At Thursday's debate held in the Town of Carmel, Marc Pekowsky, candidate for Town Council stood head and shoulders above his opponents.
When asked about his vision and qualifications, Pekowsky explained, "I am a centrist who is willing to work on behalf of the residents and businesses in Carmel. While I live in Carmel with my wife and family, I do not work here, nor do I have any business connections in Carmel. Therefore, I can be an honest broker when it comes to making critical decisions involving taxpayers' money." Pekowsky was applauded for his honest, candid manner.
Many Carmel residents felt Pekowsky had made a strong case for his candidacy by demonstrating a fair and balanced approach to Town government. Particularly welcomed was Pekowsky's commitment to open, transparent government which has been sorely lacking in Carmel in the last 14 years. Also applauded was Pekowsky's economic vision for the Town that would preserve its character while offering job opportunities to its citizens.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Why Did Smith Fail to Win a Majority Vote from His Party: Part II
In our last blog post we addressed why Don Smith failed to win the majority vote from his party. At last night's debate in the Town of Kent, we witnessed another example of why Don Smith failed to win his party's majority vote. During the debate Kevin McConville read excerpts from the New York State Commission of Correction regarding the 2006 Putnam jail suicide of Spencer Sinkov.
The report clearly states it was the responsibility of the Sheriff to prevent the suicide: "Sinkov's death could have been prevented had proper suicide prevention precautions been taken and had department policy and procedures been properly followed." The Sheriff hung his head in shame.
Don Smith's only reply was to ignore the statistics in the FBI's 2008 Crime in the U.S. report regarding increasing crime in Putnam County (http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/cius2008/index.html).
Smith also ignored the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services rising crime statistics for 2006-08 -- which Smith likes to omit although he was Sheriff during that time. To confirm these facts, visit http://criminaljustice.state.ny.us/. Smith brazenly stated that crime did not rise and there is no threat to Putnam County.
Once again, he avoided discussing the Karen Meltz excessive force lawsuit, the charges of illegal search and seizure by his office in the Nelson lawsuit, and, though he was visibly shaken, denied any responsibility in the Sinkov suicide lawsuit.
If you believe in justice, if you want a safe and secure Putnam County, vote for Kevin McConville for Sheriff of Putnam County - Row A of the ballot.
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009
The report clearly states it was the responsibility of the Sheriff to prevent the suicide: "Sinkov's death could have been prevented had proper suicide prevention precautions been taken and had department policy and procedures been properly followed." The Sheriff hung his head in shame.
Don Smith's only reply was to ignore the statistics in the FBI's 2008 Crime in the U.S. report regarding increasing crime in Putnam County (http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/cius2008/index.html).
Smith also ignored the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services rising crime statistics for 2006-08 -- which Smith likes to omit although he was Sheriff during that time. To confirm these facts, visit http://criminaljustice.state.ny.us/. Smith brazenly stated that crime did not rise and there is no threat to Putnam County.
Once again, he avoided discussing the Karen Meltz excessive force lawsuit, the charges of illegal search and seizure by his office in the Nelson lawsuit, and, though he was visibly shaken, denied any responsibility in the Sinkov suicide lawsuit.
If you believe in justice, if you want a safe and secure Putnam County, vote for Kevin McConville for Sheriff of Putnam County - Row A of the ballot.
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Why Did Smith Fail to Win a Majority Vote from His Party?
In the Republic primary for Sheriff on September 15, Don Smith failed to win a majority of his own party - receiving only 47.8% of the vote. That's surprising for an incumbent who has been in office almost eight years. Obviously, the people who know Smith best wanted another candidate.
There are a lot of reasons for Smith's failure:
Poor Law Enforcement
There are a lot of reasons for Smith's failure:
Poor Law Enforcement
- New York State Criminal Justice reports Putnam crime is up 34% in last three years
- Alcohol-involved accidents up 163%, total auto accidents increased 67%
- Condemned by NYS Commission of Investigation for failure to properly handle teen rape case
- Did not properly train in use of force: Deputies injured and hospitalized a woman
- Injured woman sued: lawsuit settled in her favor, damages to be paid by taxpayers
- Sheriff violated Putnam ethics code, let Deputy Dunn head Putnam Humane Society
- Smith allowed Dunn to make TV ad in uniform, an ethics code violation
- Karen Meltz excessive force lawsuit settled out-of-court; taxpayers pay
- Sinkov suicide lawsuit settles, Smith held partly responsible for suicide
- Nelson lawsuit charges illegal search and seizure; in preliminary stages
- Failure to act on findings by NYS Commission of Correction to prevent additional suicides in jail led to Sinkov suicide
- Accepted $1,000 campaign donation from jail medical provider, Americor, 10 weeks after Sinkov suicide
- Americor found 35% at fault in Sinkov suicide, supported Smith
- Smith failed to update policy and procedure manual during eight years in office
- Did not control overtime in jail, taxpayers will pay
- Instilling core values
- Promoting safety
- Ensuring safety
- Training, education and mentoring
- Enforcing the law equitably
Monday, October 19, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Hudson Valley Law Enforcement Golf Classic
Yesterday the Committee to Elect Kevin McConville for Putnam County Sheriff sponsored the Hudson Valley Law Enforcement Golf Classic. The site of the event was the Putnam National Golf Club in Mahopac. Boy, was it a day for golfing. As you can see from the pictures below the sun was beating down on Kevin McConville and his golfers. I hope everyone wore sunscreen.
A trip for two to Myrtle Beach, SC was raffled off as well as golf bags, putters and drivers. All proceeds from the raffle were donated to the the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
A trip for two to Myrtle Beach, SC was raffled off as well as golf bags, putters and drivers. All proceeds from the raffle were donated to the the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
“Taking Back Carmel” Fundraising Dinner Features Democratic Congressman John Hall
The Town of Carmel Democratic Committee hosts dinner for candidates David Wilson and Marc Pekowsky
Mahopac, NY – The Town of Carmel Democratic Committee will present “Taking Back Carmel” on Saturday, September 12th – a fundraising dinner for David Wilson, Democratic Candidate for Carmel Town Supervisor, and Marc Pekowsky, Democratic Candidate for Carmel Town Council. The event will take place at the Desert Sun Restaurant in Mahopac, featuring guest of honor U.S. Congressman John Hall, Democrat, District 19.
A journalist with over 30 years of experience, Wilson operates his own business in Mahopac and has reported on municipal government for The New York Times, The Boston Globe and The Journal News. He currently writes for university magazines around the country and is a regular contributor to the Harvard Education Letter. Wilson, president of the 1,300-member Westchester Cycle Club since 2005, is co-founder of the Westchester Putnam Bike Walk Alliance. Wilson has also been endorsed by the Independence Party, the Working Families Party and The Westchester/Putnam Central Labor Body.
A public school teacher for 18 years, Pekowsky is a representative of the Yonkers Federation of Teachers. He serves on the Board of Directors of The Putnam Arts Council and is active in numerous civic associations. Pekowsky and his wife live in Mahopac. He has also been endorsed by the Independence Party, the Working Families Party and The Westchester/Putnam Central Labor Body.
The contribution per person is $75.00 and includes a Southwestern Cuisine buffet, soft drinks, beer, wine and musical entertainment. A cash bar will also be available.
For reservations and tickets, please call 845-621-1051 or e-mail Marc(at)VoteMarc09(dot)com. For more information on the candidates, please visit www.wilsonforcarmel.com and www.votemarc09.com.
Mahopac, NY – The Town of Carmel Democratic Committee will present “Taking Back Carmel” on Saturday, September 12th – a fundraising dinner for David Wilson, Democratic Candidate for Carmel Town Supervisor, and Marc Pekowsky, Democratic Candidate for Carmel Town Council. The event will take place at the Desert Sun Restaurant in Mahopac, featuring guest of honor U.S. Congressman John Hall, Democrat, District 19.
A journalist with over 30 years of experience, Wilson operates his own business in Mahopac and has reported on municipal government for The New York Times, The Boston Globe and The Journal News. He currently writes for university magazines around the country and is a regular contributor to the Harvard Education Letter. Wilson, president of the 1,300-member Westchester Cycle Club since 2005, is co-founder of the Westchester Putnam Bike Walk Alliance. Wilson has also been endorsed by the Independence Party, the Working Families Party and The Westchester/Putnam Central Labor Body.
A public school teacher for 18 years, Pekowsky is a representative of the Yonkers Federation of Teachers. He serves on the Board of Directors of The Putnam Arts Council and is active in numerous civic associations. Pekowsky and his wife live in Mahopac. He has also been endorsed by the Independence Party, the Working Families Party and The Westchester/Putnam Central Labor Body.
The contribution per person is $75.00 and includes a Southwestern Cuisine buffet, soft drinks, beer, wine and musical entertainment. A cash bar will also be available.
For reservations and tickets, please call 845-621-1051 or e-mail Marc(at)VoteMarc09(dot)com. For more information on the candidates, please visit www.wilsonforcarmel.com and www.votemarc09.com.
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