PRESS RELEASE - RE: Conservative Party Committee - Print Topic

The Conservative Alternative:
Real Conservatives, Real Differences

FOR RELEASE: Immediately, July 11, 2008
CONTACT: Kelly Rhinesmith

GRASSROOTS CONSERVATIVES LAUNCH
UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGE TO TAKE BACK CONTROL
OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY CONSERVATIVE COMMITTEE

SCHENECTADY, NY – In an unprecedented grassroots uprising, a newly formed
“reform slate” of registered Conservatives will field 252 challengers for 126 Committee districts
this September to wrest control of the Schenectady County Conservative Committee from a
leadership that has, over several years, grown disconnected and detached from the concerns of its
rank-and-file members.

“This grassroots uprising from Schenectady Conservatives of conscience and conviction
has been building for years. It’s fueled by a belief that the current Committee leadership has
grown disconnected and detached from members,” said Kelly Rhinesmith, a long-time
Conservative political activist and Recording Secretary for the Schenectady County Conservative
Committee.

“Like many of my fellow Conservatives, I’ve become disillusioned with the lack of core
convictions from many of the so-called leaders in our County Committee. In the opinion of
many, the current leadership cares more about gaming the system for political advantage than
standing for genuine Conservative principles like lower taxes, limited government and less
spending,” Rhinesmith stated.

Upon formally submitting petitions to the Schenectady County Board of Elections earlier
today, Rhinesmith said she will be one of 252 committed, grassroots Conservatives running as a
unified reform slate in September’s primary election to take back Committee control. Of the
current 127 Committee districts across Schenectady County, 126 are slated to be contested this
September, marking an unprecedented amount of challenger races in recent memory. Each
district contains two Committee seats, for a total of 254 seats on the County Conservative
Committee.

“For too long, rank-and-file Conservatives have felt like pawns in an unseemly game of
political power. But Conservatives will be silent no more. Our time to stand-up, speak-out and
take back control is now,” Rhinesmith said.

“The Conservative endorsement carries significant weight in elections for local and state
office. Schenectady Democrats recognized this some time ago and began an organized,
concerted effort to get their operatives involved in Committee positions to gain control. Ever
since, our Committee has taken a decidedly leftward tilt. This September, grassroots
Conservatives across Schenectady County have the chance to finally say ‘enough’ to this
Democrat incursion and take back their Committee,” Rhinesmith concluded.

Is this real? What are the D'ago_tinos going to do now? I can't believe they would let this happen on th eve of Judy's very important re-election race next year considering Dominic is in line to be chief or Deputy Sheriff and the cops all want Judy in so they can help Dom do this. He is the driving force of the force and has all of the Italians in town behind him in this here quest and each officer is committed to helping him and his mother in full total.

It's real. Change is coming ...

I sure hope we're going back to conservative values.

I would like to know the legality of all of this. Is there a conspiracy or is there hanky panky. How is that you can just take something over from the police legally like that? They have done a lot of work to keep the party in the proper hands and some say they shouldnt have their rights to politics restricted. I know that John Mertz tried to make a law to take away their police right to vote. I dont agree with that even though I like Johhny and voted for him too. But how can Mrs. Rinesmith just legally take control of something that isnt hers?

The same way InBev can take over Anheuser-Busch ? or Microsoft takeover of Yahoo? Get the votes of the stockholders (committeemen) and it's simple.

Quoted Text

Quoted frmo Salvatore:
I would like to know the legality of all of this. Is there a conspiracy or is there hanky panky. How is that you can just take something over from the police legally like that?

It's called Democracy, Sal. Anyone can run for any elected office, provided that they satisfy the eligibility requirements, obtain the support of the required number/percentage of voters and file the required documents. Ms. Rhinesmith is an enrolled member of the Conservative party. She has just as much a right to run for a committee seat as does any registered Conservative party member. And, for the record, I, a registered Conservative for many years, am among this slate of candidates.

And, for the record, I fully support the police. I believe that ensuring the public safety is one of the primary roles and responsibilities of government. Our law enforcement officers perform a vital role. I respect them for placing themselves at risk for the sake of the public good. I don't, however, support any group that leverages the influence and power of a political party (i.e., endorsements) to promote its special interest(s) before that of the party philosophy/ideology.

Quoted Text

Quoted from Salvatore: ... They have done a lot of work to keep the party in the proper hands

From your word choice, I sense which group you support in this election. One more important note, there are Schenectady Police and Sheriff Deputies who are running with our slate of candidates or who have expressed their support by signing our Designating Petitions.

This is a very positive revelation. It should probably be done with ALL of the political parties. The reps and dems also have seemed to miss the mark on what their REAL ideology is. It is encouraging to hear that there are real conservs out there who want to bring their party back to it's roots with real believers. The other parties should learn from the conservs. I hope they succeed!!!

Well I support the police and the chief, but I like the Republicans in town. I don't know what way things will go but I do know that Dom and his supporters are probably 100% going to stop this with legal means and I know Dom has 100% support from all the police county wide too.

I don't think this is about the cops. It shouldn't be a 'we against them' thing. This appears to be about an ideology that wants to go back to it's roots. It clearly should not be about the 'who or what group will control a political party'. It clearly should not be about motives. It should be all political parties getting back to their original ideology of a political party.

Remember, when joining any political party or choosing a career in public service...it should never be 'all about me/us'. It should be 'all about service'.

Quoted from Salvatore

Is this real? What are the D'ago_tinos going to do now? I can't believe they would let this happen on th eve of Judy's very important re-election race next year considering Dominic is in line to be chief or Deputy Sheriff and the cops all want Judy in so they can help Dom do this. He is the driving force of the force and has all of the Italians in town behind him in this here quest and each officer is committed to helping him and his mother in full total.

what are you talking about......Deputy Sheriff!!!

http://www.dailygazette.com

Quoted Text

SCHENECTADY COUNTY
Activist hoping to oust party leaders
Conservative challenge eyed
BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter

    Longtime political activist and Conservative Kelly Rhinesmith is seeking to replace the Schenectady County Conservative Party’s executive board through a primary challenge in September. It is her second attempt since 2004.
    Rhinesmith is challenging from within the organization; she is recording secretary for the county Conservative Party. She said she and “a newly formed reform slate” of enrolled Conservatives will fi eld 252 challengers for 126 committee districts in the Sept. 9 primary. Each district contains two seats.
    She filed designating petitions with the Schenectady County Board of Elections Thursday. If her bid is successful, the challengers would be able to select a new executive
    board after the primary.
    R h i n e s m i t h over the years has charged that the county Conservative Party is not true to its roots and is controlled by Democrats.
    “The Conservative endorsement carries significant weight in elections for local and state offices. Schenectady Democrats recognized this some time ago and began an organized, concerted effort to get their operatives involved in committee positions to gain control,” Rhinesmith said. “Ever since, our committee has taken a decidedly leftward tilt.”
    Conservative Party Chairman Randy Pascarella said the party has filed petitions for committee races in all but about seven districts, triggering the primary.
    Pascarella said the executive board is not concerned with Rhinesmith’s latest effort. “The real Conservatives will see right through her,” he said. “It is going to be a fun September and a whole lot of wasted money; it costs money to primary people.”
    The party’s executive board consists of David F. Battaglia, vice chairman of legislative District 4; Michael Della Rocco Jr., assistant fire chief of the Schenectady Fire Department and party vice chairman of the city; Peter Rakvica, president of AFSCME Local 1130, which represents 28 workers in the Niskayuna highway and parks departments, and party vice chairman in Niskayuna; and Mark LaViolette, a detective with the Schenectady Police Department and vice chairman of the party in Glenville.
    Robert Hamilton is Conservative Party club president; he also is president of the Schenectady City Police Department’s union, the Police Benevolent Association. Rosanna DeMarco is treasurer.
    Rhinesmith said she launched the latest challenge because she believes “hundreds and hundreds of Conservatives are sick and tired of being exploited at the ballot line. They are standing up and saying enough, the Conservative Party is not for sale.”
    As proof of her charge, she pointed to seven designating petitions the Conservative Party submitted Thursday to the county Board of Elections. Each page contained the names of A prominent Democrat, including County Attorney Chris Gardner, county Legislator Martin Finn and Niskayuna Supervisor Joe Landry.
    Pascarella said Democrats do not control the Conservative Party. He said Democrats have witnessed petitions, however. He alleged Rhinesmith herself is getting support “from forces outside of the Conservative Party. It’s not the Democrats and it’s not the Independence Party. We know this based on fact.”
    Rhinesmith denied Pascarella’s claim. “That is not true and he has no basis for that whatsoever,” she said. “We have been doing this for a long time and we have financed all of our efforts ourselves. Conservatives will dig into their own pockets to fund a cause.”

another fork in the fire....... :) eventually this pot roast will be cooked.......it's all about the seasonings......."....the salt and light...."

Quoted from Salvatore

Is this real? What are the D'ago_tinos going to do now? I can't believe they would let this happen on th eve of Judy's very important re-election race next year considering Dominic is in line to be chief or Deputy Sheriff and the cops all want Judy in so they can help Dom do this. He is the driving force of the force and has all of the Italians in town behind him in this here quest and each officer is committed to helping him and his mother in full total.

Sal what are you talking about? And do you even know what you are talking about? This appears to be nothing more and nothing less than a grassroots movement for the conservs to regain it's original ideology. From the way I read it this has nothing to do with someone becoming a Deputy Sheriff. And if this Dominic guy is in a position to become a Deputy Sheriff...than so be it. Let's not add unnecessary fuel to a non existent fire.

Every member of the force supports the D'agost_nos. Rightly or wrongly indeed. They love those people and especially the boy, Dominic. What you don't understand is the confliction between the sherrif Buffardi, and the policemen over the road-patrol that runs through the county onto the policemens turf. There is a fervant desire that Judy as a powerful Democrat will be in a position shortly upon her re election to put her son into the mix as the under-sherriff which would have lots of power there to control happenings in the jail and on the road-patrol. Through the conservative party, Bumblethrough, this here deal is set to take effect but the Democrats want the policemen to take care to keep the line on the ballot going to the demos, and not repubs, and in return make sure that Judy gets re elected and then gets Dominic into position underneath the Sheriff to make everyone happy, and resolve the struggle over the turf. This I know from very close police friends that are high up and about one year from now or a little more when Judy gets back in [withe the conservative support of course] this is coming into fruitition. You can rest assured friends. Thiis the down deal. This is why every legal remedy will be enforced to keep these troublemakers from getting the party out of Judys hands. Plus they may have some plans for Miss Rinestone that would make her pay a visit to the crowbar motel if they can.

Quoted Text

Plus they may have some plans for Miss Rinestone that would make her pay a visit to the crowbar motel if they can.

Rhinestone? Jail? Huh?

Yes, you can be pretty sure that her past legal run ins will be brought to light and any future ones will be really brought to light. I don't like the turncoat Judy D but I like Dominic, he is my friend and the police need are support at all costs and if the endeavor they choose to pursue is to run the conservatives, that is their right to do it, and if you tamper with it, you could be on thin ice.

Oh silly Sal....I think you are just trying to stir the pot here! Perhaps?

check into it. It isnt going to happen. This lady will be jailed if she keeps it up and I know after what she did to Joey Signore and then some corrections officers that she has a spotty record. Why would anyone try to take away the policemens right to vote and assemble peacabley and correctly? This is like a violation of civil rights. I know that the conservatives didnt endorese Angelo S. and they made a tragic mistake going for GOD (thinking that GOD will never lose) when it just so happens if they stuck with an Italian conservative instead of a Polish liberal they would be better off. But Dominic got a lot of people into the party over the past three or five years, and a lot of us are Italians, they should have stuck with Ang and there wouldnt have been a problem, but here in the catch- other than that mistake with GOD, they screwed the pooch in that, they should rightly be lead by the police since the police ARE conservatives. Capice???? Thay should ususally elect to go with the republicans over demos excepting the times the demos run with someone like Dawnie or Eunice, and Diane when she behaves. They also went with Cooke the kook last time which was a big mistake but WHY did they go with KOOK? WHY? I will tell you all why now- because of the Rinestone cowgirl Kelly R! She demanded that Cooke get the big nod over Stevie T, who with all his faults [ do I need to get into them?] is STILL HANDS DOWN THE most conservative of the two. Now cmmon people, be real. With the police we get th conservatives and we get the people with a big stake in the community being on the right track, with Kelly Rinestone you have U-gotz! So nest tome the police will endorse Ang and yes they will el\ect Judy D which I disagree with but that is to get Dom into position over at the sherriffs where he will be able to keep things in check and keep Harry on a shorter lease. Harry is a good man and of course a marine, but he tries to bite off more then he can chew with his road-patrol and they step on some police toes in rotterdam and in the city . So this can be cured with a man like Dom in place over there. I will wait to see what happens before I resign the conservatives, I dont want no trouble with this lady

Quoted Text

This is like a violation of civil rights.

Sal,

Not sure where you're coming from on your statement (above).  Anyone can run for public office provided that he/she meets the eligibility requirements.  No one is prohibiting the police from participating in the system.  In fact, as previously posted, there are police officers and Sheriff deputies who are included in the slate of reform candidates and who have exhibited their support by signing Designating Petitions for candidates and carrying petitions.  Ultimately, it is the votes of the registered Conservative party members living in Schenectady County who will decide the outcome and the future of my party.

Regarding your prediction that the police will arrest and charge Kelly Rhinesmith with some crime that will render her unable to
advance her objectives, I suggest that this would be an unwise and costly strategy.  First, the public perception would be that Schenectady County is a "banana republic" where political opponents are silenced and/or, as you predict, imprisoned.  Further, such actions would unquestionably lead to federal charges being filed against those who sponsor and participate in this plan.  A subsequent lawsuit would be filed against individuals and groups, which, if found guilty of harrassment and unjustified detention would cost them money, their livelihood, and perhaps their freedom.

It is discouraging to think that you believe that our political system is so corrupt and disfunctional that political adversaries would resort to these types of actions.  Despite my opposition to the political beliefs of those who currently control the Conservative party, I  believe that they are above the type of behavior that you are discussing.

Sal if what you say is true about the cops and Rhinestone....then by golly we do live in one of those them there backwoods, illiterate, uneducated, redneck towns. Hurry and hide yer sheep and goats! Hop in the ole pick up truck and ride on over to yer nearest WalMart deeeepartment store for them there overalls and flannel shirts. And grab yer shot gun and yer bottle of moonshine while ya pick yer teeth with one of them pieces of hay. Hee Haw!!!

If this is what you think to be right then by all means go ahead and support her and wrong minded intentions, but when you call the police for help and they aren't there, then you will wish you didn't disenfranchise their right to vote by using the republican party to take away that right and then the repubs will be in deep deep soup with Kelly R later down the road. Do you think Steve T likes this here manuover at all? He will again be without the conservatives behind him. And as I said, if we can't get Dominic into the Sherriffs department to fix the trouble there will be bad trouble brewing down the road over there between all the police AND ALL of the sherriffs. Plus don't think for a minute that the police will be behnd the repubs after this slap in the face.

I just think that when a person like Kelly Rine_mith gets into such power it is a sad sad sad day for the town.

Quoted Text

Quoted from salvatore:
... I just think that when a person like Kelly Rine_mith gets into such power it is a sad sad sad day for the town.

Hey Sal,

Out of curiosity, why do you replace letters in the names of people who you reference in your posts with underscores? Is it so internet search engines won't pick up the character strings as matches with the names of people who you discuss?

Quoted Text

Quoted from salvatore:
... but when you call the police for help and they aren't there, then you will wish you didn't disenfranchise their right to vote by using the republican party to take away that right and then the repubs will be in deep deep soup with Kelly R later down the road

I believe that our law enforcement officers are professionals who will answer the call to duty if and when they are needed. Are you suggesting otherwise? Please don't disparage and dishonor the men in blue who serve the public. They deserve our respect and our support.

Quoted from Salvatore

. Do you think Steve T likes this here manuover at all? He will again be without the conservatives behind him.

First Steve T. made it throught the last election without the conservs backing. If he does a good job, he won't have a problem in the next election.

Quoted Text

I just think that when a person like Kelly Rine_mith gets into such power it is a sad sad sad day for the town.

Please explain exactly what kind of power this Kelly is going to gain? I read the article again and what I get from it is that it is just a grassroots movement to regain a political party ideology. I don't know, perhaps I am missing something here.

And further more, I do not think the cops would sink so low as to not answer a call because of politics.

Quoted Text

Quoted from bumblethru:
... I read the article again and what I get from it is that it is just a grassroots movement to regain a political party ideology.

Bumble,

My involvement in this effort is solely for the reason that you cite; to reinstill the conservative ideology to the party and to endorse candidates (Republicans, Democrats, and registered Conservatives) who have conservative positions on the important issues facing Schenectady County and its residents.

Enough said. We'll wait for the results of the Conservative Party Committee elections on September 9th.

First I dont want to get sued so I just implie who I mean, and second I dont mean that the officers wont respond but like in the case of the police commision [which had the town 99% against it] the morale will sink so low that many officers will be sick, chose other careers and even leave the force to go elsewhere and get jobs where the leaders and people arent against them having their rights. If you appreciate them they will serve you but don't show appreciate by throwing away their right to vote and assemble and be free Americans like Mertz wanted to do- to johhnys credit he backed away from making it so the police cant vote or be members of a party. But if he is behind this then I wil be upset with him again.

Wow i heard it all on this thread......i work at the sheriff department and this is the first time i heard these "RUMORS" ??)

Quoted from B GAGE

Wow i heard it all on this thread......i work at the sheriff department

Hey, Goomba! We meet in the strangest places!

Quoted from B GAGE

Wow i heard it all on this thread......i work at the sheriff department and this is the first time i heard these "RUMORS" ??)

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Quoted from MobileTerminal

Hey, Goomba! We meet in the strangest places!

Goomba.........ya thanks

I think there are too many steroids being passed and as far as this whole thing is going---would this have ANYTHING to do with the sch'dy city chief's wife's 2nd job?????

I'm not a police officer and as I have stated before never could be(the tasers would be on the charge unit more than not) and the guns would always be hot and my fists sore......

anyhow, I have one question------WHO THE HELL IS IN CHARGE........obviously NO ONE WHO WANTS TO STAND STRAIGHT................

http://www.dailygazette.com

Quoted Text

You all got scuttlebut on this yet? I heard the officers got it all locked up.

Good for them----take it to the bank.....the demoralizing of the people(sheeple or whatever) is going well, wouldn't we all agree......all the parties have yet to find their way out of this wet paperbag......divide and conquer......the 'true' shepherd is no where to be seen......but, the seasons are changing.....

ah so grasshopper you are a funny and philosophical gent. I like you

Quoted from Salvatore

You all got scuttlebut on this yet? I heard the officers got it all locked up.

No scuttlebut yet. But I'll be the dems and reps are holding their breath.

well my sources tell me now that if the policemen dont keep the rightful control of the conservative party there will be a takeover by the sheriffs by mr. Buffardi in order to have the countywide policing that he desires. A prominant demo even wrote a ltter to the gazette today to float that idea to the people of the county. This will be the straw that breaks our backs as the taxpayers and worse for us over here in Rotterdam the sherriff patrol will be costing us millions but they will be over there in hamilton hill catching the bad guys and no police will be here in rotterdam to watch over us. all our boys in blue will be pulled into being sheriffs and then will be patrolling Crane street and Mt Pleasant and Hamiltyon hill. What does that do to help us over here? No more olice here to keep us safe, who do ya like that???? Happy now Miss Rinestone???

This is in the works and when our boys lose the control the demos will walk all over them and disolve them in the city and the towns. WHAT will Stevie T do to keep us safe? Mr T are you listening and will you fight to keep our police force alive over here???

I disagree with you on this one sal. Buffardi and gang have been tossing this idea around long before the men/women in blue took over the conservative party. Never happen!

Quoted from Salvatore

well my sources tell me now that if the policemen dont keep the rightful control of the conservative party there will be a takeover by the sheriffs by mr. Buffardi in order to have the countywide policing that he desires. A prominant demo even wrote a ltter to the gazette today to float that idea to the people of the county. This will be the straw that breaks our backs as the taxpayers and worse for us over here in Rotterdam the sherriff patrol will be costing us millions but they will be over there in hamilton hill catching the bad guys and no police will be here in rotterdam to watch over us. all our boys in blue will be pulled into being sheriffs and then will be patrolling Crane street and Mt Pleasant and Hamiltyon hill. What does that do to help us over here? No more olice here to keep us safe, who do ya like that???? Happy now Miss Rinestone???

This is in the works and when our boys lose the control the demos will walk all over them and disolve them in the city and the towns. WHAT will Stevie T do to keep us safe? Mr T are you listening and will you fight to keep our police force alive over here???

Wow you got some great sources!!! ;D

Sal you appear to be either a disgruntled dem or a rep just trying to stir the pot. I choose to believe the latter since your posts are more 'accusing' as opposed to factual.

look I am a conservative and will always be. I go for the repubs 95% of the time and that is nothing to be ashamed off. Now this I must say- - I am a staunch supporter of the Rotterdam police and they are my friends. I used to be a big fan of Judy and am freinds with Dominic - he is a great man. But Judy turned coated and I will never support her anymore, even though she may think I do still support her. My name is not Salvatore in real life, OK. She and you don't know me. But indeed I do know much of what happens over there in the police department and this I can assure you that there is a takeover planned and if the SPD and RPD don't have the clout, the power to bring in the conservative line anymore, these brave young men are no longer of any use to the county demos under Savage and the bunch. They cant get the line for Judy D- they cant get the line for SueSavage, they cant get the line for Jeff Gordon and they cant get the line for Mike Finn, for Karen Johnson, for Phillip Fields etctera etcetera etcetera, and the only thing keeping the demos from pulling off the big movement to take out the SPD men and all the local forceas and putting all law keeping into the hands of Harry B is that there power of the conservative line. The foolish people in the city of schenectady dont want the SPD anymore, and the people in these here towns are asleep on the switch if you want to use the comparison. There is no accusations over here, so what do you mean stir the pot? Whats happening is a careful plan to dissolve the police departments and put the she-bang under HArry and supposedly save the millions BUT mostly important for the demos is not the money they will sopposedly save the tax payers BUT the patronage jobs. No more will the dozens of jobs be oing through Stevie T, the Scotia supervisor, the Nisky' supervisor, or Glenville or Duanesburg or even the mayor of the city, but now the jobs will go through who? Tell me WHO then hires, promotes, buys the cars, takes care of the program, and all that? Who is the wise man or lady over here that gives the right answer about the power and who carries that big stick? I will give free biscotti and espresso for a year over here to the one who figures it out. I am making no accusations. This is coming through my many police friends who are in THE KNOW, not the accusation. You need to do math here to figure how much this saves the people - 0 - and when it is done the taxes will go up again and the police will be driving the shiny black sherrif cars on Hamilton hill leaving us all on our own for the criminals who rule the streets to get us.

My 'internet apology' to you Sal. I did some asking around and I believe your assumptions are correct.

So what you are saying then is that as long as the conservs are run by the cops, the cops in turn give the conserv line to a dem, which in turn secures the cops to their respected town ships and the dem gets elected? Bottom line...don't pi** off the dems cause you'll reap their wrath?

look here, what use are teets on a bull or a skinny hog that you cant get bacon outta. These here policemen are fodder for the demos and if they cant be utilized as political livestock to control a party they have become the bull with teets and the hog with skin and bones. What is the sense of keepintg them when they can be schaffed. The demos need something oytr of them if they are gonna pay them. Otherwise theyt gotta be sacrificed and I got big news for the board - the only repubs left in the county are the ones in rotterdam and when the demos want Harry B to run all the cops do any of us here think Stevie T will be first in the line :to stand up and say WAIT A MINUTE I WANT TO PROCTECT THE POLICEMEN OF MY TOWN. no the demos will have Steve { one of the nicest men alive} to eat for the breakfast, and they will put sugar on him and roast him and all eat him up, wiping the slop off the faces. He wont have the gotz to strand tall he will say please study this first. OR something good anf nice, while Savage eats him for breakfast and the rest tear his arms and legs off while he looks confused. I know him and watch him hem and haw more and more and he is not up to mixing it up like Mr Farley does with these demos. Cant any of you see the channel 16 over there and see how they will steamroll him like Spitzer said. the other towns??? Well they are demos and they do exactly as commanded by Susie Savage and the rest. Rene can tell us what she will do but I dont think Princetown has a police force and if they do it is pretty small. So the battle will be fought here in this town and Steve and his lawyers wont be able to out - trick Savage and hers. The police will fall, 2 maybe 3 years gone. All becoming sheriffs and all patrolling over there on Mumford street and that. mark my words my friends. I fell sick already because so many of my friends will need to be kissing behinds of the demos far worse then before or ever.

Quoted from Salvatore

look here, what use are teets on a bull or a skinny hog that you cant get bacon outta. These here policemen are fodder for the demos and if they cant be utilized as political livestock to control a party they have become the bull with teets and the hog with skin and bones. What is the sense of keepintg them when they can be schaffed. The demos need something oytr of them if they are gonna pay them. Otherwise theyt gotta be sacrificed and I got big news for the board - the only repubs left in the county are the ones in rotterdam and when the demos want Harry B to run all the cops do any of us here think Stevie T will be first in the line :to stand up and say WAIT A MINUTE I WANT TO PROCTECT THE POLICEMEN OF MY TOWN. no the demos will have Steve { one of the nicest men alive} to eat for the breakfast, and they will put sugar on him and roast him and all eat him up, wiping the slop off the faces. He wont have the gotz to strand tall he will say please study this first. OR something good anf nice, while Savage eats him for breakfast and the rest tear his arms and legs off while he looks confused. I know him and watch him hem and haw more and more and he is not up to mixing it up like Mr Farley does with these demos. Cant any of you see the channel 16 over there and see how they will steamroll him like Spitzer said. the other towns??? Well they are demos and they do exactly as commanded by Susie Savage and the rest. Rene can tell us what she will do but I dont think Princetown has a police force and if they do it is pretty small. So the battle will be fought here in this town and Steve and his lawyers wont be able to out - trick Savage and hers. The police will fall, 2 maybe 3 years gone. All becoming sheriffs and all patrolling over there on Mumford street and that. mark my words my friends. I fell sick already because so many of my friends will need to be kissing behinds of the demos far worse then before or ever.

will not happen in this lifetime

bgage68, I could only hope your are correct. But talking to several people today, they actually said the same thing sal posted. Some were dems and some reps. The first time I even heard of these things was when sal posted it here. To be honest, I thought he/she was off his/her rocker a bit. (sorry sal) But there are people out there saying the same thing.

All I can say is that IF the dems gain total control of ALL our men in blue, we will clearly be living in a county that will be ruled by a complete communist dictatorship! The way I see it.....the cops were used as pawns and were duped by the dems. And you are correct, Steve is too nice of a guy and would be no match for them.

Allow me a moment to see if I can follow the (il)logic of this scenario.

By your account, if the Democrats continue to control the Conservative party line, they will not use their power to change the balance of authority and jurisdiction between the county Sheriff department and the law enforcement agencies of the local municipalities?  The Democrats currently have an 11-4 majority in the county legislature and could enact this plan today with ease.

If, however, according to you, the Democrats lose the control of the Conservative party, which you admit that they presently have, they will punish the police and put the law enforcement "consolidation plan" in action.

There are several problems that I have with all of this.

Sal, you are admittedly a supporter of the status quo in the Conservative party.

Second, the Conservative party is about a political ideology.  It is not a tool to be used by a special interest group to advance personal causes, but rather to promote conservative ideals in government.  The membership has been infiltrated in the past 2 to 3 years by outside forces who have used it to promote liberal Democratic candidates for office.  I was explicitly told by a long time and influential Conservative party committeeman during the May mixer that the Conservative Party supports those that the Executive Board believes will win the races, whether they are liberal or conservative, so that the party can obtain the support of the candidate and that the party can continue to exist.  To this I ask, to what meaningful end?  The existence of any party is unimportant if the mission of the party includes abandoning priniciples.

Finally, if the Conservative party is rightfully returned to those who possess the ideals of the conservatism, what leads you to believe that those Democrats who are threatening to take the actions that you discuss will be elected to office?  The Conservative party endorsement and the support of the party membership is often the deciding factor in elections.  Once control of the party committee and the Executive Board is returned to traditional conservatives, the endorsements will be awarded to those candidates of any party who possess conservative ideals and positions on the issues facing our county.  I will predict that this won't include the Democrats who you identified in your post.

Folks, don't be fooled by the smoke and mirror act and the fear tactics being employed by the advocates of the current regime.  As I stated long ago, I am a true Conservative with conservative positions on fiscal and social issues.  I am a member of the reform movement to retake control of my party.  You are aware of my work in fighting for conservative candidates and for demanding government transparency and accountability.  I have opined about wasteful government spending and oppressive government control since I joined this forum.

On August 9th, the party membership will have the opportunity to choose between those who have been endorsing liberal Democrats and those who will promote conservative principles.  Though I have known Sal's position since he first posted at this forum, I believe, from my discussions with members, that the majority of party members will support those who will restore conservatism to the party.

Poor Steve who is is the perreniall mister 'nice guy' will be nothing but an apetizer on a silver platter for Ms. Susie and that county lawyer. They sharpen the knives and drool like wolves at the thought of getting him and he doesnt even know it. Now what can be told is that without the leading of the conservative party our men in blue are also being served up since they will be of no use any longer to the leaders at the county who have tremendous power, and this will be sold over to the people of schene' as being a savings of millions and millions and immediate tax reductions and each and every town wil ljust pay the bill to the county for the police, but here is what happened my friends when the county designed the sherriff road patroller - they were suppoed to be driving through Delanson and Duanesburg and Princetown only yet they are really driving around in Rotterdam and Glenville and even in the city of Schen' [ which is the turf exclusively of SPD who are trained at their jobs] and they even went as far to pull over our OWN CHIEF of police in Rotterdam and tried to give him a ticket a few years ago too. This my dearest friends you will never read in papers or any other blogspot on the internet, but go out and ask around when you see one of our boys in blue. they will tell you how aggressive the demos have become in the hope of getting the policemen out of those jobs and into shefrriffs uniforms. Over here in Rotterdam we love our police and what they do to keep the crimnals down. Furthermore they are patrolling each street and know the beat, once they become county sherriffs they instantly go where Mr HArry B and his sup[ervisors tell them to go. Where do we all think that will be??? Come here people and fill in the blanks??? Where did the demos really get the votes and where didnt they? DO we think they will give the repub areas first dibs and best coverage - NOOOO - they will make sure central park, downtown and of course the famous Hamilton hill where th epeople vote 75% to 90% demo will be WELL loved, WELL protected and WELL covered. Over there in the county Ms Savage does things based merely on the politics, not like in counties where they serve the people. This lady serves demos only and herself and HER POWER. Mr Buffardi is no match, even if he WANTED to do right by people, they will drive him out and we will be forced with an evenr worse schen' county sherriff. We are doomed to see this in 2 or maybe 3 years over there. I am no demo, but my friends in the police will now face the the possiblity of be cut off at the pass. If the conservs stay as part of the police, therer is a high chance the my friend will be givern the under sheriff job at the end of his hitch in town here. This way the balance can be kept and the power shared and the apple cart will NOT be disturbed or tipped. Remember my frienfds not to tip the apple cart. I would like to think that a deal like this not be done in the long run and that the repubs will come back and take over the county gov' but HERE my friend is what will happen over there - NOTHING. The repubs will never beat Savge and her friends. Never. They may get a seat or maybe 2 but other than Ang who is a star, and the fighters Mr Farley and Joe S. I want each of you to look into the mirror and ask yourself what is the possiblity of the 3 of them doing anything amid the 11 demos and the other pesanovante Burmaster who is a sell out to the demos about 9 out of 10 times when they hold a vote over there. SO now I have to go since there are social plans, but enjoy your weekends and say your roasary huh? We dont need our police broken down and beaten by these liberal people over there in the county. We have to count on Ang and his few freinds, and I dont know if the big boys at the state {Jimmy and Georgie} will assist. It will be Ang, Mr Farley and Joe S all alone with a very quiet Stevie T and the rest hiding and being scared.

I just read the post mr L. I dont have the time to argue with you ver here and I dont want to since I like you and how you bust the stones of the metrolplex {crooks huh?} and respect you since you have prinicples. But later tonight when I get on the computer again I will write some more, my wife is yelling and you all know how that is so i gotta go

Sal,

My thoughts regarding the information are that if the scenario and arrangement that you describe are real, at what point does the Democratic control of the Conservative party end?  If the endorsements continue to be awarded to the Democrats, it will be a very short time before the Democratic party has absolute control and power of county and city government and that of the towns and villages.  Once a totalitarian state is established by the Democrats, what need will they have for the police or for the Conservative party?  If this arrangement exists as I believe you believe that it does, then it needs to be terminated before there is no way back.  To quote one of the wise posters on this forum, "Absolute power corrupts absolutely" (hope that I got that right)

Further, I would believe that the police unions have considerable power.  Would this consolidation plan not be challenged by them through the legal system?

One principle of Conservatism is that local control is favored over control by higher levels of government.  It should be the decision of the residents of the City of Schenectady and the towns if they wish to continue supporting their local police forces.

I look forward to your upcoming posts.

Ya'll are missing the point----IT IS WAY BIGGER THAN JUST SCHENECTADY.......Patriot Act/Homeland Security/RealID........look out further........the 'parties' truly dont matter.....it's the ending that matters.....we all know that folks change parties based on what??---

those who control the money control the masses
those who control the guns control the masses

and---last but not least----everyone likes power and control.........so tell me---WHO IS IN CHARGE??????

I gotta say----s@#$ rolls downhill.........

Well, I agree with Brad on all counts. And might I add that what the cops sold their soul for a few years ago, will happen eventually anyway. Schenectady County may end up having ONE police force under the authority of the Sheriff's dept.. Never make a deal with the devil! :(

I don't know if my memory serves me right here, but 'I think' that back when there was the police commissioner fiasco in Rotterdam, there was mention of consolidation in the air then. Actually John Mertz mentioned 'consolidation' at a few town board meetings. So I believe he already had the foresight. And that perhaps was the driving force the newly proposed police commissioner, John Mertz, was trying to prevent in the future. John Mertz would have played a key role in keeping the RPD solid and sovereign from consolidation with the rest of the county. And they should have let that happen,cause it appears that Mertz is the only one on that board with a 'set'! He would NEVER let the RPD get eaten up by the city without one hell of a fight! Again, I could be having a confused memory loss here! :)

True conservatives must take the party back and stop playing politics. It is time to indorse REAL conservs that have the true conservative ideology. It IS time for a change!

Sal,

I believe that the taking back of the conservative party by the ideologues will actually serve as a beachhead for a republican/conservative movement within the county.  As long as the right person is steering the party. (I don't know if Rhinesmith is that person)

If your dooms day senerio is correct, and the consolidation happens.  Do you actually believe the bulk of the police patrols will take place within the city limits, serving to the current majority's democrat constituency, leaving the surrounding towns thin on coverage?  I believe if that were to happen, the residents of those townships with lack of coverage would react by voting republican/conservative representatives to the county legislator, making sure they were properly represented.

People are acting as if this is all happening in a vacuum.  There will be many elections cycles in Schenectady County over the next few years, with opportunities to change the current balance of power of the County legislator and also the Townships within the County. And if police services to surrounding towns were compromised because of consolidation, there would be an instant knee jerk reaction to vote those who hold the majority out of office.

Pandering to police departments while the rest of the County falls down around us isn't the smartest approach to solving the many problems we face either.  It seems pretty short sighted if you ask me.

If your dooms day scenario does come to fruition.  We can  consider it 'the shot heard round the world' and the start of a political revolution in Schenectady County.

Cicero sir, you said something about the people revolting an d voting in the conserv/repubs because they would be mad at the demos over the police coverage and patrolling of just city limits, well sir this is the fact - the repubs will never be able to win any more seats in the county other than maybe the 4 or the 5 in total they have, break it down over here with me. first I did my math and saw what is happening next year and it is I think 5 demo in - office now people which we might call the incumbents. These would be Savage, Gordon and probably Finn since they are running a no name meds a meds against Mike Finn and who evem knows the gents name? Then we have the former mayor of the shining city of Schenec' Johnson and last but most formidable Judy Dag. All of them are shoo-ins at any rate and then the repubs have 1 incumbant who is Joe S and I think he is become very beatable since no one knows him, he isn't Italian and after the lawsuit the MaL_ozi's have him on the ropes. All the demos need to say is JOE S LIED ABOUT THE NICE MAL_OZI GIRL AND SMEARED HER WITH MUD SO BAD SHE HAD TO SUE HIM plus the Schenectady Chemicals fiasco with teh pilot program and free taxes Joe S arranged through the ida and who will the demos run with Joe S?? Bill sherman who is taking pork from Tedisco? CMON! That is 2 demos seats plus the other seats so then the demos will end up with 12 seats if my math is then right. Now you have Mr. Farley WHO WONT BE BEAT EVER and James Burmaster {talk about meds a meds} and ANGELO WHO THE DEMOS CAN NEVER BEAT, EVER. So we have 2 and a 1/2 repubs left next year and that is th eend of the repubs and when Mr Farley goes to replace his elder Farley in the NY senate then we have one and one half repubs so fuggedabouddit!!!! HAHA the repubs are sunk sad to say, for eternal years. S o we need some help and that help is the police force and men in blue

In the short run, you may be correct.  But if the Conservatives and the Republicans would get their heads out of their asses and mount a campaign, outlining the impact that a consolidation would have on the local municipalities in Schenectady County, maybe,,,,,,, just maybe, they could win seats based on the common ideology both Republicans and Conservatives have, which is smaller government.(I'm not so sure about Republicans).  And another thing......Nobody's ousting the police from the party, just trying to take it into a new direction.  The current party leaders are welcome to work with the party.  Using the party to change county politics, not just the preservation of townie police.

I'm not sure I understand your logic of allowing the Conservative Party to be manipulated by Democrats, and having the Conservative party line endorse Democrats, increases the chances of Republicans getting elected. :-/  Please explain to me how the current Conservative Party endorsing Democrats helps Republican or Conservative candidates?  It doesn't......It only helps those who currently control the party.  The police!

The difference I see between local Democrats and local Republicans is, Republicans are happy to preserve their little piece of the political pie, while the Democrats aren't satisfied until they get the whole pie.

th conservatives are never manipulated by the demos they just wheel n' deal with them so that if they give a few endorsements then the demos won't steam roll the police forces under. And the republicans are never gonna win noting overe here in the county what is so hard to capice? So giving them the line wont matter since the police will vote demos, the unions vote demo and the bsuinesses also vote demo around these here parts. After next year the repubs will be down to 2 and a 1/2 votes to count on and yes it is sad but impossible to reverse indeed. We need the conservatives to be strong and have a few bargaining chips which if the policemen have the control then they will get some good concessions from the demos. There wont be repubs winning except maybe here in rotterdam where they have the numbers on the board but even over here - lets face the truth - Stevie T is over his head as honest and good hearted the man is, he will be mangied by the demos when they get the goiod candidate. Here ia a man who facing the demos with an endless bank- roll has never to my knowledge ever ever had a fund - raiser while he was the superv. He has no idea ho to win if it werent for the irishman Buchanan who is a murderer un,like most the repubs. Ang was the best but most have flaws much bigger and need a tough SOB like Buchanan the chaiman. He is like Richard Cheney who is fighting for Bush since Bush never fights for himself. Remember that last election when Cheney was the hatchet man - well this is Buchanan for Stevie, but one day Stevie will be all alone and have no one to fight his battles for him. This is not my main point, which is that over here in this county the demos are shoe-ins 100 per-cent. first Suhrada goes down hard then they go after Burmaster who will get crushed the next time since he is so mushaad and spineless. no real conservs' will voite for him since he is a half republican. No one even will want to run with the repubs after the way they lose. just forget it. Now dont get me wrong I will vote for Suhrada and Sherman but lets admit they will lose without the police and fire backing them plus the lawsuit hanging on them, shermans pork patronage job, suhrada not being at the events, and all of that. No hope for us.

Ya know, I was just thinking....the city government practically runs the gazette. The gazette will NOT print anything the city government doesn't want in print. YET..they continue to allow the gazette to print every little detail about the SPD. And everything is negative. Perhaps paving the way for consolidation. Stratton who ultimately is in charge of the SPD and is paid by the taxpayers to take charge and he just let them do as they pleased. So what does Stratton do....he pisses and moans on how bad the SPD is and that he can no longer handle them and hires Wayne Bennett, at the taxpayers expense, to straighten out the department. In all do respect to Mr. Bennett, crime is still dominating the gazette with no resolve. The city never takes responsibility for 'inviting' in the lowlifes who make a career off our taxpaid welfare system. Instead the blame is clearly placed on the SPD!!

Now we all know that the SPD does not have a pearly white record, but the crime in the city is almost impossible to contain. I heard from some folks who went to that summer night thing Friday night that was down town. I asked if any undesirables were present. They said some where but there were cops everywhere. So ya see...that is what the city has to do in order to protect the people. THE PLACE IS NOT SAFE!!!

This whole conversation is just smoke up our butts......there is ALOT more going on than we have drawn the web to.....

Quoted from Salvatore

th conservatives are never manipulated by the demos they just wheel n' deal with them so that if they give a few endorsements then the demos won't steam roll the police forces under. And the republicans are never gonna win noting overe here in the county what is so hard to capice? So giving them the line wont matter since the police will vote demos, the unions vote demo and the bsuinesses also vote demo around these here parts.

They're not manipulated?  The only wheeln and dealin I've seen in recent memory  are the Conservatives dealing with Democrats who threaten consolidation. Or bashing Rotterdam Republicans,(the only Rep. town board in the County) on behalf of Democrat Cooke in the last election. Also serving as a personal vendetta for the Police Commission.  Which failed I might add. The Democrats/Conservatives hammered Tommasone during the Rotterdam Supervisors race with flyer after flyer, questioning his handling of the police department.  It's like the Conservative are trying to snuff out any Republican representation in the County.  The rest of the Republicans who hold elected office in Schenectady County should worry about this current Conservative Party turning their sights on them.

The police are just positioning themselves in a win-win situation.  So if the County does consolidate,  the current Conservative Party leaders will be in favorable standing with those who hold the current majority in the County, and will receive appointments to high positions within the County Sheriffs Department for the deals they made.  All the while, holding the same threats over local town leaders, to ensure themselves fat contracts, by scaring the residents with threats of consolidation. And the compromised service under consolidation.

most of ranking file men in blue like repubs but many I admit are mad at the repubs for the commission and also for the irish-man Buchanan driving Judy D out and trying to keep the money that was hers and her families from the republican club. A few of them feel she was cheated on that deal, but I d ont agree since I think she should have stayed a republican and leaving was her choice too. Over there in the republican club those older folks had worked for years on the clam steams and such and some could have gotten the money {a little taste to wet the beak} but most should have gone into the partys' cofers. But this here is another conversation indeed - I think you are being tough on the police and dont give them enough creidit since they see whats going on but need to protect their families and keep the jobs so they had to do what Savage and the lawyer Gardner told them to do. They HAD TO DO IT or they face not being able to feel the children. MAybe we all agree not to agree on this here issue? I dont think you all want to here what I am bringing you from the inside of things but I am trying to show that the men in blue put the lives on the line and keep us safe so a little bit of political clout and a bargaining cjip is in orderfor these gents{and ladies to, no?} If they lose which I dont think they will since they are up against people that arent awares of the power they are against - then they lose and it may end up being a ver y veru very bad thing for us town residents here in rotterdam , never mind the rest of the county. But the gazette paper, the mayor in the city and savage would like to get the police dissolved. Look at the story in the paper about the firey crash where the offficer was almost killed by the criminals, the paper there had only to remark on the swear words and the threats they imposed on the criminals as if they was angels driving the cars. The police were the bad ones when you ended the story this is due to the gazette writers over there not respecting the men in blue or haveing an idea of how bad the criminals have gotten and how they ran out of control. Why dont know but maybe they all came from the good homes and never saw crime or how bad things really are in the Hamilton hill area or what. They just dont understand the work the men in blue do to keep us safe. I hope you all do over here. Plus I will say the last thing that is keeping the conservatives in a pickle between the demos and repubs - and that is the issue of the little league fields. Now tell me where oh where shall the kids play ball next year if teh conservatives dont have the line to give Judy and the rest next year. The county never will protect the kids if they indeed doint get the conservative line, and as bad as you all here think that is, it is not the childrens fault that adults make politics out of life.

I agree that being a police officer is a dirt job, yet respectable......however, way pass this county are forces moving.....dont think it exists in a vacuum......we will be very surpised when those who are circling for their positions of power, prestige and $$ land.......

Sal, if you used some punctuation's and some paragraphs, perhaps I could have understood 'something' in your last post. You really ought to start using comas and periods....please.

I am usually in a rush with things and , yes I am very sorry Bumblethrough. I will try to take my time but I usually have some things to do around the house and my wife catches me on the computer and starts to give me just a little bit of grief that I am not doing some things more useful, in her mind, anyway. I whole- heartedly promise to take more time and give better attention to the typing over here. I am sorry my freind.

Could someone please give Salvatore a clue.

I have asked around and there seems to be people out there that say the same thing. Perhaps not with quite the spin that sal puts on it, but none the less, on the same idea.

Quoted from Salvatore

I am usually in a rush with things and , yes I am very sorry Bumblethrough. I will try to take my time but I usually have some things to do around the house and my wife catches me on the computer and starts to give me just a little bit of grief that I am not doing some things more useful, in her mind, anyway. I whole- heartedly promise to take more time and give better attention to the typing over here. I am sorry my freind.

Sal---dont blame your wife for your lack of punctuation......

Quoted from senders

Sal---dont blame your wife for your lack of punctuation......

thank you senders......well said!!!

OK you people are right, and you make good point and, I thank you for pointing it out. But I usually am in a rush, indeed, people.

Well between the reformed conservative party and the working family party changing...perhaps this will be the PERFECT STORM for the dem's, huh?

Bumble we can only hope.

So if this 'reform' of the conservative party does happen, who will head the local party? Cause I'm sure Randy would be voted out!

Randy is a good man but has an obviuos conflict of interest over here with this lil' league park deal that the demos promised him and yes, I do admit my friends that this here is a problem so I would indeed tell them when the y re-organise this good organisation to NOT LET RANDY run the entire things again, and perhaps to give it self the credibilty it should deserve in this sense, to have either Jimmy or Bobby actually take over this running of the party itself. Otherewise a bone could be picked over here about it and whatever is said here or else where there may be wronged parties and some will think it is a conspiracy - to which I say it is just fair politics in and of itself to be had between the demos and the lead conservatives, nothing more then business dealings. The lil' league thing takes it to far and over here some might say opens it up to legal scrutiny in some ways or, at least the possiblity that the repubs, and some of the leaders of the repubs could make a beef here. I want it to not get to greedy in that sense, just protect the police and watch one eye open for taxpayers.

Sal,,,please punctuate......between sentences......anyhow, I agree with what you posted above.....mixed up is mixed up....and we all know how the 'gene pool' works in Schenectady......

I don't think it will ever be viewed as a conspiracy. It appears to be just a group of real conservatives who want the local conservative party to regain it's ideology of true conservatism.

no no my friends I am so sorry. I meant the giving of the Lil' league fields over to Randy P. and his lil' league as an award for the endorsements of the conservative party indeed, to the demos. Did I clear myself up over here?

You have always been clear.....after wading through the vowels and consonents without punctuation...... :)

Conservative Party leadership battle headed to court

By Michael Lamendola (Contact)
Gazette Reporter

http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2008/jul/29/0729_conservatives/

http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2008/jul/29/0729_conservatives/

Quoted Text

Conservative Party leadership battle headed to court
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
By Michael Lamendola (Contact)
Gazette Reporter

SCHENECTADY — The next round in the battle to control the Schenectady County Conservative Party is headed to state Supreme Court Thursday.
Judge Vincent J. Reilly Jr. is scheduled to review 22 challenges to designating petitions for 44 committee positions within the party.
A grass-roots group of Conservatives, who label themselves as reformists, filed the objections as part of efforts to oust the party’s current leadership in the Sept. 9 primary. The so-called reformists filed petitions for committee seats in 126 election districts, while the current leadership filed petitions in 118 districts. Each of the county's 128 election districts has two representatives.
The county Board of Elections had earlier thrown out seven petitions based on challenges filed by the reformists, leaving the current leadership with 111 petitions prior to Reilly’s review.
The faction is also challenging the party’s certificate of authorization over its endorsement of candidates, which include several Democrats seeking office in Schenectady County. If Reilly rules in favor of the faction, these candidates will lose the Conservative Party line.
Longtime political activist and Conservative Kelly Rhinesmith, speaking on behalf of the reformists, said they would oust the party’s current executive board if successful in obtaining a majority of committee seats.
“You can’t leave part of the old regime behind. That is like leaving behind a cancerous growth,” Rhinesmith said.
Rhinesmith said the reformers are seeking to return the party to its conservative roots. Rhinesmith said a reconstituted county Conservative Party would endorse “true conservatives. We don’t care if they are Republican, Democrat or otherwise.”
She said the current leadership is controlled by county Democrats, leading the party to often endorse liberal candidates.
“We should not have to primary every year to put conservatives on that line,” she said.
Schenectady County Democratic Committee Chairman Brian Quail denied his party controls the local Conservative Party.
“As proof, two-thirds of the people they endorsed were Republicans this year,” he said.

so there as I said, the police will prevail, this is a No brainer indeed since the judge wont hear the nonsense of K Rhinesmith, the rhinestone cowgirl. Even the board of the elections took out the phoney troublemakers who want to take the police down a peg, which was correct to do.

Sal, I believe that you need to read English a bit better than you do. As I read and understand it, the article below says it all. That is the reason for the reform (not take over) of the conservative party. It seems that you are the only one mentioning the police.

Quoted Text

the current leadership is controlled by county Democrats, leading the party to often endorse liberal candidates.

And this Rhinesmith appears to be just the spokesperson.

It's not just the police---it has to do with power and unions.......if they win then they ALL win.....power and money, power and money, power and money......The vultures are circling for position on the carcass of personal liberty after homeland security spreads it's message and folks get 'knighted'.......

Yes, Kelly Rhinesmith represents many of us traditional conservatives who are running for the Conservative Party Committee to reform the party leadership and to leverage the power of the ballot line to endorse and elect candidates with conservative ideology.

And, Salvatore, you apparently have misread what was reported by the Daily Gazette.

Quoted Text

The county Board of Elections had earlier thrown out seven petitions based on challenges filed by the reformists, leaving the current leadership with 111 petitions prior to Reilly’s review.

This is reporting that seven of the petitions that were submitted from the current party leadership were challenged by the reform candidates, led by Ms. Rhinesmith. The Board of Elections disqualified the petitions, not the objections, for just cause. The court case scheduled for Thursday is to rule on 22 additional petitions that were submitted by the current party leadership and objected to by the reform candidates due to cited irregularities and alleged violations of election law.

The Schenectady County Conservative Party Executive Board will soon be comprised of true conservatives who will place ideology before political favor. I endorse Ms. Rhinesmith's actions and will work to support the retaking of the Conservative party from those who have betrayed the party membership by endorsing liberal Democrats for public office.

Change is coming ...

By the way, Brian McGarry and I are running for the Schenectady County Conservative Party Committee in Rotterdam Election District 18. If you are a registered Conservative living in that district, we would be honored by your support.

well that judge who is a man of law and order wont let the county go down the tubes at the hands of the rhinestone cowgirl, he has to have some smarts to be a judge, right? He will know where his bread id buttered since the police are the ones keeping the criminals under control in his courtroom. How can you people be against the police? We need to support the police! And worse yet, when the police keep the power they wont endorse a single repub like Angelo S, who we NEED in there! Not after this repub attempt to take them over!

Quoted Text

Quoted from Salvatore:
well that judge who is a man of law and order wont let the county go down the tubes at the hands of the rhinestone cowgirl, he has to have some smarts to be a judge, right? He will know where his bread id buttered since the police are the ones keeping the criminals under control in his courtroom. How can you people be against the police? We need to support the police! And worse yet, when the police keep the power they wont endorse a single repub like Angelo S, who we NEED in there! Not after this repub attempt to take them over!

Sal,

You make many assertions in your post, none of which are valid. Your bias is clear and has been consistent since your first post in this thread. The statements that you make sound like they come from the Democratic party handbook.

Believe what you will. The members of the party will decide who they want on the committee on Primary Day, September 9th.

http://www.dailygazette.com

Quoted Text

SCHENECTADY COUNTY
Battle for control of Conservative Party heating up
Petition challenges going to court
BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter
Reach Gazette reporter Michael Lamendola at 395-3114 or lamend@dailygazette.com.

    The next round in the battle to control the Schenectady County Conservative Party is headed to state Supreme Court on Thursday.
    Judge Vincent J. Reilly Jr. is scheduled to review 22 challenges to designating petitions for 44 committee positions within the party.
    A grassroots group of Conservatives, who label themselves as reformists, filed the objections as part of efforts to oust the party’s current leadership in the Sept. 9 primary. The reformists filed petitions for committee seats in 126 election districts, while the current leadership filed petitions for 118 districts. Each district has two representatives. There are 128 election districts in the county.
    The Schenectady County Board of Elections had earlier thrown out seven other petitions based on challenges filed by the reformists, leaving the current leadership with a total of 111 petitions prior to Reilly’s review.
    An objection won by the faction means no primary in that election district.
    The faction is also challenging the party’s certificate of authorization over its endorsement of candidates, which include several Democrats seeking office in the county. If Reilly rules in favor of the faction, these candidates will lose the Conservative Party line.
    Longtime political activist and Conservative Kelly Rhinesmith, speaking on behalf of the challengers, said they would oust the party’s current executive board if successful in obtaining a majority of committee seats.
    The board consists, in part, of Randy Pascarella, David F. Battaglia, Michael Della Rocco Jr., Peter Rakvica, Mark LaViolette and Robert Hamilton, who is president of the Schenectady Police Department’s union.
    “You can’t leave part of the old regime behind. That is like leaving behind a cancerous growth,” Rhinesmith said.
    Rhinesmith said the reformers are seeking to return the party to its Conservative roots. Rhinesmith said a reconstituted county Conservative Party would endorse “true Conservatives. We don’t care if they’re Republican, Democrat or otherwise. If they are Conservative Democrats, we will talk to them all day long.”
    She said the current leadership is controlled by the county Democrats, and the Conservative Party has often endorsed liberal candidates for office. “We should not have to primary every year to put conservatives on that line,” she said.
    As proof, Rhinesmith said, Democrats have carried Conservative petitions for the party’s committee seats as well as for Democrats endorsed by the Conservative Party.
    Schenectady County Democratic Committee Chairman Brian Quail denied his party runs the local Conservative Party.
    “We don’t control it. As proof, two-thirds of the people they endorsed were Republicans this year,” he said.
    Quail said Democrats have traditionally carried Conservative Party petitions “where we received endorsements while we were circulating sheets for our own candidates. It is purely a courtesy we extended in the past.”
    In fact, the Schenectady County Attorney’s Office, headed by Chris Gardner, is recusing itself from representing the county Board of Elections before Reilly on Thursday, citing a conflict of interest. The reason: Many of the attorneys in the office carried some of the petitions under challenge.
    Quail said Republicans, when they controlled the county Legislature, ran into similar conflicts of interest. He added that county employees have a First Amendment right to participate in political activities outside the workplace.
    Pascarella, in turn, said Republicans are working with the reformers to take over the party. “Do your homework and it’s clear,” he said.
    Rhinesmith said Pascarella’s allegation is a disservice to the people who worked hard to challenge the current leadership through the ballot box.
    Quail agreed with Pascarella’s allegation that Republicans are trying to take over the local Conservative Party.
    “They are not satisfied with an independent Conservative committee. They want control. They want a Conservative Party that is lockstep with the Republican Party,” Quail said.
    Schenectady County Republican Committee Chairman Tom Buchanan said his party is not behind the reformers but agrees with their efforts.
    “It is refreshing to know real Conservatives are taking their party back, and I wish them all the luck in the world,” he said. “Finally, this will be the end of the unholy alliance between the liberal Democrats and the current union boss leadership of the so-called Conservative Party.”

I can say for an absolute fact that neither the democrats nor the republicans have taken any part in this reform of the conservative party. There have been only dedicated, true conservatives who have financed and worked hard to obtain these petitions to reform the party. There has never been any involvement from any party from the beginning of this reform to the present time. The credit goes to these conservatives themselves.

Joann:

That is very refreshing to hear. When I was reading in the paper about all of the efforts of Kelly Rhinesmith, I was a little skeptical that it could possibly be her that hired the attorney and spent thousands of dollars to fight these so-called liberals disguised as conservatives.... I am sure that you did careful research to come to your conclusion that this effort was not orchestrated by Tedisco, Buchanan, Parisi and Santabarbara because they were unhappy that every republican was not endorsed in Schenectady county. I am certain that you spent some time reviewing the list of new enrollees to the conservative party and looked at who circulated petitions, etc. Again, it is refreshing to know that as a moderator to this site and someone with such an unbiased opinion came to the conclusion that this effort is not merely the republicans trying to get control of the conservative party.

Thanks again for all of your research and unbiased opinion Joann. You are truly an asset to the taxpayers of the town of Rotterdam

Quoted from papanetta67

Joann:

these so-called liberals disguised as conservatives....

I don't recall anybody claiming the current Conservative leadership as liberal, but rather cops, firefighters, and municipal union reps, who are giving away the Conservative Party endorsement to candidates who can benefit themselves personally. Rather than endorsing candidates who hold some conservative values, as most of those who register conservative expect. Those who currently control the party, their lively hood and financial prosperity depends on the municipal contracts which are negotiated between elected officials and union leader. If the current Conservative Party leadership endorses candidate who they believe can win, they will in turn, use the Conservative Party line as a bargaining chip when municipal contracts are being negotiated around Schenectady County.

For example.....Steve Tommasone runs for Town Supervisor in 2005, and receives the Conservative Party endorsement. Police Commission is formed in 2006. Cops get pissed off. Steve Tommasone runs for re-election in 2007, the Conservative line goes to his opponent, and cops, Conservatives and Democrats run a smear campaign against Tommasone. That's the power the police currently hold, while they still control the Conservative Party.

yeah well now Miss Rhinestone will NEVER let Stevie get the line over there

So if I understand this correctly- the union officials from the Schenectady PBA have control of the Conservative Party and they are using all of this clout to help themselves prosper and to get extravagent contracts.  I thought they went to arbitration and have been without a contract for years and they endorsed whoever ran against Stratton...  It doesen't seem to me that they are benefitting by supporting all of the Republicans they endorsed in a city/county that is completely controlled by democrats...

Lets say all of the Schenectady firefighters and their families were enrolled in the Independence party and Republican town board members tried to get their endorsement by providing several of them jobs in the town- is that the kind of thing you are referring to???  Or lets say the Town Board members try to "benefit personally" by  creating a job for the former head of the Conservative Party- Paul Brown within the town- say as a Building Inspector--- is that the kind of thing you are saying could happen if real Conservatives like Buchannan, Tedisco, Santabarbara and Parisi dont get control of the Conservative Party?

I know what Joann said above- but I heard that Parisi was serving subpoenas for the whole attempt at taking over the Conservative party and that the Republicans spent thousands on an attorney to file all sorts of objections,etc to help their good friend Kelly....

Joann- if you reallydont kno it by now-  ask Parisi yourself or if you realy feel ambitious- at least take the time to do a little homework on the issue.  Yea, there may be a few people who call themselves Conservatives working on "taking back the party", but in reality it is the Republican party getting in bed with Kelly and a few others in an attempt to control the conservative party.  Kelly- do you really think Tom is going to allow you to decide which candidates get endorsed???   You have a very short memory.

Quoted from papanetta67

So if I understand this correctly- the union officials from the Schenectady PBA have control of the Conservative Party and they are using all of this clout to help themselves prosper and to get extravagent contracts. I thought they went to arbitration and have been without a contract for years and they endorsed whoever ran against Stratton... It doesen't seem to me that they are benefitting by supporting all of the Republicans they endorsed in a city/county that is completely controlled by democrats...

Well,,,,,, if memory serves me correctly. In 07', Stratton said he would refuse a Conservative Party endorsement because it was nothing more than a proxy for the police union. The Conservative Party leadership then made a statement that they weren't going to endorse him anyhow. That election, Stratton was running on cleaning up the police department, and he didn't want to compromise that with the perception of being in bed with Hamilton and the Conservative Party.

Quoted Text

In fact, the Schenectady County Attorney’s Office, headed by Chris Gardner, is recusing itself from representing the county Board of Elections before Reilly on Thursday, citing a conflict of interest. The reason: Many of the attorneys in the office carried some of the petitions under challenge.

There should be no doubt that the Democrats control the present Executive Board of the Conservative Party.  As the Gazette reported,
the attorneys who work in the Schenectady County Attorney's Office under County Attorney Chris Gardner, a Democrat and I believe former Democratic party chair in Niskayuna, carried Designating Petitions for the Conservative Party Committeee candidates that they support.  Were any signatures collected by county employees during business hours and at the county taxpayer expense?  Did Mr. Gardner himself carry these petitions?

Allow me to share a personal account regarding my experience when I attended the Conservative Party mixer in May.  In a discussion with one of the Executive Board members, I explained, when asked about my identity and purpose for being there, that I wanted to become involved to advance the party ideology and to see that candidates with conservative principles receive the party endorsement.  I opined that candidates who I assess to be liberal on fiscal and/or social issues have been receiving the Conservative party endorsement.  I expressed my amazement that several candidates in recent elections received the endorsements of both the Conservative party and the Working Families Party, despite the diametrically opposed ideologies of these two parties.

I was lectured (in a condescending manner) by this individual and informed that if I wanted to be accepted and "go anywhere in the party" that I had to stand behind the party and support the endorsed candidates.  He then proudly admitted that the party does endorse liberals because the endorsements are made based on a calculation of who will likely win the office, not based on ideology and conservative positions on issues.  I was told that the Schenectady County Conservative Party must endorse the "winners" so that the party can, in return, receive the support of these individuals and so that the party can continue to exist.  To this, I asked "to what end?".  If the party endorses liberal candidates who win office and support the Conservative party so that it can continue to exist and support liberal candidates, how does that advance the cause?

The party leadership must be replaced.  Change is coming ...

they are all lining up for their 'knighting'.....greed, power, greed, power, money, greed, power, greed, power, money.........those who control the guns and money control the masses......

This is way beyond parties----THEY ALL SLEEP TOGETHER, EAT TOGETHER AND RUB ELBOWS TOGETHER......dont worry the 'center' of the universe will be reopening soon.....and the sheeple mooooooove along.......

Quoted from CICERO

Well,,,,,, if memory serves me correctly. In 07', Stratton said he would refuse a Conservative Party endorsement because it was nothing more than a proxy for the police union. The Conservative Party leadership then made a statement that they weren't going to endorse him anyhow. That election, Stratton was running on cleaning up the police department, and he didn't want to compromise that with the perception of being in bed with Hamilton and the Conservative Party.

That's a great spin. Truth is that Stratton knew that he wasn't going to be endorsed by the Conservatives, so he made the statement that he wouldn't accept th endorsement.

Bottom line is that this is nothing more than a few family members/ friends of Republicans hooking up with Kelly and Brad to have Republicans control the Conservative Party. Not all Republicans subscribe to that conservative ideology you speak of. If they did, we wouldn't be in the financial crisis we are in now.

I dont think Angelo S. is involved in this here business, since he had the conservative line when he ran. I dont think he is against the good men in blue having there involvement and right to vote taken away. I think that we should let the party be free of outside influence since I am a member of this here party myself. I am a conserv and usually vote repub, except for Dawnie and Eunice and once I voted for Mikey Kirvin as well, plus McNulty. So being a conserv who votes mostly rebub {unless the repub is liberal or for abortions and against the death penalty for killing cops or something no good} I say to yo all - let the conservs be the conservs. I like the officers and know they need a place in the system. I saw what The rhinestone cowgirl did to Joey Signore, and Stevie T and others and didn't like her behavior indeed. She will make the conserv party look like a bunch of chooches! No good!

From what I am reading here, Kelly Rhinesmith seems to be an issue. And that is unfortunate since it appears that there are many more average 'joe' citizens that would just like to see the conservative party go back to it's original ideology. If in fact it is true that Rhinesmith would not be good for the conservative party, then the real conservs can vote her out from the committee, right?

Quoted Text

Quoted from papanetta67:
... Not all Republicans subscribe to that conservative ideology you speak of. If they did, we wouldn't be in the financial crisis we are in now.

I agree with your statement that not all of the Republicans who hold office are conservative on fiscal and social issues.

You are no doubt aware of my opposition to the mission, practices and decisions of the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority as I do not see a significant and meaningful return on the expenditure of public (tax) revenues in terms of increased sales tax revenues or the creation of high paying and permanent career jobs that will boost the standard of living of county residents.  Approximately ten years ago, the Metroplex was created by legislation written and promoted by Republicans.

My preference would be to withhold an endorsement of a candidate in a race if there is no conservative running or, preferably, to run a registered Conservative for the office.

I have been upfront and candid about my political beliefs and my motivation for joining the ranks of those who wish to return the Conservative party to those with traditional conservative values.  I prefer smaller, less costly, and less intrusive government.   If I am elected to the committee, I will support those candidates who will work to reduce the cost of government.  I will also work to ensure that the party is not run or controlled by either of the major parties or by special interest groups.  I believe that those who are running on the slate of traditionalist candidates and who I know share my goals and beliefs.

Quoted Text

Quoted from Salvatore:
I dont think Angelo S. is involved in this here business, since he had the conservative line when he ran. I dont think he is against the good men in blue having there involvement and right to vote taken away. I think that we should let the party be free of outside influence since I am a member of this here party myself. I am a conserv and usually vote repub, except for Dawnie and Eunice and once I voted for Mikey Kirvin as well, plus McNulty. So being a conserv who votes mostly rebub {unless the repub is liberal or for abortions and against the death penalty for killing cops or something no good} I say to yo all - let the conservs be the conservs. I like the officers and know they need a place in the system. I saw what The rhinestone cowgirl did to Joey Signore, and Stevie T and others and didn't like her behavior indeed. She will make the conserv party look like a bunch of chooches! No good!

Sal,

Your posts indicate that you are not well informed.

First, Legislator Angelo Santabarbara was not endorsed by the present Executive Board of the Conservative party.  Nor was incumbant Legislator Carolina Lazzari.  Both filed Opportunity to Ballot forms and waged a difficult write-in candidacy to win the party endorsement.  Angelo who was aided by several of us traditional conservatives was successful.  Carolina, also assisted by us, unfortunately was not.  The Conservative party had endorsed Jasenski and Godlewski.  So, explain to me why Angelo was NOT endorsed by the current leadership.  BTW, since I met Carolina and Angelo nearly a year ago, I have learned much about them and their political views.  I am honored to call them my friends.  In my opinion, they both have more class and principle and care more about the residents of Schenectady county than most in the majority party who currently serve on the County Legislature.

Your statement about the party being influenced by "outsiders" is inaccurate and personally offensive.  I have been a registered Conservative party member since 1978 when I became of age to vote.  Does that make me LESS of a insider than the present party Chair (Pascarella) who changed his enrollment only a few years ago when he was recruited to be the Chair?  And, tell my Sal, how many years have you been registered as a member of MY Conservative party?  Did you change your enrollment several years ago with the wave of those who support the current "regime"?

Finally, as I have posted many times, the traditional Conservatives support the police and understand the importance of public safety.  We don't, however, believe that the interests of the union should be placed ahead of promoting the party ideology.  We don't like our party endorsements being awarded to liberal Democrats.

There are Schenectady police who are supportive of the slate of traditional Conservatives and several who collected signatures on Designating Petitions for them.  Other, police and Sheriff deputies expressed their support by signing these petitions.

Quoted from papanetta67

That's a great spin. Truth is that Stratton knew that he wasn't going to be endorsed by the Conservatives, so he made the statement that he wouldn't accept th endorsement.

http://www.elections.state.ny.us:8080/reports/rwservlet?cmdkey=efs_sch_report+p_filer_id=C19828+p_e_year=2006+p_freport_id=K+p_transaction_code=F

Gee that's funny... In 2006 the Schenectady County Conservative Party contributed $200 to Friends of Stratton in April of 06'. If the Conservative Party wasn't going to endorse him, then why the donations? Maybe it was because of Stratton's public position of cleaning up the police department, those Conservative leaders had a change of heart. Stratton wasn't toeing the line for the boys in blue, because he knew he didn't need the endorsement to win the election. So naturally the Conservative Party leadership is going to come out and say they weren't going to endorse Stratton to begin with. They have to maintain that perception of relevance.

The fact is........Stratton didn't need the COPservative line to win and neither did Tommasone.

well some of my friends wanted me to join over there. They are men in blue and they are friends who keep the street safe. i will do what I need to if I want to keep my town good and clean and keep sthe criminals down. I was always a conserv in my heart and voted for Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush, Dole and Bush. On local levels I voted for a few demos but they werent the liberal types. You know like Dawnie and Eunice. Harry a few times and Salerno and going back I indeed voted for Johnny Kirvin several times too. So I AM INDEED A CONSERVATIVE I was once enrolled in right to life and once I was democrat way back before when I turned 21 years old and was old enough to vote.

Looking at the stock market(we all have pensions/401k etc) in it and the state budget.....I see no conservatives coming up the ranks of the generations.....charge charge charge study study study.......conservative? who has an easy time affording their homes?????

Quoted from senders

Looking at the stock market(we all have pensions/401k etc) in it and the state budget.....I see no conservatives coming up the ranks of the generations.....charge charge charge study study study.......conservative? who has an easy time affording their homes?????

Homes are affordable, if all you had to pay was the principal and interest on the mortgage. It's the state, county, town, school, mortgage, sales, gas, taxes ect, that are the real killers. As wages increase, my fixed mortgage payment will stay the same. So there is light at the end of that tunnel. My mortgage payments won't seem so cumbersome 10 and 15 years from now. But on the other hand. With property and school taxes pushing double digit increases annually, I'm not so sure that my wages will be able grow annually as fast as our school boards and legislators raise taxes.

Those cops, firefighters, municipal union reps. who currently control the Conservative Party are invested in what is called a guaranteed retirement account. Their retirement benefits don't fluctuate with the stock market like those invested in 401K's. They depend on the generosity of the taxpayer to fund those retirement packages negotiated by local politicians and union leaders. So their membership of the Conservative Party is being used as leverage to maintain those outrageous retirement benefits.(Collins 90K a year, full medical for the rest of his life.)

Print Topic - Archive