North Greenbush Democratic Committee

Hitting the Airwaves

2011-11-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

Not only is this team on TV with a 30 second commercial, they are on the radio with a 30 second commercial beginning today and on through election day.

This commercial catches up on the time line of endorsements and issues which have changed since the TV commercial was produced.

Heard this morning on WTRY.

Premo Issues Budget Warning

2011-10-06T03:40:00.000-07:00

Budget Warning in North Greenbush

As the elected Highway Superintendent in North Greenbush, I must react to the 2012 Budget with a warning to taxpayers. Last year the Town Board took more than $71,000 in Highway PILOT funds from the Highway Department to pay for a General Fund spending spree rather than to accept the proposed cuts of the Supervisor.

During the year, I have watched the fund balances in the Highway Budget change without my knowledge or my approval. The numbers have changed without my approval or transfer resolutions from the Town Board. Premo noted that more than $370,000 in set aside highway funds were in his budget at the beginning of last year and in the last few months, balance sheets have shown amounts as low as minus $90,000 one week and plus $50,000 the next.

While I was able to submit a budget proposal for 2012 that should not raise the Highway Tax rate which is a separate tax fund from the General Fund, my warnings not to use the Highway PILOT Funds for General Fund expenses will force a significant shortfall in the next budget (2013) with no cushion in 2012 for unexpected occurrences.

It appears the Town Board has used most of the Highway Fund Balance leaving us in a unacceptable cash position for 2012 and beyond.

The Town Board should take responsibility for the money they needed to fund their spending in Town Hall and to stop taking Highway PILOT Funds to pay these expenses. Now I do not have funds needed to address added expenses of increased health, pension and contract costs expected and forecasted by the State Comptroller.

My department provides critical services to the developments appearing all over town. Many receive tax breaks from the county, and we receive no direct tax revenue to provide those services. Instead we rely on PILOT (Payments in lieu of taxes)money to provide services and plan for our future which had included building a long needed addition to our garage. It appears that plan is gone because the money to build it was taken from us.

Mark Premo

N.G. Highway Superintendent

Elliott Holds Fundraiser

2011-10-04T11:31:00.001-07:00

Smith Calls for Debate

2011-09-26T18:28:00.001-07:00

North Greenbush Town Supervisor candidate Charles Smith is calling on his opponent to a debate at a time and place to be agreed upon by the candidates.

Now that voters have ensured that we will have an election with choices for Supervisor, all that is left is to give them a close up view of the candidates themselves to help them make this important decision for our community and its future.

“I believe that each of us has an obligation to take this test before the voters so that they are equipped with an understanding of the abilities, vision and direction that each of us would take the town”, stated Smith.

Smith urged his opponent to accept this challenge and to work with him to facilitate the participation of a non partisan organization to moderate the event such as the Rensselaer County League of Women Voters who have performed this service in the past.

North Greenbush Democrats Announce Endorsements For 2011

2011-09-25T18:08:00.000-07:00

The North Greenbush Democratic Committee has announced its endorsement of a slate of Democrats for this fall’s town elections. Chairman Dan Ashley said the slate reflects the Democratic Committee’s commitment to providing people a choice between candidates on elections day as a means of preserving our two party system.

The Committee endorsed Charles B. Smith for Supervisor along with former Councilman Ernest Kern and Andria Fisher for Town Council. The committee also endorsed Michael Derevlany for Receiver of Taxes to replace the retiring Kyran Devery. Mr. Derevlany holds an MBA in Finance from Adelphi University and a J.D. Degree from PACE University. Rounding out the endorsements is Highway Superintendent Mark Premo who also serves as the Deputy Supervisor.

“Our candidates are committed to progress in North Greenbush while shining the light of openness on the business of town government”, stated Ashley. Once elected, all town board meetings will again be broadcast on cable TV Public Access so people can see and hear their town board in action from the comfort of their homes. In addition, the candidates are committed to see action on the construction of the I-90 Connector to relieve the long commutes we are experiencing and to promote economic development along the corridor and the RPI Tech Park.

The Democratic Committee also endorsed Ray Elliott and Tom Breslin for State Supreme Court, Gary Gordon for Sheriff and Richard McNally for District Attorney.

Democrats to Hold Fundraiser

2011-09-24T08:18:00.000-07:00

Ngdc Fundraiser 2011

Join Us for Golf!

2011-07-29T07:41:00.001-07:00

Golf Day 2011 Forms

Smith Tapped for Town Supervisor

2011-07-25T03:53:00.000-07:00

After an unexpected declination by the town Democratic Committee’s candidate for Town Supervisor, Democratic Committee member Charles B. Smith has agreed to accept the party nomination for Town Supervisor. The nomination was legally formalized Friday when a Committee to Fill Vacancies filed a notarized acceptance at the Board of Elections.

“The unexpected declination left us little time to recruit a candidate but we realized that we had the most honest, well equipped, committed and informed candidate here on our town committee all along in Charles Smith”, stated Chairman Dan Ashley.

“This is not something I planned to do”, stated Smith, however, people deserve a choice in November and the Republican candidate, Al Spain, is attempting to corrupt the two party system by entering a primary for the Democratic nomination after accepting the Republican nomination. “It’s all about power and winning without standing for a vision or principles for too many in North Greenbush politics”, stated Smith.

I am a lifelong Democrat who believes in the checks and balances provided by a vibrant two party system. As a committed Democrat, I could not in good conscience accept a Republican nomination. It is out of a sense of obligation and duty to my town and my party that I have accepted this nomination, stated Smith.

My opponent will be asked to explain to Democratic voters how he can claim to be a Democrat while voting 100% with the GOP majority on the town board. He even voted to place a Republican on the town board when he could have displayed his party’s conscience by voting with the Democratic Supervisor for a qualified Democrat, stated Smith. “Mr. Spain has acted to damage the Town Democratic Committee numerous times since he was elected to the town board three years ago”, stated Chairman Ashley. He continues to encourage his brother to disobey a court ordered repayment of more than $3,500 he misappropriated from the Town Committee checking account and used his town position to provide his brother with free legal services in this case by appointing an out of town attorney to a paid town job.” These actions have delayed the court ordered repayment which even now is being ignored after the Sheriff served a garnishment order.

Town Democrats will have a choice between a “double dipping” Republican candidate who answers to the Republican Party in the City of Troy where he holds a $73,576 a year job and a well equipped Democratic candidate who understand ethics, respects the law, and is thoroughly familiar with town government , concluded Ashley.

North Greenbush Democrats Seek Candidates

2011-03-01T13:08:00.000-08:00

The North Greenbush Democratic Committee is again reaching out to town residents interested in representing North Greenbush as the candidates of the Democratic Party in this November’s local elections.

North Greenbush Democrats will for the first time select their candidates through the Primary Election method, having ended the Caucus system. This will open up the selection process while affording absentee voting for the first time in the selection of Town Democratic Party candidates. We are especially excited that registered Democrats who are members of the armed services unable to be present on election day will be able to vote on their party’s nominees to town offices for the first time should there be any challenges to the party’s nominees. The Caucus method failed to permit absentee voting.

The Committee encourages new faces to become involved and share your talents to better our quality of life. We especially encourage recent college graduates to consider public service. Anyone interested in serving in a town elective office may send a resume and cover letter to the North Greenbush Democratic Committee, Box 675, Wynantskill, NY 12198 or Email to “ngbdems@nycap.rr.com. You may also contact any Committee member listed on our web page at ngbdems.blogspot.com.

Platform of the Democratic Committee

2011-02-28T05:23:00.000-08:00

NGDC Platform
Resolution: It shall be the policy of the North Greenbush Democratic Committee to consider for party nomination to town elective office, only candidates Registered in the Democratic Party.

In addition, the North Greenbush Democratic Committee will not endorse any candidate who is also endorsed by the Town Republican Committee in order to ensure voter choice and candidates who fully support the party’s platform.

POLICY
• Immediate Passage of the Completed and Delivered Comprehensive Plan of 2006.
• Oppose all no bid contracts such as that recently awarded by this Board for another Comprehensive Plan.
• Adopt resolution to urge construction of the I-90 Connector as part of the national economic stimulus and recovery.
• Reform Planning Board Operations by Requiring Hearing to begin at the time Scheduled and prohibiting hearings from beginning after 9 p.m. or to be adjourned to continue after 9 p.m and prohibiting Hearings from continuing after 11 p.m..
• Restore Transparency in Government by Broadcasting Town Board Meetings on Public Access.
• Protect residents with reasonable construction hours for developments.
• Reform Building Department through Reorganization and Appointment of a PE to provide engineering services and manage unionized employees.
• When the existing labor contract is being renegotiated, to remove all management employees, ie Building Department Head, Assessor etc from union bargaining units.
• Comprehensive Recycling Program to deal with electronics, batteries, paints and materials which haulers decline to accept.
• Require Town Board approval as the legal appointing authority for any waiver request to State Retirement System.
• Affirm that all appointments other than the secretary to the Supervisor and Deputy Supervisor are the exclusive prerogative of the full town board.
• Require an updated traffic impact analysis before new development can occur at 4&43.

MONETARY ACCOUNTABILITY
• Reform Budget Process by Full Disclosure of All Raises and Placing Budget On Line for full public access.
• Reform contracts which improperly gave away health insurance buyouts without common sense guidelines. (You must first be enrolled in a program in order to be eligible to receive a buyout.)
• Reform policies and procedures for employee retirement benefits to conform to platform.
• Full annual Health Insurance reviews to affirm eligibility of all those receiving taxpayer funded health insurance and affirmation of results by elected Town Board.
• Retention of a Professional Contract Administrator for all existing and future water contracts in NG.
• Adopt a Capital Budget as Recommended by the NYS Comptroller.
• Consolidation of all water districts pursuant to new State Law designed to streamline and reduce cost of government.

Ashley seeks Answers from Desso on Recusal from Vote

2010-11-18T06:43:00.000-08:00

Desso Letter 1110

North Greenbush Democrats Vote to Approve Primary and End Caucuses

2010-09-30T06:07:00.000-07:00

In a unanimous vote of 11 of the 15 seated members of the North Greenbush Democratic Committee who were present for a Committee Meeting on September 13, 2010, members approved the use of the Primary system to select Democratic candidates for all town offices and end the caucus system beginning in 2011.

North Greenbush becomes the first and only town in Rensselaer County where Democrats will be chosen on Primary Day instead of a Caucus, the date of which can vary. This vote was taken pursuant to State Election Law Section 6-108 requiring a two thirds majority and will take effect for the September 2011 Primary.
“We believe the time has come to make the selection process of Democratic candidates for town offices as expansive and inclusive as possible, stated Chairman Dan Ashley.

The Committee members felt that the caucus system limits the number of Democrats who can vote by restricting the process to a specific time, and fails to permit absentee voting which excludes those in military service and all absentee voters. In addition, the caucus system fails to protect the Democratic Party endorsement from Republicans who show they stand for nothing but wining by manipulating the electoral process and invading the opposition party’s caucus to hold every party line. This denies voters their right to make a choice at the polls in November serving no one’s interest but the candidate who wants to run without opposition or debate of the issues affecting our town.

The Primary system will provide Democrats in North Greenbush the same expanded voting opportunity that the Republican and other parties currently provide. They will select a Democratic candidate on Primary Day with expanded and more convenient voting hours than the Caucus provides. They will be able to vote absentee for their town candidates just as they can select a President or Member of Congress. Any Democrat who can qualify for the ballot can enter the Primary so that all 2000 registered Democrats in our Town have the opportunity to choose who should represent them at the ballot box in November rather than a couple of hundred who might attend a Caucus.

“I am especially proud that military voters can now participate in the selection of Democratic candidates from North Greenbush to represent our party in November”, stated Ashley who has had three sons in military service as well as his own service.

Democrats Announce Golf Day

2010-05-06T16:49:00.000-07:00

Golf 2010 Forms Attachement

Who Will County Legislators Cheat in Game of March Madness?

2010-04-12T19:43:00.000-07:00

Dan Ashley, Chairman of the North Greenbush Democratic Committee criticized Republican Rensselaer County Legislators for their sponsorship of a law that would permit some, not all County Legislators, to “double dip” by serving in two elective offices simultaneously. This law is being considered in order to reverse a State Court order that removed three legislators from town board seats they held in violation of State Law prohibiting the practice.

Taxpayers should oppose this “Double Dipping” law on philosophical and ethical grounds. “You can’t serve two masters, and passing a law to allow county legislators to serve on town boards invites double dipping and conflicts of interest which fail to serve the public interest”, stated Ashley.

Ashley noted the “double payday” that will result if the GOP approves this change in the current law. “It’s not just two public paychecks, it’s also a double hit on the State Retirement System, stated Ashley. County legislators generally report to the State Retirement System that they work 30 hours a week. Town Board members generally report 20 hours a week. That’s 50 hours a week in two part time public jobs. When you add the fact that each holds a full time private sector job, taxpayers should ask who is being cheated by holding so many jobs?

Recusal called for:

Since the legislation appears to be proposed for the benefit of three Republican Legislators removed by the Courts, they should recuse themselves from this vote if they intend to use this law to run again for town board seats, stated Ashley. Otherwise they create the appearance of a voting for personal financial gain.

The Rensselaer County Legislature should carefully consider the implications of permitting certain privileged legislators to double dip at taxpayer expense. If greed causes the law to be passed anyway, then voters in North and East Greenbush should reject county legislators as town board members and elect representatives on their town boards who serve only the interests of their respective towns.

Ashley pointed to budget issues which will conflict a county legislator with a town board member. “County Legislators must first consider the needs of the county in devising a sales tax formula that shares revenues with the towns and cities. Town Board members, on the other hand, have an obligation to represent the interests of their town constituencies when lobbying the County Legislature for a larger share of this revenue source. Clearly, you can’t serve two masters, stated Ashley, noting that a Legislator is conflicted on sales tax votes if he also holds a seat on a Town Board. In Desso language, it’s like coaching for both Duke and Butler in last night’s big game.

Double Dipping Double Standard

Ashley also questioned the bizarre double standard proposed by the GOP’s Double Dipping Law. “How can they propose a law that allows legislators from the towns to serve on town boards while refusing to permit legislators from the county’s two cities to serve on their city councils? Could it be that GOP legislators want exclusive rights to double dipping at public expense or would they concede that city legislators possess higher ethical standards, asked Ashley.

Spain Withdraws From Ethics Appointment

2010-04-02T05:23:00.000-07:00

Dan Ashley, Chairman of the North Greenbush Democratic Committee announced today that Al Spain has told his allies in the Republican Majority Office of the County Legislature that he is withdrawing his name from consideration as their appointee to the County Ethics Board.

Apparently, Spain withdrew his name because he learned that Democrats on the City Council were considering a consolidation plan for City government that would eliminate his job as Personnel Director, turning the duties over to the City's Civil Service Commission. This is the same structure used in Rensselaer County government and would save the cash strapped city a significant amount of money.

Of course the root of the GOP plan to takeover the Ethics Board involves a plan to use it as a political tool to find against Democrats in ethics complaints being engineered by the GOP. This apparently included members of the Troy City Council who hold county related jobs which could be covered by the County Ethics Law and Board.

Spain's loyalty to the GOP however and willingness to assist their efforts both in the county and in North Greenbush have severely damaged his standing with Democrats who hold the keys to his needless city job. His use of his Democratic Party registration to support Republicans at every level has damaged his standing to the point where he has no support among Democrats.

"While I am pleased that Al Spain will not be used by the County GOP in their plans to make the Ethics Board a political tool, it is clear they may still intend to use another Democratically registered operative to accomplish this goal. I urge Democrats in the legislature to fight to keep the Ethics Board bipartisan and to insist that Democratic appointees be nominated from their Minority Office."

County Legislative Majority Undermining Ethics Law

2010-03-22T13:47:00.000-07:00

Dan Ashley, Chairman of the North Greenbush Democratic Committee has written the Chairman of the Rensselaer County Legislature urging they take a step back from an attempt to impose the Democrats on the Ethics Board on the Democratic Caucus of the Legislature. You can read his letter below.

March 22, 2010

Hon. Martin Reid

Chairman, RC Legislature

1600 7^th Ave.

Troy, NY 12180

Dear Chairman Reid,

I wish to express my concern over the effort of your majority to impose the appointment of registered Democrats as members of the County Ethics Board who do not enjoy the support of elected Democrats in the County Legislature. Such a move would erode bipartisan oversight and serve to make the Ethics Board a tool of one political party.

As you are aware, I served in the Legislature when the County Ethics Law was passed in 1992. The bill’s purpose was to create a formula for the ethical conduct of county employees and officials. Part of that formula was to establish a County Board of Ethics in which the Majority and Minority Parties would be represented by two Ethics Board members each. When Democrats held a majority in the Legislature, they accepted without reservation, Republican appointees. Until this past month, Republicans have also respected the nominees offered by Democrats as the minority party in the Legislature.

I am concerned that any effort by any majority party in the Legislature to impose Ethics Board members enrolled in the minority party will serve to erode public confidence in the bipartisan independence expected of the Ethics Board. It would also violate the clear purpose and intent of the statute as practiced and implemented over nearly two decades.

While I do not know one of the registered nominees enrolled as a Democrat being supported by your majority caucus, I am very familiar with the other nominee who is enrolled as a Democrat. Al Spain, an employee of the Republican administration in the city of Troy, enjoys no support from the Democratic Party either in his town of North Greenbush, the County Democratic Committee or the Minority Caucus of the County Legislature.

This is due to the fact that Mr. Spain has demonstrated time and again his affiliation with and loyalty to the Republican Party. While he remains enrolled as a Democrat by checking a box at the Board of Elections, he sought the endorsement of the Town Republican Committee for the office of Town Supervisor last year. He endorsed the four Republican candidates for County Legislature to the exclusion of the four Democrats who were incumbents at the time of his endorsement. He also endorsed the Republican candidate for State Senate and functions as the unofficial “Majority Leader” of the North Greenbush Town Board which includes two Republican endorsed Board members as his “caucus”. In view of Mr. Spain’s past political endorsements and status as an elected town board member, it seems clear he would have difficulty qualifying as an Ethics Board member if he intends to seek re-election and meet the minimum requirements set forth in Section 12 of the law which prohibits participation in any election campaign.

I also point out that Mr. Spain’s ethics record as a Council member in North Greenbush includes two votes to appoint family members to town committees or agencies and a vote to appoint his brother’s attorney to the town payroll in apparent exchange for free legal services for his brother from that attorney. This is currently the subject of an unresolved Ethics Complaint in North Greenbush.

If a Legislative Majority imposes Ethics Board members who are merely enrolled as Democrats while serving the political interests of the Republican Party, the Ethics Board would be rendered a partisan body consisting of four members supported only by the majority party. I believe such an action would violate the spirit and letter of the County Ethics Law.

I urge you to take a step back from further consideration of any enrolled Democrat whose name is not first forwarded to you and supported by the Minority Caucus. The Ethics Law was passed in a bipartisan spirit and the Ethics Law must be enforced in that spirit if the public is to have any confidence in its rulings and findings.

Dan Ashley

Chairman Calls for Recusal of Councilman Spain on Vote

2010-02-11T06:39:00.000-08:00

Spain Should Recuse from Appointment of Attorney

2010-02-02T07:13:00.000-08:00

At a meeting of the North Greenbush Town Board, Councilman Al Spain sponsored a Public Hearing on a Local Law that would allow he and the board to appoint non residents as deputy town attorneys. At the hearing Mr. Spain was asked to consider recusing himself from any vote to appoint a non resident attorney who is apparently providing free legal representation to his brother in a civil case involving his disbursement of nearly $5,000 in Democratic Party funds after losing control of the Committee.

Voting to appoint this attorney and changing the law to allow non residents in these positions creates the appearance that the Councilman is appointing the attorney to a town job as a quid pro quo for the attorneys free legal representation for a family member. Former Councilman Desso recused himself from voting on these matters before he was removed from the board by the courts. He did so because the other non resident attorney was representing him in his civil matter involving holding two elective offices. He saw the improper appearance created and recused himself. Councilman Spain should follow the example of Mr. Desso and recuse himself from making any appointment of an attorney who is providing free legal services to his brother.

Mr. Spain’s brother spoke at the public hearing and refused to state that he was paying the attorney representing him in Rensselaer City Court. He declined to provide a retainer agreement as well and declared that it was not anyone’s business what his attorney was doing for him.

Despite the fact that prior town boards made the same mistake in illegally hiring non residents in these posts, we should strive to appoint people who live here, pay taxes here and have a stake in North Greenbush. The friends Councilman Spain is trying to appoint to town jobs should only be considered if no qualified town residents are available. The town board meets February 11th at 7pm and may vote to appoint attorneys. The public is free to speak at that time.
Dan Ashley
Chair,NGDC

Democrats Hold Election Rally

2009-10-13T05:53:00.001-07:00

Democrats in North Greenbush have been working hard to earn your support for our outstanding slate of candidates who will provide town government with the professional management team so needed in these tough fiscal times!

Please join us as we have an opportunity to meet the candidates who have offered their time and talents to represent you, not only as Democrats but as taxpayers of our great community. We are proud to offer town residents the clearest choice in years between a Republican party that has produced a $149,000 deficit and a commitment to turn RT 4 into another Wolf Road on behalf of developers, and your Town Democratic Team of

Josephine Ashworth for Supervisor

Jann Liberty for Town Clerk

Joshua Sabo and Raymond Elliott for Town Justice

Richard Fennelly and Trish Noel for Council

Mark Premo for Highway Superintendent

We need your continued support to get out our message to town voters in the coming weeks and we ask you to reserve your spot today for our Election Rally at the American Legion, Main Avenue in Wynantskill on Friday October 30^th at 7PM.

Tickets are $30.00 each and $50.00 a couple. There will be a buffet and beer and soft drinks are included in this event.

Please send your contribution as early as possible so we can plan accordingly and utilize this revenue on behalf of our candidates who are working so hard to bring town government back to the people and out of the hands of developers.

Thank you for your continued support!

The North Greenbush Democratic Committee

Mark Premo, Event Coordinator

Tear off and return with your check payable to:

NGDC

Box 675

Wynantskill, NY 12198

Name _________________________

Address _______________________

Enclosed is $____________ I would like to become a Sponsor with an additional contribution of $_________

I cannot attend but would like to contribute $_________

I want to Join the Business Card Review! $25.00 enclosed with our business card

For just $25.00 we will add your supplied business card to a special program distributed during this event.

We urge all of our supporters to patronize and support the businesses that help us run these campaigns!

Democrats Will Implement Budget Reform and Transparency

2009-10-13T03:57:00.000-07:00

Democratic Candidates for North Greenbush released the first part of their financial management plan designed to institute transparency and accountability in the budget process.
“Recognizing that the town has invested a substantial sum to create an on-line presence at www.townofng.com, it is only appropriate that this resource become a vehicle for openness and transparency. The Supervisor’s Tentative Budget will go on-line when it is first filed with the Town Clerk’s Office,” stated Supervisor candidate Josephine Ashworth.
In addition, the budget will be broken down into line items for each salaried position in its so called “Personnel Services Code” which will clearly identify proposed raises for elected and appointed officials. “Raises were partially concealed in the 2009 tentative budget because the salaries were merged into a single code by department,” stated Town Council candidates Richard Fennelly and Trish Noel. They noted that while the Supervisor’s attempt to secure a 280% midterm raise of $42,000 became the subject of criticism when the budget was released, it was not immediately clear that the Town Clerk was including a 9% raise for her position as Clerk and a 48% increase in her position as Registrar of Vital Statistics.
“A professional management approach to budgeting must emphasize transparency and accountability,” noted candidates Noel and Fennelly. They agree Personnel Services Codes in the budget must be “itemized” so that every salaried title contained within the code is separately listed with the proposed salary listed with the prior year’s salary. “These reforms will ensure openness and accountability in Town fiscal matters. Further, our investment in an Internet presence will become an information superhighway for our residents, rather than our current web status as a bridge to nowhere.”
The Town’s appointed Comptroller estimated in his August 13th report that we are on our way to a $149,000 cumulative deficit for Fiscal 2009. The candidates would require the Comptroller’s “Certification” that budget projections of revenues and expenditures are “True and Complete”. In this way, the Comptroller’s credibility and independence would be clearly accounted for in the Supervisor’s Tentative Budget. “The current Board was forced to re institute the previous Board’s Resolution requiring two signatures on all checks (the Comptroller and Supervisor) after repeated abuses by the current Supervisor in his issuance of checks. This was done as a safeguard against further unlawful disbursements,” stated former Councilman Richard Fennelly. The Comptroller’s signature on the Supervisor’s Tentative Budget will offer taxpayers a similar safeguard, providing assurance that revenues and expenditures are not being manipulated in order to create an election year deception of a “No tax increase budget”.
The candidates believe that the steps proposed in Phase 1 of their Budget Reform Plan will make town officials more accountable, while offering the public truly clear picture of town finances which is easily accessible. The second phase of the Democrats financial management plan will look at Health Insurance reform which they believe is critically important for setting the town on a stable financial path.

Democrats Oppose New Comp Plan

2009-10-02T17:21:00.001-07:00

RESOLUTION August 3, 2009

At a meeting of the North Greenbush Democratic Committee held on Monday August 3, 2009 with a quorum present in person or by proxy, the Committee resolved:

That the Comprehensive Plan Committee which was reconstituted by the Town Board in January 2008 failed to act in accordance with the laws of the State of New York governing open meetings by failing to take "minutes" in the majority of at least 16 meetings known to have been held pursuant to records surrendered under the Freedom of Information Act;

That said Comprehensive Plan Committee made significant changes to the Land Use Map as delivered to the Town of North Greenbush by Bergmann Associates, the first consultant retained by the town pursuant to a competitive bidding process;

That absent accurate minutes which detail the members present, motions, discussions and quorums necessary for a public body to conduct business on behalf of the Town of North Greenbush, residents have no way in which to determine why these changes were made, at whose request and whether said changes were made by the Committee with a quorum present as required of a public body under the State's Open Meetings Law;

Therefore be it resolved, that the North Greenbush Democratic Committee declares that it has No Confidence in the actions of this Comprehensive Plan Committee in changing the draft Comprehensive Plan submitted by Bergmann Associates in December 2006;

Be it further resolved that the North Greenbush Democratic Committee urges the Town Board of North Greenbush to reject the revisions submitted by the reconstituted Comprehensive Plan Committee due to the failure of this Committee to conduct itself in an open accountable manner.

Be it further resolved that that the Secretary of the North Greenbush Democratic Committee is directed to send this resolution to the Town Board of North Greenbush to be read into the record of a Public Hearing held by the Town Board which must be held pursuant to S 272a of the Town Law which governs the passage of a Comprehensive Plan.

Ayes __10____

Nays__0_____

Approved____x_

Disapproved ____

Democrats Issue Debate Challenge

2009-09-24T10:18:00.000-07:00

Democratic Candidates for the North Greenbush Town Board today urged their opponents to accept a challenge to debate the issues confronting town government in this campaign.

North Greenbush faces serious financial problems as repeatedly stated by the Town Comptroller who has warned the Town Board that we face a two year cumulative deficit of $149,000. What is their fiscal plan to deal with this issue and avoid a significant tax hike needed to keep spending as usual and erase this deficit?

Of equal significance to town residents is the Comprehensive Plan which has under this Comprehensive Planning Committee appointed by the current Board majority, divided our town by operating in defiance of the Open Meetings Law and recommending the rezoning of areas of RT 4 to the most intense commercial applications which could begin to turn RT 4 into the next Wolf Road.

“We stand ready to take this test before the voters of North Greenbush to debate and explain our vision for the town and its future”, stated Supervisor candidate Josephine Ashworth. We would accept any invitation to debate which recognizes the non partisan League of Women Voters as moderators and utilizes their respected format.

Town Board Does Nothing to Reduce Spending with $149,000 Deficit

2009-09-22T18:58:00.000-07:00

North Greenbush Democratic Chairman Dan Ashley today called on Town Board members to request a Special Meeting of the Town Board to decide on immediate cuts in spending scheduled to take place in fiscal 2009 in order to reduce the massive deficit projected by the Town Comptroller.

It is irresponsible to sit back and do nothing to reduce spending now in an effort to lessen the impact of the massive cuts or tax increases that would be needed in the 2010 Budget, stated Ashley. “Not only has this majority failed to erase the $85,000 deficit it carried over from last year, they have allowed a new projected deficit of $64,000 to be added to the problem. Their only response was to take away cell phones from employees and take two people off the payroll which was done far too late in the year to have any impact”, stated Ashley.

Taxpayers need decisive action now to erase at least half the deficit from current spending so that the 2010 Budget can more easily be focused on critically needed spending reductions which will erase the balance of the two year deficit without a tax hike.

Town services must be reorganized in a manner that reviews each position, the management of all expenditures, and makes decisions that derive a long term benefit by more effectively restructuring the operations of town hall.

Ashley also expressed concern that some Board members may be planning to cut the Highway Budget by a percentage equal to a significant increase in the General Fund Budget to pay for the deficit without reducing General Fund spending. Highway Superintendent Mark Premo will vigorously oppose such a move which would punish his sound management of this budget and his continued long term planning for replacement of aging vehicles and carefully scheduled infrastructure improvements. Such a budget game would force a significant increase in the highway budget next year to replenish funds cut this year to play a political game with the budget.

“It’s incomprehensible to think they are just waiting to deal with this in the 2010 Budget which must be filed by the end of the month”, stated Ashley. A Special Meeting should be called now that makes significant cuts in 2009 spending and lessens the impact of the 2010 cuts or tax increases needed to balance the budget.

Meet Our Candidates

2009-09-21T10:16:00.000-07:00

Josephine Ashworth Announces Candidacy for Town Supervisor

Josephine Ashworth is running for town supervisor on the Democratic, Greenbush Party and Working Families Party lines.

“I decided to run for supervisor because I was struck by a comment made by the consultant who originally worked with the town on its comprehensive plan,” she said.

“In introducing the plan, the consultant stated that North Greenbush is in the unique position of becoming a model community based on planned growth that enhances the quality of life for all its residents. I am determined to make this become a reality.”

She co-founded and was a partner in a leadership training and management development consulting firm for a number of years and has worked for New York State in a number of capacities that included director of a labor-management committee and internal consultant/quality trainer for the state Department of Transportation.

She is also a trained community mediator and volunteers in a variety of capacities for local organizations. Ashworth is a graduate of Cornell University, holding both a bachelor’s degree in industrial and labor relations and a master’ degree in public administration.

Ashworth pledged to work to realign priorities both fiscally and administratively including a reform of the budget process and the elimination of a projected $149,000 deficit.

“I am excited about the prospect of dealing with these challenges and running with a superb professional management team,” stated Ashworth. “With the support and help of my colleagues and town residents, I believe that the time has come to heal divisions and make North Greenbush, once again, a very special place to live and work.”

Fennelly Endorsed for North Greenbush Council

Richard Fennelly has received the endorsements of the North Greenbush Democratic , Working Families and Greenbush Party for the office of Town Councilman.

Mr. Fennelly has a long tenure of public service in North Greenbush as Supervisor and Councilman. He Chaired the Comprehensive Plan Committee in 2006 and 2007, which presented a completed Comprehensive Plan to the town in December 2007.

During his previous service as Supervisor and Councilman, Fennelly oversaw the creation of the recreation area at the Town Beach which includes a playground and pavilion. He oversaw the dedication of this facility to former Supervisor Bill Dedrick who was instrumental in its development.

Fennelly helped create the CDTA Park and Ride, oversaw the expansion of the Town Offices to occupy unutilized space at the old Wynantskill School, provided space in that facility to our outstanding Library and dedicated our principle court room to the Honorable George B. Ceresia who began his distinguished judicial career as a North Greenbush Town Justice. He was also a liaison between RPI and the town in the creation of the Technology Park.

He also expressed support for the outstanding work done by those associated with public safety and is particularly proud that the North Greenbush Police Department became a fully accredited police agency by the NY State Department of Criminal Justice Services during his last term.

Fennelly concerns include, adopting and implementing a Comprehensive Plan, improving the public image of North Greenbush and management by anticipation rather than reaction. He is also committed to retaining a Professional Engineer to guide our Building Department.

“I am privileged to be running with an outstanding group of candidates who are well equipped to manage our town as true professionals who will move North Greenbush forward as a better community”, stated Fennelly.

Mr. Fennelly has been a resident of North Greenbush for 36 years, and has been a Professor at HVCC for 40 years. He resides on Bloomingrove Drive with his wife Patricia. Mr. Fennelly has 4 grown children and 13 grandchildren.

Patricia Noel Announces Candidacy for Town Council

Patricia A. Noel of 236 Whiteview Road has announced her candidacy for the North Greenbush Town Council. “I am delighted to be part of a team of candidates who possess the management skills our town desperately needs in these difficult fiscal times”, stated Noel. She noted that the town has accumulated a two year projected General Fund deficit of $149,000 and little has been done to reduce spending during the year.

“Managing town finances is a primary responsibility of a town board member”, stated Noel. We need to plan ahead as a Town Board while implementing strict financial oversight and management principles. I am confident that the skills and determination we bring to the table will restore the town’s image and put our financial house in order. Noel is running with Supervisor candidate Josephine Ashworth and fellow Council candidate Richard Fennelly. She is joined on the ticket by Jann Liberty, candidate for Town Clerk, Highway Superintendent Mark Premo along with Judge Raymond Elliot and Joshua Sabo who is running for the justice seat vacated by Judge Andrew Ceresia’s elevation to Rensselaer County Court.

Noel is a graduate of Russell Sage, with a BA History and Government, gained extensive budget experience as a member and President of the Wynantskill School Board, and served on our Youth Board and was elected North Greenbush Town Clerk. She also has experience working in the finance office of Hudson Valley Community College where she dealt with the budget and payroll and served in the Town Comptroller’s office part time for two years.

Noel also served as a Confidential Assistant to Highway Superintendent Mark Premo where she assisted in the preparation of the Highway department’s 1.6 million dollar budget. She is particularly proud of her role in the facilitation of the town’s beach working with former Supervisor Bill Dedrick for whom the facility is named.

Noel has received the endorsements of the Democratic, Working Families and Greenbush Party and will be on the ballot on Rows A and E. She and her husband Richard have four grown children and four grandchildren.

Janice Liberty Announces Candidacy for North Greenbush Town Clerk

Janice Liberty, of 27 Douglas Street has announced her candidacy for the office of North Greenbush Town Clerk. Jann has received the endorsements of the Democratic, Working Families and Greenbush Parties.

North Greenbush government is need of professional management and it’s gratifying to be part of a strong management team that will bring sound business practices, fiscal prudence and supervision to town hall.

Liberty stated her intention to restore integrity to this office while improving services at by adding evening and weekend hours to better serve the needs of busy working families seeking vital services from the town clerk. She will end the use of unbudgeted overtime which has added to the town’s current $149,000 projected deficit. It is also her intention to consolidate the salaries of Town Clerk and Registrar saving the town nearly $8,000 annually.

Jann has a rich background which will serve her well as Town Clerk. She has held positions in the Town Clerk’s office as Records Management Specialist under former Town Clerk Trish Noel, was Deputy Court Clerk briefly for the Town and went on to become Troy Police Court Secretary for the District Attorney’s office, under Mary Donohue. This is one of the county’s busiest courts.

Liberty has also served North Greenbush as Chairperson of the Youth Advisory Board, PTO officer of Gardner Dickinson, Planning Board Secretary, DARE Committee secretary, Playground Co-chair and Secretary to the North Greenbush Democratic Committee.

People must be assured that when they arrive at the Clerk’s office during regular hours it will be open. There is no reason with a full time deputy that the office should be closed. It is also the Clerk’s duty to secure and properly sign the Oath Book for the Town preventing any re-occurrence of the incidents which have embarrassed this office in recent years.

I am looking forward to meeting as many residents as possible in the coming weeks and serving you as your next Town Clerk.

Mark Premo Seeks Re-Election as Highway Superintendent

Mark Premo has announced his candidacy for re-election as North Greenbush Highway Superintendent. Premo has received the endorsements of the Democratic, Working Families and Greenbush Parties and will appear on Rows A and E in the November election.

It’s great to be running with a “professional management team that is committed to the Highway Department and which understands the need for long range planning. Premo has served as Highway Superintendent for the past 6 years and has carefully managed our 1.6 million dollar budget, avoiding tax increases while instituting a 5 year plan for vehicle replacement and infrastructure improvement. This planning will allow us to hold the line on highway tax increases for at least the next 3 years. Premo stated his commitment to hold the line on spending this year and will introduce a ZERO TAX INCREASE budget to the Town Board which still allows for scheduled vehicle replacement, repairs and improvements to our facilities.

I am also proud of our work with FEMA recovering from last winter’s ice storm damage. We leased a special truck that sped tree removal and later purchase that vehicle at a considerable savings for future deployment. Our department secured over $300,000 in federal funding to clean up the storm damage and help us recover.

Premo pledge to resist any effort to allow politics to affect his management of the Highway Fund which is dedicated to the services provided by his department. He expressed concern that the Town Board may attempt to deal with its $149,000 projected General Fund deficit at by cutting the Highway Fund by as much as 15% and then attempt to “sell” the public on a the notion that the overall town budget has no tax increase. Such a move is little more than a fiscal sleight of hand that would force an increase in the Highway Budget tax rate the following year.

Mark and his wife Margie have four grown children and are also twice proud grandparents.

Raymond Elliott Seeks Re-Election as Town Justice

Justice Elliott Announces Re-Election Campaign

Judge seeks 7^th Term in North Greenbush

NORTH GREENBUSH – North Greenbush Town Judge Raymond J. Elliott III, announces his bid for a 7^th term. Judge Elliott has presided over more than 40,000 cases in North Greenbush since 1985.

“It gives me great pleasure to announce that I will run for a seventh term as North Greenbush Town Judge,” said Raymond J. Elliott, III. “For more than 25 years it has been my extreme honor and privilege to serve the people of North Greenbush. With their support, I hope to continue to serve them.”

Judge Elliott is a graduate of Columbia High School, Colgate University and Albany Law School. He began his tenure as North Greenbush Town Judge when he was appointed to the bench in May 1984. Elliott won his first term in November 1984 and has been re-elected six times since. Judge Elliott has served as Acting-Judge in Troy and Rensselaer City Courts as well as East Greenbush Town Court.

Judge Elliott has maintained a private law practice in DeFreestville for more than 37 years, and he is admitted to practice in all New York State Courts, the United States Northern District Court and the United States Supreme Court. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the Albany and Rensselaer County Bar Associations and the Capital District Trial Lawyers Association.

In addition to his credentials on the bench, Judge Elliott was an adjunct professor of Business Law at Hudson Valley Community College for 10 years and a former North Greenbush Town Attorney. Judge Elliott is a Past President of the New York State Association of Towns. He has also held the positions of President of the Rensselaer County Magistrates Association and a Director of the New York State Magistrates Association.

“My more than 25 years of service as Town Justice and my more than 37 years as an attorney in private practice have provided me with what I believe to be the necessary experience and knowledge for the office of Town Justice,” said Judge Elliott.

Joshua Sabo Announces Candidacy for Town Justice

Joshua Sabo is a candidate for North Greenbush Town Justice in the November elections. A graduate of Columbia High School, Wesleyan University and Georgetown Law School, Sabo has experience both prosecuting and defending cases in Justice Courts throughout Rensselaer County. This experience is crucial to being a competent and effective Justice for the Town. Sabo is an experienced trial lawyer who has tried cases from Supreme Court in Manhattan to Justice Court in Stony Creek and is one of the very few attorneys in Rensselaer County who has briefed and argued appeals in each of the Four Appellate Divisions (from Rochester to Brooklyn), the Court of Appeals and Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Sabo is a member of the Rensselaer County and New York State Bar Associations. With a law office on Route 4 in DeFreestville, Sabo will be accessible to law enforcement officials for arraignments at any time during the day or night.

As a former North Greenbush Town Attorney, Sabo supervised Deputy Town Attorneys representing North Greenbush in Town Court and acted as a liaison between the Town Justices and the Town Board on issues concerning the Courts. Sabo is an active volunteer in the community and serves as President of the New York Council of Nonprofits representing the interests of over 1600 non-profits in New York, as President of Innovative Charitable Initiatives and volunteers for other charities. He coaches a Greenbush Soccer U-10 Girls travel soccer team and volunteers in his children's classroom upon request. Josh is married to Mary Frances and is the proud father of Adam, a student at Goff Middle School and Maria and Nadia at Bell Top.

Sabo is committed to becoming a Town Justice all residents, attorneys and law enforcement officials can respect for his fairness as Judge, his commitment to treating everyone who comes into Court with respect, and the quality of his legal decisions.

Democrats Release Platform and Set Caucus

2009-08-18T07:17:00.000-07:00

Caucus Set for 2009 General Election
The North Greenbush Democratic Party will select its candidates at a party caucus to be held Thursday August 27th at 7PM at the Troy Lodge of Elks on RT 4 in North Greenbush.
All Registered Democrats are eligible to attend and vote.This is your only chance to elect your party's candidates so please attend and bring a friend who is also a registered Democrat.

NGDC 2009 Platform
Resolution: It shall be the policy of the North Greenbush Democratic Committee to consider for party nomination to town elective office, only candidates Registered in the Democratic Party.

In addition, the North Greenbush Democratic Committee will not endorse any candidate who is also endorsed by the Town Republican Committee in order to ensure voter choice and candidates who fully support the party’s platform.

POLICY
• Immediate Passage of the Completed and Delivered Comprehensive Plan of 2006.
• Oppose all no bid contracts such as that recently awarded by this Board for another Comprehensive Plan.
• Adopt resolution to urge construction of the I-90 Connector as part of the national economic stimulus and recovery.
• Reform Planning Board Operations by Requiring Hearing to begin at the time Scheduled and prohibiting hearings from beginning after 9 p.m. or to be adjourned to continue after 9 p.m and prohibiting Hearings from continuing after 11 p.m..
• Restore Transparency in Government by Broadcasting Town Board Meetings on Public Access.
• Protect residents with reasonable construction hours for developments.
• Reform Building Department through Reorganization and Appointment of a PE to provide engineering services and manage unionized employees.
• When the existing labor contract is being renegotiated, to remove all management employees, ie Building Department Head, Assessor etc from union bargaining units.
• Comprehensive Recycling Program to deal with electronics, batteries, paints and materials which haulers decline to accept.
• Require Town Board approval as the legal appointing authority for any waiver request to State Retirement System.
• Affirm that all appointments other than the secretary to the Supervisor and Deputy Supervisor are the exclusive prerogative of the full town board.
• Require an updated traffic impact analysis before new development can occur at 4&43.

MONETARY ACCOUNTABILITY
• Reform Budget Process by Full Disclosure of All Raises and Placing Budget On Line for full public access.
• Reform contracts which improperly gave away health insurance buyouts without common sense guidelines. (You must first be enrolled in a program in order to be eligible to receive a buyout.)
• Reform policies and procedures for employee retirement benefits to conform to platform.
• Full annual Health Insurance reviews to affirm eligibility of all those receiving taxpayer funded health insurance and affirmation of results by elected Town Board.
• Retention of a Professional Contract Administrator for all existing and future water contracts in NG.
• Adopt a Capital Budget as Recommended by the NYS Comptroller.
• Consolidation of all water districts pursuant to new State Law designed to streamline and reduce cost of government.

Democratic Committee Endorses Slate of Candidates for 2009 Elections

2009-08-04T11:33:00.000-07:00

The North Greenbush Democratic Committee has endorsed an outstanding slate of Democrats who support our platform to place a professional management team at the helm of town government which has been paralyzed by the present town board majority.

The Democratic Committee has endorsed Josephine Ashworth for Town Supervisor, Richard Fennelly and Patricia Noel for Council, Raymond Elliott and Joshua Sabo for Town Justice, Mark Premo for Highway Superintendent and Jann Liberty for Town Clerk.
“We are excited to endorse a professional management team for town government that offers experience in both the private and public sector”, stated Chairman Dan Ashley. “We are also delighted to have our ticket led by a professional woman, Josephine Ashworth, who brings a rich background in public administration, teaching and skills in dispute resolution which will serve her well as town supervisor”. Joining Ms. Ashworth are council candidates Patricia “Trish” Noel and Richard Fennelly, both of whom are seasoned advocates for North Greenbush having served as Town Clerk and Supervisor/Councilman respectively.

The Committee also endorsed Janice Liberty for Town Clerk. Jann has an outstanding background in public administration having served in the District Attorney’s Office for 5 years under Mary Donohue. She was Secretary to the Troy Police Court, the county’s busiest court. She was also a deputy clerk for North Greenbush Town Court and a Records Management Specialist under former Town Clerk Trish Noel.

The Committee declined to endorse Kathryn Connolly after she decided to run a as a Republican. We made it clear to her and all candidates that cross endorsements deny voters a choice at the polls and are contrary to the democratic process. The Democratic Committee believes cross endorsements are self serving and deny voters a choice in the general election. Further, one cannot run as a Republican and claim any loyalty to the Democratic Party’s platform and values.

Ashley noted that the party will caucus to formally select candidates later in August.

Ashley Calls on Town Employees to Forgo Insurance Buyout Payments

2009-06-30T19:59:00.000-07:00

With taxpayers facing the worst economy in 40 years, North Greenbush Democratic Chairman Dan Ashley today called on town hall employees to forgo the controversial health insurance buyouts as a good faith effort in reducing the town’s newly projected $300,000 dollar deficit for 2009.

Recently, these employees received another set of checks totaling over $34,000, which is only half of what they would receive in 2009. The 2009 budget projects some $68,000 to cover such payments reflecting a 33% increase in the code.(Hospital & Med Ins $207,000 in 08 to $275,000.)

With layoffs inevitable in dealing with this deficit, it seems sensible to ask these employees to make some sacrifices instead of asking taxpayers to pay higher taxes for health insurance buyouts, especially to allow such buyouts for people who were never enrolled in the insurance program, stated Ashley.

Ashley noted that the union contract contains provisions which defy public sensibilities and includes managers in the bargaining unit who should be separate and distinct from the employees under their supervision. Because they were included in this bargaining unit, they are eligible to receive these buyouts at a considerable cost to taxpayers. They budgeted buyouts are equivalent to a 6.8% property hike. Also, people were allowed to opt out of the insurance program who were never enrolled in it to begin with. This cost taxpayers money instead of realizing a 50% savings on a previously paid premium.

The lack of management in town hall under Supervisor Evers and this Board is astonishing, stated Ashley. Evers placed himself on the town insurance without eligibility or authority costing taxpayers at least $10,000 in premiums over two years until he was forced off. Yet the town Board members refused to force him to reimburse taxpayers and they refused to force the contractual engineer to reimburse some $20,000 in premiums he improperly received on Evers watch.

“It seems everyone in town hall has their hands in our pockets or is looking the other way at totally improper and unlawful payouts of town money insuring people at public expense.” When the Board is forced to order layoffs in the union ranks, no one should forget the failure of the union to meet the taxpayers halfway by forgoing payouts taxpayers cannot afford.

Town Board Should Recover Funds To Reduce Deficit

2009-06-22T08:10:00.000-07:00

North Greenbush Democratic Chairman Dan Ashley today called upon the North Greenbush Town Board to take the necessary steps to recover tens of thousands of dollars improperly paid out to vendors and the town supervisor over the past five years. He called the action, “a desperately needed first step in addressing a projected $250,000 deficit for this year which will repeat itself next year without significant cuts in town spending”.

The town supervisor has helped himself to public funds he was not legally entitled to and he and the town board have done nothing to require repayment of those funds to taxpayers, stated Ashley. Over the past five years, the Supervisor has helped himself to coverage under the town’s health insurance policy which has cost taxpayers $5,000 annually for “single coverage”. While he was finally forced off the policy as a part time ineligible employee, he balked at suggestions he refund two years worth of premiums the town improperly paid on his behalf. “That’s $10,000 that Mr. Evers benefited from improperly which should be applied to deficit reduction, stated Ashley. It’s like robbing a bank and being allowed to keep the money if you don’t do it again.”

Ashley also called on the Town Board to give the Comptroller authority to recover some $20,000 in health insurance premiums paid out to a contractual vendor, Town Engineer Thomas Murley, paid out improperly over the past 5 years after he left the town as an employee in order to contract out his services. Like Mr. Evers, he was removed from continued coverage, but he was allowed to “keep the change”, some $20 grand in taxpayer change which should never been expended on his behalf.

The two improper insurance premium payments total $30,000 in “gifts” which could reduce the projected deficit by approximately 8%. Ashley stated that it’s not like they didn’t know they were taking benefits from the town they were not entitled to. For the town board to do nothing about requiring recovery of the funds is simply irresponsible as fiscal stewards, stated Ashley. The only step the town board took to curb the Supervisor’s spending habits was a passing a resolution requiring that the Comptroller co-sign checks so that the Supervisor could not alone give out town funds as he did to another contractor earlier this year ($38,000) and in December of 2006, (85,000).

Ashley stressed that a deficit of this magnitude will require a reorganization of town hall which will have to include a reduction in staff. The numbers are simply too large to be reached without reduction in staff and that process must begin in July to significantly impact this deficit. Taxpayers cannot afford to pay for this deficit. It must be eased through cuts in spending and recovery of improperly disbursed funds, concluded Ashley.

Ashley Calls for Cuts after Disclosure of Projected Quarter Million Deficit

2009-06-17T05:57:00.001-07:00

North Greenbush Democratic Chairman Dan Ashley is calling for immediate action by the Town Supervisor and Board to cut spending after a report from the Town Comptroller last evening which projected a $250,000 deficit for this year.

“The town board has been repeatedly warned by Democrats that sales tax and mortgage tax revenues would not be realized due to the ongoing economic crisis affecting our State and nation. Yet the Supervisor has refused to make the tough decisions to cut spending in anticipation of what finally was confirmed last evening by the Town Comptroller”, stated Ashley. Sales Tax revenues received from the county are down at least 5% as is the mortgage tax revenue, just as we warned months ago. When projected out for the year, the town’s budget would suffer a $165,000 shortfall if the revenue stream remains at current levels.

Also disclosed by the Comptroller was the existence of a $85,000 deficit from 2008 which has not been erased. Together, the deficits could reach a quarter million dollars equating to a 25% property tax increase next year if no cuts are made now to offset the projections.

The Supervisor must take a great deal of the blame for the reckless efforts to spend money we do not have, stated Ashley. He has personally hired three town employees without the required Town Board approval and did so despite warnings from the Board not to hire them without proper approval. They were a Senior Clerk, and two Secretaries whose combined salaries total about $80,000. Evers also attempted to give himself a $42,000 pay raise this year, voted for a wasteful $40,000 no bid contract to redo the Comprehensive Plan, authorized unlawful insurance buyouts and allowed the contractual town engineer to keep some $20,000 in insurance premiums he improperly received over Evers tenure as Supervisor. All of these actions have further amplified the fiscal crisis we face and cries for a reorganization and streamlining of town government.

From grossly overspent water contracts to irresponsible hiring in town hall, much of this fiscal crisis can be laid at the doorstep of the Supervisor who appears overwhelmed by the responsibilities of his office, stated Ashley. To address this crisis, the Supervisor and Town Board must act, not watch, as the crisis magnifies. Like it or not, reductions in staff must be implemented in Town Hall in order to deal with a deficit of this magnitude. We will run out of money if we do not act to cut spending and be forced into borrowing.

Ashley noted that schools and municipalities around the region have proposed deep cuts in staff because of the economy. Saratoga Springs has proposed deep cuts in its police force and many school districts have proposed painful staff cuts, but not in North Greenbush where money flows like water in the hands of so called “Conservatives”. Ashley stated that if the Board does nothing and the deficit projections are realized, property taxes would have to increase 25%. Further, if next year’s budget is not cut by the same amount, another 25% property tax increase would be needed to fund the shortfall. The math is clear, doing nothing and spending at the budgeted rates equates to a 50% property tax hike in 2010 and our citizens cannot afford it, concluded Ashley.

June Dinner Announced

2009-04-27T17:37:00.000-07:00

Trish Noel to Be Honored as Person of the Year

Once again it is time to celebrate a great annual event in our party as we pay tribute to and honor an outstanding Democrat who has made a huge difference in our community, We are proud to name Trish Noel as our 2009 Person of the Year.

Trish has been a mainstay of our local Democratic Party for 20 years. As a longtime member of the North Greenbush Democratic Committee and involved community resident, she has done much to make our town a better place to live. Her career has included election to a local school board where she served as President, service as Town Clerk, volunteer to local and presidential candidates and so much more.

The award will be presented by Rensselaer County Democratic Chairman Thomas Wade.

WHEN: Saturday, June 13, 2009
WHERE: Poestenkill Fire House, 182 Main St. Poestenkill, NY
TIME: 6:00 P.M. Cocktails (cash bar) followed by Dinner

The tickets are just $35.00 per person and $50.00 a couple. YOUR EARLY RESERVATION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED TO HELP US PROVIDE AN ACCURATE DINNER COUNT AND TO ENSURE ADEQUATE SEATING, BUT NO LATER THAN June 6th.

On behalf of your North Greenbush Democratic Committee and our friends in the North Greenbush Democratic Club, I look forward to your joining us on Saturday, June 13, 2009, to honor and celebrate Trish and all her accomplishments.

Tickets may be obtained by email us on this site or by sending your check to our Post Office Box address listed on this home page.

Fiacco Silent on GOP Taxes and Fees

2009-03-03T12:09:00.000-08:00

Fiacco Silent on GOP Taxes and Fees

Leon Fiacco’s recent letter to the editors of two local publications states his opposition to proposed taxes and fees in NY State when Democrats propose them. However, Mr. Fiacco never states any opposition to taxes, fees and pay raises when proposed by his Republican benefactors in Rensselaer County.

Never a word of opposition when it comes to the more than 90% increase in property taxes since the Republican Party has controlled the County Legislature. Nor a single word of protest over a GOP sponsored 33% increase in the sales tax, a cell phone tax, higher mortgage taxes or even the county executive’s inclusion of a million dollars in proposed new fees which “balance” our current 2009 county budget.

Mr. Fiacco has said nothing about the post election pay raises sponsored by his GOP running mates in the last county election who carefully announced the raises, AFTER, the election was safely tucked away. He was also silent about Democratic sponsored Charter reforms that would prevent future legislatures from pulling the same stunt again. Those raises of $5,000 for each legislator made our part time legislature the highest paid in the region.

The public should know the reason Mr. Fiacco does not criticize Republican spending practices and that rests in his desire to again run with the Rensselaer County GOP for a seat on the County Legislature where he and future running mate Lou Desso, can support big spending practices including a single legislative staffer now making over $90,000 a year to among other things, write letters for people like Mr. Fiacco to “sway” public opinion. No, you won’t hear any criticism of this high priced staffer either because Mr. Fiacco and his running mates this year will be needing all that copy to get their chance at a county paycheck.

Finally consider the sense of fiscal responsibility both Fiacco and Desso have demonstrated in North Greenbush. They supported a redo of the paid for and completed town Comprehensive Plan with a no bid contract. More than a year later, it’s still unadopted and developers, like Mr. Fiacco, continue to have free reign in our town. Actions speak louder than words.

Dan Ashley
Chairman NG Democratic Committee

Town Board Should Act on Waiver

2009-02-13T16:23:00.000-08:00

The North Greenbush Town Board should review the circumstances surrounding the submission of documents to State officials by the Town Supervisor which led to the issuance of a waiver from the State Retirement system for a politically connected ally of the Supervisor Mark Evers as reported in the Record on February 12th.

Mr. Evers misled State officials in order to obtain a financial benefit for his political supporter, Mr. Harkin. The Supervisor misused his authority to sign documents on behalf of the town board as appointing authority and falsely informed State officials that there was no other qualified applicant available to the town board for this appointment. The reality exposed by the official minutes of the November 8, 2007 Board meeting is that the Board FULLY considered a more qualified applicant, a certified assessor and declined to appoint him in a 3-2 vote.

The Supervisor may have violated several provisions of the Penal Law by submitting falsified business records, filing a false instrument, mail fraud and conspiracy to defraud the State Retirement System. He asked how the Supervisor could truthfully sign the sworn declaration on form affirming: “I, the appointing authority, hereby affirm under penalties of perjury… that the statements made herein, are true and correct and that I have determined that …. there are not readily available for recruitment non-retired persons qualified to perform the duties of such position”?

The fact that a more qualified non retiree was available for appointment contradicts Evers sworn affirmation which was the principle criteria to meet for waiver eligibility. Evers action caused the payments of tens of thousands of dollars to Mr. Harkin from the Retirement fund that he would not otherwise have been entitled to.

The town board should vote on a resolution either affirming Harkin’s eligibility for the waiver or formally opposing the waiver based on their review of the requirements. Councilman Al Spain is the Personnel Director for the City of Troy and more than any other Board member, is FULLY capable of determining whether the Supervisor engaged in a fraudulent act on behalf of the Town Board. Mr. Evers spoke for the town board as appointing authority on a matter that may cause the filing of criminal charges. The question now is whether the town board concurs with Mr. Evers sworn declaration on their behalf?

Funds For I 90 Connector Should Be Part of National Economic Stimulus

2009-02-08T08:23:00.000-08:00

As our State and National elected representatives have begun expressing support for various projects to be funded by President Obama’s 800 Billion dollar economic stimulus bill now working its way through Congress, it is time they committed to funding a critical piece of infrastructure, the I90 Connector joining the Rensselaer Technology Park with Interstate 90.

Congressman Paul Tonko and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand have each voiced support for the development of new technologies needed to make us energy independent and there is nowhere in this State more capable of playing a key role in developing these technologies than the Rensselaer Technology Park in North Greenbush.

The RPI Tech Park is our regions bridge to the future, stated Dan Ashley, Chairman of the North Greenbush Democratic Committee. We have a project that is nearly shovel ready,partially funded and on the drawing board for more than two decades without the funding to complete it, stated Ashley. This is not just a construction project, but rather an investment which creates long term employment opportunities that help us develop critical future technologies we need in these challenging times. It is exactly the kind on economic stimulus that should be given first consideration as part of a long term economic recovery program.

Until this Connector is built, the RPI Tech Park will not fully realize its potential as an economic engine here in North Greenbush, Rensselaer County and the Capital District. As we endure the worst recession in 40 years, it is vital to invest in projects that not only create jobs via construction, but also help produce additional long term employment such as the technology jobs at the RPI Tech Park.

Ashley also noted that North Greenbush would realize additional benefit from this construction by directing significant traffic off of Route 4 and fostering new development along the highway's path. This would preserve the residential character of neighborhoods along the RT 4 corridor.

Ashley urged our local Congressional delegation and US Senators to stand up and be counted in getting the necessary support to fund the I-90 Connector. "We’re talking about funding the road to our future, not a "bridge to nowhere", somewhere in Alaska ", stated Ashley.

Ashley Calls For I 90 Connector Funds as Part of National Economic Stimulus

2009-01-05T13:20:00.001-08:00

North Greenbush Democratic Chairman Dan Ashley is calling for the inclusion of federal funds to build the I-90 Connector to the Rensselaer Technology Park in North Greenbush as part of the President-elect Obama's economic stimulus package.

For the past two decades, this project has languished thereby preventing the RPI Tech Park from fully realizing its potential as an economic engine here in North Greenbush and Rensselaer County. With our national, state and local economy suffering the effects of one of the worst downturns in 40 years, it is vital to invest in projects that not only create jobs via construction, but also help produce additional long term employment such as the technology jobs at the RPI Tech Park.

It is obvious that investing in a project that creates long term employment opportunities well beyond the years of construction is exactly the kind on economic stimulus that should be given first consideration as part of a long term economic recovery program.

I would hope that our Rensselaer County Legislature, North Greenbush Town Board and Capital Region Congressional delegation would see this construction project as a significant and worthwhile investment yielding benefits for many years beyond its construction.

Ashley also noted the additional value this project would bring to North Greenbush by directing significant traffic off of Route 4 and fostering new development along the highway's path while preserving the residential character of neighborhoods along the RT 4 corridor.

This project has the potential of providing a silver lining in an otherwise gloomy economic environment. I urge our local elected officials to act now to encourage funding for the project as part of our incoming President's economic recovery program, stated Ashley. "This is not about funding a "bridge to nowhere", but rather, the road to our future", stated Ashley.

District 2 Legislator Kevin Harrington applauded Ashley's suggestion noting that much of the planning for this project has been done and as much as 18 million dollars has been set aside by former Congressman McNulty to begin construction. "I will certainly sponsor a legislative resolution calling for Congressional support for the funding of the I-90 Connector as part of the national economic stimulus and recovery program", stated Harrington.

Board Action on Insurance Giveaways Must Include Payback and Audit

2008-12-09T19:37:00.001-08:00

North Greenbush Democratic Chairman Dan Ashley said today that Board reaction to his disclosures of abuse and mismanagement of town funds misspent on insurance buyouts and coverage of non employees MUST include firm action to reimburse taxpayers and an independent audit of all those receiving health insurance on a yearly basis.

"It is a step in the right direction to act Thursday night to stop the mismanagement and misappropriation of town funds, however, the town bank account has been fleeced by a reckless Supervisor and the Board has a responsibility under State Law to recover all misspent funds" stated Ashley.

Ashley also called on the Town Board to reintroduce a failed Resolution offered earlier this year by Councilman Michaels that would require TWO signatures on town checks providing a safeguard and check on such lawless distribution of town funds. "At the time, the Board voted 4 to 1 not to require a second signature on the checks in a gesture of "trust" of the Supervisor. Now perhaps they understand why this common sense business and accounting practice is needed, especially with this Supervisor." The fact is that had Mr. Desso and the Board passed this, these payments approved by his running mate, Mr. Evers, they could have been prevented.

Ashley also asked why it took Board members months to stop this fleecing of taxpayers. When questioned at one Board meeting as to "who" told employees who were not eligible for buyout checks they could have them anyway, Board members refused to finger their running mate, the Town Supervisor, apparently still trying to protect him. The Democratic Chairman also noted comments by Councilman Desso in the Record that raise questions. "Desso said that the board did not question Wessels' buyout for 2008 because town Supervisor Mark Evers promised it to her when she dropped her coverage. But he said that earlier this year, he (Desso) tried to prevent Strenka's payment. "We asked the supervisor not to pay it, and we asked the comptroller not to ask for it," Desso said, but the check was signed." "It is not enough to simply "ask" as an elected Board member, not to take money because your running mate, the Town Supervisor "promised" someone town money illegally, stated Ashley. You have a responsibility to act.

Ashley also criticized the Supervisor for apparently forgetting that for 3 of the past 5 years, Mark Evers was standing guard as our Town Supervisor, allowing vender Thomas Murley to fleece taxpayers who paid his health insurance. "But this is the same Supervisor who dished out an $83,000 Christmas check in December 2006 to his friends in the Conservative Party that hold the Water 14 contract after being told there was no more bond money, so how can we expect him to realize that the responsibility to prevent misappropriations of town funds is ultimately his? That money is being reimbursed to the General Fund with other misspent funds to the contractor totaling $269, 000, because of a vote to pay the contractor another MILLION DOLLARS for a Water 14 court settlement. All this overspending was on Evers watch.

Ashley called on the Board to require Murley and all others who received town funds illegally, to reimburse the town. He also voiced support for a cap on further insurance buyouts no greater than 50% of the current Single Coverage premium and a requirement that one MUST be enrolled in the insurance to receive any buyout. Otherwise taxpayers will continue to pay twice for insurance of at least two employees who now "double dip", receiving their insurance from other public sector jobs while grabbing a buyout here.

Ashley Calls on Evers to Suspend Insurance Buyouts Pending Review of Contract

2008-12-04T18:52:00.001-08:00

December 4, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

North Greenbush Democratic Chairman Dan Ashley today called on Supervisor Mark Evers to submit to common sense procedures by suspending today's likely insurance buy out payments to town employees covered by a UPSEU contract.

On November 19, 2008, I wrote to the town board urging their review and immediate action to stop this fleecing of town taxpayers and no one has responded, stated Ashley. I warned in that letter that in 2008 alone, a GROSS amount of $28,104.14 has been paid out to nine town employees. "Unless you act immediately, another equal payment will be made before the end of this year permitting employees to receive a payment equal to 51% of the premium that the town would pay for coverage of the employee. Therefore your immediate action to suspend further payments until a determination is made is critical to protect taxpayers".

Today is payday in town hall, stated Ashley and these checks have likely been delivered for distribution. Ashley asked whether more people who are specifically excluded from this union contract as "eligible" would be given another Christmas present by the town supervisor without legal review or town board affirmation? Both the Comptroller and Deputy Clerk were given buy out checks last time even though their titles are not covered by the union contract. Will they now be allowed to receive part two of this payment?

Ashley further questioned whether vender Thomas Murley who in his view is illegally receiving taxpayer funded health insurance despite not being a town employee or a retiree with sufficient service is also "eligible" for an illegal buyout check rather than continued illegal coverage at $5,124.00 a year. Since the union contract provides a 51% buyout for covered people who opt out, Murley, though not eligible as a non employee or non union member could grab a check for $2613.00 since Mr. Evers allows him on the town insurance and has allowed others not covered by the contract to receive this benefit. As a result of the manner in which town insurance is being mis-managed, Ashley called for procedures to be put in place that would require the Town Comptroller to conduct a yearly audit of eligibility for continued coverage which would also determine whether spouses and dependent children continue to be eligible under family coverage. Such a policy should be mandated at every level of government.

Today, more than $28,000 could go out the door in highly questionable payments to town employees and non town employees alike the way Mark Evers does things, stated Ashley. "This is gross mismanagement and where is the town board while this is happening? Ignoring my warning letter and apparently "Out to lunch"", concluded Ashley.

Dan Ashley

Chairman, NGBDC

2008-12-04T18:41:00.001-08:00

November 19, 2009

Town Board Members

Gentlemen:

Records obtained under the Freedom of Information Act raise questions as to how and why a contractual employee or vender is being provided taxpayer funded health insurance by the town's provider, CDPHP.

Vender Thomas Murley is listed on a CDPHP document as a covered employee of the Town of North Greenbush. The document reflects a "Billing Period of 11/01-11/30/08". Mr. Murley was only an employee of the town for a period of just over 5 years from January 1999 until July 2004. Therefore under what authority has he been permitted to have taxpayer funded health insurance after his severance from the town payroll? Clearly, his status as a vender does not qualify him or any other vender for taxpayer funded health insurance. Certainly 5 years of service does not qualify anyone for a lifetime health insurance benefit.

I must call upon each of you to review this taxpayer funded benefit to Mr. Murley and determine whether steps should be taken to obtain a refund of town funds and an immediate cessation to further health insurance payments on his behalf. A Resolution of the Board directing the Town Comptroller would accomplish this.

In addition, I call upon each of you to take appropriate steps to order an immediate review of all payments made to town employees in the past two years as a "buy out" for opting out of the town's employee health insurance policy. It is clear that payments were authorized to individuals who were not eligible to receive them since they are not a party to any collective bargaining unit which incorporates such a benefit. Further, I call upon you to freeze further payments under the collective bargaining agreement until the town board and its legal counsel, make a determination as to the propriety of the payments made for 2007 and 2008. Specifically, it is necessary to determine whether employees who were never enrolled in the town health insurance are eligible to receive a payment for opting out of a program in which they were never enrolled as a prerequisite for eligibility. If the town board determines these payments were inappropriate, I call upon you to recover these substantial funds as necessary.

In 2008 alone, a GROSS amount of $28,104.14 has been paid out to nine town employees. Unless you act immediately, another equal payment will be made before the end of this year permitting employees to receive a payment equal to 51% of the premium that the town would pay for coverage of the employee. Therefore your immediate action to suspend further payments until a determination is made is critical to protect taxpayers.

I urge you to prevent the town supervisor from continuing to unilaterally issue payments to employees without the authorization of the town board.

Sincerely,

Daniel C. Ashley

CC: State Comptroller

Ashley Requests Review of Health Insurance Coverage

2008-11-26T05:56:00.000-08:00

Town Board Members
November 19, 2008

Records obtained under the Freedom of Information Act raise questions as to how and why a contractual employee or vender is being provided taxpayer funded health insurance by the town’s provider, CDPHP.

Vender Thomas Murley is listed on a CDPHP document as a covered employee of the Town of North Greenbush. The document reflects a “Billing Period of 11/01-11/30/08”. Mr. Murley was only an employee of the town for a period of just over 5 years from January 1999 until July 2004. Therefore under what authority has he been permitted to have taxpayer funded health insurance after his severance from the town payroll? Clearly, his status as a vender does not qualify him or any other vender for taxpayer funded health insurance. Certainly 5 years of service does not qualify anyone for a lifetime health insurance benefit.

I must call upon each of you to review this taxpayer funded benefit to Mr. Murley and determine whether steps should be taken to obtain a refund of town funds and an immediate cessation to further health insurance payments on his behalf. A Resolution of the Board directing the Town Comptroller would accomplish this.

In addition, I call upon each of you to take appropriate steps to order an immediate review of all payments made to town employees in the past two years as a “buy out” for opting out of the town’s employee health insurance policy. It is clear that payments were authorized to individuals who were not eligible to receive them since they are not a party to any collective bargaining unit which incorporates such a benefit. Further, I call upon you to freeze further payments under the collective bargaining agreement until the town board and its legal counsel, make a determination as to the propriety of the payments made for 2007 and 2008. Specifically, it is necessary to determine whether employees who were never enrolled in the town health insurance are eligible to receive a payment for opting out of a program in which they were never enrolled as a prerequisite for eligibility. If the town board determines these payments were inappropriate, I call upon you to recover these substantial funds as necessary.

In 2008 alone, a GROSS amount of $28,104.14 has been paid out to nine town employees. Unless you act immediately, another equal payment will be made before the end of this year permitting employees to receive a payment equal to 51% of the premium that the town would pay for coverage of the employee. Therefore your immediate action to suspend further payments until a determination is made is critical to protect taxpayers.

I urge you to prevent the town supervisor from continuing to unilaterally issue payments to employees without the authorization of the town board.

Ashley Opposes Settlement and 1M Bond for Water Contractor

2008-11-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

North Greenbush Democratic Chairman Dan Ashley announced his party’s opposition to a Resolution on this Thursday’s Town Board (Nov 13th 7PM) agenda which he believes would authorize the town to borrow more than a million dollars to pay the contractor in Water District 14 who also runs the local Conservative Party.

If this is approved, the contractor will be paid more than 8.4 million dollars on a contract he agreed to complete for 6.4 million. Ashley noted that the Conservative run town board which the contractor endorsed from his perch as Conservative Party Chairman, has agreed to settle with the contractor in court rather than fight for town taxpayers. He further noted that that the town board majority is forcing every homeowner in town to pay for this settlement whether or not they live in water 14.

The Democratic Party opposes this settlement as a sell out of the taxpayers, stated Ashley. It comes at a meeting of the town board in which Conservative politicians like Supervisor Mark Evers has his own hands in our pockets seeking a 280% pay raise for himself with the support of his right hand man Councilman Kern. “While town board endorsed Conservatives are selling out taxpayers to their politically connected contractor, and trying to line the pockets of the Supervisor with a big pay raise, the Governor is announcing billions in proposed cuts to municipalities as our State and Nation face the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression,” stated Ashley. “If I as Democratic Chairman, who runs a car business, were selling cars to a Town Board controlled by Democrats for millions more than the stipulated bid, I’d be run out of town on a rail car”, stated Ashley.

Ashley also noted the effort of this town board to keep the public in the dark as to the purpose of the bonding resolution on Thursday’s agenda. “One would never know the one sentence agenda item was the big payday for the out of control contract which was grossly mismanaged by the town Building Department whose employees approved the payments without required change orders according to the audit released by the NY State Comptroller”. Taxpayers deserve accountability, not mismanagement and big paydays for the Supervisor and his contractor, concluded Ashley.

Our Deepest Sympathies to Amanda's Family

2008-11-13T03:49:00.000-08:00

All of us in North Greenbush and on the Democratic Committee extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Amanda Perrotta who passed away last evening after a courageous struggle with Mitochondrial disease.

Funeral arrangement have not been announced.

Judge Andrew Ceresia Endorsed by North Greenbush Democrats

2008-11-11T08:36:00.000-08:00

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The North Greenbush Democratic Committee has unanimously endorsed Judge Andrew Ceresia for Rensselaer County Court Judge. Judge Ceresia has served with distinction as our Town Justice for the past 5 years, and has been appointed to serve as an Acting City Court Judge in the cities of Albany, Hudson and Rensselaer handling thousands of cases, both criminal and civil.

“I feel especially privileged to endorse Judge Ceresia on behalf of our town Democratic Party”, stated Dan Ashley, Chairman of the North Greenbush Democratic Committee. The Committee noted Ceresia’s background and experience in making its endorsement. This includes 10 years in the practice of law working in every court in the state (Town, City, County, Family, Surrogate's, Court of Claims, Supreme), as well as in federal court. He has also conducted numerous jury and non-jury trials during his tenure on the bench and as a practicing attorney. Judge Ceresia presently works as an Appellate Court Attorney for the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department. In that capacity, he works with judges drafting decisions in connection with appeals arising out of the 28 counties that comprise the Third Department.

Judge Ceresia’s resume includes service as president of the Rensselaer County Bar Association, a member of the Capital District Women's Bar Association, Albany County Bar Association, New York State Magistrate's Association and Rensselaer County Magistrate's Association. He is also a trustee of the F. Warren Travers Rensselaer County Supreme Court Library, an officer of the Board of Directors for the St. Jude's and Branson Manor Senior Apartments, a member of the Third Judicial District Gender Fairness Committee, a member of the Third Judicial District Character and Fitness Committee, a former officer of the Board of Directors for the Friends of Rensselaer County Family Court Children's Center and a former member of the advisory board of the Rensselaer County Youth Court Program.

Joining in the Democratic Committee’s endorsement are Rensselaer County Legislator’s Keith Hammond and Kevin Harrington. “Our party would be well represented by Judge Ceresia as we seek a to replace our long time County Court Judge Pat McGrath who was just elected to State Supreme Court”, stated Hammond and Harrington, both of whom represent Poestenkill, North and East Greenbush on the County Legislature. They added, "Judge Ceresia is widely respected for his experience, knowledge and judicial temperament."

Chairman Ashley stated that the endorsement recommendation will be forwarded to Rensselaer County Democratic Chairman Tom Wade who has established a selection committee to review candidates for the position which will likely be filled by the Governor pending next year’s election to fill the unexpired term of Judge McGrath.

Dan Ashley Chairman, NGBDC

Ashley Elected Chairman of North Greenbush Democratic Committee

2008-10-08T08:17:00.001-07:00

Daniel C. Ashley was elected Chairman of the North Greenbush Democratic Committee in a meeting called by the County Chairman after his predecessor refused to call the required post primary organizational meeting.

Elected with Ashley were Joshua Sabo, 1st Vice Chairman, Josephine Ashworth, 2nd Vice Chairman, Charles B. Smith, Treasurer and Janice Liberty, Secretary.

Chairman Ashley pledged to redirect the Democratic Party’s mission away from it’s recent marriage with County Republicans and Conservatives controlled by the local water contractor. “These folks are aligned squarely with the development community and are stalling the passage of the town’s Comprehensive Plan in order to buy time for developers”, stated Ashley. Democrats will support a slate of candidates who will support the immediate passage of the completed and delivered Comprehensive Plan and oppose those regardless of their party label, who are stalling its passage.

Ashley stated that a majority of this committee will support significant changes in the organization and structure of town government, including the hiring of a Professional Engineer to run, manage and administer the Building Department which is currently run by a member of the union bargaining unit, rather than an independent manager.

Equally significant will be the recruitment of a Democratic candidate for Town Supervisor who respects the executive authority of the town board as a voting majority in the hiring and appointment process.

The Democratic Committee will also commit to defending the voting rights of residents in the newly proposed Water District 15 so that the taxpayers in these 650 homes will be able to decide whether they can afford the huge projected price tag of $1100. a home for municipal water. “The incumbent Supervisor refused to obey the law and schedule a town wide vote on a million dollar borrowing proposal to bail out Water District 14. We will commit ourselves to protecting the voting rights in Water District 15 should the need arise”, stated Ashley.

North Greenbush is at crossroads in it’s growth which without a community supported Comprehensive Plan, remains a lucrative target for development interests. The Democratic Party will now begin the process of adopting its “Platform for the Future” as part of our candidate recruitment for the 2009 town elections. We invite all town residents to help our committee create this platform and blueprint for North Greenbush government.

Democrats to Meet to Elect Officers

2008-10-01T05:23:00.000-07:00

County Democratic Chairman Thomas Wade has called a meeting of the North Greenbush Democratic Committee for next Tuesday October 7th at 7PM to elect new officers.

The meeting was called after current Chairman Jeff Spain ignored his responsibility to call the meeting under party rules.

Chairman Wade has requested that all financial records be brought and turned over at this meeting to the new officers, just as was done two years ago at the last meeting he convened.

Thank you!

2008-09-10T17:55:00.001-07:00

We thank North Greenbush Democrats who stood up for their party by electing new party representatives committed to the passage of the Comprehensive Plan and working for Democratic candidates in town and county elections!

Premo Picnic August 22nd.

2008-08-06T10:44:00.001-07:00

By now you're all "golfed out" and need a relaxing fun time for the family.

North Greenbush Highway Superintendent Mark Premo is hosting his annual family picnic at Dedrick Park, Snyder's Lake on Friday August 22nd.

The flier provides the details so plan on making it a day and RSVP your reservations soon so an accurate food count can be made.

See you there and leave those clubs home!

Spain’s “Democrats” Ignore Financial Disclosure Law

2008-08-01T13:20:00.000-07:00

Despite a fine last year by the State Board of Elections, the group of so called Democrats who endorsed the Republican candidates running for Supervisor, Town Board and Highway Superintendent have again failed to file their Financial Disclosure Report with the State Board of Elections.

The latest report was due July 15th and Chairman Jeff Spain along with his Treasurer Kyran Devery continue to ignore State Election Law by failing to file any reports in a timely fashion. Since they took control of the Democratic Committee by one vote, they have missed all seven financial disclosure deadlines for their committee in 2007 and now both deadlines for 2008 reports.

Despite their failure to comply with the law, they continue to raise money, now holding a golf tournament on August 19th to fund, we presume, continued support for Republican backed candidates in North Greenbush and in Rensselaer County and to use those funds to run campaigns for party committee seat primaries this fall.

By contrast the North Greenbush Democrats Club which includes members of the County Democratic Committee who support DEMOCRATS in town and county elections held their Golf Day fundraiser in June and have filed not only the July report with the State on time, but each and every report since this Club was organized to counter the Republican insurgency and take over of the local Democratic Committee. This group of “Democrats” is joined by Conservative Party allies whose Chairman is a principle in a company which holds the overspent contract in Water 14 and the lease to our police station.

We urge Democrats to carefully consider which group to donate to and support. The Democrats who comply with the State Election Law and support qualified Democrats for local office can be found on the web at ngbdems.blogspot.com.

Robert Price
Chair, NG Dem. Club

Democrats Sponsor Golf Day 2008

2008-05-26T18:00:00.000-07:00

The Democrats who support Democrats, not Republicans for town office are again holding their annual golf day at Evergreen Country Club.

NORTH GREENBUSH DEMOCRATS
2008 GOLF DAY
TUESDAY JUNE 17TH

Golf Entry Individual ________________________________(Singles Welcome!)

Name:_____________________________________________
(Preferred foursome, if any)

Name______________________________________________________

Join “Dr. Golf”
Frank Lamiano
Free Golf Clinic 9AMName______________________________________________________

Name______________________________________________________

Name______________________________________________________

Flag Registration : ____________________________________________

(Indicate name to appear on flag, one line please)

Flag or Tee Box Business Signs : Flag Tee Box

If you were a sponsor last year and would like the same script, please indicate here:
(If new sponsor please attach your ad)

Dinner Reservation Only :

Name : ______________________________________________________
Number of Guests x $40 each___________________________________________

If you don’t play, but want to be included as a friend of the North Greenbush Democrats Golf Day, please select one of the following gift selections:

Golf Cart Sponsor $250.00 (your ad attached to each cart):

Flag Sponsor $100.00

Tee Box Sign $100.00

On behalf of all of us who work to make North Greenbush a better place to live, WE THANK YOU!

Board Rejects Passage of Comprehensive Plan

2008-03-20T04:48:00.000-07:00

Robert Price of the North Greenbush Democrats Club criticized the new 4 man majority of the North Greenbush Town Board for rejecting passage of the recently completed Comprehensive Plan to guide development. At the March 13th Board meeting, an effort by Councilman Michaels to approve the plan fell to a 4-1 defeat by the Evers led majority of Spain, Kern and Desso.

Despite the announcement of the awarding of a $36,000 State grant to begin the process of cleaning up Main Avenue pollution sites which could lead to hundreds of thousands of dollars in funds to benefit our town and in particular Wynantskill, the new blank check development majority refused to adopt the plan and is risking the entire State grant in so doing. The grant was awarded largely because of its application and commitment to passage of the plan once completed and the plan’s commitment to revitalizing the Main Avenue business corridor. This can only begin if a cleanup of polluted sites is completed which includes the old cleaner building on Main Avenue.

For the past two years, volunteer town residents representing all 8 election districts helped create the plan with a $52,000 grant from Rensselaer County. The Supervisor and Councilman Kern BOTH pledge support for this project as a condition of Democratic Party support for their candidacies in 2005 and BOTH have reneged on that commitment. They have now joined GOP factions and one Democrat, Al Spain, who campaigned with the GOP endorsed town board candidates.

The new majority also reconstituted the Comprehensive Plan Committee with political allies and relatives, removing all but two members of the prior committee. The delay in adopting the plan may also diminish our chances of obtaining funding for the proposed I 90 connector which is endorsed by the new plan as a means of fulfilling the objectives in the RPI Tech Park’s master plan and that of HVCC. The connector would move development to the areas which surround it rather than promote high density retail on RT 4 such as occurred on Wolf Road in Colonie.

The funding for the connector must be obtained from the federal and state governments. With the pending retirement of Congressman McNulty and the loss of his 20 years of seniority, our chances of obtaining funding will be greatly diminished by the action of this town board. Without the plan adopted, developers hold the keys to our future and residential input for our future as defined in the plan is cast aside.

Robert Price
NG Dem. Club

Politics Before People in NG

2008-02-25T07:31:00.000-08:00

After appointing the Chairman of the Democratic Party, Jeff Spain to the Town Industrial Development Agency, the Vice Chairman Ed Cassino and Conservative Committee person Judith Wos to political welfare jobs in the Building Department, it is clear that politics is alive and well under the Evers, Desso, Kern, Al Spain majority.

The so called reformers that took control of the Democratic Party last year have at best a strange idea of reform. They endorsed the Republican candidates in the last election and divided up the spoils among themselves without criticism. Republicans managed to get the 4 to appoint two lawyers to represent us prosecuting in town court. One has a criminal record and the other a disgraced former Troy judge removed from the bench for violating rights of defendants. Neither lives in the town and one does not live in the county making his appointment illegal. They continue to hide behind a 12 person transition team they claim made the recommendations, but whose names they refuse to disclose.

In two short months they have stopped the adoption of the $52,000 Comprehensive Plan and put developers back in charge of our future. Worse, the appointment of the Democratic Chairman to the IDA with the vote of his brother, Councilman Spain, sends an unacceptable signal to those seeking loans from the IDA. Chairman Spain, however refused to obey the law by filing any financial disclosure reports identifying his contributors until this February when he was fined by the State and forced to file.

All of this has made it necessary for Democrats to aggressively challenge Spain’s narrow control of the Town Democratic Party this September when all committee seats are up for re-election. Democrats who have joined the Democratic Club and supported our efforts to restore a two party system in town elections while supporting Democrats for town offices will work together to end Spain’s reign as Chairman.

We are committed to forbidding “purge trials” by party leaders like the one Jeff Spain, Ed Cassino, Kyran Devery and Clerk Kathryn Connolly conducted last year against committee members who dissented against their policies. Our agenda also includes the nomination of DEMOCRATS as candidates for town board who will on day one, adopt the completed Comprehensive Plan and begin the process of restructuring our out of date zoning code to conform to the new plan. All Democrats and residents of North Greenbush are welcome to join us in this important effort and may contact us at ngbdems.blogspot.com.

Bob Price,
Chair, NG Democrats Club

Town Democrats Call Appointment of Attorney with Criminal Record Appalling

2008-01-05T10:51:00.000-08:00

Several members of the North Greenbush Democratic Committee expressed outrage over last evenings Town Board Meeting in which 4 Board members endorsed by the Democratic Party appointed an attorney with a criminal record to prosecute cases in town court.

The Committee members include County Legislator Kevin Harrington, Josephine Ashworth, Dan Ashley, Clark Cavanaugh, Charles Smith, Patricia Noel, and former town attorney Josh Sabo.

The Committee members stated that the appointment of attorney Joshua Ehrlich to prosecute cases in town court is both “ appalling and an affront to the ethical standards of the voters of this town”. Further Ehrlich as an Albany County resident cannot under the Public Officer’s Law reside outside of Rensselaer County and serve as a town attorney within Rensselaer County.This is an attorney who only two years ago pled to serious crimes in Colonie Town Court and who can no longer drive himself to court because his license was revoked by the Colonie Court. They called on the attorney to immediately release his entire arrest history including any additional arrests involving drug use and resisting arrest.

The members released his criminal conviction from Colonie. That record shows that Ehrlich pled guilty to serious charges on January 11, 2006 including Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation. He also plea bargained away other charges involving resisting arrest and operation of a motor vehicle involving drugs.

The members also questioned the appointment of another attorney with a tarnished ethical background who was removed from the bench by the State’s highest court for violating the rights of defendants. Clearly these board members were following the orders of the Rensselaer County Republican Chairman with their appointment of City Councilman and former Judge, Henry Bauer. They questioned the ethics of North Greenbush Councilman Al Spain who voted for this appointment despite being warned that a conflict of interest was apparent given Bauer’s status as a City Councilman with authority over Spain’s Troy City job. Spain voted to give one of his bosses in Troy a town job which is exactly what former councilman Robert Ashe was roundly criticized for during his tenure.

This appointment seriously diminishes the credibility of the town courts and justice itself in North Greenbush. We have two respected Judges who must be wondering what Evers, Desso, Spain and Kern were thinking in appointing these individuals to a position of public trust.They called on Board members to rethink their bizarre behavior and to reinstate the two attorneys who have served with distinction for the past two years administering justice in North Greenbush.

Premo Picnic

2007-07-11T17:34:00.000-07:00

It's the best time of the year! Come and enjoy this family event with Mark Premo and friends! Friday August 3rd from 4 to 8 PM. Click on flier to enlarge and print.

Democrats hold Day at Saratoga

2007-07-03T16:05:00.001-07:00

Enjoy a day at Saratoga Race Trach Thursday August 2, 2007.

Details on the flier above.

Democrats Sponsor Golf Day

2007-05-14T06:50:00.000-07:00

North Greenbush Democrats have formed a club to serve as a fund raising mechanism to support candidates in the coming election and oppose a referendum seeking $830,000 from town taxpayers to pay for the cost over runs in Water District 14.

Called the “North Greenbush Democrats Club”, the political action group will raise funds in support of candidates who support the Democratic Party’s 2005 platform and efforts to deliver a new Comprehensive Master Plan to guide our community’s future development. They also strongly endorse the re-election bid of Highway Superintendent Mark Premo who has done an outstanding job and was recognized just last year as the Democratic Committee’s “Man of the Year” for his service to this community and the job he has performed as Highway Superintendent.

In addition, the Club will actively oppose a plan by town Conservatives to approve an additional $830,000 in bonding for a town wide water district. The plan which must now be approved by voter referendum is little more than a mechanism to transfer illegal over spending in Water District 14 to a town wide water district. Voters have won the right to approve or reject the borrowing by filing a petition with the town demanding a referendum. With the town Conservative Party now chaired by Michael Casale of Casale Excavating, this referendum is all that stands between voters and more money to the holders of the over spent 6.4 million dollar contract for Water District 14 which is being audited by the State Comptroller.

Town resident Robert Price who initiated the petition drive to force the public referendum and protect the right to vote, organized the Club. Mr. Price is joined by several members of the Rensselaer County Democratic Committee serving in North Greenbush, including County Legislator Kevin Harrington, who are concerned by the direction and alliances of the party’s current leadership. This leadership appears to have aligned themselves with the Conservatives and Casale Excavating. More disturbing is their plan not to endorse our Highway Superintendent, and instead, replace him with a developer.

The Club will hold its first fund raiser on June 12th at Evergreen Country Club with a Golf Day with the rain date June 14th. The public is invited to attend and may obtain details from the photo on this posting.
Submitted by,
Robert Price

39 W. Sand Lake Rd.Wynantskill, NY 12198

Spain Misleads to Deflect Source of $2000

2007-03-09T11:28:00.000-08:00

Jeffery Spain of the “Reformed” Democrats who have a one seat majority on the Town Democratic Committee is lobbing smoke bombs from his bunker designed to deflect attention away from the nagging questions about the contributors to the "reformers" campaign. I say bunker because Spain and Cotrona are refusing to take calls from reporters trying to question them about the $2000 campaign contribution.

The strategy now is the same as the primary, twist and distort, smear the reputations of his adversaries and truth be dammed. Mr. Spain was repeatedly told that we would be happy to answer any questions he had concerning any matter. Instead he signs his name to malicious, potentially libelous letters making absurd charges about party finances. He does this in the name of our party.

Mr. Spain states Mr. Ashley received a loan from the committee when he knows it was Ashley who made the loan to the committee. He implies wrong doing by not listing contributions from Ashley to the party for an ad book, yet he knows election law only requires the contribution be listed if it was $100. or more. The ads cost less and were therefore disclosed as “Unitemized contributions, $99.00 or less) He infers wrongdoing by a payment to Kevin Harrington and fails to note that the payment was a reimbursement for the cost of the ad book itself. He says we bought a computer and yet was told we never did and the expense filings prove we are correct. Every check is accounted for.

It’s sad that Mr. Spain would engage in this deceitful conduct. Yet it is apparently condoned by the committee people supporting him. The greatest irony of their criticism is the fact that none of their group contributed one cent to the Democratic fundraiser they now chastise. It is we who turned over to them control of the checking account and its balance.

"You get what you pay for" is the old adage that is still prophetic. Question is, who really paid for that big contribution to put Spain and company in charge ?

Need campaign cash?

2007-03-04T04:27:00.000-08:00

Here's the place "Reformed" Democrats Go!
121 Adams St.
Troy, N.Y. 12180

Size of Donation:$2000

Status of Business: Bankrupt for 3 years, vacant and run down.

More details and a Special Prosecutor to follow!

Thanks to CH 13 News for their Saturday nite report!

Thanks also to the Troy Polloi for their photo @ troypolitics.blogspot.com

Ashley Requests Appointment of Special Prosecutor on Bogus Contributor

2007-02-25T13:06:00.000-08:00

Dan Ashley of the North Greenbush Democratic Committee has written to law enforcement officials seeking the appointment of a Special Prosecutor to investigate and identify the true source of a bogus $2000 campaign contribution by those who call themselves the “Reform Democrats” of North Greenbush.

Ashley made the request after members of the Committee repeatedly refused requests to comply with the election law and disclose the full and correct name, address and check number of the contributor as required by State Financial Disclosure laws.

The importance of identifying the true source of this money cannot be understated. Someone with a substantial interest in the control of the Democratic Party contributed $2000. to win party committee seats which in turn elects officers and nominates candidates to the Town Board. It is clear that that someone wants significant influence over those candidates and campaign finance laws are now threatening his exposure.

I have listed the numerous potential violations of the Penal and Election Law in a letter to the District Attorney which is also being copied to the State Attorney General and his new Public Integrity watchdog, Blair Horner. It is imperative that members of the Democratic Committee obey State Election Law and disclose the true source of this bogus contribution. Two members of this committee are town officials and Public Officers sworn to obey the laws of this State. They are the Receiver of Taxes, Mr. Devery, who is now the Treasurer of the Democratic Party and the Town Clerk, Ms. Connolly, who is the Secretary of the Party. If that picture troubles you, it troubles me as well. You are now paying your tax bills to the Treasurer of the Democratic Party and you are paying other licensing fees, marriage certificates etc to the Secretary of the Democratic Party. Neither are disclosing the source of this $2000 contribution which benefited their elections to party offices.

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

2007-02-17T17:02:00.000-08:00

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.

Ashley supports Public Referendum on New Water District Spending

2007-02-02T12:46:00.000-08:00

Dan Ashley of the North Greenbush Democratic Committee said today that he supports the right of taxpayers to vote on a Public Referendum which would force all town taxpayers to pay for the overspending in Water District 14.

Ashley stated the proposal would shift $830,000 in spending charged to Water District 14 to the entire town forcing every taxpayer to pay for the overspending of the contract. The State Comptroller has begun an audit and investigation of the 6.4 million dollar contract in Water District 14 which is $740,000 over spent to date without change orders. The Comptroller will also examine the Supervisor’s illegal payment of a check for $82,333 which he issued to the contractor without the approval of the town board. The Supervisor is also the sponsor of the proposal to shift the costs of Water 14 to the entire town.

For months, I have been asking the State Comptroller to investigate the runaway spending in this water district and I am pleased the audit has begun. Ashley said that his support for this investigation and audit has cost him political support from members of his own party who are closely aligned with the contractor in Water District 14. The so called “Reform” Democrats who are attempting to take control of the Democratic Party in North Greenbush are supported by the contractor who has successfully taken control of the town Conservative Committee which has Michael Casale as its Chairman. Casale is listed as receiving $1,500 a week from the water district funds. Ashley noted that Michael Casale attended an illegal meeting of the so called reformers at the Country Grove last September along with his Vice Chairman, former GOP Board candidate Lou Desso. Desso and Louis Cotrona call themselves the Vice Chair and Chair of the so called Citizens Club which served as a front for the takeover efforts of both political parties.

“There are times when one must be willing to forfeit political support in order to do what is right for the town”, stated Ashley. Regardless of what party these people are enrolled in, they share common support for this overspending without an apparent cap that has caused the State Comptroller to intervene and audit the contract. The so called reform democrats will support the Evers proposal to borrow an additional $830,000 town wide to cover the overspending in Water District 14. Their chief spokesman, Mr. Cotrona defended the contractor at the last Board meeting implying the Board was picking on him.

Ashley urged town residents to sign petitions should residents come to their doors with petitions which will enable every taxpayer to vote on this proposal to make everyone pay for the overspending in Water District 14.

TOWN SUPERVISOR ILLEGALLY PAYS CONTRACTOR $82,000 WITHOUT TOWN BOARD APPROVAL

2007-01-20T19:43:00.000-08:00

Dan Ashley of the North Greenbush Democratic Committee disclosed today that Supervisor Mark Evers, in violation of town laws, has illegally given Casale Excavating a check for more than $82,000 without town board approval. He stated his belief that Evers hand delivered a check sometime after the December 14th 2006 Town Board meeting which had NO payments for Casale authorized. “I believe he deliberately waited to cut the check until after the Board meeting to circumvent the no vote that would certainly have occurred”, stated Ashley.

It is also noteworthy that at the December 14th meeting, the Board voted 3-2 to request an audit and investigation of the previous payments made in the 6.4 million dollar contract. To date that contract has exceeded the stipulated bid by $722,000.00 with only $13,000 in approved change orders. The Town Supervisor voted NO to the audit request.

Ashley has written to Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and other law enforcement officials requesting their review of the illegal disbursement, made to this politically connected contractor. A principal in the contractor’s company is the Town Conservative Party Chairman who plays a key role in political endorsements, including Town Supervisor in this years election. The Chairman, Michael Casale and his brothers are paid $1,500 a week from this contract. The town employee who has approved nearly all of the “Applications for Payment” is now a member of the Conservative Committee. Supervisor Evers is a Conservative seeking “their” endorsement in this year’s election and it is my opinion the Supervisor misused his office to make the illegal payment to curry favor with the contractor in the political endorsement for Supervisor, stated Ashley.

Ashley stated his belief that the $82,000 payment by the Supervisor not only violated Town Laws requiring Town Board approval prior to payment, but numerous sections of the Penal Law which could result in a criminal prosecution of the Town Supervisor. Such a unilateral payment is a direct violation of Town Law S118 & 119 which in part states “no claims shall be paid unless an authorized voucher in form prescribed by the town board or town comptroller shall be presented to the town board and shall be audited and approved”.

Ashley noted the Supervisor voted against an audit by the State Comptroller on December 14, 2006 and then, sometime after that meeting, he believes Mr. Evers had the $82,000 check printed and personally gave it to the contractor. In addition, the Town Attorney strongly advised the Board to approve no further payments until the contract had been reviewed and a recommendation made. That recommendation came in the form of a formal Town Board request to the State Comptroller to both audit and investigate the payments made to the contractor.

Ashley has forwarded this information to the State Comptroller’s Office which has agreed to audit and investigate the payments, the Attorney General and the Rensselaer County District Attorney.

NG Democrats Hold Fall Dinner

2006-10-27T15:41:00.000-07:00

N.G. Democrats Hold Fall Dinner

The North Greenbush Democratic Committee will hold their annual fall dinner on Saturday, November 4th at the American Legion on Main Avenue in Wynantskill. The theme of the dinner is party unity after the very divisive primaries within the committee.

This year the Committee will honor Highway Superintendent Mark Premo for his years of community service with a special award to be presented by our new Rensselaer County Chairman Thomas Wade.

Tickets are available at the door or by calling Dan Ashley at 542-3118. Cost is $40 which includes a cocktail hour beginning at 6PM with dinner at 7PM to follow.

Ashley reacts to Germano-Cotrona complaint on meeting

2006-08-30T09:33:00.000-07:00

North Greenbush Democratic Chairman Dan Ashley reacted to a statement from would be Democrat and professional lobbyist Lou Cotrona complaining about the party’s pre-primary reorganization. It is ironic that a man who lied to the State about his residency and was removed from a public office would make such a complaint about our integrity.

“It’s humorous to think that in his zeal to lead this GOP inspired takeover attempt of the Democratic Party, that Mr. Cotrona neither read the Democratic bi-laws or consulted with his candidates”, stated Ashley. If he had he would have realized the bi-laws permit reorganization “within 20 days of primary” and within offers the option of before or after.

Cotrona should have also consulted with his leader, Conservative James Germano and his other running mates Doreen Connolly, Kyran Devry and William O’Neil, all of whom signed proxies for a pre primary meeting in August 2002 and all of whom voted for Dan Ashley.

Is Mr. Cotrona saying it was wrong for his candidates to vote in August of 2002 or that it’s just wrong now?

Ashley concluded by saying that Cotrona’s would be Democratic slate inspired by Germano who was forced to admit under oath his role in gathering signatures of Democrats on their petitions, lacks any credibility. “If they want to be Democrats they should start by reading Democratic bi-laws and then ridding themselves of the advice of their true leader, F. James Germano and his long history of questionable activities.”

STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO GERMANO’S LOBBYIST

2006-07-18T18:02:00.000-07:00

It is no coincidence that registered lobbyist Louis Cotrona would choose the Democratic Committee’s golf day fund raiser to begin his client’s smear campaign to regain what he lost through an indictment several years ago, control of the town Democratic Committee. While our committee people work hard to raise funds for the party, this lobbyist who contributes nothing to the party, works instead to damage this highly successful annual fund raiser.

Chairman Ashley noted that the Democratic Committee rejected the candidacy of this lobbyist for Town Supervisor last year when he asked for our endorsement. “We felt it would be unseemly for the party to endorse a lobbyist to run the town and it’s just as unseemly to have a lobbyist run the Democratic Party”, concluded Ashley. It’s something the State Lobbying Commission should clearly examine, a lobbyist trying to gain control of a political party to further his financial interests and those of his clients.

I have stated repeatedly that lobbyist Cotrona’s self appointed and proclaimed “non partisan” Citizen’s Club was a front for former Chairman James Germano’s drive to recapture control of the Democratic Party. The non partisan club is now fully exposed as a highly partisan mechanism manufactured to infiltrate and control the Democratic Committee with a lobbyist as its chairman and a defeated Republican Board candidate, Lou Desso, as its Vice Chairman with engineering provided by the disgraced former Democratic Chairman James Germano, (now a Conservative) who personally gathered Cotrona’s petition signatures at the doors of town residents.

There is an inescapable irony in lobbyist Cotrona complaining about dual residency arising from his 1991 lawless act of running for the East Greenbush School Board while residing in a different school district. The State Commissioner of Education removed him from the school board after issuing a stinging June 1992 decision in which Cotrona was found to have made contradictory sworn statements regarding his residency on a Federal loan application in which he applied for a loan by declaring his North Greenbush home as his primary residence. The Commissioner noted that the form contained language declaring it a “federal crime to knowingly make false statements” on the application (Fannie Mae 1003). Cotrona also made sworn statements in his petition that his separation from his wife was “temporary” while swearing on his federal loan application that he was “UNMARRIED”. His candidacy for the Democratic Committee is a stain on this party that is best described by the finding of the State Education Commissioner that “I find that he lacks credibility”. Cotrona should explain why he did not either commit fraud on his application or on his sworn statements to the State Education Department. If he fails to explain his contradictory sworn statements he and his slate should with draw from the race and his slate denounce his fraudulent acts.

North Greenbush does not need a Jack Abramoff lobbyist with Jim Germano as his client running the Democratic Party. They should stay in the Republican Party which adopted them after Germano’s indictment with Henry Zwack resulting from his efforts to corrupt the Civil Service system by exchanging political favors to get his grandson a retest for the police job he finagled for him. Nor do we need people on the Democratic Committee who support candidates who make contradictory sworn statements for profit and power.

As for my vote for John Kerry in the 2004 presidential election, I was in Florida at the time of this critical election and was told I could cast a vote there rather than in New York where Kerry won with double digits. As a committed Democrat, I proudly cast my vote for Kerry and think often how sad that Gore lost in 2001 by 500 votes in Florida. Especially sad in light of the price of the Bush presidency and its thousands of casualties in a manufactured war in Iraq.

Unlike Mr. Cotrona’s run for school board, the so called tax breaks we receive are legal. They are nothing more than a type of Star Program my wife is eligible for as the owner of a home in Florida where she resides most of the year and maintains legal residency. If lobbyist Cotrona wants to talk about who pays more taxes he need only look at the investment I have made with my children in North Greenbush where we have built 4 homes investing more than a million and a half dollars and paying tens of thousands of dollars in taxes which support our schools and community.

I note for the record that the State Education Commissioner’s decision documents that Cotrona admitted to transferring property to his wife when they were separated “solely for tax purposes”. He acknowledged that he did so while living apart from his wife while offering no explanation for listing his residence in Troy. Lobbyist Cotrona should recognize tax fraud when he sees it stated Ashley. He was after all a member of the New York State Tax Commission!

Ashley concluded by thanking his allies in lobbyist Cotrona’s inner circle who keep him informed of his intentions, including meetings and press conferences.

North Greenbush Democrats Endorse Andrew Cuomo for Attorney General

2006-05-23T11:16:00.000-07:00

North Greenbush Democratic Chairman Dan Ashley announced his support for Andrew Cuomo to succeed our great Attorney General, Elliot Spitzer as New York’s State’s top law enforcement officer.

“North Greenbush Democrats are excited about the quality of the candidates our party will endorse in this year’s crucial State elections. I believe Andrew Cuomo offers the right combination of honesty, integrity and intellect to become a great Attorney General in the tradition of Elliot Spitzer and Robert Abrams who truly defined this office” , stated Ashley.

Ashley also reaffirmed his support for Elliot Spitzer’s quest to be the party nominee for Governor as well as the re-election of Alan Hevesi for State Comptroller. “A Spitzer-Cuomo-Hevesi ticket is a dream come true for New York Democrats who place a high value on candidates who seek public office to be a voice for those who cannot speak”. He expressed confidence that this will be the ticket that emerges from the State Democratic Convention.

The North Greenbush Democratic Committee is committed to producing a grass roots effort on behalf of this outstanding slate of candidates. Ashley predicted a sweep in North Greenbush for New York Democrats and stated his committee is excited as never before.

I’m proud to say that each of these candidates has come to North Greenbush and were warmly received. Now it’s our turn to come to them with our maximum efforts to produce a sweep in North Greenbush in the 2006 election.

Chairman responds to Evers

2006-05-20T09:08:00.000-07:00

Chairman responds to Supervisor Evers

The May 4th edition of the Advertiser contained a letter from North Greenbush Supervisor Mark Evers which deserves a response.  First, the Supervisor should be no more surprised that I can speak as Democratic Party Chair when in Florida than he can as Town Supervisor when out of town several days a week pursing his private sector job.

I have acknowledged that the Supervisor kept his pledge to the implement several components of the Party’s Platform, including the passage of a Ethics Law, creation of a town web page, and open government by broadcasting meetings on television, etc. These initiatives were passed unanimously and I am grateful to each Board member.  For the record, I gave credit to the Board for these initiatives in the Advertiser. What is intolerable is the Supervisor’s  “about face” in dealing with a developer who has been threatening this town in cooperation with a defeated town board to have his way regardless of community sentiment.

As for his charge that the Party “defies State Law and violates the rights of individuals”, I note that the Supervisor failed to cite sections of law because there are none violated. He states, however, he has “been advised” that State Law indicates “that a Town Board cannot overturn previous Planning and Zoning Board decisions”. Who advised  Mr. Evers, the developer’s attorney or perhaps Ms. Clemente, the prior town attorney? His statement is bizarre and would tie the hands of the Town Board in addressing these matters in Court and this developers efforts to annex our lands to Rensselaer.

The Supervisor did not receive this advise from the Town Attorney anymore than he consulted with fellow Board members, who as a majority,  hold the “Executive Authority” of the town to make all appointments, change job titles, approve purchases, etc. His use of an unaccountable, outside and secret attorney amounts to a “shadow government”, one that this town cannot afford. Permit me to cite specific laws violated by the Supervisor. Sections 60 & 63 of Town Law provide that an individual board member may not act unilaterally on behalf of the town board.  Yet the Supervisor without the knowledge or consent of the Town Board “appointed” his secretary to a job title that only the Town Board had authority to exercise. In addition, he sent numerous requests to the County Civil Service Commission to unilaterally change the job titles of other employees, falsely stating that he was acting as the “appointing authority” of the Town.

His actions mean taxpayers are paying about $15,000 more for a job than necessary.  When added to a $23,000 truck he permitted unsupervised employees in the Building Department to purchase without Town Board budgetary approval, I think the record of who is violating laws becomes clear.