The direct mail and advertising war for the hearts and minds of town Republicans has begun in earnest. This photo demonstrates some high power town muscle with an endorsement by Ralph Vartigan and Tom Cholakis, two icons of town GOP politics. It notes, “An attempt is being made by Democrats to prevent you, the voters, from having a choice to elect a qualified team in North Greenbush who will correct the problems that are plaguing our town." It would appear the town GOP understands the simplicity of the message needed to keep the party bosses from selling out their party endorsement to the Democrats who already own Evers and Desso, having endorsed them by a few votes at last week's caucus.
County Republicans fired back with a card from Frank Merola, the popular County Clerk and ally of County Chair Jack Casey. The card endorsed Evers and Desso and frankly surprised us a bit since Desso sat back and supported his former GOP runningmates, Bob Ashe and Joe Styczynski as they boycotted a town board meeting called for the sole purpose of appointing his son to the town police department.
Did we say vote? Yes we did, young Merola was appointed to his position with a vote of the town board, a unanimous 3-0 vote of former Supervisor Paul Tazbir and Democrats Richard Fennelly and James Mihalko. It appears even Paul Tazbir understood that he alone did not have the power of appointment and thanks to the strong support of two Democratic board members, Frank Merola's son was appointed to the town police department where he serves with distinction today.
We can't help seeing the irony of Frank endorsing Mark Evers who just flat out broke the law by illegally placing another employee on the town payroll this week without even consulting with the appointing authority, the town board, never mind holding a vote on the appointment. And Lou Desso, Bob Ashe's running mate, who went right along with Ashe's disgraceful conduct in refusing to appoint the son of the County Clerk because Ashe could not get over the elder Merola's endorsement of Jack Mahar, the GOP Sheriff when he was challenged by Ashe for the GOP nomination for Sheriff.
We suspect this endorsement is far more a result of Merola's friendship with the county chair than his respect for Evers and Desso. Frank Merola may play politics but he's a straight shooter and knows what Evers and Desso are really all about. Don't count on his vote in the privacy of that booth. We suspect he has too much integrity for the rule of law and appreciates the respect so many people have for him and his family to pull the lever for two people with the track record of Evers and Desso.
The last mailer was a tough expose on Lou Desso's arrest record and should make for an interesting weekend of door to door visits. It featured photos of newspaper clippings documenting his arrests and status as a convicted felon. "Republicans want candidates with records of accomplishment, not arrest records!" reads the face card. Inside it reads "Democrats endorsed convicted felon..and are trying to get him the Republican nomination as well." The piece features five newspaper articles detailing arrests for "dwi, driving while ability impaired due to drugs,...third degree assault, harassment". These charges are from one clipping entitled "Two arrested outside tavern" and occurred in Watervliet. Desso appeared before Judge Warren DeLollo and was "remanded to the Albany County Jail pending further action in Albany County Court." The other clippings detail additional arrests for assaults and a criminal mischief and one charge we really don't want to print because the clipping does not give any details of the charge.
The piece concludes with a note that the town board is no place for a convicted felon. The return address is Wynantskill 12198. None of these charges or past history was mentioned in Desso's announcment of candidacy published in last week's Advertiser. Just an oversight, right?
Late Financial Disclosure Count:
Kyran Devery
Today is Day 62 for the North Greenbush Democratic Committee violation of State Election Law requiring the on line 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.
Hint, we're told a lawsuit will be filed very shortly to force the filing of this report.
6 comments:
I hope Evers and his friends have the nerve to come our door this weekend! In this household we have Republican and Conservative registrations so we should be on the list right? We'd love the opportunity to have them standing on our front steps, look us in the eye and ask them a few questions. Have fun this weekend boys!
Bob Ashe had the nerve to do that a few years ago. I listened to him lie to my face, voted for him in the election and then watched him do a 180 as to everything he said during the campain once in office. Bob Ashe no longer lives in North Greenbush - we want to hear nothing more from him nor see any of his letters in the Advertiser. If he just can't contain himself, please Bob, add a disclaimer that you are NOT a N.G. resident!
Desso's conviction record...thanks to the previous poster for the disclosure for those of us who didn't get that information. Unbelievable! And that tells you about the rest of them....birds of a feather flock together. I'm sure it won't be long before we'll see Ever's name in the police blotter.
Frank Merola couldn't have known about Desso's past. He'd have never approved that card sent out endorsing them.
Don't be so tame Pipeline. I got that postcard yesterday and the charge detailed in newspaper clip said he was charged with ...... in Troy.
You'd think a guy with this stuff in his background would not think of running for public office. It's no wonder he didn't disclose it though.
I thought a convicted felon could not vote?
We felt it necessary to edit out the charge in Troy.
What was the conviction for? Why can't I see the comment on the blog. It appears that this is the forum to reveal the truth so let us know, what was the convict convicted of doing!
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