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| Russo, an old hand at nominating himself. |
Things have obviously changed.
Today, Dan Russo is being supported by local "official Democrats" in his primary run for Planning and Zoning in tomorrow's (Tuesday September 10) primary.
As member of the Democratic nominating committee this year, he nominated himself, and rejected Democrat Stephen Devoto, an eminently qualified candidate, who later garnered enough signatures to primary against Russo.
Three years ago, town Democratic leaders were not so sanguine about Russo, or his role as Democratic Town Chairman.
They were dismayed that he threw his support, as Town Chair, to Joe Lieberman, then an independent candidate, running against the official Democratic candidate, Ned Lamont. Lieberman went on to win, often voting in the Senate with Republicans, winning him such support from that party that they invited Lieberman to speak at their national convention when John McCain was running against Barack Obama.
In fact, Democratic leaders on the Common Council were so dismayed, they wrote a letter to their Democratic colleagues, and to the public, urging that Russo be removed from his role as Democratic Town Chair.
"We believe we need a Town Chair who will be more involved in the entire Town Committee and not take controversial positions on issues, such as supporting an independent candidate for U.S. Senate and nominating himself as Chair of Planning & Zoning, without Town Committee support. Finally, a Town Chair is now needed who can work effectively with the Democratic Common Council majority beginning now to rebuild our Middletown Democratic Party and ensure a mayoral victory in 2011."
The letter is signed by the eight Democratic Common Council members at the time.
Russo was voted out.
Not so surprising, this chapter of his history does not make it onto his resumé.
Today, the Democratic Town Committee apparently has forgiven Russo's sins. The chairs have been rearranged in the back room and they have endorsed him, and two other newcomers, in a race against Devoto.
While Russo is an old hand at nominating himself for election, Devoto is running with the backing of hundreds of people who signed his petition to run.
Russo has attempted to paint Devoto as a traitor to Democratic principles, when indeed, it appears that it's Russo who is the real culprit.
Vote Only for Stephen Devoto in the primary for Planning and Zoning, Tuesday Sept. 10.
Disclaimer: Ed McKeon is a Democratic member of the Board of Education (running under the Ed4Ed banner), an associate and friend of Devoto, a volunteer for Devoto's primary run, and a co-founder of the Middletown Eye.
Grow up! Stop attacking one another. Bif men and apologize and move on. For gosh sake!
ReplyDeleteSigned
"sick of it" The majority
You are more interested in publishing your own melarchy then others views it appears. Big surprize! Disqusted~!
ReplyDeleteAnon 11:45:
ReplyDeleteIt's spelled "malarkey" and it means "meaningless talk or nonsense."
In the case of this post, the facts speak for themselves, and they aren't flattering.
As Elvis Costello once sang, "I used to be disgusted, and now I try to be amused."
You should do the same.
And next time, sign your name.
My name is Ed. What's yours?
Sheesh Ed must you use a sledge hammer when a fly swatter will do?
ReplyDeleteAnon 4:26:
ReplyDeleteTo quote Mr. Costello again, I liken it more like "a chainsaw running through a dictionary."
Swat.
Me, Ed. You...?
It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.
ReplyDeleteMe: Abraham Lincoln
You: Ed
The main things I look for in a candidate are (1) signs of (1) intelligence, (2) indications of being a reasonable human being, and (3) signs of ability to discuss issues with others is also a desirable characteristic.
ReplyDeleteRelating one's views and thoughts on issues facing the community, as Mr Devoto has done indicate to me both intelligence and reasonableness; and lead me to believe that the candidate is capable of reasonable discussion with others.
That's why I'll be voting for Mr. DeVoto.
caritas i
Anon 4:26
ReplyDeleteOr to speak anonymously, while quoting Abe Lincoln, and be thought a coward and a fool.
Interesting ed is posting while at the boe meeting tonight that began @7 pm. So much for being an elected official. And he criticizes Russo for not showing up while ed is present in body only.
ReplyDeleteAnon 8:06:
ReplyDeleteCheck your calendar. Not only are you cowardly, but you're wrong.
BOE meeting is tomorrow night. Sorry to disappoint your small mindedness.
My name is Ed, what's yours?
"Three years ago" (2009) Dan Russo endorsed Joe Lieberman against Ned Lamont? Really? I guess bravery doesn't imply accuracy.
ReplyDeleteMy name's Gutless Coward. What's yours?
Anon 7:32:
ReplyDeleteGlad we can finally agree on something. You are a gutless coward.
The Dems were no happier three years ago then they were four years ago.
Word on the street is that Dan Russo treats everyone so poorly that he has very few friends.
You may be one, but I guess you're in the minority.