Democrats decline to participate in election of officers until “reform” slate discloses source of $2000 contribution

Dan Ashley of the North Greenbush Democratic Committee announced that he declined to participate in any vote to elect officers to the town Democratic Committee until the so called “reform” democrats obey the law by disclosing the source of a $2000.00 campaign contribution. He urged his supporters to do the same.

Ashley stated his belief that the contribution has been deliberately misfiled under a company name that does not exist in order to hide the true source of the money. “Allstate Remodeling” does not exist in the N.Y. Secretary of State’s database of companies and the closest name to it is a plumbing company in Troy which lists a Casale as the owner in a Verizon Yellow page ad. If this is the correct donor it begs the question why would a Troy plumber want to donate $2000. to North Greenbush party committee seat elections?

The contractor in Water District 14 has taken over the Conservative Committee and is solidly behind the so called slate of “Reform Democrats”. Present at the election of town officers was Lou Desso, a Conservative Vice Chair in North Greenbush and running mate of the defeated GOP town board slate in 2005. As Chairman of the Democratic Party, I led the demand for an audit and investigation of Water District 14. In my opinion, money from sources illegally with held on financial disclosure reports was funneled into committee races for control of our party and its nominating process.

I will continue to support that audit now under way by the State Comptroller and the “reformers” will continue to support Mr. Casale. The contractor may have enormous influence over two political committees in North Greenbush, but rest assured our supporters will continue to provide oversight and scrutiny over the town’s finances and recruit a full slate of candidates with the independence and resolve to keep the town board out of the hands of any contractor. We will also take all necessary steps to force the “reform” Democrats now in control of this town Democratic committee to comply with Election Law and fully disclose the name and address of their $2000 mystery contributor.