Democratic Brookhaven Supervisor Brian Foley says Republican Sen. Caesar Trunzo, whom he's challenging for the legislative seat, has failed to "get out of hiding" and respond to Foley's call for a series of debates.
"While Trunzo has been dodging a real debate with his opponent, he has focused instead on misleading television ads and glossy campaign pamphlets," Foley charges.
Trunzo does, of course, have a campaign going, and on Tuesday, he touted support from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who nonetheless dropped his Republican registration last year.
To that, Ibrahim Khan, spokesman for the Foley campaign, said: "We're not surprised...given that the mayor has already poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into the Senate Republicans' coffers. It is ironic that the Senate Republicans accuse Democrats of being New York City - centric and here, Trunzo, the poster child of the Republican status quo, is being endorsed by the mayor of the City of New York.”
Full text of the latest Foley statement is below.
FROM CANDIDATE FOLEY:
"Three weeks ago State Senate candidate Brian X. Foley challenged 36-year incumbent Sen. Caesar Trunzo to a series of debates focusing on issues affecting voters in the 3rd Senate District. Twenty-one days later, Trunzo's constituents are still waiting for him get out of hiding and answer questions about his role as part of the Albany Republican establishment.
"While Trunzo has been dodging a real debate with his opponent, he has focused instead on misleading television ads and glossy campaign pamphlets.
"'In a recent TV ad, Caesar Trunzo says that 'you don't fix what's not broken;' but I have been going door to door talking to voters, and they know Albany is broken,' said Foley. 'I'm asking Senator Trunzo for an answer. Will you debate me? If not, why not?'
"Constituents are frustrated that, after 36 years, Trunzo refuses to offer solutions to their problems. Over the last 10 years, Trunzo has presided over a 64% increase in property taxes in Suffolk County. Voters in the Third District are ready to hold their State Senate representative accountable. 'Elected officials aren't supposed to hide from the very people that they claim to represent,' said Bob Kaufer, a resident of Bayport. 'I'm about ready to start a search party for him.'
"'Senator Trunzo has ads up around town claiming that he will 'work to keep our taxes low,'' says Maryann Morton, an East Patchogue resident. 'Who is he kidding? My taxes haven't been low since Caesar Trunzo came into office 36 years ago! The Senator owes it to voters like me to debate with Foley. He can't just patronize us by putting up flashy ads and hoping we won't lift the curtain.'
"Foley will continue to call upon his opponent to debate with him in the public square. 'It's time to end the status quo of partisan gridlock in Albany. Voters want a more responsive government,' said Brian X. Foley. 'Senator Trunzo has time for pre-packaged, scripted ads, but I want to know whether he has time to defend his record before the hard-working people of Islip and Brookhaven.'"
The schedule of the debates is as follows:
Patchogue: Education, Wednesday, September 24th 6-8pm
West Sayville: Property Tax Reform, October 8th 6-8pm
Holbrook: Healthcare, October 15th 6-8pm
Mastic Beach: Environment, October 22th 6-8pm
Central Islip: Economic Development, October 30th 6-8pm
Comments (2)
For most of these 36 years the Democrats have controlled the Assembly and the Republicans controlled the Senate. They have voted to mandate services in the County. The bill for these services comes in your property tax bill. They have kissed the behind of the Teachers Associations. The bill comes in your property tax bill. They arrange non aggression deals between them. I won't challenge you Senator if you don't challenge me. Remember Paul Harrenberg. If the residents of this district want tax relief they must fix the system. Term limits for State offices is the first step. No matter who the district elects for this office
the problem will not be resolved.until the SYSTEM is reformed. The non nepotism law should be expanded to include the families of political leaders. The law should read that no member of an elected official or political leader's family can work for the State anywhere excluding civil service. I will wager that 2/3 of the appointed employees in this State will be off the payroll at a substancial savings. These legislative bodies are a cash cow for the families of the politically connected for life.
Rick Brand has found something to write about for the next two months. He will now become a "useful idiot" for the Foley campaign. The sole issue in the campaign is whether the residents of this particular NYS Senate district want the Democratic Party to wrest control from the GOP. That's the one and only issue. Do voters feel that they will be better served by Democrat control? There is no need for even one "debate."
Gov. Patterson is a Democrat for NYC. Sheldon Silver is a Democrat from NYC. If the Democrats gain control, the new Senate Majority Leader will by from NYC - that's a definite.
So, will suburban homeowners be better served by a Republican majority that has made more school aid, a more generous STAR program and a property tax cap a priority or by Democrats from NYC that want more spending on nursing homes/Medicaid, NYC schools, etc?
Let's see if Mr. Brand can focus on the real issue or if he allows himself to be an organ of the Democratic Party.