I'm officially "in." I formally launched my campaign website http://www.michael-oconnor.org earlier today. I'll likely be adding other things to it as I go along. Of course, the real task lies in securing the necessary ballot line, which won't be easy...but I am determined to try.
Requisite petition gathering begins June 9th for Party Designating Petitions. Independent Nominating Petition signatures can't be obtained until July 7th.
Either way, I am asking voters to be especially discerning in signing petitions. You can only validly sign for as many slots are available in the election. In my case, that means 3. If you want to support me, please let me know, and I'll stop by to obtain your signature during the appropriate period. I am hoping that I will distinguish myself through My Pledges, which can be found on my website.
No New Taxes.
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Brad Littlefield
May 27, 2009, 10:15am
Guest User
Michael,
Although I don't live in the Town of Rotterdam and thus can't sign your Designating Petition, I wish you good luck and support you in your run for Town Board. In my short time of knowing you, I have found you to be honest, well intentioned, and of high integrity. We need more like you to represent us.
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
Michael has a great chance. The reps and dems and cons have run out of viable candidates. They just endorse the same good old boys and girls over and over again!
Michael is fresh and new to the political arena, but clearly not new to his involvement in the town. He is not a retread. He is beholden to no one. He has a vision and an unselfish desire to serve.
These are attributes the other parties lack.
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
Retreads???? What the hell is Stevie Ego and Joe Sigsnore. The lose they run again they win they stay. They get their kids jobs and they quit. They get their mother an illegal exemption and run. They lower their bro's assessment they run.
Godlewski served one year. Tommassone and Siggy have lost six times between them. Retreads i agree but not the Dems. Martin, Dileva and Godlewski might just surprise and are far from retreads. Siggy and Stevie Ego have long gone flat. Its time to retire their worn out welcome!
Retreads???? What the hell is Stevie Ego and Joe Sigsnore. The lose they run again they win they stay. They get their kids jobs and they quit. They get their mother an illegal exemption and run. They lower their bro's assessment they run.
Godlewski served one year. Tommassone and Siggy have lost six times between them. Retreads i agree but not the Dems. Martin, Dileva and Godlewski might just surprise and are far from retreads. Siggy and Stevie Ego have long gone flat. Its time to retire their worn out welcome!
You are being redundant. You appear to have bitterness and 'an axe to grind'. Get over it and move on.
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
ROTTERDAM Outspoken citizen plans board run O’Connor positions himself as alternative to politicians BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Justin Mason at 395-3113 or jmason@dailygazette.net.
Michael O’Connor is tired of sitting on the sidelines of Rotterdam politics. The often-outspoken resident of Masullo Estates first began attending town meetings when a developer was proposing to build more homes in his groundwater-plagued neighborhood. Now, after nearly five years and countless hours spent at Town Hall, O’Connor is ready for a piece of the action. O’Connor is organizing a run for one of three Town Board seats up for election this fall. He characterizes his effort as offering voters a choice between the mainstream politicians that have failed to hold the line on taxes and a candidate that associates more with principles than party politics. “I want to ensure that I can give voters an alternative,” he said after announcing his run. “I have an independent mindset.” Though a registered Republican, he plans to run primarily as an independent. He’s determined to force a primary in September, but only so he can start collecting signatures for his candidacy in June instead of July. “It’s more about ballot access and less about party identification,” he said. O’Connor was among a handful of candidates interviewed by the board’s Republican majority after lone Democrat John Silva resigned with two years remaining on his term. But the town committee instead endorsed Stan Marchinkowski, who was later appointed by Supervisor Steve Tommasone and then unanimously confirmed by the board. O’Connor wasn’t bothered by the decision, even though he wanted to serve on the board. He said running as an independent is fine because his philosophies about town government doesn’t necessarily run parallel with the Republicans. “I don’t really fit in with what the party expects, but that’s OK,” he said. SPENDING ISSUES O’Connor, a University at Albany grad who works for an investment firm, was frustrated by the increase in the 2009 budget the board ratified last year. And he’s become incensed by what he says is the seemingly perpetual creation of town positions. He’s also against establishing a taxing district to fund Rotterdam Emergency Medical Services Inc., even though he wholly supports the nonprofit ambulance service. As a gesture of good faith toward the company, he’s pledged to donate half of his campaign contributions to REMS. “The main goal is to get REMS back to financial ground,” he said. “This is a way for my supporters to kind of acknowledge that concern and do something about it constructively.” O’Connor also pledged to keep his campaign clean. He wants to avoid the mudslinging that typically accompanies elections in Rotterdam. “I plan to conduct my campaign in that fashion from start to fi nish,” he said. O’Connor’s first run for office won’t be an easy one. The town Republicans have endorsed county Legislator Joseph Surhada, Marchinkowski and incumbent Joseph Signore for the seats. Another incumbent, John Mertz, said this week that he is still deciding his political future. The twoterm board member was ousted by the Republican Committee in February. Meanwhile, the Rotterdam Democratic Committee has endorsed former board member Robert Godlewski, conservative Nicola DiLeva and political newcomer Matt Martin.
The town board is trying to make Rotterdam a one party government just like our Federal Government is and it will become just as dysfunctional and arrogant. All branches of government need checks and balances to operate properly.
I support Michael's efforts, although it may make some, including myself, think twice before contributing to his campaign, if he is going to take half of it and give it to REMS. I for one do not support REMS. I supported the Mohawk Ambulance offer. So I would want ALL of my money, if I contributed, to go to Michael and not REMS. I wonder if I can request that?
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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