http://www.timesunion.com
Marv Cermak

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The cost of democracy

City Councilman Joe Allen is running for a third term this fall, but apparently political party bosses are ganging up on the veteran Democrat.

Four council seats are at stake in November. The Conservative and Independence parties are endorsing three Democrat candidates and dumping the fourth -- Allen. The fourth endorsement goes to Republican Richard DiCaprio, a retired cop.

Allen has criticized police performance on occasion. He once called fellow council member Denise Brucker the cops' fairy godmother for supporting police legislation. Brucker's late father was a fire captain.

Now, in the way of endorsement background, the police union controls the Conservative party and ditto the firefighters in the Independence party. Political leaders don't talk publicly about these scenarios, but some backroom deals leak out.

Allen is also in hot water with Democratic leaders because he is the sole council member refusing to vote the strict party line. He speaks his mind and strays from the flock on occasion. Insiders say some Democrats will stiff Allen in the election to teach him that democracy doesn't pay.
"I'm campaigning already. I still plan to be on the council," said Allen, fully aware he's a target of political shenanigans

This is what our government has become, if you don't follow what your party wants and dare to think for yourself or heavens for the welfare of the residents your own party throws you out.

That just goes to show you the direction the reps are going in. I said it before and I'll say it again...Buchannan has 'got to go'. They are losing ground here and I don't see them doing too much to recoupe their losses. But in defense of them, our media is so damn liberal that all you read about are the dems. The reps get no exposure at all. Come on you reps...get on this forum and get all the exposure you want. Be annonymous...no one cares...but give us something to 'vote' for other than a stupid park! Don't leave us to the vultures!

I have already heard that DiCaprio is the shoe-in. Oh God a dem AND a cop!!!!

DiCaprio is a Conservative.

Joe Allen should retire. He's too old and totally out of touch. He doesn't even pay his taxes on time without a reminder.

I'm sure he's a nice guy, and a lot of people will vote for him because he's concerned about what goes on in Hamilton Hill, and none of our other dimwit council member give a hoot, but he's useless.

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Right-0....he is a conservative and I even knew that.  
With that said, I still am not in favor of a cop on the city council. Given the history of the city council, how the police issues are handled and how the PBA appears to run the show, he would not be my vote.

I will give it to you about Joe Allen as well, but with that said, the pickins' are pretty slim in the pool. What needs to happen is there needs to be new blood pumped into the political machine. Serving, not self serving, with some intellegence and a drive to move things forward in a positive way. Cut taxes (spending). The dems have a death grip on the city!

I think it is the "fear" of getting 'steamrolled' by the powers that be....and that fight is certainly not limited to the Dems or the Reps.....there is a bigger psunami on the horizon.....right now they are ALL scrambling for their spot/job/post/security in the coming national health care and the Homeland security regs.........it is a chess game waiting for the 'KING'.......