James Skoufis said...
The Donna Colombo for Mayor campaign and the CommUNITY Party issued a joint press release this morning stating that Donna has dropped out of the mayoral race and endorsed the entire CommUNITY Party slate of candidates.
I can say that Donna got well over the required number of signatures to get on the ballot and already has hundreds of supporters - through her ballet school, from door knocking, and from being a neighbor in Highland Mills for a dozen years. Despite this, as many of you have rightly pointed out, she feels it is more important that she unite behind another candidate so that others, who may have personal agendas and motives, do not get elected, and that people who have the best interests of the village in mind do.
I speak for myself when I say that, as a political novice and without going into specifics, I was astonished at the first-hand and third-hand politicking and under-handedness that I experienced in our small town in the short few weeks that Donna was on the campaign trail. I know that Donna entered the race in large part because she didn't want to see a "politics as usual" attitude to the new village and wanted to offer an option to vote for someone who wasn't involved in any political circles. I feel that we successfully shrugged off any attempts by the politicos to influence - often times adversely - our campaign. Despite this, I know Donna was extremely disheartened by the lies and underhandedness that she personally experienced while campaigning. She feels she could have won and I certainly feel she would have won, but it is in the best interest of the village that she step down and support the CommUNITY Party which both she and I can honestly say is made up of thoughtful, honest, and good-willed people. Thanks everyone and lets make sure the right people win in November.
You'll be able to read more about the endorsement in the THR and Photo News later this week.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Monday, September 18, 2006
A Plurality, not A Majority or..... How Ralph Can Win While Losing
A majority means more than half the votes.
A plurarity means more votes than anyone else.
In a two way race they are the same thing. In a three, four or more way race, they are very, very different.
There is no way that Ralph Caruso can get a majority of the votes in his run for mayor.
However, if, say, five people run, it is easy to see Ralph's hard core followers (and those who vote for him because they vaguely recognize the name) getting perhaps 25% of the vote, while no one else gets over 22% or 23%. That's a plurality.
So what? You just have a run off between the two top vote getters.
Un uh!
Not in New York.
Outside of NYC, election law doesn't allow for runoff elections.
One election only and whoever gets the most votes wins, even if it isn't a majorty.
The more people who run for mayor, the greater the chance that Ralph can swoop in and have it all.
And may God have mercy on our souls.
(An avuncular thank you to the Pieman for much of the above info on election law)
A plurarity means more votes than anyone else.
In a two way race they are the same thing. In a three, four or more way race, they are very, very different.
There is no way that Ralph Caruso can get a majority of the votes in his run for mayor.
However, if, say, five people run, it is easy to see Ralph's hard core followers (and those who vote for him because they vaguely recognize the name) getting perhaps 25% of the vote, while no one else gets over 22% or 23%. That's a plurality.
So what? You just have a run off between the two top vote getters.
Un uh!
Not in New York.
Outside of NYC, election law doesn't allow for runoff elections.
One election only and whoever gets the most votes wins, even if it isn't a majorty.
The more people who run for mayor, the greater the chance that Ralph can swoop in and have it all.
And may God have mercy on our souls.
(An avuncular thank you to the Pieman for much of the above info on election law)
Friday, September 15, 2006
An Invitation Over The Transom
Swiller has struck again.
An Invitation
and
To The People Of Woodbury
The slates for the Woodbury Village Board are taking shape. Pending sufficient petition signatures, three mayoral candidates have been announced as well as eight trustee candidates. There may be others.
Some of these people are well known, some are not.
Who are these people?
Where do they stand on the issues?
How do they intend to accomplish their goals?
OCEAN invites all candidates who will be on the ballot to a question and answer session.
We invite the public to come and ask those questions.
The date and time will be worked out with those candidates who agree to come.
The place will be announced once we have a date.
The candidates owe it to the people of Woodbury to answer all their questions.
The people of Woodbury owe it to themselves to know as much as possible about the candidates.
Contact us at info@NYOCEAN.org
or at 845-928-9273
Good One Ralph. But Seriously, Who Are Your Candidates Going To Be?
Candidates line up for Woodbury Village elections on Nov. 2
Highland Mills -
Two slates of candidates announced this week their plans to run for mayor and trustees for the new Village of Woodbury.The elections are scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Woodbury Senior Center.
The new 37-square mile village consists of the entire Town of Woodbury except its portion of the Village of Harriman, part of which is in Monroe. About 10,000 people are estimated to be eligible to vote.
Previously, Donna Colombo of Highland Mills, the owner of Studio 32, announced her independent candidacy for mayor.
The candidates who announced this week and their affiliations are:The Citizens For The Preservation Of Woodbury unanimously endorsed Ralph Caruso for mayor and Adrienne F. Fuchs, Benjamin L. Meyers, William F. Mullooly and George Pedersen for the four trustee positions, according to a press release.
“This well-qualified team is committed to a village government that is responsive to the residents,” Caruso said in the press release. “They are solidly in support of the continuation of present town services, as we know them today, and will vigorously fight any attempts to annex any land from Woodbury, along with reviewing the present zoning codes, to identify areas in need of tightening.
“This team brings with them, broad backgrounds in management, government, planning, zoning, labor relations, education and common sense,” Caruso added.
Meanwhile, a second new political organization - the CommUNITY Party - has announces its slate: Stephanie Berean-Weeks of Highland Mills for mayor, Joann Stabile of Highland Mills and Patrick Kinney of Central Valley as the two trustee positions for the term ending April 2009 and Neil Crouse and Michael Kling, both of Highland Mills, for the term ending April 2008.
Members of the CommUNITY party also have elected Maria Hunter as chair, Clifford Weeks as vice chair, James Booth as secretary, and Carol Herb as treasurer.
In the group’s press release, Hunter said: “The experience and background of the CommUNITY Party leaders and slate of candidates will assure a smooth transition, and quality leadership for our new Village.
”Meanwhile, Booth said the party is in the process of creating a Web site for its candidates and their platform.Candidates must file petitions at the Woodbury Town Clerk’s office by Sept. 28 to be on the ballot.
Highland Mills -
Two slates of candidates announced this week their plans to run for mayor and trustees for the new Village of Woodbury.The elections are scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Woodbury Senior Center.
The new 37-square mile village consists of the entire Town of Woodbury except its portion of the Village of Harriman, part of which is in Monroe. About 10,000 people are estimated to be eligible to vote.
Previously, Donna Colombo of Highland Mills, the owner of Studio 32, announced her independent candidacy for mayor.
The candidates who announced this week and their affiliations are:The Citizens For The Preservation Of Woodbury unanimously endorsed Ralph Caruso for mayor and Adrienne F. Fuchs, Benjamin L. Meyers, William F. Mullooly and George Pedersen for the four trustee positions, according to a press release.
“This well-qualified team is committed to a village government that is responsive to the residents,” Caruso said in the press release. “They are solidly in support of the continuation of present town services, as we know them today, and will vigorously fight any attempts to annex any land from Woodbury, along with reviewing the present zoning codes, to identify areas in need of tightening.
“This team brings with them, broad backgrounds in management, government, planning, zoning, labor relations, education and common sense,” Caruso added.
Meanwhile, a second new political organization - the CommUNITY Party - has announces its slate: Stephanie Berean-Weeks of Highland Mills for mayor, Joann Stabile of Highland Mills and Patrick Kinney of Central Valley as the two trustee positions for the term ending April 2009 and Neil Crouse and Michael Kling, both of Highland Mills, for the term ending April 2008.
Members of the CommUNITY party also have elected Maria Hunter as chair, Clifford Weeks as vice chair, James Booth as secretary, and Carol Herb as treasurer.
In the group’s press release, Hunter said: “The experience and background of the CommUNITY Party leaders and slate of candidates will assure a smooth transition, and quality leadership for our new Village.
”Meanwhile, Booth said the party is in the process of creating a Web site for its candidates and their platform.Candidates must file petitions at the Woodbury Town Clerk’s office by Sept. 28 to be on the ballot.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Come Home Little Ralphling, It's Time For Your Meds
Anonymous said...
"What's a friendly annexation ? Oh I know the answer. That's when KJ petitions the town for our land and Lorraine Mcneil, Gerry Genzaro, Mike Queenan and Mike Aranawitz all vote yes and John Buke votes no. "
Okiedoke.
Does this one even make sense?
We know Ralph hates Gerri and the Mikes because they don't listen to him in the adoring way that they used to before we had they kidnapped and deprogrammed. And they hate Lorraine on general principles (she's so sassy!).
But, at least make the accusations sound slightly plausible.
Like working for al Qaeda.
How about aiding and abetting the Lindburgh baby kidnapping?
Loitering, vagrancy and mopery?
Lese majeste? (Which is Ralph's real complaint.)
In point of fact, the danger of annexation would have been greater if the Brodski property had been put on the market (and you know who was lurking in the shadows to snatch it up).
And the only board member who voted to force Brodski to sell was, guess who, John Burke (or is it Buke?).
"What's a friendly annexation ? Oh I know the answer. That's when KJ petitions the town for our land and Lorraine Mcneil, Gerry Genzaro, Mike Queenan and Mike Aranawitz all vote yes and John Buke votes no. "
Okiedoke.
Does this one even make sense?
We know Ralph hates Gerri and the Mikes because they don't listen to him in the adoring way that they used to before we had they kidnapped and deprogrammed. And they hate Lorraine on general principles (she's so sassy!).
But, at least make the accusations sound slightly plausible.
Like working for al Qaeda.
How about aiding and abetting the Lindburgh baby kidnapping?
Loitering, vagrancy and mopery?
Lese majeste? (Which is Ralph's real complaint.)
In point of fact, the danger of annexation would have been greater if the Brodski property had been put on the market (and you know who was lurking in the shadows to snatch it up).
And the only board member who voted to force Brodski to sell was, guess who, John Burke (or is it Buke?).
Friday, September 08, 2006
We're Gonna Keep Doing This Until You Get It Right
Does forming a village prevent annexation?
a)
yes
b)
sorta
c)
kinda
d)
a little
e)
a)
yes
b)
sorta
c)
kinda
d)
a little
e)
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Is Swiller Getting Soft?
Nothing like a little shared outrage to bring enemies together.
For almost two years now, any public forum in Wood-bury has brought out a battle-hardened crowd of activists, divided roughly in half and pounding away at each other over the Brodsky development proposal and other matters.
Never has there been a more fractious place. But a curious thing happened last Monday. Town Hall filled up withpeople, and they were all on the same side.
Everybody wanted to quash a tax break for the soon-to-be-built Hampton Inn.
All differences were cast aside, at least for this occasion.The harmonious mood was evident as Jonathan Swiller listened thoughtfully to his sparring partner, Ralph Caruso, who stood at the lectern and administered a few lashes to theproposed tax break. And when he finished, Swiller applauded.
(Times Herald Record, Sunday, September 3, 2006)
For almost two years now, any public forum in Wood-bury has brought out a battle-hardened crowd of activists, divided roughly in half and pounding away at each other over the Brodsky development proposal and other matters.
Never has there been a more fractious place. But a curious thing happened last Monday. Town Hall filled up withpeople, and they were all on the same side.
Everybody wanted to quash a tax break for the soon-to-be-built Hampton Inn.
All differences were cast aside, at least for this occasion.The harmonious mood was evident as Jonathan Swiller listened thoughtfully to his sparring partner, Ralph Caruso, who stood at the lectern and administered a few lashes to theproposed tax break. And when he finished, Swiller applauded.
(Times Herald Record, Sunday, September 3, 2006)
Saturday, September 02, 2006
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