Fair Campaign Practices For The Capital Region, Inc.
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release Contact: Reverend Mick Drown
September 23, 2009 FC P President 424-8787
Findings in the Complaint of
John Mooney V Michael Stammel
COMPLAINT 2009-1
Fair Campaign Practices for the Capital Region, Inc. (FCP) held a hearing on September 22, 2009 to consider a complaint made by John Mooney against Michael Stammel. Both are candidates for Rensselaer County Legislator in the 6th District representing the city of Rensselaer . Present were hearing panel members Dr. Khalid Bhatti, Rev. Maurice Drown, Terry Lowenthal, Stevie Swire, and Chairperson Joan Elliott and Coordinator Barbara Thomas. Mr. Mooney appeared. Mr. Stammel was invited but did not respond in a timely manner nor did he or a representative appear.
1. Mr. John Mooney complained that his opponent, Mr. Michael Stammel, issued a
mailing to Independence Party voters that implied he was endorsed by Steve Green,
president and business agent of the Amalgamated Transit Union and a Democratic
committeeman in Rensselaer, although this was not true.
2. Mr. Mooney also said Mr. Green’s signature was forged on the mailing and it was
used without Mr. Green’s knowledge.
3. As evidence, Mr. Mooney produced a notarized statement from Steven Green
stating: “I did not endorse any candidate for County Legislative District 6 at this
time nor did I allow anyone to sign my name on this political mailing. My
signature was forged. This mailing was not authorized by me. This is not my
signature.” A Republican Party spokesman, in an article in the The Troy Record
stated that “We do apologize to Mr. Green for the error and will work with him to
correct the mistake.” That “mistake” was attributed to a campaign volunteer.
The evidence offered to support the allegations included copies of the material with
the alleged endorsement, a notarized statement from Steven Green declaring he had
not endorsed any candidate nor had he signed any such statement, and a newspaper
article.
FINDING: UNFAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICE.
Violation of Principle 1: Mr. Stammel did not conduct his campaign for public office “fairly and truthfully” when he used an endorsement unauthorized by Steven Green who said he would not endorse any candidate in the race.
Violation of Principle 4: Mr. Stammel, by using the campaign material with false signature and endorsement, violated the principle that states “the candidate will not use, permit the use of, or condone the use of any campaign material” that “misrepresents, distorts or otherwise falsifies a fact or the facts regarding his opponent.”
Vi olation of Principle 7: When Mr. Mooney brought the campaign mailing to the attention of Mr. Stammel’s campaign, Mr. Stammel failed to “promptly and publicly disavow” the materials that violated the Fair Campaign Practices Statement of Principles. The statement to a Troy Record reporter by a Republican Party spokesman, Rich Crist, acknowledging a “mistake” does not meet this principle.
Forgery is a legal claim that is beyond the jurisdiction of Fair Campaign Practices for the Capital Region.
Fair Campaign Practices for the Capital Region Inc. was established to promote a climate of fair, open and honest campaigns; encourage candidates to discuss issues; encourage candidates to refrain from defamatory attacks on opponents; discourage use of campaign materials that distort facts; and expand the political debate by more fully informing the electorate about the use of unfair campaign practices. Information on FCP can be obtained at http://www.faircampaignpractices.info .
-END-
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
More Feedback about "The Forgery"
The Troy Record (TroyRecord.com), Serving Troy and its surrounding communitiesOpinionTalespin:
We just have to weigh inMonday, September 14, 2009
It’s Primary Day Eve, and generally the day before an election is a black out day as far as political opinion goes but forging the signature of a union leader on a piece of campaign literature is so egregious, so arrogant and so offensive that we just have to weigh in.Here’s what happened.Incumbent Mike Stammel and challenger John Mooney are in a hotly contested battle for the Legislature. They are running in District 6, which is the City of Rensselaer.The small river city is made up of mostly Democrats, but in Rensselaer party matters less than family. And, while it’s been quiet as of late, a few years ago there was one faction of families that just didn’t like the other faction, and the feeling was more than mutual. Safe to say there is a ton of Mooneys in Rensselaer.Anyway, Stammel and Mooney are two pretty popular guys and so is Steve Green, a union leader with strong ties to labor and an up-and-comer in Democratic Party circles.Stammel has the endorsement of the Conservative and Independence parties and will appear on the ballot in tomorrow’s primaries. Mooney is waging an opportunity to ballot on both lines.An OTB means there were enough signatures collected from members of each party and as such enrolled voters can write-in anyone they want - in this case it would presumably be Mooney.Write-in campaigns are not easy because the voter has to slide open the little door and write the candidates name without error. It sounds simple enough, but it takes a ton of discipline and training and enough people willing to do it who can follow directions to a T.The GOP must be worried though. If there are 100 votes cast in each minor party primary it will be a huge turnout so they must think Mooney has a shot. They also must think Stammel doesn’t have a shot in the November general election without the lines or they wouldn’t go to such a length as forgery.After that long, and probably pretty boring, lead-in, fliers were mailed out to enrolled Independence and Conservative Party members touting Stammel’s record on the Legislature, where he has served since 2001, and they bore the signature of Common Council President Chuck Hall and that of Green.Friday, Green sent a notarized letter to voters saying he didn’t endorse a candidate and that his signature was “forged.”“I did not endorse any candidate for county Legislature District 6 at this time nor did I allow anyone to sign my name on this political mailing,” he wrote. “My signature was forged. This mailing was not authorized by me. This is not my signature.”Also Friday, GOP spokesman Rich Crist blamed a “campaign volunteer” for signing Green’s name to the piece without authorization. And, he refused to put Stammel on the phone to answer questions about the forgery.A couple things come to mind.We’ve been around long enough to know there is not one piece of literature for any of the 19 GOP candidates running for Legislature produced without Crist’s stamp of approval.Also, we’re sure Stammel has a cell phone, and we’re as sure Crist has the number yet he would not put him on the phone to answer questions about the forgery.Stammel’s name was on the flyer, he’s the candidate, he’s the guy who wants to continue to represent the people of Rensselaer -- we want to talk to him about the forgery, not a seasoned spokesman.
A new HQThe North Greenbush Democrats are opening up their own headquarters and we hear it’s a pretty decent spread located across the street from the bowling alley.It has two floors and is conveniently located near a liquor store.We’re told the Dems, or at least one faction of Dems, will occupy the new digs until the November general election. There they will strategize their campaigns, hold brain storming sessions and run their phone banks.In other words it will be their new War Room and will temporarily replace the basement of one of their long-time most active members, Charles “CB” Smith, who has nearly as many files as the Library of Congress.Talespin was written by City Editor James V. Franco.URL: http://www.troyrecord.com/articles/2009/09/14/opinion/doc4aadacd849adb355682838.prt© 2009 troyrecord.com, a Journal Register Property
We just have to weigh inMonday, September 14, 2009
It’s Primary Day Eve, and generally the day before an election is a black out day as far as political opinion goes but forging the signature of a union leader on a piece of campaign literature is so egregious, so arrogant and so offensive that we just have to weigh in.Here’s what happened.Incumbent Mike Stammel and challenger John Mooney are in a hotly contested battle for the Legislature. They are running in District 6, which is the City of Rensselaer.The small river city is made up of mostly Democrats, but in Rensselaer party matters less than family. And, while it’s been quiet as of late, a few years ago there was one faction of families that just didn’t like the other faction, and the feeling was more than mutual. Safe to say there is a ton of Mooneys in Rensselaer.Anyway, Stammel and Mooney are two pretty popular guys and so is Steve Green, a union leader with strong ties to labor and an up-and-comer in Democratic Party circles.Stammel has the endorsement of the Conservative and Independence parties and will appear on the ballot in tomorrow’s primaries. Mooney is waging an opportunity to ballot on both lines.An OTB means there were enough signatures collected from members of each party and as such enrolled voters can write-in anyone they want - in this case it would presumably be Mooney.Write-in campaigns are not easy because the voter has to slide open the little door and write the candidates name without error. It sounds simple enough, but it takes a ton of discipline and training and enough people willing to do it who can follow directions to a T.The GOP must be worried though. If there are 100 votes cast in each minor party primary it will be a huge turnout so they must think Mooney has a shot. They also must think Stammel doesn’t have a shot in the November general election without the lines or they wouldn’t go to such a length as forgery.After that long, and probably pretty boring, lead-in, fliers were mailed out to enrolled Independence and Conservative Party members touting Stammel’s record on the Legislature, where he has served since 2001, and they bore the signature of Common Council President Chuck Hall and that of Green.Friday, Green sent a notarized letter to voters saying he didn’t endorse a candidate and that his signature was “forged.”“I did not endorse any candidate for county Legislature District 6 at this time nor did I allow anyone to sign my name on this political mailing,” he wrote. “My signature was forged. This mailing was not authorized by me. This is not my signature.”Also Friday, GOP spokesman Rich Crist blamed a “campaign volunteer” for signing Green’s name to the piece without authorization. And, he refused to put Stammel on the phone to answer questions about the forgery.A couple things come to mind.We’ve been around long enough to know there is not one piece of literature for any of the 19 GOP candidates running for Legislature produced without Crist’s stamp of approval.Also, we’re sure Stammel has a cell phone, and we’re as sure Crist has the number yet he would not put him on the phone to answer questions about the forgery.Stammel’s name was on the flyer, he’s the candidate, he’s the guy who wants to continue to represent the people of Rensselaer -- we want to talk to him about the forgery, not a seasoned spokesman.
A new HQThe North Greenbush Democrats are opening up their own headquarters and we hear it’s a pretty decent spread located across the street from the bowling alley.It has two floors and is conveniently located near a liquor store.We’re told the Dems, or at least one faction of Dems, will occupy the new digs until the November general election. There they will strategize their campaigns, hold brain storming sessions and run their phone banks.In other words it will be their new War Room and will temporarily replace the basement of one of their long-time most active members, Charles “CB” Smith, who has nearly as many files as the Library of Congress.Talespin was written by City Editor James V. Franco.URL: http://www.troyrecord.com/articles/2009/09/14/opinion/doc4aadacd849adb355682838.prt© 2009 troyrecord.com, a Journal Register Property
Friday, September 11, 2009
Letter from Steven M. Green
In a letter from Steven M. Green, Democratic Committee Member, the following is being sent out to Independent and Conservative Voters:
"Recently you received a political post card from Mr. Michael Stammel seeking suport in the upcoming Independence and Conservative primary on September 15, 2009.
I did not endorse any candidate for County Legislative District 6 at this time, nor did I allow anyone to sign my name on this political mailing. My signature was forged. This mailing was not authorized by me. This is not my signature. I am disappointed that someone would use my signature without my permission.
I will do my utmost to determine who illegally used my name without my consent. I have no endorsement at this time. Get out and vote."
This letter is notarized and legal. Is Mike Stammel the type of person you want representing your city? Why be dishonest and put someone's name on a document illegally? It just doesn't make sense.
VOTE TO BRING RENSSELAER'S REPRESENTATION BACK TO RENSSELAER COUNTY, AND BRING THE COUNTY BACK TO US!
VOTE JOHN MOONEY, PRIMARY DAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH
"Recently you received a political post card from Mr. Michael Stammel seeking suport in the upcoming Independence and Conservative primary on September 15, 2009.
I did not endorse any candidate for County Legislative District 6 at this time, nor did I allow anyone to sign my name on this political mailing. My signature was forged. This mailing was not authorized by me. This is not my signature. I am disappointed that someone would use my signature without my permission.
I will do my utmost to determine who illegally used my name without my consent. I have no endorsement at this time. Get out and vote."
This letter is notarized and legal. Is Mike Stammel the type of person you want representing your city? Why be dishonest and put someone's name on a document illegally? It just doesn't make sense.
VOTE TO BRING RENSSELAER'S REPRESENTATION BACK TO RENSSELAER COUNTY, AND BRING THE COUNTY BACK TO US!
VOTE JOHN MOONEY, PRIMARY DAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH
Primary Day is Tuesday, September 15th. Independence Party Members please get out to vote for the write in. If you need information, please contact me at 463-0246. There has already been dirty politicing going on with forgeries on Mike Stammel's post cards. It's time for honesty in Rensselaer. We need representation!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Hello, and thank you for visiting my blog.
As a lifelong resident of the City of Rensselaer, I pride myself on my devotion to the City. I graduated from Rensselaer High School and have attended Hudson Valley Community College. My wife, Laurie, and I have raised our three children in Rensselaer, taking an active role in the schools. I have served as President of Rensselaer City School District's Board of Education for the past 12 years.
So why should you vote for me? If you have a similar vision as I do, and want to see Rensselaer better represented in Rensselaer County, your vote counts here!
Goals and Priorities:
- Bring greater fiscal oversight and accountability to county government.
- Host "Town Hall" meetings with county department heads and elected officials to better inform residents of county services.
- Explore sharing services with local municipalities to achieve better efficiency and lower taxes.
- Expand community-based services and long-term care to help seniors remain independent and healthy.
- Involve county government in more economic development efforts.
I look forward to discussing any issues and concerns with you. Please contact me with any questions or feedback.
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