ROTTERDAM Town Board member to seek re-election BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
Town Councilman John Mertz announced he will seek a third term in office by waging a primary fight against the two candidates endorsed by Rotterdam’s Republican Committee. Mertz, incumbent board member Joseph Signore and challenger Joseph Suhrada are seeking to fill two 4-year seats up for election. Suhrada, a county legislator, decided to run for town office last winter. In announcing his run, Mertz said he will continue to advocate for fiscal restraint when it comes to the town budget and tax levy. “Saying that Rotterdam families are experiencing a fiscal crisis is an understatement,” he said. “Taxes are killing our local businesses and residents, we need to be accountable to them.” The announcement by Mertz sets the stage for what could be a four-way Republican primary for the two 4-year seats. Outspoken resident Michael O’Connor is also waging an effort for the Republican nomination, although he remains unsure if he will seek one of the four-year seats or a two-year seat that is also up for election because of a resignation. John Silva resigned from the Town Board in February just one year into his four-year term. Board members replaced him with Stanley Marchinkowski. The town’s Republican Committee endorsed Marchinkowski for November’s special election, which will decide who serves out the two remaining years in Silva’s term. “Really I’m undecided at this point,” said O’Connor, who indicated he plans to run primarily as an independent. Mertz was endorsed by the Republicans for two consecutive terms until suddenly being dumped from the ticket last fall. At the time, committee Chairman Gerard Parisi said the decision was made because of the Mertz’s “controversial actions” and inability to work effectively with other departments in Rotterdam. Initially, the announcement stirred ire among Rotterdam Republicans, some of whom offered support for Mertz. But in February, they unanimously chose Suhrada to run in his place. Mertz said the abrupt decision to drop him from the ticket was in response to cuts he had proposed in the 2009 budget that Parisi — who also serves as one of the town attorneys — didn’t agree with.
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
BT must be dancing in the streets. Change? Bye-Bye-Stan. Stan will have a shorter run than Malcolm Smith. And we thought the City GOP was in disarray? Whose on first in Rotterdam?
Let me be the first to suggest this- Joe Suhrada should run again for County Board. They have no one electable running. Mary Who? That would open up a slot for Mr. Mertz. We need the candy man back to lead this County.
Maybe the town needs the same thinking there. No one listened to him at the county when he voted against all the tax increases and spending. And no one came to the county meetings to support him either except a small handful now and then. Maybe they will come to the town hall to do that since it is easier to find.
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
Is it too late for the Republicans to rearrange their dance card? From my perspective, they left many of the most qualified candidates without the party endorsements. The Chairman could have redeemed himself by awarding the endorsements to the candidates who will best represent the interests of the residents. Instead, the Republican slate contains the names of several second tier unknowns and has-beens.
I agree that the winds of change are blowing. But, in which direction?
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Is it too late for the Republicans to rearrange their dance card? From my perspective, they left many of the most qualified candidates without the party endorsements. The Chairman could have redeemed himself by awarding the endorsements to the candidates who will best represent the interests of the residents. Instead, the Republican slate contains the names of several second tier unknowns and has-beens.
I agree that the winds of change are blowing. But, in which direction?
More like a back draft? Don't expect business people to come down to any Board and clap like seals. We are too busy trying to meet payrolls and pay these obscene taxes.
Joe Suhrada is the best County legislator. Joe should run for County Leg with Brad Littlefield. That's a real Conservative team that would win in a landslide. If they continue to endorse unknown losers expect more primaries.
you all dont see that with the new team leader in the race the conservs will win the whole thing from sherriff down to the council and all repubs will be swept out with the conservs and demos leading by 1000 votes or more in each race and at the bottom will be mertz stevie and surhad. Holly has seen the light and will support the new team with Judy and Dom wins but 5000 votes easy since the other man is old and tired and Dom comes from the best department in the state. So wait and see that all this is a waste of time since you dont have the money or the voters now that we have a new conserv supervisor taking office on January new years day! thank you
I personally don't care what your people in the know say the Repubs have the votes and sooner or later Malcolm Smith and company have to step down and yield to the majority just as the Repubs had to do in Washington. I sure hope this trend keeps spreading across the country and sends a clear message to our Congress that enough is enough we've had it.
Logged
BT must be dancing in the streets. Change? Bye-Bye-Stan. Stan will have a shorter run than Malcolm Smith. And we thought the City GOP was in disarray? Whose on first in Rotterdam?
