I have to compliment George Amedore on his recent election to state Assembly based on a pleasant personality and a single, no-tax message. However, being from nearby “Taxachusetts,” where a number of proposals limiting the ability to increase taxes have had very negative and severe impacts on the infrastructure and services of cities and towns, I’d like to remind him that taxes are the “income” of government. And no businessman in his right mind would want his income to be flat and eroded by inflation for decades. I just hope that the cuts he is forced to make are not overly painful to his constituents. WARREN HAWKES Pittsfi eld
105TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT Amedore sworn in as new assemblyman BY LINDSAY GREENE For The Daily Gazette
More than three generations of Amedores were out in their Sunday finest Thursday morning to witness a member of the clan being sworn in as an assemblyman — and each person wore a huge smile on his face. George Amedore Jr. won the 105th Assembly District by more than 2,800 votes Tuesday night. On Wednesday he officially became an assemblyman, signing the state’s official oath of office. On Thursday, Amedore celebrated with two public ceremonial swearing-ins. The first took place at Veterans’ Park in Schenectady, where Schenectady Supreme Court Judge Vito Caruso administered his oath of office. At the second, at City Hall in Amsterdam, Mayor Joseph Emanuele presided over the swearing-in. “It is a wonderful feeling. It’s a humbling feeling that so many people have supported me and believe in me,” Amedore said at the Schenectady event. “I will do my very best and work my hardest to get things done.” With Amedore were his wife, Joelle; his three children George III, Anthony and Bria; his father and mother, George Sr. and Mary Ann; and his brothers Mark, Peter and Paul and their families. As the clan looked on, Amedore put his right hand on the Bible and promised to support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States and of the state of New York and to discharge his duties as a member of the Assembly to the very best of his abilities. After the ceremony, Amedore thanked voters for what he called an amazing turnout for a special election in the middle of the summer. “It’s great,” he said, “and it shows all of us in Albany and throughout the state of New York that people want to change. As a businessman, I bring that change. As a public servant, I bring that change. And I look forward to serving all of the people.” Amedore’s relatives said they were relieved that the election is over. “I think things will relax now,” Joelle said. She said election day was nerve-racking because they didn’t know what to expect, but it was extremely encouraging to know people supported her husband. George Sr. said he is not surprised that his determined son won the election, saying George Jr. achieves whatever he sets him mind on. “[George Jr.] really understands what our needs are, what our problems and concerns are,” George Sr. said, “But on the other side, he understands that one voice in the minority is not going to change the world but this could be a beginning. He is willing to step forward and try to make that happen.” Amedore’s mother was beaming with pride. “I think he’ll do a great job,” Mary Ann Amedore said. “He has a heart of compassion.” Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco said Amedore winning the election means a lot for the Republican agenda because he is another advocate and another voice in the Assembly. Tedisco said Amedore’s winning in a district where more voters are registered as Democrats “illustrates, most importantly, to the Republican Party and to the people of this state that Republicans can win in New York state with their agenda.” MEREDITH L. KAISER/GAZETTE PHOTOGRAPHER Newly elected 105th District Assemblyman George Amedore Jr. addresses a crowd after being sworn in to office at Amsterdam City Hall on Thursday MEREDITH L. KAISER/GAZETTE PHOTOGRAPHER Ready for duty Newly elected 105th District Assemblyman George Amedore Jr. talks with recently retired Montgomery County Republican Chairwoman Lore Koppel before Amedore is sworn in Thursday at Amsterdam City Hall.
Oath caps Amedore's election win Assemblyman sworn in, putting 105th District seat in Republican hands
By PAUL NELSON, Staff writer First published: Friday, August 3, 2007
SCHENECTADY -- Surrounded by his family and with his wife, Joelle, holding the Bible, George Amedore Jr. took the oath of office Thursday to be the new representative for the state's 105th District. The 38-year-old Republican bested his Democratic opponent, Edward Kosiur, by 2,811 votes in Tuesday's special election to fill the seat vacated by Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, who took over as president and CEO of the state Energy and Research Development Authority.
"What an amazing, amazing turnout for a special election in the middle of the summer," said Amedore, whose Amedore Homes company gained prominence earlier this year in connection with an "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" project in Colonie. Voting in the district, which includes a large swath of Schenectady County and all of Montgomery County, saw about 31 percent turnout.
During brief remarks at the morning ceremony at Veterans Park across from the Schenectady County Courthouse, Amedore, an Amsterdam father of three, said the turnout and his win signals that people are ready for change. Tonko, who had spent more than two decades in the Assembly, had supported fellow Democrat Kosiur for the seat.
"As a businessman, as a public servant, I bring change and I look forward to serving all the people," Amedore said.
Judge Vito C. Caruso, administrative judge for the 11-county Fourth Judicial District, which includes Schenectady and Saratoga counties, administered the oath of office.
Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco, R-Schenectady, was among those in attendance Thursday savoring Amedore's win in the Democratic-majority district.
Amsterdam Mayor Joseph Emanuele III presided over a second swearing-in ceremony at City Hall in the Montgomery County community.
Paul Nelson can be reached at 454-5347 or by e-mail at pnelson@timesunion.com.
I have to compliment George Amedore on his recent election to state Assembly based on a pleasant personality and a single, no-tax message. However, being from nearby “Taxachusetts,” where a number of proposals limiting the ability to increase taxes have had very negative and severe impacts on the infrastructure and services of cities and towns, I’d like to remind him that taxes are the “income” of government. And no businessman in his right mind would want his income to be flat and eroded by inflation for decades. I just hope that the cuts he is forced to make are not overly painful to his constituents. WARREN HAWKES Pittsfi eld
The needs of New York residents will not be compromised if the waste and fraud that is prevalent in the system is identified and eliminated.
Warren, thanks for the advice, but perhaps you should concentrate on your own liberal state with about as much waste and fraud as NYS. And perhaps the very negative and severe impacts on the infrastructure and services of cities and towns that you speak of would not be happening if the lib's cut out some of the pork and government programs and wasteful spending and put people to work.
Remember Mr. Hawkes, the dems/libs like keeping people poor. If there were no poor people(or as walmart would say 'the underserved' and the 'unbanked') there would be no need for the dems/libs!
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
Warren, thanks for the advice, but perhaps you should concentrate on your own liberal state with about as much waste and fraud as NYS. And perhaps the very negative and severe impacts on the infrastructure and services of cities and towns that you speak of would not be happening if the lib's cut out some of the pork and government programs and wasteful spending and put people to work.
Remember Mr. Hawkes, the dems/libs like keeping people poor. If there were no poor people(or as walmart would say 'the underserved' and the 'unbanked') there would be no need for the dems/libs!
But, if the infrastructure needs updating---just look at all the workers available on such short notice.......
However, someone/thing will stand up to round up those folks and say "do it my way, you will get this this and this$".......who will that be??
...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
Amedore win proves columnist out of touch First published: Monday, August 13, 2007
In a July 25 Times Union article, staff writer Paul Nelson quoted liberal columnist Libby Post, who lives in Menands, as saying, George Amedore is "not in tune with the electorate," because he said he would vote against same-sex marriage legislation. So, Libby, what do you say now? If he's so not in tune with his electorate, then why did he win the election? I don't think you, Libby Post, are in tune with the majority.
Dare I say that the majority of the American people still holds to the value of marriage between one man and one woman, the way our creator intended it to be?
Congratulations, George Amedore Jr. Thank you for taking a stand for what is right and not compromising to win an election. That's what won you this election.
Dare I say that the majority of the American people still holds to the value of marriage between one man and one woman, the way our creator intended it to be?
That may be correct for this time and place and this present adult generation.However, in the next time and place with the up and coming younger generation, things will be thought of differently. Inter-racial marriages were taboo a few decades ago. Now it is considered the norm. And excepted way of life. The same will happen with same sex marraige. It appears that the road is just being paved for the future.
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
paved for the future of what....test tube babies,,,,invitro fertilization?.........there is no future without procreation and any 'basic' third world country knows this basic truth....yet, America goes over and talks about birth control or no capitalism???......atleast that is the perception........
yet, we put ourselves in the path of annilation with 'law'.....
...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
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