CLEARY VOWS TO FIGHT ON

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Cleary says North Greenbush voters should be heard

Republican Jeffrey D. Cleary, candidate for North Greenbush Town Supervisor, vowed to continue a David-vs.-Goliath fight to return integrity and accountability to Town government today. Cleary is running with Stephanie Piel and Wes Marshall on a slate supported by local Republicans, including former Town and former County Chairman Tom Cholakis.

Cleary is mounting a primary challenge against incumbent Supervisor Mark Evers, a Democrat who received the endorsement of the Town’s Republican Committee over Cleary. Cleary pointed out that Evers’ committee victory was secured by the weighted votes of new committeemen, who had been quietly installed within 24 hours of the vote for that very purpose by the Rensselaer County GOP leadership. Cleary said he has promised prominent local Republicans that he is in this fight to win.

A challenge was issued against one of the nominating petitions filed for Cleary and his running mates, alleging that some signatures witnessed by North Greenbush resident Vince Sculco were not signed by the persons named. However, Cleary said that even without the questioned signatures, in fact even without all the signatures witnessed by Sculco, the slate has 257 petition signatures, more than enough to be included on the primary ballot on September 18th . 257 signatures are still more than the total turned in by the out-of-towners brought in by the Rensselaer County GOP to collect signatures for the Evers ticket.

“If these allegations are proved, the behavior was reprehensible and intolerable. The democratic system of electoral government we hold so dear relies on the notion that everyone gets a voice and a vote – when that voice and vote are used without permission it constitutes an unforgivable violation of the public’s trust,” Cleary said. “But since no allegation has been made against the remainder of the valid signatures, my running mates and I will continue our fight to return integrity and accountability to town government.”

“Right now, you are hearing a lot about back-room political maneuvering by a lot of different people from out of town,” Cleary said. “But the people I want to hear about – and from – are the people of North Greenbush. Those are the people that I’m most concerned about.”

In announcing his run on June 19th, Cleary vowed to represent all the residents of North Greenbush, and to pursue a more open, accountable government. “The people of North Greenbush wake up everyday and read in their local papers tales of back-room government deals, lawsuits, screaming matches at Board Meetings, the sort of childish behavior more routinely associated with kindergarten than representative government,” Cleary said. “The current town board clearly is in need of some adult supervision, just as the town residents are entitled to some adult leadership.” According to Cleary, a circus-like, inaccessible type of government has prevailed in the town for too long.

Cleary has pledged to open Town government and to reverse a long trend of local officials taking care of those who make the right campaign contributions. A recent tape of the June 28th Town Board meeting, scheduled to be aired on public access television was shelved by Evers with no explanation offered. Cleary, charged that the Supervisors erratic behavior and lack of control during the meeting is the reason for the tape’s mysterious disappearance.

“My dad taught me to never back away from a fight, even in the face of steep odds,” Cleary said. “I know I’m being a thorn in the side of some very powerful people. But that is no reason to abandon the ideals of democracy, nor is it a reason for the good people of North Greenbush to abandon their right to be heard and represented.”

“Integrity in government is something which the people of North Greenbush have a right to demand, even if people in power try to muffle their cry,” Cleary continued. “I will continue my fight so that in November, those voters will be heard.”

Late Financial Disclosure Count:

Today is Day 19 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.