Sabo calls for Full Disclosure of Illegal Fundraiser Contributions

Greenbush Party candidate Josh Sabo called on his opponent to immediately disclose any and all contributions of $100.00 or more made to him and his blank check development running mates Louis Desso and Al Spain as a result of a fund raiser illegally held on October 24th at the Troy Elks Lodge.

Mr. Evers has taken an oath of office to uphold the laws of the State of New York, including Election Laws including timely disclosure. He has ignored his sworn obligation, stated Sabo.

Sabo noted that first Evers solicited the funds without registering his fundraising committee dubbed “Bringing North Greenbush Together” with the State Board of Elections as required by law. It appears those funds were immediately used to purchase large signs placed throughout the town. After receiving stinging criticism for his actions and a complaint filed with State election officials, Evers registered the PAC yesterday but has refused to file a Financial Disclosure listing contributors due October 26th. He even used a town employee, his personal secretary, to act as Treasurer and receiver of the funds, using her home address on his letter of solicitation.

Financial Disclosure Laws protect the public by ensuring they vote with the knowledge of those who are financing the campaigns. Mark Evers and his blank check development slate continue to hide the source of their money which has now manifested itself with large and expensive color road signs that were personally put up by the prime contractor in Water District 14, JR Casale endorsing his hand picked slate. Every time town residents drive by these signs, they should realize they were placed there as a result of unlawful activity. If the Casale slate wins, Sabo expressed his fear that town government may become more responsive to hidden campaign contributors than the public interests.

Greenbush Party candidates have not accepted any funds from developers and contractors, stated Sabo. Our contributions were listed online as required by law and come from private citizens. Sabo also repeated support for an Ethics Law that would prohibit North Greenbush from having business dealings with party officers and the companies which employ them.

NORTH GREENBUSH SUPERVISOR'S 2008 BUDGET A FRAUD

The North Greenbush Town Budget submitted by Supervisor Mark Evers appears on its face to be balanced and he boasts that his budget will provide residents a slight tax decrease as he campaigns for reelection. "The entire budget is a fraud." stated Joshua Sabo, "2006 was a fiscal disaster for the Town under the leadership of Evers. At last week's Town Board meeting Evers indicated the report would show a deficit in excess of $330,000.00."

"Last week the Supervisor justified the fact that his budget shows a starting fund balance of zero instead of being in the red by hundreds of thousands of dollars by claiming that he took fund balance surpluses that our water and sewer districts had in 2002-2005 to balance the budget." "In my role as Town Attorney, I contacted the State Comptroller's office to see whether such a move is legal", continued Sabo, "It is absolutely illegal and never happened. The reality is that the Town is faced with a huge deficit for 2008 that must be erased. Given the Supervisor's budget, each taxpayer is faced with approximately a 35% tax increase to bring it into balance."

"The Supervisor's budget is an illegal and improper attempt to bolster his reelection efforts by hiding the fact that providing jobs and favors to his political supporters will result in a huge tax increase to the residents of the Town", concluded Sabo.

There is a public hearing on the 2008 budget tonight at 6:30 p.m.. The public is encouraged to attend.

Greenbush Party Candidates Call Fund Raiser Unlawful

The candidates for town office on the Greenbush Party, ROW F, in this November’s election, are demanding Town Supervisor Mark Evers and his running mates, Louis Desso and Al Spain return the illegal campaign contributions they received last night at a fundraiser held at the Troy Elks Club.

Referencing a fund raising letter the candidates sent using the Supervisor’s secretary as an illegal conduit for sending contributions by mail, Supervisor candidate Josh Sabo affirmed that these candidates failed to register their committee dubbed “Bringing North Greenbush Together”, with the Board of Elections as required by State Election Law. "These acts are part of a pattern and practice of illegally hiding from public view the money and donors these candidates have solicited on their behalf."

Council Candidates Wes Marshall and Josephine Ashworth agreed noting that the rules to protect the public from illegal campaign contribution are being ignored by these candidates. They stated their belief that the bulk of their financial support is coming from developers and contractors with much likely coming from the Supervisor’s political benefactor, the Conservative Chairman, Michael Casale, whose company is seeking more money for its overspent contract in Water District 14.

The candidates called on the Rensselaer County District Attorney to enforce this serious breach of State Election Law noting that there exists the potential for fraud on a substantial scale as a result of this conduct. They also called on their opponents to refund all money unlawfully received at this event and to make public the names of all donors in excess of $100
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Greenbush Party Support Stronger Ethics Law

The candidates for town office on the Greenbush Party, ROW F, in this November’s election, announced their support for a stronger Town Ethics Law that addresses dual concerns arising from the current experience our town government is experiencing.

While our current law prevents party chairmen from being paid a salary from town funds, it does not prevent them from doing business with the town. As such their ability to endorse candidates for town board and influence public policy public should be regulated to avoid the appearance that policy decisions are in any way a reflection of a desire to curry favor with elected officials to further the business interests of a political party officer.

Accordingly we support a provision to the Ethics Law that would state that the Town of North Greenbush shall have no business dealings with any political party officer or company which employs that officer. We point to the current situation involving Casale Excavating which has immersed itself in town politics and has managed to get Michael Casale installed as Chairman of the Conservative Committee.

They have endorsed their Vice Chairman Louis Desso for Town Board and have made a deal with the Chairs of the other 3 major parties to endorse the same slate of candidates and take charge of the town board which is responsible for administering an overspent and unfinished water district contract, now $740,000 over budget and counting. No contractor should not be permitted to nominate candidates to a town board and municipality with which he has millions of dollars in business contracts.

Secondly, the candidates announce support for an Ethics Law provision that would protect elected public offices from undue influence and conflicts of interest arising from holding elected positions in a party committee. The candidates support an addition to the current law that would protect public elected offices from such conflicts of interest by preventing any elected town officer from serving as a member of a political committee.

Dennis Bonesteel, running for Receiver of Taxes stated, “We believe it creates an inappropriate appearance for residents to be paying their tax bills to the Treasurer of a political party because he has chosen to wear two hats. It is time those wishing to serve the town in an elected office chose between holding the elected office or holding a committee seat which allows them to serve as a party officer such as Treasurer.” The current Receiver of Taxes is the Treasurer of the Democratic Party.

Jan Liberty, Candidate for Town Clerk agreed, stating that every elected office should be protected from such appearances that diminish public confidence or perception in that office. “We should not be paying licensing fees for marriages, etc or seeking any other service from the Secretary of a political party or a committee member of a political party”, stated Liberty. The current Town Clerk is the Secretary of the Democratic Party.

We believe these changes will protect the integrity of Town elected offices while protecting taxpayers from appearances of undue influence that have arisen under the current situation. Sabo, Marshall and Ashworth would support these changes to the ethics law and urge the current board to consider them.

THANKYOU!

From all of the candidates running to represent your interests and not those of the 4 party bosses, we extend our sincere thanks to everyone who made our first fundraiser a huge sucess! Special thanks as well to Mike Moscatiello and his outstanding staff for all their attention and outstanding service throughout the evening. Hey, whose that waiter who plays guitar? Get discovered!

Greenbush Party Candidates Ask Supervisor to Disclose Referendum Status

The candidates for town office on the Greenbush Party, ROW F, in this November’s election, are asking the Town Supervisor to explain what actions he has taken to insure that a public referendum ordered by the town board and required by law for October 16th takes place as scheduled. The referendum, sponsored by the Supervisor would, if passed, permit the town to borrow another $830,000 to pay for the mismanaged overspent contract in Water District 14 and force the entire town to pay for it.

“Earlier this week, we announced our opposition to the Evers sponsored resolution because it is a disgraceful attempt to patronize his Conservative Party Chairman’s company which holds the contract now $740,000 overspent and unfinished”, stated the candidates. They noted that the district remains unfinished and that the Supervisor has failed to come forward with any other alternative method to complete the district other than his town wide bonding proposal ordered for a public vote on October 16th.

Supervisor candidate Josh Sabo, who is the town’s attorney, stated that the Supervisor has not once asked for any assistance in preparing for the vote. “He runs the town in a complete vacuum from the rest of the board and the legal staff”, stated Sabo. “It is incredible that with a vote scheduled in just 12 days, that not one official word has come from the Supervisor on either the status of the vote or his intention to prevent it by not doing what is required to hold it”, stated the candidates.

Despite the fact that town law requires that this vote take place pursuant to the process of Permissive Referendum, it appears the Supervisor has failed to take any steps to comply with the law and allow the public their right to vote on the referendum, stated Josephine Ashworth and Wes Marshall, candidates for Town Council.

We believe this may be a deliberate failure to obey the law and sabotage the referendum to protect Conservative benefactors and allies in Casale Excavating from a decisive defeat at the hands of the North Greenbush voters, concluded the candidates.

Note:The Record filed a story today on this issue.You may read it here.

Candidates oppose Evers Bailout of Conservative Contractor

Candidates of the Greenbush Party seeking seats on the North Greenbush Town Council today announced their opposition to Conservative Supervisor Mark Evers referendum to bailout his political benefactors in the Conservative Party who hold the overspent contract in Water District 14.

Board candidates Charles “Wes” Marshall and Josephine Ashworth noted that the district is overspent some $740,000 over the stipulated contract price without required change orders.
“On Evers watch as the town’s chief fiscal officer, this contract was allowed to be overspent by $740,000 and the last $83,000 of that amount came in a check the Supervisor issued last December without required town board approval”, stated the candidates. They noted a decision is pending in the Appellate Division of State Supreme Court which seeks the Supervisor’s removal from office for the illegal disbursement.

This referendum which Evers sponsored attempts to force all town residents to pay for the illegal overspending in WD 14. It in effect attempts to transfer the bills paid and pending in WD 14 to a town wide water district so that everyone in North Greenbush pays for the mismanagement, stated Marshall and Ashworth. They challenged their opponents to take a stand on this important issue and noted that Louis Desso is Michael Casale’s Vice Chairman on the Conservative Committee and that Al Spain is Chairman Spain’s brother on the Democratic Committee both of whom apparently support the referendum.

Supervisor candidate Joshua Sabo, noted that more than 200 town residents signed a petition to force the question to a public referendum which was ordered to take place on October 16th town wide and the Town must have a referendum or be in violation of New York State law.

The candidates noted that there has been very little publicity on this Public Referendum which has been ordered by a vote of the town board as required by statute. It takes place Tuesday October 16th with the times to be announced. It is a Town Wide vote in which every deed holder in North Greenbush is entitled to vote on the borrowing question.

Greenbush Party Holds Fundraiser

The newly formed Greenbush Party invites all to join us in support of candidates who are offering the voters of North Greenbush their only choice in this year’s important town election. Party Bosses have placed the same set of candidates on all four party ballot lines in an effort to make the November election meaningless. Thanks to a grassroots effort by more than 500 town residents, voters will have a choice!

Meet the candidates who cut across all party lines and have pledged to represent you and not the party bosses who are planning to take over our town. The event will be held Monday October 15th from 7 to 9 PM at Moscatiello’s Restaurant on RT 4.

Cost is $35.00 per person, $50,00 per couple. Tickets are available at the door or you may RSVP by sending your check to Greenbush Party, Box 585, Wynantskill, N.Y. 12198. Details at our website greenbushparty.blogspot.com.

Submitted by,
Mike Angelo
Greenbush Party
286-3488

Greenbush Party Formed in North Greenbush

Today, petitions, with over 500 signatures, double the number required, were presented to the Board of Elections on behalf of a new political party called “GREENBUSH PARTY”. A cross-section of people from the three communities of North Greenbush; Wynantskill, DeFreestville, and Snyder’s Lake, make up the new party. It grew out of an overwhelming concern that 4 parties are endorsing the same 3 major candidates. The primary mission of Greenbush Party is to insure choice at the ballot box in November.
This citizens’ coalition puts people before politics. It operates by consensus with no single individual or faction dictating its policies or actions. It dedicates itself to Lincoln’s premise of ‘…Government of the People, By the People and For the People….’ Greenbush Party gives voters a choice by endorsing a group of individuals who cut across usual party lines. They have dedicated themselves to act independently, to represent all parts of Town equally and to be advocates of:
1. GROWTH – Intelligent, responsive growth and development
2. RESPONSIBILITY - Receptiveness to the needs of all Town residents.
3. INTEGRITY - Honesty in the performance of official duties
4. TRUST – Ethical use of the public's trust
Greenbush Party endorses: Josh Sabo (Democrat), Town Supervisor; Josephine Ashworth (Democrat), Town Council; Charles 'Wes' Marshall (Republican), Town Council; Andrew Ceresia (Democrat), Town Justice; Mark Premo (Conservative), Highway Superintendent; Dennis Bonesteel (Unaffiliated), Receiver of Taxes; and Janice Liberty (Conservative), Town Clerk.
These candidates have pledged to place partisan politics aside and build a broad-based consensus which will insure professionalism, responsiveness and integrity in town government. With this filing an important and historic chapter in North Greenbush is about to be written. All of Greenbush Party’s current members look forward to serving the common public interest and invite our neighbors and fellow-citizens to join us. Contact us at greenbushparty@gmail.com and visit our website at greenbushparty.blogspot.com.

The Candidates

Josh Sabo Town Supervisor (D)

Like most residents, I am unhappy with what is happening in North Greenbush. The political attacks and counterattacks are embarrassing. The Town Board can not seem to function. How many people are embarrassed to say that they live in North Greenbush because of politics? How many more are tired of reading about the fighting in the newspapers?

I know there is an overwhelming feeling that something is seriously wrong with the government and politics in Town and that many people are feeling a sense of despair that anything can be done about it. Those of us who have lived in North Greenbush for a long time know that there have always been unsavory characters involved in politics, but for a long time we could count on Supervisors like Bill Dedrick and Jim Flanigan to provide hard working honest leadership for the Town no matter what else was occurring politically. The Town has not had that kind of leadership in a long time and we miss it.

Once it became clear that political insiders were working together to provide the incumbent Supervisor with a 'free ride' to re-election by handing him the nomination on every party line, many people asked me whether I would run for Supervisor. I always hesitated because running for public office in North Greenbush subjects you to personal attacks. There are many people involved in politics here who want to destroy their rivals so badly they will do and say almost anything to make them look bad. My kids are 9, 7 and 6. The older ones can read the Advertiser and will be able to read the lies that politicians will say about me because I am running for office, but I am going to run any way. The final straw was when my friend Mark Premo asked me to run so that I could do for Town Hall what he has done for the Highway Department.

I have one overriding goal for the Town – to become boring again. Not boring because nothing is happening, but because problems don't become a crisis that is worthy of newspaper coverage, because the Supervisor isn't making personal attacks on others, because all parts of the Town feel that they have a voice that will be heard and responded to. The Democratic Caucus will be Wednesday September 5th at the Elk's on RT 4. I encourage all registered Democrats in North Greenbush to come to the caucus and vote for the Democrat in the race for Supervisor.

Josephine Ashworth Town Council (D)

My name is Josephine Ashworth and I am running for North Greenbush Town Board. During the eighteen years I have lived in North Greenbush, I have watched many changes happen in our town. Much of that change has resulted from development. This has caused division in our community.

Recently,I see another real threat to our community that could have a lasting impact for generations to come. We are witnessing the take over of our political process by a group of people determined to take away choice in November. They have put forward the same candidates in the local Republican, Conservative and Independence party lines. They plan to have them endorsed on the Democratic line as well. As a member of the Democratic Committee, I, along with Highway Superintendent Mark Premo and others, will step forward and challenge their slate of candidates. If Democrats attend the Caucus and vote for our slate, we can join in opposing those who want to take away our democratic process and right to determine our future.

I am new to the political arena, but bring with me administrative, leadership and mediation skills that will stand me in good stead on the Town Board. Most importantly I bring a passion to see that our town's development is in line with our community's wishes and is carried out in a way that enhances our quality of life.

I believe that the Comprehensive Plan should guide our community. We should support smart growth and be thoughtful as to what constitutes smart growth. We should be aware of what generates taxes for our community and realize that projects that receive a multitude of tax breaks are not the answer to increasing our tax base. We should be responsive to the needs of all the community. We should work to make us one community with common goals.

I grew up in Albany and graduated from Cornell University. When I came back to the Capital District, I worked for the State and then owned a consulting nd leadership training business. My husband, Chip, and I have a blended family of four children and seven grandchildren.

With great pride, I have received endorsement from the new Greenbush Party and the Working Families Party. Remember, when November comes, you will have a choice. By voting for me and our slate, you are saying: I care about having a choice, I care about our town, I care about promoting smart growth that preserves the values of my community.

Charles W. Marshall Town Council (R)

My name is Wes Marshall and I am running for North Greenbush Town Council in the Republican Primary on Tuesday September 18th. I have also received the endorsement of the newly formed Greenbush Party.
I am a lifelong resident of Rensselaer County and together with my wife Debbie have been a resident of North Greenbush over seventeen years. We have two sons Jason and Ryan. Graduating from both HVCC (1980) and the State University College at Buffalo (1982) my education and early employment concentrations were Public Safety and Emergency Services. I am a former volunteer Firefighter, EMT/Instructor and municipal Police Officer. Currently I am the General Manager for RegUSA Services, a national motor vehicle title and registration service center. I presently serve on the North Greenbush Comprehensive Planning Committee.

I am campaigning for a Town Council seat for three important reasons. First, I fully support the need to complete and maintain a Comprehensive Plan for our Town. I support smart development that will not negatively impact our tax base, public safety, public works or school systems. I fully support the implementation of the I-90 phase II development project, not the widening of Route 4. A Wolf Road design along Route 4 would negatively impact the area and repeat the poor planning of the Brunswick Route 7 corridor. The Rensselaer Technology Park is the epicenter of our growth and I support development that would compliment that growth.

The second issue is support for a comprehensive review and revision of our town ethics code. Taxpayers are watching, and disapprove of unethical business practices. We need to maintain responsible stewardship of the public’s trust by following sound fiscal practices and working well within established budgeting guidelines. This is an issue, which divides our community and impedes public trust in our local government.

My final issue is a pledge to each of you is to be receptive to the needs and views of all Town residents. I will work to improve our quality of life and the financial health of our town. Higher taxes are not the in the best interest of our citizens. Fiscal responsibility and smart growth will lead us down the path of a more prosperous future.

Democracy is about choice, Thank You for your consideration of my candidacy.

On September 18th Please Vote for Charles “Wes” Marshall, Registered Republican.


Dennis Bonesteel Receiver of Taxes (Blank)

Dennis Bonesteel of Thomas Drive in Wynantskill has announced his candidacy for Receiver of Taxes for the Town of North Greenbush. Bonesteel is 48 years old and was born and raised in North Greenbush. He is married to Kerry Bonesteel and has two sons, Garry-Paul and Jason, both of whom are attending SUNY Colleges.

Dennis was recently endorsed by a new political party called the Greenbush Party, which was largely responsible for his decision to seek this service oriented office. “I was concerned that political leaders in North Greenbush were attempting to deny voters a choice by attempting to endorse the same candidates for several key positions including Supervisor and Highway Superintendent. As Receiver of Taxes, I will apply the same service oriented skills I use caring for my customers as a Territory Manager for NAPA for over 27 years and keep partisan politics out of this office.”

Bonesteel noted that he is not registered in any political party and that the duties of the office he seeks cannot be allowed to let politics interfere with public service. When you need information from the Receiver of Taxes, you are neither Democrat nor Republican, you are a taxpayer with a concern, stated Bonesteel. As such, I will seek the Democratic Party nomination at their caucus along with Mark Premo, our town’s outstanding Highway Superintendent, who is feeling the wrath of some party leaders who want to inject partisan politics into his important elective office. The Democratic Caucus is Wednesday September 5th 7PM at the Troy Elks, RT 4 N. Greenbush.

I am especially grateful to my wife whose encouragement to take this step for the good of our community was instrumental in my decision. Kerry serves on the town’s Comprehensive Plan Committee, which has dedicated hundreds of hours gathering community input for a town wide master plan for our future growth and development. This Committee of volunteers will help determine our town’s future and hopefully improve our tax base and quality of life using smart growth supported by our neighborhoods.

I look forward to the campaign ahead and to meeting with my neighbors as we work for a better North Greenbush and one that brings pride back to our government.

Mark Premo Highway Superintendent (C)

Mark Premo, North Greenbush Highway Superintendent for the past 4 years, has announced his candidacy to seek re-election to another 2 year term. Premo stated that much has been accomplished during the past two terms to improve services, build morale and streamline department operations.

The Highway Committee which consists of volunteers who donate their time to setting goals for this department have done much to provide citizen input and support for the changes needed to give the best service possible to town residents. I am especially pleased with the 5 year plan the Committee is putting together to help us identify and plan for the department’s needs in the face of increasing development and the demands this makes on personnel, equipment and services.

Premo noted that the greatest challenge he faces comes from ever increasing efforts to politicize the Highway Department. The new Democratic leader Jeff Spain, insisted that I denounce his political adversaries as a condition for his endorsement and the Conservative leader Mr. Casale, has allied himself with the Democrats and County Republicans to keep me off the ballot. They have endorsed a developer as their candidate and have even gone so far as to get a 19 year old, with no experience and no commercial drivers license, to oppose me in a Working Families Primary.

I believe their ultimate goal is to attempt to abolish the elective office of Highway Superintendent and to make the Department a tool of the town board by appointing a political patronage person to run the department. I will oppose this effort just as the voters of North Greenbush did in two separate referendums aimed at abolishing the elective office of Highway Superintendent. The people, and not the political bosses, should be able to hire and fire the highway superintendent based on performance.

I am proud to have received the endorsement of the Working Families Party and the new Greenbush Party which was formed by citizens who are fed up with the divisive and destructive political climate in town hall. This effort to get total control of town government saw the leaders of the 4 major parties make a deal in which the same candidates were being endorsed for Supervisor, a town board seat and Highway Superintendent. If successful, voters would have no choice in November and the bosses, thru this deal, would decide who ran the town, instead of the voters.

Next week, I will seek the nomination by the Democratic Party at their Caucus, Sept 5th at 7PM at the Elks Lodge. I will not accept the endorsement of Democratic Chairman Jeff Spain or those few Democrats who are backing his effort to surrender his party nomination to the County Republican Party and their nominees. Because I have such strong roots with the Democratic Party and because Mr. Casale, the Conservative Chairman is using his party control to benefit his business interests with the water district contracts, I have left the Conservative Party and enrolled once again as a Democrat.

I have received the endorsement of the Rensselaer County Democratic Chairman, Thomas Wade and felt the enormous support of the County Democratic Committee at a recent meeting I attended in Troy. At this meeting I witnessed a 133 to 20 vote of the committee which ensured a caucus in North Greenbush.
I know that Mr. Spain and his group of supporters do not reflect the feelings and wishes of the vast majority of Democrats either in North Greenbush or Rensselaer County. I will continue to do a great job as Highway Superintendent and serve all citizens regardless of party affiliations. In so doing, I will continue to be a positive reflection on town government and the party I call my own.

Janice Liberty Town Clerk (C)


Jan Liberty, who lives in the Wynantskill area of North Greenbush has announced her candidacy for the office of North Greenbush Town Clerk. “I am honored to accept the nomination from the newly formed Greenbush Party. It is my hope that through this party we can restore honesty and non-partisanship to our local government. We need and want a town government that makes town residents proud to live here and I hope to play a role in that process as Town Clerk”.

There is no room for the backdoor politics that have become all too familiar with our Town and the way it is run. I believe the Greenbush Party can restore a CHOICE to all who believe they have NO alternative.
I have spent most of my life in this Town. I chose to raise my family here. It is not only my heritage but my legacy to my children. I have dedicated myself to the enhancement of the Youth Programs by being a longtime member and past Chairperson of the Youth Advisory Board, DARE Committee and various
other youth oriented groups. My husband Mike serves on the Town’s Comprehensive Plan Committee and is helping guide our community to a bright future where smart growth will govern development decisions. I am committed to this work and oppose the political interference that has been injected into the process by the Supervisor’s office.

The time is now to stand up and say "I want to make our community proud of town government". We need to unite the town against the partisan politics and divisiveness that has gripped town hall. I am also proud to run with a bipartisan slate of candidates representing several political party affiliations, all of whom will work together for the good of our town. Their only desire is to restore faith and honesty in the town we ALL call home.

I am especially proud to run with and support Mark Premo, our outstanding Highway Superintendent. Mark has done a great job for our town and I am proud to be running with him.

As Town Clerk, I intend to keep politics out of this office and put service to our residents as the only priority of this office. I look forward to a vigorous campaign and extend my sincere thanks to the more than 500 town residents from all political parties who signed my petitions for Town Clerk to put people before politics.