The following letter was sent to a local environmental expert. As usual, it is untrue and Jerry Schad held a press conference this morning to demand Hayes come clean and tell the truth. Schad’s remarks follow the letter.
July 11, 2008
Walter Simpson
4 Meadowstream Court
Amherst, NY 14226
Dear Walter:
Earlier this year, you wrote to me to express your support for the “Bigger, Better Bottle Bill”, (A.8044-A I S.5850-A). I appreciated hearing from you, and I apologize for the delay in responding to your letter.
As you may already know, this initiative was included in former Governor Spitzer’s Executive Budget proposal. This proposal was laid aside during the negotiations necessary to produce an on-time budget, and both sides agreed to reconsider the issue later during the session. Subsequently, the Assembly version of the bill passed on June 11th, 2008 and was referred to the Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation. The Senate did not consider the bill before session adjourned and as a result, the bill died without being enacted.
The “Bigger, Better Bottle Bill” remains a controversial issue. Many environmentalists are still concerned that the bill exempts several items like wine bottles, liquor bottles and plastic milk containers; all of which are returnable and recyclable.
Although the “Bigger, Better Bottle Bill” didn’t receive enough support to pass the Senate this year, I will continue to work hard to support local recycling programs and the many environmental benefits these programs promote.
I always value the input of well informed constituents like you and I appreciate hearing from you on matters of concern.
Best wishes.
Sincerely,
Jim Hayes
Member of Assembly
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Schad’s response:
My name is Jerry Schad. I am the Democratic Candidate for the Assembly in the 148th Assembly District, the seat currently occupied by 5-term incumbent Jim Hayes.
I am here today to challenge incumbent Jim Hayes on his lack of honesty and integrity in dealing with his constituents.
Jim Hayes needs to explain to voters WHY he lied to a constituent about his position on a Bill in Albany, — Assembly Bill A.S044.A — rather than tell the truth.
Here is what happened:
On July 11, 2008, Assemblyman Jim Hayes wrote a reply letter to environmental expert, Walter Simpson, who had asked Hayes for support for the Bigger, Better Bottle Bill (A.S044-A / S.5S50-A). In his letter, Hayes artfully lied about his position on that Bill.
Hayes wrote that “the Assembly version of the bill passed on June 11, 2008.” He, Hayes, implied that he had supported the Bill’s passage in the Assembly.
He then said that the “Senate did not consider the bill,” implying that the Bill’s failure to become law was not Hayes’ fault. I remind everyone that the Senate is controlled by Hayes’ fellow Republicans.
Hayes then told his constituent, Mr. Simpson, that “I will continue to work hard to support local recycling programs and many environmental benefits these programs promote.” Assembly Bill AS044-A is a major recycling program with many environmental benefits.
But, contrary to Assemblyman Hayes’ July 11, 200S, letter, Jim Hayes NEVER supported Assembly Bill AS044-A.
Contrary to Hayes’ letter to Walter Simpson, when the Bigger, Better Bottle Bill came up for a vote on June 11, 200S, Hayes voted “NO” to try to kill the bill in the Assembly!
Rather than be honest with his constituent and say that he, Hayes, opposed the Bigger, Better Bottle Bill; rather than give any his reason for his opposition, Hayes chose to lie – to mislead his constituent.
Jim Hayes’ conduct raises a fundamental question: Is Jim Hayes fit to continue to hold public office? He needs to explain why he lied to his constituent, Walter Simpson.