BT--you're right it took courage for the NNTP crowd to brave the world of poltics. Only Mertz had experience but he was also the drag on the ticket. Reps know that. So why would they (Rep leadership) wine and dine him? They already kicked his a** to the curb. And here is where Mertz was really stupid...he was with the EGO and the gang. He was part of them. He saw how they did business. It was ok while he was on the inside but suddenly when they dumped him they were trash. Sour grapes??? Probably. THEY DUMPED HIM. HE DIDN'T GO WILLINGLY. John did not say "wow you guys are unethical etc. I am out of here." He got dumped. Benny and Puddy are both right--even I knew half of them weren't campaigning anymore. JM/BT is like a man without a country. Sure see if the Dems will take you. They're kind folks. I hope Brad will look at another county race. But having seen the true face of those who take on political life, he probably is not willing to let himself in for that kind of backstabbing again.
If I were really mertzie....and obviously I'm not....cause I would have said bye bye to the rep party long ago. But he didn't. And I agree....he should have! If he did....he may have been able to mend some fences along the way. But no one will ever know that.
As far as littlefield, the guy is brilliant and should seek another run. As far as him seeing what political life is really like, he would be better to stay out of it, unless he's willing to grow thicker skin! I swear, ya need full body armor when ya get into the political cesspool.
Like I said, these guys and the reps have an opportunity looking them right square in the face. What they all choose to do with it will ultimately be their choices. IMHO
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
Respectfully speaking Ladies and Gents, the demise of the Rotterdam GOP started the day they hired J. Craig Surprise as the Town Assessor. This man single-handedly took out the entire Republican Ticket. Even if John Mertz had been kept on the ticket he would have suffered the same fate as the rest of the REPS. The Party made some major mistakes and continue to make them two days after election.
To have Mertz and his surrogates taking credit for bringing down his party is absurd. Sure they may have had an effect on muddling the message but the taxpayers in town dispised Steve's Admin. for bringing in Surprise. It was a reminder to the residents of the days of John MacIsaac. Public service positions like the assessor, town clerk, receiver, highway are there to sevre ALL the residents in a fair and courteous manner. Surprise didn't measure up to the standards set by his predecessor's. He doesn't even measure up to the standards set forth by the State Office of Real Property.
Face it, he was hired to "justify" backroom assessment shenanigans which ultimately lead to the candidacy of Frank DelGallo, Matt Martin, Bob Godlewski and Nikki DiLeva. You all read the message of the Revitilize Reform lit. Number 2 "REFORM THE ASSESSOR"S OFFICE"
Without Craig Surprise there is no Frank DelGallo, probably no sweep and the end of the political careers of Steve, Joe/Joe and MERTZ. Stupid is what stupid does!
Mr.FDG could care less about me and certainly wouldn't put food on my table along with 30,000 other folks in the town.....just run the damn machine and get into the engine from the top down----he will run to his bunker and others will move over----just like castling in chess......
anyhow,,,,who cares about the assessor---it doesn't really matter who is in that position....taxes suck and everyone who wants their property assessment lowered is ignorant or stupid......
.....IT'S THE LEVY......WHERE IS OUR VALUE.....and no you dont get special loopholes--FDG and friends....
...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
BT--that is the first SMART thing I have heard you say since I posted! YES YES YES--Mend the fences. He needs to go back to where he started when everyone put their hope and trust in him on the Ethics committee because (me included) believed he was that fair-minded open person who would LISTEN and wrap his head around every issue. Watching him betray that was startling. It is a cesspool and it needs some rescue and reconciliation. IMHO (as a troll)
Just out of curiousity BT How long you been around Rotterdam Town politics? Not long enough to remember I am quite sure. There have been primaries, third party insurgents and major shifts in the balance of power from one party to another. Trust me, and others on the board know, I forgot what you haven't learned yet about campaigns in Rotterdam. NNTP is small potatoes compared to past "insurgencies" in the T/O Rotterdam. And you know what? They fizzled out. Died on the vine. Lost their Mojo. Not every single vote the NNTP received was earmarked for the REPS. There is just no way to gauge that.
Brad brought absolutely NOTHING to the Town Board races. His base support was in the hilltowns. McGarry is the only viable future candidate BUT only with major party backing. Many have tried the insurgent candidate route but very few have prevailed. I suggest BT you try the State of Vermont!
The only way to get it to grow----is generational insurgents......and there are dissidents.......
...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
Does anyone know if Surprise can be shown the door? He was appointed for a period of how many years? Just like the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals, they can't be terminated that easily, right? Help me out here. I would happily wave goodbye to him, but I don't know if they can get rid of him that easily. He did taint Steve's record. He didn't cost the election in my opinion, however. There is no excuse for being rude to residents EVER!
I would believe in the future of the NNTP if they all disavowed their major party enrollments. I believe they all kept their party club cards and didn't register as blanks. I understand they cannot register in the NNTP until they get about 50,000 sign-ons. That could take awhile. But if they continue to be enrolled in their own parties, I'm not sure they are committed to carrying on. I cannot imagine John Mertz quitting his day job. Can anyone else? I thought Brad and Mike already said adios to political life. Too bad, they were keepers.
woof, woof
I believe his appointment was on January 1, 2008, and he has a six year contract. He can probably be removed, but would likely cost a buyout of the balance of his contract.
Wonder how FDG and BM will handle this one. Looks like they better not get TOO comfortable in the stupervisors office, I hear people don't like Surprises.
I believe his appointment was on January 1, 2008, and he has a six year contract. He can probably be removed, but would likely cost a buyout of the balance of his contract.
Tom and Gerry hold him responsible for the collapse. They know damn well if the REPS want to rise from the dead, it will have to be done minus Mr Surprise. His days are numbered! CHECKMATE!
Tom and Gerry hold him responsible for the collapse. They know damn well if the REPS want to rise from the dead, it will have to be done minus Mr Surprise. His days are numbered! CHECKMATE!
There are all finished. State REPS are tired of the circus 15 miles to the west.
There are all finished. State REPS are tired of the circus 15 miles to the west.
Funny you should say that Benny, I had lunch with an influential state REP and he reiterated exactly the same sentiments. "In order to cleanse the barn you need to wash out the imbedded termites that have eaten away the moral fiber of the town's soul." CHECKMATE again!
Maybe Surprise will surpirse us and resign. Why would he want to work in that environment. Seems to me he has an awful lot of work ahead of him whether he's packing or explaining. Maybe the town should insist that he attend anger management and then charm school. PDQ you got this nailed.
Funny you should say that Benny, I had lunch with an influential state REP and he reiterated exactly the same sentiments. "In order to cleanse the barn you need to wash out the imbedded termites that have eaten away the moral fiber of the town's soul." CHECKMATE again!
Did we dine together-lol?
It's hilarious to read some of these phony posts. The NNTP was started because of these horrible "leaders". It didn't start in a vacuum. And now they want judgeships? Do everyone a favor and resign citing the ever popular "family concerns".
It wasn't surprise that caused the dem sweep. It was the NNTP candidates. It was the small majority of rotterdam that jumped on the surprise witch hunt, and perhaps with just cause, but it was the NNTP that pushed the reps over the cliff. 4 GUYS! DO THE MATH.
It will be interesting to see how things unfold in the next days, weeks and months with the reps. I'm sure there will be rhetoric and rumors mixed with some facts going around. But in my opinion, Tom and Gerry are the ones that clearly have to resign and stay out of the party 'workings'. They should not have their name associated again with the rep party. Surprise is insignificant, except for the minority, for the survival of the reps.
And as long as there is going to be a third party ballot line, the reps will continue to fall off the cliff. Remember, the NNTP candidates, and future NNTP candidates did and will run on a rep/con ideology of fiscal conservatism, which did and will hurt the rep party in the future. The reps have their work cut out for them.
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
Let's also not forget that fdg won with 44% of the votes. Not too shabby, but average for a losing candidate if it were only a two party race. And he would have lost if it were only a 2 way race. Which just goes to prove that rotterdam is basically a rep town. The dems pulled it off by default. Which also goes to prove that surprise was not the major issue in this election cycle.
If there is a change in the rep leadership, it will be solely due to the NNTP's Row F. Cause I don't see Row F going away any too soon.
It wouldn't surprise me if the dems try contacting the NNTP candidates to bring them into their fold. The NNTP were clearly the victors in this race. Like I said....the reps have their work cut out for them.
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
Logged
There are all finished. State REPS are tired of the circus 15 miles to the west.
Did we dine together-lol? 
