Aretakis will run on the sex abuse thing. Here we go again!
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
21ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Field gets even larger Craig Burridge becomes 10th candidate in race BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter
The executive director of the Pharmacist Society of the State of New York said he is entering the crowded race for the 21st Congressional District seat of Rep. Michael McNulty, D-Green Island.
Craig M. Burridge, 52, of Waterford, becomes the eighth Democrat to announce. Two Republicans are also in the race. “I believe that I have the necessary credentials to go to Congress and make a positive difference in people’s lives, something I have tried to do throughout my life,” Burridge said. This is his first bid for public office. His platform is to reduce the high cost of health care, develop a health care system that does not bankrupt citizens, fix the mortgage crisis by regulating nontraditional mortgage lenders and reining in the financial securities market’s practices, to provide more resources to schools and to keep Social Security solvent. “All of these issues and more must be debated with the best interests of the American people coming first. I have the background and the will to make sure the people are heard,” Burridge said. Burridge was born in Troy and raised in the Capital Region. He holds a master’s degree in public service and a bachelor of science in political science. He worked as an analyst for the New York Senate minority leader’s office; as executive director of the state Association of Renewal and Housing Officials; and as commissioner of the Cohoes Housing Authority. He is immediate past president of the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations. The other Democrats in the race are John Aretakis, 47, of North Greenbush; Tracey Brooks, a former aide to U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton; Lester Freeman, the city of Albany’s equal employment opportunity officer; Gary Mittleman, former Plug Power CEO; Darius Shahinfar, an Albany attorney and former aide to Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand; Phil Steck, Colonie Democratic chairman; and Arthur Welser, a licensed broker with Real Property Enterprises in North Greenbush. The two Republicans are James Buhrmaster, 62, president of Buhrmaster Energy Group, based in Glenville, and a Schenectady County legislator; and Steven Vasquez, 33, of Ballston Lake, a self-described Tech Valley entrepreneur who started an electronics company called ReQuest.
21ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Congressional hopeful drops out Mittleman discouraged by cost of race BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter
One of the candidates for Congressman Michael McNulty’s seat has dropped out, saying he is disillusioned by the realities of fund-raising and dismayed by the political machine that he believes would fight any true reforms he proposed. “It’s no wonder that our representatives are so unproductive. They spend most of their time raising money by twisting arms,” Gary Mittleman said in a press release. “The magnitude of manipulation and waste in our political system is the biggest surprise I have confronted since I announced my candidacy.” He said the average contender for McNulty’s seat would spend $1.4 million on the election this year — and that he would not do the sorts of things necessary to raise that amount of money. “I do not have the expertise nor the interest in horse-trading my way into office,” he said. At the same time, he began to doubt his ability to make reforms if elected. “First, I am concerned that if elected I will have a futile experience implementing ideas with a political machine that is so entrenched and financially motivated to prevent them,” he said. “Second, I believe there may be a better way to promote my ideas.” So he announced Monday that he would return all campaign contributions, in full, and devote his time and money toward a new foundation aimed at accomplishing what he had hoped to do in offi ce. He said it would be a better option than spending “hundreds of thousands of dollars” on a campaign. The foundation would get government to act on ideas that would improve citizens’ lives, he said. He is calling the foundation One Dream One Earth and promised to provide details soon. He is $100,000 in debt — primarily in loans to himself — and raised $4,000, according to his first-quarter campaign finance disclosure. Mittleman, 55, is married and has two children and a stepdaughter. He founded Plug Power in 1997 and is now a consultant to start-up businesses. There seven other Democrats in the race and two Republicans. The final candidacies will be decided by primaries in each party.
I didn't see anywhere in our Constitution that only the rich can hold office but that's what has happened over the years. We need an overhaul of our whole system of how we elect our officials to government positions on all levels so that honest middle income people can afford to run for office.
By LAUREN STANFORTH, Staff writer Thursday, April 24, 2008
Former state Assemblyman Paul Tonko is one step closer to throwing his hat into the race for Democrat Michael McNulty's 21st Congressional District seat.
Tonko, who now heads up the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, said he will attend the Albany County Democratic Committee's screening meeting for potential candidates Saturday, and has filled out a questionnaire related to that appearance. But Tonko was still firm Thursday that he hasn't made a decision about whether he will run. He would join seven other Democrats and two Republicans who have already entered the race. Tonko is aware that he would most likely have to quit his NYSERDA job before he would seek the Congressional seat, being vacated by the retiring McNulty at year's end. "I am working through a decision on my future and I will announce that decision in the very near future," Tonko said Thursday afternoon. Last July 1, Tonko, 58, an Amsterdam Democrat, become president and CEO of NYSERDA after resigning from the state Assembly. He had represented the 105th Assembly District, including all of Montgomery and part of Schenectady counties since April 1983. His interest in seeking the Congressional seat has been rumored for months, and speculation has abounded as to how he would have to handle his state job if he wanted to run for Congress. Tonko served as chairman of the Assembly Committee on Energy, and gained a national reputation as an expert on energy and utility issues, according to his official biography. He is a graduate of Clarkson University with a degree in mechanical and industrial engineering.
I didn't see anywhere in our Constitution that only the rich can hold office but that's what has happened over the years. We need an overhaul of our whole system of how we elect our officials to government positions on all levels so that honest middle income people can afford to run for office.
and it doesn't matter whether a Dem or Rep.....the Reps say"Ya want it go get it and give me my cut too"----the Dems say"Ya want it I'll take it from your neighbor and give it to you and give me my cut too"......ya see----ALL THE SAME.......
...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
Tonko resigns as head of state energy authority April 25, 2008 By Michael Lamendola (Contact) Gazette Reporter
ALBANY — Paul Tonko resigned effective immediately Friday as president and CEO of the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority, freeing the Democrat to run for the 21st Congressional District seat, local party officials said. He is expected to announce formally next week, said Schenectady Mayor Brian U. Stratton. Tonko would not confirm a bid for Congress during a phone interview Friday afternoon. “I will be sharing my thoughts on my future plans with the people in the relative future,” he said. Tonko issued a statement Friday, stating “I have informed Governor Paterson that I have tendered my resignation to the NYSERDA board effective immediately. After a long career in state service, I am looking forward to a new challenge.” He retired as the popular assemblyman from the 105th Assembly District last year after 24 years to become NYSERDA head. His resignation means he likely will run for Congress, said Bethany Schumann-McGhee, chairwoman of the Montgomery County Democratic Committee and a Tonko aide for 10 years. Tonko was prevented from openly seeking Democrat Michael McNulty’s congressional seat by an executive order signed by former Gov. Eliot Spitzer. The order banned directors, executives and senior officials from starting up a political run while serving the state in a paid capacity. Tonko said his decision to resign from NYSERDA was difficult, adding he was proud to have led the agency and its staff. Mayor Brian U. Stratton said he would “absolutely support Paul” in his candidacy. Stratton had considered a run for the seat once held by his father but said he wanted to remain mayor of Schenectady. “I hope it is true. He becomes the only tier one candidate in the race. He is a proven leader and a strong, energetic and proven representative we need in Washington. Much of the success I was able to achieve in the first years of my administration was due to his strong representation in Albany,” Stratton said. “He knows what it is all about.” Schumann-McGhee said Tonko’s name immediately surfaced when McNulty announced in October he would retire after 20 years in office. But Tonko persistently refused to say whether he would seek the seat. Schumann-McGhee said Tonko brings a big advantage to the race: “Paul has a great name recognition and very good record in state and local government.” Nevertheless, she said, Tonko “has some significant ground to cover for fundraising.” He would have to start raising money from scratch in a bid for Congress, as federal law prevents him from using the $100,000 he collected through his Assembly campaign committee. As of Friday, he had not filed a notice with the Federal Election Commission establishing a committee to raise funds. Candidates may have to spend at least $1 million to wage the expected Democratic primary this summer. The Schenectady City Democratic Committee has already endorsed Tonko for the seat; the county committee is expected to follow suit when it meets shortly. Schumann-McGhee said the Montgomery County Democratic Committee may break with tradition and endorse a candidate when it meets next month. She would not say whom the committee would endorse, but Tonko is expected to be a heavy favorite. The Albany County Democratic Party will screen Tonko today. The other Democrats in the race are John Aretakis, 47, of North Greenbush; Tracey Brooks, a former aide to U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton; Lester Freeman, the city of Albany’s equal employment opportunity officer; Darius Shahinfar, an Albany attorney and former aide to Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand; Phil Steck, Colonie Democratic chairman; and Arthur Welser, a licensed broker with Real Property Enterprises in North Greenbush. The two Republicans are James Buhrmaster, 62, president of Buhrmaster Energy Group, based in Glenville, and a Schenectady County legislator; and Steven Vasquez, 33, of Ballston Lake, a self-described Tech Valley entrepreneur who started an electronics company called ReQuest. Democrat Gary Mittleman, former Plug Power CEO, withdrew from the race this week, citing the fundraising difficulties and an inability to achieve his agenda if elected.
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
Quoted from Kevin March: I think we know who our next congressman is...
So should we forgo the expense of an election?
Though Tonko has name recognition, I'm not sure that his former constituents remain enamored with him. I have heard statements and read Letters to the Editor from residents in Montgomery County who question what Tonko accomplished during his lengthy reign as Assemblyman.
The advantage in the number of enrolled Democrats in the 21st Congressional district over registered Republicans is considerable. However, a legitimate candidate from the opposition party who has a positive message may give Tonko a good run.
Recall the Kosiur-Amedore race for the Assembly seat. Tonko campaigned door to door with Kosiur. Amedore pulled off the upset.
Oh, believe me. I'm not giving up. I will do everything I can to help to get someone CONSERVATIVE into this seat. I'm just looking at the 70/30 margin Dem / Republican and the major name recognition, which is probably going to pull more votes from NY's 105th. I realize there's a certain number of people that would never vote for him, and a certain number that would be looking for his name to pull.
I sure hope we can get a Conservative in there, I just don't know how we're going to do it.
Know any strong Conservatives that aren't in the race yet that should be?
(I'm so upset with how things are, I almost pondered throwing my own hat into the ring)
There is one Republican candidate, Steven Vasquez, whose web site (http://www.steven2008.com/) states his conservative views on several issues. I believe that Mr. Vasquez may be an enrolled Libertarian.
I know of no other announced candidate, Democrat or Republican, who has expressed conservative positions on the issues or governed as a fiscal or social conservative.
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