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 215

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 215

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 215

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......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.