אראנזש קאנטי עקזעקטיוו וואלען דיסקאשענס
http://www.hydepark.co.il/hydepark/topic.asp?topic_id=1240168
January 03, 2005
Talk on the Street
Fornario still mulling county exec scenario
Despite Democratic lawmaker Bonnie Kraham's publicly declared interest in the county executive's office last week, fellow county Legislator Frank Fornario, R-Blooming Grove, says he hasn't given up mulling his own run for the seat.
"I haven't closed the book on it at all," he said late last week. "I'm still weighing my options."
During his first four-year term, Fornario has gained a reputation as an independent (if sometimes corny) voice on the Orange County Legislature. And while some Republicans insist he has stood by the GOP when it counted, the positions that have gained him the most political capital – i.e. his early opposition to the Kiryas Joel pipeline plan – have often come at the majority party's expense.
That has led some party leaders to view him as loose cannon, a perception not damaged by his public talk of seeking the county executive's office, a position Republican Edward Diana intends to keep.
Thus, Fornario says he has entertained – and refused – requests from both parties. Republican have asked him to publicly drop out of the race. Democrats have asked him to switch parties.
Still, Fornario said he would only run if the Democrats are unable to mount a challenge. Even then, he would try to build a bipartisan coalition of the county's "best and brightest."
"If someone else, from the opposite party, comes forward to run, then I won't run, because the voter has a choice," Fornario said. "If I ran, it would be something different. It would be 'Orange County first.'"
Democrats spar over redistricting
Before Kraham declares a run for county executive, she might want to spend some time patching wounds within her own party.
In a spat Legislature opponents say betrays some lingering bad blood in the Democratic caucus over last year's Assembly race, Kraham has accused fellow lawmaker Michael Paduch, D-Scotchtown, of leaving her high and dry as Republicans drew her a new Republican-heavy legislative district.
Last spring, Kraham beat out Paduch for the Democrats' support to run in the 97th Assembly District. She later lost the race, but not before Paduch backed out of a primary challenge.
In the meantime, the Republican leadership released a redistricting plan that would give Kraham a large swath of GOP-dominated territory now represented by Paduch. Paduch, however, would get the whole Scotchtown area, which is largely Democratic.
Paduch, admits asking to represent more of Scotchtown, but says he didn't know the changes would be so radical. Kraham, he said, had never proposed any changes that he could accommodate.
"I was insulted that she said I had something to do with the changes that were made – that was ridiculous," Paduch said. "Of course, I want to help as a Democrat. The help is still available."
But Kraham worries it may be too late. The plan goes before the public next month. And the Legislature must approve it by March 10 or the changes won't count during next year's elections.
"I don't think there has been a unified effort to counteract what has been a targeted attack on my district," Kraham said. "I would've wanted more help."
- View the proposed district map
תוקן על ידי - אינהכינמי - 04/01/2005 1:15:22
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