I don't know. I didn't think Bogod and Mr. Martin were the most conservative members of any town board, since they are his opponents. But really, maybe Mr. Surhada chose an opportunity to run a seat closer to the people, where he could do something positive for a town that he grew up in and loves, one his family lived and died in, and one he knows he could help by being the same conservative voice there that he was on the county. Maybe he figured that having a self-employed businessman who has made his payroll for some years would be an asset rather than the liability so many of you think he will be.
But I doubt he will be afraid of taking on a new challenge. I imagine he has had worse people than a Frenchman named felipe try to push him around and promise they will kick his as_. He strikes me as the kind of guy who fights for what he believes in and stands his ground no matter how many rich and powerful people with bigger names and special interest groups act like they will beat him. He also puts his money where his mouth is, no? Or don't you read the papers?
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
Shurada, Tommasone, Parisi and the Town Republicans strategy is to go after the Rotterdam Town service workers vote. Courting Copservative Party endorsement by tossing Mertz out, now trying to solidify the EMS vote. The Republicans did not endorse Mertz out because he stressed fiscal restraint and questioned the costs of the Police and other Town Government services.
Tommasone won without the Conservative line last election, my guess is the Conservatives have some dirt on the current Republican leadership causing them to make concessions, practically giving them control of their party.
Over the past few years we've seen bickering between Conservatives and Republicans, not being able to come together under a common cause, though we thought their ideologies were similar. Littlefield, O'connor, McGarry, and Mertz, have given Town Republicans and Conservatives that common cause to work together. The destruction of these candidates that dare challenge the status quo of Rotterdam politics. We haven't seen an assault on party control as far back as I can remember. The way thing used to be done when somebody didn't get endorsed by the party they were register, was to switch party affiliation. Jack Denny, Holly Vellano come to mind.
With the Gazette in the Democrats back pocket, you can bet that Littlefield, O'connor, McGarry, and Mertz's bid to primary the party endorsements will get plenty of free press to combat those Republicans who were endorsed by the party. Tearing the Rotterdam Republican Party to ribbons.
This is an necessary process of creative destruction of the Republican Party, so in the future it can actually compete as a major party.
Good luck Brad, Mike, Brian, and John, you have my support.
"This is an necessary process of creative destruction of the Republican Party, so in the future it can actually compete as a major party. "
So having 5 out of 5 policy making seats (four of whom were elected) is not competitive? OK.
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
And I like all of these conspiracy theories about the Conservative party leaders having "dirt" on the current leaders. Did UFOs land in the Industrial Park last Christmas Eve too? Is Bigfoot roaming the hills of Pattersonville too? Break out the tin foil hats.
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
Why would an incumbent County Legislator, who is 1 of 4 Republicans, which is so far in the minority, give their seat up to run for town councilman? In the realm of politics, that makes no sense. Ya, ya, ya, Joe S. is going to give the canned, " I grew up hear, blah,,,,blah,,,,,blah.." answer. What's the real reason? Republican leadership is circling the wagons, to protect the little power they have. Denying endorsement by their party to those who may threaten their leadership. Hence Mertz O'connor, and Littlefield's denial of endorsement. So now they are bending over for the County Conservatives in hopes of making it possible for them to keep the little power they have. Because they will lose those votes of the Mertz Republicans. They better hope those republicans receiving the Conservative endorsement have the Conservative's actually come out and vote for them.
What is Joe S. going to gain from this?
I wonder if Joe S. buys his personal health insurance from the profits from his business, or takes the ones offered to the County Legislators? I would imagine a Conservative like Joe would never accept tax funded medical benefits. Just an after thought.
Shurad should drop out since he caused the taxes to go up plus we need the term linits for people like him but the biggest reason we need him out is he is against the seniors and the kids and even the library over there. He should not be allowed to run ever again and neither should his twin Mortz
"This is an necessary process of creative destruction of the Republican Party, so in the future it can actually compete as a major party. "
So having 5 out of 5 policy making seats (four of whom were elected) is not competitive? OK.
Let me see you extrapolate that to Republican influence County wide. Let me help you, you can copy and paste the quote of yours that I quoted for my response. We can go to nearly every town/city in Schenectady County and what do we find?
The Town Rotterdam is the Republican Alamo in Schenectady County. Except that those in the fight are not as nobel, with most likely different results. Joe Shurada is retreating from his position as Legislator to save himself from the inevitable embarrassing defeat he would have received. Joe S wasn't able to build any bridges during his tenure as a legislator, agitating with divisive rhetoric, accomplishing nothing. Now he is offering to represent Rotterdam, joining his fraternal bothers in the majority. Maybe Joe's power of persuasion will be more effective in Rotterdam Republican echo chamber, than it was as County Legislator.
I'm still curious if super conservative accepted County Legislator medical benny's? Another after thought.
Shurada, Tommasone, Parisi and the Town Republicans strategy is to go after the Rotterdam Town service workers vote. Courting Copservative Party endorsement by tossing Mertz out, now trying to solidify the EMS vote. The Republicans did not endorse Mertz out because he stressed fiscal restraint and questioned the costs of the Police and other Town Government services.
Almost sounds like the Schenectady City School budget fiasco and the 'dog' that was let off his leash......I would say same issues arising in Rotterdam.....
THERE IS NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN......A MAN LOOKS IN THE MIRROR SEES HIMSELF TURNS AWAY AND FORGETS WHAT HE HAS SEEN
...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
That being said, in my opinion-without a major party line, one can't win. I hate to be the ice water pourer but it's true.
Now others want to run as conservatives yet badgered the town to spend money on their own neighborhoods for years, then after the town leaders did so, went and tried to join that very same team, but did not want to back the other candidates, and only wanted the others to back him. I hear the question was asked "If the party backs you and helps you will you back and help the other candidates?" and he said "No." Wow, that is generous.
He wanted to pick and choose about who he was backing because they didn't have identical thoughts, ideas and concepts as him. Talk about intolerance. So the party didn't back him, and he felt they should. So now he is running as the true conservative- independent or whatever he wants to be, while judging others of that stripe not as pure as him. THAT is hypocrisy. I guess running as an independent would suit him, and that is fine by me. We are all independents but we all like to find common cause to some degree with others. I guess he finds his with Godlewski these days since Godlewski is also against the republicans.
But I have some news for you about this Surhada guy. Indentured servitude ended 200 years ago. Expecting someone to do a job that they no longer want to do (and that you don' want to do, apparently) is not something even a political boss like Buchanan or Parisi could make a person do, I reckon. See, I guess there are careerist that want to move higher, or want to climb. Then there are those folks that do public service as an interested service, and want to feel like they are making a difference. I would imagine that this guy you so hate, from what he stated doesn't want to do that job anymore. I doubt that these powerful bosses could sway him to run for something else, and I would even bet they wanted him to run for that office again. I even bet if he ran for county again you would be moaning about him being in that office for too long! "WHY IS HE RUNNING AGAIN??" is what you would be saying! "Step aside so someone new can get in there!!!'
Why is it so hard to digest that someone would like a change in venue? A different challenge? Why the insinuation about the sinister motives and the powerplays, and the boss tactics? What is wrong with stepping back and looking for another job with a new challenge-something closer to the people? How funny. This isn't Chicago, or Albany for that matter.
GrahamBonnet, Being a supporter of Mr. Suhrada’s, I’m surprised you don’t like me more.
I stood up for Masullo Estates when no one else would. (I don’t have the problem some of my neighbors do but I “badgered” them anyway.) It took 5 years to gain approval. I have the stamina to keep fighting for what’s right, while Mr. Suhrada’s stamina, on the other hand, appears to be withering. By the way, Mr. Tommasone and Mr. Signore voted to approve the work in Masullo Estates just a few weeks ago. Are you saying Mr. Suhrada would’ve opposed it?
If we’re talking about what we should be spending money on, then let’s talk. I’ve always been in favor of spending on infrastructure. Check the public record. It’s the other spending I challenged – like pay raises (and stipends) in probably the most difficult economic environment any of us have ever experienced; like the creation of redundant positions in probably the most difficult economic environment any of us have ever experienced; oh yeah…and the TAX INCREASE we received in probably the most difficult economic environment any of us have ever experienced.
Doesn’t Mr. Suhrada appreciate 0% tax increases?That’s what I’m committed to. (Along with a host of other candidates like Mr. McGarry, Mr. Mertz, and Mr. Littlefield too.) If he does, then I can’t fathom why he’d abandon the taxpayer by leaving his County Legislature seat?
But rather than rely on YOUR answers to my questions about Mr. Suhrada, I think I’ll just ask Mr. Suhrada myself. Your “facts” about my interview are also erroneous and this is the 2nd time you've espoused them.
The question you say you heard wasn’t asked. The question was “how much money will you contribute to us?” I refused to answer that specifically, which they didn’t like. I wasn’t surprised. I also stated I didn’t want nickel one from them…or require any help carrying petitions…I was prepared to do it all by myself. Seems to me, that should’ve appealed to them because they could then have used their available resources elsewhere, no?
I also came prepared in writing to discuss the important issues facing the town and my thoughts on them. Unfortunately, we never did. How can an interview be substantive if you don’t discuss the issues?
So why was I in the room to begin with? THEY were the ones in need of a candidate, remember? I merely showed up in response. They didn’t pick me which is fine. That doesn’t preclude me from trying to serve does it?
I hope others will ask me questions DIRECTLY. I’m Michael on this forum. I’m Michael O’Connor, candidate for Rotterdam Town Board in real life. I’m right out in the open – easy to find. I don’t know who GrahamBonnet really is and there’s no way I’m taking his word as to what Mr. Suhrada thinks. Mr. Suhrada is capable of talking for himself.
I have said numerous times that not only does Michael have the stamina to fight for what he believes is right, but he has the patient's of a saint. I have never seen him lose his cool. That is an attribute I admire and lack, but am still working on, since I am a hot headed, opinionated Italian!
I have seen Michael and Mike B. (forgive me, but I don't remember how to spell Mike's last name ), eloquently speak at town board meetings month after month, year after year regarding Masullo Est. Others have spoken at the meetings on this issue, but their names escape me right now.
Michael isn't just about Masullo Est.. He played an instrumental role in the town's battle with the proposed Wal-Mart Super Center. The location of the proposed super center would not have had a direct effect on Michael since he does not live at that end of the town. But he saw what the implications of a Wal-Mart would bring to the town and it's negative/positive effects.
He went beyond that and drew a concern for a revised/updated Comp. Plan for the town, to prevent this scenario from happening again. I don't think that update has been done yet.
Michael is a real good guy with a vision and desire to serve and would represent the Rotterdam residents well!
I'm truly humbled by your kind words. That's one of the nicest things anyone has ever said about me and I thank you. I'm going to remember it every time I run into a not-so-nice comment from someone.
Stevie needs to be voted out since he is the one who gave the oks to build all those houses there so the rich repubs could get the money now masullo is a wreck and all the houses lost the value and noone would ever want to buy a house there. want to live in a flooded house then vote repub people GET RID OF THEM NOW AND LISTEN TO MIKE ALLREADY OVER HERE
Michael ~ don’t get ahead of yourself, and be careful running so close with Mertz. Whether you like Mertz or not, you can’t dispute that he pisses half the people off! Also, it doesn’t matter if you think that he pisses the right people off, in politics you need to be a politician too; like it or not and from what I understand Mertz is not as concerned with winning as he is getting even and that will no doubt hurt all the Repub incumbents.
They talk about candidates having a “fire in the belly” that motivates them in the campaign, well you guys will need it and it needs to be there for the right reasons! Tommasone, Signore, Surhada and Mertz are not in it for the right reasons IMHO. The first three are in it for self serving reasons and the last one is in it for revenge, not the right reasons.
Now, you three independent guys have a punchers shot. The misfits running the town Repub party are so obsessed with ousting Mertz, they will surely implode and that opens the door up for you guys. So, Michael, stand back and let them self-destruct, then walk in. This could be a good thing, new faces and a new direction may be in order. Also, one other bit of advice, stay positive! The residents are sick and tired of negative do-nothing campaigns! When the old Repubs start their fight, walk in the other direction ~ I have a sneaky suspicion it’s gonna be really ugly and the Dems are licking their chops at the opportunity to take back the town.
Logged
), eloquently speak at town board meetings month after month, year after year regarding Masullo Est. Others have spoken at the meetings on this issue, but their names escape me right now. 
