County Legislative Democrats Suspend Door to Door Political Campaign

September 12, 2001: Democratic candidates for the Rensselaer County Legislature announced today that they "will suspend door to door political campaigning until Saturday, at least, out of respect to the individuals who lost their lives in this unspeakable tragedy."

Timothy Murphy, Chairman of the Rensselaer County Democratic Party, supports the legislative candidates' decision and is calling on all candidates to consider doing likewise.

Legislative Democrats said, "We also take this united approach out of deference to our fellow citizens who need this time to reflect and stay tuned to matters of national significance. We should rally behind the President and our country's leaders, in a show of national support and pride."

"We believe strongly that going on with the business of our nation and our communities is vital to the American spirit. When we resume campaigning, we will do so as a celebration of one of America's greatest freedoms - the right to vote and to choose our leaders."

Legislative candidates say that when they resume door to door campaigning, they will be distributing informational materials on how to volunteer and support the American Red Cross, and the victims of this senseless attack.

Jim Monahan's Campaign Off to a Roaring Start

Jim Monahan's campaign to represent District 5 on the Rensselaer County Legislature is off to a roaring start. A kick-off party at the Sand Bar Restaurant in Hoosick Falls brought out a large number of district residents who enthusiastically support his candidacy.

It's very gratifying to have so much community support for my campaign, said Monahan. I believe strongly that I can have a positive impact on our communities. Monahan, a registered pharmacist, is the owner of Thorpes Pharmacy in Hoosick Falls. He is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hoosick Area Chamber of Commerce, a trustee of Hudson Valley Community College and is active in many community organizations.

Running with him is Amy Manchester, of Petersburgh. The event provided an opportunity as well for Amy to launch her campaign. Together, they intend to assure the residents of Hoosick, Petersburgh, Grafton, Berlin, Hoosick Falls and Stephentown that their voices will be heard on the county government level. Manchester currently holds a seat on the Petersburgh Town Council, and is President of the Petersburgh Rescue Ambulance Squad. She is employed at Berkshire Farm Center as a human resources assistant.

Town of Grafton Democratic Caucus Meeting

Please be advised that there will be a caucus of the Democratic voters of the Town of Grafton on the 29th day of August, 2001 to select candidates for the following offices to be voted on at the General Elections to be held on November 6, 2001:

• Town Justice - 4 years
• Town Council (two positions) - 4 years
• Assessor (two positions) - 4 years
• Assessor (to fill term)

Said meeting shall be held in the Grafton Town Hall located at 2379 NY2 at 6 P.M. on said day. Contact Grafton Democratic Chairman Charles J. Hamill at HAMILLS3@aol.com for more information.

Judith Hope at the Rensselaer County Democratic Committee Annual Dinner

State Democratic Chair Judith Hope helped make the case for bringing good government to Rensselaer County through our Democratic candidates in June 2001. Click here to view photos from the event!

Republican Majority Kills Gas Tax Break

"Although Republicans tout tax breaks, they failed to deliver on one this month in Rensselaer County," said disappointed Keith Hammond (D-Poestenkill), co-sponsor of a measure that urged the State Legislature to remove county sales tax on gasoline sales. "Apparently Republican tax breaks are only for the rich," noted Hammond, "not the average taxpaying citizen of Rensselaer County."

The Democratic-sponsored legislation was killed in the Legislature's Rules Committee by the Republican Majority with a negative vote by Ralph Vartigian (R-North Greenbush). Vartigian claimed the fiscal impact of the measure was unknown. Lynne Mahoney (D-Troy), a co-sponsor of the legislation, countered "The County has already realized a windfall of taxes on inflated gasoline prices. That added revenue would help to offset any loss during the trial period we were suggesting."

Hammond and Mahoney have proposed that the State Legislature allow Rensselaer County to remove sales tax on gasoline and diesel sales for a sale tax quarter collection period, to allow the County to assess the fiscal impact and give county taxpayers a temporary tax break, similar to previous tax breaks on clothing. "The Republican Majority seems ready to hand out tax breaks when it's their idea, but won't even allow this resolution out of committee for discussion or vote of the full Legislature," noted Hammond. "County taxpayers have been deprived due to process by the Republicans' partisan political maneuvering."

Mahoney said she had hoped the County Legislature could have approved the measure and forwarded the request on to the state level to get the tax break "in the works." "Unless the Republican Majority has a crystal ball, the State Legislature can go into special session anytime. Our legislation would have been on file now. Now, the Majority's petty partisanship will cost county taxpayers more every time they go to the gas pump," she noted.

Rensselaer County Legislature Office of the Minority

Rensselaer County Legislator William L. Dedrick (D-North Greenbush) has introduced legislation, which would give local Industrial Development Agencies preference when IDA projects are proposed within their borders.

"These projects impact the localities directly, and I believe the county should allow local governments control over them. Very often governments are not included in the negotiations with the IDA applicant. As a result, decisions are made about tax breaks and environmental matters without the advice and consent of the locally impacted," Dedrick said.

"Obviously, not every local IDA will desire to develop every project proposed within its borders. Some projects are best left to the County IDA, but the local IDA's should be making the decision when they want to," he said.

"Ideally, we would like to see all the IDA's in the county working together. There are so many worthwhile projects, which are condensed each year. Not every project is right for every locality, but working cooperatively, we can be sure we make the most of all the county has to offer," Dedrick said.

Schodack Democratic Club

Mr. Steve Sevitz, founder and editor of the community watch dog INTERNET site "Eye on Schodack" http://members.tripod.com/schodack addressed members of the Schodack Democratic Club at their monthly meeting on May 4th, 2000. Steve reviewed the history of the two and one-half year old siite as well as aspirations for the future. The site is not only very popular with Schodack area web surfers but has received recent visits from such countries as Norway, Korea and Australia. The Schodack Democratic Club meets the 1st Thursday of each month at Emmanuel Reformed Church, 1150 Maple Hill Rd., Schodack. For more information call 477-7741.