The event was just about to begin when the following occured.  For all the planning, efforts and expense of man in putting on this event, no one could have organized and timed this fly over but the Creator himself.  Enjoy.

Changing Albany is not that complicated. We need people of principle, courage, common sense and a business plan.

I commonly refer to Albany in need of more “Seeds of Common Sense”.  Friday, 8/6/10, in the Supreme Court of NYS was no exception.  Let me summarize the lawsuit filed against the NYS Board of Elections and I by my opponent, Rick Bargabos.  He was challenging the description of the office on my petitions that I am running for and it causing confusion to the 806 petition signers, you the voter and the NYS Board of Elections.  Obviously, the NYS Board of Elections, who validated my petitions, was not confused.  If I was permitted time to get affidavits from the minimum number of signatures required, 500, stating my petition signers were not confused, I am confident I could have but was not even permitted the opportunity by the judge.  With only 3 days notice of the court date, I had only 3 hours for one evening available to obtain 40 affidavits.  Even those were dismissed as irrelevant.  Other recent case law was cited on the thinking that there was a “probability of confusion” as to the office the candidate was running for with other petitions being passed in the same district for other offices, and yet the court would not allow me to eliminate that “probability of confusion” with affidavits from my petition signers.  This offer to obtain the affidavits stipulates agreeing that my description of the office I was running for was inadequate to begin with!

On my petition under the public office I am seeking, I wrote “NYS 111^th Assembly District” stating the office, being the Assembly, and the district, being the 111^th.  Because I didn’t write, “Member of the NYS 111^th Assembly District”, this somehow causes confusion as to the office I am running for and reason enough for my petitions to be invalidated by the Supreme Court of NYS though validated by the NYS Board of Elections.  Pamphlets or my campaign card were handed out to every person who signed my petition with me stating who I was running against.  For those reading this or keeping up with the campaign, did you honestly have any doubt as to the office I am seeking?

Just as courts have struck down propositions defying the people’s will who voted in favor of, so has our Supreme Court of NYS and Rick Bargabos defied the will of the people in the NYS 111^th District who chose me to be on the Republican Ballot to primary him and give you another choice other than another career politician.

If I may paraphrase President Reagan, this has now become the issue of this election; whether we believe in our capacity for self government and to choose our candidates or whether we abandon the common sense American Revolution and confess that a little intellectual elite in a far distant capital can plan our lives better than we plan them ourselves and choose our candidates better than we can choose them ourselves also.  Do not believe that society, the economy, business or the political process has become too complex to be managed by you and that government by an elite group is superior to government for, by and of the people.  Without freedom of choice permitted, there is no freedom!

Let your hearts not be troubled though.  Having been endorsed by the Conservative Party, I will be on the ballot for the Conservative Party line provided Conservative voters get out for the primary vote, 9/14, to insure I can be on the ballot for the general election, 11/2.  With your vote on 9/14 and 11/2, you can invalidate Rick Bargabos and the Supreme Court of NYS in dictating to you who can be on the Republican Ballot and who cannot.  Career politicians simply do not fear you at the polls.  Until they do, nonsense like this will continue.  Until they do, nothing will change.  If fact, it will get worse.

I have given you some insight why not to vote for my opponent.  Here are some reasons why you should vote for me:  I believe in…

1)      A State that is just for all, not free or favored for some

2)      Free market solutions, not a socialist fusion

3)      Cut spending, taxes and debt……not deals

4)      Private sector jobs over public sector jobs

5)      Private sector profit over political profit for the career politician

6)      Districts that make logical sense, not political sense

7)      Term limits

8)      Stiff consequences for legislators if unable to pass an on time balanced budget with no increases.  Go to my website, www.skeeleforassembly.com to see my 2011 Balanced Budget Pledge specifying those consequences I will hold myself to even if others will not.  It will make it easy for you to spot the true statesman vs. the career politician or one who is in it for the pay and benefits.

Appreciative of your vote 9/14 and 11/2,

Shawn Skeele

“Member of the” NYS 111^th Assembly District Candidate

Endorsed by the Conservative Party

Conservative Party Endorses Skeele

 The State Executive Committee of the Conservative Party of NYS voted last Friday to endorse local business owner Shawn Skeele as its candidate for New York’s 111^th Assembly District seat.  He will look to challenge 20 year incumbent, Assemblyman William Magee(D). 

 “I am humbled and appreciative to receive the endorsement from State Chairman, Mike Long, as well as the county chairmen of Oneida and Madison County, Julie Miller and John Mulhall.  I also want to thank the hundreds of people who signed my petition that enabled me to qualify to be on the ballet come 11/2.  Having just entered the political arena, it has been refreshing to meet so many people of outstanding character and principles.” 

 Shawn Skeele has been self-employed most of his life and currently a co-owner of the Skeele Agency.  It is a 3^rd generation family business.  He states, “I have managed multi thousand dollar businesses in the 80’s & 90’s and manage a multi million dollar business at present.  The last thing this state needs is another 20-year career politician remaining in office or another one that has just been climbing the ranks within a party the past 17 years.  We need people who have not been spayed or neutered by any political party and/or special interest groups, but who will offer a renewed commitment to the people of their district and this great state. I have no desire to leave or sell the family business to make a career in Albany.  It’s a 3^rd generation business I intend to pass on to another 3 generations.  I only ask for 3 2-yr terms.  I tell people to “give me six to see what we can fix.”  Albany clearly demonstrates every year the need for sound fiscal management and common sense businessmen and women who understand that the current state business model is unsustainable.  We need people who are serious about changing the process, priorities and accountability of Albany.” 

 “When you meet Shawn, it will become obvious that he is a man of strong moral and conservative convictions”, says Miller.  “He is a principled leader that wants to offer this district and state a new vision that includes less spending, taxes and debt, term limits, stronger respect for human life, legislation that strengthens the right to bear arms, a pro-growth tax code and free market competition and solutions to issues facing today’s society.”

 “Voters, and those who haven’t voted in recent years, need to believe that things are not inevitable or they have to accept the status quo”, says Skeele.  “If you desire to change the process, priorities and accountability of government, you need to get out and vote for the one who will represent those principles.  I am that individual that is motivated to try and do just that.  I am asking the 111^th District to send a clear resounding message to all career politicians statewide.  The budget that will be passed clearly reveals they do not fear you at the polls.  Until they do, little will change.  In fact, it will get worse.   It begins on 9/14 with the primary vote and continues 11/2, judgment day.”

 “In the short time Shawn has entered politics, he has demonstrated a firm understanding of how Albany operates and why it is so dysfunctional even when one party controls both legislatures and the governor’s seat. “  Mulhall states, “He is an independent and forward thinking candidate that Albany is in need of.  The Conservative Party and the NYS 111^th Assembly District would be fortunate to have him as their representative in Albany.”

 Skeele will be forcing a Republican Primary vote, 9/14, for the Republican nomination. 

Brief Biography of Shawn Skeele:

 Since 2001, Skeele has been a co-owner and Vice-President of the Skeele Agency.  Before that, he owned several franchises in the Binghamton/Ithaca area since 1988 and served as a deacon of Union Center Christian Church.  He graduated from DeRuyter High School in 1982 and Houghton College in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

 He celebrates his 20^th wedding anniversary with his wife, Martha, in August.  They home school their three kids in DeRuyter, NY.  Since moving back to the area in 2001, he has served as President of the Greater Sullivan Chamber of Commerce, a board member for 4 years, member since 2002, member of the Manlius and Cazenovia Chambers of Commerce; President of Ruritan, a board member for 5 years, member since 2002; a board member of DeRuyter Community Services(a food/clothing bank plus), PTO volunteer and active parent in scouting and karate with his son, Noah.

 For more information about Skeele’s opinions and solutions to issues facing the district and our state, go to www.skeeleforassembly.com , email shawnskeele@skeele.com or call 315-687-3901.

I am a fan of merit pay when there is pre-stated measurable goals and measurable results.  Applying such measured goals and results to our state government leaders would be a good idea but to penalize those with most of the power more so than the rank in file.  (Read my blog below this if you haven’t already before continuing)

The likelihood of cleaning house in November based on past election results is unlikely.   Having said that, this election cycle may prove to be more interesting than those of past.  If fact, I predict a lot of conservative rhetoric and pledges coming out of our career politicians the next view months.  In a few days, I will sign on to a pledge that I challenge all candidates and incumbents to consider themselves.  It will show everyone’s true colors.

Why is Albany so dysfunctional?

The leadership in Albany, being the majority leaders in the Senate and Assembly as well
as the Governor, have extraordinary powers compared to other states that make the rank
and file members irrelevant. In most state legislatures, committees do the leg work of
creating bills, amendments, having hearings and researching expert opinions. They help
bring balance to the process and priorities along with accountability. In Albany, virtually
none of this happens and if it does, the details have already been hammered out by the leadership. They’re just going through the motion where the minions are simply carrying out their marching
orders from the leadership.

The only committee with some power is the Rules Committee, but even then, the
leadership determines when they meet and often with no notice. The leadership
determines what bills they will talk about too.   You really have so little representation because
the rank and file have no real power.

The obvious question is why does the rank and file accept the status quo? Simply, it’s
easier to not go and work. It’s easier to say to the leadership, “You and your staff take
care of business governing while I go back to my district with some member items to
hand out to keep them happy.” This is the definition of them serving the people of their
district. If a legislator makes a fuss, they risk the amount of member items granted to
them and risk loosing their lu-lus or committee appointments.  Remember Assemblyman Bragman?

The other benefit legislators receive is that they can propose any legislation knowing it
will never see daylight because only those bills the leadership supports will. In
2008, 18,000 bills were proposed. That’s 7000 more than the U.S. Congress. Of the
18,000, only 9 percent passed. It’s all a show with little substance.

With the laziness, spineless accountability, blatant corruption and showmanship, the rank
and file will gladly appease the leadership. Last June, the assembly passed 202 bills
averaging 3.9 minutes per bill. The problem is that many were introduced that day.
According to law, bills must “age” for three days before they are put to a vote. Yet all
you heard in the news was how hard the assembly was working while the Senate was
playing their power games. How many assemblymen actually read the bills? The real
tragedy is that many of the bills were never permitted by any committee to examine!
Those climbing the ladder within the party or the career politician are the least likely
candidates who are serious and passionate enough to desire changing the process,
priorities and accountability in Albany. My career is my family business, not 20 years in
Albany. Give me six to see what we can fix.

Shawn Skeele
NYS 111th Assembly Candidate

On July 8th, I posted a bad piece of legislation, S6873/A10008, that has passed both legislatures awaiting the Governor’s signature or veto.

The bill effectively takes what has always been a legal activity—renting one’s home on a short term basis—and makes it illegal. This law would prohibit any vacation rental in the five boroughs even if it is rented with permission of the co-op board, the condo association, or the building owner. The law makes it illegal for the owner to decide how to best use his property.  It is another example of our government overstepping its constitutional boundaries.  It is another chipping away of our Liberty!  I am continually amazed at the resourcefulness of people and how our government continually gets in the way seeking political profit from special interests ( in this case, the hotel industry ) over private sector profit.  Call the number from the website below, 24/7.

The following website gives you opportunity to convince the Governor to veto this legislation.  Since realizing his term is now limited, he’s acting like the Governor we need.  He may just act like a true statesman regarding this matter.

Our current career politician, 20 yr incumbent, Assemblyman Bill Magee(D) did not vote on this piece of legislation either, according to the NYS Assembly voting records.

Save NY Sublets

S3890 (Hassell-Thompson) / A9753 (Bing) This is the “no-fault divorce” bill that has passed both legislatures and awaiting signature of the Governor.  It is a disaster on many levels.  It’s societal impact will increase the number of divorces as it has done in every other state that has passed similiar legislation.  Currently, NYS actually has a low divorce rate of 38.7% compared to NJ & CT being 56% & 60%.  Our current divorce laws requires the consent of both husband and wife or one can prove the other is guilty of a major fault, such as adultery or physical abuse.  This law negates that.  One can bail, and the other can do nothing about it.  The wife could tear the children away from the father or more often, the husband’s leaving will financially cripple the wife and children that will statistically carry over to the next generation along with all the other social ills that plagues our society.

At a time when New York is facing an approximate $10 billion deficit, the State Legislature just voted to add to that cost.  According to the Heritage Foundation, each divorce costs taxpayers $20,000.  This is a conservative figure since NYS has the most generous Medicaid program compared to most.  Then there’s food stamps, Earned Income Tax Credit, housing subsidies, day care subsidies, etc.    With the extra number of  divorces expected, it will cost NYS $580,000,000 of new spending in the first year after the proposed legislation is enacted.

Please ask Governor Paterson to seriously consider both the fiscal and moral concerns raised by no-fault divorce, and veto this faulty legislation.

According to the voting record, Bill Magee did not cast a vote on this one.

The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.   Thomas Jefferson  

It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.   Thomas Jefferson  

I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.   Thomas Jefferson      

My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.   Thomas Jefferson  

No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.   Thomas Jefferson  

The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.   Thomas Jefferson