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

Comments

[BobbyCat]

"The payment raises questions", you say. Not with me, it doesn't. If it looks like a duck...it's probaby a duck.
The Independence Party looks to be corrupt, IMHO.

My only question is, why are they not being prosecuted? Does the District Attorney or US Attorney have answers?
Is bribery now winked at?
Where is that part of the story?

And lastly, isn't Mr. Fummerelle somehow related to Mr. Orsini? I saw no mention of that.

[Robert Harding]

"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?"

If the Independence Party wanted to endorse a candidate, they had plenty of time to do so. This idea that Fummerelle is somehow a placeholder for another candidate is bothersome.

I have heard people try to say that this should be a good example of why we need to end fusion voting, but the Working Families Party endorsed and have a candidate they support (Jon Powers). The Independence Party could have done the same. They had plenty of time to. If they wanted to back Powers, Jack Davis, Alice Kryzan or Chris Lee, they could have done that. They had plenty of time to. Instead, they chose to play games with their own line. That only hurts one side in the end: Their own.

[Jerri S. Kaiser]

These actions really undermine any credibility an endorsement by the Independence Party will have. They had their chance and they blew it.

It's just more evidence that Jack Davis, with his myopic focus on his money, is "Buy the people" while hard working grassroots candidates like Jon Powers are actually "By the people."

[Russ Stresing]

With his remarks, Schiemann throws a wrench into any plans there might be to substitute a major party candidate for Fummerelle. Any candidate with even a marginal sense of propriety would be advised to stay away from this nomination this season. And if the Independence Party pulls a switch at the last moment, it will damage any credibility they still have after this kerfuffle. Hopefully, all the activity within the Monroe and Erie parties is about cleaning house and not a power struggle.

[NYBri]

This is a two partner tango...Colon and Davis. Davis said during his announcement that he wasn't buying the seat.

Um....then what is he buying?

[lanres]

Its funny in a way, that now the Dems are heading towards "Political Dominance" we see all this Minor Party disection. Endorsements for money and promised favors have been the rule, not the ecception. Under reporting of cash donations and Party funds are rountine. I dont believe anyone ever truly looks any deeper than filed reports at the Board of Elections. Local "Minor Partys" have become infiltrated by "Major Party Loyals and Family Members" - the endorsemnt process is totally corrupt.