Tonko’s support for campaign criticized BY BOB CONNER Gazette Reporter
The most prominent supporter of Assembly candidate Ed Kosiur is the man he is trying to succeed, former Assemblyman Paul Tonko, who resigned the 105th District seat to become CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. The Amsterdam Democrat has been widely featured in advertisements for Kosiur, the Democratic candidate. He also has more than $100,000 still available in his campaign war chest, and he said Tuesday he may make that money available to Kosiur before the election, which will be held Tuesday. Phil Oliva, chief spokesman for Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco, R-Schenectady, and a volunteer for the campaign of Re- publican George Amedore Jr., who is running against Kosiur, was critical of Tonko’s role. He said it “violates the spirit and the widespread interpretation” of policies instituted this year by Gov. Eliot Spitzer to reduce the infl uence of politics in government. Oliva noted that Michael Balboni, a Republican senator from Long Island who was picked by Spitzer to be his director of homeland security, did not campaign in the special election to choose his successor. Spitzer did, however, and helped his fellow Democrat, Craig Johnson, pick up the Senate seat. Nor did Alexander “Pete” Grannis, who resigned from the Assembly to become Spitzer’s environmental commissioner, campaign in the special election to fill his old seat, Oliva said. Tonko, however, said his role is different from Balboni’s or Grannis’, since he answers not to Spitzer directly but to the NYSERDA board. Oliva countered that “Spitzer put Tonko there,” and the governor did support Tonko’s move to NYSERDA. Oliva, a state employee in his job for Tedisco, said he is using his own time including vacation days to work on the Amedore campaign. Tonko said he, too, campaigns on his own time, and cleared his campaign role with NYSERDA attorneys. He said it does not conflict with Spitzer’s executive order “eliminating politics from executive decision making.” Russ Haven, legislative director for the New York Public Interest Research Group, agreed that Tonko’s role does not appear to conflict with the executive order. “If no state resources are used, I don’t think it violates any law,” he said. Spitzer spokesman Jeffrey Gordon said, “There is no restriction on Tonko helping Mr. Kosiur on his own time.” Tonko said: “I have a strong opinion about the future of the district. I’m entitled to share that opinion.” He cited Kosiur’s political experience as a reason to support him. But another prominent Montgomery County Democrat, Amsterdam Town Supervisor Thomas DiMezza, chairman of the county Board of Supervisors, is crossing party lines to support the Republican, Amedore.
Gay marriage issue key in 105th race Candidates Amedore, Kosiur seeking Assembly seat differ on how they would vote on same- sex legislation
By PAUL NELSON, Staff writer First published: Wednesday, July 25, 2007
SCHENECTADY -- Both candidates for the 105th Assembly District say they are opposed to gay marriage, yet how they would vote on same-sex legislation could provide a deciding point for some voters in the special election next week. George Amedore Jr., a Republican, said he is against same-sex unions. But Ed Kosiur, a Democrat, said he would put aside religious beliefs and vote in favor of same-sex legislation.
"I do not support same-sex marriage," said Amedore, who said he's been married for 17 years and has three children. His comments came during a meeting with the Times Union editorial board Tuesday. "I believe marriage should be between one man and one woman," he said.
Later, Amedore, 38, a GOP newcomer, said through a campaign spokesman that he supports health benefits for partners of gay and lesbian state employees but believes private companies should make the decision for themselves.
Proposed same-sex legislation has passed in the state Assembly but has not come up for discussion in the Senate. From the Capital Region, Assemblyman Ron Canestrari, D-Cohoes, and fellow Democrats Jack McEneny of Albany and Paul Tonko of Amsterdam voted for the measure, while Democrat Robert Reilly of Colonie, Republican Minority Leader James Tedisco of Schenectady and independent Tim Gordon of Bethlehem voted against it.
It's Tonko's seat, which represents most of Schenectady County and all of Montgomery County, the two men are vying to take. Tonko left the seat to take over as president and CEO of the state Energy and Research Development Authority.
The special election is Tuesday.
Tonko has been stumping for Kosiur, who is married with three children and said he would support the legislation.
"If it does come to a vote, I will vote that way because that's the way the majority of my constituents want me to vote," said the 51-year-old Democratic Schenectady County Legislator. "I have to vote according to the way my constituency feels."
Libby Post, who lives in Menands and is a nationally syndicated columnist on lesbian and gay issues, said Amedore is "not in tune with the electorate."
She lauded Kosiur for his stance.
"I think he generally wants to reflect the will of his constituency and that's laudable," Post said.
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
Oh, and thanks for posting that. Didn't get around to it. Wonder if there'll be complaints that his record is being smeared now that they've actually said where it's coming from...
The most prominent supporter of Assembly candidate Ed Kosiur is the man he is trying to succeed, former Assemblyman Paul Tonko, who resigned the 105th District seat to become CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
Quoted Text
Russ Haven, legislative director for the New York Public Interest Research Group, agreed that Tonko’s role does not appear to conflict with the executive order. “If no state resources are used, I don’t think it violates any law,” he said.
Isn't his position a "STATE RESOURCE"??????????? hhhhhhmmmmmm
...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
“If no state resources are used, I don’t think it violates any law,”
I believe that what he is saying is that as long as Tonko is not using STATE TIME OR MONEY and is doing this soley on his own personal time, than there is no conflict. I tend to agree here. When Mr. Tonko comes home from work at night, or is not working on a Sat. or Sun., than what he does during those hours off from work, whether it be campaigning or going to the movies, it shouldn't matter. That was my take on this.
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
The state doesn't OWN him...he is just employed BY them. It's like any other job...and what he does on his own time is his own business! He can back a politician just like anyone else...again...my take!
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
Do you pay his salary??? Could you recognize his face in public?? Would he be invited to be a speaker at local fundraisers/graduations etc?? The answer is yes and why?? Because he is known.....he can never be unknown except by the kids in high school right now....in which case it wouldn't even matter......but, right now it does....it's no different than the unions....but we dont pay them, the folks who chose to join them do........however, we ALL pay for Mr. Tonko in his new position(still)--do we not........
...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
105TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT Sex crime law key issue in race Kosiur sponsored action by county BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter
Schenectady County’s legislation to restrict where sex offenders may live has emerged as a polarizing issue in the 105th state Assembly race, officials said. It has spawned the creation of a grass-roots organization in the towns that is advocating against the law and its chief sponsor, S c h e n e c t a d y County Legislator Edward Kosiur, the Democratic candidate for the Assembly seat. Also, it has pitted the five town supervisors against the county Legislature. Kosiur, 51, of S c h e n e c t a d y , faces Republican candidate George Amedore Jr., 38, of Rotterdam for the seat vacated by Paul Tonko. Tonko left the Assembly to head the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Tonko, a Democrat, has been campaigning with Kosiur. The county legislation, passed June 12, makes it a misdemeanor for a convicted sex offender to live within 2,000 feet of any facility associated with children. The laws also give the county the authority to remove any registered sex offender who has not moved out of an excluded area by Oct. 1. The law effectively bars levels 1, 2 and 3 sex offenders from living in the city. Town supervisors fear the law will force sex offenders to move into their communities, which are dispersed enough to lack the exclusion zones. “For Duanesburg, it is a polarizing issue,” said Republican Supervisor Rene J. Merrihew. “With the current law, sex offenders could possibly relocate to more rural areas.” She and supervisors representing Glenville, Rotterdam, Niskayuna and Princetown, a mix of Democrats and Republicans, have asked the county Legislature to reconsider the law. County Attorney Chris Gardner said county leaders will meet with the supervisors to address their concerns. “Our position is that anything is possible, but there is no commitment to make changes as of yet,” Gardner said. The New York Civil Liberties Union said it is planning legal action to prevent the county from enforcing the legislation. “We will definitely move ahead with litigation should the county enforce the ordinances. We would like to avoid that,” said Executive Director Melanie Trimble. “We will draft a letter to the county Legislature after the July 31 special election encouraging them to rescind the ordinances to save the county a lot of money in legal fees,” Trimble said. Kosiur said Amedore’s campaign has politicized the legislation, seeing it as “a major issue.” He said the “bottom line is that the legislation protects our children. It’s really a shame to turn this important issue into a political issue. It is certainly something not to be used that way.” OPPOSITION GROUP Democrats charge that Republicans are supporting the efforts of a group calling itself “Rural Parents United Against the Sex Offender Relocation Plan.” The group is urging voters to “Please vote NO to Politician Ed Kosiur” in Tuesday’s special election. The state Board of Elections said the organization is violating the law by not registering while campaigning against a specific candidate. The group has established a Web site, “StopKosiursLaw.com,” is sending out postcards to potential voters in the district, placing signs, obtaining petitions and conducting other grass-roots efforts against Kosiur, the legislation or both. Group member Brad Littlefield, a registered Conservative in Duanesburg, would not reveal who owns the Web site or any other members. He said the group consists of 70-75 people from the towns. The group’s Web site is registered with Domains By Proxy in Scottsdale, Ariz. It was created July 7 and expires July 8, 2008. “If our efforts benefit Mr. Amedore, I consider it collateral damage to Mr. Kosiur. Many of the people involved in this have decided to vote for Mr. Amedore,” Littlefield said. State Board of Elections spokesman Lee Daghlian said the group crossed the line when it began to advocate against Kosiur in the special election. “Here’s the rule. They had an issue advocacy until they got to bottom line calling for a vote against Kosiur. That makes it an advocacy against a candidate and they are required to file with state Board of Elections [and report their financials],” he said. Schenectady County Democratic Committee Chairman Brian Quail said the group had not registered with the state as of Tuesday. “This is a classic Republican dirty trick: it is anonymous, it is not registered with state and it sends out untruths and distorted information,” he said. The group faces a $500 fine or other costs for failing to file, Daghlian said. Phil Oliva, spokesman for the Amedore campaign, said the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee is not supporting the group. He said the group wants “George to come out with a sex offender plan. We are deciding whether or not we will get involved. No one wants to coddle sex offenders.” He added, however, that the county legislation presents a political problem: it benefits city voters within the 105th District while at the same time it upsets voters of the five towns. The trade-off is votes, political observers said. Merrihew, the Duanesburg supervisor, said she believes the legislation will cost Kosiur votes in the rural towns. “I think it will hurt him, and I would really wonder what Montgomery County thinks of it and whether they have the same concerns we do?” she asked. Montgomery County has no residency restrictions against sex offenders and could see them move there after Oct. 1. Gardner, a former Democratic county chairman, said he sees no negative effect for Kosiur. “People need to understand you have to be safe in your own home.” County Legislature Chairwoman Susan Savage, D-Niskayuna, said the “legislation protects kids no matter where they live in the county. It is not true that sexual predators will move into the towns. It is a shame they are scaring people with these lies. It is all political and it is not truthful.” The June 12 legislation received bipartisan support, including the vote of Minority Leader Robert Farley, R-Glenville. Farley said Wednesday he stands by his vote. “I haven’t changed my position, but I have always had concerns about the legislation. I would like to see changes to make it more effective and enforceable. I don’t want to see it struck down as overly broad and I want to see it target Level 3 offenders specifically,” he said.
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