Monday, June 29, 2009

Schodack Dems make their picks

SCHODACK — A former newspaper reporter will top the ticket this year for the Democrats in Schodack.
Kristin Shaw, a former staffer at the now defunct The Independent newspaper, was tapped to run for supervisor by the town Democratic Party.
Joining Shaw on the ticket will be Joe Visalli and Elizabeth Gable who are running for the Town Board.
A town resident for 20 years, Shaw has been active in the community as a member of the Castleton Kiwanis, the Greenbush Reformed Church and a Girl Scout leader. She covered the town for The Independent for 15 years.
Visalli has been a member of the Planning Board for 16 years and is chair of the Schodack Solid Waste Committee. The retired director of the state Energy Research and Development Authority has a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and a doctorate in environmental engineering.
Gable has been a long standing attendee of Town Board meetings and was a columnist for The Independent. She served on the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals from 2003 to 2007 and co-founded the Schodack Area Land Trust.
The Republican Party endorsed Dennis E. Dowds as supervisor over incumbent Beth Secor, who is collecting signatures in the hopes of running a primary.
The party also endorsed incumbent Debra Young and James Bult Jr. for Town Board. Incumbent Republican Michael Ziegler decided not to seek re-election.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Mainello replaces Mahoney for Legislature

TROY – A local businessman is looking to represent the city as a member of the Rensselaer County Legislature.

John Mainello announced Tuesday that he will seek a District 1 seat on the Republican ticket this fall and that he planned to put his decades of experience to work towards revitalizing the city and protecting quality of life.

Mainello filled the vacant ballot spot left by former city councilman Jack Mahoney, a Democrat who originally had planned to run on the Republican ticket but chose to drop out of the race Monday.

“I will use my experience as a businessman to continue revitalizing Troy, stabilizing taxes and encouraging smart, green development in our city. We have a great city and we can make it even better by working together,” said Mainello, who planned to focus on stable taxes, quality economic development, and affordable housing for seniors and veterans. “I love Troy and I always love it when I can help the people and the city. We need to create opportunity for Troy while protecting the special things that make our city great.”

Mainello was introduced to the business community by working with his father, Jerry, at the popular Mainello’s Tavern in Sycaway and later ran a livery service while a member of the Commercial and Industrial Real Estate Brokers, as well as the national and state Association of Realtors. He has since worked on the development of several commercial and residential projects in the county and is currently an associate with Heer Realty in the city.

“My dad taught me the value of hard work and service to the community. I have chosen to invest in Troy because I believe in the city and know we have a brighter future ahead of us,” said Mainello.

Legislative Chairman Neil Kelleher said he was excited to attract someone with Mainello’s experience to seek office in the Legislature.

“John Mainello has helped make Troy a better place and we are delighted to have someone of his experience and talent step forward and be ready to serve the people of Troy in the county Legislature,” said Kelleher. “I am confident John will be an outstanding legislator.”

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Bauer seeking re-election

TROY – An At-Large city councilman will be seeking re-election this fall with hopes to continue working towards improving all areas of the city.

Hank Bauer, a two-term Republican incumbent, said he will seek the office again this year because he believes that being a member of the City Council is both an honor and a privilege.

“You are a member of a team and that team has nine members. It’s not about being a Democrat or being a Republican,” said Bauer. “The good people of Troy deserve high quality essential services and stable taxes.”

Bauer noted how many local neighborhoods had seen improvements over the past four years thanks to cooperation between the city and area residents.

“Residents, who have fought for years for a better place to live, are being joined by neighbors in achieving that goal for the first time,” said Bauer. “Together a difference is being made.”

He also explained that it was imperative for the law to work for the people and that, with their help in recent years, the city has improved its crime fighting and crime prevention.

“The council has worked hard with Mayor Tutunjian to reduce the size of city government, streamline expenses, balance budgets without tax increases, and make investments to city infrastructure, while providing quality services,” said Bauer.

Additionally, Bauer said that he was pleased to be joined on the Republican ticket this fall by fellow At-Large candidates Steve Miner and registered Democrat Keith Rogers.

“Being a member of the Troy City Council is not about being a member of the majority or minority,” said Bauer. “It is about working as a team, working with the mayor, and ultimately serving the residents of Troy.”

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Monday, June 22, 2009

Mahoney drops out of Leg race

TROY – Jack Mahoney, a former city councilman, dropped out of the race for county Legislature, Monday.
The Democrat was running as part of the six person ticket in District 1, which includes the City of Troy.
“I find you have to be a politician to be in politics and to get anything done you have to be a member of one of the major political parties, Democrat or Republican,” he said. “So, while I appreciate the support they offered me I’ve always wanted to be my own voice so the best thing for me to do is drop out of the race.”
Mahoney ran with the Democrats when he served on the council but was endorsed by the GOP to run for Legislature. It remains unclear who the GOP will get to take his place since petitions are already on the streets.

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Tuesday, June 16, 2009

County-wide candidates for 2009

Below are the lists of Democrats and Republicans running for local county positions in the upcoming election this November.


Republicans:

County Court Judge – Charles Wilcox

Family Court Judge – Arthur Dunn

County Clerk – Frank Merola

County Executive – Kathleen Jimino

County Legislature:

District 1:

Neil Kelleher

Catherine Vandenburgh

James Brearton

Bob Mirch

John J. Mahoney, Jr.

Michael (Pickles) Picarillo

District 2:

Leon Fiacco

Philip Danaher

Louis Desso

Michael Cristo, Jr.

District 3:

Thomas Walsh, Sr.

Kenneth Herrington

Richard Salisbury

District 4:

Alexander A. Shannon

Judith M. Breselor

Martin T. Reid

District 5:

Stanley J. Brownell

Lester E. Goodermote

District 6:

Michael Stammel

City Council:

At Large: Henry Bauer, Stephen Miner, Keith Rogers

District 1: James Gordon

District 2: Mark McGrath

District 3: Dean Bodnar

District 4: Nicholas Hepler

District 5:

District 6: Jason Schofield


Democrats:

County Court Judge – Andrew Ceresia

Family Court Judge – Richard Hanft (Beth Walsh looking to primary Hanft for position)

County Clerk – none

County Executive – none

County Legislature:

District 1:

Kathleen Ryan Cassidy

Mark J. Fleming

Peter D. Grimm

Edward F. Manny

Louis A. Rosamilia

Peter J. Ryan, Sr.

- City Democratic Chairman Frank LaPosta and fellow committee member Dan Doran, both former city councilmen, have also announced their plans to run for the Legislature on the Democratic line. If they can acquire enough signatures to run on the ballot, it would force an eight-way primary between Democrats this fall.

District 2:

Keith A. Hammond

W. Kevin Harrington

Philip J. Malone

Brian S. Zweig

District 3:

James J. Brearton

Nancy H. Herrington

William W. McGreevy, Jr.

District 4:

Flora Fasoldt

Linda L. Underwood

Norman S. Young, Jr.

District 5:

Robert M. Melesky

William H. Nugent

District 6:

John M. Mooney

City Council:

At Large: Clement Campana, John Brown, Michael LoPorto

District 1: Kevin McGrath

District 2: Robert Martiniano

District 3: Richard Hoffmeister

District 4: Bill Dunne

District 5: Ken Zalewski

District 6: Gary Galuski

Monday, June 15, 2009

Ryan running for Legislature

TROY — Less than a month after announcing he would not seek re-election to his seat on the City Council, Peter Ryan has decided to throw his name into a crowded field for the Rensselaer County Legislature.
He will seek a seat representing the six-member District 1, which consists of the entirety of the City of Troy. Five incumbents and more than a half-dozen challengers will be vying for those seats in November, when the entire 19-member body will be on the ballot.
Ryan announced last month that he would not seek re-election to the City Council, where he is serving his second term representing District 3, due to conflicts with his job at Superior Business Products in Schenectady. He said the dealings of being a politician and also a salesman would sometimes conflict.
“It puts you in a very uncomfortable position,” he said Monday. “But we worked some things out at work. We had some changes here.”
He said he now has a different assignment at the company covering a different area, and the potential for conflict is no more. So he’s ready to continue holding a public office.
“An opening came up over the weekend and they asked me,” he said, “and I thought it’d be a good time for me.”
The Democrats didn’t officially announce their slate of District 1 candidates until the conclusion of last night’s committee meeting but one, Lisa Graham, backed out creating an opening for Ryan to run.
The others are expected to include incumbent Legislator Peter Grimm and newcomers Mark Flemming, Lou Rosamilla, Charlene Cassidy and Ed Manning.
There will likely be a primary though because the city committee met earlier this month and nominated the candidates while Chairman Frank LaPosta was in Baltimore watching a baseball game.
The move infuriated LaPosta, a former Troy councilman, so he and another former councilman, Dan Doran, are also collecting petitions to run for Legislature so it is gearing up as an eight-way primary for six seats.
LaPosta was upset that Ryan did not have to go through an interview process before being selected.
In District 1, the Republicans are running incumbents Chairman Neil Kelleher, Robert Mirch, James Brearton, Michael Picarillo, who was recently appointed to fill a vacancy, Legislative newcomer and former Troy Councilman John Mahoney and political newcomer Kay Vandenburgh.

Friday, June 5, 2009

WFP endorse Pomerantz for Family Court

The Working Families Party threw another monkey wrench into the race for Rensselaer County Family Court judge by endorsing East Greenbush attorney Geri Pomerantz.
The county’s Democratic Party earlier endorsed Troy attorney Richard Hanft, which was soon followed by the revelation that Troy attorney Beth Walsh, a former councilwoman, is also seeking the nod and has requested that she be appointed to the spot by Gov. David Paterson.
The position became vacant with the retirement of Judge Linda Griffin.
“Ms Pomerantz’s background uniquely demonstrates her commitment to access to justice for all families,” said Karen Scharff, co-chair of the Capital District Working Families Party.
Pomerantz was a supervising attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, a staff attorney with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley and Prisoners’ Legal Services of New York. She also was the first director of the AIDS project at Harlem Legal Services and served as a commissioner for the City of Kingston Human Rights Commission.
“Family Court Judge is a natural progression from my career as a public interest lawyer, focusing on family law for the past 10 years” she said in a statement.
In 2007, Pomerantz opened her own law office on Columbia Turnpike in East Greenbush.
“I am delighted by the vote of confidence in me by the Working Families Party,” Pomerantz said.
She is also seeking a spot on the ballot for the Democratic Primary on September 15.
Pomerantz is a 1987 graduate of Northeastern University School of Law, and obtained her bachelors degree at Empire State College in 1984. She and her domestic partner reside in the Town of Schodack. They have three grown children and one grandchild.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Rosamilia is running for the Legislature

TROY — The Rensselaer County Democratic Committee endorsed Lou Rasamilia as a candidate for the Rensselaer County Legislature to represent District 1, which includes the city.
“I would be honored to serve on the Rensselaer County Legislature and believe that with my professional experience and years of community involvement I can make a real difference,” he said. “I want to give back to the community that has given my family and me so much support and friendship all these years.”
District 1 is represented by six legislators who all run citywide.
Rosamilia has been a professor of accounting at Hudson Valley Community College for 36 years and is often consulted to review and contribute to accounting textbooks. For 18 years he has served as a union representative for the Faculty Association at HVCC and has been vice president, treasurer and delegate at large.
He started his career teaching at LaSalle Institute where he also was the athletic director.
The graduate of HVCC and SUNY Albany has been married to his wife Peg for 40 years. They two are life long residents of Rensselaer County.
“I hope to offer my insights into programs involving youth, veterans, and the elderly, and also the STOP DWI Program,” he said in a statement. “With my professional background, I will take an active role in the budgetary process. I feel I can bring fresh new ideas and positive energy that would benefit Rensselaer County residents.”
The county committee endorsed six candidates but former Councilmen Frank LaPosta and Dan Doran, upset with the nominating process, decided to toss their hats into the ring and if they follow through it would be an eight-way candidate for six seats.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Jimino makes it official

TROY — County Executive Kathy Jimino officially announced Wednesday that she will be seeking a third four-year term.
“I believe we have done a good job over the last eight years providing the services people have come to expect,” she said. “And we want to continue to grow in a community sensitive way so we have more businesses and more jobs for people in Rensselaer County.
Jimino was appointed to the position in May of 2001 and she successfully ran for a full four-year term in November of that year and again in 2005.
Jimino is a former county Legislature, Troy city manager, budget director and assistant director of the state Senate’s Office of Budget Studies.
As a member of the New York State Association of Counties, Jimino has been a vocal opponent of mandates handed down by the state to the localities.
“As the state looks to county government to balance their budget we will look to speak very loudly for the property taxpayers,” she said, adding that state wide property taxes are 79 percent higher than the national average. “We will continue to push back the state’s tendency to push the burden on property taxpayers.”
Asked what she was most proud of during her tenure she said two things: managing the county’s finances and providing services particularly to the county’s youth, seniors and veterans.
“We have engaged youth to make responsible decisions and we’ve worked hard to ensure our seniors stay in our communities and we’ve also provided services to the veterans for the services they have given us,” she said.
As of Wednesday the Democrats have not named a candidate to run against Jimino and county Chairman Tom Wade could not be reached for comment about potential candidates or to comment on Jimino running.
“I always run for the office, not against anyone else who is in the race,” Jimino said. “I’ll put my record out there and let the voters decide if they want me to serve another four years.”

Democrats for council announced

TROY – The city’s Democratic Committee formally announced their list of candidates for City Council Wednesday which included five incumbents and four political newcomers.

City Democratic Chairman Frank LaPosta said that candidates for the legislative body this November will include incumbents Clement Campana and John Brown along with local restaurant owner Michael LoPorto for the council’s At-Large seats.

Candidates for the city districts are as follows: District 1: Kevin McGrath, District 2: Robert Martiniano, District 3: Richard Hoffmeister, District 4: Bill Dunne, District 5: Ken Zalewski, District 6: Gary Gaulski.

Dunne, Zalewski and Galuski are incumbents.

“It’s a good slate of candidates that are extremely competent and interested in moving the city forward,” said LaPosta.

While Republicans have not yet announced their full slate of candidates for the council, Steve Miner, Keith Rogers, and incumbent Henry Bauer have been announced as At-Large candidates, along with Jim Gordon as a candidate to represent District 1 in Lansingburgh.

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Tuesday, June 2, 2009

LaPosta, Doran seek Legislature seats

TROY - City Democratic Chairman Frank LaPosta and fellow committee member Dan Doran, both former city councilmen, announced Friday that they would run for the legislature this fall on the Democratic line.

A press release stated that LaPosta and Doran wanted to roll back a four-year-old $5,000 pay raise for legislators, require public votes for any future pay raises, propose term limits for legislators, and request an in-depth study of county government by a not-for-profit organization such as the Siena Research Institute or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to offer suggestions on how to streamline operations.

However, the fact that the two were not invited to a recent Democratic meeting also seemed to be a motivating factor in their decision to run for election.

Read the rest on The Record's Web Site.

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Campana, Brown up for re-election

TROY — City Council President Clem Campana and At-Large Councilman John Brown announced their intentions to run for re-election Friday.

Campana will be seeking a third term and Brown will be seeking his second. The positions have two-year terms.

“It’s hard to believe that two years have gone by since the last election, but my family and friends are geared up to get our message out again” said Campana.

“Clem and I walked every street in Troy together two years ago, and that hard work paid off. The voters responded and we have carried their message as we have governed.” Brown said.

Read more about it on The Record's Web Site.

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Rogers running on GOP ticket

TROY - Last week, former councilman and registered Democrat Keith Rogers announced that he would be running for the City Council this fall on the Republican ballot.

“Frankly, the current Democratic Party in Troy is not the one that I remember as an elected City Councilman almost 10 years ago,” said Rogers in a prepared statement. “I have found that my beliefs, as to the direction that the city of Troy needs to take in order to be competitive and to move forward, are much more in line with the Troy GOP.”

Read the rest of the story on The Record's Web Site.

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