Politics & Government

Clarkstown Preservation Society Wants To Offer Voters An Alternative

Some Rocklanders fed up with the political process in the county long before the latest political corruption scandal emerged began forming a new grassroots party last September.  Pete Bradley, who is one of the organizers of the Clarkstown Preservation Society, said the covertly recorded audio and video tapes announced by Rockland County Legislator Frank Sparaco on Monday was an “open secret” for the past three or four weeks. 

He thinks the release of the edited tapes, claims of attempted bribery and threats and expected lawsuits will just add to voters’ apathy. But he hopes it will not last long.

“I think right now it’s going to alienate voters in the next two months,” said Bradley. “The rumors, the cross party endorsements, I think it will come to a boiling head in November.” 

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Key in the alleged scheme were minor political parties, the Working Families Party and Independence Party, and Sparaco’s perceived influence with the voters registered with those parties. The executive directors, Bob Milone of Working Families and John Perrotta of Independence, did not return phone calls. 

Sparaco, who is also a part-time employee with the Clarkstown Highway Department, said the people he recorded wanted him out of the picture during the July petitioning process so his supervisor Wayne Ballard would not get the minor party lines in his race against Dennis Manager for re-election as highway superintendent.

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Bradley said the member of the society plan to advocate on the side of honesty and integrity and back candidates who are not interested in personal gain but want to serve the people. He said the society has 406 members after holding three meetings. It has aligned with Preserve Ramapo under the Preserve Rockland line to work on the county level to get signatures for a spot on the county and Clarkstown ballots for the November general election.

Bradley said Republican Ed Day is their choice for county executive. He also received the backing of Preserve Ramapo. 

“We’re both endorsing him,” said Bradley.

Bradley said the Society interviewed six candidates for town offices and endorsed three. They are Brian T. Moran for Clarkstown superintendent, John Noto for Clarkstown Council and Malone for Clarkstown highway superintendent.  Noto is also the Republican Party candidate for council and Malone is the Democratic Party candidate for highway superintendent.

Bradley said they questioned Malone closely about the rumors.

“We’re going to have to take the side of Dennis Malone on who we’re trusting with the truth,’ said Bradley. 

Clarkstown Preservation Society’s officers include Vice President Kevin Helmer, Treasurer Rory Bradley and Secretary Pete Coleman. Bradley said anyone who wants more information can email him at pmbradley1@yahoo.com.

 

 

 

 

 


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