Minor party causes major flap
Minor parties like the Independence Party rarely draw much attention, but the dealings of the leaders from Monroe and Erie counties have resulted in two big stories in The Buffalo News in recent days.
First came the July 19 story indicating that Democratic congressional hopeful Jack Davis paid $5,000 each to the wives of the Monroe and Erie county party chairmen. Davis paid $5,000 to the wife of Monroe County Independence Chairman Rafael Colon (using her maiden name of Blanca Semidey) and $5,000 to a new corporation based in Florida and headed by Judith Orsini, wife of Erie County Independence Chairman Tony Orsini.
Davis and Orsini said the payments were for legitimate "consulting services."
After the story ran, Monroe's Independence leaders tried for eight days to track down Colon. According to interim Chairman Walter Schiemann, when Colon finally did acknowledge their calls, the leaders demanded his resignation for taking a "bribe."
"It's definitely a bribe -- absolutely," he told The News in a story published Tuesday.
No legal authority has even hinted at any interest in pursuing Schiemann's suggestion, but the payments raise questions. Though the party has nominated Kenmore attorney Anthony Fumerelle as its candidate for the 26th Congressional District, Orsini has acknowledged the possibility of substituting a major party candidate after the Sept. 9 Democratic primary.
That means that Davis, or any other candidate, could ultimately be the Independence nominee.
Minor parties occupy a unique position in New York politics. How do you view the legal maneuverings that have left the ballot's third line in limbo?
-- Robert J. McCarthy
