Petition War II

The GOP-Reformed Democrat-Casale Excavating Conservative-Connolly Independence Party strategy is now clear. No one else can be allowed on the ballot if they are going to wing control of North Greenbush and access to it’s checkbook, development campaign dollars and water district dollars. To implement that strategy, their attorney, Josh Ehrlich, showed up in court in a disheveled suit to argue in front one “Judge” Henry Zwack I an effort to shelve the new party bilaws under Chairman Tom Wade. Trouble is Zwack was a criminal defendant not long ago in a no show job scandal and Wade, one of the parties to the suit, appeared as a witness for the prosecution. Naturally Wade’s attorney sought Zwack’s recusal and naturally, the arrogant Zwack demonstrated his knack for restoring the confidence people like his appointing authority, Gov. Pataki, placed in him, by refusing to step aside. This one is sure to wind up as a complaint before the Commission on Judicial Conduct which has broad authority over the conduct of judges.

The purpose of challenging the bilaws is to prevent the new authority conveyed on the county chairman to call a democratic caucus if the town chairman fails to. NG Chair Jeff Spain has his slate already with out a democratic caucus. He is endorsing the GOP-Conservative, Independence slate. No caucus wanted in NG.

A Shower of Lawsuits
Spain’s lawyer wasted no time becoming the lawyer for the Conservatives and Independence Party . He filed lawsuits against the Board of Elections and all candidates on opposing petitions to the Republican endorsed slate in a desperate effort to knock out all competition and end a competitive election. That's right, Democratic Chairman Spain's attorney is trying to knock out opponents of the REPUBLICAN ENDORSED SLATE! Now that's party loyalty. Perhaps a purge trial is in Spain's future!

Silver Lining

About the only good news for Democrats waiting to attend a caucus was an article in the Record in which County GOP Chair Jack Casey is quoted as saying “What we want to do is make clear who the designees of the Republican Committee are.” He went on to affirm the GOP is backing Evers, Desso and Carey for Supervisor , Council and Highway, respectively. So now un reformed Democrats have been validated in their long opposition to the reform Democrats’ intention of endorsing the GOP slate and remove a choice in the election. Why would Democrats want to endorse the GOP slate? Very good question and one which the reformers don’t want answered by refusing to hold a caucus thereby denying town democrats of their right to vote and choose candidates to represent their party, the Democratic Party!

Untold Story:

GOP Chair Casey hired a Private Eye whose named rang a loud bell. His name: William Paroli Jr. He is quoted as saying “I have never seen this many blatant forgeries in my career”, referring to the town GOP petitions. One would think he must not be used to unsavory activity. But then again, his father William Sr. is a well known former GOP official who spent time in prison some years back. Here is one of numerous links that show the political pedigrees involved.

William Paroli Sr.

NY Times

In 2000, William Paroli Sr., Republican leader for the town and Dutchess County, was convicted of extortion after he admitted that he had conspired with town officials for six years to extort money from developers and others trying to do business with the town.

Four other employees of the town were convicted. Shortly after being questioned, former town assessor Basil Raucci was found drowned in the Hudson River.

In 2001, Fred Andros, former town water superintendent, was convicted of murder for coercing a woman to kill his former girlfriend. As he was about to be arrested for the murder, Andros shot himself in the head and died in prison in 2002.

Paroli had been suspended from practicing law for allegedly lying during the Paroli investigation about a meeting that had resulted in a bribe to Paroli.
1-19-06

Funny, but so much of what is behind the party takeovers in NG has to do with development. Could the ingediants be in place for a good scandal reminiscent of Poughkeepsie’s?

Late Financial Disclosure Count:


Today is Day 17 for the North Greenbush Democratic and Conservative Committee violations of State Election Law requiring the filing of a Financial Disclosure Report due July 15, 2007. Laws apparently don’t apply to the “reformed” democrats under Jeff Spain and his Treasurer, Tax Collector Kyran Devery. Nor under Michael Casale and his Treasurer, J. David Wos.