|
Published: July 13, 2008 01:00 am
POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: A nose by any other name
By Mark Scheer E-mail Mark
Greater Niagara Newspapers
Will any member of any executive committee in any party ever put pen to paper and describe any sort of altercation or disagreement with another party official in Niagara County again?
Not unless they can be sure the document and the matter stays internal, which is what Lewiston Democratic Chairperson Diane Roberts intended when she wrote her now infamous resignation letter to the party’s executive committee.
Of course, the details about Roberts and top Democrat Dan Rivera’s nose-tugging incident got out somehow.
So, who was the mole?
Maybe a better question is: What did this person have to gain by letting the letter outside the inner circle of Dems?
Rivera insisted this week that Gary Parenti, former foe of Democratic Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte, is orchestrating the protests that have followed the letter’s public release. Parenti’s former campaign manager, Kathryn Mazierski did organize this week’s protest at the Democratic fundraiser at the Red Coach Inn.
Rivera also suggested this week that Parenti and others calling for his resignation have gone as far as to form an unholy alliance with Republican forces, including state Sen. George Maziarz, R-Newfane.
Of course, Maziarz has said publicly that he likes Rivera where he is, boasting that Republicans have faired well against Democrats during Rivera’s tenure.
All of it adds up to one fact: The top Democrat in the Senate — Minority Leader Malcolm Smith — came to Niagara Falls, got a whiff of what was going on and turned around and left.
Not exactly a great impression for a guy who could literally become one of the “three men in the room” in Albany if the Dems secure the senate Majority this fall.
Probably right
Rochester billionaire and Buffalo Sabres owner Tom Golisano weighed in this week with an announcement that he plans to set up a political action committee and begin supporting state legislative candidates of his choosing with money from his own $5 million fund.
To get in on the deal, all the candidates have to do is provide Golisano with answers that satisfy his questions to eight categories appearing on a questionnaire he plans to send around this fall.
Local political pundit, Dr. Kevin Hardwick, who hosts the weekly political talk show Hardline with Hardwick on AM radio’s WBEN 930, said Golisano’s plan sounds like an interesting play, one that could have quit an influence on some key races.
He said Golisano — a three-time, self-financed gubernatorial candidate — obviously has a passion for politics.
Hardwick added that it’s likely most Western New Yorkers wish he’d devote more time and resources to a different type of game.
“I’m sure a lot of people would have preferred he spend $5 million on a defenseman for the Sabres,” Hardwick said.
What’s the deal
Golisano aide Steve Pigeon said he would expect all candidates that will appear on the ballot in this fall’s state Legislature elections will get one of Golisano’s questionnaires. He said the answers will be reviewed by a committee, which will ultimately decide which candidates get in on the Golisano campaign sweepstakes.
Pigeon, who was once a rather big power player in the local Democratic Party, insisted the money will be made available to Democrats, Republicans and minor party candidates, provided they support Golisano’s ideals on things like reigning in state spending and taking on New York’s property tax situation.
“What he’s asking for people to support is an agenda that will get rid of the gridlock in Albany,” Pigeon said.
Good luck with that.
|
|
|
|
 |
Recreational Aide
Recreational Aide - Full/part time. Performs hand on activities to include crafts, cooking, recreational and social acti...>MORE
Customer Service
CUSTOMER SERVICE: Altitude Marketing is one of Dish Network’s top national retailers and has immediate FT customer...>MORE
BILINGUAL PHONE INTERVIEWER
Bilingual Telephone interviewer. Surveys for insurance policy review. Spanish/English a Must. ft/pt & Sat. No sales/coll...>MORE
Maintenance Technician
MAINTENANCE Technician, FT, exp. needed in electrical, plumbing, heating & cooling, Apply in person bet. 9 & 5 at 6751 ...>MORE
Grill Cook
GRILL COOK & Waitresses, exp only, full time. Apply within 2021 Main St. Nia Falls ...>MORE
Mechanic
MECHANIC: Truck trailer, FT, full benefits. Competitive wages. Contact 875-4980; fax 875-8108...>MORE
Hospitality/Tourism Instructor
Hospitality/Tourism. NIAGARA COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE is seeking applications for part-time instructor to teach hospita...>MORE
PHONE SALES
PHONE sales, great pay, exp. a plus, nice NT office, FT/PT, hrly. +, Pete or Mike, 694-1251...>MORE
Adult Residential Services Administrator
HUMAN SERVICES Progressive Niagara County Agency serving adults with psychiatric disabilties seeks an Adult Reside...>MORE
Warehouse
Warehouse, Assembly Production & Cleaning 1st, 2nd & 3rd shifts Sanborn, Grand Island Amherst & Tona...>MORE
See all ads |
Yamaha 1982, 750
YAMAHA 1982, 750, runs perfect, low mileage, $895. 716-525-2889...>MORE
Dodge 1993 Dakota 4x4
FORD 1999 WIndstar, LX, fully loaded, 38k miles, $3850. Excellent condition 860-4747...>MORE
Ford 1999 Windstar
FORD 1999 WIndstar, LX, fully loaded, 38k miles, $3850. Excellent condition 860-4747...>MORE
Ford 2001 Taurus
Ford 2001 Taurus Station wagon, well maintained, 112,000 miles Siver ext. 4 dr, auto, asking $2800/BO. 716-772-2454....>MORE
1999 Dodge Caravan
DODGE 1999 Caravan, 33, V6, auto, A/C, 99k miles, good cond., runs great. $1950. 525-7796...>MORE
Ford 1998 F150
FORD 1998 F150, standard cab, 4wd, excellent shape, $3495. 716-525-2889...>MORE
Monte Carlo Z24 1998
MONTE CARLO Z24, 1998, runs good, average miles, excellent shape, $1800 , 990-2303...>MORE
1996 Ford Escort
FORD 1996 Escort 4 cyl, 2 dr, exc cond in & out, no rust, 1 owner, only 61k orig mi, $2195. 523-7102...>MORE
See all ads |
|
See all ads |
|
 |
|