Wednesday, October 28, 2015

A Comment that deserves to be a Post

This is an atypical year politically and the EG 1st candidates have highlighted the absolute NEED for sincere leadership. The Langley camp has sent out a cartoon card bashing Dave Van Wormer for conduct that, from any other source, would likely disqualify him for the job. The problem is that it came from Langley, leaving the average voter disgusted with BOTH major parties.

If you are a thinking individual, it's hard to look at Van Wormer's qualifications, or lack thereof, and still consider voting for him. Even if you dislike the negative ad Langley issued, it's hard to willingly revolt by voting for the guy he attacked, because to a certain degree, Langley is right, Van Wormer is unqualified... but that does not inspire a vote for Langley.

In a normal year, we would have to suffer the indignity of having to vote for one of these two... candidates for lack of a better word, and feel bad about ourselves for doing so, knowing full well neither one of them bring dignity to the office nor do they have the best interests of the residents at heart.

The EG 1st candidates have held themselves to a higher standard and promoted the needs of the community over their own personal ambitions. They are also, each in their own right, supremely qualified to serve.

In any other election year, one would look a the two major party candidates and vote for one or against one. However, this year, as the two major parties parade their selected nominee around like Mrs. Astor's horse, people should be continually reminded that there is in fact an alternative. Candidates who are prepared to do exactly what this town needs.

Meanwhile the two major parties, who are forever stuck in the their ways find themselves with democrats NOT supporting the democratic candidate and instead pushing their people to vote for the republican, a guy who has demonstrated the past that they can't trust him. And democrats are holding their nose to support a guy that was encouraged to NOT run at all. Republicans are hard pressed to support their guy because he not only insulted them but assaulted them with his hard line support of the casino initiative without giving residents the courtesy of weighing in on the decision. A decision which fell very predictably flat.

If ever there was a time to be disgusted with major parties this is the year. If ever there was a time for partisan politicians to show their true colors and their own manipulative tendencies, this is the year.

All the while, there is an alternative that makes sense for voters. Jack Conway, Tina Tierney and Tom Grant have stayed above the fray and focused on solutions for this town. If voters do not recognize this as the true opportunity this is to rebuild this town... this town is destined to violated by corrupt political hacks who will never put the needs of the town ahead of their own. That said... no one, including this piece and it's author, should ever tell anyone how to vote, for whom to vote and insist on it. Your vote is your own. This article was simply to point out an opportunity and an option to deviate from the past. One would be remiss to not point it out.

39 comments:

  1. Great post! It's also interesting to note that the negative ad you make note of states that it was paid for by "The East Greenbush Republican Committee."
    This is the same "Committee" which has ignored the State Election Law by failing to file its LAST FIVE required Financial Disclosure Reports.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is a patented last gasp move by the C. Def/Langley campaign team. They have no record to run on, refused to debate the other candidates, have ended the public question and answer period at TB meetings and refuse to tell us what is really happening down at the Waste Water Treatment Plant.
    What an embarrassment to the people of EG. How fitting that the Langley, Lenartz, Tibbitts team is spending unreported campaign money on a cartoon advertisement in the last week of the campaign since their entire campaign has been nothing but a bad joke on the people of East Greenbush..
    We deserve serious candidates who serious plans to deal with the many problems Langley and company have created.
    Let's vote for Jack Conway, Tina Tierney and Tom Grant on November 3rd. They are no joke! They are the real deal!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Interesting that the Keith Langley team would cast aspersions on anyone for their attendance or their work ethic. Langley has the worst attendance record I have ever witnessed (that's right I have seen first hand that he refuses to come to the office, return calls, or attend to the town's business). The refusal to file financial reports indicates to me that when we finally find out who gave what we are going to find the names of DEMS supporting this ugly move against their own candidate. I am glad the hole crowd is on their way out.
    EG1st all the way!

    ReplyDelete
  4. And there are still a few days left. No doubt there will be yet another last effort to disgrace themselves and demonstrate their unworthyness. When lifelong, diehard democrats like the Maney's are openly promoting the Republican candidate there is something seriously wrong. No telling what deal was made or who owes who, but for sure it's strange bed fellows and the tax payer is being set up to be the victim again. Great post and you're right. vote how you want, but don't complain if things get continually worse if residents don't take control of this town. Both parties have gotten us where we are.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The post today would have been absolutely perfect for today's Advertiser. You can comfortably bet your last nickle that Langley spokesman Ed Gilbert is responsible for the cartoon against VanWormer. Cartoons are Langley spokesman Ed Gilbert's specialty. Just look at the EGMatterss blog to make the comparison.

    ReplyDelete
  6. And we have seen EG politics hit it's normal low, the Langley postcard and now Dave's attempt to get his campaign treasurer (that's just part of the relationship) to disregard T.U.'s non-partisan rules on a blog. He can now join Ed Gilbert in being shut down by the T.U.. The real low of this campaign, the fact that Pete and Dave allowed a commentor to publish someone's personal address, someone who isn't even a candidate. That's lower than Ed Gilbert, I thought the Dem candidates were better than that, highly disappointed. They lost my vote, and my respect. The person I feel bad for is Andrea Smyth for having to be tied to them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Sword of the Lord and of GideonOctober 29, 2015 at 12:16 PM

      Looks like they revised the comment, but it's clear that at least two of those who run that Talks blog have their shorts in knots because they got caught abusing the Times Union blog rules. Speaks volumes about the character which they don't possess. Upset because they go caught. No thought as to whether what they were doing was right.

      Delete
  7. Mrs. Smyth is right up there on the Dem. Billboard with them. Don't forget that she was Sue Hart Mangold's running mate in the 2013 County Legislative Race on the Dem. ticket. She also was appointed to the Rens. County Dem. Committee by Dem. Chairman Tom Wade.
    Mrs. Smyth knows exactly what she is doing. She made her Dem. bed long ago.

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's worth mentioning that on p.25 of today's Advertiser, the Langley crew no longer boasts about paying down $2.1 million of debt. In fact, there is no mention of any numbers at all. The ad was dumbed down to be even less informative, if that's possible, it simply states, "Keith has corrected EG finances." Really, Keith, old buddy, old pal...HOW? HOW have you "corrected the finances or is George still learning and discerning that, too? Keith's also "introduced budgets that hold the line on taxes, including a 2016 budget with no tax increase, and improved important services." Problem is, we don't get to see the budget until AFTER election day and what improved, important services is he talking about, why doesn't he describe them? Does he think were bloomin' idiots? Should we just take his word for it, for ALL of it? A recent audit finding that told him he can't use mitigation fees to pay down interfund borrowing debt may explain the removal of numbers from his ad! Have we been hoodwinked in his ads for months now based on faulty information? This is all just too much idiocy and stupidity for words. If Langley or VanWormer wins, it will tell them that no one is listening, pays attention or cares and then it will be open season on East Greenbush by the scavengers for four more long years. Please, if you're reading this post, vote for Jack, Tina and Tom on Tuesday. Let's show them that EG residents DO listen, pay attention and care.
    JACK/TINA/TOM
    VOTE FOR ALL 3 ON 11/3

    ReplyDelete
  9. As somebody who has voted Democrat since LBJ, I'm disappointed and embarrassed by the the attempt of the Democrat candidate in this Town election to use the Times Union blog to get an "endorsement" of his candidacy, against the rules set forth by the newspaper. It displays a mindset and a willingness to use an insider connection for personal advantage. And what is it that has plagued East Greenbush but using insider connections for personal advantage. Mr. VanWormer and his campaign treasurer should be ashamed of themselves for trying to game the rules yet again. And now they are going after someone who exposed the scam. Seems to me that the people need to take back the government from these "players." They don't have the character to do an honest job.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Dave VanWormer was fired as a cop for sleeping on the job and for using the town's computer for his personal business.

    Dave VanWormer's bar was issued a citation for serving under age people.

    Dave VanWormer got the town fined for his failures as DPW Commissioner.

    If you vote based on character you cannot vote for Dave Van Wormer.

    Langley is the failure to end all failures as supervisors. Space to list his failures would send this comment into the stratosphere.

    The time for the abuse of taxpayers and citizens can end next week.

    Just vote for Jack,Tom and Tina.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Again, because it's worth repeating, Larry Lenartz and Trent Tibbitts were hand picked by Langley, Fiacco, and DeFruscio to follow orders. Had they been on the board last year, instead of Matters and DiMartino, the town would be in much worse shape today. They were not picked to be thinkers, they were picked to be followers. This can't be good for the town.
    Jack/Tina/Tom on Tuesday.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Could this Halloween be any spookier considering most of the candidates running for Supervisor and town board?
    If you review his 2011 pitch to get your vote, Keith Langley has accomplished virtually nothing in four years except a whole lot of politicking. He lost his republican majority in record time last year because of his consorting with corrupt, political Democrat insiders but even more disconcerting is that his ace-in-the-hole claim of paying down $2.1 million in debt magically disappeared from his campaign ad in yesterday's Advertiser. Why? What happened? Now he's saying he's "corrected the finances" but he doesn't say how and, as far as we know, the comptroller is still using the "broken beyond repair" accounting software. Is that spooky or what?
    Dave VanWormer is simply unqualified to be Chief Executive/Financial Officer of a town of over 16,500 people. Anyone who tells you otherwise is mistaken. Don't elect DVW because he was your child's coach or because you like him personally only to find out later that he's an exact replica of his ex-brother-in-law Rick McCabe. The town is still in deep trouble financially because of six years of Rick McCabe, so we can't sustain four more long years of DVW, Stenson and Smyth or Langley, Lenartz and Tibbitts. Folks, something's gotta change! We have an opportunity this year to try something new. Jack Conway, Tina Tierney and Tom Grant are deeply concerned residents who have put their extensive time and talents forward for the benefit of the town. If you've never heard of these fine candidates, please grab a cup of coffee and a sweet roll and go to EG1st.org. Jack, Tina and Tom are supremely qualified to serve but it needs to be emphasized that their candidacy is a one time only offer so we MUST vote them in on 11/3. You can find them at EG1st.org and on Row I of the ballot. Cheers!
    Jack/Tina/Tom on 11/3

    ReplyDelete
  13. THIS takes the cake. "Matterss" blog is touting EG1st will "take your freedom". Can you just?! Keith Langley took away our freedom to ask questions at Board meetings. He actually took that away. Stole it from us. We can make statements but, we can't have questions answered. On top of that, he actually directed residents to break friendships with some people because HE did not like who they were friends with---he did THAT! He actually has the nerve to tell residents who they can and cannot be friends with--so who is the freedom thief?
    Plus, it was discovered, and uncovered, that Ed Gilbert manages that blog--former Dep Sup to Keith Langley.
    Just stop already. We have all witnessed and experienced enough of the dictatorship that is Keith Langley's governing style. We are all tired of the Keith Langley whiny reruns.

    This post tells you all you need to know.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Update...
    As of 9;30 AM, there has still been no filing of the required Financial Disclosure Reports by the East Greenbush Republican Committee to the NYS Board of Elections. For any latecomers. The East Greenbush Republican Committee and its Treasurer, Sean Mulvey, has refused to file the LAST FIVE legally required Financial Disclosure Reports. The LAST FIVE!!

    What say you, Republican Committee Candidates Keith Langley, Kim Carlock, Kevin Engel, Larry Lenartz and Trent Tibbitts? If you folks can't get your Republican Committee backers to follow the law, how can voters expect that you will make the tough decisions needede to get the Town of East Greenbush back on track?
    Vote for Tina, Tom, Bridget and Jack on Election Day!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Here's a question for the Gadfly. Why would EG GOP Treasurer, Sean Mulvey, be sabotaging Kim Carlock's campaign by refusing to file those financial forms? Who cares about Langley, Lenartz and Tibbitts? We expect nothing more from them, but Kim is a wonderful person, she really shouldn't have this hanging over her head. C'mon Sean!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 10:23 a.m. My unconfirmed belief is that Keith Langley ordered republican committee chair Dan Fiacco to simply postpone filing the disclosures until after the election, which is now only 5 days away. Why would Langley do that? Because he doesn't want loyal republicans to see the contributions being made to him by developers and highly connected democrats like the Maneys, Harts, Davis, McCabe, etc. It would just look bad. Democrats would love to see VanWormer win but they're not sure he can beat Langley so they're playing both sides in the more likely event that the Republicrat incumbent Keith Langley wins. This is vintage Keith Langley behavior. Everything's a secret, including the state of the town's finances, so you can keep posting your updates but Langley could not care less. He makes his own rules and one of them is - no more financial disclosures until after the election. It's complete anarchy. This would never happen in a Conway/Tierney/Grant administration.

      Delete
  16. Vote for Democracy in EG!October 30, 2015 at 10:25 AM

    So true, AT.
    Keith Langley practices the "divide and conquer" method of government. He does not tout "collaboration" like Tina Tierney or "communication" like Tom Grant or "teamwork" like Jack Conway. I have known Jack for years. He is always a gentleman (Tom, too!) Many times Jack has described Tina as incredibly smart; he actually appreciates her for that. He really seems to value contributions from women as much as men. Deb and MA needed those qualities in Keith Langley but they just weren't there :( Next thing they knew, THEY were divided! The majority team on the town board was divided because Langley practices dictatorship. It was truly bizarre! Everyone should know that no matter what your dealings are with Keith Langley, you are one disagreement away from getting the boot. That is no way to govern in a democracy, no way to govern in America.
    On Tuesday, vote for democracy in East Greenbush.
    Vote for Jack, Tina, and Tom. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Keith was neutered by MAM and Deb and good for them! Keith clearly has a problem with strong, intelligent women; Eileen Grant can confirm this as well as MAM, Deb and a few others. He is a wretched, miserable man trying to hold onto his power and continues to use his dictatorship style of governing to do it. Refusing to participate in the debate is proof he is a coward and knows he has nothing he can say to defend his pitiful record AND, proves he refuses to address questions regarding his claims of accomplishments. If he wasn't so mean spirited, I could feel sorry for him but, he is mean spirited so no sympathies! And absolutely NO VOTES.

    ReplyDelete
  18. It seems like the Talks blog should be called the No Talk blog. They're removing more comments than they're printing! Guess they just can't "keep it civil."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well they did leave that "un-civil" comment about Suzanne and me up there. We hope they leave it for a while. It's a pretty good reflection on the mentioned Dem candidates. I'd say that DVW and his buddy are a bit upset at getting caught with the Times Union scam.

      Delete
    2. Why can't they just act like adults? Whether it's DeFruscio and the Marta Andiago scam or Langley spokesman Ed Gilbert and his cartoon blog or the dems and their brainless shenanigans with the TU blog, they just seem determined to make damn fools of themselves! Only the EG1st candidates have a clean record and so they deserve to be elected on Tuesday.

      Delete
    3. Yes, I'm hearing that the "juvies" are out doing their usual stealing and vandalism for this election cycle. The only thing that will stop it is if it doesn't work anymore. Remove the "juvies" patrons from office on the one side and don't let them into office on the other, and we'll have an end to it. Enough already. Time to have a government by adults who are capable of rational thought.

      Delete
  19. Don't forget to bring in your signs tonight. The Ghouls of East Greenbush politics will be roaming around trying to blend in with the Trick or Treaters and play their very childish games.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Remember that old saying about show me your friends and I'll show you who you are?

    Apply that to Langley.

    Gilbert, DeFruscio, Mulvey, Sheldon , Torino, McCabe.

    Want to vote for that crew? Ever read Eddie Gilbert's sicko blog?

    Ever listen to Ed, Mulvey, Sheldon, DeFruscio act like juvenile delinquents at town board meetings?

    Remember Torino's famous patronage rant?

    Jeez Louise. I will vote for Jack Conway's cat before I would dream the nightmare called another 4 years of Langley and his henchmen.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I just put my lawn sign in the garage. It will be back up again tomorrow morning.

    ReplyDelete
  22. If you've looked at the Talks blog recently, you read where some bad tempered democrats are simply livid at Langley and his crew for mailing out a pretty damning postcard against challenger Dave VanWormer. I have to say, however, that, in all honesty, I don't hate it (the postcard, I mean.) DVW is a man who while employed as a police officer on the night shift was caught sleeping on the job instead of patrolling our streets for robbers, speeders and drunk drivers to keep us and our community safe. As if that's not bad enough, he also called in sick on the taxpayers dime and then went golfing. In the final analysis, the Police Chief at the time said that DVW has "total disregard for authority." While the postcard was not sporting, I believe that it was actually responsible to inform the public of the kind of man who is running for supervisor of the financially fragile town of East Greenbush. At the debate, DVW was asked how he felt about DPW workers punching in and out on a time clock. To this question, he responded, "they don't need to be watched, they're men!" The gasp in the room told him how people felt about his answer. Do we want someone who was described by his former superior as having "total disregard for authority," and subsequently fired as a public servant, to be our town supervisor? Heavens NO! There is some irony, however, in the pot (Keith Langley) calling the kettle (DVW) black. Mr. Langley is reportedly out of the office more than he is in leaving the running of the town in the hands of his deputy supervisor. The problem with this is that we didn't ELECT her to do the job! Many would also say that the autocratic Mr. Langley has total disregard for authority. He demonstrated this quite handily during the casino fiasco last year when he had total disregard for how the residents of the town felt about having a big box, neon lights, full blown casino plopped down in the middle of a beautiful residential area, the town's high school, and a girl scout camp. In fact, Mr. Langley has clearly demonstrated that he doesn't much care about what the residents think about anything as evidenced by his no question rule at town board meetings. Since Mr. Langley and Mr. VanWormer seem to have so much in common when it comes to subordination to anyone's rules but their own, it seems the only choice on Tuesday is to vote for Jack Conway for supervisor and Tina Tierney and Tom Grant for town board. Thank you, Mr. Langley for making it so crystal clear with your recent attack postcard. You ARE indeed the POT calling the KETTLE black!
    Jack/Tina/Tom on Tuesday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Superbly done J T T 2015!!!! I wish I could write like that. You framed the issue beautifully.

      Delete
    2. Thank you, sir Gadfly. That is high praise coming from you.

      Delete
    3. Jack, Tina & Tom are not the only choice, they are the very best choice!

      Delete
    4. Let's just remember, not many know of the many details shared on blogsso we have to all spread the word! Share things on social media, talk to friends and family.

      Delete
  23. Jack Conway is smart. That cannot be said for the other two candidates .

    Jack Conway is a decent man. That cannot be said for the other two candidates.

    Jack Conway is honest. That cannot be said of the other two candidates.

    Jack Conway has a great team. That cannot be said of the other two candidates.

    Jack Conway cares about the town. That cannot be said of the other two candidates.

    Jack Conway is open and transparent. That cannot be said of the other two candidates.

    Jack Conway cares about the people. That cannot be said of the other two candidates.

    Jack Conway deserves our votes. And that can, for darn sure, not be said of the other two candidates.

    We need a bright future. Not a dark, sad past. The bright future is Jack Conway and his two outstanding running mates.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I want to pick up on these excellent theme.

    Jack Conway is thruthful. That cannot be said of the other two candidates.

    Jack Conway, and his team, have a strategy and a plan. That cannot be said of the other two candidates.

    Jack Conway, and his team, have run an excellent campaign. That cannot be said of the other two candidates.

    Langley and VanWormer have done NOTHING but screw things up. Why would we vote for anyone except Jack, Tina and Tom?

    ReplyDelete
  25. @ 9:40 AM:

    Let's also give a specific shout out to TINA TIERNEY and TOM GRANT. They are the class of the field of Town Council Candidates.

    Our votes are for Tina Tierney, Tom Grant and Jack on Election Day.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I hope voters and non-voters alike will take Monday, November 2nd to really think about the critical importance of voting, not just for themselves personally, but for the benefit of the whole town. Keith Langley and Dave VanWormer are counting on the usual voter cynicism and apathy to keep folks away from the polls. The more people who stay away, the better their chances of winning control of the town and keeping things THE SAME. Therefore, if you want change, vote. If you want fresh new ideas, vote. If you want to get away from members-only, closed door politics, vote. If you want to ask a question at a town board meeting, vote. If you want to know the true state of the town's finances, vote. If you want a working supervisor, vote. If you want a fully functioning ethics board and CFAC, vote. If you want strong internal controls in town hall, vote. If you want proper hiring done of qualified applicants, vote. If you want knowledgeable, professional town employees, vote. If you want a respectful, productive, non-combative town board, vote. If you want a town that attracts businesses like you see in Clifton Park and Colonie, vote. Whatever it is that you want for the taxes you pay to live here, don't stay home on Tuesday, vote. And while you're at it, vote for Jack Conway for Supervisor and Tina Tierney and Tom Grant for Town Board. They will bring the results we pay dearly to enjoy but don't have under the current Republicratic rule. Vote for positive change you can see and feel. Vote for Jack, Tina and Tom on Row I of the ballot. "I" promise you will be so glad you did. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  27. YOU'VE TRIED THE REST,
    NOW TRY THE BEST!
    VOTE FOR JACK, TINA, AND TOM ON ROW I ON TUESDAY!

    ReplyDelete
  28. One day to go! It's so exciting! Please remember to VOTE tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
  29. It can't possibly be lost on Keith Langley that had he been able to play nicely with Deb and MA and keep the SWF together, he may have been the proud recipient of a 5-0 Republican majority tomorrow. This begs the question, if Keith couldn't make it work with the councilwomen, how will he make it work with potential councilmen Larry Lenartz and Trent Tibbitts? Will the men allow Keith to call ALL the shots without any pushback whatsoever? When Keith says "jump," will Larry and Trent say, "how high, Mr. Langley, sir?" If the answer to that very important question is yes, then that is alarmingly BAD news for East Greenbush. If the answer is no, then Larry and Trent will have the same difficulty with Keith that the councilwomen have had with him for over a year now. Since neither scenario is good, why not just avoid the problem altogether and play it SAFE? You can do that very easily by voting for Jack, Tina and Tom tomorrow (Row I). Jack, Tina and Tom are a professional team of candidates who will work successfully with ALL board members.
    If you vote for Jack, Tina, Tom tomorrow, you will have a happy election day and an even happier new year!
    Polls open 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Keith Langley doesn't have problems working with Deb and MA exclusively. Heck, the guy doesn't get along with most people. Look at how he treats residents at public meetings, almost with contempt. When a public meeting is over, he's gone like the Flash! He clearly doesn't even like his constituents. It's only a matter of time before things fall apart with anyone unfortunate enough to have to work with Keith Langley.
      Larry and Trent, are you listening?

      Delete