This letter was in last week's Advertiser. It's an important statement which needs to be read and understood by residents and voters. If a decent code of ethics had been in place, followed and enforced in the past, we'd be in less trouble as a municipality.
Jack's ethics article has teeth to it and is not just a feel good, fluff piece. Anyone who thinks this man is soft on injustice is sadly mistaken. He'll go to the mat for everything decent, good and right. We desperately need him at the helm of the town, not swabbing the deck. His ethics piece should not just be read, it should be studied. It gives an excellent looksee into who Jack Conway really is. He talks about how we only have an EB because of "public pressure" and how only a "watered down code of ethics" was approved in an election year (2013). This speaks volumes about our local officials commitment to ethics. He talks about how there are only four out of a possible seven members (including alternates) presently serving in the EB and how this clearly speaks to our elected officials "level of commitment" to serving the public interest. He speaks about how even a good code of ethics "which we don't have" (go, Jack) only regulates conflicts of a certain type" and he describes what an "effective system of ethics" requires when doing "the people's business." He declares "when our town board meets in session, it is OUR business that is being conducted, not theirs and it's OUR money that's being spent." I can almost envision him standing before the Supreme Court when he speaks. And lastly, Jack tells us WHO HE IS when he states "A code of ethics is MORE than a document, it's a solemn oath and..." wait for it..."A WAY OF LIFE." If we pass up the opportunity to elect Jack, Tina and Tom on Nov 3rd, we as taxpayers will officially become our own worst enemy for the duration of our residency in town.
ReplyDeleteDear friends, if you have a brain in your head, PLEASE VOTE for Jack, Tina, and Tom on election day November 3rd. You will be SO GLAD you did.
If there had been any ethical sensitivity present a year and a half ago, the Supervisor would have required Board Member Mangold to recuse herself on the two votes she cast in favor of the casino resolutions. He (and she) knew where the resolutions came from and who the "connected investors" were. But we had to wait until the application to the casino location board revealed that Ms. Mangold's brother was a principal in the deal. Hart, Maney and Davis are referred to in the FOILed notes of the meetings with the Board members in May. A very sad story for East Greenbush.
ReplyDeleteJack Conway championed ethics in this town so who better for supervisor. Past actions of Keith Langley and Dave VanWormer prove that they don't for the bill. Like Jack said, it has to be "a way of life."
ReplyDeleteI'm not very well versed in these things but could the complete lock down in any financial information coming put of town hall be an ethics issue? As Mr. Conway said, we taxpayers should be regularly informed about what's being done with OUR money.
ReplyDeleteDear Frustrated Taxpayer,
DeleteYou have every right to be frustrated. Getting any information, financial or otherwise, but especially financial, out of town hall is nearly impossible under Supervisor Keith Langley who fervently believes that in his role as the supervisor of the town, residents should TRUST HIM to do the job he was elected to do WITHOUT asking any questions (lol!). But it's not for nothing that auditors live by the mantra, "In God we trust, all others we audit." Not only is this stubborn supervisor stingy with information, he is actually insulted when people question him. Needless to say, this is a huge problem. Ethically speaking, it is the job of any elected official to constantly and tirelessly reassure the taxpayers that they are being good stewards of their money. An elected official who is constantly and tirelessly covert and secretive about the management of tax dollars is always suspect in the minds of the public. Please go to EG1st.org and strongly consider voting for Jack, Tina and Tom on Election Day, November 3rd. You will be so glad you did.
Mr. Conway, do citizens have an ethical duty and responsibility to vote?
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DON'T WORRY!
ReplyDeleteVOTE FOR JACK, TINA AND TOM ON NOVEMBER 3RD & BE HAPPY!
(See EG1st.org)
I attended every Ethics Board meeting when Jack Conway was the chairman. Jack is not just a good and decent man. He is smart (rare in East Greenbush politics) and honest.
ReplyDeleteIt does not take a genius to know why the town board never voted for a decent ethics code. Nor does it take a genius to know why Lamgley tried to operate in secret and why he refuses to answer simple questions.
I am proud to know Jack Conway. He is, very simply, a very, very good man.
Good to hear from you, Ray. We have one chance to elect a slate which will change governance in our Town. If we don't succeed this time, it's corrupt Nuclear Winter with the insiders having a field day at the trough. Enough already. We need a CLEAN BREAK.
DeleteThe problem is that Jack, Tina and Tom are first timers before the electorate and it takes more than a month to introduce yourself to an entire town and get elected. Rick Matters is a very, very good man too but he had to run four times (!) before he finally won. It's not easy to get elected.
ReplyDeleteDidn't Jack Conway quit the Ethics Board? I don't believe quitting a Board demonstrates a "true commitment to ethical conduct." And I certainly don't want a Supervisor who is a quitter.
ReplyDeleteI'm fine with Tina and Tom, but my mind is not made up on Jack. He may still get my vote because he is clearly the lessor of three evils, but in my book quitters should never win.
For the record I resigned from the Board of Ethics because board members refused to include financial disclosure in the Code of Ethics. I then advocated consistently for the inclusion of financial disclosure, speaking at every board meeting, writing letters and blog posts and privately lobbying board members until financial disclosure was included in the Code when it was finally passed. Mine is the only voice heard on the subject of ethics consistently for the last five years so I take exception with your definition of "quitting." Sometimes you must act strategically to achieve your objectives but ask anyone who has been paying attention if I ever stopped pushing for a strong Code and an independent Board. A principled resignation that pushed the process to a successful conclusion is not quitting. I've never quit on anything in my life and if I'm elected we will have the strongest Code of Ethics in the Capital Region by May and it will apply first and foremost to me. There can be many reasons to choose to vote for someone else but my record on ethics isn't one of them.
DeleteRick Matters is a very unique example.
ReplyDeleteTina and Tom have been active in numerous East Greenbush Community activities for years. Take a look at their backgrounds. Many people know them and like them. Jack was active in the NO Casino group, many people know him as well.
Rick Matters didn't participate in any EG community organizations. His only community activity was running for office. That's why it took him so many times for him to get elected.
Jack, Tina and Tom have our support on Election Day!!
I cant believe the town isn't more upset about all of the shenanigans still going on in Town. Our Terriblevisor is allowing the Hart's to maintain a commercial building on the same lot as a home (1 Cooper Ave - imagine your neighbor doing that next to you), tried to jam a casino in a residential neighborhood, is allowing a liquor store to build on top of Route 4, is allowing a four unit building for Maney on Thomson Hill Road, hasn't helped with any updates on 9&20 in three years, and is making fabricated claims about our finances with absolutely no backing or proof and has actually downgraded our bond rating. This message has to get out in the Advertiser - if you want more of this garbage, close your eyes and vote for Langley - if you want to actually improve this town for everyone, not just the connected Maney, Hart, Fiacco, Benko clans, then vote EG1st.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 9:24. Being a neighbor of 1 cooper ave I can say that it is quite unfair with what does go on in this town, what a joke!!!
DeleteAlso I like the comment about not doing a thing on 9 and 20. I mean look at that old Weathervane building the original re-development sign that was put up in front of it even rotted away and had to be replaced with a new re-development sign how ironic. Just keep replacing the redevelopment site sign looks real good folks!!!
8:50 AM-
ReplyDelete7 out of the 9 candidates for TB this year are "first timers before the electorate." The two exceptions being one of the Dem. candidates (who was defeated in a landslide for County Legislature) and Keith Langley, our do nothing, say nothing Supervisor.
I'll be voting for three of the "first timers" Jack, Tina and Tom.
No one is perfect but no matter what, Jack, Tina and Tom are the best team running for office this year. Jack quitting the EB is far more an indictment of our corrupt government then of him. Clearly, he's just not a man who wastes his time. Elect him for supervisor and he will make a strong, fully staffed EB a top priority. Elect Langley and VanWormer and nothing will change for the better. It seems like a no-brainer to me.
ReplyDeleteLangley and VanWormer have already been tried. Langley is a word I can't say on a blog. The fact that DPW workers want VanWormer back speaks volumes. The Gadfly is correct, we need a clean break and a clean slate. Unclean hands will never wipe the slate clean and start over. It will be business as usual until we say NO MORE! Langley is counting on a stupid, oblivious electorate to put him back in. I don't know about you but I DON'T like to be thought of as stupid and oblivious.
ReplyDeleteDonnie boy, the time is comin when u will c just how lame u r. Nothing will change. Not enuf care about change. There all bizzy with there own biz. U will c, donnie boy, u will c.
ReplyDeleteC ya.
Oh boy, what's sad is 11:06's post is how our town is run. Immature, messy amd improper. What's even more sad it's probably coming from a Republican or Democratic insider
ReplyDeleteRick McCabe said the same thing. How did that turn out for him? People are so much more aware these days. Look at the people pulling together to challenge the casino? That would not have happened 10 or 15 years ago.
ReplyDeleteNope, Lamgley and his team of misfits are their own worst enemies. Exposed for what they are. Unintelligent, uncaring, uninformed, insensitive and doomed.
I wouldn't say "doomed" 3:43 p.m. It's almost impossible to win without a major party line. The electoral system is built that way for it's own protection, which is why people are encouraged to enroll in a party. What's maddening is that Jack could of taken the Dem line so easily just by showing up to the caucus for a few minutes with just 50 of his supporters. He needed that line because so many people go to the polls on automatic pilot and think 'I'm a Democrat so I'll vote for the Democrats' or 'I'm a Republican so I'll vote for the Republicans.' They may not know anything about the people they're voting for, but they'll vote for them anyway to be party loyal. Only people who are acutely aware of what's going on in town at the local level or who know the EG1st candidates on a personal level through Little League or their church or something like that, will deviate from voting for the candidates on their party line. Voters are more or less programmed to vote that way. It's discouraging, I know, but people need to know and understand this or they will be shell shocked on Election Day saying...omg, what happened? The turnout at EG1st fundraisers has been telling. One would think that there would be standing room only and folks sitting in their cars waiting for a parking space but no, it's pretty much the same 50 people everytime. Will you post my comments, Gadfly? I'm thinking probably not.
ReplyDeleteI guess we'll see. This town is so tainted with corruption it will be a big fight to get out of the sewer. The insiders have been enjoying a free ride for a long time. (Since the senior Maney was removed from the bench.) In a bedroom community, lots of people are asleep.
Delete@ 5:10, I'm with you. There's only 1 month left. It will take a HUUUUUUGE (sorry, couldn't resist the Fucillo reference) effort to overtake a major party line on election day. Poorman had Langley 2:1 on petitions yet lost the primary and where is he now? Out of the race. EG1st needs to pull out all of the stops - look at the Obama election playbook, tackle the voter rolls, robocalls, non-stop advertiser articles, etc. (This is what the Republican establishment did for Langley). We are not in the same situation as McCabe - the general population has been fooled into thinking Langley has our finances in good shape. The folks on this blog are NOT enough to win, just sitting here preaching to the choir (a good choir mind you). But nonetheless, to win an election against these two stacked party machines will be a monumental effort and is "nearly" impossible. I am not a naysayer, only pragmatic and want to see EG1st successful, not sitting on the sidelines like Poorman (who would have been a great improvement for this Town). Please do not take the next month lightly, its our best chance to actually make this Town something again!
DeleteWhere is the strong presence of the Save East Greenbush advocates now? Ever since the casino was defeated, they have dropped out of view. Cara Benson, who lead the SEG charge, put one tiny, half-hearted comment in the Advertiser and we haven't heard from her since. They should be campaigning as zealously for EG1st candidates as they did for No CasiNO. The only way to stop corrupt, insider deals is to make sure people are elected who won't play that way at our expense. I am very disappointed with SEG.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that we have dropped out of view at all. EG1st is just a bit "larger" than SEG. Cleaning up the corruption in this town is bigger than stopping a casino. The casino mischief was the last straw from the political insiders. They thought they had it in the bag with the fix of the zoning and SEQRA. But we know who they are now. If the election doesn't work, it may take a "perp walk," but they will loose.
DeleteI am happy that EG1st candidates have taken center stage and Save East Greenbush is in a supporting role. I am grateful to all the SEG supporters who also support EG1st. Your perspective may be limeted because Cara has contributed both time and talent to the cause but Jack, Tina and Tom are the leaders in Eg1st.
DeleteYes, the EG1st fundarisers are telling. Look at the BOE website tomorrrow when the reports are published. EG1st is exceeding the others by far. Remember they are raising without a collection of County pols with vested interests and unsavory plans for East Greenbush making their contributions for same old, same old. EG1st has no employees who attend under threat of loosing their jobs. They have folks who have come out to support the effort on their own free will. And you are wrong about the same people. The folks EG1st fundraisers were surprisingly
ReplyDeletedifferent each time, and come from all parts of town.,
To the person who wanted Jack to take the Dem nomination: Did it ever occur to you that Jack didn't want the democratic nomination and all the baggage and strings that come with it?
ReplyDeletethe only sewer in this town is on 41 Berkshire
ReplyDeleteWe have some real geniuses in the Rep and Dem machines, don't we???
DeleteThey're scared to death that they may be coming to an end. Tomorrow is already 10/5. By this time next month the election will be history. Hopefully, the Dem and Rep machines will be history, too, and EG will truly be saved!
DeleteJack/Tina/Tom 2015!
Let's hope so. We have to get out the vote. If we can't remove the crooks at the ballot box, we have to depend on perp walks - and that would require some honest law enforcement which we haven't seen in a while. Maybe Preet will have to help us. The fact that he's going after Shelly and Dean is a good sign. Did you see that witness list for Shelly's trial?
DeleteTo Anony who has been sending me stuff insisting that Jack, Tina and Tom should have stormed the Dem Caucus and taken the Dem line with 50 votes...... If that had happened, Jack would have gotten that line with the pittance of actual voters that DVW, Andrea and Pete got that line....39 votes. I would have been a manipulation of a sick system. Better to get the almost 1,600 nominating signatures on a real independent line, and not have to run with Toni Murphy who owes the Town a whole lot of money according to the State Comptroller.
ReplyDeleteAnd then there would be the "identity" with Hart, Maney and Davis who are sponsoring that "quad-duplex" on Thompson Hill that the Town Building Inspector if finding every reason in the world to ignore. (Bucks maybe?) All tied to that illegal Plat "approval" signed by PB Chairman Polsinello for which no meeting minutes or Resolution exist. Doesn't take a brain surgeon to see that we have to be rid of this bunch, on both sides of the political aisle.
DeleteIt was a beautiful day in East Greenbush and I was happy to have the opportunity to talk to the East Greenbush 1st candidates when they rang our doorbell. What a breath of fresh air to hear of their commitment and dedication to making East Greenbush the town it should be. No doubt about it, they will have our votes on November 3.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful surprise. Tina and Tom came by to see me at my home on Malibu Hill. It is great to see how seriously they are campaigning. I let Tina and Tom know I will be voting for them and Jack.
DeleteIsn't it interesting nothing happens to the Maney/Hart properties??? These complaints have been ongoing for a year now yet no action. The supervisor plays the see no evil/hear no evil/speak no evil game and prays he gets three votes on the board so he can make a nice insider deal with these folks trying to get him re-elected. Convenient that Langley can claim its a building issue but doesn't he supervise the building inspector? Wonder how long he'll ignore issues on the new Fiacco property? I imagine he cant make any waves there or the county republicans might not help Langley try and salvage his political career.
ReplyDeleteI agree with 10:56 PM-
ReplyDeleteWe also spoke with Tina and Tom a few days ago and we really like what they have to say. It is refreshing to have candidates for TB who are intelligent and honest. They had my vote already, but after seeing them in person they now have my enthusiastic vote.
Vote for Tina, Tom and Jack.