Well, it looks like the Republican slate is set to go. One inside Republican told me that they had asked no fewer than 20 people to run for Mayor with no takers, so they had to settle on Shauna Sutton. The only slots the Republicans are having more trouble filling are for Accounts and Finance and it seems that by asking so many candidates for Mayor, one would think they would also ask those people to run for these slots but alas, no takers. The only worry that Republicans have is the race for Mayor. Again, the Party did everything it could do, to have someone run for office and they wanted to stay as far away from Sutton as they could. The City can look forward to one of the dirtiest campaigns ever. Remember, she ran Johnson’s campaign last time and it got so dirty at the end that even the Mayor lost Republican votes, making the race close. The rest of the slate looks possible, Vietch will win another term, the other race for Supervisor pits former Commissioner of Finance Ken Ivins against a yet unnamed opponent, however there are 2 names floating around. Scirocco while a long term incumbent, looks like he will have an opponent this year so his unopposed runs might be over. The problem to look at with Ivins and Wirth are that both are losers in the election businesses and it may be hard to sweet talk the voters they lost last time.
The Democrats have not yet endorsed candidates yet, although all have had fundraisers so it looks like a given the incumbents will get the official stamp. The only races they haven’t officially spoken about would be the 2 candidates for Supervisor and the candidate for DPW. With all the jockeying around it still looks like the Democrats will have a majority on the Council, how large remains to be seen, but rest assured Sutton will be the only Republican who will self destruct, its in her genes, her obnoxious behavior and acidic tongue will be a turn off as soon as she hits the road. She should bring a pillow with her.
Great post. However, do not underestimate Sutton. Old time Saratogians will come out in full force to vote for her.
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DeleteYou are right, however I hear even among the natives that Shauna's personality rubs against the grain.
DeleteIf voter apathy continues the way it is Saratoga may get what it doesn't want. Sometimes we natives do not like to vote for efficiency or who will do the best job.
I was doing some research for a group and had the chance to read some of the 2006 Charter Change testimony that is on the City’s website. A member of that Commission and native Saratogian said it best. “Chris Millis said that native Saratogians also feel that all that matters is who holds the position. They also feel that inefficient government is a good thing…”
8/1/06
Saratogian’s should elect our leaders for the job we think they can do, not where they were born.
The Post Star had an article about Johnson being asked to run for the state assembly. It looks like Sutton was excess baggage that got left behind. Either that or she will leave her post as mayor to take a position with Johnson after he is in the assembly for better pay.
ReplyDeleteInteresting scenario, the way the Charter reads looks like this: Let’s say Sutton wins the election and Johnson becomes an assembly member, Sutton decides after the first of the year or anytime during the first year she vacates the position, a special election has to take place to elect her successor. Now, if she leaves during the 2nd year of her term, the Commissioner of Finance is head of the Council until the Council appoints someone to fill in as Mayor until the election that November.
DeleteHowever this is moot when Sutton loses the election. Scott and Shauna could once again become the Laurel and Hardy of the Assembly.
Chris Millis? Chris Millis???????
ReplyDeleteOh, that's right, the guy who draws cartoons and writes stupid movies. What a joke to even mention his name as someone in-the-know.
Gee, I guess you not only have to be a native but what then, a multi millionaire retired lawyer, a caretaker of a local cemetery or a CFO of a not for profit? What profession does one have to be to give a take on their perception of Saratoga?
DeleteThanks for your take on Millis, I guess you must be a movie critic, what paper do you write for?
Thanks for keepng us informed in a timely fashion,most of anything worth while has passed you bye 6 days ago.Keep up the good work ric.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Pete. However, I don't feel that anything important has passed me by in 6 days that I haven't written about before. I don't have to write just to write.
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