At long last, North Greenbush residents may get a chance to meet Charles J. LaBounty, the man who claims he gave $2000 to the “Reformed Democrats” to win control of enough committee seats to take over the town Democratic Committee.
LaBounty’s name appears on this month’s Zoning Board agenda seeking a variance to build a structure on his property. The notice on the agenda reads:
Application #07022, the area variance request of Charles LaBounty, 36 Clearview Terrace, Rensselaer, for relief from restrictions prohibiting an accessory building located in a front yard for the purpose of constructing a 28’ x 32’ garage in the front yard at property located at 36 Clearview Terrace in an RS District. The meeting is tonight at 6:30 PM at town hall.
Business is apparently booming at this home on Clearview Terrace. On August 23, 2006, the owner of Statewide Remodeling filed an ammended business certificate at the Rensselaer County Clerk's Office affirming his new business address was his residence in North Greenbush. The very same day he wrote a whopping $2000 check to the Reformed Democrats to help them win control of the town Democratic Committee. Boy, business must be booming!
Mr. LaBounty confirmed for the Troy Record on March 10, 2007 that he now operates out of his home.He refused to say who he gave the check to or why he would make so large a donation to control party commitee seats. He also would not explain the Record's assertion that his business was dissolved by the State and owed years of back taxes.
After contributing $2000 to the Reform Democrats, the North Greenbush Pipeline sees no reason the request will not be granted for this booming home based business enterprise. In fact, such political generosity to elect practicioners of political purges might gain him recognition as a future "Man of the Year" for the "reformed" purgers on the Democratic Commitee. Although we do recall an attorney and former judge taking heat for asking the ZBA for a permit to run her law office from her residence a few years back.
It's just those lingering questions about the contribution that continue to raise eyebrowns. Why would anyone make so large a donation for party committee seats?
Was the money really his or was it first given to him be another undisclosed source with an agenda to take control of the party?
Why did he write such a check on a company, Statewide Remodeling, that had been declared “dissolved” by the Secretary of State years ago?
Why has the Treasurer of this group failed to file and sign a required disclosure statement with the Board of Elections attesting to the authenticity of the contributor and his check?
Who sent the anonymous unsigned paperwork with a copy of the front of the check to the RC Board of Elections hoping it would be filed as official with the Reform Democrats Financial Disclosure Report?
How does a bankrupt company write checks from an address they no longer operate from?
Why did he go to the County Clerk’s Office on the same day as he wrote the check to file an amended business filing to declare an address change he did not report to those recording his contribution?
Does Mr. LaBounty have a connection to Mr. Louis Cotrona or J.R.Casale?
Who did he give the check to?
What was he promised in excahnage for the money or was it really his money?
What is his connection to the people who were really behind the take over effort of the town democratic committee?
These are just some of the many questions surrounding this extraordinary sum of money donated in a lump sum to take over a town Democratic Committee. What was really in it for Mr. LaBounty? We doubt it was a the need for a garage.
4 comments:
Are you pulling my leg about this story? It's hard not to get the analogy...It sounds a lot like Dan Ashley doesn't it.
Does it sound the same? He applied for a variance to build a commercial use structure in a residential area. The claim on Ashley was he had no permit for a garage. Yet the Troy Record reported that a picture of the non existent permit was entered as evidence in the trial. Different issues and no one is charging this applicant did anything improper by applying for the variance, only that his contribution is highly suspect.
Actually, I attended this meeting last night. From the sounds of it, Mr. LaBounty is NOT going to get the garage variance (unless he drastically reduces the size of it and attaches it to the house) and even then it still didn't sound promising.
Also, the board brought up numerous times that he may be cited for running a business out of his home without a permit. They were absolutely not pleased with the fact that he was clearly using his home for business purpose.
Maybe you should try going to one of these meetings before you write garbage like this.
Again, you are failing to see the tongue and cheek intention behind our comments on the contribution and the Board action. It is our understanding that the Board was and is very professional. It does not bow to political pressures or quid pro quos.
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