The Right Point of View

Election News

2011-12-15T08:50:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends:If I heard it once, I heard it a thousand times on Election Night: "If only the rest of the County was like Smithtown!" How proud I am to announce that all of our Town Council Candidates won handily. You have returned Wehrheim, Creighton and Varicchio back to town hall. You have also returned both Nowick and Kennedy back to the County legislature. You gave Judge Jack Toomey an incredible edge in his win over his opponent for the County Court Judgeship and all of our Conservative Judges including our own Judge Joseph Pastoressa were easily elected to the offices for which they ran.Unfortunately, while Smithtown did vote for Angie, the rest of the County failed her in the County Executive race. The GREAT news is that the "C" line did extremely well throughout the County and I am VERY proud with how well our Conservative line performed here in Smithtown. Thank you to all of you who voted our line and for getting your friends and family to vote that line as well.We get to rest for now, to enjoy the holidays with our families....but very shortly my committee and myself will be busy working behind the scenes to gear up for the elections of 2012. We will have a big congressional race again, and with two available District Court spots we will be working hard to fill them with the right individuals who represent YOUR values and ideals. I am looking for interested individuals to be committee people in their districts so let me know if you have an interest in getting more involved. Our party is growing as is our influence, town AND county wide. The only way that will continue is if we get new faces and fresh ideas to put forth our message. If you always wanted to have a say and never knew how to get your voice heard, this is the way to do it. Be a part of the process and not just a bystander...every voice is heard in our party and we DO make a difference. Whether you supported our efforts by putting up signs on your lawns, or attending our fundraising events, or passed out literature for our candidates or just used word of mouth to spread our message, I thank you for suffering through my emails and helping us make Smithtown the place every good Conservative-Republican would love to call home. See you around town. Sincerely, JanineFrom the Desk of Janine A. BarberaChairwoman of the Conservative Party of SmithtownJBarbera@smithtownconservatives.orghttp://www.smithtownconservatives.org/http://smithtownconservatives.blogspot.com/631-473-5100

8 days to Election Day

2011-10-31T09:04:00.000-04:00

Who said this was supposed to be an off year in politics?? Nothing could be further from the truth here in Suffolk. This county has the opportunity to make some very radical changes in the most basic sense....local races this year are the key. The County Executive race should be an easy choice if you have been following the candidates and their policy ideas. Angie Carpenter is the the candidate who can and will make a difference in County government. Angie's ideas were developed from watching county officials make the wrong choices and being the lone voice in trying to fix the way government works.Angie has stood up to her own County Chairmen and fought to get the nomination when the good old network tried to close her down. Angie prevailed. Doing this her way she has no one she needs to repay when she gets into office on what was a grassroots campaign right from the beginning. While Bellone will owe his soul to the political powers and special interests groups who showered him with funds for his campaign, Angie walks into office as an independant thinker out to do the people's business without the need to appease anyone but the voters who put her in office. The choice here is easy. Do you want another politician who will put the old boy network first? Then don't vote for a boy! Vote for Angie.Two other important races involved two very capable Smithtown judges. Judge Joseph Pastoressa is running for Supreme Court and Judge Jack Toomey is running for County Court. Both gentlemen are Smithtown residents running in bi-county elections and need our help to win these important seats. As a practicing attorney I have had the honor of appearing before both of these gentlemen and can tell you that you would be hard pressed to find a better example of judicial temperment and sense of fair play. Smithtown can be proud of these two men running and we ask that you support them on election day.Our town council race is upon us and truly there have never been two more worthy candidates than the encumbents Bob Creighton and Ed Wehrheim. These gentlemen are a mainstay in our town and the movers and shakers we need to push Smithtown into the town it aspires to be. Economic development is the number one issue on both their minds and every day they tear through the red tape to get Smithtown the resources it needs to be successful. Our town councilman are well known throughout the County and the State and are an example to town boards across the County of what can be done when a board works together. We are proud to endorse both Creighton and Wehrheim and ask you to support them as well on election day.As a final note: There are two races of importance outside of our area that are worth a mention. My friend Deborah Poulos is running for the County Legislature in Huntington against the encumbent Steve Stern. Deborah is a fierce advocate (I know I have had many cases on the opposite side of the table with her!) and she will work well with Angie to get the Executive and legislative branch to work together again for the good of the County. If you live or know anyone in this legislative district, please ask them to vote for Deborah Poulos.In Brookhaven a gentleman named Ed Munoz has dared to buck the political machine in that town and is making quite a bit of noise in the Brookhaven Town Council race. Ed is man of his word and he has a real shot at this position. Another person who did not take NO for an answer, Ed fought to get the line and we as Conservatives are proud to endorse this maverick for town Council.

Bring your voter outrage to the polls

2011-10-21T09:17:00.001-04:00

This is definately not a year for complacency. Voter outrage is at an all time high and we are all sick of what is happening in the nation. The first step however, if to get our own house in order. Suffolk County needs to bring in someone who needs to hit the ground running on January 1st. This is not a time for on the job training....been there done that and look where it left us. I am not talking about the old guard now, there is a new but familiar face among the contenders and that face is a trusted long time friend of this County. Angie Carpenter has been around the County long enough to be familiar with the process but has been outside of the inner sanctium of politicos to be the voice of reason and change we need here in Suffolk to get things done.Angie doesn't threaten, she doesn't need to negotiate that way. While other politicians seem to think that negotating with unions is a dirty word, Angie knows that union members are tax payers too and that everyone has a stake in not bankrupting our County. She also is not an enemy of the legislature, since she was one of them she has already reached out to and told them that in order to get back on track they need to work together and the soon to be Republican majority is on board. Angie has run a business in this County and knows how difficult it is to meet a payroll every week. This type of experience is invaluable in this economy. Yes, she can make tough decisions and stand by her convictions, that was clear when she announced her intention to run and came out on top of the heap of would be Republican hopefuls against the wishes of the leadership. Angie proved she has the stamina, fortitude and grit necessary to bring our county back to prosperous times. Angie will do more than plant flowers around town, she will find jobs and bring businesses not horticulture back to Suffolk County.Let us not forget the other names on the ballot however, there are 10 judicial spots open for Supreme Court and they are bi-county positions where our Suffolk judges are mixed in with Nassau judges. If you want law and order on the bench you have no choice but to vote the "C" line all the way down. Don't stop voting however after the first 10 or you will miss some very important races. Our local judge Jack Toomy is running for County Court and of course our local town board candidates Bob Creighton and Ed Wehrheim are on our line as well.If you want good government, for a change..., if you want to elect individuals who have the same values and ideas that you do; vote on the line that will make a difference in this election.Vote line "C" all the way across. The Conservaitve candidates are all cross endorsed by the Republican's this year and for good reason; we are out to change the politics in this country; One election at a time.

Victory is Ours

2011-09-15T07:58:00.000-04:00

A big THANK YOU to the voters in Smithtown who spoke out loud and clear on Primary night. Both Conservatives an Republicans came out in record numbers to defeat the challengers of the endorsed party candidates. The numbers are astounding and it is my understanding that this is a historic defeat. In yet another example of how good conquers evil we are off to win the November election with a full heart and pride in ourselves. Our candidates are respected and share the values of the people of Smithtown. When asked to choose the overwhelming majority will recognize those who do not have the best interests of their communities at heart and see through their lies to the black heart that beats within. All of those elected have only one goal and that is to make this community the best it can be. With your help we will continue to put forth candidates who share your values and your goals. The unofficial results can be seen below. Smithtown residents should be proud. I am proud and humbled to be your Chairwoman and I will continue to ring the bell of freedom and good government loud and clear, thank you all for walking with me and my committee. See you on Election Day!! Janine Barbera- Dalli <

Candidate Party Votes Share CREIGHTON, ROBERT J Conservative 332 47.29% WEHRHEIM, EDWARD R Conservative 306 43.59% DONNELLY, DANIEL W Conservative 64 9.12%

Candidate Party Votes Share PULEO, VINCENT A Conservative 280 30.14% MORRO, FRANK Conservative 264 28.42% BARBERA-DALLI, JANINE A Conservative 257 27.66% DI BERNARDO, KATHLEEN Conservative 73 7.86% DONNELLY, DANIEL W Conservative 55 5.92%

Candidate Party Votes Share GARGUILO, STEVEN G Conservative 292 32.41% SCHULE, RONALD C Conservative 284 31.52% DALLI, BARTOLO F Conservative 263 29.19% DONNELLY, LINDA Conservative 62 6.88%

Smithtown Primary Day Tomorrow, Tuesday September 13th

2011-09-12T14:00:00.003-04:00

Please Remember to vote and try to bring 5 friends with you. All Conservatives and Republicans need to vote tomorrow. Let us voice our displeasure to all those who try to trick their way into office because they think no one is paying attention.

Science may have found a cure for most evils; but it has found no remedy for the worst of them all -- the apathy of human beings. - Helen Keller

GET OUT AND VOTE

Primary Importance- September 13th

2011-09-02T08:13:00.000-04:00

Along with the beginning of school and in our town a re-vote of transportation issues another important date to remember is the date to vote in Primaries this year, September 13th. Primaries are usually considered as American as apple pie, and a reaffirmation of our rights as citizens to pick candidates of our choosing. Most times qualified candidates run in the primaries and we as voters get to choose from a group of individuals who are serious candidates eager to make a difference. Not this time. This primary is very different here in Smithtown on both the Republican and Conservatives lines. Two individuals who have absolutely no interest in this community have opted to waste tax payer money and time to wreak havoc on what should have been a very quiet election season. Anyone who has ever read a local paper will have seen the incessant rantings of one Lawrence Gray who deems himself the moral arbitor of all things political, but is blantantly the most bigoted individual who has ever run for political office here in Smithtown. Gray has used derogatory comments to describe, Italian Americans, Irish Americans and does so without apology.Gray has attacked every elected official and was instrumental in the removal of his own wife from the Town Board with all his antics. Now he seeks the Republican line as a challenger against Ed Wehrheim and Bob Creighton our endorsed candidates. On the Conservative ballot the choices again are just as easy. A known failure both in political circles and someone with a proven horrendous record in public service is vying for the Conservative line also as a challenger against Ed Wehrheim, Bob Creighton our endoresed candidates, and the slate of judicial delegates we the Conservatives have put on our line. Dan Donnelly's name is political poison in this town. His one term election as Highway Superintendant was so disasterous not one elected official would back him for re-election. Donnelly has tried to play his political games in every election in this town over the last 10 years. Usually he is swatted away like some annoying insect, but this year he has managed to weedle himself into a primary on the Conservative line for a job he has absolutely no interest in pursuing. Donnelly is NOT the endorsed Conservative candidate and in fact has no backing by the County or the Town Conservative Parties. Donnelly has game played his way out of the party and holds on to the Conservative banner by a mere thread. Not only doesn't he truly believe in the party platform he will jump from party to party in order to fulfill his own agenda...as evidenced by his attempt some years ago to take over the Smithtown Democratic party. Donnelly is a danger to the community and the political system, because he knows how to manipulate the system and like a chameleon will adapt his rhetoric to whomever he is in conversation with in order to win over an unsuspecting citizen. Just ask poor Mrs. Kalabaza.(the woman whose name he put in as running for town council who didn't even know she was running!) Judicial Delegates What are judicial delegates? Why are they important? and Why do you have to worry about voting for them? Judicial delegates are Conservative Party representatives chosen by the County leader to represent the Conservative community to vote for particular judicial candidates who will then come before the voting public as endorsed Conservative candidates. Judicial Delegates are usually the town leaders and members of the executive board of a particular town. Most times you will not see judicial candidates on a ballot since they are very rarely challenged. This year there is a challenge because Donnelly has chosen to try to destroy our party from within, Therefore you must be aware of whom the endorsed candidates are and who the challengers are with full knowledge that they are not real challengers but Donnelly shills put forth to do his bidding. The endorsed judicial delegates and alternates are all on the top line of the ballot and the names are as follows: Janine Barbera-Dalli, Vincent Puleo, and Frank Morro. The alternates are: Steven Garguilo, Ronald Schule and Bartolo F. Dalli. To reiterate: Stay away from anything with the Gray or Donnelly name and only choose the endorsed candidates of the Republicans and Conservatives: Standing together we will be victorious in sending these interlopers back to their caves. Below is the slate I ask you to support. Please tell your family and friends and get out there and vote!! September 13th! Endorsed Candidates: Robert Creighton- Town Council Edward Wehrheim- Town Council Judicial Delegates:(Conservative Primary Only) Janine A. Barbera- Dalli, Vincent Puleo, Frank Morro. Alternate Judicial Delegates- Steven Garguilo, Ronald Schule, and Bartolo F. Dalli

Dawidziak: Go ahead, sign the petition

2011-08-06T08:07:00.000-04:00

Beware, your neighborhoods are being invaded.

Armies of people are besieging your streets and coming to your homes. No, it isn't a foreign invasion or a science-fiction nightmare come true. It isn't even young men in white shirts and skinny ties, as portrayed in "The Book of Mormon," come to convert you and save your everlasting souls.

These armies aren't armed with guns or Bibles, but rather with clipboards and pens. They don't want your money, allegiance or conversion. Only your signature. You should give it to them.

It's that time of the political calendar when political parties and candidates have to collect signatures on their nominating petitions. It's an arduous task, accomplished for the most part by volunteers. The State Board of Elections, which sets the dates for elections and campaign financial filings, also determines when petitions can be collected. It's roughly the same time every year, and this year it's the 38 days from June 7 to July 14.

The number of signatures per office varies with the size of the jurisdiction. For a countywide position, such as county executive, 2,000 signatures are needed. But once the petitions are filed with the Board of Elections, they're immediately scrutinized by opponents for signatures that may not withstand legal challenges. Because, let's face it, the easiest way to win an election is not to have a challenger. So to be "bulletproof," most experts recommend collecting twice the number of signatures required. Four thousand signatures is a daunting number -- particularly in just 38 short, hot days.

Political parties have committee members to accomplish this task, but would-be candidates who wish to challenge the convention-nominated choices in a primary usually only have a ragtag group of volunteers to gather the needed names.

Many voters resent the intrusion when someone knocks on their door asking them to sign a nominating petition. They're too busy washing the car or running the kids to soccer games to deal with this annoyance.

They also don't understand what their signature represents. Any seasoned petition gatherer will tell you that the most oft-quoted objection to signing a petition is, "I haven't decided who I am supporting." The correct response by the person behind the clipboard is that signing isn't a show of support, but rather the mechanism by which voters get a choice come Election Day.

And that's the point. These volunteers are out on some of the hottest days of the year, risking biting dogs and slamming doors, so we all can have a real choice in a primary or general election. This is how democracy works. If these workers don't get the signatures, then you don't get a choice at the polls.

So whether it's for the Democrats, Republicans, Conservatives, Working Families, Independence Party, the Green Party or even an independent, go ahead and take the few minutes to sign it. You can decide later on whom to actually vote for. Rather than be annoyed by the intrusion, thank your fellow citizen for doing the grunt work that makes the wheels of democracy go 'round. If it happens to be a beastly hot day, you might even offer that volunteer something cold to drink.

Our country's founders bequeathed to us a participatory system of government. That means it doesn't work if people choose not to participate.

- Michael Dawidziak is a political consultant and contributor to Newsday.

Cuomo vetoes controversial pension bill for schools

2011-07-14T00:13:00.000-04:00

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration didn’t need the full 10 days allowed under state law to mull legislation that would allow school districts to cover pension costs through borrowing. He said after lawmakers passed the legislation that he would veto it.

The bill was sent over to the governor’s office on Monday, and this is what Cuomo said in issuing the veto today:

“The people of the State of New York have made it clear that they will no longer tolerate the fiscal irresponsibility and reckless spending that has driven their property taxes through the roof. Families across the state have been forced to cut back and live within their means and governments and school districts must do the same. New York has no future as the tax capital of the nation and this veto sends a strong message that we will not put today’s tough decisions on tomorrow’s taxpayers.”

The legislation would have authorized districts to borrow up to 125 percent of the amount they owe in pension contributions for 2011 and pay the money back over a period of up to 15 years. They could borrow more than $1 billion through bonds without needing voter approval. Cuomo noted that school districts would borrow to cover short-term expenses and pass on the more costly bill to future taxpayers.

A few weeks ago, the governor signed a 2 percent property-tax cap into law. It does provide a few exemptions, including one for growth in pension costs above 2 percentage points a year. The cap takes effect in January for local governments and next July for school districts

Will Cuomo Veto Bill on School Borrowing?

2011-06-27T08:55:00.000-04:00

ALBANY — State lawmakers on Friday approved a bill that would allow school districts to borrow as much as $1 billion without voter approval, but a spokesman for Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said the measure would most likely be vetoed

Without advance notice and with little debate, the bill won Senate approval late Thursday night, several days after the legislative session had been scheduled to end. The Assembly passed the measure Friday afternoon, and the governor’s office then took the unusual step of publicly opposing the legislation moments after its passage, effectively dooming it.

Elizabeth Lynam, deputy research director at the Citizens Budget Commission, a business-backed group that generally favors lower spending, described the bill as one of the worst things the Legislature had done this session.

But supporters said it would give school districts breathing room as pension costs soar. The measure would allow school districts to borrow as much as $1 billion to pay pension and operating costs over the next two years, in the process circumventing existing requirements for public approval of new debt.

The bill would weaken one of the governor’s central proposals, to cap property tax increases at 2 percent, by allowing schools to raise money through a debt offering.

The money school districts borrowed would not count against the tax cap, but would have to be paid back by taxpayers in up to 15 years.

The legislation would also change the rules for taking on new debt. Currently, school districts outside of New York City vote on their budgets, including any planned borrowing. The legislation would allow that requirement to be circumvented.

Assemblyman Peter J. Abbate Jr., a Brooklyn Democrat, said in an interview that he sponsored the bill on behalf of urban school districts. The measure was also strongly backed by the New York State United Teachers union.

“Some of the localities, and the schools boards, are looking for a way, for some help,” Mr. Abbate said. “I see nothing wrong.”

And Richard C. Iannuzzi, president of New York State United Teachers, said, “Obviously, when you take into consideration the cuts in school aid and what seems likely to be a pretty onerous property tax cap, the ability for school districts to deal with expenses in some kind of rational way is important.”

“By smoothing out pension costs, you don’t have to deal with the tremendous spikes up and down in the rates that they have to pay,” he added.

But Assemblyman Michael J. Fitzpatrick, a Long Island Republican, said during the Assembly debate, “This bill is being passed because the teachers’ unions does not want to contribute to the economic well-being of this state.”

“This is an organization that wants unfettered access to every wallet and pocketbook of every taxpayer in this state,” he added.

Support for the bill was not purely partisan. It was sponsored in the Senate by Martin J. Golden, a Brooklyn Republican, and it was the Republican-led Senate that first approved the bill, demonstrating the influence on both parties that is wielded by the teachers’ union in Albany.

The bill had much in common with legislation signed last year by Gov. David A. Paterson that allowed the state and municipalities to borrow billions of dollars to help make required annual payments to the state pension fund.

Angie Carpenter for County Executvie

2011-05-31T13:56:00.002-04:00

It's Carpenter v. Bellone. She starts with a distinct disadvantage in funding. But this race should be about more than just the size of the war chest. It should be about visions for a county that’s going through tough fiscal times, bringing in jobs, encouraging the development of housing that young working people can afford, preserving land and protecting our tourist industry, revitalizing our downtowns, finding ways to fund health clinics at a time of state funding cuts, and a long list of other concrete issues important to the average citizen. Holding onto the mantle of both the Republican and Conservative reins, Carpenter in a historic first leads the ticket in Suffolk County as the first woman to run for County Executive. She certainly has her work cut out for her following in the footsteps of Steve Levy who even today still has quite the following and an approval rating most incumbents would give their eye teeth to have.

The Smithtown Conservative Party congratulates Angie Carpenter and wishes her well in her race against the Democratic rival. .

GOP Still Undecided About County Executive Candidate

2011-05-16T12:12:00.000-04:00

The Suffolk Republican executive committee decided Friday to offer its county executive nod to millionaire businessman Randy Altschuler but held off an announcement in hopes of avoiding a primary, party sources said.

Leaders did not make a public announcement because they want to persuade Suffolk Treasurer Angie Carpenter, the only declared candidate, not to run a threatened primary, sources said.

"The decision was made by leaders but nothing has been officially accepted, nothing has been officially offered," said one source close to the deliberations. "Discussions are happening in hopes that we can keep everybody on the same page."

John Jay LaValle, Suffolk GOP chairman, declined to comment on whether a decision had been made but said he expected a formal announcement soon.

The leaders made their decision Friday after a four-hour meeting at party headquarters in Holtsville where Assemb. Michael Fitzpatrick (R-St. James), Carpenter and Altschuler were screened before party leaders.
Fitzpatrick and Carpenter had appeared at a half-dozen screenings before GOP activists in the last month. Altschuler, who lost a race for Congress by a razor-thin margin last year, only surfaced as a candidate earlier this week when he screened before the Suffolk Conservative party.
His 20-minute screening Friday was his first with Republicans. After his appearance, Altschuler declined to comment.
Carpenter said, "I delivered my message -- I'm the best qualified candidate in the race."
Earlier, Carpenter indicated she would run a primary if she felt the process was not fair.
The leaders' meeting also took place without Carpenter's hometown Islip GOP leader, Frank Tantone, who was out of town Friday. The town GOP was represented by John Cochrane.
sources said Cochrane told leaders Islip remained committed to Carpenter, but if there is a primary the party would provide nominating petitions for both candidates.

Altschuler has indicated he would not run if there is a primary challenge, sources said.
Republican officials privately hope that Carpenter can be persuaded to step aside because even if she wins a GOP primary she would not get Conservative Party support, crucial to any Republican candidate's chances.
Conservatives have also screened the Democrat's candidate, Steve Bellone, who has had the minor party backing for supervisor in the past.

One source also said a poll done for the county GOP shows Carpenter is known only by 41 percent of the public while Altschuler is known by 65 percent.
First-time candidate Altschuler, 40, lost last year to Rep. Tim Bishop (D-Southampton) by 593 votes. Altschuler raised $4.6 million -- $2.9 million of it his own money -- for that campaign.

Who's Next in Line for the Republicans?

2011-04-03T07:36:00.000-04:00

Potential GOP candidates for county executive start to line up - or play the waiting game until screening process begins.
After Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy surprisingly announced on March 24 that he would not seek re-election, the next question for the Suffolk County Republican Party in the past week and a half has turned to, "who then, will run?" Several names have been thrown about, and one - Suffolk Treasurer Angie Carpenter - has even officially announced her intention to run. While some names have proven not to be interested - a representative for Judy Pascale, county clerk, said she is, "interested in finishing her term" - a few of those who are at least on the fence spoke with Patch about where they stand now, and what they think they can bring to the table.

Angie Carpenter - Suffolk County Treasurer
The County Treasurer for the past six years and a county legislator for a baker's dozen before that, Carpenter was the first to officially announce her candidacy for the GOP nomination for county executive. In the same place she originally announced her intent to run for County Legislature nearly 20 years ago, Carpenter spoke at La Grange Inn in West Islip on Wednesday.
“This is not a job that affords the time for on-the-job training,” she said. “I have the background and experience in government. I was there working as a full-time legislator and now have daily oversight over county finances as treasurer.”

Joseph Sawicki - Suffolk County Comptroller
Sawicki, a Southold resident, has served as comptroller of Suffolk County since 2002, running twice since on cross-endorsed party lines. Prior to that, he served as chief financial officer of Suffolk County Off Track Betting - "back when they were making money," he said on Friday. Before his time at OTB he represented the First Assembly District from 1983-1993.
In a conversation on Friday Sawicki said he was "50-50" on whether or not he would officially throw his name into the ring to run for county executive. He cited the biggest factor holding him back would be the change in pace the high-profile position would have on his personal and family life.
"One day I wake up and I'm gung ho to run," he said. "The next day, I'll sit down over dinner with my wife and we'll get to talking and say, 'What's really good for us?' This is a decision my wife and I have to make."
Sawicki said he would like to have his decision made in the next two weeks.
Going into his ninth year at the comptroller position, Sawicki said his biggest accomplishments include recouping over $7 million from taxpayers as a result of aggressive auditing practices and - in conjunction with a Democrat-controlled Legislature - compiling a uniform manual for county government for hiring outside consultants. He added that the county spends over $53 million annually on consultants.

Michael J. Fitzpatrick - Assemblyman, Smithtown
Fitzpatrick is an Assemblyman who has represented Smithtown, and parts of Islip and Brookhaven, since 2002. Before moving to the state level, Fitzpatrick served on the Smithtown Town Council for 15 years, working in the financial services industry prior to and during his run in politics.
Fitzpatrick touted his conservative record, pointing out that among his peers in the Assembly, he's been given the highest conservative rating by the New York State Conservative Party over the past three years. He said that landing the Conservative nomination would be key for his party's ability not just among gathering votes, but raising funds as well.
In addition to his fiscal policy, Fitzpatrick said his experience in Albany could help the residents of Suffolk.
"Having seen how Albany works, I want to use that platform to work with other county executives across the state to drive change," he said. "We are all political subdivisions of New York State, and the state has to get a hold of rising pension and healthcare costs.
I am interested in running for the position, on the record," he said.

Ed Romaine - County Legislator, Center Moriches
Romaine, a legislator representing Suffolk's first district since 2005, was the last Republican to run for county executive when Levy defeated him by a 55-45 percent margin in 2003. He said he's going to wait and see if he'll throw his name in to be the next GOP candidate.
"It's far too early to tell," said Romaine, who served as County Clerk from 1989 to 2002. "This just opened up a week ago. But it's something I'm obviously seriously looking at."
Romaine said he "loves representing the first district," which encompasses Riverhead, Southold and a small portion of Brookhaven. And with his legislature term ending this year - legislature seats are two-year terms - he said if a better candidate were to arise, he would have no problem ceding the nomination to someone else.
But in order to find that out, Romaine said he wants to do his homework - similar to likely Democratic candidate Steve Bellone's listening tour - to see what the rest of the county is thinking.
"I don't want to be precipitous and say I'm going to run right now," he said. "That's like diving into a pool without water. Running for county executive is almost like starting a business. You have to take a look around, look at the potential to fundraise, and gauge your support in every aspect of the county. It isn't done overnight."

John Flanagan - State Senator, Smithtown
Flanagan represents the New York's second Senate distrcit, which encompasses all of Smithtown, and parts of Brookhaven and Huntington. He was first elected to the seat in 2002 and most recently won last November's election with 63 percent of the vote.
Prior to his time in the Senate, the East Northport resident served in the Assembly for 16 years, representing the ninth district.
Flanagan currently serves as chair on the Education Committee, and on his Senate bio page, he states that some of his accomplishments through his post have been to increase bus service for students and expanding funding for pre-kindergarten.
Flanagan did not return calls seeking comment.

.by Grace Colucci on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at 11:03pm.Suffolk Notebook: Who's Next in Line for the Republicans?

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State Conservative Party Endorses Jane Corwin In NY-26 Special Election

2011-03-29T08:36:00.000-04:00

The state Conservative Party is throwing its weight behind Assemblywoman Jane Corwin in the upcoming special election to replace fallen NY-26 Rep. Chris Lee.

“Jane Corwin is a proven conservative who will fight for Western New York, and it’s my honor to endorse her on behalf of the New York State Conservative Party and have her run on the Conservative Party line in the 26th Congressional District,” said Chairman Mike Long. “Jane has a strong record of cutting spending and protecting the conservative values our party stands for, and I know she will do the same in Washington.”

Corwin’s name will now appear on three ballot lines -- R, C and I -- when the special is held on May 24.
“I appreciate the support of Chairman Long and the entire New York State Conservative Party,” Corwin said. “Taxpayers are tired of seeing more of their hard-earned money being sent to Washington to fuel an unsustainable growth of government. It’s well past time to return fiscal responsibility to our nation’s capital and Western New Yorkers have my commitment to cut wasteful government spending and strengthen our economy to create jobs in Western New York.”

It now remains to be seen what the plan is for David Bellavia, an Iraq War vet who had hoped to capture the Conservative line. Meanwhile, plans are for county Democrats to interview seven candidates this Saturday.

The Pied Piper of Smithtown

2011-03-23T08:28:00.000-04:00

Tonight's Smithtown School Board meeting, held at High School West, was packed. People made their way through a mass of school faculty protesting by wearing black outfits and the ubiquitous pins declaring, "Working Without a Contract." And the contract (in mediation) was the subject of much discussion.

The Board and Administration took care of the business of the district and then opened the floor to the public. Rich Forzano, president of the Smithtown Teachers Association was the first speaker. Mr Forzano claimed that over the past two contracts, the district gave nothing and asked too much of the union. Unfortunately, there was nothing detectably compromising in his address--no hands across the table. It was an inauspicious beginning that grew bizarre as Mr Forzano left the podium, the auditorium, and the building--followed by hundreds of the black-clad STA members. It was the low point of the evening. Even so, the room was almost half full after the exodus.

There followed 23 more speakers including recent Smithtown HS grads; moms of SCSD students; Decca volunteers; Industry Advisory Board members; a Junior Achievement Rep; seniors; business men and women of the district; and concerned citizens. Many plead for retaining the Business program which sounds fabulous--effective and one well-preparing its students for the future.

There were a couple passionate speakers who begged the Board to keep all programs, and do the right thing for the children. The major theme, however, was: dare to make a change, and do it now. The absent union members were asked to join the taxpayers and make a sacrifice. They wanted to know what the teachers were willing to do. They had left, so we were not able to have any dialogue.

One small group of teachers--not wearing the uniform of protest--actually stayed to the very end--they were the Business program teachers, who were warmly received. Their maturity and commitment to the students was appreciated.

Three speakers really stood out--a retired teacher and resident with the guts to challenge an out-of-control union, a businessman who offered to work on the Housing Advisory Committee and pointed out how simple it would be to balance the budget--with an STA contract with give-backs, and another businessman who reminded the Board and Administration to remember the definition of insanity and asked the Board and Admin to....

Take a look at Wisconsin! Stand up for us! Do something different!

Thanks to everyone who made this a productive evening--unfortunately--not the STA.

Posted by Suz-http://smithtowntaxpayerseducationnews.blogspot.com/
March 22, 20100

Smithtown Union to Face Taxpayers on Tuesday

2011-03-22T11:16:00.000-04:00

A new venue was called for the Smithtown Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 7 pm. The move from the Admin building to Smithtown High School West is to accommodate the teachers who have been requested to attend by their union.
The union has sent out the call because the district is working on a new contract with the the Smithtown Teachers union-the STA. Last spring the contract expired and in June the union called impasse. Now they are all sitting down with a mediator. It is thought that the STA believed playing a waiting game would work in their favor as the economy turned around. It hasn’t. More and more cuts are coming our way and the unions leaders must be feeling the heat, now.

The district has been working on many issues lately, but hasn’t seemed to get down to actually making tough budget cuts. We think we know what the numbers will look like, but after discussing two referenda to change busing for both students in the district and private and parochial students; changing the walker area; and even pondering closing an elementary school; we still haven’t had a major budget cut. Well, the sports, health, and athletics department did cut $3.5 million from their considerable budget.

The numbers don’t equal the amount we must make up in lost state school aid and the rapidly rising contribution for retirement costs all heaped on top of climbing fuel, food, insurance, and well, you name it! Of course, good decisions must be made at some point.

Talk from the Admin has encouraged a big jump in school tax this year to rake in extra money to be used into the coming years of a tax cap. The Board (mostly) has tried to get big budget cuts, and a commitment to rein in spending. At the last several budget meetings there has been a spontaneous response from the average resident who is appalled by the district’s shenanigans.

So there you have the players–the Admin, Board of Ed, and the taxpayers.
Want to cheer on the taxpayers on Tuesday? Consider that your district may be next. Come on down, watch the show-down as the teachers union has its say. Oh, no contract? The Triborough Amendment covers the members with the old contract. Short-changed monetarily? Teachers salaries have doubled in the last ten years, and the STA received a 3.93% STEP increase.
New York State may make a 180 turn-around–Smithtown may do it first!

by Susie Schlomann 3/20/11

Congressional Race Still Up in the Air- Randy Altschuler Ahead

2010-11-06T08:50:00.000-04:00

Although unofficial results on Wednesday morning showed Mr. Bishop, a Democrat from Southampton, ahead by about 3,500 votes, with some 9,500 absentee ballots still to be counted, revised results now show that Mr. Altschuler, a Republican from St. James, is ahead by about 400 votes based solely on Election Night balloting, according to Rob Ryan, Mr. Altschuler’s spokesman. Two other officials with knowledge of the situation confirmed the information on background.

The numbers were updated after the Suffolk County Board of Elections apparently finished downloading the electronic results directly from the new electronic voting machines, according to Mr. Ryan. He said he heard the new numbers at about 5:30 p.m. Friday from an attorney hired by the campaign who has been in touch with the Board of Elections.

“We’re up by 392 votes,” Mr. Ryan said late Friday night. “The BOE, when they bring in the machines, I guess they hook them up and electronically download the information.”

Absentee ballots have until Monday to arrive with the Suffolk County Board of Elections. As of Friday, the breakdown of ballots yet to be counted is as follows, according to Newsday:

■Democrat - 3,611

■Repiblican - 3,953

■Independence - 303

■Conservative - 243

■Working Families - 12

■Blank - 1,779

NYC Democrats Heading out to Interfere with OUR CONGRESSIONAL RACE

2010-10-02T10:22:00.000-04:00

The group Organizing for America has sent out an email(see below) announcing their intention to help the liberal candidate Tim Bishop retain his seat.
Organizing for America is a community organizing project of the Democratic National Committee.[1][2][3] Founded after the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama, the group seeks to mobilize supporters in favor of Obama's legislative agenda."

If this doesn't make you angry, it should. Please, let's all unite to send ultra-liberal Tim Bishop packing. Please call Randy's campaign office and volunteer to do whatever you can to ensure that Tim Bishop is not reelected.

Hi—We’ve had a sudden surge in Organizing for America volunteers who have signed up to come out from Manhattan and Brooklyn on Sunday to help us canvass. They’re fired up. Are you? We really, really need local volunteer drivers and canvassers to pair with them.

Will you help? They’re motivated to help our guy! So let’s match their spirit!
Republicans are waging a nastier and nastier voter suppression campaign against Tim Bishop in particular. They want Democrats to get demoralized and stay home and are spending millions to try and make that happen. We have to get out there and push back!!! Talking to voters is the best way to oppose these tactics: No to buying elections and no to smear campaigns…Our volunteers are fired up: It’s contagious so join us!

Sunday we’re meeting at Ronkonkoma RR Station at 11:15 to canvass Lake Grove and Ronkonkoma area. If you can’t join us, please come to:

∑ Our Organizing for America-Brookhaven meeting on Monday 10/4—the last meeting before Election Day—to sign up for the many volunteer opportunities available in this tightening, nail-biting election!

∑ Our Tuesday nights Bellport phonebank

∑ Our Thursday nights Stony Brook/Setauket phonebank

∑ Our canvass next Saturday 10/9 in the Mastic area.
Details for all below.
1) Ronkonkoma/Lake Grove canvass, Sunday, Oct. 3 11:15 AM

Meet at the Ronkonkoma LIRR station and we will go door-to-door in nearby communities to talk to first-time voters and others about the importance of this election! Meet in front of the ticket office near the North Parking lot. We'll offer a brief training, all the material you need, and pair experienced volunteers with newcomers. Join us for a 2 hour shift if you can't spend all afternoon.

Sunday, October 3rd 11:15am - 4:15pm

Location: Ronkonkoma LIRR station parking lot (Take LIE (495) to Exit 60 South. Go about two blocks south on Hawkins Ave to parking lot and station.

RSVP: Sue - 605-4689 or suehornik@aol.com

or at http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gp3d9w
2) Brookhaven OFA Get Out the Vote Meeting, Monday, 10/4, 7:15 PM

Our Get Out the Vote agenda is set to go. We need as many volunteers as possible to participate in this final month so we can win! Learn more about our evermore scary opposition, and commit to our exciting GOTV events that fit your skills.

Setauket Neighborhood House
95 Main St.
East Setauket, NY 11733

RSVP: Marge - 751-6576 or mdebowy@hotmail.com

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gp3s5x
3) Bellport Weekly Phonebank

Tuesday, October 5, 2010 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Venue this week:

Eileen's (Bellport, NY)

153 South Country Rd.

Bellport, NY 11713

RSVP Sue, suehornik@aol.com 631 605 4689
4) Setauket/Stony Brook Weekly Phonebank, Oct. 7, 6-8

Venue this week:
Marge's house

Location: 29 Madeley Lane, Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY 11790

RSVP: Marge - 751-6576 or mdebowy@hotmail.com

5) Canvass in Mastic!!! Saturday, Oct. 9, 11 AM

Meet at Patchogue LIRR, to drive NYC volunteers to our Mastic area canvass sites and drive them while they canvass. Also need local volunteers who we’llmeet in Mastic at a site TBA. We will go door-to-door in nearby communities to talk to first-time voters and others about the importance of this election! Join us for a 2 hour shift if you can't spend all afternoon.

RSVP: Sue - 605-4689 or suehornik@aol.com

Thanks for all your help and support! Fired up now?
Best,

Sue

Regional Field Director

Organizing for America

631 605 4689

Stand United Behind Randy Altschuler

2010-09-19T08:44:00.000-04:00

Now that the primary fights are behind us Conservatives and Republicans need to get on the same page. Whether you aspire to the Tea Party mentality or are just sick of politics as usual, it is time to stand together and stop picking each other apart. Although we as Conservatives showed that we were unified, outsiders attacked our leadership and our choices and forced a primary that was costly and unnecessary.
The right person won, both primaries and there was no doubt who the people chose.

Perhaps some lessons have been learned from this process, I for one hope that those who are new to the political process are not jaded or turned off by all the attack ads and dirt inherent in party politics. It is time for fresh blood to come into the parties and join them by nudging change from the inside, not trying to force change with bully tactics from the outside.

We all have the same goals in mind. We all want the same things. We are tired of politics as usual, and we want representatives who represent US, not themselves.

We have a real chance here in one of the biggest races this year to make a difference. If you are happy with the way your taxes have gone up and your income and property values have gone down then perhaps you need to vote for the incumbent. If you want someone in Washington who actually knows what its like to pay the same taxes you do, and stands beside you and actually listens to your ideas on how to change things in Washington then vote for Randy Altschuler.

The choice here is clear....a house divided will fall....I urge all Tea Partiers regardless of your underlying party affilliations to take all of your anger and channel it positively for change. Randy is that change. The only thing you have to lose here is another Pelosi psychofan.....think about it.

An Open Letter to Smithtown Conservatives

2010-09-03T01:15:00.000-04:00

Dear Fellow Conservatives:

Some of you may be confused by the recent articles in the newspaper and the rhetoric you may have heard regarding the upcoming election. For those of you in the first congressional district the race to beat Tim Bishop has taken a back seat to the infighting of the Republicans to decide who will in fact face Bishop in November.

As you know due to the lack of a Republican consensus the Conservative party stepped up to the plate and chose who we consider to be the best candidate to win the race against Tim Bishop. The County Conservative Committee voted 81 to 2 to pick Randy Altschuler as our candidate. If you have met Randy and taken the time to hear what he has to say, you understand why he was our choice.

The Republican party has chosen to have an open primary on September 14th where Randy Altschuler, Chris Cox and George Demos will be on the ballot to see who will win the Republican endorsement. As a Conservative you cannot vote in this primary, but I would ask that you talk to your Republican friends and urge them to vote for Randy.

Recently I sent you a letter advising you that individuals claiming to be Conservatives had been going door to door asking for signatures on a petition without even advising the signors that they were signing a petition to get Chris Cox onto a ballot to challenge the endorse candidate Randy Altschuler. Many of the signatures were immediately deemed invalid in that if a Conservative had already signed a petition for Randy, the Cox signature was voided. However, the balance of the signatures were challenged in court. The trial court ruled that most of the signatures were invalid due to the fact that the notaries who took the signatures failed to administer the required oath as per the election law.

Unfortunately, Cox appealed the trial court's decision and the appellate division overturned the lower court's ruling allowing Cox to receive a write in vote in a primary with Randy Altschuler. The Altschuler team has taken an appeal to the highest Court of the State which has agreed to hear the matter so that hopefully the primary challenge will be moot.

However, in the event that the Court of Appeals fails to rule in time there will be a need for every Conservative to go to the polls to vote on Primary day September 14th. If you hadn't planned on voting in the primary I urge you to do so for two reasons. First Rick Lazio is also being challenged by a Conservative named Ralph Lorigo for the Governor's race. Lorigo is not a serious candidate and has thrown his name into the mix to make a point to the leadership. These types of tactics hurt the process, so I would urge you to vote for Lazio to remain the endorsed Candidate of the Conservative Party.

Secondly, if the Cox challenge is not overturned we are in real danger of losing the first congressional district and having it remain in the hands of the Pelosi democrats. Chris Cox is not a viable candidate in this election. Neither Cox or Demos even live in the district. Neither Cox nor Demos knows what it is like to raise a family on Long Island or pay property taxes in this county. Randy Altshuler owns a home in St. James, He lives there with his family and is not a Manhattan resident like the other two who squat at relatives homes here in Suffolk in order to qualify to get their names on the ballot.

Randy Altschuler does not have a made up resume of his accomplishments nor does he have the backing of the politics as usual crowd. Randy is a self made business man who is not a career politician and does not come from a long line of career politicians.

I thank you for taking the time to read this email and apologize for its length, but I felt it was important for you as Conservatives to understand that our Party was attacked by outsiders to force us into a primary we the party leadership did not feel was necessary. Just because the Republicans were not capable of reaching a consensus on a candidate doesn't mean they should throw the Conservatives into the same pot of indecision. We don't need other parties to tell us who we want to represent us in November. We want Randy Altschuler and I would urge you to make that point clear on September 14th.

As always if you have any questions or comments or need any further clarification, please feel free to contact me.

Janine
From the Desk of Janine A. Barbera
Chairwoman of the Conservative Party of Smithtown
JBarbera@smithtownconservatives.org
http://www.smithtownconservatives.org/
http://smithtownconservatives.blogspot.com/
631-473-5100

Now Is the Time to Act

2010-08-25T11:28:00.000-04:00

Dear Fellow Conservatives:

Many of you have asked how you can get more involved within the party and here are two events which will put you right in the mix of things. Tomorrow night 8/26 at the Elks Club in Smithtown at 7:00pm will be a special meeting to meet and greet the candidates running for the first congressional district. You will have the opportunity to meet our candidate Randy Altschuler and ask questions of all the candidates. You will come to see why Randy is the best choice in this race.

Also on August 31st at 4:00pm on the lawn of Town Hall we invite you to join our town leaders in voicing their support of Randy Altschuler as the candidate for Congress. I hope to see you all in attendance.

Janine A. Barbera
Chairwoman of the Smithtown Conservative Committee

A Letter Every Conservative and Republican Should Read...

2010-08-24T09:03:00.001-04:00

Date: August 23, 2010

For Immediate Release For Further Information

Letter From Suffolk County Conservative Chairman Ed Walsh

To Candidate Christopher Cox

Christopher N. Cox

Chris Cox for Congress

180 East Main Street

Smithtown, NY 11787

August 23, 2010

Dear Christopher:
Last week I issued a news release urging you to "stop twisting the truth" and asking you to "stick to the facts." Obviously you didn't take my words to heart. You, your campaign staff, and your surrogates continue to issue news releases and spew tall tales that bear little or no resemblance to the facts.

So Christopher, the time has come to set the record straight.

Repeatedly you have chosen to attack the actions of the Suffolk Conservative Party, its Executive Committee and myself. You have insinuated backroom deals and political donations were responsible for a legally constituted Executive Committee denying you their endorsement by a near unanimous vote of 81-2.

Maybe that's the political world you grew up in, but, the truth be told; you were rejected by the Executive Committee because you were not the best candidate.

You are always eager to bring up your family's deep roots in the district, yet, you don't own a home here, nor have you ever paid one cent in property taxes here. For voting purposes you claim to live at your uncle's $15 million Westhampton Beach Estate. Conveniently, you never mention the fact that in October of last year, less than three months before registering to vote at your uncle's estate, you purchased a $1.4 million co-op on Manhattan's upper eastside, steps from Fifth Avenue, two floors above the your parent's apartment. Everyone knows that's where you live; it's probably the worst kept secret in Suffolk County politics.
On your ads, in your literature and during our screening process you have repeatedly touted the American jobs you've created and the successes you've had in business. But, when questioned further you become evasive; you can't identify the jobs and you refuse to discuss what your business OC Global Partners actually does.
It's been reported that your firm does business in China and the Mid-East; but, you refuse to say with whom. The OC Global's web-site states that it had dealings with the Saudi Government. Have you had dealings with other Arab countries or their ruling families or with the communist government of China?

Since its founding nearly fifty years ago the Conservative Party has been outspoken in its opposition to communism and since the attacks of 9/11 we have been vocal in our calls for action against regimes that harbor terrorists or help finance the breeding grounds of Radical Islam. It would be hypocritical of me not to demand forthright answers on these subjects.
Our economy is in crisis, unemployment is a major problem. You claim to have the answers, but you refuse to give the facts. Once and for all please tell us; where are the jobs you claim to have created?

You carry a protectionist banner in your attacks on Conservative Party nominee Randy Altschuler, claiming that he sent jobs overseas. But, you seem to ignore the facts; Randy Altschuler has created well over 700 jobs for hard working Americans. To the best of my knowledge your sole attempt at job creation has been the numerous hires and fires that have taken place on your campaign staff since January.

You and your surrogates cynically attack Randy Altschuler for creating jobs overseas but you always forget to mention that the majority of his customers were located overseas and that the number one rule of business is to service your customers. You worked for the New York City law firm, Weil Gottschal but, forgot to mention that a major part of their practice involves "restructuring" which in layman's terms translates into downsizing and layoffs. The hard cold facts show that Chris Cox is a job killer, not a job creator!

Christopher, your campaign takes pleasure in labeling Randy Altschuler a "millionaire" as they insinuate that there is something wrong with that or that perhaps that he is attempting to buy this election. Well, truth be told; you are a millionaire too. What differentiates the two of you is that Randy Altschuler, through hard work and determination, earned every cent he has. You simply inherited it.

Your wild claims that Randy is buying this election ring hollow when one reads press reports that credit your uncle, Howard Cox, with donating $50,OOO to a local GOP town committee in the congressional district. A very generous gift, when you realize that Howard Cox lives in Massachusetts and merely summers in the Hamptons. But, it's just one of many "donations" your family has given in their misguided attempt to purchase you a congressional seat.

And, while we are on the topic of wild claims you have made, let's take a look at your meritless attempt to force an Opportunity to Ballot on the Conservative Party line. Simply put; you failed.

In the process, you attempted to smear the Suffolk County Conservative Party, its members and Executive Committee and even well respected Supreme Court Judge. The state Supreme Court ruled against you nevertheless; citing a string of technical deficiencies in your petitions, as well as fake signatures and paid petitioners who perpetrated fraud in your craven attempt to muddy the electoral waters.

Your lack of accomplishments and your habit of stretching the truth and refusing to be forthright are the reasons you did not receive the backing of the Suffolk County Conservative Party.

It is becoming increasingly apparent that that you cannot win this election and the only role you can possibly play is that of a spoiler. It's time for you to do the "RIGHT THING" and drop out of this race before you do more damage to your reputation or to our chances of beating the very liberal Tim Bishop in November.

Sincerely,

Edward M. Walsh, Jr.

Chairman,

Suffolk County Conservative Party

Rebuttal to the letter to the Editor in The Smithtown News

2010-08-12T08:31:00.000-04:00

Dear Editor:

As the Chairwoman of the Smithtown Conservative Party for the last two years, I felt it was incumbent upon me to respond to the letter by John A. Malloy of Kings Park regarding his letter about the Political Action Committee recently established in Smithtown.

Though I have never met Mr. Malloy it is apparent he is a political outsider since he not only failed to mention my name as Conservative Party leader in Smithtown but instead brought up names of passed leadership that no longer reign in this Town and haven't in many years. Mr.. Malloy then proceeds to make allegations and assumptions inventing crazy motives and innuendos causing anyone who is active in politics in Smithtown to chuckle.

Mr. Malloy allow me to enlighten you.

The leaders of the Republican Party in Smithtown and the leaders of the Conservative Party in Smithtown are not at odds but are completely in alliance with one another. This is the reason both parties chose to develop the PAC which you discuss in your letter. Apparently you missed the article in Newsday wherein I was quoted as explaining that the PAC was formed by both members of the Republican and Conservative Parties to develop a "farm team" of qualified candidates to run in local elections here in Smithtown. The PAC was not started to benefit any one candidate or group, it is open to the public of Smithtown at large and those who join will get to screen individuals who desire to run for local office. Those individuals who screen will then be voted upon by the membership of the PAC and then the PAC will recommend certain candidates to the leadership of the Parties in Smithtown and promote and back these individuals in upcoming elections.

There is nothing sneaky, or nefarious about this Committee and as one of the founding members I find it insulting and surprising that instead of inquiring about the Committee Mr. Malloy chooses to malign it without any proper knowledge or foundation.

As the Conservative leader in Smithtown I am proud to be a part of a committee that opens its doors to all party affiliations and vows to listen to the consensus of the group. Mr.. Malloy's facts are wrong on all counts including the fact that indeed we DO have democrats as members already in the PAC and will entertain the membership of any Smithtown resident who wishes to join. We however are NOT interested in dissidents and have established rules regarding membership in that we will not allow the PAC to be used as a vehicle for any one individual or group to enforce its own agenda.

Mr. Malloy is not a part of the local political landscape and his comments clearly show that he is a creature of the distant past. We here in Smithtown are proud to be the last bastion of the Conservative Republican base in the County albeit all of Long Island. We are proud to align ourselves with the Republican leadership in Smithtown and anyone who attends any Republican or Conservative functions in town can attest to the alliance we have forged.

Mr.Wehrheim and Mr Creighton are two shining examples of the Republican and Conservative alliance. For Mr. Malloy to infer that either of these candidates will not get the backing of their own parties in the next election just shows how little he knows about Smithtown politics. To use his own words.... Mr.John Malloy and I have two things in common, we are both Smithtown residents and we both wish that more people in Smithtown would participate in local politics. If they did we would have less of these uninformed letters being written by purported individuals in the know, who really know very little.

Janine A. Barbera
From the Desk of Janine A. Barbera
Chairwoman of the Conservative Party of Smithtown

Newsday Didn't Ask My Opinion

2010-07-26T13:27:00.000-04:00

As the Chairwoman of the Conservative Party in Smithtown I was very disturbed that I was never contacted regarding my opinion or reaction to the article printed in Sunday's paper regarding the Tea Party Movement and their claim of "Victory" in obtaining some 850 signatures of unwitting Conservatives some of which were in the town of Smithtown. I emailed Mr. Brand and I post the letter here for the Community to read:

Dear Mr. Brand:

I would like to comment on your story in Sunday's paper regarding the Conservative Party. As the Chair of the Smithtown Conservative Party I have been told by many Smithtown residents that local tea party individuals acting on behalf of Cox supporters posed as Conservatives knocking on Conservative doors to obtain their signatures.

Most individuals were unaware that they were signing a petition for Cox. Relying on a false representation Conservatives at least in Smithtown are angry they were lied to.

As Chair of the Party here in Smithtown I take offense to remarks made by non-Conservatives about our leadership. What other party can boast that an executive committee of some 40 individuals representing all towns in Suffolk get together to vote on a candidate before he or she is endorsed? Randy Altschuler was our choice after much debate and conversation following an extensive screening process.

It is a shame our local representatives cannot see fit to support a fellow Smithtown resident. Some may just call it sour grapes.

If you would like to further discuss this or any other issue involving Smithtown please feel free to contact me. I would be very pleased to speak with you.

Sincerely,

Janine A. Barbera

Chairwoman of the Conservative Party in Smithtown

http://www.smithtownconservatives.org/

http://smithtownconservatives.blogspot.com/

When Conservatives are not Conservatives

2010-07-18T15:26:00.000-04:00

Unfortunately many recently have been duped into signing petitions for Chris Cox who is trying to force a Conservative primary against our chosen candidate for the first Congressional District Randy Altschuler. The unfortunate part is that these petition walkers were identifying themselves falsely as Conservatives and many registered Conservatives signed these petitions thinking they were representing our party.

While this is not an unheard of practice, the deceit involved is very disturbing. Those of you who are active within the party and who get the emails from our party regularly may have been aware that Chris Cox was not our designated candidate. Sometimes however,people are caught off guard when someone approaches their door and requests a signature.

The above is another reason that it behooves people to know what is going on in their own political party. Those who are merely observors in the process and who fail to get involved are usually the first ones to complain about government and demand change.

Positive change can only occur when a fully informed electorate seeks to become educated on the issues and start asking their leaders tough questions. To simply demand change brings about the kind of overturn in government that we saw on the federal level in the last election. People wanted something different, but they failed to listen to what the differences were and voted with their hearts and not their minds. Now the country is again in upheaval as the masses cry out again for Change. Becoming involved in local elections is the first step in bringing about positive change and not just change for the sake of something different.

Become aware, become involved, be a part of the process not just a voice demanding solutions. Local involvement is the first step. Send me your email address and we can help you become part of the process.

That Person Knocking on Your Door

2010-06-19T14:16:00.000-04:00

The first week in June is the start of Petition Season for the political process. For those of you out of the political loop, petitions are used to collect signatures for the candidates each party would like to see on the ballot in November. Each candidate is required by law to obtain a certain number of signatures of registered voters in any given political party in order to qualify to be placed on the ballot with that party's endorsement. Hence the need for dedicated volunteers to go door to door in each neighborhood seeking out registered voters to sign the individual petitions of the candidates in order to obtain this qualification.

While most people who answer the door are very gracious there are always a few out there who are quite annoyed at being disturbed and are in fact down right rude to the walkers of these petitions. It is important to realize that without these volunteers who walk petitions the political process would be at a virtual standstill and those seeking office would have to walk every petition themselves...an impossibility for most offices.

Those of us who volunteer to walk petitions are giving up our down time and our weekends to insure that our liberties are protected and that all of our voices are heard. All any volunteer asks is merely a few minutes of your time to sign your name and put your address down lending your support to the chosen candidates for your political party.

We are your neighbors, mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers who approach your door. We are fellow Conservatives reaching out to other Conservatives within our community to bring forth the best of the best to represent us in all facets of government. Be gracious, be kind and be co-operative for these volunteers who are interrupting your day are the emissaries of our liberty.

The Statewide Ticket for the Conservative Party

2010-06-16T07:34:00.000-04:00

The State Conservataive Party is running the following individuals for Statewide Office:

Rick A. Lazio ~ Governor

Greg Edwards ~ Lt. Governor

Harry Wilson ~ Comptroller

Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. ~ Attorney General

Joe DioGuardi ~ U. S. Senate

Jay Townsend ~ U. S. Senate

Time to Unite

2010-06-08T15:50:00.000-04:00

County Executive Steve Levy fought hard for the GOP nomination for this years' governor's race, but in the end it was just not to be. Both Levy and former Congressman Rick Lazio would make a great governor, but after the dust settled it is Lazio who will face Attorney General Andrew Cuomo this November.

If Mr. Levy wants to show that he is really a Republican and a fiscal conservative then what better way is there to prove it than to throw yourself one hundred percent behind Rick Lazio?

The County Exec reportedly said that he might still remain on another line to "get the message out." I hope he doesn't go there.

So why not Cuomo? First of all he has no record. An attorney general is not a policy making role. Compare that with being a Congressman. We know little of Cuomo's ideology, which is a problem in itself, but if the apple didn't fall far from the tree and he is anything like his father, he is far to the left of Lazio. We don't need any more Obama, Pelosi, and Reids here in New York State than we already have. Levy can help drive that home. As a former Democrat he can explain how he was never a Democrat's favorite Democrat and he can give witness to how most of them are so beholden to the unions and the government workers that they could never make the tough decisions our next governor will surely have to make.

There has been some speculation that Levy may just wait for Lazio to lose and return again in four years with his four million dollar war chest. Wouldn't it be refreshing for a politician to do the right thing for a change.

Women's Self- Defense Seminar

2010-05-24T07:50:00.000-04:00

For those of you who missed the Women's Self Defense Seminar with 8th Degree Black Belt Frank Black, you missed an incredible Seminar which was very informative.

Frank and his partner brought real life situations to the class room and gave the group easy practical approaches which every woman should know.

The response to the program was so great that Frank is thinking of having another seminar in June if there is enough interest. Please contact me at Jbarbera@smithtownconservatives.org if you are interested in attending the next seminar.

Pam Farino for Smithtown School Board

2010-05-12T12:20:00.002-04:00

The Smithtown Conservative Party endorses Pam Farino for Smithtown School Board. Please advise your friends to vote for Pam and her conservative values on May 18th!

Suffolk County Conservative Party News

2010-05-12T07:43:00.000-04:00

Annual Chairman's Club Dinner honoring Congressman Peter King and Conservative Commentator Monica Crowley is being held on Monday May 17th from 6pm to 10pm at the Venetian Yacht Club in Babylon New York. If you would like further information on tickets and sponsorship opportunities please call 631-513-8251. Thank you for your support!

Smithtown Conservative Runs for Kings Park School Board

2010-05-12T07:41:00.000-04:00

PLEASE... VOTE ON MAY 18th at RJO Intermediate School!

FOR Walter “Butch” Lahmann

elect him to the Kings Park School Board. Walter is a registered Smithtown Conservative and the Smithtown

Conservative Party endorses him for the Kings Park School Board.

Suffolk County Conservative Party Backs Altschuler for the First CD

2010-04-26T14:46:00.002-04:00

Suffolk County Conservative Party Chairman, Edward M. Walsh, Jr., announced that he will endorse St. James businessman Randy Altschuler in the race to unseat four-term liberal Congressman Tim Bishop. The Conservative Party met for a second time and screened five candidates for the First Congressional District nominatio...n on Monday, April 19th. Chairman Walsh will recommend Randy Altschuler to the Executive Committee as the only candidate for consideration of the Conservative Party’s nomination.Randy Altschuler gets Conservative backing in Suffolk County

Women's Self- Defense Seminar

2010-04-17T15:25:00.002-04:00

Women’s Self-Defense Seminar

Taught by Frank Black’s School of Isshinryu Karate
Saturday, May 22, 2010

Registration: 8:30am – 9:00am
Seminar: 9:00am – 11:00am
The seminar will be held at:

213 Lake Avenue
Saint James, NY 11780

Seminar Synopsis:
The seminar will provide an introduction to basic techniques for self-defense and awareness. The student will have opportunities to participate and practice with others in a safe and supportive group environment.

This seminar is unique. It allows participants to practice full-force self-defense on the instructors. Participants will see what a real life situation is like and that they have the strength to fight back.

Goals of the Seminar:

To give women the framework to understand better ways for self-protection and defense.

Who Should Come

Any and all women (above the age of 18) with or without prior martial arts experience are welcome to come.

Signup!

If you plan on attending the seminar, please sign up using our online sign-up sheet or email us at Jbarbera@smithtownconservatives.org . Signing up is in no way required, but helps us get an idea of how many people to expect. If you also give us your email while signing up, we’ll send you a reminder a few days before the seminar. www.smithtownconservatives.blogspot.com

Fee:

There will be a $20 fee to attend this seminar.

What to Bring:

Come dressed in sweats or comfortable clothes and sneakers. Bring drinking water.

For More Information on Frank Black’s School of Isshinryu and Smithtown Conservative Committee:

http://www.frankblackisshinryu.com/ and http://www.smithtownconservatives.org/ or our blog http://www.smithtownconservatives.blogspot.com/

Winner of Our Essay Contest JOHN APOLLO JR.

2010-04-09T08:21:00.000-04:00

We are pleased to announce that John Apollo Jr. of E. Northport is the winner of our Essay Contest.
Congratulations to John. Below is a reprint of his winning essay, he is an inspiration to us all.

Why I am Proud to be An American?

The reason I am proud to be an American is because I live in the home of the free and the brave. Many of my relatives have fought in wars to allow me to live in America and have independence and freedom. My cousin, Stan, is now fighting in Iraq for the past 4 years. He fights in Iraq and also Afganistan to protect our country. His bravery and willingness to fight for our freedom is another reason I am proud to be an American. Cousin Stan is in the United States Army and he works so hard all day and all night to make sure we all are safe. Here in America we enjoy many freedoms including freedom of speech and religion. People are free to choose what television show they want to watch, what book they want to read and what activities they want to do. In many countries they do not have this freedom. I am proud that in America we can do these things and more, because so many people before me have fought so hard to protect our rights. I hope we always be the land of the free and the brave! These are the reasons I am proud to be an American!

2010 New York State Conservative Party Legislative Priorities

2010-04-01T08:04:00.000-04:00

A. The Conservative Party is committed to helping the taxpayers residing in New York State and firmly believes that tax reform and relief is needed immediately and must include the following measures:

a. Hold total state spending growth at/or (preferably) below the inflation rate;
b. Reduce the personal income tax on all New Yorkers, allowing working people to keep more of their hard-earned wages and salaries;
c. Reduce the corporate income tax on all businesses in New York, to stimulate more investment and job creation;
d. Rejection of a “congestion pricing plan”;
e. Cap the growth in school property taxes;
f. Cap the growth in real property taxes;
g. No reinstatement of the “Commuter Tax”;
h. Elimination of state income tax on dividend earnings;
i. End the hidden tax hike of “bracket creep”;
j. No increase in fees or “hidden” taxes;
k. Eliminate the New York State estate tax;
l. Private business pensions should have the same tax exemption as state pensions;
m. Local government entities, such as Fire Districts, Libraries, School Districts, should have voter approval of budgets, prior to contracts becoming effective;
n. Opposition to unfunded mandates.
o. Local governments should be required to consolidate services and where possible, to eliminate
p. duplication of services or dissolve local government when approved by voter referendum.
q. Opposition to the unconstitutional levy of state and local sales taxes on out-of-state internet purchases.
r. Support collection of cigarette taxes sold to non-Indians by Indian Reservations.
s. Serious consideration of a “flat tax” where every household in New York State pays the same percentage of their income thereby making it possible to eliminate nuisance taxes.

B. Reform of the Medicaid System must include limiting Medicaid to necessary coverage reflective of private health insurance coverage, thus providing relief to local governments.

C. We are opposed to the issuance of New York State drivers’ licenses and any form of government identification, and/or any other New York State licenses to illegal aliens.

D. We are opposed to taxpayer financing of political campaigns.

E. We staunchly reject any effort to reinforce current abortion laws. We support parental notification and/or consent prior to the performance of an abortion on an unmarried minor and we support New York passing a ban on the procedure known as Partial Birth Abortion, the elimination of Medicaid funding of abortions and support Informed Consent.

F. We support the encouragement of educational choice programs through establishment of a system of educational tax credits or deductions and/or vouchers in payment to parents or school districts for expenses incurred in elementary or secondary education, and we support lifting the cap on Charter Schools in New York State. We support the proposal that school districts should only invest in programs that have been proven to work prior to any new funding.

G. We support first passage of a Constitutional Amendment establishing Initiative and Referendum and Recall as well as term limits for the Governor, Lt. Governor, Comptroller, Attorney General and Members of the Senate and Assembly.

H. We support Tort Reform that restores common sense to our system of civil litigation while assuring the protection and consideration of the personal rights of the injured individual and their families.

I. We support legislation that upholds the Second Amendment rights granted to citizens in good standing.

J. We support the restoration of the death penalty.

K. We oppose any effort to increase welfare benefits.

L. The Conservative Party staunchly believes that all human cloning must be banned and that stem-cell research specifically prohibits the use of progenitor cells and/or pluripotent cells and is limited to adult stem cells and fetal cord blood research.

M. We support legislation that allows families recovery for the wrongful death of their unborn child due to negligence, malpractice, or other wrongful acts. We support enactment of the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, which would punish an assault on an unborn child.

N. We support a constitutional amendment that will define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. We also believe that any attempt to amend the Human Rights Law to include "transgender" language as a special class of citizens should be rejected.

O. We support legislation to end parole for all convicted felons, legislation that requires every criminal who commits a crime to give a DNA sample and legislation that requires the civil commitment of sexual predators.

P. We support the repeal of the statute of limitations for rape, sexual assault, and other serious violent felony offenses for all offenders.

Q. We support amending the law so those who commit a third independent misdemeanor offense are subject to a felony conviction.

R. We support legislation that provides that an inmate's income must be used for payment, restitution, and reparation support of his dependents and for reimbursement to the state for the costs of food, shelter and clothing during incarceration.

S. We support a constitutional amendment that would specifically define “eminent domain” to prohibit takings for economic development purposes and limit takings to true public purposes.

T. We are opposed to efforts to bar law enforcement agencies from utilizing any effective law enforcement techniques, such as profiling, on grounds of political correctness.

U. We support privatization of state owned and/or operated enterprises that compete with privately owned businesses with revenues from asset sales earmarked for tax reduction or retirement of State Bonds.

V. We reject any legislation that uses public monies for the development of private enterprises, i.e.; DestiNY, sports stadiums or convention centers.

W. We oppose the unreasonable and massive take over by state and local governments, or Indian Nations, of private property and open space, which will prevent private enterprise from being in the position of economically developing such lands to generate revenue.

X. We support legislation to adopt English, as 28 other states have done already, as New York’s official language.
Y. We are opposed to any legislation that mandates health insurance coverage.

Z. We continue to oppose Casino Gambling as a means to enhance revenues.

AA. We support repeal of the “Wicks Law” mandates on public building construction and repeal of Agency Shop.

Letter to the Editor

2010-03-27T09:50:00.003-04:00

Published in the Smithtown News 3/26/2010
Letters to the Editor

Congressman Tim Bishop has some nerve telling us that those against Obama's health insurance plan are engaging in misinformation when nobody knows the details of the plan. If Bishop and his gang would take the time to let everybody see the details then maybe we wouldn't be so misinformed. Instead they want to ram this thing down our throats as fast as possible before anyone finds out what's in it. What's the hurry? The plan, according to rumor, doesn't take effect until 2013. (conveniently after the 2012 presidential election so that people don't see the ill effects until after they re-elect Obama) Also, according to some reports, the plan requires people to have insurance. Just what right does the Government have to tell us we have to buy anything? I know we have to have insurance if we want to drive our cars, but this is more like the Government telling us we have to buy the car. If this plan is so great, why wait so long for it to take effect? If it is so wonderful, why are Congress and the President exempt from it? If this bill passes we must study it and, if necessary as I suspect, work to repeal it. Until then we must repeal Tim Bishop in November for puting us in this position.

Steve Gargiulo

Nesconset

Conservative Party Endorsements

2010-03-27T08:42:00.000-04:00

Screenings have begun with regard to the Conservative Party Endorsements. The races this year are vital in that we must begin to take back the State House and the Congress. There are many good candidates who screened for both the 1st Congressional district (rep- Tim Bishop's seat) and the 2nd Congressional District (rep- Steve Israel's seat). Both Senate seats in Washington are also up for grabs and so far the field is rather sparse for a chance to unseat Shumer and Gilldebrand.

We will keep you posted on developments as they occur. So far the only endorsement is that of Lee Zelden in the 3rd assembly district who is the expected to unseat Brian Foley.

Governor Please Step Down

2010-03-03T08:22:00.000-05:00

There have only been 7 Governors who have served in New York in my lifetime. Ironically two of them have served in the last 3 years. Although Nelson Rockefeller did not complete his final term and resigned before it, the resignation was not in disgrace or involving a scandal. Rockefeller served this state as Governor for 15 years. He went on to serve as Vice President under Gerald Ford the following year in 1974.
This was followed by a democrat Huge Carey who served for 8 years and then Mario Cuomo and George Pataki both serving 12 years.
Then along came Spitzer and the unelected Patterson. Patterson started out his term by admitting to numerous infidelities and took office in what many felt was a rather high handed manner for someone who was not elected by the people. Patterson's arrogance is second only to his clear inability to govern. As the Daily News article so aptly put it, He's not up to the job. He must get out.
The state senate is in chaos with the democrats in "control" there must be a leader in the governor's seat to help control the mess in Albany. The first step in the clean up is to get this governor to resign. What we do know about Ravich is that he has been called in to help governors in the past. If ever there was a governor in need of help it is Patterson, let's help him leave. Quickly.

2010-02-25T13:04:00.002-05:00

The Smithtown Conservative Committee invites you to attend our

2010 Community “Respect Life” Prayer Breakfast

The GUEST SPEAKER AT THE 2010 “Respect Life” Community Prayer Breakfast will be Kathleen Gallagher, the Director of Pro-Life Activities for the New York State Catholic Conference. Please join us on Saturday, April 17th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Elk’s Club located at 120 Edgewood Avenue in Smithtown. Breakfast tickets are $50 per person.

Prior to the commencement of the prayer breakfast, please feel free to join at the celebration of Mass at 9:00 a.m. at Saint Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church at 280 East Main Street in Smithtown, New York

Those who wish to donate “Baby Things”, such as new or used clothing, furniture, high chairs and car seats that you no longer need as well as diapers and similar infant care needs are urged to bring their donations to the Elk’s Club on the day of the breakfast. Your donated items will be delivered by us to the Life Center of Long Island, at 1767 Deer Park Avenue, Deer Park, New York 11729 for distribution to expectant mothers who require assistance in their time of need.

TO ORDER YOUR TICKETS OR TO HELP UNDERWRITE THE COST OF THE BREAKFAST IN ORDER TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE WHO ARE LESS FORTUNATE TO ATTEND, YOU MAY SEND A CHECK PAYABLE TO THE SMITHTOWN CONSERVATIVES FOR VICTORY PO BOX 309, ST. JAMES, NEW YORK 11780.

PLEASE CONTACT RON OR BARBARA SCHULE AT (631) 656-8319 OR (631) 360-0011 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

OR VISIT WWW.SMITHTOWNCONSERVATIVES.ORG

I'll Pass on the Tea. We Need a Strong Cup of Coffee

2010-02-13T08:56:00.001-05:00

We all know that way too many Americans are out of work, and those of us who are employed are not doing so well either. If you have your own business, your business is either down or if your orders are not down then your customers are not paying for the goods or services you have already provided. If you work for someone else, then there was probably no raise or bonus and you have to pay more of your own benefits. Not to mention the worry that you might be losing your job tomorrow.

The idea that Government is the solution to our problems is laughable when it was the Government that got us into this mess in the first place. Fans of government would have you believe that it was the excesses of the free market that caused the downturn. Don't you believe it. Who told the banks to lend money to just about everybody who asked? Who created the National Debt? Who took your Social Security withholding and didn't invest any of it? Who takes a huge amount from your paycheck and throws in down a rat hole? I can tell you one thing-it wasn't conservatives. I'm sure a lot of them masquerade as "conservatives" around election time, but most Republicans were almost as bad as Democrats during the Bush years. In fact, I contend that if the Republicans during the Bush years were careful with our tax money, McCain would be President now. (Not necessarily such a great thing I might add, but better than what we have now) He could have pointed the finger at Obama and said "We can't afford his trillion dollar stimulus plan!" But having lost the moral high ground due to their own profligate spending, the Republican warnings seemed absurd.

So not being able to make the case that Obama was going to spend us into even worse economic times, the Republicans lost the election and the American people had to suffer through the proof that Obama is indeed a left-wing ideologue whose ideas are bad for our country . And now they hopefully will be ready to hear and accept sense from a real conservative. I'm not talking about me because, well...nobody in the country knows who the heck I am. But if I were a fearless conservative candidate of the Republican party, and I didn't much care whether I were elected but wanted to make honest recommendations this is what I would propose:

1. Eliminate the Department of Education.

It does nothing except get in the way of the states and local school boards who should be trusted to teach what they see fit. It is arrogant to assume that any state wants uneducated children. Parents and communities know best. Big government knows nothing.

2. Eliminate the Commerce Department.

The Commerce Department does nothing.

3. Combine the Department of Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency

Why can't Yogi and Flipper work together?

4. Institute term limits.

One term for Senators. Three for the House. No crossing over. Career politicians cause governing to keep themselves in power. Career politicians care about buying votes with the voters' own money, which is very convenient. No pensions. No use of military planes. Fly coach like the rest of us.

5. Forget about unfunded mandates to the states-just stop all mandates to the states. What the heck do you have states for if you have to tell them what to do all the time. If you want to do something, then do it. Don't tell someone else to do it for you and if it is unconstitutional then maybe you shouldn't be doing it in the first place.

6. Forget Campaign Finance Reform.

Just outlaw campaigning. The only campaigning I want to see is debates on C-Span. Candidates are given alternating ten minute time slots to say whatever they want for three hours every day from September to Election Day. They can respond to each other, go over their platforms or read the comics. How can the people learn the truth about candidates through sound-bites on television ads or newspaper "articles" that are filtered with the bias of the "journalist?"

7. Close the borders.

And if you let them in, then don't tell me that I can't hire them. My business is not your border patrol.

8. Torture the suckers.

A little sprinkle of Jean Nate' does not compare to what the Taliban does. If the survival of our children is at stake, you can water-board.

9. A fair, flat tax.

Everybody pays the same rate. You make more, you pay more. Don't take 10% from one guy and 50% from another. Stop the class-envy political nonsense. 10% of a billion is a lot more than 10% of $5,000. Why is that not fair? And stop using the tax code as your big social experimenting test tube. Let the people decide what to do with their own money.

10. Cut spending and taxes.

Take a hatchet to the budget. Cut everything and cut a lot of things out totally. Cut all subsidies of industries. Cut foreign aid in half. Eliminate welfare and leave it to the states. End the Federal School Lunch Program. Kids are not going to starve because the Federal government doesn't pay for their lunch. Immediately cut the Federal income tax by 25% for everyone. Across the board.

11. Drill baby drill.

Why let Venezuela and China drill in our outer continental shelf while we sit with our thumbs...well, while we sit idly by. Until the liberals find a way to run 18 wheelers on recycled kitty litter and butterfly wind power let's dance with the one that brought us.

12. Last but not least-Let Freedom Ring

Stop telling everybody what to think, what to say, what to eat, what kind of toilet to have and what kind of light bulb to buy and on and on and on. If you think you can improve on freedom and liberty then there is no hope for you.

So this is what we need to do. If we accomplish a lot of it our future will be more prosperous than ever. We will indeed be the shining city on the hill that President Reagan spoke about. If we do only some of it, things will get somewhat better. If we do none of it, then our standard of living will plummet and our morale will sink into a pit of socialistic finger-pointing. We cannot prosper when we take half of the fruits of our citizens' labor. We can't be free if we are over regulating our people and their businesses even if with good intentions. We cannot survive unless we defeat those who would see us perish and if that means getting a little rough around the edges, then so be it. We must first and foremost survive as a people but our survival-our existence-is only worthwhile if we are free from not only our enemies, but also from the tyranny of each other in the form of our own government.

posted by Steve Gargiulo

Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907

2010-02-11T12:15:00.000-05:00

Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907

"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an
American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else,
for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin.
But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an
American. There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but
something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag.
We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language. And we have room
for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

Are the Tea Partiers Conservatives?

2010-02-09T15:58:00.000-05:00

The Tea Party emerged last year in opposition to the federal stimulus package and what it considers excessive government spending and taxation. The group bills itself as a bottom-up, grassroots network which isn't organized like a typical political party. Who are the members of the tea party? Tea partiers boast that they are a leaderless, grass-roots political army not beholden to either party, even though some of them acknowledge that Republican candidates who share their conservative fiscal views are most likely to benefit from the movement's efforts. Some tea partiers refer to themselves as Reaganites, most don't even want a label. I am told Tea Partiers are Republicans, Democrats, Independants who have the same desires in that they seek small government, lower taxes, greater individual liberties, more power to the states and government strictly by the Constitution and Bill of Rights: these are the general principles all tea-party activists can agree upon. Additionally they want the government to stop spending money and stop thinking that it (the government )can right all that is wrong with the world or in America.....sound familiar? All of these issues could be a page from the book of basic Conservative Party policy.

Desperate to free themselves from the typical two party system, these disenchanted Americans are really just looking to be heard. Perhaps this very movement is the wave of the future politically. If that is the case we as Conservatives become popular again as we ride the tide into mainstream political office. Traditional values will always be in vogue and though the shouts of "change" might temporarily throw the universe off kilter for a short while, there is always an end to the four year turmoil and the light at the end of that tunnel can in fact be the face of the familiar.

The Conservative Conference- Long Island Strong

2010-02-02T20:03:00.000-05:00

This weekend was the 43rd Conservative Conference held in albany NY. The conference was the back drop for one of the most dramatic events playing out in the 2010 election season involving the Governor's race.
While the beloved and presumptive candidate of the Republican party was there hosting our breakfast and beginning our day with impassioned speaches, a dark horse also hailing from these parts made a splash with the upstate contingency as he wowed the crowd accepting three interruptions of applause during his 20 minute speech. Steve Levy our County Executive whose democratic label caused some concern at the conference converted the masses with his fiscally conservative views and proven record of achievement here in Suffolk.

One would venture to say that we as Suffolk residents can't lose regardless of which of these strong candidates prevails. Our interests will be protected and it leaves little doubt that finally Long Island will get the much deserved attention it deserves as we support the rest of the state with our tax revenues,. Finally a hometown boy at the helm.....one can only dream:)

Suffolk County Conservative Party Endorses in New York's 3rd Senate District

2010-01-30T03:02:00.000-05:00

Conservative Party Chairman Edward M. Walsh, Jr. today announces the endorsement of Lee Zeldin for New York State's 3rd State Senate District.

Chairman Walsh's statement on the endorsement, "The Suffolk County Conservative Party overwhelmingly endorses Lee Zeldin for State Senate. His grasp of important issues facing us makes him our choice. With high taxes, reckless spending and the mess in Albany we feel Lee Zeldin is the right person to get us back on track.”

The Conservative Party feels that our current State Senator Brian Foley has lost touch with his constituents and has given full authority to New York City Liberal Democrats whose clear agenda is to work against the interests of Suffolk County’s hard working taxpayers.

The Conservative Party would like to thank two other candidates who screened Tom O'Hara and Andrea Vecchio.

Essay Contest

2010-01-28T08:48:00.000-05:00

ESSSAY CONTEST

Enter our essay writing contest…

WHY I AM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN…
Organized by the Smithtown Conservative Committee.

Essays should be a maximum of 200 words explaining why you are proud to be an American.

Eligibility: Must be a Smithtown resident.
12 years of age or younger.
Relatives of executive committee members are not eligible.
One entry per person.
Mail your essay to: SMITHTOWN CONSERVATIVE PARTY
PO BOX 309
St. James, NY 11780
Or Email your essay to: JBarbera@smithtownconservatives.org
Please include with your essay your name, address, age, phone number and mom or dad’s e-mail address. Entries should be no more than 200 words.

The winner will be selected by the Executive Board of the Smithtown Conservative Party. The winner will be announced approximately two weeks after the deadline.
The judge’s decision is final. The winning essay will be published online on the Smithtown Conservative Party Website at: Smithtown Conservatives
and our Blog
Deadline: All Entries Must be Received by Friday, March 29, 2010

The winner will get a one hundred dollar pre-paid Visa gift card!

Everybody Circle to the Right

2010-01-22T08:12:00.000-05:00

Republicans are rejoicing and Democrats reeling in the wake of Scott Brown's stunning victory over Martha Coakley in a special Massachusetts Senate election that Brown insists was not simply a referendum on President Barack Obama.
In one of the country's most traditionally liberal states, Brown rode a wave of voter anger to defeat Coakley, the attorney general who had been considered a surefire winner until just days ago. Her loss signaled big political problems for Obama and the Democratic Party this fall when House, Senate and gubernatorial candidates are on the ballot nationwide.
So what are the voters angry about? The same thing we here on the Island are angry about. Terror, taxes, the healthcare plan, the economy, the role of a bigger government. When Obama rode in on his horse to save the day and bring his "Yes We Can" scheme to Washington, he failed to identify that the WE in his plan did not involve you, me and the rest of middle class America.

The WE was the big corporate entities that have been bailed out with OUR money. The WE was a healthcare plan that is going to be paid for by ME so those who presently cannot afford healthcare will have what I have, on my dime. The WE is a president who feels the need to save tough talk for some other time when NOW is when it is needed. The WE is an overexpansion of our already bloated federal budget with perks thrown in to give full and permanent federal aid for the expanded Medicaid population in
Nebraska so that their Senator will sign on to a healthcare bill that none of us can afford.

The tide has turned again and those who circled to the left in November are realizing that they made a wrong turn. Here on the Island we have some very interesting elections coming up. Bishop the congressional candidate in the 1st district seems quite vulnerable as he faces a stable of young eager Republicans eager to replace him in Congress. Steve Israel in the 2nd district is also a vulnerable candidate in this political climate.

Lest we forget the races in our own state. It is time to take back our state senate and the state house and put our local government in order. Finally the tides have changed and it has again become popular to be a Conservative. Right minded thinkers unite as we sweep up the mess, first in our own backyards and then each and every member of the Washington bureaucracy one seat at a time.

King George Redux Times Two

2010-01-12T10:07:00.000-05:00

There is no doubt the framers of the Constitution would have a big problem with most of the Federal budget. But who cares about what a bunch of old dead white guys would think, right? Hopefully one day some blogger will be saying that Obama, Reid and Pelosi would be rolling over in their graves with all the free-market capitalism going on. But then do Liberals (socialists, communists, collectivists) believe in burying themselves in the planet? I know they can’t be cremated because of global warming…I mean climate change.

This so-called health care bill requires people to buy insurance. Think of that. Now I know what the Libs are saying. “It’s the same thing as car insurance.” No it’s not. It’s the same thing as requiring you to buy a car. There is no way the Government can tell me that I have to insure my body. It’s my body. Keep your single-payer wanting mitts off my body! I have a right to privacy! Isn’t that what Roe v. Fetus was about?
Senator Tom Harkin, the moron from Iowa said that we are moving from having health care being a commodity to being a right. Excuse me Mr. Stalin, but doesn’t the Constitution define rights?

In January 2008 during one of the Democrat debates, the O-dious one said that when he was President that the healthcare bill would be crafted by Republicans and Democrats on C-Span so everyone could see it. In real life even members of the House and Senators have never seen it. They are pushing it through before Christmas so that they don’t have to face the voters when they go home for the break. If the bill is so great, and if it doesn’t take effect until 2013 or 2014, what the heck is the rush? If most people are happy with their insurance why are we doing this? How can we force the citizens to swallow something they have not been made to understand ahead of time? How can they expect us to trust that they know what they are doing with our healthcare when they behave so reprehensibly? How dare the rank and file registered Democrats support this just because it is their “team” that is doing it. It is going to screw them just as much as everyone else.

Our American Revolution was fomented over far less transgressions by the Crown. If we don’t stand up and revolt we don’t deserve to be free.

Petition for Main Street Safety

2010-01-04T15:45:00.003-05:00

The Smithtown Conservative Party in conjunction with the Smithtown Center for Performing Arts would ask all residents of Smithtown to copy and paste the petition below Sign and circulate it to your neighbors and friends and send to the attention of the conservative party at Smithtown Conservatives for Victory P.O. Box 309 St. James, NY 11780 or just drop it off at the theater. Let Ken Washington (the theater owner) know you got the petition from our website.
The safety of our community must be a priority, please help us make a difference.

On January 2, 2010 at 8:00 PM two pedestrians crossing Main Street in Smithtown were hit by an automobile. This was the second and third pedestrians hit on this road in the last 40 days. PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION BELOW IF YOU SUPPORT TAKING ANY OF THE FOLLOWING MEASURES THAT WOULD MAKE MAIN STREET SAFER FOR PEDESTRIANS

1. DECREASE THE SPEED LIMIT TO 20 MILES PER HOUR AND HAVE IT STRICTLY ENFORCED.

2. PROHIBIT ALL RIGHTS ON RED ONTO MAIN STREET AND HAVE IT STRICTLY ENFORCED.

3. ENSURE THAT ELECTRONIC CROSSING MECHANISMS WORK SO THAT PEDESTRIANS CAN APPROACH A CROSSWALK WHERE THERE IS A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE LIGHT WILL CHANGE SO THEY CAN THEN CROSS.

4. HAVE ADDITIONAL CROSSWALKS PAINTED ONTO MAIN STREET BETWEEN TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND STRICTLY ENFORCE THE LAW REQUIRING TRAFFIC TO STOP FOR PEDESTRIANS IN A CROSSWALK.

These actions can be done at minimal cost to the taxpayers and maximum effect to increase safety on this busy thoroughfare.

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Highway Superintendent AWOL

2009-12-26T09:54:00.002-05:00

Did you wonder why it took so long for the streets in Smithtown to be plowed? It seems the Highway Superintendent decided the day after the election that he was done and left the job. Of course his paychecks still get delivered to him and Mr. Ryan is supposed to be reporting to work until his official duties have been transfererred in January to the incoming Superintendant. Smithtown gets hit with the worst storm in 26 years and Mr. Ryan feels no guilt or sense of responsibility to the people who initially voted for him and who continue to pay his salary as he allows the Town to operate on auto pilot in the face of the storm. Applause to those officials who stepped up to the plate, councilman Tom McCarthy who was villified by the deomocrates in his recent re-election, was able to give the authority necessary to the department in his role as liaison to the highway department authroizing overtime. Glen Jorgensen the incoming Superintendent stepped in to monitor the snow removal operations during the entire storm showing that Smithtown residents made the right decision to elect him in Novemeber.

Dan Ryan is an embarassment and his behavior during this whole election process has been disgraceful. Lest we forget the day after the primary how he transferred or brought employees who opposed him up on charges depriving them of over time pay based on ridiculous self imposed rules meant to punish his detractors.Although the snow storm had been predicted for days, Ryan never ordered the equipment to be prepared for winter. It is reported that since the election in November no one has even seen him in the highway department. Well he succeeded in punishing the residents who didn't vote for him, and those who did! Good job Dan. Enjoy your retirement.

For Courtney and Nicholas

2009-12-22T10:13:00.000-05:00

While we all get ready to celebrate the holidays with our loved ones at least two families in our area are trying to forget that this year there is a Christmas. The parents of Courtney Sipes, the 11 year old girl killed on Main St. in a horrendous hit and run and 15 year old Nicholas Svercel who died while riding his bicycle on 347 are not celebrating this year.
Those of us who live in this town and shuttle our own children to and from this areas can't help but stop and look at the memorials placed on these venues reminding us that a precious life was cut much too short. At this time of year, we all need to vow to Courtney and Nicholas that we will do try harder to make our town a safer place to live.
As a community we need to fix some things that are obviously broken. Perhaps we need re-examine the town speed limit, or move along the plans for Main St. No child should be mowed down in her own community or be afraid to cross a street. Perhaps we need to hire crossing guards as they do in the Hamptons to monitor the crosswalks on Main St. Perhaps we just all need to slow down.
We need to start a discussion as to how to stop this from happening again. We owe that to Courtney and Nicholas.

Wounded Warriors Project

2009-12-17T11:48:00.004-05:00

The Smithtown Conservative Party is pleased to announce that we will be teaming up with the Wounded Warriors Project to assist them with their fundraising efforts. This incredible organization has many different avenues which they use to help our dedicated men and women in our armed forces. Our committee is proud to assist in these efforts. I will be meeting with the co-ordinators of the Project after the holidays and will keep you posted as to the activities we will be sponsering. In the interm I will post fundraising efforts by others on behalf of The Wounded Warriors Project and hope that you and your friends and neighbors will avail themselves of some of these worthwhile endeavors. Please see the Soldiers Christmas Project
Happy Holidays and God Bless Our Troops

Nesconset Family in Need of Assitstance

2009-12-16T10:19:00.000-05:00

***REMINDER *** ****DEADLINE APPROACHING**** ****REMINDER****
Please join us for a fundraising effort to benefit
The Porter family.
As many people know on November 19th our friend
Bill Porter suffered a very tragic and life threatening accident while helping a neighbor on his Nesconset block.
Throughout his hospitalization and now rehab so many friends and neighbors have wanted to help the Porters. As it has become apparent that his injuries will be permanent and his 30 year career will have to end we feel the best way to help this wonderful family and ease Bill’s transition home is financially.
Please join us on: Friday, January 8th 2010
Place: The Nesconset Firehouse
Gibbs Pond Rd , Nesconset
Time: 7 pm – 11pm
Cost: $40 per person (includes buffet dinner, DJ)
****also Chinese auction, 50/50 blackjack tournament***
Bring friends and neighbors.
**If unable to attend this event donations are accepted**

**PLEASE MAIL OR DROP OFF DONATION BY December 23rd to the following friends:
Mulderig: 35 Whitecliff Ln,Nesconset DeFiore:25 Yarmouth Ln, Nesconset
580-0185 724-2451
Binder: 10 Bonarck Ln,Nesconset Saffron: 21 Glenfield Ln,Nesconset
360-3327 361-7376
Casa: 43 Elderwood Dr, St. James Wallace: 23 Whitecliff Ln, Nesconset
584-9406 648-4882
To donate a basket to be raffled please call Nanette Wallace 516-459-1850.
Your generosity will be greatly appreciated

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Laptops for Wounded Soldiers

2009-12-10T11:14:00.008-05:00

The Gathering of Eagles Laptops for Wounded Warriors mission is designed to provide our wounded troops with computers to insure they maintain contact with family and friends via the Internet while recovering at military medical treatment centers across America.

All funding for this mission is provided by private donations. As this is a true grassroots effort, all donations will be used to purchase computers. Please consider a personal donation to bring joy and comfort to our brave troops as they fight to overcome their wounds.

To date fourteen Toshiba laptops with web cams have been donated to our Wounded Warriors to allow them to maintain contact with their familys and friends during their recovery with funding provided by private donations.

Please spread the word to others and find creative ways to raise the required funding. Thanks to the management of Best Buy these laptops are purchased at a average cost of $350.00 per laptop. This low cost makes each laptop a very obtainable goal.
See the donate button on our site or contactGeorge Samek to donate to this worthwhile project:

George Samek
1105 Copas Road
Shallotte NC 28470

Obama-Nation

2009-12-02T12:27:00.003-05:00

Since most of us already felt that the only way to end the war on terror was to concentrate on Afghanistan, the President's decision to send more troops came not as a surprise but as sigh that finally he is taking a stand.

Obama tied his decision to order 30,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan to a pledge that they'll start returning home in 2011. Probably a mistake to let the enemy know we only intend on being there another 18 months Mr. President.
The President's West Point speech Dec. 1 was also mute on his plans for the growing Afghan army, which remains the best - some would say only - way to bring home American personnel. The president assumed full political ownership of the conflict in Afghanistan and all that comes with it prompting many to say that his speech mirrored Bush's when the former Commander in Chief told the country of his decision to enter Iraq.
Obama's rationale for this surge is identical to Bush’s, and the hope is for a similar success.

While it started on a good note, this President can't seem to get through a speech without the need to apologize for our Country. This President needs to grow into his role a little faster as the leader of the free world. Stop apologizing to the world and stop trying to be politically correct. Calling Islam one of the worlds great religions when it was the followers of this religion who crashed our Towers on 9/11 in the name of Islam grates on the nerves of every New Yorker and probably most Americans. Where are the followers of this great religion as we seek to find and punish Bin Laden for his misdeeds to our country, as they instead try to hide him from us as he cowers from cave to cave??

This speech should have united and empowered us again as a nation, with a renewed interest in decimating those who continually seek to hurt and destroy our country. Instead while most of us agree with the decision he ultimately made, it is sad that this President could not stir the passion of the nation he was elected to lead.

The Obama Bow

2009-11-18T13:49:00.004-05:00

Opening the morning paper the other day I was shocked and dismayed as many Americans, as I saw the leader of the free world, our President, in a very low bow as he extended his hand to the Japanese Emperor. While I admit to being ignorant of the rules of diplomatic protocol I do not feel I am ill advised when I say:
Presidents don't bow to other world leaders. We don't defer to Kings or Emperors and we do not apologize for being Americans.

U.S. presidents from both political parties often have been criticized for attempts at culturally sensitive greetings to high-ranking foreigners.

Former President George W. Bush, a Republican, was mocked for holding Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah's hand, a traditional sign of friendship in the Middle East, as they strolled together in 2005. I don't think the president should have been holding the Saudi Prince's hand but while I find it personally distasteful it did not bring forth the anger I felt at seeing Obama bow

In 1994, former Democratic President Bill Clinton was criticized for almost bowing to Akihito. The resulting image, The New York Times wrote, was of "an obsequent president and the emperor of Japan." Clinton was quick to distance himself from the purported bow, by calling it a gesture in response to the toast made to him by Akithito.

An online video posted by the University of Connecticut College Republicans juxtaposes a series of upright handshakes between Akihito and other world leaders with Obama's low bow before the emperor.

State Department spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters Monday that the bow was "a sign of respect to the emperor."

In an online State Department posting from 2007 titled "Protocol for the Modern Diplomat," envoys are advised to be aware of greeting rituals such as kisses, handshakes or bows and to follow a country's tradition. "Failure to abide with tradition may be interpreted as rudeness or a lack of respect for colleagues," it says. It was not clear whether the guidelines apply to the president. My guess is that they do not.

It was reported by an ABC reporter that at least one Japanese newspaper is not printing the picture of the president's mortifying bow because the Japanese are embarrassed by his behavior. A scholar of traditional Japan tells Mr. Tapper, the ABC correspondent that "The bow… did not just display weakness in Red State terms, but evoked weakness in Japanese terms… The last thing the Japanese want or need is a weak-looking American president."

Someone needs to advise the President that his apologetic words and actions are not only not playing well with the American public but is also an embarassment to our Allies.

Right to Lifers...We are the Party for You

2009-11-13T07:51:00.003-05:00

If this years election has shown us anything it is that the Country as a whole is rather unhappy with the drastic move to the left it made only one year ago.

To hear it explained in the media one would need to believe that America has and always will be a middle of the road country and will continually reject those too far to the right and those too far to the left as they choose their leaders. They explain the Obama phenomena as a trend which will come and go as the Country gets tired of certain leaders. Fear not they say, the pendulum will again sway the other way, but the surest way to elected is to straddle the middle of the road and hope the message sent out does not offend anyone on either side of the dividing line.

While we agree that the pendulum is about to sway what the pundits fail to take into account however is the fact , that as Americans get older and wiser their tendency is to lien less to the left and more to the right. Americans have seen the Republican party dilute itself so as to practically merge with the Democratic party as they both attempt to appease those they are told are the voting majority middle of the road America. To those of us on the outside looking in, it becomes very difficult to distinguish between Republicans and Democrats these days.

The Conservative party has and always will stand separate and apart as a real viable alternative to the two melting parties. Our values and our stands are clear and as Conservatives we do not waiver in the face of popular trends.

We are a party of many issues and we call to our Brothers and Sisters in parties such as the former Right to Life Party and ask you to join us. We share your values and your concerns and would like to introduce you to a whole group of other issues we feel you can accept as your own. The pendulum is indeed swinging the right way and we call on all of you who value the freedoms we so cherish in this country to join us. We are the party of the future and we have the fortitude and staying power to make a difference in any election. Now is the time to become involved.

Smithtown Democratic Chair to Resign

2009-11-09T14:01:00.003-05:00

Elaine Turley plans to step down as chairwoman of the Smithtown Democratic Party, she said Tuesday.

In light of the dismal showing of the democratic party in Smithtown this election day it is not a surprise that Ms. Turley has chosen to resign. The campaigns she ran were devoid of substance and used slanderous innuendos and accusations none of which could be backed by hard evidence.

Although Turley said her decision to step down was not due to electoral disappointment in a town where the majority of voters are Republican, Turley managed to lose the few elected municipal posts the Democrats controlled in Smithtown.

Turley indicated that she would resign leadership of the town committee as of Jan. 1 in order to devote her time to her business and family.
We certainly wish Ms. Turley well in her future endeavors and hope the Democrats have learned a lesson from this election process.

While we enjoy sparring with Mr. Mancini we would like him to take the time necessary to examine the issues more carefully and should he decide to take another run at a political post perhaps his ideas will be less fluff and more substance. While we also believe Ms. Biancanello thought she could in fact make a difference as Supervisor it was clear from her campaign that she still had much to learn about the running of a town and was led astray from her message and given awful advice by her leader.

Democrat, Republican, Conservative or Independent, voters want leaders who know what they are talking about, have proven records of success and or have a definable plan with which they know how to implement. A promise of "Change" without a definitive plan of action may be enough to fool the people once every 8 years or so, but not in this town and certainly not in this election.

The referendum was clear- Now Join Us

2009-11-04T10:35:00.006-05:00

The voters of Smithtown spoke out and in big numbers re-elected most of the incumbent Town leaders while adding two new Republicans to the mix. Kevin Malloy is the new councilman replacing Pat Biancanello and Glen Jorgenson was elected the new Highway Superintendant.

This election should not have been a surprise and wasn't to most of us in this Town. The Supervisor has had his steady hand on the steering for 30 years and this conservative town which has a history of backing conservative republican leaders even while the rest of the country hypnotically chanted "We want change." We in Smithtown wanted more facts and not just empty promises.

Our Town is truly the last bastion of conservative republicanism in a county which has seen a flip flop of ideals and changes leaders like they change socks.
All politics is indeed local and anyone who knows anything about the Town of Smithtown will tell you our constituents are people with very simple tastes.
They want to be able to continue to afford their homes and they want to get the services for which they pay. Leaders need to lead. They cannot just spew out platitudes and promises without a plan or without a record of what they have done if they want to stay in office.

Now that the election is behind us we the Conservative Committee in Smithtown invite all those like minded individuals of Smithtown to join us in our quest to promote Conservative candidates who love our town and will fight to make sure each and every one of us can continue to reside here.

Smithtown Is A Nice Place to Live

2009-10-26T13:00:00.003-04:00

Applause to David Ambro this week for his editorial in the Smithtown News which could easily be interpreted as an endorsement of incumbent Supervisor Patrick Vecchio if it wasn't so clear it was more of a condemnation of the Democrats and their lack of substance in this years campaign.

The Democrats made this election all about "what is wrong with Smithtown" instead of coming up with specific plans to make our town better. Ambro chastised Ms. Biancanello for saying such ridiculous comments like our streets are in disrepair and undriveable. Every town can be improved upon and Smithtown is certainly no exception. To run on a platform, however, which degrades our town and tries to imply that it has been mismanaged for years and is in need of an overall is not only deceitful to the public it is an outright lie.

Our schools are still one of the top rated districts on long island. Should we be chastised instead of congratulated for recognizing a problem that exists here and having the guts to confront it instead of sweeping it under the rug and pretending it doesn't exist? I don't think so. Heroin is a problem on all of Long Island, and Smithtown has chosen to take steps to confront it head on. That doesn't mean the problem is greater here than elsewhere, it just means our school officials, our law enforcement and our parents are not willing to allow it to take over by sitting back and keeping it quiet.

Those of us who live here are proud of our Town. To try to make us feel ashamed of it not only does a disservice to the Town but shows a lack of understanding by a group of novices eager to hang on to the coat tails of the Obama promise of change.....By the way how is that change working out for you??

When political endorsements mean something

2009-10-21T12:11:00.004-04:00

Yesterday on the steps of Town Hall Congressman Tim Bishop(Democrat) endorsed the incumbent Supervisor Patrick Vecchio for re-election. Standing right next to Bishop on his right was the Challenger Pat Biancanello. In what had to be an awkward moment for both Biancanello and Bishop the Congressman lauded the accomplishments of the Supervisor and told the crowd of mostly Biancanello supporters that he worked well with Vecchio and that their partnership had produced excellent results for Smithtown.

After the press conference Biancanello said these types of endorsements really don't mean anything and pooh poohed the entire thing as irrelevant to the voters. Of course if Biancanello had received the endorsement I'm sure it would have meant something to her and her supporters but since it was a Democrat supporting a Republican these types of endorsements were meaningless. Mr. Vecchio while not getting the County Executive to come to the steps of Town Hall also received quite a nice endorsement at the Nesconset Chamber of Commerce Meeting wherein Mr. Levy proclaimed that Mr. Vecchio was a legend and that it was an honor to serve with him.

Last night at the debate held at the Smithtown Library Ms. Biancanello and her band of merry men kept the audience entertained with their visions of lollipops and beautiful poster board depictions of a beautiful downtown Smithtown. Everyone wants a beautiful downtown Smithtown the question begs, how do we pay for it?? Amazing how that question never comes up. The Dems talk to us about the surplus that our Town is "hording" and turns such a feat into a dirty word. What ever happened to the concept of a rainy day fund? Instead of chastising our Supervisor for his fiscal conservation, the Dems should be applauding the fact that where every other town has severe financial hardships our Town is in good shape. We all want revitalization, we all want nice things around us, but we need to answer the question as to whether we can afford to do this right now all at once or if this can be accomplished in steps.

None of the nominees either for Supervisor or for Town counsel has produced any type of plan or given any specifics on how they would turn Mr. Mancini's beautiful designs into reality. Perhaps this is why Ms. Biancanello hasn't received any endorsements; neither she or her team has earned them.

Public Poll Results...somewhat of surprise

2009-10-17T11:54:00.002-04:00

The Newsday spin cycle has published poll results for Long Island politicians
While this not surprise those of us here on the right, it may come as a great big shock to all those who voted for "change" and got more of the same and then some. While the numbers for the likes of Paterson were no surprise (63% unfavorable) a surprise was Tim Bishop (28% favorable, but 57% didn't know who he was!) A big yell out to all potential rivals here, that there may be some vulnerability with this seat. Peter King, a favorite did well while Gillibrand did not. King might want to reconsider running for that seat.

Our very own home grown potential candidate for Governor Rick Lazio came in with very respectable numbers. It really maybe his time to trounce the Democratic leadership in this state and help to restore the balance within the state legislature so that Long Island can fight for its fair share of aid and resist the ridiculous taxes that are routinely thrust upon us by the rest of the state legislatures who think we are all multi millionaires out here in the suburbs.

High unemployment the health care nightmare and the general state of the economy while never one President's fault is certainly starting to erode the poll numbers of the President. SNL had it right when they mocked the President's winning of the Nobel Peace Prize: a prize most Americans feel was devalued after it was given to a terrorist named Arafat back in 1994.

Yes, perhaps the tide is about to turn...we just have to be patient and remember to vote!

Bailouts Benefit Who?

2009-09-30T14:50:00.004-04:00

The best way to gage recovery of the economy here in our area is to look at the local real estate market. Houses are starting to sell again and people are beginning to buy, the problem however that still exists has to do with our banks. The lending institutions which were bailed out with our money are now being very choosy about to whom they will lend and what terms they will impose. Closings which would have gone smoothly a year or two ago are stalled by banks with unrealistic requests and down right badgering requirements. The very banks who greedily accepted our tax payer money are now not anxious to part with it. Not one person I know has benefited from the financial bail out. In fact many people I know who were not behind in their mortgages but who wanted to try and negotiate a better rate in order to not fall behind were told that the only remedies available were for those who were already behind in their payments and to those folks it would be at least a six month wait before some new mortgage could be negotiated getting them even further behind.

Foreclosures are also plentiful, however there are no deals to be had these days. The banks are not discounting these homes and are keeping an extensive inventory. Why not? They don't need the revenue, the government took care of that.

Am I the only one angry at all of these bailouts? What happened to the free enterprise system where if you fail, then you fail? I don't believe all of the nightmare scenarios we were fed by this administration or the last with their doomsday predictions of market collapse and complete financial destruction of our economy. If GM fails as it is certainly destined to do,another car company will be lying in wait to reap the spoils. What were the conditions of the bailouts anyway? Were there any? Did the GM executives have to sell the corporate jet or forgo a bonus or two? Believe me I don't want to dictate to corporate America about what they should pay themselves, I am not interested in the contracts they negotiate for labor or for their executives. I just don't want to finance any of it through my tax dollars.

Small businesses fail every day because they cannot compete in the market place. There are no government hand outs to the local business person and our names are not emblazoned on stadiums paid for from government funds. I have yet to meet a person who has felt even the slightest trickle down effect of all this governmental interference except to be annoyed by it all.

Obama’s September 11th Outrage

2009-09-21T15:15:00.002-04:00

One of the things liberals like to do is deconstruct our culture. They take something traditional and good and either change the meaning or muddy the waters surrounding it. Take Washington and Lincoln’s birthdays for example. Why do you thing Black history month takes place in February? It was done to lessen the status of white male historical figures. Why was Kwanzaa, the only communist holiday as it has among its principles “collective work” and “cooperative economics,” celebrated on December 26th? Because according to its founder there should be an alternative to Christmas for Blacks because Christianity is a white man’s religion that Blacks should shun. It was later mainstreamed and softened when Black Christians did not leave their religions in droves.

Obama, being the Marxist that he is, took a page from the “How to Deconstruct Western Civilization” manifesto and changed what he did not like about September 11th. The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 are all about reality, what is important and what we really need or do not need our government to do. Focusing on what happened drives home that the Government must “provide for the common defense” and only “promote” the general welfare. Focusing on what happened shows what happens when you pretend there are no bad people. (other than white male Republicans) Focusing on what happened results in Americans being united instead of being divided as Obama wants us to be. He wants to divide us as rich versus everybody else so he can play class envy politics to tax the so-called rich and “spread the wealth,” feeding his ideological need to have the Government decide who gets what in our economy. Focusing on what happened makes us patriotic and there is nothing that a liberal hates more than flag waving except maybe low taxes.

So not wanting to deal with what September 11th is about, he changed the meaning by using the bully pulpit on that day to announce that September 11, 2009 was America’s first “Day of National Service.” Service to whom you ask? Well, the State of course. So September 11th is no longer about all the things it should be about, it is now about surrendering our liberty to do what he wants us to do. I doubt the brave Americans who died crashing into that field after storming the cockpit of that plane gave their lives for Obama’s vision of America.

Another Blown Opportunity For the Democrats

2009-09-14T12:15:00.004-04:00

Splashed all over the Smithtown News this week are pictorials showing the downturn of Smithtown ravaged by the poor econmony. With this as a backdrop the Democratic challenger brings forth her newest passion which she announced of all places at a Town Board Meeting to establish a Veterans Plaza in Commack. Mrs. Biancanello attempted to bring Mr. Mancini one of her running mates to present the project at the meeting. While Mr. Mancini's request to speak was denied, this idea smacks of politics being played at perhaps the expense of some more important issues falling by the wayside. Now again while this idea does have all the bells and whistles one would like in a beautification project and certainly it would be a wonderful way to honor our Veterans, one or two more pressing issues face our Town. Pat likes splashy ideas but most of them lack substance. We have some real problems in our town, such as how to re-vitalize downtown Smithtown. How can we attract more businesses to our town and what incentives can we come up with to accomplish this task? Pat, besides the Veterans Plaza and the Skate Parks, what other ideas do you and Mr. Mancini have?
Also let's talk about how this plaza will be financed. Donations by students and other groups will only go so far. Mrs. Biancanello stated that there was a precedent that such projects have been paid for by the Town in the past. So does that mean the cost of this project will be added to my tax bill??? I don't think so Pat.

Say what you will but tax and spend politics seems to be the thought of the day again on the Democratic side of the aisle. If you want your hard earned money spent on beautification projects that we can ill afford to finance right now, vote Democrat. If you want financially conservatism vote Republican. The choice this year is a no-brainer.

Pat's Projects.

2009-08-29T09:24:00.002-04:00

As the Supervisors race starts to heat up, it is interesting to read the platforms of the individual candidates. Taken right from her website Pat Biancanello sites the following as Pat's Projects:

Pat responds to resident's request for skateboard park in Smithtown
Pat Promotes a STOP Program for Smithtown!
Pat’s getting Smithtown to "Go Red for Women"
Pat is a Mentor
Cell Tower coverage for safety
Earth Hour 2009
Go Green! Plant Native Plants
More Earth Friendly Ideas!
ICE Program
Smithtown's Website just got better

Since skateboards were addressed in a prior post I will believe it is clear that most of us in Smithtown do not see that as a burning issue in the campaign.
While some of these issues peak my interest very few of them address some of the concerns I have as a resident of Smithtown. How about talking to us about the expansion of 347 and how that will effect traffic patterns in our town? How about revitalization of Main Street or has Pat not noticed all of the closed shops located in our very own downtown? What are Pat's ideas on getting some of stimulus monies we have been denied from the Federal Government? Why is it that Sewers are not mentioned in her list of priorities? Does she have a position on how we are supposed to pay to GO Green in Smithtown? Now I understand some of the issues I have raised are not quite as eye catching as improved cell service throughout our town, but as a resident I am very concerned about crumbling roads, and empty shopping centers and potential over development of our town without thought as to taking care of the infrastructure necessary to support all of these new residents.

Our Socialist President

2009-08-23T11:11:00.001-04:00

I said it over and over and even the most die-hard Republicans looked at me as if to say “from your lips to God’s ears.” Moderates looked at me with disbelief. Liberals mocked even the idea of it.

Many thought I was saying it just for shock-effect. Some thought it was just to provoke a fight while still others thought I was just angry about something over which I had no control. Several thought I was just trying to see if they were paying attention.

The truth is I meant every word of it. The statement was carefully crafted to convey my true well thought out belief at the time.

Today I still believe it to be true, only more people are with me now. The poll numbers are shifting. The President has spent trillions in the name of stimulus for what is just old-fashioned wasteful pork-barrel spending that steals money from taxpayers and future taxpayers. He has taken over private companies. He is trying to take over the medical industry. He is attempting to change our economic system from a capitalist based system to a socialist model.

When you call him a socialist all the socialists roll their eyes. But what is a better word for a guy who wants the Government to decide who gets what? If I have a barrel of apples and my neighbor wants them, he’ll ask me “how much?” If I say “fifty bucks” and he pays me, I then pay $10 in tax to Uncle Sam and that’s capitalism. If I have a farm and the Government says I can’t grow apples, that I have to grow pears, and that I have to sell them for $20 a barrel, and that I have to pay them $10 in tax, that’s socialism.

So why is that so bad? Some things shouldn’t need explaining but since a majority of people voted for this clown then I guess I have to go through the exercise. First of all, the customer wanted apples, not pears. Second, I either am stuck with pears I can’t sell or ten bucks when I could have had forty. Nobody got what they wanted, probably not even the Government. Nobody had the freedom and liberty the founders wanted for us and that we deserve. In the capitalist system I would have $40 in my pocket, the Government would have its $10 and my neighbor would have his apples. When the people can buy what they want there is more buying and selling than if some bureaucrat gets involved. That’s human nature and it is never going to change no matter how many slick talking geniuses come out of the wood work.

Don’t forget the story of the Pilgrims either. When they came to the New World they decided to share the food they grew in a common storage facility and take what they needed. They damned near starved to death. It was only when they changed the model and divided the land and allowed each family to keep the fruits (and veggies) of their labor that they prospered.

So I am going to say it again and I really believe it. I am not saying this for shock value and I don’t care who rolls their eyes and thinks I am an idiot. It won’t be long before people start wishing that even with all the missteps and things he did and didn’t do, George W. Bush was still our president.

Mancini's Way

2009-08-13T10:56:00.000-04:00

As you may have read the Democrates claim that they were gracious enough to screen with our Conservative Committee and then proceeded to bash us as being irrelevant when we failed to endorse them. Let's see how irrelevant we are as taxpayers,voters and residents of Smithtown as we voice our strong opinion on some of the purported rising stars in the Democratic party running for the council positions in our town.

Mark Mancini presents himself as a young assertive businessman and truth be told many in the field of building and development say he is very good at what he does. Perhaps Mr. Mancini should therefore stay in the private sector and leave the business of running government to those who do not have the conflicts he very clearly has in this town. Mr. Mancini does a lot of business in Smithtown. He candidly admits to knowing the ins and outs of obtaining the proper certifications and permits necessary to build within our town and he purportedly does quite well as a businessman. Mr. Mancini's demeanor noticeably changes when he is asked whether he would forgo taking on any further projects in Smithtown if elected due to the inherent conflict that would present.

What conflict? Mr. Mancini asked incredulously. Well, it was explained to him that if he were indeed the boss so to speak of the departments of which he would be asking as a businessman, to issue certain permits, that as their boss this in fact would be a clear conflict of interest.

Mr. Mancini argued that he did not see that as a conflict. He was a businessman afterall and a businessman had a right to make a living. Town council he indicated was a part time position and there were other council people who had other jobs and they weren't asked to sacrifice their livlihood. Mr. Mancini failed to understand that he could continue his business and not sacrifice his livlihood as long as he stopped doing business in Smithtown.

Mr. Mancini continued his argument against 3 practicing attorneys and a host of other business people who all agreed that continuing his business in Smithtown would in fact be a conflict if he was elected.

Pat Biancanello calls her team the "reform team." She has said her team is running because... "this is about ...the future and the integrity and reputation of the Town of Smithtown." Maybe she needs to further examine the integrity of her running mates. Does Smithtown need a councilman in office who is there to further his own business needs and who admits to being blind to a very clear conflict of interest?? There are enough arrogant politicians always ready to run, we don't need yet another who touts himself as a reformer but who is really just another hack in a different suit looking to advance his own self interests instead of those of the Town.

Skate Parks in Smithtown

2009-08-08T12:28:00.003-04:00

This year we have been told we have the first real opponent our 30 year incumbent supervisor is facing and the issue dominating her platform is the need for a Skate Park.

Forgive me for being pessimistic about her chances in this race but if the biggest passion Mrs. Biancanello can muster in this town is to get us to rally behind a skate park I think the majority of Smithtown voters will stick with the tried and true Pat Vecchio.

It would seem to me that with all of the parks presently in this township one of the existing ones can be asphalted in a way which would allow this sport to flourish. I understand at the moment skaters are taking over parking lots of local churches and shopping centers disrupting parishioners and local shoppers. Perhaps this is even a somewhat important matter which deserves some attention. But no how, no way is it THE issue that any candidate should stand behind in an uphill run for supervisor.

The issue of skate parks needs to be examined more closely to ascertain if in fact this is the type of activity which will bring unsavory elements to our community. Not knowing a thing about this sport, I throw out there a question as to whether it will attract gangs which at present is not a problem which exists in our Town.

I am certainly not here to give Mrs. Bicancanello pointers on how best to run her campaign, but it seems someone needs to redirect this ticket. Sandwiched between two novice candidates running for counsel who believe the best way to campaign is to make snarky remarks in letters to the editor to existing counsel members with whom they hope to someday govern with in harmony. This Democratic ticket displays the reason those of us here in Smithtown continue to vote Republican.

Save The Date! November 23 2009

2009-08-05T07:12:00.004-04:00

The Smithtown Conservatives are holding their Holiday Party on November 23, 2009 at the Watermill in Smithtown. We are very excited to announce our special guests and honorees will be State Chairman Michael Long and County Chairman Ed Walsh.

Please save the date and make every effort to attend. All are Welcome, more details to come.

Healthcare in America

2009-07-31T09:05:00.001-04:00

The United States of America is again on the brink of seeing disastrous legislation passed. We recently saw trillions of dollars of pork and rewards for the constituency of the Left set into motion even though there is no money in the budget to pay for it no realistic plan to pay the debt it created.
Now we are looking down the barrel at a Government takeover of our healthcare system and the President has the audacity to tell us that it is not, in fact, a Government takeover of healthcare. President Obama says he’s offering us a choice. We can keep our plan or opt into the Government plan. Now, the Government plan is going to be subsidized with tax dollars, right? So, we’re paying part of it with our premiums and part of it with taxes. So which plan is going to have cheaper premiums? So is the Government going to subsidize your private plan? Of course it won’t. So the Government options will be cheaper. So then who is going to stay with Oxford or Blue Cross? And guess how long the private insurers will be in business? And then which will be the last plan standing? And who will be running it? Diabolical isn’t it?
Just how did we get to the point where the Government can put an entire industry out of business, tell companies to fire certain CEOs, make the Government the largest owner of its biggest companies and turn other companies over to the labor unions? It is through crisis politics.
When a “crisis” occurs, the public is more forgiving of “martial law.” Hillary once said “never let a crisis go to waste.” Healthcare and the economy are “in crisis,” we are told, so no action is too radical or bold. Hitler used these tactics too but we are not about to see Obama invading Europe so Obama’s army may be harder to stop. The President’s revolution is a jihad from within and this is much more insidious. It is a mental warfare of the Government against the individual.
People need to see this for what it is: a loss of Liberty. When you are forced to do something, even a thing like having insurance, you are losing a choice. When the Government says you have to pay for something and you don’t, you are fined. And if you don’t pay the fine you can be jailed. This is why the Government should tread lightly when it comes to laws and regulations. If the sovereign tells you who to hire, how much to pay, what benefits, how to make your product, what kind of food to eat, what amount of gallons your toilet can flush, how much to water your lawn, what kind of car to drive, what your kids have to eat in school, what your kids have to learn, and on and on and on then what kind of liberty do we have? Somehow when Jefferson coined the phrase “separation of church and state” in his 1803 letter to the Danbury Baptists (yes, in a letter, not in the Constitution) he was a genius and when he said “the government that governs best governs the least” he was apparently a moron.
Do we really want to live in a country where we are so willing to enslave ourselves for the illusion of security? Are we as a nation actually accepting the notion that anything of value can be provided by government without realizing that everything is paid for by the sweat of individuals? So as the masses that were taught little about liberty and tyranny wander around aimlessly “hoping the President’s plan works,” we are losing our freedom and our ability to better our lot in life. Lately I wonder if there is anyone out there who feels like me or if I am all by myself swimming against a tide of idiots.

The Day the Democrats Became Conservative

2009-07-29T06:39:00.002-04:00

The Senate on Wednesday 7/22 rejected letting people carry hidden guns in 48 states if they have a concealed weapon permit in any one of them, a rare victory for gun control advocates in a Democratic-controlled Congress that has been friendly to the gun lobby.
Opponents said it would force states with tough concealed weapon permit restrictions to let in gun carriers from states that give permits to convicted criminals, minors and people with no firearms training.
A strong majority of the Senate, in a 58-39 vote, supported the measure, which would require most states to honor the concealed weapons permits issued by other states. But the tally was two votes short of the 60 votes needed to add the measure as an amendment to a defense bill.
Twenty Democrats, mainly from western or rural states, joined all but two Republicans in voting for the measure, which was promoted by the National Rifle Association and other gun rights groups. They included Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and both Democratic senators from Colorado, Arkansas, Montana, North Dakota and Virginia.
The chief sponsor of the measure, South Dakota Republican John Thune, said it would reduce crime by allowing law-abiding citizens such as truck drivers to protect themselves as they travel from one state to another.

Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said his state, with its more stringent requirements for a concealed weapon, should not have to accept gun carriers from states with few or no restrictions.

This law while purportedly protecting the second amendment and giving it universal conformity throughout the nation took away something we as Conservatives hold dear, which is the right of every state to decide for themselves how much restriction if any to place on their citizenship where the general welfare of the public is concerned.

The conservatives in congress yell "Too much Government" except when a strong lobby group such as the NRA announces it will be counting the votes of those Senators who oppose a bill they favor and will thereafter tout that Senator as a foe of the Second Amendment.

NRA chief lobbyist Chris W. Cox said the last two decades have shown a strong shift toward gun rights laws. "We believe it's time for Congress to acknowledge these changes and respect the right of self-defense, and the right of self-defense does not stop at state lines," he said

Mr. Cox is correct in stating that the second amendment is an important right in our country and certainly should be protected. However that right should not vitiate the sovereignty of each individual state to protect their constituents by putting certain restrictions such as waiting periods in place in order to protect their population. I have no problem applying for a gun permit and showing that I am not a felon. Perhaps I would feel differently if I lived in a place other than Long Island but I don't think so. I want the Federal government to stop trying to regulate every aspect of our lives. Let's start one amendment at a time and resist special interest groups who really are not concerned with individual freedoms but who try to convince those of us who don't agree with them that we are unpatriotic. Not allowing a Felon the opportunity to own a gun is certainly a infringement on that person's second amendment right. But I for one am ok with that and if that denies me the favor of the NRA then so be it.

Conservative Thoughts----The new Surgeon General

2009-07-23T08:07:00.004-04:00

The Obesity Crisis
President Obama has nominated Regina Benjamin to be his Surgeon General and this has sparked controversy because she is fat. Actually, the articles I read referred to her BMI.
The media has laid out its verbal scenario with its usual “should the surgeon general be fit?” and “if she were a man would we care about her weight?” Snore. Leave it to the media to dish out that baby food when what we need from them is some red meat.
I don’t care much about whether Regina Benjamin is or is not a qualified award-winning physician. I don’t care that she is a woman and it doesn’t bother me that she is fat, obese, plump, stocky, husky, or whatever else you want to call it. It is not her obesity I am worried about, it is the obesity of the Federal Government that is of paramount concern to me. The Government is spending trillions of dollars that it doesn’t have with no consideration to the consequences and they are doing it to insure that the Democrat party gets another run at holding Congress like it did from the 40’s to the 90’s. Only this time if they are not stopped they will spend so much money we will never be able to cut spending enough to counteract it. That is what they want. They want to make sure that every person from the middle class on down is so spoiled by the Government that they don’t ever dare vote for a conservative again, preserving their own personal political futures. But what do the people gain from this? Forcing employers to pay for health care will only make them trim their workforce or the salaries to make up for it. Making people pay higher taxes will just encourage them to cut back on the goods and services they buy which will in turn cause employers to again cut salaries and trim their workforces. The private sector will shrink as the number of Government employees grows and you know who Government workers vote for. They vote for who will continue their gravy train.
We need to have a real discussion of the proper role, size, and scope of the Federal government. We need to convince the greedy masses that it is in their interest to be free of the tyranny that is excess taxation and regulation. No good can come out of spending so much that our children will have to pay 75% of what they earn to the Government. We don’t need most of what the Federal Government does. (or tries to do) We must cut the size and the scope of the Federal Government and the sooner we do it the better off we will be. We can do it by taking back Congress starting next year to avoid any further expansion of Government and we must throw out all the so-called “moderate” Republicans who, during the Bush years, spent so much money that they got the people warmed up for Obama-sized spending. If the Republicans were stingy with our money during the Bush years Obama would likely not even be president now. Then we need to find the next “Great Communicator” in 2012. We need somebody that can articulate the principles of freedom and liberty and it can work because freedom and liberty is really what the human heart yearns for. Liberalism and socialism is a false hope that will be fleeting when Americans realize the folly of it all. Americans have a cultural affinity to freedom and we must nurture it so get out there and be heard. We came so far under President Reagan and squandered so much of his legacy under both Bush administrations.
So while we consider whether Regina Benjamin is too fat to be Surgeon General, “Rome” is burning. The problem we have with obesity is the size of Government, not the size of Americans and not the size of the Surgeon General.

Sarah Palin- Through the Eyes of Another Conservative

2009-07-20T18:28:00.002-04:00

Ever notice that the people who dislike Sarah Palin are either liberals or Republicans who want the Republican Party to be a somewhat less liberal form of the Democrat Party? What is this fascination of theirs with Sarah Palin? If she is so dumb, if she is too cutesy or folksy, if she can’t answer questions to their liking, if they hate that she resigned her job, or has a husband, or has a kid that got pregnant, or didn’t abort her Downs baby, and if she has no chance of ever being elected President then why the heck are they all spending so much time talking about her?

Remember about thirty years ago there was a movie actor who was supposedly a dumb; war mongering old fool who was kidding himself that he had a chance of beating Jimmy Carter. Yeah, well, the libs remember it very well and the LAST thing they want is an end to their socialist utopia they are creating. I mean its nirvana to them. Their mother earth has spawned a love-child and he is B. Hussein Obama with his socialized medicine, spread the wealth, trillions of dollars in pork and deficits, apologizing for America and anything else Karl Marx would have drooled over.

Lets look at all the bad Sarah stuff. She winks. Oh my God. Not a winker! I guess this is something that once Saturday Night Live satirizes then we all just have to be embarrassed about. Have some guts guys. Everybody liked it until Tina Fey made fun of it. Now everybody thinks the ”in thing” is to hate it.

She talks “funny.” Well, sorry. Not everyone goes to anchorman de-accent school and I would suggest to all you “Noo Yawkas from Long Guyland” that making fun of her accent is like Nancy Pelosi applying for admission to Mensa. “500 million Americans are going to lose their jobs every month if the stimulus bill is not passed” OK, Nancy. Stop repeating that and who taught you to count? (For all of you like me who graduated from Northport High School there are only 300 million people in our nation)

She quit her job. OK, what I want MY elected officials to do when they no longer feel they are effective in their jobs is to stay anyway because they might get criticized. Didn’t New York recently have a senator who only used us as a stepping-stone and quit when she became Secretary of State? Where was the big uproar over that?

Look what she’s putting her family through. What kind of mother is she, anyway? And it’s women that are saying this. Would they have ever said this about Obama? Would they criticize a man for working? Or a liberal woman? Only conservative women can be bad mothers.

And her hubby Todd, nobody likes him. I have one word for you. Hillary.

My suggestion is to take a breath and let Sarah be Sarah and let the liberals hack away at her if they like but we conservatives shouldn’t jump on the bandwagon and get caught up in that stuff because we’re embarrassed to stick up for her or feel like everyone else is on her case so let’s join the crowd. We know better than that. Whether she has a political future is anybody’s guess but the criticism against her is laughable.

Would you slap your father? If so you are a liberal

2009-07-16T05:21:00.007-04:00

Have you heard about this? It's in every newspaper.

The articles, such as this from the New York Times (try bugmenot.com if you need a password): Op-Ed Columnist - Would You Slap Your Father? If So, You’re a Liberal, basically describes how liberals and conservatives express the emotion of disgust at different things. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/28/opinion/28kristof.html

Examples are how disgusted a person would feel when stepping barefoot on an earthworm or smelling urine in a tunnel. Conservatives feel more disgusted than liberals. Interesting but I believe it is written by a liberal.

The Lightning Rod of Sarah Palin- A Conservative Woman's Point of View

2009-07-12T12:01:00.005-04:00

When John McCain announced his running mate the first call I got was from my mother, who said: "You are going to be so happy, McCain picked a woman as a running mate." Sarah wasn't just any woman however, she was a Conservative woman. She was also a mother...3 for 3 I was in heaven. Finally, a break out of the old boys network of cookie cutter WASP type politicians and this one was a heart beat away from the Presidency.

Sarah seemed almost too good to be true up there in her designer clothes and cute all American family. Then the first news reports came out that her teenage daughter was pregnant. It wasn't the pregnancy that disturbed me when that report came out, it was the fact that this poor child would now be put in the spotlight of public scrutiny. As a politician I knew that if Sarah was a man running this would be only a bleep on the nightly news, but as a woman and mother running, this became a much bigger story. And as a mother I became disturbed.

Unlike men, women tend to judge other women by how they themselves would handle a particular situation. I thought it through and felt that I may not have accepted the nomination if my child were in this particular situation, not because of stigmas, or religious reasons but as a mother, I would have felt the need to shield my child from the public and deal with this without the press and the public commenting on her life and her choices. So in my book it was strike one for Sarah.

Now I was a little less happy with the choice of Sarah but I was still on board with the slate and the McCain Palin sign went up on my lawn. Then Sarah had her first interview. I wasn't sure if it was her answer about newspapers or Africa that disturbed me but as a woman in politics I know we have to be more prepared than any man. More is expected of us and we need to work twice as hard and be ready for the tough questions. What disturbed me here, is that Sarah flubbed the easy questions. They never got to the hard questions and what was with the rambling answers??
This was strike two for Sarah.

Then along came Todd. I really can't even pinpoint what disturbed me about this so called "First Dude." Maybe it was the fact that they referred to him as "First Dude." Todd was very visible and from all reports very involved in this ordeal. As has been said about political wives in the past,we don't vote for them we vote for the spouse. In this instance it concerned me that this two for one deal included a guy I didn't necessarily want to share a beer with or anything else for that matter.
Plus Sarah stepped up her winking and cutesy language. I didn't want the possible leader of the free world winking at other leaders at a G8 summit. This could definitely lead to some problems especially if she started doing it in Italy. Forgive me but I want her to be taken seriously. Between Todd and her down home vernacular Sarah had showed me she was not ready for prime time. Sorry Sarah, strike three.

Believe it or not though, I still liked Sarah, I just thought she needed some time to learn how to be a public person, and study up on how to answer questions in the press. A few more years as Governor and then she might be ready to come back as a new and improved candidate embodying all the things that had excited me at first. Lose the cutesy winks, and folksy lingo and talk to Americans intelligently and show them you deserve their trust and can represent them without embarrassing them on the world stage.

Then she quit as Governor. And gave two weeks notice as if she was a store clerk. Sarah, What are you thinking?? Her explanations, or lack of them have left me stone cold on this woman I thought could be the first to break barriers. Even the contrived rift she had with Letterman didn't bother me as much as her quitting the Governorship.

There are smart, savvy dedicated Conservative women out there, who embody all of the values we as Conservatives hold dear.

Conservatives need to let go of Palin and look for more viable candidates with the will and staying power to get us back to the White House. Cute phrases and likability go only so far. We need to find a candidate that has all of that and enough substance to go the long haul and represent this country with the integrity and leadership qualities that our Sarah clearly does not yet possess.

Conservative Spotlight- Michael J. Fitzpatrick

2009-07-06T21:56:00.002-04:00

Assemblyman
Michael J. Fitzpatrick
7th Assembly District

Michael J. Fitzpatrick was elected to the New York state Assembly representing the 7th Assembly District in November 2002. The Suffolk County district includes the town of Smithtown and parts of Islip and Brookhaven townships. Prior to his election to the Assembly, Mr. Fitzpatrick represented the residents of Smithtown as an elected member of the Smithtown Town Council for 15 years, from 1988 through 2003.

Assemblyman Fitzpatrick serves as the ranking minority member on the Assembly Housing Committee and holds memberships on the Assembly Local Governments, Small Business and Higher Education committees. Mr. Fitzpatrick is an active member of the New York State American-Irish Legislators Society.

Mr. Fitzpatrick is an investment associate with UBS Financial Services, Inc. in its Port Jefferson branch office. Active in the community, Assemblyman Fitzpatrick is a member and immediate past president of the board of trustees for the Cleary School for the Deaf in Nesconset. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the board of directors of the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame.

Mr. Fitzpatrick was a member of the Suffolk County Charter Revision Commission, Diocese of Rockville Centre, and was the major gifts chairman for the Smithtown YMCA’s capital campaign.

Assemblyman Fitzpatrick is a graduate of Hauppauge High School and received his B.A. in business administration from St. Michael’s College in Vermont.

Mr. Fitzpatrick was born in Jamaica, Queens and raised in Hauppauge, Long Island. He is married to the former Lorena Herrera of Chihuahua, Mexico, and the couple has two children, Corina and Michael. They reside in the hamlet of St. James in Smithtown.

Standing committee assignments in 2006: Housing, Higher Education, Local Governments, Small Business.

CONSERVATIVE RATINGS RELEASED

SUFFOLK COUNTY ASSEMBLYMAN SCORES HIGHEST

Ft. Hamilton Station, NY (10/06/08) – The Conservative Party released its ratings for the 2008 legislative session today in order to keep the electorate apprised of how their legislators voted on 20 key bills acted upon in the current year.

The Conservative Party tracks legislation throughout the session, issues support and opposition memos, and determines, at an executive committee meeting, which key issues, including spending, crime, education and various other topics that affect the lives of New Yorkers, will be used. "We believe that it is necessary to keep the public informed of these key votes and let the taxpayers be aware of how elected officials spend our money. We often look beyond the budget bills to consider how other legislation effects school budgets, health coverage and how unfunded mandates increase the cost of doing business in New York," said Mike Long, State Chairman.

"A review of the twenty bills we used in this year's ratings will show voters where the legislature is wrong on the issues and some show where they have helped New Yorkers", said Long. "The ratings give voters a scorecard on how their individual legislator voted and how many times they force local governments, already reeling from previous unfunded mandates from the Legislature, to raise taxes in order to pay for many 'feel-good' pension sweeteners for public employees," Long continued.

"Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick (R/C, 7th AD), a consistent conservative, scored a 95% rating. If the other 211 Members of the Legislature voted as Assemblyman Fitzpatrick votes, the State would be in much better financial shape," Chairman Long noted.

"New York is not the only place where voters face serious long-term fiscal problems," Long stated. Every day it seems another bank or business is looking for a bailout, and most economic experts are predicting long-term financial problems due to a severe downturn in the economy that will effect our national, and especially New York's, budget. While Members were called back after the legislative session to address some of the shortfall, far more cuts in spending must be made as revenues are no longer available. New Yorkers must demand that the incoming Members cut spending across the board and eliminate costly programs that do not work. New Yorker's have been, and will continue to leave New York as fast as they can, and those who stay won't be able to sustain the state. Businesses that can no longer support ever increasing costs will close, and more New Yorkers will lose their jobs." Long stated.

"The 41% overall rating of the New York State Senate and the 25% overall rating of the New York State Assembly indicate that much work must be done to improve conditions for New Yorkers. Both the major parties have become big spenders and are nearly indistinguishable. In the Senate, Conservatives endorsed one Democrat and 31 Republicans, and these endorsed Senators averaged a 50% rating. In the Assembly, 4 Democrats and 38 Republicans ran with Conservative endorsement, and these legislators averaged a 55% rating. All one has to do is look at this year's numbers to know that an election was coming. Spending was up and the ratings were down, except for Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick," concluded Long.

- NY State Conservative Party 10/6/08

Why I am a Conservative

2009-07-01T07:23:00.000-04:00

At the Heart of it All

There is no such thing as a group thought. There has never been a group brain. God never created a group soul. He created us as individuals. Every contribution to every effort made by humans as individuals is made because of our separate motivations to better our situation. This is how it is and how it should be.
Some want to inhibit the rights of the individual. Whether one calls these people socialists, communists, collectivists, liberals, or progressives, their goal is to discredit and eviscerate the autonomy of the individual and replace it with their idea of utopia; a powerful central elite that decides who does what and who gets what in this world.
There are many tools they use to take away our liberty. Environmentalism is used very effectively to thwart human activity they deem distasteful. The efforts to curb so-called global warming are geared towards taxing countries that polluted in the past and giving to undeveloped countries. The Kyoto Protocol seeks to address global warming but does nothing of the sort. The gist of Kyoto is that the West (read:the U.S.A) polluted like mad when it was developing so if we expect Kenya to develop without polluting then the West must pay Kenya not to pollute. Every human activity can be said to cause some sort of havoc on someone’s definition of the “environment” so there is no end to what can be opposed to “save the planet,” as if the planet they would have us live in is even worth being saved. The real evil in their view is profit and the idea that individuals can succeed and accumulate wealth without their permission. They, of course, turn a blind eye towards Hollywood capitalists because they are good liberals and “raise awareness” about causes. Whenever someone “raises awareness,” watch out. That just means getting the Government to take your money to do something they want done without spending any of their money.
Equality is another means to their end. Equality in their view is the sameness of result, not the similarity of the intrinsic value in the way God views His creation or a parent views his or her children. Parents love all their children equally even though not every child achieves the same grades in school or excels in a career. The liberal is not satisfied until everything is “fair” and to the liberal that is when enough is taken from those who succeed and given to those who don’t. But they do not support a direct giving because that does not give them political power. The mechanism must be some sort of a bureaucracy they run which gives jobs to people who will vote for them. And when this program fails because it fails to address the human being and his natural yearning to better himself, the answer to the collectivist is more and more programs and more and more government. According to the collectivist a person who makes a lot of money should pay more taxes than somebody who doesn’t make much. This sounds OK to most people so why not have everyone pay the same percentage? Isn’t 10% of a million dollars more than 10% of a thousand dollars? The liberal thinks the rich guy should pay 50% or more. Why? Because he can afford it (in the judgment of the liberal) and he makes more money than he needs. (According to the judgment off the liberal) The liberals gin up all kinds of hatred against the wealthy with their willing accomplices in the media using phrases that sound good but are patently untrue like “the rich don’t pay their fair share,” and “the wealthy have all the loopholes.” You see, according to the collectivists, right and wrong are the province of the little guy. Nothing can ever be done that could be deemed unfair to the wealthy. I’d like to see anybody that ever got a job from a poor person.
Gender and race identification politics is another way the liberals can hoodwink the masses to be against the rights of the individual. If you are against abortion you are against a woman’s “right to choose.” You are hindering their “reproductive freedom.” Never mind that the liberal has no problem telling a woman she can’t rent out her body to the highest bidder-that’s prostitution and that’s degrading-so on this one we’re going to tell women what they can do with their bodies but as long as we can get away with this contradiction we’re going to keep a stranglehold on as many female brains as we can to get them to vote for us so we can strive for that social utopia. Conservatives, they say, want to tell you what to do. The truth is the vast majority of Government regulations, mandates, taxes, and rules regarding what we have to do and when we have to do it are perpetrated by the Left.
The Left is also fond of telling so called minorities that they can’t succeed without this or that Government action which will always trample on liberty or free enterprise in some fashion. How is it “fairness” when an individual’s hard work is nullified by an affirmative action program that rewards those with lower test scores? How can “past atrocities” against people who are now dead be rectified by punishing the descendents of the perpetrators, or more likely just people who are the same color as the perpetrators?
The liberals love to talk about hypocrisy. Every time a conservative gets caught with his pants down there is a collective “how dare he” be a conservative and (fill in the blank.) It’s as if you can’t have any values because some day you might sin. You see if they believed in God they’d know we are all sinners but that doesn’t mean you have to favor sin. The height of all hypocrisy is that for all the talk about obscene profits and the inequality of the free market, what kind of lifestyle do the leaders of collectivists enjoy?
It may take hundreds of years, but all efforts to defeat nature will be futile. The liberal loves what they think of as nature like whales and celery but they fail to realize that God’s greatest creation is the human being created as an individual, in His own image, with a soul that longs to have liberty and wants to better his situation with his own effort.
There has never been a collective thought, a collective brain, or a collective soul.

Conservative Spotlight- Dean Skelos

2009-06-26T12:00:00.000-04:00

As part of our new blog we will spot light certain Politicos in the news whom every conservative should know. Some will be friends while others will be foes. Today we spotlight a friend of Conservatives and Long Islanders alike. We pray he is able to hold on to the reins of the Senate in order to give Long Island its just attention in Albany.

State Senator Dean G. Skelos, a Republican from Long Island, was the successor to Senator Joseph L. Bruno as majority leader of the New York State Senate in 2008. He lost the post when the Democrats took control of the Senate after the 2008 election, then reclaimed it in June 2009 when two Democrats, Pedro Espada Jr. and Hiram Monserrate, withdrew their support for the Democratic leader, Malcolm A. Smith.

But after a week of chaos in the state capital, Mr. Monserrate switched his allegiances again, and reaffirmed himself as a member of the Democratic caucus.

Mr. Monserrate's switch left the Senate split evenly at 31 to 31, suggesting an era of legislative gridlock that would be unparalleled even by Albany's notoriously dysfunctional standards.

Mr. Skelos grew up and lives in Rockville Centre, N.Y. His mother died when he was 2, and he refers to his late stepmother, Helen, as "a saint" who passed on a political bug. She worked as a secretary for the campaign manager of Thomas E. Dewey, the former governor and presidential candidate.

Mr. Skelos was first elected to the State Senate in 1984 and was the deputy majority leader from 1995 to 2008. Before being elected to the Senate, he served two years in the Assembly.

In the Senate, Mr. Skelos has tackled criminal justice issues, writing the New York version of Megan's Law a decade ago, a law that requires sex offenders to register. He personally opposes abortion rights but has said he does not "believe it should be a litmus test, and the reality is it will never change in New York State."

Mr. Skelos, a lawyer by training, has made a point of fighting what he sees as perks for trial lawyers. In 2006, he prevailed in his effort to pass new Medicaid fraud-fighting legislation that does not permit whistleblowers to sue on behalf of the state, arousing the ire of Democrats as well as Republicans in Congress, who have all called such suits critical to combating fraud.

He also delivers the pork. The Dean G. Skelos Sports Complex in Rockville Centre cost the state $1 million, in addition to a 47-acre parcel acquired through a land swap with the state, while his role on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's small review board helped him secure financing for Long Island Rail Road projects.

--NY Times June 26, 2009

Welcome to our Blog

2009-06-25T08:32:00.000-04:00

The Sorry State of Affairs in Our State

Welcome to the first installment of our Conservative blog. We will attempt to bring you articles and view points from around the state addressing the conservative viewpoint.

This week in Albany matters have gone from bad to worse, not only is the Senate refusing to conduct any business but thinking they are being defiante toward the Republicans, the Democrats have now refused to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Regardless of one's political point of view there is no excuse for this type of behavior. see: http://wcbstv.com/politics/espada.senate.albany.2.1056280.html
Conservative chairman blasts Senate Democrats

WALLKILL – The state Conservative Committee chairman Thursday took Senate Democrats to task for now allowing business to resume.

Speaking at a fundraiser in Orange County for Republican Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt, Michael Long said the Democrats should face the music and get down to the people’s business with the Republicans holding the majority.

“The Democrats in the Senate won last November, that was OK with them. But, then when they lost some nine days or 12 days ago, they are not willing to accept what the rules of the game are, and if you don’t have the 32 votes and the Republicans do – now they have 31 because one defected back – but at the time they were elected to run the show,” he told the Statewide News Network.

Long was also extremely critical of the Democrats for refusing to salute the flag earlier this week. “We have men in Afghanistan fighting for our country, we have men in Iraq fighting for our country,” he said. “We have people in Iran fighting for freedom and Democrats sitting here refusing to say the pledge of allegiance to the flag.”

Meanwhile, the deadlock continues with no legislation being approved in Albany.

Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani is now suggesting a constitutional conference to settle the matters and put in place The former mayor proposed a constitutional convention to institute term limits on lawmakers, toughen campaign finance laws and push through a host of other reforms in gridlocked Albany, a place he termed "bizarre." We would ask who would chair such a conference and can this be accomplished without the necessary votes of the State Senate??

Governor Patterson is proposing that the Senators pay be withheld until they get back to work. Meanwhile the courts are reluctant to get involved in this matter at all.

Who would have thought a Lieutenant Governor would have been so important?? Certainly not Governor Patterson!