WHY SHOULD WE BELIEVE HIM?

Some have said that Joe Dalton has spread nothing short of untruths & scare tactics in his anti Charter Change speeches.  We feel he might have a background in mumble jumble tactics in the past that he could be using in his position in SUCCESS.  Below are some pieces from an article written in the Washington Post in 1997.

 AN ABRASIVELY AMBITIOUS DEVELOPER BRINGS ENERGY, AND ENMITY, TO SARATOGA SPRINGS

By Nick Madigan, The Washington Post - September 1, 1997

“For those with a taste for the grand manner -- from thundering hoofs and pheasant hunting to mineral baths -- Saratoga appeals much as it did a century ago, when members of the high-living elite first rested on their laurels here.

But blemishes lurk under the perfect facade. As the summer racing and social season draws to a close, attention has turned to the upcoming trial of three Chamber of Commerce officials accused of trying to blackmail a developer.

The scandal sent shock waves through this placid city of 27,000 people in the hills south of the Adirondack Mountains.”

“Saratoga County citizens, Levinsky [Developer Bruce Levinsky] wrote, "should not be led around like bovine animals" and ought to hold a referendum on whether to allow gambling away from the legendary Saratoga Race Course.”

"Until legitimate votes by the people are tabulated," he concluded, "I believe all we have heard and will read from the grass-rooters is pure Shakespearean sound and fury, signifying nothing."

Such language did not sit well with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. Chamber President Joseph W. Dalton Jr. was incensed but, according to a report in the Albany Times Union, was persuaded by his colleagues to meet with Levinsky like a "gentlemen."

“But after digging into Levinsky's past, chamber officials allegedly threatened at a July 2, 1996, meeting to reveal damaging facts about him unless he ceased criticizing the establishment. The officials were alluding to Levinsky's 1978 conviction on a misdemeanor count of Medicare fraud, for which he served two months in jail, and a brief suspension of his driver's license in 1995 over an insurance matter.

Levinsky surreptitiously taped subsequent meetings with chamber officials and gave the recordings to law enforcement authorities. A special prosecutor's investigation led to Dalton and chamber Chairman Brian Cumming being charged with coercion and conspiracy. Chairman-elect J. Thomas Roohan was charged with coercion. A trial is scheduled for Oct. 9.”

“CAPTION: Developer Bruce Levinsky's sharp criticisms angered some in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., where three officials now are accused of trying to blackmail him.”

VERDICT - ALL 3 FOUND GUILTY

Remember this when Joe Dalton speaks of what’s best for Saratoga, if a person stoops to this level how can you trust anything he says?

-Our What About Skippy Section-

We hear tell that not only is the Skipster not moving the DPW Garage with it’s dangerous materials across from a school but he is installing a rec room with a gym, lockers & showers for the workers in the current site.   What can you say, a workout station for his Dept. and a $750,000.00 toilet for Madigan.  It’s a wonderful City to work for.

Speaking of Skip, why does he have the crew trim the hedges and mow the lawn on Circular St. just before the track opens?  The same hedges and lawn that looks like crap during the rest of the year, many are asking –What about us Skip?  We live here year round and you can’t even keep this City clean.

Enjoy summer