Committee Stonewall Democrats of WNY PO Box 857 Buffalo, NY 14205

Stonewall Democrats WNY Erie County Executive Questionnaire 2011, page 6