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LWV League of Women Voters of New York Education Foundation

Smart Voter
Erie County, NY November 7, 2006 Election
Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues
Member of the State Assembly; District 143

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Buffalo/Niagara and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Rockefeller Drug Laws, Gambling Revenue

Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.

1. There is growing support for reform of the Rockefeller drug laws. What will you do to: a.) Initiate significant reform of these laws; b.) Provide adequate financial support for programs, on the community level, designed to cope with the impact of such reform?*

Answer from Jeffrey N. Sell:

I will introduce or support legislation that:

· Provides judges with more discretionary power. · Allows those serving under the old law to apply for shorter sentences. · Expand eligibility for prison-based drug treatment.

As with any law, I think we have to give judges the power of discretion. Not all cases have the same set of circumstances. Therefore, the use of discretion is a key element in fairness.

Answer from Dennis H. Gabryszak:

The Rockefeller Drug Laws have been recognized as some of the toughest in the nation. I favor giving judges the discretion in sentencing on a case by case basis.

2. What programs and actions will you support to protect communities from the negative consequences of the state’s increasing dependence on gambling revenue?*

Answer from Jeffrey N. Sell:

I believe we need to be proactive and not reactive. Education is the key. I would support public service announcements highlighting the frequent signs and symptoms of a gambling addiction and a phone number where to they can receive help. This would educate not only the person with the addiction but also family members.

Answer from Dennis H. Gabryszak:

Continue education and information efforts to highlight and make available the resources for counseling for gambling addition problems.

Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League. 
  • Original answers for a published Voters Guide were limited to 50 words and are presented as submitted. Candidates have since been invited to supply answers of any length for the Web.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.

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Created: January 4, 2007 09:46 PST
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