Aug21
Editorial:
To Rid a Political Race Of Appearing Improper
Mr. Dennis E. Ward’s official job title is: Democratic Commissioner of the Erie County Board of Elections. There isn’t a shred of evidence in Dennis Ward’s working past that he has ever done anything unethical or criminal.
I believe this to be true but there are many voters who feel he must remove himself from being involved in any way with the race that involves both his wife Michele Iannello and his brother Dan Ward. These two candidates are in the same race with Joe Mesi for the 61st State Senate seat. The obvious conflict of interest leaves him open to damaging possibilities and criticism.
7 Responses to “Editorial:”
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Joanne L. Capone
Said this at 12:01pm:It would be fair, just and entirely proper for Mr. Dennis Ward to recuse himself for the Primary Election. The conflict of interest as stated above leaves little room for any other option.
The best procedures in the world cannot remove the appearance of impropriety for Dennis Ward to supervise this particular election given his extensive involvement in the current campaign of his spouse, Michele Iannello.
In addition, the air needs to be clearly as to the residence of Mr. Dennis Ward. Does he live in Amherst or merely have a rental property in our township? Or does he live with his wife of three years Michele Iannello Ward who must reside in Tonawanda because of her current position as a member of the County Legislature, District 10?
There has been a great deal of partisan efforts within the Amherst Democratic Committee and its Chair, Dennis Ward and the Executive Officers to do everything in their power to harm the candidacy of Dan Ward for the Senate Seat race to replace Honorable Mary Lou Rath.
In addition, I can attest to knowing personally that Dennis Ward has lied to me about being appointed as an Amherst Committee Member since 2006. I have worked many, many hours to support candidates for office in the Democratic Party and was promised an appointment by Mr. Dennis Ward.
As Vice President for New York Democrats for Life, I have been unfairly treated by Mr. Dennis Ward and members of the Executive Committee because of my pro life views and more recently, because I am actively working on the campaign for Dennis Ward’s brother and Michele Iannello Ward’s brother-in-law.
I would welcome seeing Mr. Dennis Ward stand down from the Primary Election work because of his conflicts of interest.
I would further welcome the resignation of Mr. Dennis Ward as Chair of the Amherst Democratic Committee given his support for his wife in this race when the Amherst Democrats endorsed Dan Ward for this opportunity.
Dennis Ward used a “strange” election to deny Dan the use of Amherst Party Headquarters for this race.
Joanne L. Capone
Executive Director
Capone-DeSimone Institute for Peace and Social Justice
Vice President
New York State Democrats for Life
Hanna
Said this at 2:53pm:No one works harder than Dennis Ward or knows more about election law than Dennis Ward. There is always a democrat and a republican present when votes are counted or recounted, and I am sure he removes himself from counting the Amherst races.
Joanne L. Capone
Said this at 1:53am:Hannah,
The issue is honest supervision of an upcoming Primary involving his wife and his brother as competitors for the same office. Dennis needs to stand aside.
The other issue is residency. Dennis lives with his wife in another Township…he needs to step down as Amherst Chair of the Democratic Committee.
Joanne L. Capone
Executive Director
Capone-DeSimone Institute for Peace and Social Justice
Kim
Said this at 7:40am:Why is Dennis Ward still the chair of the Amherst Democratic Committee if he doesn’t even live in Amherst? If he lies about that then one has to wonder what else he lies about then.
Kim
Said this at 7:44am:Why would Dennis Ward be the chair of the Amherst Democratic Committee if he doesnt live in Amherst? If this is true and he not telling the truth it has to make you wonder what else he would lie about. I am not sure I would want him around when the votes are being counted.
JOHN DOE
Said this at 11:25am:WHY DOESN’T ANYONE ASK MY UNCLE WHERE HE RESIDES? BECAUSE LAST TIME I CHECKED MY UNCLE RENTED HIS “AMHERST HOME” OUT TO CHRIS MOAN AND HE LIVES IN TONAWANDA WITH HIS WIFE. SO IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING UNETHICAL…START THERE- HE REALLY SHOULDN’T BE THE AMHERST TOWN CHAIRMAN BEING A “RESIDENT OF TONAWANDA” NOW SHOULD HE?
JOHN DOE
Said this at 11:26am:AND IF ANYONE HS ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT “MY FAMILY” I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ADVISE. ANN WARD