Quoted from CICERO

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).

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 agree.  If Mr. Suhrada is inclined not to run for county re-election but wants a town board seat, it seems to me that the committee could've simply filled the current opening created by Mr. Silva's departure with someone who would only serve out the remainder of the term until the November election and not be endorsed to run. It's clear the party wanted Mr. Mertz out, for whatever reason.

Quoted from CICERO

 

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 ...

Like Mr. Mertz, I am an area transplant too, having been here now for several decades which is longer than where I grew up.  This town is my home.  I have been warned over the years that I'm wasting my time trying to get involved locally...I'm simply not connected to the people who run things here.  I didn't believe that to be true, so I guess I was equally naive if not more so.  If Mr. Mertz can be discarded so easily, I suppose I have been wasting my time.  I wonder if it's worthwhile to continue, but I'll probably waste more of my time before I get the message.

Ciciro you have created the worst of all lies on this web sight indeed. When you call Surhad an Italain American or Implie that he is then you know and we know you are tricking people beyond what is fair plus worse you use a slur against Italian Americans by talking about so called organized crime and that. EVERYONE knows Surhad is an arab. EVERYONE KNOWS THIS or is a Pakistan or Afganistan immigrant or possibly he is Indian from India NOT ITALIAN - JUST BECAUSE THERE IS AN A AT THE END OF THE NAME YOU MAKE ANOTHER LIE UP. THERE ARE ITALIANS IN THIS TOWN AND WE KNOW WHO IS BY HOW THE NAME US SPELLED. I will try to calm down but there is no H in Italian names, Surhada is NOT ITALIAN

And no Mr Mike people dont like the outsiders in here and this is why the voters dont want Surhada either as well as you or any other troublemaker SORRY

Quoted from 191

And no Mr Mike people dont like the outsiders in here and this is why the voters dont want Surhada either as well as you or any other troublemaker SORRY

Why am I a troublemaker?  And how many years would I have to live here to not be considered an "outsider?"  Aren't my tax dollars as good as yours to have opinions, views, and suggestions on how to make our community a better place for all of us?

Quoted from Michael

It's clear the party wanted Mr. Mertz out, for whatever reason.

Mr. Mertz didn't bow down to the Conservative boys in blue.  He is new to Rotterdam, and didn't play to the old political strong arming ways of the Rotterdam Police Department, and the County's law enforcement party(Conservative Party).  Mertz seen the RPD and the Conservative Party for what it was, and instead of following, he led, straining some of the historic family ties between Rotterdam families. Which is a radical concept in Rotterdam.  

So much for all the accusations about Mertz forming the Police Commission to get Signore's son a job and Renna's son- in- law promoted.  I guess that holds no water.  Or these new Rotterdam Republicans headed by Parisi are so spineless and disloyal that they would discard Mertz after doing their dirty work for them.  Rotterdam Republicans are a bunch of Judas's in my opinion.

yes they had to get rid of him for fairness and the transparentcy that they needed to meet what is required now. they cant get away with this over there like they used to they CANT! And Mertz did the dirty work and he no Italian and now they have Surhad who is also no Italian

So basically, some are seeing this as Mertz being a bargaining tool and the sacrificial lamb for the Republican Party. So Mertz was too outspoken, huh? Mertz didn't go along with the party, huh? The reps want only people who will follow their mind thought, huh? The reps just want people they can puppet pull the strings for, huh?  Gee, it is beginning to sound more and more like the dems in the county legislature!

And Michael, you posted, and I quote..

Quoted Text

.And how many years would I have to live here to not be considered an "outsider?"  Aren't my tax dollars as good as yours to have opinions, views, and suggestions on how to make our community a better place for all of us?

You ARE correct, but 'obviously' things just don't work that way in politics. Not in Rotterdam anyway. If you choose to enter the political arena, you also, like Mertz, will enjoy the honeymoon for a while. As we can all see...the honeymoon is over. I personally believe that those that are NOT home-growns are the best. They have no personal agenda. No favors. No patronage jobs. Silva may not have attended as many meetings as I would have liked, but I thought he was good!! And he also was not a home-grown.

All I can say is 'God bless anyone' who chooses to enter into this snake pit!!!

I don't know the story behind the story, but I do believe that John Mertz served the taxpayers well. He served Rotterdam well. How this story ends, we will have to wait and see. For me personally, and in my opinion of John Mertz, I say "Thank You".

Sal has hit another new low. Joe is not an Arab and you know it. He is half Italiano and his father is from Rotterdam. He can't beat him on the issues so you slur his heritage. The organized crime slur is equally disgusting to us.

    This is a huge loss for our County. The Reps will have a hard time retaining their small minority of 4 seats. Can understand Joe is tired of banging his head against a wall of Krat spenders and nit wit hacks. But town board? He should be moved up not down. Cicero has made great observations. Joe shoes will be impossible to fill. The white flag routine is getting old. Run Mertz for County Leg. We can't afford less.

Quoted from gadfly

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.

consolidation is moving quickly....can everyone follow the chess game?......ambulance/police.......
those who control the guns control the masses
those who control the $$ control the masses
and those who control the fearmongering control the masses.......

Quoted from 191

And no Mr Mike people dont like the outsiders in here and this is why the voters dont want Surhada either as well as you or any other troublemaker SORRY

Speak for yourself  salvatore.......you are a real prize

Quoted from 191

EVERYONE knows Surhad is an arab. EVERYONE KNOWS THIS or is a Pakistan or Afganistan immigrant or possibly he is Indian from India NOT ITALIAN - JUST BECAUSE THERE IS AN A AT THE END OF THE NAME YOU MAKE ANOTHER LIE UP. THERE ARE ITALIANS IN THIS TOWN AND WE KNOW WHO IS BY HOW THE NAME US SPELLED. I will try to calm down but there is no H in Italian names, Surhada is NOT ITALIAN

Sal, Mr. Suhrada is half Italian and half Hungarian. He is not of Arab decent. Please tell us if you are posting a fact or a rumor and exactly where you obtained this information.

Quoted Text

Sal, Mr. Suhrada is half Italian and half Hungarian. He is not of Arab decent. Please tell us if you are posting a fact or a rumor and exactly where you obtained this information.

I recall that this was a tactic that the Democrats used when Joe ran for County Legislature several years ago.  Suhrada's opponents advertised that he was of Arab descent in an attempt to disenchant voters.  

Joe is not of Arab descent.  He is, as Jo Ann states, Italian and Hungarian.  Further, being of Arab (or any other) descent does not imply that one is in any way undesireable or unworthy of participating in our elected form of government.

I suspect that Salvatore, with his phony persona, is a Democrat party insider (Quail, Gardner, etc.) just being a nuisance in the form.  

no. But I want social justice and I am a true conserv