Is Mondello Finished?

[Freedomlover]

After the debacle in 2001, rumors were flying that Big Joe was on his way out and the list of successors was getting longer each day. Recently, Big Joe sent one of his "rah-rah" (no, Joe, not you) letters telling all the Committeemembers words to the effect of how he looks forward to being the leader, yadda yadda yadda.
Haven't the GOP committeemembers had enough of being abused by their own party, a party they freely work for and donate money to...a party who consistently lies to them, consistently picks the same "insiders" to run for office, consistently tells them whatever they do is never enough, etc.
Even if Big Joe does go, he can not be permitted to annoint his successor as the "new" will just be more of the old. . . Any thoughts on whether Big Joe should stay?? ANY THOUGHTS ON HOW TO DRIVE HOME THE POINT TO THE WESTBURY CONNECTION THAT COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE FED UP WITH THE ABUSE ... EXECS WILL HAVE A MORE DIFFICULT TIME EVERY YEAR GETTING THEIR COMMITTEES TO GO THAT EXTRA MILE. Whaddya think?

[NHP1]

Part of the problem is that Joe does not really respect some of his Execs. Oh, he acts like he does, but when you look at what he gives them (read, their people) you see that not all Executive areas are created equal, and it has nothing to do with size or money or anyhting else. A particular committee can be awarded 1st, 2nd. or 3rd prize each year (meaning the top three in the Town) and still not have one elected official as a member of that committee. How is it possible that the committee that is at the top of the heap each year gets dissed when it comes to selecting judicial candidates, getting legislative jobs (not even elective office), getting members appointed to commissions, etc.?? Either the Exec has no clout, the Exec does not step up for the members or Westbury has no regard for the Exec. Which is it?? I have no idea...but, unless the commiteemembers are morons (and some are b/c they need those $30K yr jobs), the system, at the local level will never inspire smart, inspired, quality people to participate for very long. Joe may have to go, but it would have to be a coup...I agree with Freedomlover...no annoitments. Afterall, didn't Mondello steal it from Margiotta?? he who lives by the sword, dies by the sword.

[NewHydeParker]

I just read the two posts above.

1. Yes, Mondello must go and the new leader must be someone who owes nothing to the "establishment"--good luck!! (BENT?? I know it sounds crazy, but that's what they told Ed Koch when he wanted to be Mayor of NYC and Jimmy "Who" when he wanted to be President); and

2. Executive areas are definitely not created equally. The 22nd AD is owned by a select few. and I am sure other ADs and EDs as well but I can only speak of what I have observed locally (And we know who they are). The GOP, for all its "inclusion" language, is still the party of the few ---and those few have to be friends of "The Joes" (all 2 of them) to get anywhere.

3. For any organization to succeed (and no one can argue that the Nassau GOP has not succeeded) it must give its members a sense of belonging and an expectation that the organization will reward their efforts. While the party on the whole has achieved that goal County-wide, those days are over. They have not, however, acheived that goal in several local areas. There are posts on this board about the Beckers in Lynbrook, etc. but that is only one area. There are many just like it. The Nassau GOP must convince their committmemers that they will be rewarded, that there is something in it for them (and not necessarily jobs or elective office (although those are nice--there are many types of rewards), that their work and dedication are appreciated. People work hard for the party -- go walk with Petitions on those hot weekends in late June, do walk-throughs with arrogant candidates...that's work!! Write checks for G*D knows how many fundrasiers, dinners, salutes, victory parties, etc...THAT'S dedication. You gotta give a little to get a lot sometimes.

4. Committee Members have got to start to say NO to their Execs. Let the execs go to Westbury and report to the Chairman that their members are disgruntled. Let's see what the Chairman does then. He rules with an iron fist, except people with brains, integrity and motivation don't respond to that type of behavior --wait, those people don't even belong in local politics and the Chariman does not want people like that. He wants borderline intelligent people who can write checks, show up at functions so it looks like a big powerful army, put up posters, go along with whatever he says and shake in their boots at night becasue they may lose their $30K yr. job b/c they didn't get enough signatures on petitions. . . There has got to be a better way.

[letsbefair]

Sounds like we have some unhappy people in NHP. I sure hope Uncle Joe does not read your post and take it out on your area. Levittown

Wouldn't it be nice if committeemen could be rewarded based on their individual ability, contributions and value to the party. Instead of what exec area you belong in.
A good committee person is just as valuable in Greatneck or NHP as he/she is in Levitown and Valley Stream. Some leaders have a difficult time because of voter registration, they should not be penalized for it.

Then you have some leaders that because they are close the chairman they get everything. If you have plenty of jobs or rewards to give out, its much easier to get help. I was at one clubs fundraiser and tier committee sounded like a who's who of County

[Bellmore Reformer]

Speaking from practical experience, Mondello views his chairmanship as a dictatorship, not a Democracy - he's said so in uncertain terms to the Executive Committee on several ocassions. So ground based swells are nice pr stunts, but he's surrounded himself so thick with yes men & women that we can VOICE all we want and not get any response. These letters he sends out are scoffed by the staff inside of GOP HQ for the BS they contain, laughably created by Santino, a writer who's become good at crafting silk out of a sows ear. His stuff is wearing thin and not of especially high quality compared to other stronger GOP writers around. Just how many times can one stand to read that a "brighter future" is at hand? Maybe for a few it is, but not the real deserving ones, the Real Republicans in the party.

LOYALTY, he views this as a one way street. Be loyal to me, don't expect it back. It's that simple. And of course it being an non-principled, personality centered machine, there's no such thing as Party Loyalty.

The only alternative is to EXIT, deprive the machine of your manpower, vote and money and we will achieve our desired result. Working for one or two selected opposition candidates doesn't hurt either.

And of course, support Republican Reformer wherever you can find them - Town of Hempstead preferrably.

[NHP1]

"letsbefair" cites Levittown and Valley Stream. I wonder why, mmmm???

[NewHydeParker]

"letsbefair" -- there ar unhappy GOP committee people all over the Town of Hempstead and Nassau County.
The post left by "Reformer" is right on the money. The General has surrounded himself with a bunch of Colonels who are afraid to say "no"; the only one who is somewhat on par with the General himself is his Field Commander Cairo. . . Watch Santino in public with the General...I swear he follows him into the men's room to unzip and rezip him...If Bent is not the answer, who then?? Let's hear some suggestions of who should or could take the reigns from that corpulent corksinker. .

[why can't we all just get]

Dear Disgruntled: You make the point beautifully. You are right, no one puts a gun to anyone's head to be a committeemember, however, Westbury is not doing as you suggest. There is no search for the leaders of tomorrow. No recognition and grooming of the brightest and the best. It's the in-crowd only. . . And with that attitude, they are going to lose the benefit of talented people who care about the Republican Party. :">

[Re: Freedom Lover]

the real adversary is Suozzi .... not the Chairman.... and don't ever forget that!

[RepWard]

Yes, lets fight one battle at a time, we need to see that Suozzi gets dumped. During the next two years we need to work together all committee people equally to see that this is accomplished. Its the only way our party can win. If he is re-elected and they keep control of the legislature and a host of other seats, then their will be nothing to give out anyway. No hope at all for the little guy. However once we win the chairman needs to understand he needs to reward all areas equally.

Its important that every executive area due better next time. If North Hempstead