Kosiur met with Rose on Thursday and has since revised his 10-point proposal. He is now advocating for the creation of a Metroplex for Montgomery County, an entity that would funnel additional money to economic development through a portion of the local sales tax
I found this to be most disturbing. People of Montgomery County needs to know that it basically means 'increased taxes'! Quality of life will not improve. Oh, you may find a new bar here and there and perhaps even a new movie theater...but that's it! And if, in fact, the metroplex was clearly the 'cure all' for Montgomery county, what has Mr. Tonko been doing? Ya know the guy that Kosiur is going to replace and 'follow in his footsteps?' Obviously NOTHING!
If Ed Kosiur is elected the City of Schenectady will be duplicated in all of District 105!!!! And just take a drive thru Schenectady!
And shadow you are correct-o again. Ms Sonia obviously can not tell the truth from a lie! I guess if she doesn't vote, it won't be a great loss.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Tuesday's election No expense is spared in 105th district race Both parties pump in cash to win
By PAUL NELSON, Staff writer First published: Sunday, July 29, 2007
SCHENECTADY Rather than shy away from it, Republican George Amedore Jr. embraces his political outsider status and even fancies it as an asset. His Democratic opponent, Edward Kosiur, argues that holding public office as he has on the municipal and county levels, coupled with the fact that his party holds sway in the Assembly, means he can do more for the people of the 105th Assembly District.
With Schenectady County having the highest combined property tax rate in the region several years running, that issue has grabbed the most attention, along with jobs and the local economy in the district, which includes Montgomery County.
Money, and lots of it, mostly from the two political parties, is flowing to the campaigns in a race that will come to a head in Tuesday's special election.
Despite Democrats holding an overwhelming majority in the Assembly, the GOP, amid big losses in the November elections, is looking for any gains that could lead to some momentum.
And what better place to do it than in a district where a popular Democrat like former Assemblyman Paul Tonko held the seat for nearly a quarter century?
Schenectady County Republican Chairman Tom Buchanan called the 105th a "bellwether district."
On the flip side, the Democrats want to hold onto the coveted seat that, over the years, gained recognition from Tonko's powerful stature.
That could account for both parties sparing no expense in their fight for an office that, in the long run, won't change the landscape of the state Assembly.
As of late last week, $280,000 of the $304,855 contributed to Amedore came from the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee, according to the state election Web site.
In Kosiur's case, his total contributions stood at $217,550, of which $192,000 has come from the Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee.
The winner will succeed Tonko in representing the district that encompasses most of Schenectady County and all of Montgomery County. Tonko took a job in June in the Spitzer administration.
Kosiur, vice chairman of the Schenectady County Legislature, says the Amedore camp has twisted his record -- particularly on taxes -- while running a dirty campaign.
But Buchanan says the roughly 81,000 registered voters in Montgomery and Schenectady counties need to know Kosiur is a "habitual tax raiser."
He accused the Democrat of voting to raise taxes on home mortgages and supporting a surcharge on wireless devices. Kosiur, 51, of Schenectady, says the the mortgage tax put Schenectady County on a par with other counties in the state while the charge should be borne by cellphone users.
Schenectady County Democratic Chairman Brian Quail has said anyone who doesn't believe cellphone service should be paid for by a fee must support it with property taxes.
Kosiur says county legislators slashed property taxes this fiscal year and last. However, he acknowledges voting for property tax hikes during two years on the Schenectady City Council but blamed fiscal mismanagement by the then-GOP administration.
Kosiur cites the creation of thousands of jobs and the more than $200 million in projects that have transformed Schenectady County and downtown Schenectady as his top achievements.
"I've been a part of the leadership and making that work," he told the Times Union editorial board.
That isn't entirely true, says Amedore, 38, of Rotterdam.
"Did he go out and get the private investments? No," said Amedore, who pointed to his own business background as executive vice president of the company that worked with TV show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to build a new home for a Colonie family. "I have a whole lot more experience in creating jobs and also in private investments."
Amedore has pledged to hold the line on taxes. Kosiur has also faced sharp criticism and an anonymous smear campaign for a sexual offender law that he sponsored. Under the county law, sex offenders would have to leave their homes starting Oct. 1 if they live within 2,000 feet of public parks, pools and playgrounds, schools, day care centers and youth facilities. A second law says offenders cannot move within 2,000 feet of such areas.
Kosiur is proud of the legislation and calls it the toughest sex-offender law in the state.
Amedore, who on Friday unveiled his plan to track sexual predators, said his opponent's plan roils the issue.
"It's creating a problem. Now where do they go?" Amedore said. "It's not making our children any safer."
Quail disagrees.
"The law protects rural residents as much as it protects urban residents," he said.
Both Kosiur and Amedore believe that Tuesday's mid-summer special election will attract higher-than-usual numbers of voters. Political heavyweights like Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco, R-Schenectady, and Schenectady County Legislature Chairwoman Susan Savage, a Democrat, have gotten involved with the campaign.
Quail says Kosiur is more qualified and representative of people in the 105th.
"It comes down to knowledge and ability to create jobs and control taxes and he understands what it is to be a middle-class dad," Quail said.
Buchanan says Amedore can help shake things up in Albany by bringing a fresh approach.
Amedore's message is one "that resonates with voters and will resonate in this bellwether district," Buchanan added.
Paul Nelson can be reached at 454-5347 or by e-mail at pnelson@timesunion.com.
105th Assembly candidates campaign this weekend Updated: 7/29/2007 By: Web Staff
MOHAWK VALLEY, N.Y. -- The special election for the 105th Assembly seat vacated by Democrat Paul Tonko is on Tuesday, and both candidates are hitting the campaign trail hard this weekend.
Today's Times Union is reporting Republican candidate George Amedore has a little more in his war-chest then his Democratic Opponent Ed Kosiur. Amedore has raised a little more than 300-thousand dollars, much of that coming from the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee. That's compared to Kosiur's 217-thousand. However, there are more Democratic voters in the 105-th district .. and Kosiur says his legislative experience should work in his favor.
"It's very very important to us to get our message across to all our constituents to work to cut taxes, to work on economic development and produce jobs, and to invest in our youth here” Kosiur says.
"We can't have another politician going into office with the same old thing with raising our taxes. People are tired of it. They're tired of being nickel and dimed” Amedore says.
The special election for the 105th Assembly seat vacated by Democrat Paul Tonko is on Tuesday, and both candidates are hitting the campaign trail hard this weekend.
Don’t know who to vote for in the 105th Assembly District election tomorrow? Why not vote for the guy with the least number of campaign signs? Mother Earth will thank you.
So I am on my way down to the Rotterdam Sq. Mall and going through 5 corners. Well, there are men on the corners with large Amedore signs held over their heads. People where driving through the 5 corners blowing their horns in support.
Then I come home and there are 3 messages on my answering maching. 1. From Mr. Hillary stating that a vote for Kosiur would be sending a message to Pres. Bush. (how lame is that?) 2. The next was from Cuomo supporting Kosiur 3. The last one never said his name. It was in support of Kosiur that just said to join Paul Tonko and vote for Ed Kosiur who will pick up where Tonko left off.
I will say that I haven't seen such a well organized, classy, well done campaign out of the republican camp in years. I surely hope they continue the same in the future. They truly pulled out all the stops! Personally, I think that Tedesco was the push in this campaign. Cause I don't think Buchanan could have pulled this one off. Not like this, anyways.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
http://www.dailygazette.com Counties to vote in special election Communities in the 105th District will choose their next assemblyman
By PAUL NELSON, Staff writer First published: Tuesday, July 31, 2007
A month-long sprint to a special election ends today when voters in some Schenectady and Montgomery county communities decide who should succeed Paul Tonko as the representative from the 105th Assembly District.
Home builder George Amedore Jr., a Republican, faces Schenectady County Legislator Ed Kosiur, a Democrat.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Montgomery County and in Rotterdam, Duanesburg, Princetown and the majority of the city of Schenectady covered by the 105th District.
Economic development and property taxes have been focal points of the race to replace Tonko, an Amsterdam Democrat who held the post for two decades.
Though the outcome of the race will have no impact on the balance of power in the Democrat-dominated Assembly, the Republican and Democratic Assembly campaign committees have put nearly half a million dollars into the race.
Both candidates used the money to launch intense television advertising campaigns, a rarity for local Assembly races.
The seat was vacated in June when Tonko resigned to lead the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
Paul Tonko’s career in Assembly distinguished ANGELICIA MORRIS Schenectady The writer is president of the Central Park Democratic Committee.
Former Assemblyman Paul Tonko is a friend, mentor and leader who I look up to as a young leader. Paul was one of the first Assembly members to embrace me when I was an intern with the state Assembly. From that time, Paul has always been by my side in every situation; whether it’s advice on politics, attending events, inviting me for lunch with him and his staff and many other things he would assist me with. As we all know, Paul recently resigned his seat of 24 years to head the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Paul has always represented the 105th Assembly District with great prudence and excellence, making the most of his time by caring, sharing and loving all constituents of his district. Paul had a resounding effect and impact on all types of people — people of different religious backgrounds, ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds, etc. — and always went above the call of duty as a “public servant.” Paul represented a “man after God’s heart,” where he cared much about people, treated everyone as equal and served us with great distinction, humility, sacrifi ce and commitment. Paul is a true man of honor and of distinction, and I congratulate him on a successful career in the state Assembly.
Paul had a resounding effect and impact on all types of people — people of different religious backgrounds, ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds, etc. — and always went above the call of duty as a “public servant.” Paul represented a “man after God’s heart,” where he cared much about people, treated everyone as equal and served us with great distinction, humility, sacrifice and commitment. Paul is a true man of honor and of distinction, and I congratulate him on a successful career in the state Assembly.
Okay there Ms. Morris, other than being a nice guy, which no one argues that point, what did he actually DO as a representative for the people after 24 years of service? He was clearly a democrat, in a democratic state which should have constituted all benefits at his feet. In 24 years, district 105 should be in much better shape than it presently is. Does anyone have a Tonko's record of his accomplishments for #105 after 24 years?
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
State ‘green’ initiative targets homeowners Residents could qualify for $10K grants BY BOB CONNER Gazette Reporter
Homeowners who are prepared to make their buildings “green” could qualify for state grants of up to $10,000 under a proposal announced Tuesday by the Spitzer administration. Silda Wall Spitzer, the governor’s wife, announced at a news conference in Manhattan that the program would provide incentives to people seeking to build or renovate homes to make them energy efficient. The amount of the incentive would be tied to the size of the home. At the same news conference, the state Dormitory Authority announced a separate initiative: Beginning next year, all of its construction and major renovation projects will meet energy and environmental standards established by the United States Green Building Council. These Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards will also be used by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority in developing eligibility criteria for the homeowner grants, which NYSERDA would distribute. NYSERDA President Paul Tonko said later that the cost would be about $20 million over three years, but much of it could be funded through projected growth in existing revenue streams. While a proposed bill was released Tuesday by Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s office, Tonko said there might be changes in the legislative process, and NYSERDA would wait for an enacted law before drawing up detailed rules and regulations for the program. The state Legislature is not currently in session. Tonko said the program would include the efficient (and reduced) use of water in a building and the surrounding landscape design, along with issues involving ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration — including elimination of chlorofluorocarbons — and house design to maximize daylight and minimize the need for artificial lighting. While such features may add construction costs that the state program would help pay for, Tonko said NYSERDA wants to reduce those costs by working with contractors and other professionals. The state aims to encourage the industry to be more environmentally conscious, he said, and is making progress in that regard. “We’re already seeing a penetration in the market that’s measurable,” Tonko said. Earlier this year, Mrs. Spitzer launched an initiative to “green” the Governor’s Mansion on Eagle Street in Albany, and said developing green buildings would be one of her top policy priorities as fi rst lady. The governor’s press offi ce issued a statement saying “Buildings are responsible for 39 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions produced in the United States. Residential homes alone are responsible for 22 percent. The United States Green Building Council estimates that LEED certification for homes reduces energy use by 25 to 60 percent.” The Dormitory Authority is a public authority empowered to provide financing and construction services to colleges, health care facilities and state agencies. The governor’s statement said the Dormitory Authority will apply for “Silver” LEED certification for all of its major new construction work. The four LEED rating levels, from lowest to highest, are Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum. “The minimal upfront costs of building green will ultimately be recouped in energy and water savings, thus providing long-term savings for the state and its taxpayers,” according to Spitzer’s statement.
Well, if the state is going to impose these laws on contractors, than why will there be a need for incentives in Rotterdam for builders to develop? That would mean the developers would get 2 discounts. One from the state and another from the town. They will benefit from double dipping. And Rotterdam can't really afford to be issuing 'give aways' to anything, these days.
I say that Rotterdam should rescind their proposed incentives. The states got them anyways.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
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