The Conservative Alternative: Real Conservatives, Real Differences
FOR RELEASE: Immediately, July 11, 2008 CONTACT: Kelly Rhinesmith
GRASSROOTS CONSERVATIVES LAUNCH UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGE TO TAKE BACK CONTROL OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY CONSERVATIVE COMMITTEE
SCHENECTADY, NY – In an unprecedented grassroots uprising, a newly formed “reform slate” of registered Conservatives will field 252 challengers for 126 Committee districts this September to wrest control of the Schenectady County Conservative Committee from a leadership that has, over several years, grown disconnected and detached from the concerns of its rank-and-file members.
“This grassroots uprising from Schenectady Conservatives of conscience and conviction has been building for years. It’s fueled by a belief that the current Committee leadership has grown disconnected and detached from members,” said Kelly Rhinesmith, a long-time Conservative political activist and Recording Secretary for the Schenectady County Conservative Committee.
“Like many of my fellow Conservatives, I’ve become disillusioned with the lack of core convictions from many of the so-called leaders in our County Committee. In the opinion of many, the current leadership cares more about gaming the system for political advantage than standing for genuine Conservative principles like lower taxes, limited government and less spending,” Rhinesmith stated.
Upon formally submitting petitions to the Schenectady County Board of Elections earlier today, Rhinesmith said she will be one of 252 committed, grassroots Conservatives running as a unified reform slate in September’s primary election to take back Committee control. Of the current 127 Committee districts across Schenectady County, 126 are slated to be contested this September, marking an unprecedented amount of challenger races in recent memory. Each district contains two Committee seats, for a total of 254 seats on the County Conservative Committee.
“For too long, rank-and-file Conservatives have felt like pawns in an unseemly game of political power. But Conservatives will be silent no more. Our time to stand-up, speak-out and take back control is now,” Rhinesmith said.
“The Conservative endorsement carries significant weight in elections for local and state office. Schenectady Democrats recognized this some time ago and began an organized, concerted effort to get their operatives involved in Committee positions to gain control. Ever since, our Committee has taken a decidedly leftward tilt. This September, grassroots Conservatives across Schenectady County have the chance to finally say ‘enough’ to this Democrat incursion and take back their Committee,” Rhinesmith concluded.
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Salvatore
July 11, 2008, 2:14pm
Guest User
Is this real? What are the D'ago_tinos going to do now? I can't believe they would let this happen on th eve of Judy's very important re-election race next year considering Dominic is in line to be chief or Deputy Sheriff and the cops all want Judy in so they can help Dom do this. He is the driving force of the force and has all of the Italians in town behind him in this here quest and each officer is committed to helping him and his mother in full total.
I would like to know the legality of all of this. Is there a conspiracy or is there hanky panky. How is that you can just take something over from the police legally like that? They have done a lot of work to keep the party in the proper hands and some say they shouldnt have their rights to politics restricted. I know that John Mertz tried to make a law to take away their police right to vote. I dont agree with that even though I like Johhny and voted for him too. But how can Mrs. Rinesmith just legally take control of something that isnt hers?
Quoted frmo Salvatore: I would like to know the legality of all of this. Is there a conspiracy or is there hanky panky. How is that you can just take something over from the police legally like that?
It's called Democracy, Sal. Anyone can run for any elected office, provided that they satisfy the eligibility requirements, obtain the support of the required number/percentage of voters and file the required documents. Ms. Rhinesmith is an enrolled member of the Conservative party. She has just as much a right to run for a committee seat as does any registered Conservative party member. And, for the record, I, a registered Conservative for many years, am among this slate of candidates.
And, for the record, I fully support the police. I believe that ensuring the public safety is one of the primary roles and responsibilities of government. Our law enforcement officers perform a vital role. I respect them for placing themselves at risk for the sake of the public good. I don't, however, support any group that leverages the influence and power of a political party (i.e., endorsements) to promote its special interest(s) before that of the party philosophy/ideology.
Quoted Text
Quoted from Salvatore: ... They have done a lot of work to keep the party in the proper hands
From your word choice, I sense which group you support in this election. One more important note, there are Schenectady Police and Sheriff Deputies who are running with our slate of candidates or who have expressed their support by signing our Designating Petitions.
This is a very positive revelation. It should probably be done with ALL of the political parties. The reps and dems also have seemed to miss the mark on what their REAL ideology is. It is encouraging to hear that there are real conservs out there who want to bring their party back to it's roots with real believers. The other parties should learn from the conservs. I hope they succeed!!!
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
Well I support the police and the chief, but I like the Republicans in town. I don't know what way things will go but I do know that Dom and his supporters are probably 100% going to stop this with legal means and I know Dom has 100% support from all the police county wide too.
I don't think this is about the cops. It shouldn't be a 'we against them' thing. This appears to be about an ideology that wants to go back to it's roots. It clearly should not be about the 'who or what group will control a political party'. It clearly should not be about motives. It should be all political parties getting back to their original ideology of a political party.
Remember, when joining any political party or choosing a career in public service...it should never be 'all about me/us'. It should be 'all about service'.
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 this real? What are the D'ago_tinos going to do now? I can't believe they would let this happen on th eve of Judy's very important re-election race next year considering Dominic is in line to be chief or Deputy Sheriff and the cops all want Judy in so they can help Dom do this. He is the driving force of the force and has all of the Italians in town behind him in this here quest and each officer is committed to helping him and his mother in full total.
SCHENECTADY COUNTY Activist hoping to oust party leaders Conservative challenge eyed BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter
Longtime political activist and Conservative Kelly Rhinesmith is seeking to replace the Schenectady County Conservative Party’s executive board through a primary challenge in September. It is her second attempt since 2004. Rhinesmith is challenging from within the organization; she is recording secretary for the county Conservative Party. She said she and “a newly formed reform slate” of enrolled Conservatives will fi eld 252 challengers for 126 committee districts in the Sept. 9 primary. Each district contains two seats. She filed designating petitions with the Schenectady County Board of Elections Thursday. If her bid is successful, the challengers would be able to select a new executive board after the primary. R h i n e s m i t h over the years has charged that the county Conservative Party is not true to its roots and is controlled by Democrats. “The Conservative endorsement carries significant weight in elections for local and state offices. Schenectady Democrats recognized this some time ago and began an organized, concerted effort to get their operatives involved in committee positions to gain control,” Rhinesmith said. “Ever since, our committee has taken a decidedly leftward tilt.” Conservative Party Chairman Randy Pascarella said the party has filed petitions for committee races in all but about seven districts, triggering the primary. Pascarella said the executive board is not concerned with Rhinesmith’s latest effort. “The real Conservatives will see right through her,” he said. “It is going to be a fun September and a whole lot of wasted money; it costs money to primary people.” The party’s executive board consists of David F. Battaglia, vice chairman of legislative District 4; Michael Della Rocco Jr., assistant fire chief of the Schenectady Fire Department and party vice chairman of the city; Peter Rakvica, president of AFSCME Local 1130, which represents 28 workers in the Niskayuna highway and parks departments, and party vice chairman in Niskayuna; and Mark LaViolette, a detective with the Schenectady Police Department and vice chairman of the party in Glenville. Robert Hamilton is Conservative Party club president; he also is president of the Schenectady City Police Department’s union, the Police Benevolent Association. Rosanna DeMarco is treasurer. Rhinesmith said she launched the latest challenge because she believes “hundreds and hundreds of Conservatives are sick and tired of being exploited at the ballot line. They are standing up and saying enough, the Conservative Party is not for sale.” As proof of her charge, she pointed to seven designating petitions the Conservative Party submitted Thursday to the county Board of Elections. Each page contained the names of A prominent Democrat, including County Attorney Chris Gardner, county Legislator Martin Finn and Niskayuna Supervisor Joe Landry. Pascarella said Democrats do not control the Conservative Party. He said Democrats have witnessed petitions, however. He alleged Rhinesmith herself is getting support “from forces outside of the Conservative Party. It’s not the Democrats and it’s not the Independence Party. We know this based on fact.” Rhinesmith denied Pascarella’s claim. “That is not true and he has no basis for that whatsoever,” she said. “We have been doing this for a long time and we have financed all of our efforts ourselves. Conservatives will dig into their own pockets to fund a cause.”
Is this real? What are the D'ago_tinos going to do now? I can't believe they would let this happen on th eve of Judy's very important re-election race next year considering Dominic is in line to be chief or Deputy Sheriff and the cops all want Judy in so they can help Dom do this. He is the driving force of the force and has all of the Italians in town behind him in this here quest and each officer is committed to helping him and his mother in full total.
Sal what are you talking about? And do you even know what you are talking about? This appears to be nothing more and nothing less than a grassroots movement for the conservs to regain it's original ideology. From the way I read it this has nothing to do with someone becoming a Deputy Sheriff. And if this Dominic guy is in a position to become a Deputy Sheriff...than so be it. Let's not add unnecessary fuel to a non existent fire.
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
Every member of the force supports the D'agost_nos. Rightly or wrongly indeed. They love those people and especially the boy, Dominic. What you don't understand is the confliction between the sherrif Buffardi, and the policemen over the road-patrol that runs through the county onto the policemens turf. There is a fervant desire that Judy as a powerful Democrat will be in a position shortly upon her re election to put her son into the mix as the under-sherriff which would have lots of power there to control happenings in the jail and on the road-patrol. Through the conservative party, Bumblethrough, this here deal is set to take effect but the Democrats want the policemen to take care to keep the line on the ballot going to the demos, and not repubs, and in return make sure that Judy gets re elected and then gets Dominic into position underneath the Sheriff to make everyone happy, and resolve the struggle over the turf. This I know from very close police friends that are high up and about one year from now or a little more when Judy gets back in [withe the conservative support of course] this is coming into fruitition. You can rest assured friends. Thiis the down deal. This is why every legal remedy will be enforced to keep these troublemakers from getting the party out of Judys hands. Plus they may have some plans for Miss Rinestone that would make her pay a visit to the crowbar motel if they can.
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eventually this pot roast will be cooked.......it's all about the seasonings......."....the salt and light...."
