Kearney To Retire from Hempsted Counsil

[GOP Bill]

Who do you want to see in the place of Kearney on the Town Board?

[Too easy]

A Democrat with a pulse, who knows that you can't pay secretaries 98k a year, and call yourself fiscally responsible.

[martys]

According to all sources, it's the man himself, Ed Ambrosino.

[Mr Ed]

I think Alan Skorski should take Kearny's place. I think the GOP should run someone that is Jewish. Good luck Alan Skorski! Your time has come, dont blow it this time!

[Curious Indy]

Why can't this guy finish out his term this year before retiring? Then, we can have a competitive, OPEN-SEAT election (gasp!) for the town board seat, rather than having an appointed "incumbent" gaining all the (undeserved) advantages of incumbency without having to bear the costs of obtaining the incumbency (i.e. getting elected first) by running against a relatve unknown.

Thank goodness State Assemblyman Steve Levy is proposing a law to require special elections for vacated town board and supervisor seats, the same way they are filled at the congressional, state legislative, and county legislative levels. I hope it passes, and quickly, so the TOH GOP can stop this arrogant practice of rigging and abusing the process to perpetuate its control of the town government.
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[Ideas]

So the law allows an appointment, and it needs to be changed in Albany. So the TOH, as well as N. Hemp last year, are following the law.

The gripe is with the legislature in Albany.

Why is it everyone says the GOP arrogance on appointments in the TOPH and they say nothing about N. Hemp, until someone points it out? Could it be partisan....nah.


Anyway, don't bitch to the town, bitch to Albany. Until then, they are following the law.

[Curious Indy]

The GOP does this incumbency-by-appointment thing all the time. In TNH it is not done all the time. In TOH it is the rule, not the exception. In TNH and TOB it is the other way around.

Just look at Town Supervisors in TNH, TOH, and TOB in the last dozen years or so. In TNH, Ben Swirn beat a Republican incumbent in 1989. He finished his term and there was an open-seat election in 1993 when Zwirn ran for County Executive. In TOB, Lew Yevoli beat a Republican incumbent in 1991 and there was an open-seat election in 1997 when Yevoli ran for County Executive.

However, in TOH, nothing like this has happened over the same time period. In 1993, Joe Mondello "retired" from his TOH Presiding Supervisor post to take the OTB job. Supervisor Greg Peterson was "appointed" to TOH Presiding Supervisor and was able to run as an "incumbent" in that November's elections. Same for Rich Guardino, then a TOH Board member who was "appointed" to Supervisor and an unknown (Curtis Fisher?) who was "appointed" to a TOH Board seat.

In early 1998, just days (or perhaps minutes?) after Greg Peterson was sworn in after winning a re-election in 1997, another round of musical chairs "incumbency-by-appointment" occurred. Once again, it was Mondello who initiated this. He retired from the OTB position and Peterson resigned from TOH Supervisor to take the OTB job. Guardino, who had been demoted back to the Town Board when his old position was eliminated following the creation of the Nassau County Legislature, was again "appointed" to the Supervisor position. Linda Reed was "appointed" to the Town Board. Why can't these voluntary resignations ever take place just before a November election so the voters can choose from two NON-INCUMBENTS who will replace the outgoing officeholder? (Now we see appointed incumbent Kate Murray's face all over the airwaves, at taxpayer's expense, promoting some TOH program, and herself, of course!)

And just because the law allows such appointments doesn't mean that process should be abused the way TOH does it. For example, most, if not all state governors are allowed to make temporary appointments to the U.S. Senate if a senator leaves office before his term is up. This is usually invoked when the senator dies (i.e. Paul Coverdell replaced by Zell Miller, John Chafee replaced by Lincoln Chafee, Mel Carnahan replaced by Jean Carnahan, Paul Wellstone replaced by Dean Barkley). In 2002, we had two senators (Thompson and Gramn) who did not seek re-election from states (Tennesee and Texas) where the governor was from the same party. If Joe Mondello were running either state, he would have told Gramn and Thompson to "retire early" so the governor could appoint a successor from the same party and gain the advantage of incumbency. (Sounds pretty outrageous to me.) Instead, we had two competitive elections where each candidate said what they would do for their states without either of them having an artificial advantage of being placed in the office beforehand by someone else.

It is too bad we need a law to rein in the arrogance put forth by the TOH GOP. I hope State Senator Dean Skelos, another product of the TOH GOP, doesn't try to stop it from becoming enacted. I thought after the November 1999 Nassau and TOH cleanout they would stop this awful abuse of power. Sadly, they are back to their old tricks.
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[Bill OReilly]

It is too bad we need a law to rein in the arrogance put forth by the TOH GOP. I hope State Senator Dean Skelos, another product of the TOH GOP, doesn't try to stop it from becoming enacted.

Please identify the bill(s) in either chamber that will eradicate this vile problem.
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[Curious Indy]

This was in Newsday on Friday, February 21st, 2003. Will Skelos follow Modello's wishes and bottle it up in the State Senate? I'll have to write Skelos. He reads what I write, I know for sure.

Democrats Call for Special Elections
Want to hold vote after town official resigns during term


By Joseph Mallia
STAFF WRITER

February 21, 2003


A Democrat from Suffolk and one from Nassau yesterday teamed up to announce that they will push for new state legislation to force special elections when a town supervisor or board member steps down during a term.

Assemb. Steve Levy (D-Holbrook) and Hempstead Town Board member Dorothy Goosby, a Democrat from Hempstead Village, singled out the Nassau Republican Committee, saying it has abused the political process. Levy added that "party bosses" in the Suffolk towns of Islip, Smithtown and Brookhaven have done the same. The two spoke at a news conference at Levy's Sayville office.

Goosby and Levy said Nassau Republicans repeatedly have GOP officials in Hempstead Town resign during their term. The party then appoints candidates who are approved by the town's GOP-dominated board, and then run for their first elections with the perks of an incumbent. Those perks include taxpayer-funded mailings and public appearances, the Democrats said.

"It is impossible for us to govern ourselves without the right to vote," said Goosby, the Hempstead board's lone Democrat, who said her Republican colleagues deprive voters of their electoral rights. "Democracy means we all have the right to vote."

The two Democrats said it was a long-term pattern and cited a recent case in point: the Jan. 28 midterm resignation of Hempstead Supervisor Richard Guardino. The same day, the town board approved Kate Murray, Republican Committee Chairman Joseph Mondello's nominee for the job.

"It should be the people and not the party leaders who decide who the town supervisor should be," Levy said. "It's simply wrong from a moral perspective and a good government perspective."

Mondello, however, said in a statement yesterday that the Democrats' proposal is misguided.

"Levy's headline-grabbing idea is just plain dumb. He needs a civics lesson. Political leaders don't pick public officials, town boards do," [me talking - and Mondello picks most of the town board members!] Mondello said. "His scheme would cost taxpayers millions of dollars and put the choice of town leaders into the hands of special interests that dominate low-turnout special elections. Like most Democrats, Steve Levy is always coming up with new ways to spend the taxpayer's money."

Levy said the bill, which he plans to file in the next few days, would apply only to towns with a population of 50,000 or more and would require a special election within 90 days after a town supervisor or board member resigns. He said he hopes the proposed law could come up for a vote in the Assembly by June, but noted it would compete for attention with thousands of other proposed laws. Levy said state Sen. Byron Brown (D-Buffalo) is considering whether to co-sponsor the bill.

Republican sources said it's likely that another Hempstead town official, GOP board member Joseph Kearney, of Garden City, will retire before his term is out, requiring the board to appoint a replacement.

Copyright ? 2003, Newsday, Inc.

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[Sunrise]

....Dr. Marilyn O'Grady

[O'Grady]

Levy said the bill, which he plans to file in the next few days . . .

The Democrats will have cause to complain IF:

1. Levy actually files the bill,
2. It passes out of committee.

Until then, I suggest they stop whining and deal with the laws as they are.

[Curious Indy]

stop whining.....until the law gets changed, the only ways to stop this abuse is to expose it, complain about it, write letters to the newspaper about it (which I have done, and they have been printed over the years), post messages here, tell everyone I know, and vote against the TOH Republicans, which I have done nearly 100% of the time.

Thank goodness for Steve Levy. He is, by far, my favorite local legislator. He is a "good government" guy who tries to make the election process cleaner and fairer. We need more like him in government, and less people like Joe Mondello, who only abuses the process. for his party's gain.
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[PoliticsIzLife]

That Levy/Goosby bill will not go anywhere. First off, it's nearly impossible to have an election in less than 90 days expecially in a town as large and populus as Hempstead. You have to get machines, pay poll workers, get the books from Board of Elections, hold registration for unregistered voters, get petitions. Holding an election is not as simple as it sounds. Not to mention getting candidate's and running a decent campaign. It's not happening. Plus, it would screw over both Dems & Reps throughout the state, even in North Hempstead. You also have to keep in mind, who is running the township during that period--NO ONE!!! Every county and town charter is different that most of these towns wouldn;t have an executive. Government can't stop because of this stupid bill!

As for candidates for Kearney's seat, Skorski I'm sure wants it BAD but has a slim chance of getting it. The fact that he brought his own food to the $125/plate GOP Brunch last week I'm sure doesn't sit well with people. O'Grady would be an excellent candidate--she's a classy lady and knows her stuff. Vinny Muscarella has also been tapped to take over that seat. I hear he isn't too happy with the county. Keep in mind, Kearney has yet to annouce when or even if he will be stepping down. It may not be until AFTER the elections.

[Nassau repub]

I too saw Skorski bring his own food. After speaking with some Republican higher ups I was told that it was the Party leadership who had arranged Kosher food for Skorski and other observant Jews who wanted to attend the event.

Good move by Mondello if you ask me.

[Skeptic]

If youi acknowledge that current law calls for appointment to fill vacancies, why do you complain when the law is followed? You can certainly seek to change the law, a change that would be statewide, and which all dems may not support on a statewide basis. But, don't complain when the law is followed as it currently exists. Or, if you must complain, complain about the law, not those who follow it.
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[Pollster]

I think it is an open question, in the new councilmatic era, that members of seperate districts are legally allowed to appoint to a vacancy in another district. It would be akin to Peter King and the Republican majority getting to fill a vacancy in an empty congressional seat. So, it is unlikely that there is any other way except an open election to fill a vacancy.

As to the possible success of the Goosby/Levy effort, a Senate sponsor would be helpful even if it is a Democratic sponsor, although one or two Suffolk State Senators might see it in their interests to sponsor it as well. The seeds of Democracy must be planted and an initiative put forth for progress.

As to Mondello's denunciation of the Levy bill, any attempt to deminish his power is met with swift criticism. He is on the record with statements to the Executive Committee and full GOP Committee that his "organization" is not a Democracy, but rather a Dictatorship". These are his public words. No wonder his extreme position against Democratic elections. What is a wonder is why the local GOP membership tolerate his condesending view their role in pursing the Promise of American Life.

He also cannot add too well. Administratively, a special election in the Township would cost about $100,000 - and a good manager can probably cut them down considerably by consolidating polling places. As for his diatribe against Special Interests - This is hilarious! I though his organization took pride in dominating "low turnout special elections". I guess he recognizes the deterioration under his leadership has led to a decline in confidence to win even a low turnout special election. Like I said, this is hilarious. I really can't stop laughing and hope he stays around a few more years.

Cordially,

Pollster
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[Post Man]

Pat, dont blame the GOP for being smart enough to use the succession law to our advantage, if the Dems in NH had any brains they would use it too. Keep laughing because we're here to stay and you will still be on the outside looking in. You were fired 5 years ago, move on with your life.

[Pollster]

Hey silly, I have and all is well, but thanks for thinking of me.

What sort of arrogant individual believes that participation in political life is restricted to those who play nice anyway? Same kind that thinks its' ok to end run Democracy by appointing to public office. Now be a patriotic American and duplicate at home our good President's dogged effort to bring Democracy to the people of Iraq!

But, it's you folks who are the ones moving on, well at least some of you all as the number of local public offices held by republicans has declined from 86% of all local offices when Mondello took over to just about 50% of them today.

I'd venture to guess that the alienation of many folks just like me (some of whom are working as we speak for the re-election of former Republicans now Democrats on the Legislature) - as well as the election of the former President of the Farmingdale Republican Club to the Legislature - might have avoided this nasty little internal problem you have with holding your base support together.

Perhaps you'd like a copy of a letter I just received from one of your remaining Republicans on the Legislature to prove that dissention in the ranks is not limited to "outsiders" like me.

Best of luck in your future endeavors Mr. Post Man.

Cordially and Always Yours

Pollster


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[Tomas]

Give my best to TERRY Butler.

[Pollster]

Who may I say sends their Warmest Regards from Republican Land?

Getting Back To The Point:

With so many sticky little questions regarding the legality (in addition to the proprity as well as morality) of appointing someone to a councilmatic district, I really doubt Kearney is going anywhere. But maybe CIA man has other plans.

Yours Forever,

Pollster
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[Curious Indy]

I agree the process for filling a Town Board seat should be somewhat different from a Town Supervisor seat. For Town Board seats, it can be done the same way as we do it for other legislative seats like NY Legislature, Nassau Legislature, and U.S. House. Such vacanices are quite rare and are caused mainly by deaths or getting elected to another office. I can think of only a few times in the last dozen years where the vacancy was not due to one of those two things (Pat Williams, Bruce Nyman, Ralph Marino). However, in TOH, the vacancy is usually caused by something other than death or getting elected to another office. This, and the resulting incumbency-by-appointment is the GOP arrogance and abuse of the current law which must be stopped.

To fill a vacant Town Supervisor seat, I could see an interim appointment followed by a special election within 90(?) days for a more permanent replacement. This will prevent the Acting Supervisor from being able to build a long record while maintaining the day-to-day functions of town government.

If special elections were required for Town Board vacancies, we would have very few people leaving their posts before their terms are up. The costs of having them leave early would be higher due to the added costs of special elections, and the benefits would be lower because of the loss of appointed incumbencies. Not even Mondello could get away with these shenanigans any more. Even for TOH supervisor, it isn't that big of an area. The TOH is roughly the size of a U.S. House district, and we have special elections for vacant U.S. House seats from time to time all across the country - to replace those who have died, usually.

Mondello is a walking contradiction on the issue of special elections. Last year, after Pat Williams (LD-1) resigned following his indictment, Suozzi announced that the special election to fill his seat until the November election would be on Primary Day, September 10th. Mondello claimed that this was unfair to the GOP because the Democratic Primary for governor would boost Democratic turnout. Suozzi, correctly, claimed that the polls would already be open and this would save the county money. Also, there was a rare GOP primary (nearly an oxymoron in Nassau County) for the 4th CD which included the 1st LD. If anything, Cuomo's withdrawal and the last-minute reinstatement of Frisa's opponents probably boosted GOP turnout and depressed Democratic turnout in the 1st LD's (money-saving) special election.

Mondello is not en elected official. That is, he isn't accountable to any people other than Republicans. So, why is having him "choose" Town Board members a "good" thing for TOH government? I feel bad for rank-and-file Republicans who might want to run for these seats but are not "insiders" enough with Mondello to wage a primary AND a general election.

This practice of appointed incumbency must end. Bless you, Steve Levy!
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[Curious Indy]

Joey doesn't want a special election because it costs too much and would give special interests an advantage?

Then why does he support the NH GOP's special election on council districts at a cost of $250,000.00 to the taxpayer? Why not speak out against holding it any day but election day in November? Because, for the GOP, it's about power, not good government.

Two sets of standards all to the detriment of the taxpayer. The old GOP is alive and kickin'.

Voter be warned. Watch your pocketbook!
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[no name]

The NH Republicans wanted the election on council districts LAST November, and the Board had time enough to do it, but, they really did not want to do it, and they did not think Cavallaro was serious when he said that there was another way.

Anyway, there is hypocracy in ALL parties, including the democratic Party. May Newburger was talking about council districts in NH 20 years ago, but when it came time to actually do it, well, um, that's another matter.

The thing you are overlooking is that according to state law, there is no other way to fill a vacancy other than by appointment. If you do not like it (and I would agree with you if you did not), then change the law. Conversely, state law permits the PEOPLE to force changs that their elected representatives do not want to or fail to advance.

So, in both cases, the Republicans followed the law.

So, you're comparing apples to tangerines....
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[Old Rep]

I've got it right, you're an apologist. The NH GOP could've waited until November 2003. No reason not to do so. Turnout would have been better.

While there is hypocrisy in both parties, the GOP is cornering the market recently, especially on this issue.

You're right about changing state law which is what Levy and crew proposed and Joey M spoke against. Can't let democracy get in the way of politics.

The NH GOP is just plain wrong in their timing and the taxpayer will foot the bill as usual.

[Nassau Rep]

Funny to see Dem's whining about Mondello replacing Kearney.

Dem's weren't whining when N.Jersey Supreme Court and Dem leadership illegally replaced Toricelli with Lautenberg.

[Skeptic]

These idiots should know the procedure that was followed in TOH is the procedure set forth in NY state Town Law. They'll accept an appointment for 90 days, but not for 180 days? How ludicrous.

You're right, if they don't like it they should be moaning to their state legislators to change the law.

Of course, if they don't know state law governs the filling of Town vacancies, maybe they should refrain from complaining and from voting.
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[cHANGE]

Where was pat Hoey when Doreen Banks left and was replaced by the dems? Why is he just complaining now, sounds like sour grapes again pat.
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[Independent streak]

Nothing illegal happened in NJ.

Like the GOP, the Dems hide behind the law in the Lautenberg case. Right and wrong, setting bad precedents - none of that matters.

Both parties deserve to be spanked.

And it all starts with the voters who vote blindly along party lines, don't bother to understand the issues and don't push their elected officials for better government.

It's a wonder we're still a democracy.

[Pollster]

I would venture to guess that he would oppose that one too.

Fact is, the appointment process in use today statewide for vacancies that emerge in mid-term is an unamended relic of the Progressive Era and needs to be updated to conform to the expectations of a well-educated society.

Preservation of this democratically challenged process is in the interests of only those who directly provide the appointments, or those standing in line in the hopes of getting one. NO ONE ELSE THINKS THIS IS THE WAY TO FILL PUBLIC OFFICES THESE DAYS!

Now, I would guess that Republicans who accept the Independece Party nomination in statewide contests actually agree to comprehensive reform the election laws in this and other matters. If it's the position of the Independece Party, it must the be position of those who take their nomination, right?

My guess is that person you mention is no hypocrite, but rather the real thing when it comes to comprehensive election law reform!

Making the person so named 'CHANGE" not actually in favor of change at all, but rather just another GOP hypocrite.

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[Post Man]

Ind Streak:

Just a point of fact, we're not a democracy. You should have your right to vote taken away for your ignorance. Bring back poll literacy tests!

[Pollster]

As a representative of 164 Post Avenue, Post Man cuts to the chase.

Whether to go forward, or retreat to the past.
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[NEWSIE]

So, the method by which towns like North Hemp and hemp have appointed officials is legal. You may not like it, but until the law is chnaged, or the courts change the law, both towns are within there rights to do so.

Have you talked to any state officials about support. Steve Levy dosen't count because he is a media hog. Anyone else. What about our LI reps in Albany. Both parties.

[iNDYgUY2022hOOOA]

Kearney has been trading on the CLAIMS that he worked for the CIA and was in the Seminary for years...Quite frankly, I have always thought he was full of crap. he probably worked for the CIA as an office boy or intern and his "seminary" days probably consisted of going to Cathedral Prep High School...The guy is a CLOWN.

[NEWSIE]

Hoey gets thrown out of Republican headquarters as an employee for ten years and now he is the reformer, get a life Pat.

[Rep For Reform]

Life is Good.
Life is sweet,

I'm doing great, thanks for keeping me in your thoughts.

As for Reform, well, ask any ten Republicans you meet on the street if they favor the method used by Hempstead's Republican dominated Town Board to appoint people to public office when a vacancy opens up or a special election that they can vote in if they wish, guess who's in the majority.

Not Mondello!

And this, Mr. Not For Change, is the crux of the problem facing the Nassau County Republican Committee!

[cchange]

Yeah Pat but where is the crediblility factor in what you say, sorry it's not their!!!!!!!!!

[Rep For Reform]

Credibility: I'm sure you would find a recent handwritten letter I received from a member of the County Legislative minority expressing similar sentiment to be of great interest.

I doubt Mr. Mondello has much credibility with this individual, nor a majority of the Committeemen and women, and certainly not ordinary registered Republicans.

[cHANGE]

Where were you Pat when you worked for the Nassau GOP and all the change in Gov't were taking place? Its all about creditibility. whats next, Republicans throw him out, Dems don't trust him, Indy party doesn't want him, now he works with Bent. LLife is great.
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[cHANGE]

How about Hoey for Dem Chairman?
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[Pollster]

How about Republican Chairman instead.

If not him, I've got a few other suggestions, all of which entail NO severence package or going away grant for the incumbent!

Talk about a welcome change in the direction of the party, he's the Real Republican thing!
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[POLLSTER JR]

hoey, arent u Pollster????????????????????????

[cHANGE]

Pollster Jr. He is Pollster, but when he is in his dark room on this site, he pulls a Bob Dole and puts himself in a third party. Boy he needs help.
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[Pollster]

Who?

Who's That?

You?

Jr.?

Pollster Jr.?

How you doing?

Nice to meet you.
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