I just sent the following email to:
DDiMartino@eastgreenbush.org
mamatters@eastgreenbush.org
pmalone@eastgreenbush.org
If you concur, let our Supervisor and Town Board Members know.
Let's hope that action is taken.
* * * * *
Jessica Lansing did a fabulous job of organizing the event
and should be congratulated, as should all of the Town's employees who were
involved in making the event a success.
Yesterday at the Town Festival, Supervisor Candidate Mike
Poorman set up what could be best described as a campaign headquarters. Many, including myself as Chair of the EGDC,
were upset by this.
I attempted to locate DPW Commissioner Corellis, who has
jurisdiction over the physical parks, and who I had seen moments before seeing
Mr. Poorman's booth from a short distance, but was unable to find him.
I called Deputy DPW Commissioner Fiacco who, although not at
the Town Festival, had admitted seeing Mr. Poorman's booth and being upset.
As you may know, Town-sponsored events, such as yesterday's
Town Festival, Music in the Park and the former Saturday in the Park, have long
been considered by convention and practice, rather than by explicit Town
Policy, to be campaign free or neutral territory.
I've taken the liberty of drafting the attached resolution
for your consideration, however, I'll naturally defer to your judgment and that
of Town Attorney Gruenberg as to whether or not to introduce same.
I also am wondering whether this would be more appropriately
addressed in the form of a local law.
I sincerely hope you act in one manner or another to
formalize this convention and practice.
Sincerely,
Pete Stenson
* * * * *
XXX-2015 Resolution Prohibiting Active Political
Campaigning, Display of Campaign Signs and the Distribution and/or Availability
of Political Campaign Literature on Town of East Greenbush Property During
Town-Sponsored Events
WHEREAS, such
events are conducted for the public benefit using Town resources, including
staff and their time in the Town’s employ; and
WHEREAS, such
events have long been considered by convention and practice, rather than by
explicit Town Policy, to be campaign free or neutral territory insofar as
active political campaigning, the display of campaign signs and the
distribution and/or availability of campaign literature, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, it is
hereby determined to be Town Policy that active political campaigning,
including the display of campaign signs and distribution and or availability of
political campaign literature at Town-sponsored events is hereby prohibited;
and be it further
RESOLVED, that
the provisions of this Resolution shall not prohibit the display of a singular
banner displaying a political party’s or political organization’s name or the
provision of oral information when asked by a member of the public attending
such events; and be it further
RESOLVED, that
the provisions of this Resolution shall not apply to events sponsored by a
political party or candidate provided that the political party or candidate has
properly rented Town property for such event.
The foregoing Resolution was duly moved by ____________
seconded by ______________ and brought to a vote resulting as follows:
Supervisor Langley VOTED _________
Councilperson DiMartino VOTED _________Councilperson Malone VOTED _________
Councilperson Matters VOTED _________
