Democrats: the people who give you good government

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2016 Schodack Dems' TENTATIVE Meeting schedule 6:30 PM at the Peter Andrews VFW Post

Oct. 6

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Report from Town Board member
​Tracey Rex

Schodack Dems Cleaned Miller Road 

Schodack Dems were joined by Town Board Member Tracey Rex for their third annual post Earth Day Miller Road cleanup. Helping were Ray Ludwig, Dave Spink, Linda Underwood, Tracey Rex, Mike Monescalchi, Rob Shaw and Dev Tobin (not pictured).

Schodack Democrats celebrated Earth Day by cleaning up Miller Road in Schodack, their designated Adopt-a-Highway roadway. This is the third year they have celebrated Earth Day with a highway clean up.

"Miller Road is near the center of town and for many people, it is their first impression of Schodack," said Linda Underwood, town chair. "A little bit of work on our part helps people see our town in a good light."
 
Schodack Democrats are not only involved with politics and campaigns, but also in community activities. Learn more on our About Us page.

Times Union Editorial slams DA Abelove 

The times union slams Abelove - again

The Times Union once again took Rensselaer County DA Joel Abelove to task for failing to do his job.

"The way Mr. Abelove took charge of the probe after Mr. Thevenin’s April 17 death is exactly what the governor’s order was intended to prevent. Just a day after the shooting, Mr. Abelove stood next to the Troy police chief and declared that police Sgt. Randy French, who fired eight bullets at Mr. Thevenin’s windshield, acted “in line with the law.” Sgt. French fired after being pinned by Mr. Thevenin’s car, police said. Mr. Abelove also denied that police weren’t cooperating with the attorney general’s office – an assertion the police chief contradicted.Before the week was out, Mr. Abelove presented the case to a grand jury, which declined to indict Sgt. French. Case closed, he implied.
Now we learn that there were eyewitnesses to the shooting who weren’t called before the grand jury. And a civilian has stepped forward saying he captured the scene on video, contradicting police claims that there was no such video.
Whatever Mr. Abelove’s intent, it appeared that he was trying to shepherd the case through to a quick disposition. His sloppiness speaks volumes about the need for a thorough investigation by Mr. Schneiderman."

Read more:  http://blog.timesunion.com/opinion/mr-abeloves-rush-job/35146/

"THE ISSUE:
The new Rensselaer County district attorney faces potential conflicts of interest.

THE STAKES:
He should take every step possible to ensure such cases are handled scrupulously.

Not two months into his administration, we're seeing troubling signs that Rensselaer County District Attorney Joel Abelove doesn't understand the importance of avoiding even the appearance of a conflict of interest.

Since taking office on Jan. 1, Mr. Abelove has already faced a couple of tests of how to handle cases that pose questions of propriety. Regrettably, he has failed both."

More at the Times Union

RensCo Legislative Chair Martin Reid illegally collected unemployment benefits, Abelove refuses to charge him with felony

"The chairman of the Rensselaer County Legislature "wilfully and intentionally misrepresented the facts" when he collected more than $15,000 in state unemployment benefits while being paid $30,000 a year for his government work.

That assessment of legislative Chairman Martin T. Reid's improper receipt of unemployment benefits was made last year by a state administrative law judge in a decision that was never made public. The state Labor Department recently turned over copies of the judge's ruling, and other records in the case — including Reid's county time slips and his certifications to the state that he qualified for the benefits — to the Rensselaer County district attorney's office for review as a potential criminal case.

Despite the referral, it's unclear if newly elected Rensselaer County District Attorney Joel Abelove will pursue the case."

More at the Times Union

UPDATE

Democratic Candidates for state and federal seats need our help

Congressman Paul Tonko is running to retain his seat representing NY 20th Congressional District. The eastern third of the Town of Schodack is in the 20th CD. Congressman Tonko has been a voice for progressive Democrats as well as a voice of reason in an increasingly dysfunctional Congress.
Learn how you can help Paul as he campaigns to represent our interests in Washington.
http://paultonko.com.

Zephyr Teachout is running for the state’s 19th district congressional seat, which represents half of the Town of Schodack. The former Democratic gubernatorial primary underdog is now the early (presumptive) favorite to replace outgoing Republican Chris Gibson, and that is a big deal for the ideological balance locally and nationally.
The New York Times calls her “a national expert on political corruption and an advocate of…transparency and political reform” on behalf of people whose voices have been drowned out by big corporations and powerful insiders.
Zephyr is currently a law professor and lives in Dutchess County.
Learn more about Zephyr and how you can help her:
http://www.zephyrteachoutforcongress.com/

Shaun Francis is running to unseat the Republican incumbent in the New York State Senate 43rd SD.

Recently, Shaun said, "Seeking and holding public office is an honor and an obligation to serve others. It comes with a responsibility to serve the community and protect citizens. At the Federal level we hear a lot about doing what we can to protect the nation from foreign terrorists. Here, in New York State, we need a State Government focused on protecting its residents from dangers here at home. Providing clean safe drinking water is not a choice. It is not something we trade off in legislation in order to cut taxes for the wealthy donor class. Clean safe drinking water is a natural born right, and every day that even one resident of the 43rd Senate District does not have access to clean water is another day that our Government is failing us."
Find out how you can help Shaun by going to Shaun-Francis.com

election inspectors needed for 

elections inspectors are paid $25 for training, $90 for primaries, and $175 for the general election. Lunch and dinner are provided at the general, dinner only is provided at the primaries. 

email linda underwood to learn more.

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Donate to the Schodack Democratic Committee
for better government.

Individual limit for this election will be $1,000.  Family Limit for the up-coming election will be $2,168.  Family members included in this limit are children, parent, grandparent, brother, sisters and spouse of those individuals. Note: that any one of these family members can contribute the $2,168 maximum but that would prohibit all others from contributing anything.

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