As stated previously, the North Greenbush Pipeline is available on its main page for submissions by candidates in this this year's town elections. We will extend that offer to leaders of the political parties and duly constituted political commitees and clubs who offer inteligent commentary on issues facing voters this election.
Below is a submission by Robert Price, Chairman of the North Greenbush Democrats Club, (the unreformed faction of the Democratic Party who support Mark Premo).
Spain’s Lawyer Attempts to Keep Premo Off Ballot
The attorney utilized by NG Democratic Chair Jeff Spain is now working on behalf of the Spain, Casale, Connolly, GOP coalition to keep Highway Superintendent Mark Premo off the ballot in November. The group representing all four major parties is attempting to remove in court all competition in a fair and free election by allowing only their endorsed candidates on the ballot.
Spain’s attorney and Spain himself are suing their own party at the county level in an effort to prevent new by-laws from taking effect. The bylaws would permit the county chairman to call a Democratic caucus in a town in which the local chair refuses to. With the slate endorsed by Jeff Spain on the other party lines including the GOP itself, he has avoided calling a Democratic Caucus in which his Republican slate would be challenged.
Last week the County GOP Chair, Jack Casey told the Troy Record, “What we want to do is make clear who the designees of the Republican Committee are.” He listed his slate as Evers for Supervisor, Desso, Council and Carey, Highway Superintendent. Carey is a local DEVELOPER aligned with Casale who hold a multimillion dollar water district contract which is way over budget and being audited by the State Comptroller. If Casale’s ally becomes Highway Superintendent, the road restoration work Casale is responsible for under contract might get done by the Highway Department instead.
Michael Casale is the town Conservative Chairman and if the scheme to allow only one slate of candidates succeeds, the contractor will have control of the town board and our check books while reaping the profits from an overspent contract. The Supervisor, Mark Evers has proposed an $830,000 bond to pay for the over spent contract, but voters stalled the plan by gathering signatures for a town wide vote set for October 16th.
Mr. Evers and his allies on the town Board are now trying to stop the vote rather than face the certain defeat from angry town residents.
Democrats have but one chance to take their party back from the coalition of developers and politicians, including the county GOP. They must attend the caucus which like a primary, allows Democrats to come and vote for Mark Premo and a slate of candidates to oppose the GOP candidates Spain is trying to endorse. When that caucus is called Democrats can come and protect their party, or they can allow the Republicans and the development interests they represent take control of North Greenbush.
Robert Price
Day 26
Late Financial Disclosure Count: Today is Day 26 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.
3 comments:
Shameful behavior at N.G. town board meeting
In an effort to be an informed voter this fall, I attended the August 9 North Greenbush town board meeting. What I found was a supervisor conducting a meeting who behaved flip, aggressive and rude.
A visiting attorney from Brunswick complimented the professional behavior of many he had recently worked with on a N.G. project. Among those he noted was N.G. Town Attorney Josh Sabo. How embarrassing it was that on the same evening this attorney praised other’s cooperation and professionalism, our own Supervisor Mark Evers displayed none of. Supervisor Evers wavered between making jokes, engaging in sidebar conversation with his supporters in the audience to verbally attacking Attorney Sabo. Mr. Evers raised his voice, talked over our attorney, was accusatory and behaved as a schoolyard bully while Mr. Sabo tried tirelessly to answer questions and provide legal explanations to the issue at hand. During the meeting Councilman Fennelly asked for clarity on many points to which Mr. Evers responded to with contention and disrespect. Perhaps Mr. Evers may find it a daunting task to explain the cost of public vehicles or why town board members weren’t given copies of contracts before he signed them, but he should realize that the public who takes the time to attend these meetings would like open government.
I can only conclude that the regular attendees of N.G. town board meetings have become accustom to this behavior, but to this observer it could be characterized as something out of the Dukes of Hazard. It is clear that the town of North Greenbush needs a fresh start and a Supervisor who can run a meeting with patience, professionalism and respect toward all present. Shame on me for voting for Mark Evers in the last election. Shame on him for his conduct toward others.
A North Greenbush Voter
One couldn't help but notice last night that there was no report from the police station or the building department because of vacation time. One also couldn't help but notice that although Mark Premo was not present, he had submitted a very thorough report prior to the meeting which Ernie Kern read aloud. Thank you Mr. Premo for doing your job.
I agree with the previous comment. I regret my vote for Mr. Evers, Ms Connolly and Mr. Kern. Now it appears
every attempt is being made to deny us the opportunity of a choice this year. Something must be done to stop these people. People must do something with these party bosses who march to outsider's orders. Imagine, the one elected official up for reelection who has actually tried to improve this Town - Mr. Premo - may not even be on the ballot. What a travesty of democracy! A pox on all their houses!
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