State Sen. Caesar Trunzo said he is looking for a "sign of good faith" from critics before he will even consider stepping down as Islip Republican chairman.
The Brentwood Republican made the statement from Albany after about 90 party activists gathered at the East End Republican Club in Sayville Monday for the second time in the past month, trying to revive the moribund town GOP.
Frank Tatone, one of the dissident zone leaders who met with Trunzo Saturday, said that "not much progress" was made and that Trunzo wanted to put off any transition until after candidate petitions are filed in mid-July. "The outcome with Caesar was to wait," he said.
Critics have maintained they want Trunzo, who has a year left on his term, to step down immediately along with his party vice chair Jeanette Messina. In return they say they will back Trunzo's bid for re-election as Senate Republicans try to hold their majority, now hanging by a thin two seats.
Trunzo said he wants dissidents to "meet me halfway" and show their "good faith" by walking petitions and raising some money for the party before he begins a transition process. Trunzo, 81, said he told Tatone "I don't trust some of you guys to follow through on what you'll say you'll do." Trunzo also said he would not agree...
Rick Brand
...to barring Messina, recently ill, from seeking his the party chair or set any time frame for completing a transition.
Some opponents say activists should balk at carrying any party nominating petitions. They say Trunzo has left the party without any money in party coffers, that GOP clubs have shut down, and that the party is even failing to screen candidates. "Where the party is today is a joke," said Thomas Datre, a builder whose wife ran for supervisor last year. "I love Caesar, I grew up with him, but it's time for a change."
Trunzo has planned a meeting of the GOP executive committee for Thursday night at 5 p.m. at party headquarters, but that he has no plans to step aside and maintains that many in the committee still support him as leader.
He also said he is not fazed by threats. "They're threatening me if I refuse to give in right away they'll refuse to have their army of peopler work for me," he saifd, "I also have an army of people who will work for me. If they refuse to do petitions I'll still get them done."
One GOP activist, John Bugler, said they should send Trunzo "a check for $100 for his Senate campaign and ask him to do us all a favor and step down so new leadership can come in."
Comments (5)
As I said in a previous post, the man will never go of his own volition, despite the damage he has done to the Republican Party. The only way to get him ou is to take him out as State Senator...either in a primary or general election. Messina is no better and should be given NO consideration. Both of them were lackies for McGowan whose arrogance and corruption caused the demise of the Islip GOP and control of town hall. It's time to end this nonsense and attempt to rebuild the local party from the ground up.
Phil has told Caesar that it is time to go. I would support Phil for leader because he is level headed and knows what Tantone, Goglas and Schettino want to do is rebuild the party.
Elected officials make notoriously poor leaders and Boyle was always sucking up to McGowan and Messina because they were promising him the Senate seat. Boyle has never been much of a party person. That being said, anything would be better than keeping Trunzo. Just a question of whether he really represents change. Boyle, like Trunzo, has always been out to help himself first. Why doesn't he show some backbone (something he never has had much of) and take Trunzo on in a primary. A victory there would have the desired effect of taking care of Trunzo once and for all.
He's a great Senator but needs to let go of leader. Let go Caesar and let's take this thing back together.
Find this a very heavy send..
State Senator Trunzo is in this writers experience of some 50+ years the finest elected official he has ever had the privilege of knowing.
Look up at the stars on a clear night and each and every one you can see is someone this man has helped..
However his leadership of the Islip Republican Committee has been comprimised by his having to wear two hats at the same time.
In the future Islip Town Republicans should always be aware of the potential political conflict of interest which wearing two hats at the same time can generate.
And at this most critical time we ask that this outstanding legislator surrender his sword on this issue of Islip Town Republican Chair.
And we the remnant of the Once Great Islip Town Republican Party will do all in our power to propel this great public servant back to Albany to continue to represent us as our State Senator.
Thank you Senator Trunzo for all of your years of faithful service to the State of New York and the people of your Senatorial District.as our State Senator.
With every good wish,
GOD BLESS.
JOHN W. BUGLER
BUGLER.ORG