Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Michael Ricard

One of the worst things about career politicians is how many of them eventually distrust the voters. They view their job as their job, instead of recognizing they serve the voters, and the voters should decide who holds the job.

Just as Eric Sundwall and the voters of the 20th district were victimized by John Sweeney, the voters of Guilderland (and me) are now being attacked by Mike Ricard.

The short story is that a document was filed with the Board of Elections designating me as one of the two Republican candidates (along with Mark Grimm) for Guilderland Town Board. You can read more about our campaign at my new Guilderland NY website.

Mike Ricard filed an "objection" with the board of elections, and then followed that by suing me (along with a host of others). All of this to keep Guilderland voters from having a choice in the election.

I ran against Mike McNulty twice. He never challenged my petitions and always ran a good, clean race. I don't agree with his voting record and political philosophy, but he's a decent guy and he respects the voters.

So, over the course of the next few weeks (return date on the Order to Show Cause is August 22nd), readers of the Albany Lawyer blog may get a taste of Election Law. Hope we all learn something.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Speaking of elections, what would you say about a legal secretary in the Public Defenders office running for Town Justice in her town. Its not the same town she works in, but in the same county.

Unknown said...

Interesting question from pml. I'd say she certainly can run for Town Justice (and keep her job), but would have to recuse herself in any cases where the county public defender's office is involved. If there are two judges in the town, it shouldn't be a big problem (though a bit unfair to the other judge). If there's only one judge, it would make things difficult and would be a strong election issue. Just the practical problem of getting judges to cover in PD cases.

Anonymous said...

1 judge in town, small court. We are hoping she gets elected. Present Judge is a real issue and may be eliminated by the "commission" before the election.

Speaking of your competition, wise old savy politicians told me never challange another persons petition, all it does is alienate the voters.