Lawmaker focus of planning fight Republicans blame Democrat Dagostino in Wal-Mart dispute
By ANNE MILLER, Staff writer First published: Wednesday, August 24, 2005
ROTTERDAM -- The debate over planning for the future of the town's Burdeck Street corridor has sparked a partisan dispute over a county legislator's efforts to block a Wal-Mart from being built. Advertisement
Republicans and Democrats are clashing this election year over legislator Judith Dagostino, a Republican-turned-Democrat, making a rare foray into local planning debates. The GOP claims the Wal-Mart issue was all her fault in the first place.
The brouhaha began last week after a contentious Planning Commission meeting Aug. 16. At the meeting, the commission was asked to endorse one of two plans for the area in question, one compiled by residents, the other by two Town Board members. The commission chose the former, with some modifications, mainly asking for a bit of clarification. Their vote carries no legal weight; it is a recommendation for the Town Board vote next month.
One of the main differences between the two plans is zoning on the site of a proposed Wal-Mart. The residents' plan would not restrict the land as much as the Town Board members' plan, which would essentially prohibit the store from moving in.
On Aug. 17, Dagostino introduced a resolution against allowing a new Wal-Mart in town.
That's when the Republicans launched a battle cry.
Town GOP Chairman Tom Buchanan claims there wouldn't be a Wal-Mart to vote against if Dagostino, a former Republican party member, hadn't helped sell the land that the retailer wants to build on. The land formerly belonged to the Republican party and held Little League fields. The sale was the subject of an intra-party lawsuit over who would receive the proceeds.
Buchanan called Dagostino a sellout. The party blamed her for the sale, and demanded she have the land or $50,000 of the remaining proceeds returned. Only $5,000 was given to the local Little League, Buchanan said.
"Instead of pushing a resolution she knows will accomplish nothing, I call on Judy Dagostino and her allies in the old Republican Club to donate the rest of the funds to our Little League," Buchanan said.
"They're just manufacturing issues," said Dagostino, who added that she hasn't been a Republican for two years and that club directors voted on the land sale. Anne Miller can be reached at 454-5697 or by e-mail at amiller@timesunion.com.
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
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March 13, 2008, 8:47pm
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Oh absolutely, Dagostino changes with the wind, and yes, in this instance, Buchanan was right. It seems he "changed" when he became the county chair ... that's when his actions went totally bizzare.
Judy Dagostino and her family wanted to pocket the money from the sale of the land for themselves. PATHETIC!! Thank God she became a turncoat and switched to the democratic land of misfits.
It's like we read in one of those Ann Coulter posts...."If democrats had brains, they'd be republicans".
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 funny thing with Judy is, when the Republicans come back in power, a new "change" will blow in her direction compelling her to come back to the Republican party - and unfortunately with Buchanan/Brassard, they'll probably welcome her with open arms.
Thanks Judy for your service - you're free to retire wtih your friend Diane anytime now.
Judy Dagostino and Diane Marco will continue to live off the taxpayers and do NOTHING!!! I hear that Ms. Dagostino may run again. God help us!! The time is NOW to start campaigning against her. The selling of the republican club was a self serving plan for Judy Dagostino and her family. And the republican party lost some support due to her blatant disrespect for the residents and the Little League. If the Little League wants to take issue...take it up with Judy Dagostino. She is just another self serving, democratic puppet that will attribute to the down fall of Schenectady County!!!
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
That would be Senders, and the uninformed, politically uneducated, and party line voters are responsible for her last victory and that's because they really don't know her the way Rotterdam residents do.
Well, I've known Judy for a LONG time ... long enough to know she went to school (Mohonasen) with Jimmy Constantino. I know several of Judy's "friends" - those that vote for her because she sweet talks them like you've never seen before - and feeds them the party line on how it's all better for us this way.
Politics as usual - unfortunately, now she's affecting the entire county. I'll never forget her and Holly Vellano sitting on the Rotterdam Town Board - "yes mr supervisor" - sucking up to Signore like he was God's gift to man. "yes mr supervisor" - omg how that used to grate on my nerves - and they BOTH did it. Of course, Judy would always add her 2 cents on why she was voting that way - more drivel fed to her from "mr supervisor". She does the same thing now to MS savage.
legislator Judith Dagostino, a Republican-turned-Democrat
Not being from the Town of Rotterdam, I must state that I don't know the history here. Why did Dagostino change parties? Was it her decision to change enrollment or was she, for all purposes, pushed out?
The sale of the land that the little league was on by the Rep Party who she and her family were involved in had something to do with it as well. She was on the outs with the Rep Party after that IMHO.
Judy is a party lemming who is a perfect fit for any party that wants somebody to represent the party and not the people, and without independent ideas. The Democrats have a pecking order that rewards you with government appointed jobs for your blind allegiance and service to the parties ultimate goals, to expand government. Even if you step down from elected office, or lose your race for an elected position, the Democrats in power will expand government and create a position to show their appreciation for your service. ei: Kosiur, Marco. Democrat party leaders are concerned about taking care of those who brought them to power first, before the residents they represent. Even if it means making Schenectady County the #1 highest taxed county in the nation.
The sale of the land that the little league was on by the Rep Party who she and her family were involved in had something to do with it as well. She was on the outs with the Rep Party after that IMHO.
EXACTLY!!!!!
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
I would assume that at the time all of the members of the Rotterdam Republican party voted to sell the property and that all received an equal share of the proceeds? To where were the Little League fields moved? Did the Little League organization receive a portion of the sale proceeds with which to reconstruct the new fields, bleachers, fencing, etc?
I would assume that at the time all of the members of the Rotterdam Republican party voted to sell the property and that all received an equal share of the proceeds? To where were the Little League fields moved? Did the Little League organization receive a portion of the sale proceeds with which to reconstruct the new fields, bleachers, fencing, etc?
hahaha - you're funny Brad. The LL is still searching for a new home. They tried to put them on wetlands in Rotterdam which Gillen said "didn't exist" - that failed, then tried to put a park on the aquifer - thats not working. Maybe someday.
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