http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2008/sep/25/0925_mertz/

Mertz loses support of Rotterdam GOP
Thursday, September 25, 2008


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ROTTERDAM — The Rotterdam town Republican Committee is dropping two-term Town Board member John Mertz from its prospective 2009 ticket.

Chairman Gerard Parisi said the town committee will seek new candidates for the seat occupied by Mertz — former head of the town's failed police commission — because of the councilman’s “controversial actions” and inability to work effectively with other departments. Specifically, Parisi said Mertz was unable to work with town police.

“The town committee wants a representative who supports our police department, works cooperatively with others and focuses on the needs of our residents,” Parisi said in a statement released this morning. “In the end, we need people who are consistently striving to achieve the best results for Rotterdam.”

In making the announcement, Parisi also cited support Mertz offered last year for town board raises “without proper public participation.” The move was ultimately defeated by the board in January, when they instead decided to appoint a five-member ad-hoc committee to study the issue.

Parisi said the committee will endorse Supervisor Steve Tommasone and board member Joe Signore, who served with Mertz on the short-lived police commission in 2006. Signore also voted in support of two resolutions authorizing the town board raises.

Town officials are also engaged in negotiations with the Rotterdam Police Benevolent Association. Town police are now operating under a contract that expired Dec. 31, 2007.

Mertz expressed surprise over the statement. He said he was unaware of the committee’s apparent decision and said he would comment after reviewing Parisi’s statement.

Calls to Tommasone were not immediately returned.

I AM IN SHOCK!! Please wait while I pick my jaw up off the ground.  

The way I see it....John Mertz spoke his mind, which is clearly NOT the politically correct thing to do in Rotterdam. No different than the democratically control county legislature. Shame on Mr. Parisi. Shame on the reps. After this move...I may seriously have to re-think how I will vote in our local elections. I mean just when you think the reps have sunk to an all time low....they go even lower.

Mertz was the one who faught the hardest for Masullo ests. Now Tommasone will take the ball and run with it and receive the credit. Mertz faught the high paid cops in this town FOR THE TAXPAYERS and now he is getting the boot for it. I never thought the reps would go so far as to eat and discard their own.

I am totally and completely disappointed in our rep party!

OH I can't WAIT for Sally to chime in on this one

The Rotterdam Republicans are circling the wagons.......... Throwing Mertz under the bus, after the GOP assisted and failed attempt to change the leadership within the Schenectady Conservative Party Executive Board.  Offering Mertz as the sacrificial lamb to Hamilton and Pascarella.  

The backbone of the Rotterdam GOP has been broke.  Not showing leadership, but rather protecting themselves from the Rotterdam Cops and the Conservative Party, in fear of turning their sights on them.  

The party that once stood up to the global giant Walmart, and for reforming the traditional Rotterdam ways of rubber stamping permits for contractors who were politically connected, regardless of the developments negative impact on the town.  These actions were articulated and spearheaded by the Rotterdam outsider John Mertz,  these new ideals were the starting point which ultimately led to the Republican rise to power in Rotterdam.

The GOP used Mertz as the face of the Rotterdam Republican party during the towns fight with Walmart.  Knowing that Signore, or Tommasone couldn't verbally stutter and stammer their way out of a wet paper bag.  Mertz is the only Republican on the town board that can put 2 sentences together without my toes curling in the anticipation of embarrassment.

The fresh face of the Rotterdam Republican Party that offered a new outlook on town politics, has suddenly reverted back to its small town, don't rock the boat, cronyistic ways.  And it only took 8 years.

I believe Mr. Parisi has miscalculated when making this decision.  But time will only tell.  

You know where I stand.

There is always a 'lamb' and most sheeple wont see it coming or what to do with it.........baaaaaaaaaa

What Parisi is saying is that Mertz wasn't a puppet who went along like a sheep with the rest of the flock but instead had the stones to challenge the board when he felt that they were wrong. I know of at least 3 instances where Mertz and Tommasone butted heads because the board had done something that he felt was wrong. The residents of this town are losing someone who really cares about what happens to the taxpayers and tried to do what was best for them.

Quoted from CICERO

  And it only took 8 years.

Excuse me, I meant 4 years.

Good post Cicero!

So that's how the reps made their alliance with the consers/cops. The reps just bought themselves the conserv line at John Mertz's expense. This pathetic sell out will guarentee Tommasone and Signore the conserv line. Thank you Mr. Parisi. You just sold out the rep party. Guess it won't take a rocket scientist to figure out who the mole was, huh?

Quoted Text

In making the announcement, Parisi also cited support Mertz offered last year for town board raises “without proper public participation.” The move was ultimately defeated by the board in January, when they instead decided to appoint a five-member ad-hoc committee to study the issue.

First, it would have been 'tommasone's' responsibility to bring it to the public for public discussion. HE chose not to do that. Instead Tommasone skirted the issue and a so called committee was created. I'd like to know what ever happened to that. As soon as Mertz brought it up, it then became Tommasone's supervisory responsibility to bring it to the public for public discussion. Why didn't he?

And as far as the rest of the town board defeating the idea of the raise....let me remind you that Mr.Silva went on and on and on about how the supervisor's position should be full time and with a much higher pay due to the large population being governed. He didn't vote 'against' the raise idea in itself. He voted 'no' because he thought it should be discussed even further.

Sorry but Tommasone gets the big goose egg for this one.

Well indeed here is the low - down. I hear the conservs arent happy with some of theings that happened last month and all. The war that was started with Miss Rhinestone as the spearhead was launched a few years ago over here by Johhny boy Mertz. I like him but he knows how to rile th e boys in blue and that isnt something the town needs right now. Also John wasnt born and raised here and like Dianney Marco said he is an outsider which is a problem if you want to get a leg up over here in politics. Being an ousider cost Lazzari the election and almost cost Joe Suhrada the election a few years ago. You need to be born and raised in this here town to get the handle on how the things gotta' work over here. Johhny's kids maybe will be elected but not Johnny anymore. When you arent a life long Rotterdam guy you run the risk of turning people off when you have the big mouth like the other 2 I mentioned plus a few more who arent elected like Madam Rhinestone and Bradly Littlefield too. Most of you paisans know what I mean about our town. All and all its the best for the town when there isnt the controversy with the police whose toes need to be not stepped on here.

Quoted from bumblethru

Good post Cicero!

So that's how the reps made their alliance with the consers/cops. The reps just bought themselves the conserv line at John Mertz's expense. This pathetic sell out will guarentee Tommasone and Signore the conserv line. Thank you Mr. Parisi. You just sold out the rep party. Guess it won't take a rocket scientist to figure out who the mole was, huh?

THE MOLE WILL NEVER BE DISCOVERED.  HE IS IN WAY TOO DEEEEEEP!

Quoted from papanetta67

THE MOLE WILL NEVER BE DISCOVERED.  HE IS IN WAY TOO DEEEEEEP!

Moles always come to the surface for air ... and to feed. It won't be long before it comes to light.

http://www.dailygazette.com

Quoted Text

ROTTERDAM
Republicans drop board candidate
Committee chairman says Mertz won’t get backing in ’09
BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter

    The chairman of Rotterdam’s Republican Committee has announced that the party is dropping two-term Town Board member John Mertz from their prospective 2009 ticket.
    Gerard Parisi, who also serves as an attorney to the board, said the GOP will seek a new candidate for the seat now occupied by Mertz. He said this was because of Mertz’s “controversial actions” and inability to work effectively with other town departments.
    Parisi said Mertz was unable to work with the Rotterdam police. Mertz was the leader of the former police commission, which attempted to establish oversight of the department but proved unpopular and was dismantled quickly.
    “The town committee wants a representative who supports our police department, works cooperatively with others and focuses on the needs of our residents,” Parisi said in a prepared statement released Thursday morning. “In the end, we need people who are consistently striving to achieve the best results for Rotterdam.”
    Mertz said he was surprised by Parisi’s statement and was unaware of the committee’s apparent decision. He offered no further comment Thursday evening.
    In making the announcement, Parisi also cited the support Mertz offered last year for Town Board raises “without proper public participation.” The move was ultimately defeated by the board in January, when they instead decided to appoint a five-member committee to study the issue.
    Parisi said the GOP will endorse Supervisor Steve Tommasone and board member Joseph Signore, who served with Mertz on the shortlived police commission in 2006. Signore also voted in support of two resolutions authorizing the Town Board raises.
    The announcement suggests a developing schism among the board’s Republicans. Seldom have they dissented on resolutions since the GOP took a 4-1 majority in November 2007.
    Town officials are now negotiating with the Rotterdam Police Benevolent Association, which was at odds with Mertz over his involvement with the commission. Rotterdam police are now operating under the previous contract, which expired on Dec. 31, 2007.
    Tommasone was perplexed by Parisi’s statement and suggested that the issue might be between the attorney and Mertz, rather than the committee as a whole. He said the differences between Mertz and the party wouldn’t prevent the Town Board from acting in the best interests of Rotterdam.
    “Quite frankly, in my view, this is nothing more than a distraction,” he said.
    private Karp, the committee’s vice chairman, said he was also shocked by the abrupt announcement. Although he acknowledged that Mertz is a “lightning rod” on several town issues, he said the Town Board member always seemed approachable and loyal to the party.
    “This is kind of a surprise to me,” he said. “I hadn’t heard anything about it.”
    Tracy Donovan, a 15-year veteran of the GOP committee, said she was unaware of any recommendation from the executive board. And even if they had suggested dropping Mertz from the ticket, she said the committee as a whole would need to vote on endorsements.
    Donovan assured Mertz that he would receive a nomination from one of the 50 members of the committee. She said the affair is almost certain to spur a party primary for the seat in September 2009.
“It’s probably going to be a battle,” she said.

Well the conservs will stop Metz from winning since there is no question indeed that the conservs have the power, and I dont think Johnny Boy has enough people and connections over here to win the thing if the repubs and conservs dont back him up. What I said over here is that he doesnt have the family and friends a lot of the conservs know he isnt part of the town which is the issue since he doesnt know how the town really works.

I am changing my party affiliation today. REALLY! I will be registering as a BLANK. There is not ONE party that I want my name associated with. I would strongly suggest that everyone do the same. It is the only way to send a message to these manipulating political parties. I don't know about anyone else...but from the local level all the way to the top.....I'M SICK AND TIRED OF THE BS!

Yes friends....I am now a registered BLANK!!