Wow, they were in the tank and tried to cowtow to the democrats all they could! The LWV lost a tremendous amount of respect tonight for shutting out the public's questions and not having it filmed for SACC!!
"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."
Wow, they were in the tank and tried to cowtow to the democrats all they could! The LWV lost a tremendous amount of respect tonight for shutting out the public's questions and not having it filmed for SACC!!
must hve been a coffee clutch....or hen house.....
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
I participated in tonight's LWV "debate." My participation, however, was limited to delivering a 2 minute statement. No questions. The odd thing in my instance was that Mr. Marchinkowski, Ms DiLeva, and myself were scheduled together but Ms Dileva didn't show up. I was surprised that Stan and I were relegated to statements only with no questions as a result. At this stage of the election, the two of us are on different party lines. I'm a candidate on the No New Tax Party line and the Republican line. Stan is a candidate on the Working Families line and Independence line. I don't understand why the LWV didn't allow us to field questions either - we represented different parties. The fact that the Democrat candidate didn't show should've had no bearing on our segment. I even asked for clarification on that ruling to no avail. Usually, as I expressed later privately to the LWV, only 2 candidates vye for a position (Democrat and Republican with corresponding additional party endorsements.) Stan and I represented 2 distinct ballot choices - it was just different than they were used to.
I have previously found the LWV forums useful as a voter and was eager to share my ideas and views but was especially looking forward to answering questions. The LWV bungled it tonight with their decision. ALL candidates were invited. If some chose not to show up, those that did shouldn't be penalized. The candidates that showed up were done a disservice. But more importantly, the voters that didn't get to have their questions answered were done the greatest disservice.
To add insult to injury, the whole event which was supposed to be taped and broadcast on public access wasn't. That also disturbs me deeply. Tonight should have been a constructive discussion of the issues. Sadly, it wasn't - with the exception of the county legislature segment that followed the normal schedule and included Q&A. (Brad Littlefield rocked that part, by the way! He completely tore the cover off the ball!)
As both a candidate and a resident of Schenectady County, I was disappointed and annoyed that the LWV Meet the Candidates event held last night was conducted in such a way that it became irrelevant. The rules change that prevented those in attendance from having their questions answered was a disservice to both those who came to hear the candidates speak and to the candidates who prepared for this event and attended the forum.
After the introduction by the LWV Moderator that asserted the organization's non-partisanship, the audience was directed that there was to be no videotaping or recording of the event. Although I was concerned about how such a requirement could be imposed in a open public gathering being held at a public facility, I and several in the audience discontinued our taping/recording. As I sat at the candidates' table during the discussion between the candidates campaigning for the Schenectady County Legislature, I noted that there was no one taping the event and the photographer who had been taking pictures of the Sheriff candidates had left. That left only Justin Mason (Daily Gazette) and Sean Ahern (Spotlight Newspapers) to report on the happenings. If their story doesn't get dropped by their Editors, their accounts will be the only ones available to the general public.
The explanation that the LWV could not secure the services of SACC-16 TV cameraman, despite a request made over two weeks before the event, is, frankly, unbelievable. This shortcoming and the rules change should have been announced during the opening comments. I suspect that several candidates would have decided not to participate.
We were informed that the change in rules that resulted in the candidates only being allowed a 2 minute statement, rather than having the opportunity to answer questions from those in attendance, was a decision that was made because the Democratic candidates for the town offices did not attend. This decision was clearly made during the event and not beforehand as the LWV volunteers were busy soliciting questions on index cards before the event began.
The theme of the event was unfortunately perceived by some as censorship, not the exchange of ideas and open dialogue that is characteristic in a democracy. I can't help believe that the unavailability of a cameraman from SACC-16 isn't politically motivated as the Officers and Board members (see below) include Democrats who are actively involved in politics.
Officers - Gary McCarthy - President/Chair - Caroline Boardman - Vice President/Vice Chair - Barbara Blanchard CSecretary - Catherine Lewis CTreasurer
Board Members - Jay Quaintance - Lou Isma - Chris Gardner - Beth Petta - Douglas Sayles - Glenn Busby - Don Rittner - Nick Barber - Joe Fava - John Falco - Doris Aiken
For this candidate, the LWV forum, that I have attended in the past as a spectator, lost its relevance. The crediblity and impartiality of the organization is also suspect. The public access TV station (that is apparently being taken over by Proctor's) will never again be considered impartial. But then, how can it be when it is government funded?
ROTTERDAM Boycott turns forum into speeches Without half of town candidates, questions barred BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
Gretchen Savage left the League of Women Voters’ candidate forum feeling cheated. The retired librarian attended the forum at the Rotterdam Branch Library Tuesday thinking she’d get a chance to meet the politicians running for town office and maybe have an opportunity to ask them a question or two. But instead, she heard spare two-minute speeches from one slate of town candidates and looked at a collection of empty chairs where the others were supposed to be seated. All of the Democrats running for town office boycotted the League’s forum Tuesday evening, leaving their Republican counterparts and one candidate from the No New Tax Party to attend the event alone. To avoid the appearance of party favoritism, forum moderators would not allow the audience to ask questions of the candidates that did attend. The peculiar dynamic of the forum — one that League members had never encountered — left voters like Savage wondering how she can cast an educated vote next month. As a moderate voter, she was depending on the forum to get a feel for how each candidate would perform in office. “I was angered that these folks didn’t bother to come,” she said afterward. “I’m trying to listen to everyone, but nobody else came.” Likewise, Rotterdam resident Kyle Carney said he was frustrated by the way the candidate forum was conducted and felt that it “played into the hands of the Democrats.” He read about the boycott of the forum in The Gazette on Tuesday but figured he’d at least get a chance to question the candidates that did show up. “It hurts the town,” he said, referring to the lack of interaction between the candidates and the audience. “You walk away with nothing.” Richard Malaczynski, another town resident, said he was disappointed in the Democrats for wasting an opportunity to “put the political bickering aside.” He said the forums provide a platform for candidates to get their unfiltered message to the public. “It seems like an opportunity squandered,” he said. Democratic candidates for town office abruptly decided to boycott the forum this week under the advice of William Cooke, chairman of the Rotterdam Democratic Committee. He told them to avoid the forum after Rotterdam Republican Committee Chairman Gerard Parisi publicly questioned the qualifications and literacy of Frank Del Gallo, the Democratic candidate for town supervisor. Cooke said he alerted the state League of Women Voters of the decision to boycott in writing last week. But the local chapter in Schenectady County was not alerted of the change until Monday evening, when they were contacted by the media. “They do not want to be in the same room with those people,” he said Tuesday, referring to Parisi and incumbent Republican Supervisor Steve Tommasone. Ironically, Cooke was among the few Democrats at the forum, which Parisi did not attend. The five candidates for two county Legislature seats did answer questions. They included Democrat Judy Dagostino, incumbent county legislator; Holly Vellano, a Democrat-endorsed Conservative; Republicans Mary Barrie and Michael Viscusi; and No New Tax Party candidate Brad Littlefield. Robert Carney, the unchallenged incumbent county district attorney, was the only other Democratic candidate to attend. Officials from the state and national League of Women Voters organizations recommended that the county chapter forgo the forum altogether out of concern that it might be viewed as partisan. However, forum organizers didn’t want to punish the candidates that did agree to participate by not allowing them to speak. “We really agonized over this and we really tried as hard as possible to be as fair as possible,” said Maxine Borom, the forum moderator. But the explanation didn’t appease the GOP candidates, several of whom angrily confronted League members after they weren’t permitted to take questions. Incumbent board member Joseph Signore was visibly irate and, with fellow candidate Joe Suhrada, questioned whether the League was catering to the Democrats. “I came, I showed up and my opponent doesn’t show up, but the League doesn’t let me speak,” Signore said. “Have you ever heard about something like this?” Michael O’Connor, a board candidate running on the No New Tax Party and GOP lines, was also dismayed since one of his opponents, Republican board member Stan Marchinkowski, running on the Independence Party line, did show up to the forum. The candidate for the Democrats did not show. “I’m quite perturbed,” he said afterward. “I came here today ready to answer questions, and I didn’t even get a chance.” http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01102&AppName=1
Brad Littlefield: We were informed that the change in rules that resulted in the candidates only being allowed a 2 minute statement, rather than having the opportunity to answer questions from those in attendance
Quoted Text
Gazette: The five candidates for two county Legislature seats did answer questions. They included Democrat Judy Dagostino, incumbent county legislator; Holly Vellano, a Democrat-endorsed Conservative; Republicans Mary Barrie and Michael Viscusi; and No New Tax Party candidate Brad Littlefield.
Quoted Text
Michael: I participated in tonight's LWV "debate." My participation, however, was limited to delivering a 2 minute statement. No questions.
Brad / Michael, I'm not trying to be argumentative, but I thought no questions were allowed? Which is it? Was Justin incorrect?
I think Brad was referring to the forum in general. The only reason the county leg got to answer questions, was due to the fact that they all showed up. Which I commend both judy dago and h.v. for.
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
Cal ~ you're right. Parisi has no leadership skills whatsoever ~ He cost the GOP and Tommasone a huge opportunity, but it's their own fault. Days are numbered ~ GOP falling apart.
MT, I thought i read Brad's segment was allowed Q and A and Michael's was not... so all three statements you quoted were correct.
Yeah i just read up again.. the county legislature segment was normal, it was Michaels that was barred from QA..
Sorry MT if my statement was somehow imprecise or misleading. Vaedur and BT are correct. The Legislature candidates were allowed to receive and respond to questions from those who attended. The candidates for Rotterdam Town Supervisor and Town Council were denied the opportunity to take and respond to questions in what was a change in the rules from that which was initially advertised.
From the letter that was mailed to me inviting me to attend and participate:
Quoted Text
Candidates for County Legislature, Supervisor, and Town Board, and Town Clerk will present a two minute opening statement and a two minute closing statement. The audience will write questions which will be reviewed by the League for fairness and redundancy. Answers to the questions will be limited to one minute; a timer will be present. Candidates for Highway Superintendent, Town Justice and Receiver of Taxes will give a two minute statement, with no questions. The program will be taped by Channel 16, public access television.
Bravo to Brad Littlefield and Michael O'Connor for showing up ready to debate and not read pre-canned statements. Others that refused to show should be called on it. Mt Pleasant Principal Nicky Di Leva was a no show?
Shame on the horrible LWV for not allowing an exchange of ideas and worse not taping this for Sad SACC-16. Another wholly owned subsidary of the DEMS. Since the DEMS aren't present don't tape it? I rememeber two years ago where Sad SACC-16 cut closing remarks of Carolina Lazzari. Nothing changes around here.
Logged
Bravo to Brad Littlefield and Michael O'Connor for showing up ready to debate and not read pre-canned statements. Others that refused to show should be called on it. Mt Pleasant Principal Nicky Di Leva was a no show?
