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I’m more than dismayed by the apparent impending departure of Mr. Mertz from the Rotterdam Town Board.  For the record, it was Mr. Mertz that championed relief for the beleaguered Masullo Estates neighborhood after learning of the matter in his inaugural campaign for office.  He took the time to listen to endless complaints as he went door-to-door seeking support.  More importantly, he pledged to try to do something about it.  After he was elected, he remembered his promise and took up addressing the matter right away.  Despite the obstacles encountered over almost 5 years and criticism from frustrated residents, he never gave up advancing efforts to provide relief.  Through his efforts, the necessary land acquisition for drainage was recently completed.  

It would have been easier to walk away.  He didn’t.  For that, I am personally grateful.

He has consistently been the lightning rod on the town issues that scared others into silence.  I believe Mr. Mertz gets votes because he is like-able and connects with the voters.  He understands the concerns of residents and is willing to be an outspoken advocate on their behalf.  With or without the local GOP backing, I believe he is easily electable if he chooses to continue independently.

Quoted from GrahamBonnet

wouldn't you get sick of their crap too? LOL!!!

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ROTTERDAM
GOP picks Suhrada over Mertz
BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
Reach Gazette reporter Justin Mason at 395-3113 or jmason@dailygazette.net.

    Rotterdam’s Republican Committee unanimously endorsed Schenectady County Legislator Joe Suhrada to run in place of Town Board member John Mertz.
    In accepting the designation, Suhrada announced he will not seek re-election to the Legislature next fall. County Republican Chairman Tom Buchanan said his committee is now interviewing candidates for Suhrada’s seat, but Mertz is not among the candidates who have indicated interest in running.
    “We’re interviewing candidates as we speak,” Buchanan said Tuesday morning. “[Mertz] has not indicated a desire to run.”
    Mertz currently is a member of the Rotterdam Town Board.
    Mertz wasn’t clear about his next step, but indicated he is still interested in running for another term on the board.
    “I look forward to continuing my tenure on the town board this year and continuing my support of the Republican Party in whatever manner serves greatest benefit to our residents,” he said in a statement Tuesday.
    In another move, the town GOP’s Executive Committee selected Stanley Marchinkowski to fill Democrat John Silva’s seat for the rest of the year. Silva has resigned effective March 1, citing work obligations.
    Marchinkowski, a first-year member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, received the committee’s endorsement to run for the remaining two years of Silva’s four-year term in November.
    Incumbent Supervisor Steve Tommasone and board member Joe Signore were endorsed for another run at the GOP meeting Monday.
    In a surprise move last fall, town Republican Committee Chairman Gerard Parisi announced the party would drop Mertz because of his “controversial actions” and inability to work effectively with other departments in Rotterdam.
    Some town party leaders balked at the announcement, saying that dropping Mertz would never receive.......................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....amp;EntityId=Ar01004

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ALSO, I HEARD THAT NEITHER MERTZ OR SUHRADA WAS AT THE DINNER.  MAYBE THEY WERE AT THE COUNTY MEETING.  ANYBODY KNOW.  I HEARD TONIGHT THAT MERTZ MIGHT RUN FOR SUHRADA'S SEAT.