POLITICS
Group declares war on incumbents
A new political force calling itself Tea New York was unveiled in downtown Buffalo Saturday afternoon, and leaders promised to make things uncomfortable for incumbent officeholders.
The new group had its first public gathering as a small but enthusiastic crowd — perhaps 200 people — attended a rally in wind swept Niagara Square.
The group’s founder, Russell Thompson, and his chief financial backer, businessman Carl P. Paladino, said they will try to get incumbents voted out of office and encourage political newcomers to run for office.
They also support dividing New York State into two states — upstate and New York City.
“Get involved,” said Thompson, 53, a Grand Island contractor who has teamed up with Paladino in a fight to cut Thruway tolls in Western New York.
“Go to the public appearances of your state legislators. Call them out on these issues they have voted on. . . . Embarrass them in public.”
Thompson said he and Paladino hope to establish a new ballot line for independent candidates to run on.
“We’re talking about a new ballot line, for independents, not a new party,” Thompson said. “How many times have you gone into a voting booth, looked at the two names, and said, ‘I have to pick between the lesser of two evils’ ?”
Would Thompson — who has unsuccessfully sought political office in the past — ever become one of those candidates?
Possibly, he said.
He said people have asked him to run for Erie County executive.
“I’ve said no,” Thompson said. “But you never know.”
Thompson and Paladino also encouraged people at the gathering to seek the resignation or removal from office of State Sen. William T. Stachowski, D-Lake View, whom they consider a rubber stamp for Democratic Party leaders in Albany.
Thompson drew cheers when he criticized political hiring in the cash-strapped state government, especially the new state jobs recently given to former boxer Joe Mesi and former Amherst Supervisor Susan J. Grelick.
The group launched a new Web site Saturday, at teanewyork.com. But Thompson emphasized that the new group is not affiliated with a national Tea Party group.
Many showed up on Saturday with hand-drawn signs, protesting current conditions in state, federal and local government.
John Snyder and his wife, Jo- Anne, drove 65 miles from their home in Cattaraugus County. Jo- Anne Snyder carried a sign calling for New York State to be divided in two. “New York City needs to be its own state,” she said.
Carl Campbell, who runs an auto repair shop in Buffalo and lives in Lancaster, held up a sign saying, “Take Back Your Government — Vote Long-Term Incumbents Out.”
“I’m tired of corrupt, entrenched politicians,” he said. “But people need to get involved, get out to the polls. There are too many people who don’t like the way things are going, who just sit home and complain.”
Log into MyBuffalo to post a comment
MyBuffalo is the new social network from Buffalo.com. Your MyBuffalo account lets you comment on and rate stories at buffalonews.com. You can also head over to mybuffalo.com to share your blog posts, stories, photos, and videos with the community. Join now or learn more.
Reader comments