PRIMARY ELECTION REFLECTIONS

How could I NOT WIN the Democratic Primary for
Member of Common Council Ward 14?

A) A 22 year record of neighborhood leadership
as President of the Buckingham Pond/Crestwood
Neighborhood with real achievements including:

(1) creation of Buckingham Pond Park (1994) our
neighborhood jewel enjoyed by so many local
residents
(2) creation of the permanent green spaces on
New Scotland Avenue at S Manning Blvd and
the conifer screened acre bordering Buckingham
Mews at the corner of Krum Kill Rd. (1983/1987)

(3) clean up and demolition of the infamous
derelict gas station site at Whitehall and New
Scotland which is to become the Daniel P.
O'Connell Memorial Pocket Park (2000-2009)

(4) defeat of of a city plan to build luxury
housing at Albany Municipal Golf Course
which would have blocked the view of the
Catskill three sister peaks (1994)

(5) defeat of the proposed 12 story apartment
tower and 3 story parking garage in the 7 acre
wooded ravine, which contains 2 small wetlands
opposite Ohav Shalom on Krum Kill Rd.
(my primary opponent, incumbent Joe Igoe
sponsored the rezoning measure in the Common
Council) (2003-04)

(6) defeat of a plan to concert Mercy Convent
into office space (1998)

(7) defeat of a plan to build a 3rd middle
school at Whitehall and New Scotland (1999)

(8) defeat of two attempts to build a big box
retail store at Krum Kill and New Scotland
(1999 and 2000).

There is so much more. You get it.

A real 22 year record of leadership
maintaining and improving neighborhood
residential integrity and quality of life
-vs- Joe Igoe's 12 year non-record as
Ward 14 Alderman.

(B) A U S Navy veteran, the only military
veteran running for re-election or election
in the 2009 Albany City Democratic Primary
-vs- Joe Igoe, who never served.

(C) A real message of positions on issues
vital to the futures of all who call this
neighborhood, ward and city, home.

A vote for me would send a message that
ward residents want:

1. Increased police presence to deter crime
and the growing volumes of speeding traffic
on neighborhood residential streets

2. Emergency/disaster preparedness by
households, churches, synagogues, schools
and neigborhood businesses

3. Property tax relief and improvement of
city schools through consolidating city schools
with city government, creating one property
tax roll to fund both and returning to K-8
neighborhood schools

4. Calling for restoration of social security
COLA's and opposing elements of Obamacare
that would deny care to seniors and veterans
and promote assisted suicide of those groups.

5. Upholding the U S Constitution , in
particular, the First and Second Amendments.

6. Putting America before political party.

7. A genuine independent who would owe
his loyalty to the people.

I worked like hell, qualifying for the ballot
and handdelivering my message on foot and
bike, and U S Mail, to the 3.500 ward Democrats
who had the opportunity and responsibility to
vote in the September 15 Democratic Primary..




Well then, how can the Democratic Primary
results for Member of Common Council
Ward 14 be explained?

Does it mean that ward 14 Democrats do
not want a vigorous, independent
representative with clear stands on vital
issues, who puts America before party?

Does it mean that Ward 14 residents don't
want increased police presence, they don't
see the need for emergency/disaster prepar-
edness, they don't want property tax relief
or improved city schools, that they don't
uphold the U S Constitution, that they do
not support the First and Second Amendments.

That, they would reject a candidate who has
such a strong record of effective, independent
neighborhood leadership, in favor of a lackluster
go along get along guy with no real record of
neighborhood achievements to show for his 12
years on the Common Council?

That they support seniors not getting their
social security COLA's , not defending seniors
and veteran's from the negative impacts that
are part of the proposed Obamacare?


You be the judge.

Joe Igoe is a nice guy. A 12 year incumbent
who had the backing of the ward leader,
city committee members, county chairman
and most important Mayor Jennings.

Joe goes along to get along. He is rarely
seen on neighborhood streets except
every four years when he is up for election.


Joe knows who his base voters, the 1,000
party loyalists are, and they could be counted
upon to go to the polls and vote for Joe- with
a little (maybe a lot) of proding.

500 or so of Ward 14 Democrats voted for me
or rather what I stand for.

But we are a minority in this Ward.

2000 Ward Democrats stayed home. Either
too apathetic, too busy or too jaded to
participate in our political process.

The blind partyline lackeys are what they
are. Their votes are and were predictable.

The key to winning this primary was in
getting the 2,000 non primary voters to
vote.

They are beyond hope.

They along with non voters, everywhere
are the reason why the Democratic Party
remains firmly in control of the political
leftists who are destroying America in
their quest for control and power, whether
it be the City of Albany, New York State
or the United States.

Earlier this year I came to the conclusion
that the way to get the Democratic Party
back on track, was through the Primary
system.

However, based on my experience in this
primary, and observing the primary
campaigns and results in other wards
as well as citywide, I have had to rethink
my conclusion.

As long as money buys ballot position
and elections, as long as the media goes
along with the game, as long as leftists
control the primaries and the vast majority
of party members do not vote in primaries,
it is like pissing in the wind for a more
traditional, conservative, old-time Democrat
to prevail in a Democratic primary - ever
again.

The Democratic Party of Dan O Connell
in Albany is no more.

The leftist gained control of the schools
and now the Common Council and city
fiscal offices. Next time out -it will be the
mayor's office.

As the Times Union opines today, Mayor
Jennings will have a more difficult time
governing than ever before.

In the final analysis it is Jerry's own doing.
The large vote for Ellis was , in reality, an
anti Jerry vote, not a pro Ellis vote.

Whether or not Jerry realizes it, he
is but a figurehead mayor,]; unless he can
use his last term to do what must be done
in this city:

1. provide real public safety, everywhere in
the city, clearing the streets of criminals
gangbangers, thieves and assorted anti-social
malcontents and disarming them

2. promote emergency/disaster preparedness
by the city governments and neighborhoods

3. provide the necessary property tax relief
and improved city schools, through consolidation
of city schools with city government and return
to K-8 neighborhood schools.

Being Mayor without providing real leadership
relegates the position to just another photo op
a paycheck, and a bigger pension.

There is no future in that for Jerry , the City of
Albany, or for us, who call Albany home.

My effectiveness as a neighborhood leader has
been, in large part , because of my participation
in the political process, which has pressured
those in political power to do the right thing.

Participating in primaries where the party is
controlled by leftists, is an exercise in futility.

Therefore, I have decided to change my party
enrolment to Conservative.

The 2010 political battle grounds will be the
state and congressional elections. The outcomes
of those elections will determine the future
of America, our state and our own futures.

I invite any of my supporters, over the years
to join me in the Conservative Party.
Together, we can wage the battles to put
America First, once again.

Enrollment changes made in the next
two weeks, or so, will take effect the day
after the November 3 General Election.

The campaigns for Congress and State
Legislature in 2010 have already begun.

President Obama is coming to HVCC for
that very reason. To shore up Congressmen
Murphy and Tonko as well the campaign of
Acorn supporter Senator Gillibrand, and
his own eroding political base.

The late, great President Ronald Reagan
once a Democrat, said he did not leave the
Democratic Party - the party left him.

So, it is with many traditional Democrats.

The answer is not to be found in not
voting or dropping out of the political
process.

Nor, is there a need to create an alternative
third party, for those who value America.
That party already has official ballot status
in New York - the Conservative Party.

Make your enrolment change today.

Go to: http://www.albanycounty.com/vote/

Joe Sullivan