Search
Why is Foley running for state Senate?
An editorial (available here) in a recent edition of the Times Beacon Record, a group of Long Island newspapers, lays it out beautifully. Brian Foley isn't a bad guy, but he isn't the kind of tenacious fighter that the district -- and all New Yorkers -- need in the state Senate.
In addition, it should be noted once again that Foley's last-minute entry into the race caused a three-way primary, whereas if he had either gotten in last year or stayed out completely, we'd have a nominee right now. It seems that Doug Forand and the other powermongers in Albany haven't been paying attention to the situation on the ground in Islip/Brookhaven.
http://dailygotham.com/blog/dan_jacoby/why_is_foley_running_for_state_senate
Mouse over the text to select it, then press Ctrl-C to copy it.
Ya know...
...I keep on saying this to people: whether you agree or disagree with Doug, at a minimum, he is someone very well worth listening to. Calling him a "powermonger" is as far off in terms of a description as I can think of. My personal practice, if I disagree with Doug on something, is to ask myself if I may be wrong, and I'm not the only blogger who thinks that way.
I understand that Jimmy and his folks are probably pissed about this development. I would cordially suggest to everyone involved, though, that messaging such as
liable to undercut Foley's candidacy if he becomes the nominee is going to go over in blogdom like a lead balloon. I'm all for Dahroug and Foley making their respective and positive cases, and letting the better man win. This cuts both ways, by the by. But anyone looking for a repeat of the Chris Bodkin massacre is likely to be disappointed.
Just some friendly advice. Best wishes to all.
Zoinks. I'm a Powermonger.
I had no idea.
Regardless, Dan, rest assured that I and my team pay a lot of attention to what goes on in Brookhaven and Islip. We talk to community leaders, political leaders and a host of other people and do extensive research before we make decisions on what to do. We helped organize a large number of volunteers for the local races in both Towns last year (not sure if you were engaged there), and have a pretty good sense of what a State Senate race in those two towns will require.
Our goal here is not simply to settle on a single nominee, it's to have the nominee who is strongest in the district and who represents our progressive values. Jimmy is a good guy and a true progressive, and I have nothing but respect for Ric Montano, but neither is as strong a candidate as Brian. You may disagree, but this is not an off-the-cuff decision that we make lightly - it goes directly to the strength of our overall Majority campaign. Further, while it may be easy to stick with a candidate who is a friend or whom you've supported in the past, we have to make some fairly tough choices about what is most likely to bring the best outcome.
Finally, one column in a weekly paper is hardly a basis for making a serious decision about the strength of a candidate. Brian has done a great job in Brookhaven and has made some tough choices (as is acknowledged in the column); that's exactly the profile of who we need in the State Senate.
Welcome
Thanks for commenting you power monger you.
I am, as is well known, a Dahroug supporter. So I have to admit the attitude the Dem Party out there have had towards him has been a bit disappointing. That said, I know too little about Foley to judge him at this point. But it does seem to me that it is rather soon for him to be running for something so soon after he won an election. Whatever the reasons, it does give the impression of a lack of commitment to his community and to the job he is elected to and suggests he is driven more by ambition than commitment. This is by no means a deal breaker for me, but it does raise an eyebrow.
Thanks again for dropping by and commenting and best of luck to Dahroug AND Foley in the general goal of defeating the Bush-McCain agenda.
Fact Check
doug talked to everybody on long island????
NYC knew he was running. But no one on LI had a clue - even the County leaders were told at the last minute.
See here
http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/longisland/politics/blog/2008/05/foley_f...
and here http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/sunday/longisland...
The Long Island leadership was stunned! For the love of God, Foley crashed the Convention! http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/longisland/politics/blog/2008/05/foley_f...
NYC made a decision on their own. without consulting many local dems. The proof is in the links above.
And if anybody doubts the truth -- google search brian foley news.
The opening thread is patently unfair, biased and innacurate
I am a Foley supporter as those regular readers of The Albany Project are well aware. Unlike the other posters I am a 3SD resident and by the way, Doug Ferand heard from me in Oswego last February when I came up with my wife to help out in the Aubertine campaign. The Times community of newspapers follows a Republican lean in their bias. The comments against Foley is ludicrous as no State Senator has been a backbencher longer than Caesar Trunzo! Dan's failure to even note the The Times bias in reporting only reinforces his pro Dahroug bias! Now Michael Bouldin and I shared some strong words on the Albany Project when Chris Bodkin appeared to be the alternative candidate for Democrats like myself who felt a higher profile candidate was needed to take down Trunzo. That said, I agree with Bouldins post here that Dan is il advised to tear down either of these candidates as one of them will be after September 9th our only alternative to Trunzo! I also agree with Michaels defense of Doug who works tirelessly to search out, organize and elect Democrats to office. To define his motives as a powermonger is patently unfair to Doug and further deminishes any future opinions I may read from Dan Jacoby. There is no need for progressives to attack one another because we are on opposite sides of a primary!
Foley and Brookhaven town board BAN fishing at Shoreham Beach
Why have Foley and the town of Brookhaven banned fishing at Shoreham Beach ?People have been fishing at this beach for years. After labor day, they closed the beach to EVERYONE, but after some outcry the beach was reopened. Fishing is still banned there. The town board is doing the bidding of some local shore front residents who are trying to turn public beaches into private beaches.
Long Island residents pay incredibly high taxes for use of public parks, beaches, etc , and are now being denied access to these beaches. The Town of Brookhaven has 153 miles of coastline and a population of 448,519 with only 14 areas to go fishing legally.
In this day of age of high taxes, high gas prices and a crumbling economy it is unconscionable the politicians would take away a resource like this from the tax paying residents of Long Island and beyond.
In my opinion, these actions by the town board are illegial and only serve a select few , not all the residents of Brookhaven and beyond.
Many groups are now fighting this ban , but the town will not budge. When you go to the voting booth dont forget the politicians who are behind this action.
There is an on-line petition on this issue. If you care about your rights, whether you are a fisherman or not, please sign the petition and spread the word. We can not let this action by the town board stand.
click below to sign petition :
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/shorehamban