ALTONA — Claiming the November election was tainted, Altona Republicans are seeking a special election to determine who will serve on the Town Council.
Town Republican Party Chairman Greg Boulerice says the ballot for the November election was a victim of a partisan war, and he wants the election re-done.
Democrats argue that the Republicans simply did not follow the law and are now trying to blame them for their mistake.
Further adding to the emotion of the issue is the fact that two people died in a car accident on their way home from a trip to the Clinton County Board of Elections office in Plattsburgh specifically for the case.
“Two people died, and we want to see this all the way through for them,” Boulerice said.
NO TIME STAMP
The situation began last June when Republicans held their town caucus to nominate candidates for the November election.
Two seats were up for grabs on the Altona Town Council. At the caucus, incumbent Republican Herbert O. Therrian and Ronald Lee were nominated to run.
The paperwork to get them on the ballot was notarized and sent to the Board of Elections, but one paper was not time-stamped and filed when it reached the office, which is required.
Republican Election Commissioner Judith Layhee said the paper was simply accidentally misplaced and not found and stamped until one day after the deadline for filing.
JUDGE’S RULING
The case wound up in court, and on Oct. 16, Lee, Therrian and then-Town Republican Party Chairman Robert Wood drove to Plattsburgh to sign papers for the case at the Board of Elections.
On the way home, their car was hit on Military Turnpike and Wood and Lee were killed. Therrian, who was driving, was injured.
The case continued despite the death of Lee as Republicans prepared to offer a replacement candidate to run along with Therrian.
Clinton County Court Judge Kevin K. Ryan, a Democrat, ruled on Oct. 22 that the Republican candidates would not appear on the ballot.
With no Republicans on the ballot, the two Democrats running for Town Council, Jeanne Bushey and Joey Snide, were assured victory.
DIVIDED ON DECISION
Republicans appealed Ryan’s ruling, and the case went to the State Supreme Court Appellate Division.
The Appellate Court issued a decision that was interpreted differently by the two parties.
Boulerice said the ruling declared that the Republicans should have been allowed to put candidates on the ballot.
Democrats argue that the ruling only meant that absentee ballots could be sent out.
“We ended up back at square one, with both commissioners disagreeing,” Democratic Deputy Elections Commissioner Randa Filion said.
Boulerice said Democratic Election Commissioner Susan Castine should have signed off on the ruling and put the Republican names on the ballot for the Nov. 3 election, giving voters a choice.
“People in this town deserve to know why there were no Republicans on the ballot,” he said.
‘FATAL DEFECT’
Castine and Filion say the real issue is that Republicans never filed their nomination certificates by the Sept. 22 deadline.
“That’s the only issue,” Castine said.
“If you don’t file by that deadline, it is considered a fatal defect, and I went strictly by the law.”
Filion said Republicans finally did file a copy of the nomination certificate, but it was 23 days late and still not time-stamped.
“Therefore, they (Republicans) never were on the ballot,” she said.
CHALLENGE
Bushey and Snide are supposed to take office Jan. 1, but Layhee has refused to certify the Nov. 3 election results, which could prevent them from taking office.
Boulerice is taking the case to Federal Court, seeking a special election to replace the results from November.
“If that does not work, we will go to the Attorney General’s Office next because this is not right.”
E-mail Joe LoTemplio at:
jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com
Local News
Election controversy continues in Altona
- Breaking News
-
-
Surplus funds keep After-School Program alive
The Moriah and Willsboro sites run by Adirondack Community Action Programs is not closing after all.
-
Montreal woman dies in Westport crash
Angela Pierre, 69, was ejected from the vehicle when its driver lost control on Interstate 87 in Westport.
-
Burlington hospital makes interim chief permanent
Fletcher Allen Health Care announced today that Dr. John Brumsted will move from interim to permanent president and CEO.
-
Surplus funds keep After-School Program alive
- New Today
-
-
Recovery Center to hold open house
Smashing stereotypes and eliminating the stigma of mental-health issues has led to formation of a new place in Franklin County for clients to get wrap-around services to help them rejoin the community.
-
Recovery Center to hold open house
- Local News
-
-
Ticonderoga faces severe school cuts
The district is starting its new budget process almost $2 million in the hole. Officials are seeking public input on the problem.
-
One injured in Plattsburgh house fire
A female suffered second- and third-degree burns in a fire at her South Catherine Street home early Sunday.
-
Plattsburgh's Sweet Adelines sing music of the heart
Sweet Adelines spread message of love on Valentine's Day with yearly singing valentines.
-
Love between the lines
Dr. Nell Irvin Painter of New Russia and Plattsburgh State's Dr. J.W. Wiley share historical and current viewpoints on interracial loving, American-style. INCLUDES VIDEO
-
NCCS wins CVAC cheerleading competition
NCCS wins first place for the eighth time in nine years
-
Cheerleading photos (2/12/12)
-
Tentative contract reached with officers
The deal with New York state would cover the 2,800 members of the New York State Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association who typically work at specialized state centers such as the Sunmount Development Disabilities Services Office in Tupper Lake.
-
Lookback: Feb. 13-19
News stories from around the region from 25, 50, 75 and 100 years ago this week.
-
Of Interest: Feb. 13, 2012
Peru Central School Board to hold budget discussion; Dannemora to discuss highway post; Beekmantown School Board invites budget input; Willsboro School Board to discuss policies; Chazy School Board to discuss budget; SLCS Board to appoint clerk pro-tem; Keeseville Zoning Board cancels meeting; Elizabethtown-Lewis School Board to work on budget.
-
Gourds' shapes create interesting canvas
Georgette Bacon's gourd art is on display through March 10 at Foothills ARTSociety in Malone.
- February 12, 2012
-
NCCS wins CVAC cheerleading competition
NCCS wins first place for the eighth time in nine years
-
One injured in Plattsburgh house fire
A female suffered second- and third-degree burns in a fire at her South Catherine Street home early Sunday.
-
Plattsburgh's Sweet Adelines sing music of the heart
Sweet Adelines spread message of love on Valentine's Day with yearly singing valentines.
-
Ticonderoga faces severe school cuts
The district is starting its new budget process almost $2 million in the hole. Officials are seeking public input on the problem.
-
Tentative contract reached with officers
The deal with New York state would cover the 2,800 members of the New York State Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association who typically work at specialized state centers such as the Sunmount Development Disabilities Services Office in Tupper Lake.
-
Attempted-murder trial set
The case against Robert J. McCann, who is charged with trying to kill his former girlfriend at a secluded Westville site, begins Tuesday in Franklin County Court.
-
A historic battle for interracial marriage
Forty-five years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down all remaining state bans on interracial marriage in Loving v. Virginia.
-
Fireworks to close weekend carnival
The final day of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is filled with activities and events. INCLUDES VIDEO
-
- Recent Article Comments
Bacteria Keep Swimmers Off Some Fla. Beaches
Police: Houston Found Under Water, Unconscious
Sandusky Can See Grandkids, Have Local Jury
Obama Unveils $3.8 Trillion Budget
Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked
Coroner: Don't Know Houston's Cause of Death Yet
Valentine Greetings Sent Worldwide From Loveland
Greek Austerity Measures Spark Riots
Raw Video: Obama Budget Goes to Capitol Hill
Arab League Wants U.N. Help in Syria
Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
