Found this on the Albany Project blog ~

by: robert.harding
Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 15:00:57 PM EDT  

Citizen Action of New York and Citizen Action’s Western New York chapter have sent a letter to Erie County Board of Elections Commissioner Dennis Ward, who serves as the Democratic commissioner with the Erie County Board of Elections, asking him to “delegate [his] oversight responsibilities” due to his personal connections to the 61st Senate District Democratic primary. Dennis Ward is married to candidate Michele Iannello and Ward’s brother, Dan Ward, is also a candidate in the race.

Dear Mr. Ward:

On behalf of advocates for good government practices and campaign reform, we are writing to express our concerns about the integrity of the upcoming primary election in the 61st Senate District on September 9th.   It is your office’s mission to provide complete oversight and ensure fairness, and we are concerned that your ability to oversee a fair election has been compromised.  We understand you are in difficult position, no matter how fair your intentions may be.

There have been recent news reports indicating a greater level of interest by your office in this particular election in contrast to other elections.  We are also very concerned about recent public disclosures of financial contributions in the order of $8,000.00 that you have made to your wife’s campaign.  

Transparency is the hallmark of the elections commission, and we ask you to hold yourself to the same high standard that you normally display. We are also requesting assurance that you will be delegating your oversight responsibilities for this particular race to a more objective person.

Sincerely,

Ellen Kennedy

President of Citizen Action of New York

Jim Anderson

Chair of the Western New York Regional Board of Citizen Action of New York

Iannello’s 11 day pre-primary filing shows that Dennis Ward has loaned Iannello’s campaign $8,000 which could provide for a perceived conflict of interest. And as the saying goes, sometimes the perception of a conflict of interest is worse than an actual conflict of interest.

I believe Dennis Ward’s intentions are in the right place. However, as Erie County BOE commissioner, he should delegate responsibilities for this race to ensure that the process is a fair one. No one is accusing Dennis Ward of anything, but Citizen Action calling for a more objective process is arguably the right thing to do here.

This is a complicated primary. It’s not too often you see a brother-in-law and sister-in-law running against each other. You’re not going to see too many of these races. That said, it would be best for everyone involved if Dennis Ward stepped aside this time.  

This campaign has been tough. I know Michele Ianello, her husband Dennis Ward and her opponent Dan Ward. For honesty sake, I am involved in Dan Ward’s campaign as a close confidant and advisor.Ms Ianello recently had an interview in Batavia that included, I was told, Charlie Mallow the Genesee County Democratic Chairman. Supposedly another person form the Genesee County Democrats also appeared by chance. The names mentioned in the original post and were later edited out.I imagine he was there to assist in the interview.

Here’s what was written on the Albany Project:NY 61st State Senate District: Michele Iannello answers all of TAP’s questionsby: Jerri S. Kaiser - the Albany Project

Batavia, NY: Michele Iannello (D-Kenmore), Democratic candidate for New York’s 61st State Senate District, sat down with me at Main Street Coffee for over an hour today to talk openly about the issues.TAP: Why should voters choose you over your primary opponent?

Ms. Ianello says experience and then goes on to talk about stuff that has absolutely nothing to do with the question. Ms. Kaiser does not ask her to explain that experience or to make a comparison. The reader of The Albany Project will simply assume that since she was not challenged on the point, she must be the most experience. The reality is, the whole interview fluff piece of contrived piece of PR for a candidate favored by the interviewer and the blog. This is type of writing is not acceptable. Particularly when another regular writer on the blog, Robert Harding, very recently called the Buffalo News a lier for remarks made about Congressional candidate Jon Powers and its inability to check simple facts.Here are the fact that should have appeared in this piece from The Albany Project.

If the most important reason to support a candidate according to Ianello is in fact “experience.”, then Dan Ward is the most experienced candidate of the three Democrats in the primary.

Posted by Mike Wrona
Buffalo 14228
http://prodemswny.blogspot.com

Michele Iannello may have Lackawanna duo Fran Warthing and Mark Poloncarz singing her praises and getting her money, while the New York City Democratic establishment of Malcolm Smith and Jeff Klein throw thousands of dollars at Joe Mesi, their new found supporter, I’ll rely on the voters who actually live and work in the 61st Senate District.

My name is Dan Ward and those who know me know I have a history of stepping up to the plate for them when there is a problem. I don’t just gratuitously chant  “I’ll fight for you.”  I actually have the political scars that prove I’ve fought for and continue to fight you and your communities.

My opponents talk. They use the words of others. They have ideas. They are the ideas of others.  I have no one coaching me and telling me what to say, think and do.

I am the descendant of a family that settled in the Amherst/Tonawanda area back in 1824.  Because of my family heritage, my first loyalty is to this area, my constituents, my neighbors, and my family, not Lackawanna, not New York City, and certainly not Albany.  

I’m not beholding to anyone. I owe no one.  I’ve not promised anything to anybody. I’m not afraid of big words or big problems.  I have the education and the ability to deal with the intense pressures of the capitol without some sponsor holding my hand.  I’ll vote the interest of the 61st Senate District, not Albany and New York City.

I look forward to a debate with my opponents. I fully expect to be the real candidate for change that shows up in Albany next January.

Dan Ward

Buffalo 14228
http://prodemswny.blogspot.com  

             Daniel J. Ward, Democratic candidate for New York Senate, 61^st District, today announced release of his 2007 New York State Board of Ethics disclosure statement.  Ward received forms from the New York State Legislature, as he is a qualified candidate, and filed them before the July 18, 2008 deadline.

            “I have completed these ethics disclosure statements in a timely manner, and filed them in Albany.  I challenge my opponents to similarly release their ethics filing statements.  My disclosure basically shows me free from any business or corporate entanglements, other than my two (2) sources of income:  my service with the Town of Amherst as a councilman, and my professional law practice.”

            Ward said he personally felt the disclosure forms did not go far enough and he wants tochange that in state government.  He has been a long-time advocate to the total elimination of all gratuities to public officers, and elected officials

            I believe the new state senator from our district must make it perfectly clear, right from the get-go, that business as usual in the field of ethics is not enough.  We have had far too many ethical lapses lately in state government, and the public deserves better.”

            Ward was the author of the first draft of the Town of Amherst ethics local law.

For more information, contact DANIEL J. WARD, AMHERST TOWN COUNCILMAN at 631-7013 or 444-5326

The web site Speakupwny.com has matured from its beginning.  There are several excellent writers contributing to this site who make sense and “tell it like it is.”  There are individuals, who write comments using vulgar, cheap language, who greatly degrade the site.

Dan Ward has stuck his neck out many times to help the residents of Amherst win battles when they have been wronged.  NatureView Park is an example of that extra step being taken when the people were right in their cause.  The Council Members who believed in standing strong for the people in that battle were Dan Ward and Bill Kindel.

The public want their Town Board members to fight as hard as possible for them.  This is one of Dan Ward’s strongest traits.  He is a fighter.  Most politicians want to remain popular, so the stay inside a cocoon, lest a concern actually touches them.

In general most people enjoy being liked by others.  Sadly, most people know that deep inside themselves they are cowards.  They really don’t want to get involved in helping others.  Our Town Board is lucky to have a member who steps up for the people when he believes they are right.

Council members come from different backgrounds.  Some may have felt their constituents were wronged on various issues, but they have yet to learn to step out of the box to help those same people.  There are some council members, who HIDE their real names as they write nasty comments against other council members, who want their cohorts to be real fighters for them when they are in trouble.  They want help from members like Dan Ward.

BY ROBERT H.Harding 

Town of Amherst councilman Dan Ward is a suburban lawyer with rural beginnings. His resume is arguably the strongest among all the Democratic candidates in SD-61. Not only is he a lawyer (graduate from the University at Buffalo Law School), but he has served as Town of Amherst supervisor and as an Erie County legislator. He has also been a challenger for Assembly and for Erie County Executive.

Now he has his eyes set on running in New York’s 61st Senate District.

Ward started off talking about Genesee County, which in his words was “18 percent of the vote but 40 percent of the land mass.” He also talked about his experiences with farming and acknowledged agriculture as an important issue in this district.

“I know a lot about farms,” Ward said. “It’s important to identify with them. If you know the language, that is important. Democrats get a bad rap with farmers. Democrats appeal to blacks, Hispanics and people in inner city areas. We need bring all these people together.”

Ward, who considers himself an avid hunter and fisherman, says he believes in protecting Second Amendment rights (the right to bear arms).He also talked about being the top vote getter for Amherst Town Board FOUR times, which speaks to why Ward is one of the more popular politicians in Erie County.

Ward then talked state issues, especially issues that impact local municipalities.

“Unfunded mandates are quasi-immoral,” he said. “[The state] passes laws and dumps the costs and responsibility on the county.”

A fiscal conservative is how Ward described himself and he said that he’s not afraid to spend money if it’s going to provide results, but we need “smarter spending and laws need reform.” Ward also brought up Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) and Economic Development Agencies (EDAs) and the need to reform those.

“In Erie County, we have more than one,” Ward said. “They compete against each other. While we have jobs being lost here, we need to pick up the tab for some IDAs because they are losing jobs as well.” 

One thing Ward did mention while talking about IDAs/EDAs are the subsidies given to many businesses in many different industries. He argued that the subsidies “should not be for corporate welfare” and that there is a “difference between Republicans and Democrats” on these issues. The Republicans, Ward says, “jump on poor people” and focus on the wealthy. Democrats are the opposite. They focus on the lower to middle class citizens.Being an alum of UB, Ward stressed the importance of utilizing UB as a way to create jobs and hopefully, stimulate the private sector. He stressed the importance of aid to UB and Genesee Community College and helping these educational institutions.

“We should encourage them to develop programs that will help here,” he said.

Ward also said that New York City/Long Island is “not always very respectful” of upstate concerns. While he said he we’re “not going to cut New York City off,” he knows how they operate and he is not afraid of the big city representatives. Ward even referred to Albany as “one big dogfight,” saying that you had to “grab your fair share.” 

When discussing the possible criticism of Ward being a career politician, Ward said that “a fresh face isn’t the problem. You need fresh ideas.” One example of a fresh idea that Ward provided was dissolving the Thruway Authority and put the Thruway (and all roads) under Department of Transportation (DOT) control. In general, Ward called on Democrats to reform these authorities.

“We need the Thruway reformed and put in with the state DOT,” he said. “We also should also look into an enhanced railroad connecting New York City and Albany. This could be a huge economic development tool and boost transportation.”

Ward said that he would stand for many things. He would fight to restore the middle class and bring back an economic and political democracy. He argued that we can’t keep going down the road of the rich getting richer and poor getting poorer. He also said that we have to look at our trade policies and seek fair trade policies.

To sum up Ward, dissolving the Thruway into the DOT and the high-speed train are priorities of his. Also, reforming IDAs and economic development are at the top of the list as well. Regarding the Empire Zone program, Ward said it needed be “seriously overhauled, scrapped or abolished” and that you either needed to close the loopholes or abolish the program.

He also talked of cleaner energy sources like geothermal energy and hydropower. He also mentioned solar power as a resource we should be utilizing.

In the end, Ward made his case.

“You want the best qualified and the most experienced,” he said. “You also want to be able to say you did something to address a problem you sought to solve and at least say you tried.” 

My Take: Ward was a very impressive candidate. He has the resume, that is for sure. He also has experience in his corner. He will be formidable in a Democratic primary should it come to that point.  

Monday, July 28, 2008

Beautiful day. Bright sunshine, thin wispy clouds, and a large throng of spectators lined the 2 mile parade route along Main St. from Clarence Central High School to the Clarence Town Park.

There were decorated floats, drum and bugle corps, bands, dance groups, antique cars, fire trucks, and and more.

Great day for the kids as many of the groups tossed candy and treats to the youngsters.

It was also a good day for political candidates as as they passed out campaign literature along the route during the parade. I am happy to say that Dan Ward, Democratic Candidate for the 61st District Senate seat, stayed at the Town part to speak with voters and answer questions. Many of whom were surprised that he stayed after the parade.

Congratulations Dan and congratulations Clarence. I don’t think I’ll be around for your Tri-Centennial.

Posted by Mike Wrona

It’s rare for The Amherst Bee to write two different articles about our outstanding Amherst Town Board Member, Dan Ward, in one issue. 

One article concerned Dan’s courage to stand up for the people he feels were badly wronged by the Benderson Development Company concerning the rezoning of the Maple Road Gun Club so Benderson could build their $44 million dollar retail project.  Dan decided he must stand with the people who he felt were grievously wronged by the Town and the Benderson Development Company.

The Amherst Bee interviewed some of the Town Board members who voted for Benderson.  Dr. Weinstein thought Ward’s action was that of an individual pitting himself against the establishment, which he should be a part of, instead of costing Amherst money. 

The Bee showed why Ward is the most popular Board member with the people, garnering the highest number of votes in the last three Town elections he ran in.

The Bee pointed out that Dan stuck his neck out and sided with the people more than once.  He has taken pressure and criticism form developers and from friends on the Town Board.  Not long ago he stood with the people who went on and won a court case.   Nature View became a reality!

Board members must stand for what they believe.  Dan showed how the four Republicans didn’t care about the people’s wishes but more for their relationships with developers.

I’m pleased that the Amherst Bee showed what an honest politician can do and how they can act with guts when choices are hard to make.

Amherst Town Councilman Daniel J. Ward today called for a public hearing or forum at Amherst Town Hall on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 7 P.M. at Amherst Town Hall, 5583 Main Street, Williamsville NY to discuss the gasoline cost crisis, affecting Americans everywhere.  “The ever increasing costs of gasoline is fast pushing America to the brink of economic disaster,” said Ward. “There seems to be no end in sight, and people are beginning to lose faith in their government, and are sick and tired of government officials doing nothing about it.  While the causes are many and complex, and so therefore are the solutions.  But we have to start somewhere,” said Ward, who is a Democratic candidate this year for State Senate.  “I will be there, invite my fellow Town Board members and any of the public that wants to come in and speak of the problems they are experiencing due to this gasoline cost crisis and, more importantly, what they might suggest as remedies to the problem.  And we will be there as long as it takes.”

Ward said his public contacts have shown the excessive cost of gasoline to be the number one consumer problem.  “Worse,” Ward said, “gasoline is also driving up the costs of virtually every other consumer product and most services.  I want to hear the complaints of the citizens on gasoline costs ……. all the problems and all the potential solutions, and all are invited,” concluded Ward.

For more information, contact DANIEL J. WARD at (716) 444-5326

This year’s campaign for the 61^st State Senate seat has already seen many twists and turns.  In over 20 years of watching people collect signatures for candidates I recently witnessed the first football style tailgate party for the group collecting signatures for Dan Ward.  

These workers were surprised when some of their neighbors set up a tailgate party for them.  There were songs, food, soda pop, and Buffalo Bills jokes.  The group really mellowed out and everyone had a great time.