Rotterdam-- Two term county legislator Joe Suhrada, R- Rotterdam, will seek a seat on the Rotterdam Town Board this fall. In his eighth year on the Legislature representing Rotterdam, Princetown and Duanesburg, Suhrada is averse to serving in one post for more than eight years inspired by the example that our nation's first president George Washington set when he stepped aside after two terms in office. "I am a believer that one should serve to do the job and not to just keep the job." said Suhrada.
However, Suhrada also believes that his fiscally conservative views have a place in public policy making and would like to work nearer the people by running for town board. "I have loved serving the people of Duanesburg, Princetown and Rotterdam since 2002, but am ready for a new challenge." Suhrada says "Today the concept of only spending what you can afford seems old-fashioned. However there is no better time for a fiscal conservative to speak up and argue against over-spending and over-taxing, even if it isn't popular." Suhrada is proud of his stances, often opposing blatant waste even when outnumbered 14-1. Suhrada voted against every property tax increase, and has voted yes on only one annual budget in seven years- one that cut property taxes by 1% a few years ago.
He also spoke out against the deceiving word change on the tax bill that labeled the county tax, as a "state mandate" an issue that was recently discussed in town when the tax bill came out.
"Any tax increase in those bloated budgets that included PR directors, special events coordinators, retroactive raises for political bosses, and fancy cars for top dogs in county government stunk to high heaven. Some people think we can raise taxes 8 or 9 % each year and raise fees as well. I don't. It is immoral" said Suhrada. He was the only member of the county legislature to vote no on the aborted Downtown Library expansion, a fiasco that wasted a half-million dollars before it was finally withdrawn. Suhrada said "Think about how that money could have gone to tax relief, but instead they squandered it."
Suhrada opposed spending taxpayer funds on another politically popular yet failed concept- the Gillete House in Downtown Schenectady. He calls it "A two million dollar black hole." He has been a constant critic of money wasting policies at the Metroplex including the Big House scandal. Suhrada is glad that he took a stand and made Metroplex admit the whole deal was a sham, even though other politicians didn't want to rock the boat for fear of upsetting big business. Suhrada voted against Metroplex running the citizens into 75 million in debt this past year as well, one of only two votes against the huge credit limit increase. "More credit card public policy." Suhrada terms it.
"Service isn't about gladhanding to death every voter and promising goodies and things they want to hear. It isn't about being afraid to take a stand. It's about protecting the public trust, and keeping the people safe by offering good services in policing, ambulance, fire protection, safe public roadways, and doing so with efficiency." Suhrada's 20 years as a small businessman and his degree in economics from Union College have guided his choices and helped him see that "A public servant must have the courage to say 'no' even if it is unpopular or loses votes. Thinking we can spend and tax our way out of a problem has been the downfall of many a society. Every cent must be spent as if it is our own, not as if it is just a giant vat of other peoples' money. Sadly, this is the latest vogue and I fear we are bound to repeat our failures if the leaders don't act like grown ups."
Suhrada has strong interest in working with the current board on matters of budgeting, public safety, and senior and veterans affairs- areas near and dear to his heart. He wants to maintain the character of the residential neighborhoods while providing for growth in commercial tax base. Most of all Suhrada wants to be a leader who works "closest to the people, for the good of the people, not a party or special interest group."
Suhrada, 43, is a life-long Rotterdam resident who lives at 19 Wedgewood Ave. in the town and is engaged to Professor Joanne Kehlbeck of Rotterdam. He has been a member of the Rotterdam Business Association, The Marine Corps League, The Rotterdam Elks, and Saint Gabriel's church.
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Salvatore
February 11, 2009, 3:05pm
Guest User
The library is for the kids so why be against it? The gillette house was to honor one of the most famous people in AMerica for womans rights yet he was against that to. He doesnt' get it, sorry to tell you, but when he went against all the budgets he went against the seniors and the kids entirely and they would have been in the street which is an infamita. A sin against Jesus to treat the least of us the same you want to treat the lord. WHY be against the lord and his small helpless ones? WHY
A sin against Jesus to treat the least of us the same you want to treat the lord. WHY be against the lord and his small helpless ones? WHY
Oh please where is that sharp object I can stick in my eye????? Sal, even Jesus wants us to work for our worldly needs. Not everyone is 'helpless'. In fact some are down right lazy! Do you agree that we should pay for those lazy people who just sit around and collect a monthly check?
Suhrada will be missed at the county legislature. He was our only person there to fight for us. And as I have stated before....he is the only one who spent thousands of his own money to fight for US!!! I will miss him at the county level and hope he continues at the town level.
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
Maybe once January comes around Joe will still show up at the County Meetings. Now, he'll just be voicing his opinion from another location. He'll just have to listen for Suzie to say "Would anyone like to address the priveledge of the floor," and hope she says it slow enough that it can be recognized...but he does have 8 years in hearing it, he should be able to catch just the twinge in her voice that it's coming.
Thank you Joe for being the one reliable taxpayer vote on this horrible County Bored. Why vote against the unnecessary Downtown library addition? Because we didn't need it and couldn't afford it. If Joe was listened to, half a million dollars would have been saved that could have expanded Duanesburg library. That's the only library that should be expanded. Unfortunately, Sal {although a fake} represents the average stuna voter in this County.
Here's another accomplishment missed; the stupid Krats wanted to force the SCCC Music department to move to the empty Center City. The huge vacant white elephant where Death Ray is putting "national Chains" and "creating jobs" ha-ha. Joe took the lead in stopping that nonsense too. He will be missed by real fiscal Conservatives County wide.
I hate to be the spoiler here, as I have always supported Joe and admired his willingness to take a stand and defend his positions - especially where fiscal matters are concerned. But please, Joe, don't be a hypocrite now by claiming to say no to tax increases when you are supporting a new and unnecessary tax in Rotterdam. And while you're at it Joe, watch the comments about not serving special interests when the very reason you are so uncharacteristically supporting this tax is for the very purpose of securing their support and the minor party ballot lines they control. And by the way Joe, this tax will in fact PREVENT the commercial investment you claim to want to generate. You are trading taxpayers for tax eaters.
Is this perhaps 'why' the GOP gave Mertz the boot in support of Surhrada? Because Surhada will walk lock step with the present rep leadership? It will be in the best interest of the taxpayers of Rotterdam that this does not become a repeat of the past Rotterdam's 'good ole boys club'!
Like I have stated before....the dems, reps and conservs have all abandoned their parties ideology in exchange for political self motivation and political positioning. IMHO
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
Like I have stated before....the dems, reps and conservs have all abandoned their parties ideology in exchange for political self motivation and political positioning. IMHO
Not all of us have abandoned our ideology, Bumble.
I hope and believe that Joe will continue to support conservative causes.
I'm having trouble following the logic behind the Republicans giving up 1 of the 4 valuable seats they held for two terms at the County level, to replace a sitting Town Board Republican(Mertz) with a current sitting County Legislator(Suhrada). Unless it was Joe's decision to run for the town position, giving up his seat at the County. In recent months, Joe said he might not run for re-election as County Legislator, and that he was getting out, giving the impression that he was getting out of politics completely. Running for Town Board, what gives??
The Republicans are going to diminish what little influence they have at the County level, and maintain the same level of control in Rotterdam. Something just doesn't add up.
I believe it has something to do with the talk of Rotterdam's own Dom Dag. running for Sheriff, so the Republicans are offering up Mr. Mertz for Suhrada who is a RPD/Conservative Party lap dog. Republicans will take their chance of reducing their 4 seats by one in the County, in exchange for future support from Conservative Party top cops Hamilton and Dagostino.
I believe it has something to do with the talk of Rotterdam's own Dom Dag. running for Sheriff, so the Republicans are offering up Mr. Mertz for Suhrada who is a RPD/Conservative Party lap dog. Republicans will take their chance of reducing their 4 seats by one in the County, in exchange for future support from Conservative Party top cops Hamilton and Dagostino.
While I don't agree with it, I've talked to Joe and do understand his position and reasons. It's a loss for Schenectady County, hopefully the Republicans can pick up another district seat somewhere. I think it's definitely a boost for Rotterdam.
Joe winning a Town Board seat will allow him to speak in the Republican echo chamber of the Rotterdam Town Hall. No more butting heads with Savage and County Democrats. Now, by possibly gaining membership to the Rotterdam Town Board and completing the board of vowels, he can bloviate with no opposition or interruption . TommasonE, SignorE, Della VillA, SilvA, LongO, PasquariellO, EspositO, AragosA and now SuhradA, the Rotterdam Town Halls list of elected officials reads like the credits of The Soprano's.
Rotterdam Republicans were more than willing to ride Mertz into power, using Wal-mart as a wedge issue and tapping his experience and knowledge as an attorney working for the New York State Legislative Bill Drafting Commission, to detour Wal-mart from building a Super Center in the middle of Rotterdam. But as many who lived in Rotterdam know, blood is thicker than water, and heritage trumps actual results.
When Mertz and the Republicans won the majority on the Town Board, I thought it was a new dawn of Rotterdam politics. Now I see how naive I was. It only took a few years to regress back to the days of mafia style politics.
TommasonE, SignorE, Della VillA, SilvA, LongO, PasquariellO, EspositO, AragosA and now SuhradA, the Rotterdam Town Halls list of elected officials reads like the credits of The Soprano's.
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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Right is right even if the minority is one. 
Unless it was Joe's decision to run for the town position, giving up his seat at the County. In recent months, Joe said he might not run for re-election as County Legislator, and that he was getting out, giving the impression that he was getting out of politics completely. Running for Town Board, what gives??
