Linda Underwood

Dems and GOP share a laugh before a lit drops

2011-11-05T15:10:00.005-04:00

In a bit of campaign serendipity, Schodack Dems and Republicans chose the same time and place to meet up for final lit drop on Saturday - the old town hall site.

Ever the pleasant, avuncular man he is, Alex Shannon came over for some good-natured, back-and forth ribbing with Chair ELizabeth Gable. Frank Curits also popped over to see what all the laughing was about and was praised for reaching across the aisle.

And this is the way it should be - no personal attacks, destroying signs or removing literature (in a second moment of serendipity, Elizabeth and I found ourselves lit dropping in the same place as a car of Republicans. Each left the others' literature alone.)

In a democracy, there is no place for personal attacks, lies and under-handed political tactics. We should all be running on issues and let the voters decide on the merits of each candidate, not because of false accusations or smear tactics.

I think politicians further up the food chain should take a lesson from the way Schodack Dems and Republicans conducted themselves this morning.

Sunset Hills

2011-11-01T19:15:00.003-04:00

Went door-to-door in Sunset Hills today after work. Spoke to a number of residents, most of whom expressed their concern about their property taxes and the seeming lack of direction by the incumbents. One women pointed out how well East Greenbush seems to be doing while Schodack lags behind.

Having zoning laws that are stuck in the 1950s, 60s and 70s will do that.

We all stuffer as the incumbents protect that status quo - because it benefits them, their friends and family.

It is time for a more responsive representative on the town board. Someone with nothing to gain personally from the status quo.

If elected, I will be that person.

I hope to see you between now and election day. Please email me or leave a comment here, on my FaceBook page or on the Schodack Democrats' web page.

Door-to-door in Schodack

2011-10-30T21:59:00.005-04:00

I have been knocking on doors for quite some time now. Most people say taxes are their biggest concern. One woman said she is selling her home of three generations because her taxes are too high. All she is doing is working to pay taxes.

Another woman's husband took a big hit at work, paying far more for benefits and receiving a wage freeze for the next three years. With two kids in college they are thinking of moving because they are struggling to make ends meet and also pay more than $600 a month in property taxes.

Yet another person wants to know why we are racking up debt to pay for a water system that we are not sure we will really need in the future. The idea that "if we build it, they will come" is pie in the sky. We need a real master plan and more effort to bring good commercial projects to the area.

The incumbents sit back on their laurels and crow about the Moody's upgrade, but they ignore the many homes that are on the market - each home representing a family forced to move because their property tax burden was more than they could bear.

It is time for a real master plan but more importantly, the zoning changes that will allow that master plan to work. We need to define what we want our town to look like and then put into place commercial design standards that will help new buildings to blend in seamlessly with the old.

It is time for real fiscally conservative budgeting, not accounting games that hid the true nature of the town's spending.

Meet the Candidate Night Drew a Good Crowd

2011-10-28T23:42:00.003-04:00

Linda Underwood, the Democratic candidate for a seat on the Schodack Town Board, held an informal meet and greet on Tuesday, October 25 at 7 p.m. at the Peter Andrews VFW Hall on Scott Ave. in the Village of Castleton. The event was organized by the Schodack Democratic Committee after a Meet the Candidates Night sponsored by the non-partisan Schodack Planning and Development Association and moderated by the League of Women Voter’s was cancelled because the Republican candidates declined to participate.

“It is troubling that the incumbents didn’t wish to speak with and listen to the residents of Schodack, but their decision did not stop me from following though with such an important event,” Underwood said. “I welcome the opportunity to speak with community members because I feel the foundation of Democracy is an informed electorate. It is important for residents to get to know the candidates, question their stand on the issues and express their concerns about the direction the town is going in."

While the Democrats invited the incumbents to the event, they were all no-shows.

Underwood explained her positions on issues ranging from planning and zoning to the use of fund balance and contingency funds to pay regular, recurring bills. She explained how she would engage residents in two-way communication through regular weekend informal meetings, TV coverage of meetings through public access TV and more open discussion.

Residents also shared their frustrations with the status quo, the appointment and hiring of less competent people because they are politically connected, and ever-raising taxes and expenditure.

Please come to Meet the Candidate Night Tuesday, Oct. 25

2011-10-22T21:43:00.004-04:00

The non-partisan Schodack Planning and Development Association along with the Maple Hill High School Participation in Government class Contacted me early in September to invite me to a meet the Candidates Night. The event, they told me, would be moderated by the League of Women Voters.

I jumped at the chance to meet with Schodack residents and learn what was important to them. I told them I would work around the other candidates' schedules.

But it was not to be. Even though Frank Curtis actually responded that he was available on Oct. 25, Dennis Dowds said he had to check with Town Republican Chairman Rich Crist and Mike Kenney never returned SPADA's calls. Finally, even Frank Curtis said no as well.

So the Schodack Democrats are sponsoring their own Meet the Candidate Night where residents can tell me what is on their mind and ask me what they want to know about where I stand in the issues.

I hope you will join us on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. the Peter Andrews VFW Post on Scott Ave. in the Village of Castleton

The third time is the charm

2011-09-22T21:17:00.003-04:00

Last week I was nominated as the Democratic candidate for Schodack Town Board at the Schodack Democratic Caucus.

This is my third campaign in as many years. So why am I doing it?

First, because someone has to do it. I fully believe in Howard Dean's 50 State Strategy. While we may not have a candidate for every position that is up for election, we must have at least one Democratic candidate in every election cycle because "you can't win if you don't play."

Second, someone has to represent the residents of Schodack. Right now, those who are on the board say very little. There are few questions, few explanations of anyone's thinking and pretty much no opposition to anything on the agenda. All items on the agenda are passed without comment, everyone voting in lock-step with each other.

That is not representative government. That is not government "for the people."

I am hoping that the "third time is the charm" for me and that this year, I will be victorious.

You can help me. Spread the word, talk to your friends, write a letter to the editor and send it to the Advertiser, make a donation, make phone calls or knock on doors.

Together we can win. Because when I win, it is a win for the people of Schodack.

The results are in and I have lost my bid

2009-11-04T10:07:00.003-05:00

While I have not won my bid for county legislature I am proud of the campaign I ran. I am also thankful for the support of my family and friends.

I appreciate the lessons I have learned and the people I have met, especially my running mate Flora Fasoldt.

Many thanks again to all of you!

This is it!

2009-11-03T11:45:00.002-05:00

The election is in your hands now. I would appreciate your support for myself and the other Democratic candidates on Row A.

It is time to bring balance to our county government and bring the focus on doing the right thing for the hard working people of Rensselaer County.

To find your polling place, click below:

Rensco Board of Election

The day before election day

2009-11-02T13:11:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow is the big day and the decision will be in the hands of voters. I feel I have run a clean campaign, sticking to issues and focusing on the needs of the average hard working residents of Rensselaer County.

On this lovely fall day I will make one more round of election districts 5 and 10 (in and near the Village of Castleton. Then it is in your hands.

I hope you have heard my message and will vote for me and my running mates on the Democratic line.

I look forward to writing again once the results are known.

Thank you for your support.

Final weekend, look for me in the Village of Castleton

2009-10-31T19:58:00.002-04:00

During the final weekend I will be concentrating back in my own back yard, going door-to-door in the Village of Castlton.

I have very much enjoyed meeting and speaking with the residents of District 4. They know we can and must do better here in Renssleaer County. I am confident that I have the skills and motivation to do the right thing for the hard working people of Rensselaer County.

I hope you will vote for me and my running mates, Flora Fasoldt and Norm Young. But in any case, please vote. Our only way to change what government does it to change those in charge and to do that, you have to vote.

Democracy for American has endorsed me

2009-10-20T17:47:00.002-04:00

I just received a phone call today from Democracy for America saying they have endorsed my candidacy. This is exciting news! It comes with a small grant but more importantly, it comes with some boots to the ground help.

DFA is an important organization. They are working hard for health care reform and the public option.

If you are not familiar with DFA, please check it out.

Democracy for America

Door-to-door in Averill Park and Nassau

2009-10-06T10:08:00.001-04:00

I will be going door-to-door in Averill Park and Nassau over the next few days. Come see me at Goold's over the weekend!

Door-to-door schedule

2009-10-02T11:11:00.002-04:00

I will be going door-to-door in Maple Crest and Aspen Crest over the next few days. Will be at Goold's Apple Fest on Oct. 10 & 11.

Stop by the Democrats' table and pick up some swag.

Why a tiny church matters to me

2009-09-28T09:19:00.002-04:00

The last time I wrote a diary to update you on my campaign for Rensselaer County Legislature, I was waiting for word on whether or not I had managed to hold onto the Working Families Party line in the face of Republican shenanigans.

I did win the line by one vote. Sadly, my fellow Democratic candidates running for Schodack Town positions who were also endorsed by the WFP were not as lucky.

The Rensselaer County Republicans have been trying to take over the WFP line just as they have taken over the Conservative and Independence lines in the past. With so few people registered WFP, it doesn't take many Republicans to change their registration and win primaries with write-in and absentee votes.

While it may make sense for the Republicans to align themselves with Conservatives, they have nothing in common with the values of the WFP, so their reason for hijacking the line is to deny voters the choice of the party's endorsed candidates.

That was then, this is now.

Fellow Democratic candidate Flora Fasoldt and I have been hitting the doors for the better part of the last few weeks. I have been going door-to-door for years as a volunteer and it is the part of campaigning I like the most -- getting to meet people and finding out how I (or the candidate I was volunteering for) could help make their lives a little better.

There is a huge difference between being a candidate and being a volunteer -- as a candidate you can't stop and take a breath. You can't call up headquarters and tell them your back hurts or you want to hit a movie that night. As the candidate, you have to be out there as much as you can every day.

Today we went to an Oktoberfest event at Goold's Orchard in Schodack and did some door-to-door afterwards, also stopping into a tiny local church that was having an ice cream social.

The congregation is few dozen, mostly elderly people. They told Flora and me about how the town was overcharging them for a new sewer and water system, making them pay the equivalent of two residences.

The church building is used once a week for Sunday service for less than 20 people, so they figure it cost them about $10 a flush at the current pricing.

It was then, in this tiny church which was struggling to keep its doors open for its few remaining congregants, that the reason I am running became crystal clear, again.

Someone has to stand up for the little guy. Someone has to speak for those whose voices are ignored, in this case by entrenched Republican rulers at the town and county levels.

As we move day-by-day to Election Day, please remember there are people who want to wage big battles for small victories -- people like me and Flora and my friends who are running for town supervisor and town board.

If you can help me with a donation, please do, because I share your values and am fighting the good fight in a corner of Rensselaer County.

I won! Republican take over of WFP line thwarted

2009-09-22T16:40:00.002-04:00

It was a nail-biter but today I found out that there is no way the Republicans can win the Working Families Party line even if they get all 11 contested absentee ballots from Schodack, they will not pull it off.

While it is good news for me and my running mates in District 4, it is disturbing that the Rensselaer County Republican machine goes this far in trying to limit vote choice.

And that is another thing voters can voice their opinion on: when you vote for a Democratic majority for the County Legislature, you are voting for open the doors on back door deals, patronage and the win-at-all-costs tactics the Republican machine has been employing for a decade.

Absentees counted today

2009-09-21T07:52:00.002-04:00

I am going to Troy this morning to see the absentees counted. Armed with objections, hope they hold up.

Will keep you posted.

UPDATE: Still nothing. We are challenging a number of absentees and if we can throw out three or four, we win.

L' Shanah Tovah! Happy New Year to all my Jewish friends.

2009-09-18T13:39:00.002-04:00

May the New Year bring you all the best!

WFP line still up in the air

2009-09-16T23:41:00.002-04:00

We still don't know the results of the Working Familes Party line. The Republicans turned in 16 or 17 questionable absentee ballots but not that many people voted on the machines.

Will keep you posted when I know more.

Primary Day TODAY! Please VOTE! (updated)

2009-09-15T07:06:00.004-04:00

Today is the day when the people have a say in what is going on. I hope those enrolled in the Working Families Party push back against the Republican take-over of their line. We will be reminding you to vote if you haven't done so by 5 pm :-)

If you are an enrolled Democrat, please take a few minutes to vote for your choice for Family Court Judge on the Democratic line. Schodack Democrats have endorsed Geri Pomerantz.

This just in from the Record Newspaper in Troy - Republicans resort to forgery to dupe voters:

Republicans forge signature on political mailer

This is what we are up against...people who want to win at any cost and are willing to break the law to do it.

Primary Tuesday Sept. 15 - it's about choice

2009-09-09T08:30:00.005-04:00

There is a primary on Sept. 15 that will affect your choice on the ballot during the general election.

It is for the Working Families Party line.

Republicans don't seem to like people to have a choice when voting. They have infiltrated and taken over both the Conservative and Independence lines. Now they are poised to take over the Working Families Party line, as well.

Citizens start alternative parties when they are not happy with the main parties. The new party is supposed to stand for something, and when they first start out, this is usually the case.

But partisan operatives use these smaller parties as a way of limiting choice on the ballot and increasing the number of lines for their own candidates.

There are so few members of the Working Families Party in Rensselaer County, it was ripe for the picking. Republican party bosses have their minions register in the WFP party and thwart the will of the real party members by forcing a primary between the endorsed candidates and some straw man put up just to prevent the real candidate from having the line.

If you are a real member of the Working Families Party, your endorsed candidates need your support on Tuesday. Please go to the polls and cast your votes for the endorsed WFP candidates, the ones who are actually on the ballot.

Thanks!

Speaking just for me

2009-09-03T11:38:00.002-04:00

It has come to my attention that some people may feel I am speaking for the entire Schodack Central Board of Education when I post something to my blog.

I am speaking for nobody but myself and I am expressing only my own opinions.

For the official Board position, please read what is on the Schodack Central School District website.

Anything I write here is only to explain my personal feelings and nothing more.

If you have any questions about how or why I vote the way I do on School Board matters, feel free to email me.

For matters of general concern regarding Schodack Central, please follow District procedure and direct your questions to the appropriate individual.

Thanks!

Thoughts on my endorsement by Troy Area Labor Council

2009-08-31T07:24:00.005-04:00

Slowly but surely, my campaign for Rensselaer County Legislature moves ahead. This week, I was pleased to learn I have received the endorsement of the Troy Area Labor Council.

I was interviewed by about a dozen people, representatives of a number of unions ranging from the New York State United Teachers to the Bricklayers. They asked interesting and probing questions regarding my views of labor in general, and health care reform, the Employee Free Choice Act, and much more in particular.

I was fairly confident going into the interview, and not just because I'm the Democratic candidate.

I am the daughter of a union member (Dad was in the Steamfitters Union back in the 1950s); I am a union member myself (NYSUT/AFT); and the mom of a soon-to-be union member (International Association of Television and Stage Employees).

But the interview was no walk in the park. I was asked if I would support workers rights and support efforts to enact put clear legal standards so public funds for economic development are directed to responsible companies that are held accountable for job creation. The latter is a big issue for Rensselaer County as the current Republican administration and Legislature has done little to attract and keep businesses that create good-paying jobs.

I explained that I would support green jobs and Smart Growth, and that the county had to work toward better public transportation, saving historic sites, and reducing industrial and farm run-off.

Through the interview process, I realized what an important big job being an elected official, even at the county level, is. There are so many things that need tending to and fixing. Where does one start?

So I will ask. I will ask residents and community leaders, business people and union members. I will do this because I believe that the grassroots will inform my decisions and point me in the right direction, just as I look to my family, friends and the netroots for support and encouragement.

"Liberal bloggers" support our troops

2009-08-24T08:50:00.011-04:00

It is funny that Rensselaer County Republicans think that they can brand me as a "liberal blogger" and that that will have an effect on anyone.

I am pretty sure those days are over and voters are far more informed now. They are less likely to rise to the bait of catch words and phrases designed to influence their vote. Rensselaer County voters are looking for substance and results, and are sick of the mud-slinging that is the hallmark of Republican Party bosses' strategy.

As I stated below, I am neither a liberal nor a blogger in the true sense of those words. I have voted and supported Republican candidates when I think they have had better ideas. I look forward to working in a bipartisan way with Republicans when I am elected to the county Legislature.

That is because I want to do what is best for the people of Rensselaer County, and I don't believe one party has all the answers. I certainly don't think the current one-party rule has helped the people of Rensselaer County. It has lead to higher taxes, patronage and partisans spending more time on partisan politics than on actually working for the people.

As for "liberal bloggers" - click on this video to see what they did during the Netroots Nation 09 Convention. They raised tens of thousands of dollars and packed more than 300 care packages for our troops who are serving in combat zones.

Liberals, moderates and conservatives - Republicans and Democrats - love this country. We may have different approaches to how best to serve its citizens, but the idea that some of us "hate America" is just laughable.

Please support me in goal to keep the Rensselaer County legislative campaign focused on facts and issues.

Schodack Central School Board sets tax levy and tax rate

2009-08-22T13:29:00.006-04:00

At the Schodack Central Board of Education meeting on Thursday, Aug. 20, I voted for a zero percent tax rate increase for district property owners. I did it because I felt it was the right thing to do.

The tax levy is the amount of money the district must raise through taxes to fund the budget approved by the voters. The tax rate increase, on the other hand, is how much individual taxpayers' taxes have to go up to accomplish this. These numbers are most often not the same, because it depends on what the overall assessed value of taxable properties in the district.

Think of it this way -- the tax levy is the "bill" we have to pay to education Schodack's children. The more people who pay the bill, the lower each person's share is.

The Board had promised back in May that there would be a zero percent tax levy increase and zero percent tax rate increase, using a "best guess" estimate of what the assessed values of properties in the district.

This year, as every year, the town set the tax rolls after the budget was approved. The assessed value in the town went down by millions. Same bill -- fewer people paying.

The Board had the choice of keeping the levy ("bill") the same which would mean raising taxes by more than 2 percent, or lowering the levy and holding the tax rate increase at zero percent.

I voted with the majority to hold the tax rate increase at zero percent.

Schodack Central will be facing more financial challenges in the next few years. It is important that our elected officials help attract good, clean green businesses to our town to help hold the line on school and other property taxes.

That should start at the county level, with the county planning department. That is why I am running to be Schodack's representative in the County Legislature.

Please support my efforts.

Republican attack dog calls me a "Liberal Blogger"

2009-08-16T08:44:00.004-04:00

I was kind of shocked to read that I am considered a "liberal blogger" by Republican hate-blogger Rich Crist. I have done a great many things in my life, including comment and post diaries from time to time. But a full-blown blogger? Not even close.

I assume Crist thinks calling me a "liberal blogger" is going to help the Republican majority continue doing business as usual -- more than doubling residents' county tax bills over the last seven years, and Republican legislators voting themselves a 33 percent raise after the last election.

Crist obviously believes that his attack-dog tactics of the past will work this year, that county residents will base their votes on his lies, smears and half-truths.

I believe he is wrong about the voting public.

I know they don't want the same old business as usual that has seen their taxes go up with the Republican majority has used taxpayers' money to line their own pockets and Crist's.

As I noted in my previous post, I am in Pittsburgh at the Netroots Nation convention. I am learning about how Pittsburgh turned itself from a toxic brown field to one of the greenest cities in the nation. I want to bring that information back to Rensselaer County to do more to lower taxes and help create good jobs.

I learned a great deal about health care reform, and how it will help the county lower its Medicaid costs. But people like Rich Crist and the Republican majority take their cues from Limbaugh and Beck and mindlessly oppose any real reform.

Am I a liberal blogger, as Rich Crist claims? Hardly. I have commented, I have written the occasional diary, but mostly I read and learn a lot from a variety of blogs.

The Republican majority and its taxpayer-paid propagandist want Rensselaer County voters to be misinformed and left in the dark. It helps them maintain the status quo, which is working just fine for them.

But is it working for you?