Every politician currently sitting on the town board ran negative campaigns against their opponents.  Democrats/Conservatives making claims about the previous administration of improper and even illegal conduct with no proof or charges brought against them, the Republicans sent mailers with pictures of FDG's house and assessment, and questioned his literacy.  

Two or three elections ago, the unsubstantiated claim of "stolen gun handles" was sent out on a mailer, and a police officers personal work record was leaked to the press for political purposes.

These politicians stir up the hornets nest every election to divide the electorate, then b**ch when they get stung.

I find it hilarious that black spidey call for civility among the residents on this blog, when he actively creates animosity and resentment around election time.

Cissy I didn't read Spidey's comment to call for civility. Spidey is as guilty as the rest of us when it comes to being uncivil. But I do agree with him about calling for civility to DVR. DVR has come here posting positive comments and he is being chopped down  at the knees. Why? I disagree with him on a lot of things but I respect DVR's willingness to come here and offer positive comments.

DVR gets in the fray by taking a pot shot at Mertz, referring to him as "someone he has no use for" then spidey swoops in when the rebuttals get too harsh.  Why does DVR get a pass on personal attacks?

You act as if DVR is a virgin to Rotterdam politics.  His posts would lead me to believe he's been around the political scene for some time.  

I also respect DVR's willingness to come here and offer positive comments.  Doesn't mean he's exempt from criticism.

Quoted from Family Jewels

Cissy I didn't read Spidey's comment to call for civility. Spidey is as guilty as the rest of us when it comes to being uncivil. But I do agree with him about calling for civility to DVR. DVR has come here posting positive comments and he is being chopped down  at the knees. Why? I disagree with him on a lot of things but I respect DVR's willingness to come here and offer positive comments.

Well it appears that Family Jewels and Spidey, pick and choose who they want to respect here. It also appears that they/s/he wants to pigeon hole us into how we should speak or act or respond. That's not the way it works boys and girls. Last I knew, free speech is still a right....right?

Doesn't mean you should say what you have the right to say...

I will say what is MY view and I really dont care what ya'll think.....and if it is offensive it's only because they are ideas and views some(or alot) have not
thought of......I own everything I say.....and I have respect for each person here to own what they say.....keep it simple.....I take absolutely NO
offense at anything.......

Quoted from black spidey

I don't understand why everyone is trying to bash/out DVR. He is the only one on this blog trying to put up positive ideas without personal attacks yet the response from you all is to go after him. Seriously people what is wrong with you?

agreed

Quoted from senders

I will say what is MY view and I really dont care what ya'll think.....and if it is offensive it's only because they are ideas and views some(or alot) have not
thought of......I own everything I say.....and I have respect for each person here to own what they say.....keep it simple.....I take absolutely NO
offense at anything.......

same here

Quoted from CICERO

Why is that, because he ruffled the feathers of your cop buddies?  At least he knew where Rotterdam taxpayers were getting raked over the coals - the police department.  Wasn't politically popular - but true.

Has Rich paid those back taxes on the bar yet?

First, I only know 3 police officers personally - 2 as friends and 1 by narriage into the family -- all are former police officers.

Second, Mr. Mertz lacked personal skills and common courtesy - unlike Mr. Signore and Mr. Tommasone.  Despite our political differences, I was able
to work with Mr. Signore and Mr. Tommasone and have friendly relations.  Mr. Mertz was all about himself and his misguided views of partisanship.

Quoted from Peeper

We all know I am Mertz.  You are Ron.  I beat you.  K?  

I think the WalMart issue and the Reval beat me .. but at least I can sleep soundly at night because I ran on my principles and didn't try to
hide my agenda/ideas to win.

I would cite as an example of Mr. Tommasone's courtesy and seeing above partisanship -- he invited me to be a part of the Parks and Recreation Commission and as it organized -- to become chairman of it.   That is one issue - where he and I agreed - the town needs a comprehensive parks plan and the work of the Parks Commission should not be mired in partisanship.

Quoted from CICERO

Every politician currently sitting on the town board ran negative campaigns against their opponents.  Democrats/Conservatives making claims about the previous administration of improper and even illegal conduct with no proof or charges brought against them, the Republicans sent mailers with pictures of FDG's house and assessment, and questioned his literacy.  

Two or three elections ago, the unsubstantiated claim of "stolen gun handles" was sent out on a mailer, and a police officers personal work record was leaked to the press for political purposes.

These politicians stir up the hornets nest every election to divide the electorate, then b**ch when they get stung.

I find it hilarious that black spidey call for civility among the residents on this blog, when he actively creates animosity and resentment around election time.

I have been involved in 3 town-wide campaigns .. once as a candidate and twice in a support role.  My philosophy has always been to stay positive, don't mention your opponent by name in any literature, and just tell the people who you are and what you plan to do if elected.  
I agree that last year -- the mailings got out of hand (on both sides) --  But I can state for the record .. that none of the mailings that I helped write were negative ones.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

I would cite as an example of Mr. Tommasone's courtesy and seeing above partisanship -- he invited me to be a part of the Parks and Recreation Commission and as it organized -- to become chairman of it.   That is one issue - where he and I agreed - the town needs a comprehensive parks plan and the work of the Parks Commission should not be mired in partisanship.

Jeesh Sure sounds like you voted for Tomassone.  Afterall you did pretty good by him eh Ron?  No offense but you got beat because nobody ever heard of you.  Not sure much has changed since then.

Quoted from Peeper

Jeesh Sure sounds like you voted for Tomassone.  Afterall you did pretty good by him eh Ron?  No offense but you got beat because nobody ever heard of you.  Not sure much has changed since then.

Well it is an unpaid position and a lotof work -- so it isn't like he did me any favors.   But it is an issue (Parks) that I enjoy working on .. and is something I am doing to give back to the community .. before I retire and move south.

As for why we lost in 2005,  Wal Mart and Reval were a big part of it -- my newness to the political scene was also probably a factor.  I have no regrets and might run again someday.

MM--there are all sorts of places you can go for help.  Check in the Schenectady County yellow pages under Psychiatry.   You can't win an election, you can't win a fight, and you can't win friends.....