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I checked with the Board of Elections and that attack piece sent out on RICHard Dollinger’s behalf against Joe Robach is illegal — all political mailing must state who is paying for them.  Take a look for yourself. As we pointed out yesterday, Atlas Direct is a Long Island City (the people getting the “extra tax cut” — that Joe Morelle aka the Cat Whisperer voted for) mailhouse used by Senate Democrats.

RICHard needs to come clean on this.  He can’t get away with saying he didn’t know about it — there is no way this is sent out without his buy in.  If he claims they are sending this stuff out without his ok, how can he claim he will stand up for us?

As News 10NBC reported:

News 10 NBC took the anonymous mailer to Spencer Meredith, professor of political science at R.I.T. He said, “Setting this aside, this specific message here. Is it ethical to blame one person or one party for something that received support across parties and in different branches of government? Of course, it’s not ethical.

Dollinger had a reputation in the Senate of being a blowhard who was real good at giving speeches and accomplishing little — sounds a little like his tenure as Democratic Party Chair.

Liz Benjamin says that RICHard is having a press conference today to re-announce that Joe Morelle is supporting him — even after the negative Robach mailing that the Republicans could copy and use against Morelle (even if it is untrue). Let’s hope the local media asks the tough questions RICHard needs to answer! 

Tags: Articles, Cincinnatus, Joe Morelle, Richard Dollinger by Cincinnatus
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Hats of to Channel 10.  They did a story on anonymous mailing sent out on Dollinger’s behalf attacking Joe Robach and one for who ever is running against Jim Alesi for voting for the same budget that Dollinger’s political patrons David Paterson and Joe Morelle voted for.

There was no return address on it — I think this is illegal.  The bulk permit said Atlas Direct Mail a mailhouse used by state Senate Democrats.  Take a look at this expense report I found on the state BOE website.  Atlas was used by Democratic Senator Craig Johnson in that special election to replace Mike Balboni — the first and only rat to jump at former Governor Steamroller’s offer of a job to try to buy the senate.  Ironically, Atlas Direct Mail is housed in Long Island — the very place they say Robach gave tax cuts to — how’s that for nerve?

Channel 10 went to an RIT Political Science professor and here’s what he said:

News 10 NBC took the anonymous mailer to Spencer Meredith, professor of political science at R.I.T. He said, “Setting this aside, this specific message here. Is it ethical to blame one person or one party for something that received support across parties and in different branches of government? Of course, it’s not ethical.

Wait, Dollinger do something unethical?  I thought he was the great reformer?

The local media really needs to ask Dollinger about this.  He can’t claim a lack of knowledge.  If he does, it shows the political bosses are calling the shots.  If they are doing this during his campaign, what would it be like if he were to win?

And what about Joe Morelle, David Gantt and Susan John?  They voted for the same budget Robach did — why not criticize them?

Dare I point out that this all makes RICHard look like a hypocrite.  This reminds me of former Governor Spiter’s conduct.  Claim you are a reformer when you can’t even play by the notoriously lax rules of Albany!  Nice going.

This should give Sandy Frankel even more to think about!

Tags: Articles, Cincinnatus, David Gantt, Jim Alesi, Joe Morelle, Joe Robach, Richard Dollinger, Sandy Frankel, Susan John by Cincinnatus
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It has been said that leading Democrats is like herding cats.  I’ve never tried it, but it certainly makes sense — just look at the Presidential primary.  If that is the case, when you look at the handiwork of Democratic Party Chairman Joe Morelle in delivering his party’s nomination to a flawed candidate — RICHard Dollinger, the only conclusion is that Morelle is the ultimate cat whisperer (insert cat for horse in definition).

The Democrat and Chronicle had a piece Wednesday announcing that RICHard Dollinger has secured the Democratic nomination to run against Senator Joe Robach.  According to the D&C:

Dollinger received more weighted votes than the other two Democrats who were seeking the endorsement in committee caucuses held throughout the district, according to Sean Hart, communications director for the Monroe County Democratic Committee.

We at Monroerising.com have been very outspoken about the candidacy of RICHard Dollinger.  I have felt all along that Dollinger wasn’t really interested in the Senate.  The fact that he quit the Senate, took time off, then ran for Democratic Party Chair — gave a great speech and quit that a month later to run for Brighton Town Judge so he could quit that to run for Senate just doesn’t make sense.  I gave rank and file Democrats credit enough to recognize RICHard as a pompous, self serving hypocrite, who really only cares about what is good for him. Even liberals would see this, right?

Even after Mr. Peabody predicted that Chairman Morelle’s support would put RICHard over the top, I disagreed. But you have to give Morelle his due.  Based on what I’ve seen in the media, Frankel took the Brighton Democratic Committee and Dollinger took everything else.

Morelle’s support is the only thing that can explain this strong showing by Dollinger.  It will be interesting to see what happens now.  Sandy Frankel must be weighing her options.  She did well considering the deck was stacked against her.  The big question is whether Morelle’s support would have the same results if she were to take it to a primary.

To use your influence to deliver the votes of a couple hundred of the Democratic faithful is very impressive.  But I doubt even the ultimate cat whisperer could help Dollinger win a fair fight with Democratic primary voters.  Mrs. Frankel has a lot to think about! 

Tags: Articles, Cincinnatus, Joe Morelle, Joe Robach, Richard Dollinger, Sandy Frankel by Cincinnatus
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The D&C is reporting that the Appellate Division’s Fourth Department found in favor of the Monroe County School Board Association’s lawsuit it brought against the County’s FAIR Plan.  As you know, the intention of the FAIR Plan was to utilize collected sales tax revenues to pay for Monroe County’s increasing Medicaid costs prior to distributing the remaining funding the County shares with local school districts across Monroe County, except for the Rochester City School District, which would not have been impacted by the move. 

The County chose this course of action to pay for mandated welfare costs instead of increasing property taxes on homeowners.  But the Rochester Democratic Assembly Delegation (David Gantt, Susan John, David Koon & Joe Morelle) made it clear they would not allow Monroe County to raise its sales tax a penny to pay these costs.  Their resistance was meant to force Monroe County to raise property taxes on us homeowners instead.

Well, if the local Assembly Dems and democrats in the County Legislature have their way, we property taxpayers will foot the bill for these increased welfare costs.  I don’t know about you, but as a member of middle class I just can’t take another hit.  At least with the sales tax I could control my purchases.  Will my school district retract their huge proposed tax increase now that they don’t need the money?  Doubt it.  They’ll find another reason to need it “for the kids.”

Monroe County says it will appeal.  I hope to God they do or New York is losing two more people who are among the decreasing number helping to foot the bill.

Tags: Articles, David Gantt, David Koon, Democrat and Chronicle, Joe Morelle, Maggie Brooks, Mr. Peabody, Susan John by Mr. Peabody
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Rachel Barnhart had a great story a couple of nights ago complete with comments on 13 WHAM’s reporters blog about the Paetec Park debacle.  She played up the campaign contribution aspect of the issue. 

Senator Mike Nozzolio was the main force behind this project.  When the stadium was built he was one of the most powerful men in Albany. Beside Nozzolio receiving the lion’s share of cash — and the fact he declined an on camera interview (a first for any elected official I know), I found it most interesting that David Koon and Susan John received $700 and $650 respectively. It speaks volumes about their clout in Albany — nice job guys!

From Rachel’s blog:

If you’re curious about who got what from the Rhinos and DuRoss (the vast majority of these funds coming from DuRoss), take a look below. The time period covers 2000 to 2007.

• State Senator Mike Nozzolio (R), $36,275
• Assemblyman Joseph Morelle (D) $4,450
• State Senator James Alesi (R), $3,600
• State Senator George Maziarz (R), $3,500
• Assemblyman David Gantt (D), $3,050 (The Rhinos hired a lobbyist with ties to Gantt, but Gantt has denied any quid pro quo.)
• State Senator Joseph Robach (R), $1,550 (Some of this money was donated when he was a Democratic assemblyman.)
• Assemblyman David Koon (D), $700
• Assemblywoman Susan John (D), $625
• Assemblyman Bill Reilich (R), $200
• Assemblyman Brian Kolb (R), $200

Tags: Articles, Cincinnatus, David Gantt, David Koon, Jim Alesi, Joe Morelle, Joe Robach, New York State by Cincinnatus
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I meant to write something earlier this week about David Gantt’s continued thuggery — refusing to meet with the top elected official in Monroe County government  — Maggie Brooks, about Renaissance Square. You will remember, the good Assemblyman is upset because it appears as though the county legislature isn’t going to buckle like everyone in the Democratic Party does to Gantt’s ranting and ravings regarding the appointment of a new public defender.

There were two articles in the D&C about how the Assembly Democrats refused to meet with Brooks when she was in Albany this week. Evidently, things haven’t changed much since Day 1. 

The go along to get along culture still thrives in Albany.  Because Boss Gantt refused to meet with the County Executive, Joe Morelle and the other Democratic members were obligated to march in lockstep with Boss Gantt and snub her.

I was shocked when I read today’s article about how Morelle stuck it to Brooks and spent money allocated for Renaissance Square.  The fact that Morelle put politics ahead of what’s good for the community wasn’t surprising — what was surprising was that Morelle bucked Gantt and evidently violated Boss Gantt’s edict.

According to Morelle, there are still no firm plans on Renaissance Square. Meanwhile, other groups have pressing needs for theater space, he said.

He said he told Brooks, “I’m sitting here now looking at a number of projects to fund in the future, and you have a project you want, but there are some problems with it.”

I’m sure something is out of context here — it says Morelle talked to Maggie Brooks.  Joe Morelle knows better than anyone else what happens when David Gantt doesn’t get his way. 

Harry Bronson certainly does — remember when he signed off on the public defender selection process only to put his tail between his legs and change his position when Boss Gantt told him to?  We at Monroerising.com do.

Legislature Minority Leader Harry Bronson, D-Rochester, said the committee is capable of producing a list of qualified candidates without concern for political affiliation. (Click to see entire article)

 Morelle better call the D&C for a correction. I’d hate to see David Gantt show up at his office with his “associates” and cause a ruckus like they did at that County Legislature meeting a couple of weeks ago.

Tags: Cincinnatus, David Gantt, Democrat and Chronicle, Joe Morelle, Maggie Brooks, Monroe County Public Defender by Cincinnatus
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