Ed Kosiur’s radio ad I had a lovely drive into work today. Noticeably the other commuters didn’t appreciate my cruise control set at 65 MPH, nor the fact that I was in the right most lane where they were all trying to get past the self-appointed traffic cops in the middle and left lanes.
I drive southbound to exit 23 and the traffic is usually rushed or hushed between the rising sun and a few intrepid drivers. But I don’t let those high speed tailgaters get to me. They’re probably all Ed Kosiur supporters showing us just how that representation’s going to be.
I play the radio in the morning, usually the news on WGY first thing at 6:30 AM, then I switch it over to WROW to hear the morning show. But this morning I didn’t switch it over fast enough. I was about halfway through my trip, keeping my eyes on the morning road ragers when I chance noticed Don Weeks (of WGY) saying “Ed Kosiur” on the radio. I hadn’t yet switched it over. A commercial was now playing and so I turned it up.
It was two women talking about their kids and how it was safe to let them play in the front yard now because Kosiur got that sex offender bill through.
HUH? Since when would it EVER be safe to let your kids play in the front yard unsupervised? What the hell is this clown doing? This commercial is horrible! The sheeple of Schenectady may even believe him and its bad enough that we DON’T have enough parental supervision of the kids in the city.
Then these two broads were saying how Ed was endorsed by Paul Tonko. So I ask, what the hell did Paul Tonko really do for Schenectady and Montgomery Counties in the lifetime that he spent living on the public dime? Political Welfare is the phrase for it. Our taxes are the eighth highest in the COUNTRY! And he’s supporting Ed Kosiur? Who gives a holy crap! Tonko’s outta here. He’s onto a bigger and better pay check for himself.
Then Ed Kosiur got on and spoke. I can’t tell you what he said because by that time I’m seeing red. The lies he’s spewing out are enough to make me sick to my stomach!
Hey Ed! It’s not okay to let your kids play in the front yard unsupervised. Never never never! You might think you’ve done a great service by kicking sex offenders out of the City of Schenectady, right into the towns of Rotterdam, Princetown and Duanesburg as well as Montgomery County, but kids have been abducted and never found. At all ever! Your convoluted sex offender law isn’t going to do one thing to stop that!
What’s the matter with you?
Maybe it’s like my husband says. “Ed works with kids because he can’t handle adults.” I think its because Ed’s too much like a child himself. I don’t think he’s “grown up” enough to be our representative.
I tried to copy and paste it on the site but it won't let me do it. The heading at the top of the page says Ed Kosiur: A long track record of HIGHER TAXES. Voted to increase property taxes by over 6.6 million. Voted to reinstate the tax on gasoline even though New Yorkers pay some of the highest gas taxes in the nation. Voted to increase cell phone taxes. Voted to increase taxes on home mortgages. Voted 4 times to impose an additional sales tax. It also lists the resolutions that the votes were taken on county resolutions 146-04: 183-06:221-06: 036-05:055-05,081-05,157-05,076-07, in the order and year they were passed.
This is regarding two July 13 Gazette articles featuring topics that will have a major impact on the upcoming Assembly race to replace Paul Tonko. George Amedore outlined his ideas promoting the economy. His opponent, [County Legislator] Ed Kosiur rejected part of Amedore’s plan as negative to dairy farmers and said that a plan he is working on with Paul Tonko is forthcoming. When will his plan be released? We have two weeks before the election to learn what Kosiur will do to help our district. Kosiur stated that as a Schenectady County legislator, “more than $200 million in private money and development was brought to downtown Schenectady.” I assume he was referring to the excellent work of Metroplex. I’m confused about how he takes credit for this. The second story that caught my attention was the concern about the laws Kosiur promoted that make it a misdemeanor for a convicted sex offender to live within 2,000 feet of any facility associated with children. Shuffling these sex offenders to rural areas of Schenectady and Montgomery counties may help give name recognition for Kosiur to run for office, but is not good for residents in these areas. Kosiur must remember that as an assemblyman in the 105th he represents all residents and not just those in the city of Schenectady. Amedore’s plan does more than show how to improve the economy; he is showing leadership skills that are truly needed to replace Paul Tonko, whose leadership skills were superior. NORMAN MILLER Princetown
I know you've probably received a lot of mailings about the Special Election for State Assembly being held next Tuesday, July 31st. I hope you can take a minute to read just one more!
I'm writing to you because my husband, best friend and partner – George Amedore – is running to fill the Assembly vacated by former Assemblyman Paul Tonko. I hope you'll join me in supporting George and help make a positive change in our State government.
When George first discussed with me the idea of his possibly running for State Assembly, I told him then what I'll tell you right now: that he would do a terrific job representing our community.
George is someone who genuinely believes that people can make a positive difference. It's how he's lived his life and how we've raised our three children – George, Anthony and Bria.
While he may be new to politics, George isn't new to helping others. Whether it's renovating the family room of the Ronald McDonald House at a local hospital, assisting orphans, building a home for Hospice patients or a family in need, George has always believed in giving something back to the community and the value of serving others.
Over the past few weeks, so many families from across our community have opened their doors and hearts to George, our family and his campaign's positive message.
I hope you will join me in casting your vote for my husband George Amedore for State Assembly.
Thank you for your consideration!
Sincerely, Joelle Amedore
For more information please visit our website georgeamedore.com
July 17th, 2007 Upstream Endorses George Amedore For 105th Assembly District
With less than two weeks before the special election for the 105th Assembly seat, which after a quarter century has finally come unglued from Paul Tonko’s backside, voters have little information to go on to make an intelligent decision. Most of the information we do have comes from the candidates themselves.
In spite of the paucity of information, each voter has to make a decision. I’ve decided to vote for George Amedore rather than Ed Kosiur. One thing that turns me off to Kosiur is his vote to prohibit sex offenders from living within 2000 feet of any place that children congregate in Schenectady County, thus forcing them to live in rural areas. Apparently Kosiur doesn’t believe that rural children are as important as city children. Then again there aren’t as many rural voters as there are city voters.
I also like the fact that Amedore has made his money in the private sector. He and his family represent an important part of New York State–small businesses. Kosiur, on the other hand has made his living primarily from the public and non-profit sectors.
Amedore has committed himself to not raising any taxes. (He has not said anything about user fees, which make up most new taxes in New York State.) While it remains to be seen whether or not he will hold the line on taxes, I expect that a successful businessman will understand the plight of the New York State taxpayer more than a man who has made his living from the public and non-profit sectors.
Amedore’s other advantage, from my point of view, is that he is a novice. Kosiur, on the other hand, is part of Schenectady County politics, which does not endear him to me.
One thing is for sure. Whoever gets elected will be in the seat a long time. Each assembly seat comes coated with superglue for which there is little remedy.
Part of a big mail day, check out Kosiur's link for the other 2 mailers. Here's the first one, a card from Friends of George Amedore, handsigned by John Mertz.
I got the flyer in the mail today that states all the tax increases that Kosiur has voted for. People better realize that he's going to rubber stamp every tax increase that the Dems want for their pet projects.
I dont want 'pet projects'.....I want infrastructure with a plan.......a future(even though it is short,,a meer 74-89years on earth)....our posterity.......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
As the former Rotterdam police chief, I know our community has had many fine, dedicated public servants from both political parties. Now that Paul Tonko has left the Assembly, in the upcoming special election, shouldn’t we select someone who will do just as good a job? I believe the one candidate who can, and happens to be the best person for the job is, hands down, George Amedore. I first met George Amedore several years ago. George’s tremendous work ethic and “can-do” attitude struck me as exactly the sort of positive qualities we want in a public servant. He’s a hard-working, bright, dedicated and honorable family man who, when he says he’ll do something, does it. Whether he’s building a home — and even paying the mortgage — to help give a family in need access to the American dream, assisting orphans, renovating the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Albany Medical or constructing a house for hospice patients, George Amedore has aready gotten results and made a positive difference. Our entire community would be very well served by having George as our assemblyman. JOSEPH DOMINELLI Rotterdam
Repeat offender law pushed Candidate backs measure that would set minimum terms for chronic criminals
By JENNIFER PATTERSON, Staff writer First published: Thursday, July 19, 2007
SCHENECTADY -- State Assembly candidate George Amedore is pushing for passage of the Chronic Criminal Act bill, which was recently passed by the state Senate but has stalled in the Assembly.
Amedore, a Republican who faces Democrat Ed Kosiur in the July 31 election for the 105th District seat, was joined on the steps of the Schenectady County Court House Wednesday by local victims' advocate Steve Downey to call for tougher crime-fighting laws.
Downey's daughter, Hillary, 26, and her 13-month-old son, Romello Taylor, were murdered in their Congress Street apartment on Jan. 14, 2006, by career criminal Kareem Hayes.
"Slaps on the wrists of these career habitual criminals are almost like a pat on the back," Amedore, 38, said. "It's time we take back our streets, neighborhoods and communities, and the way we can do this is by removing those criminals who refuse to obey the law."
The Chronic Criminal Act, if passed, would mandate a minimum of 1 to 4 years in state prison for anyone convicted of four serious misdemeanors in a 10-year period.
The Republican-controlled state Senate has twice passed such a measure, but it has died in the Democrat-run Assembly. The bill is supported by Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco and his Republican colleagues.
Downey said had Hayes -- sentenced in January to 50 years to life in state prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder -- been subject to such a law, he might never have killed his daughter and grandson.
Long before he became a killer, Hayes was racking up a criminal record. He was convicted of embezzlement in North Carolina and served four years in New York state prison for an attempted robbery. But from his release in 2003 to the Schenectady murders in 2006, Hayes had served no more than 90 days in jail for a string of misdemeanors.
"(Hayes) could be a poster child for this bill," Downey said. "I saw the way the system works and it's very frustrating. Something needs to change."
Hillary Downey befriended Hayes at the City Mission and allowed him to live with her, even after she suspected him of stealing.
Steve Downey, a registered Democrat, said his endorsement of Amedore reflects the bipartisan support in the Assembly for the legislation, which most recently was blocked by Speaker Sheldon Silver from coming to the floor for a vote.
Kosiur is a Schenectady County legislator who has championed legislation to restrict the movement of convicted sex offenders. He and Amedore, a political newcomer whose construction firm gained fame for its role in building a Colonie home for the ABC television hit "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," seek the seat vacated by Paul Tonko, who left office to take over as president of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
Kosiur, 51, said he would work closely with Silver and Gov. Eliot Spitzer's office to pass the bill or similar legislation.
"I have fought hard in the Schenectady County Legislature to keep families safe from criminals, which I will continue to do if elected to the Assembly," Kosiur said.
Jennifer Patterson can be reached at 454-5340 or by e-mail at jpatterson@timesunion.com.
Kosiur, 51, said he would work closely with Silver and Gov. Eliot Spitzer's office to pass the bill or similar legislation.
"I have fought hard in the Schenectady County Legislature to keep families safe from criminals, which I will continue to do if elected to the Assembly," Kosiur said.
Mr. Kosiur has done no such thing. He just created a sex offender law, that will just end up costing the taxpayers a bundle of money for the litgation it will bring in a few months when this law goes into effect. He has used this law, soley, to run his campaign. A law that is unconstitutional and will fail. There is nothing else Mr. Kosiur can run his campaign on since he has done absolutely nothing except raise taxes....with the support and backing of the other idiots.
Mr. Amedore's backing of the Chronic Crimminals Act incompasses 'all' criminals and just makes more sense. Like I stated before...if sex offenders are so freakin dangerous, then what are they doing back into society. This Chronic Crimminals Act would help this issue. Come on people....it's black and white here!
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
AMSTERDAM, N.Y. -- The father of Hillary Downey looked on as George Amedore promised to fight for tougher crime laws if he's elected to represent the 105th district.
“When I made the decision to run for Assembly, I made the decision based on a genuine desire to help people. Steve Downey is one of those people,” Amedore said.
Last January, Downey's 26-year old daughter Hillary and her one year old son Romello were killed in their Schenectady apartment. Kareem Hayes was convicted and sentenced to 50 years to life for the murders.
Prosecutors said Hayes killed Downey to keep her from testifying against him in a burglary case, just one of many misdemeanors Hayes was convicted of. Downey's father believes the crime could have been prevented.
WATCH THE VIDEO
105th District race heats up
Turning to the Mohawk Valley and the race for the 105th Assembly District seat. With less than two weeks until the special election, both candidates are turning to the issue of safety to draw in voters. Bureau reporter Mark Repasky has the details.
“There was this bill called the Criminal Conduct Act. That was about a year before they were murdered. It passed the Senate but it sat in the assembly and died. One year later my daughter and grandson were murdered,” Steve Downey said.
That bill, now called the Chronic Criminal Act, would establish the crime of "aggravated criminal conduct" as a class E felony if the person were convicted of a fourth misdemeanor within a 10 year span.
Although it has the support of the senate and Governor, Amedore said it's been held up by Speaker Silver in the Assembly.
“I'm running both to pass tougher crime laws to protect law abiding citizens//and also to fight against the dysfunction that exists in Albany,” Amedore said.
Amedore is not alone in his battle for tougher crime laws. His opponent, Schenectady County legislator Ed Kosiur, also supports this bill.
Kosiur points to his record as a lawmaker saying if he's elected he'll continue to fight for tougher laws and longer sentences to keep families safe.
Hey, if we elect Kosiur to the state position, maybe he'll think up the same law that he thought up all by himself at the county level and ban all sex offendors from living (or is it just sleeping) at any location in New York State?
Oh God...don't give him anymore moronic ideas than he already has!!!!!!!
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
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Mike Elmendorf ( 518 ) 434-1262 Jason Brewer (202) 406-4435
Small Business Backs George Amedore for Assembly
ALBANY, July 19, 2007 - New York’s leading small-business advocacy group, the National Federation of Independent Business, today endorsed George Amedore in the July 31 special election for the 105th Assembly District.
“As the owner of a respected family home construction firm and an NFIB member himself, George Amedore is intimately familiar with the challenges of running a small business in New York,” said NFIB State Director Mike Elmendorf. “His record in creating jobs and his understanding of the struggles facing small-business owners will make him a strong voice for job providers in the Assembly.”
Elmendorf noted that the NFIB was particularly impressed with Amedore’s support for small-business tax relief, reform of New York’s flawed and costly “Scaffold Law” and opposition to mandated paid family leave.
“As a small businessman myself, I am especially pleased to be endorsed by the National Federation of Independent Businesses,” Amedore said. “In the Assembly, I will be an advocate small-business owners can count on for lower taxes, less red tape and an environment that lets small business owners focus less time on state bureaucracy and more time running their business.”
Small-business owners and their employees vote in high numbers and are known for actively recruiting friends, family members and acquaintances to go to the polls.
NFIB’s political support is based on the candidate’s position and record on small-business issues. Amedore’s endorsement comes from the NFIB/New York SAFE (Save America’s Free Enterprise) Trust, the political action committee for NFIB/New York’s membership. The endorsement brings the considerable grassroots support of the state’s small-business owners to the Amedore campaign.
###
NFIB is the nation’s leading small-business advocacy association, with offices in Washington, D.C. and all 50 state capitals. Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small- and independent-business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business. NFIB’s powerful network of grassroots activists send their views directly to state and federal lawmakers through our unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting America’s free enterprise system.
NFIB’s mission is to promote and protect the right of our members to own, operate and grow their businesses. More information about NFIB is available online at http://www.NFIB.com/newsroom.
Guess they didn't take into account the fact that Mr. Kosiur is a former small business owner himself.
For Immediate Release Contact Phil Oliva Tel: ( 518 ) 727-1802 Wednesday, July 18, 2007
AMEDORE PROMISES TO BE TOUGH ON CRIME
Joins father of Schenectady murder victim to push longer sentences for career criminals
Assembly candidate George Amedore (R-105th A.D.) was joined today on the steps of the Schenectady County Courthouse by Steve Downey, a crime victims’ advocate and father and grandfather of Schenectady murder victims, to push for passage of the “Chronic Criminal Act” a law that would establish the crime of aggravated criminal conduct making it a class E felony upon an individual's fourth Class A misdemeanor conviction within 10 years. A class E felony carries with it a sentence of 1-and-1/3 to 4-years in prison.
On January 14th, 2006, Hillary Downey and her 13-month old son Romello were brutally murdered in Schenectady by Kareem Hayes, a career criminal who had a long history of arrests and convictions but little jail time to show for it because most of his offenses were classified as misdemeanors including 10 arrests in the two-and-a-half years prior to the murders. Most of Hayes' offenses were misdemeanor harassment and menacing charges but he also had a felony robbery conviction.
The legislation passed the State Senate this year and is supported by Gov. Spitzer. It has drawn bi-partisan support in the State Assembly yet it has been thus far blocked by Speaker Sheldon Silver from coming to the Assembly floor for a vote.
Amedore called it another example of people’s frustration with a dysfunctional government where one person can block common sense and widely supported legislation. Downey said he traveled to Albany on a near-weekly basis for six months lobbying legislators to support his bill and was close to victory until Speaker Sheldon Silver stepped in to block it.
Downey, a registered Democrat, said he was happy to support Amedore because of his message of fighting Albany dysfunction and because he will be one more vote and voice for tougher crime measures like the Chronic Criminal Act.
“I saw the way the system works and it’s very frustrating. Something needs to change. George Amedore represents that change. I’m happy to support him and I know he’ll fight for this common sense law and others like it,” said Downey, who added he will continue fighting for passage of the Chronic Criminal Act.
Amedore said he was honored to have Downey’s support and pledged to join his fight to toughen penalties for career habitual criminals like Hayes that stain a community’s quality of life and often “graduate” to more serious and deadly crimes.
“Slaps on the wrists of these career habitual criminals are almost like a pat on the back. They know how to game the system. They know the laws. They know what they can get away with. But it never ends. It’s time we take back our streets, take back our neighborhoods and take back our communities, and the way we can do that is by removing those criminals who refuse to obey the law,” said Amedore. “I will fight for tougher crime laws and the Chronic Criminal Act will be the first one I sign on to.”
The Chronic Criminal Act is supported by the New York State Association of Chief of Police and by the New York State District Attorneys Association including Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney and Montgomery County District Attorney James Conboy.
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