While we were not victorious, I would just like to say thank you to all those who made the effort to get out and vote for me on election day, it is greatly appreciated. I have met so many wonderful people these past few months and received very positive feedback. It is truly a humbling experience.
I believe I ran a good race. We talked about the issues that concern us all. The high taxes, Illegal Immigration and the development of our county with apparently no real master plan. Unfortunately, the Republican machine, ran by the likes of Mr. Scannapieco, made it very difficult. As another person wrote, I was labeled an "Insurgent" and the stops were pulled to discredit any fellow Republican that had the audacity to run against the chosen. This continued throughout the campaign.
What was very disappointing was the turn out in district 5. Only about 18% of registered Republicans made the effort. This can't continue if we expect change. People must awake from the apathy that has overwhelmed them. If we don't take the time to vote, we get the same "Business as Usual" crowd year after year. We then have no one to blame but ourselves for 40% tax hikes, Illegal Aliens over burdening our resources and developers who think Putnam County is their slice of heaven.
I had a wonderful experience. It has made me a stronger candidate and more aware of how I have to proceed the next time, and there will be a next time! I can't sit back and allow the County I love and have made my home be run by a political machine that only cares about staying in power. I will continue to speak out and be a voice for the people. Rick Montes is not going away.
Thanks again, it was an honor and a privilege.
Rick Montes
A national magazine, The American Conservative, founded by Patrick Buchanan, has printed my letter in the Forum section of the latest edition. Click here to read it
Putnam Exec proposes 40% tax-rate increase!
Today's headline in the Journal News: "Putnam property owners are facing 40 percent tax-rate increase next year to support a proposed $133 million county budget, County Executive Robert Bondi said today."
This is an outrage! Our County Executive and the Legislators who rubber stamp his wishes have sunk to a new low. Last year it was a nearly 19% Property tax increase. This year already Mr. Bondi and my opponent raised our sale tax to one of the highest in the state (Shop Putnam!) and now Mr. Bondi seeks to rob the people of more of their hard earned dollars, without a peep of indignation from my opponent. Lets end the "Business as Usual". Mr. Bondi can't be removed this year but my opponent can. Please remember on Tuesday, September 18th that under my opponents watch our taxes have sky-rocketed with more to come and Illegal Aliens picking our pockets even more.
Please, VOTE FOR RICK Montes on September 18th.
Legislator O'Dell Accepts Tax Payer Money For Campaign
"Questions have arisen over a $100 contribution from the Putnam County Visitors Bureau to her (Mary Ellen O'Dell)campaign committee. Valerie Hickman, director of the bureau and a friend of Odell's, said a check had been erroneously written on the agency's account, but that she had since reimbursed it." From the Journal News 9/16/07
Astronomical tax increases and the County Visitors Bureau has a spare $100 to give to Mrs. O'Dell's campaign! This is an outrage and should be investigated. Will it? Probably not because the Political Machine will make sure that this is squashed.Our County and Towns can't afford to be run like Tammany Hall any longer. Ms. Hickman should be fired for this "erroneous" mishap. What else has she done "Erroneously"? O'Dell took her time returning the money. It was not until after the election, September 27, that she felt it prudent to return the money.
What Is A Real Republican?
- A real Republican believes in limited government, that the government has certain limited functions.
- A real Republican believes that raising taxes should be a last resort.
- A real Republican believes in protecting our borders from illegal aliens.
Before anyone tells you that they are a Republican, or any Republican Committee or Chairman tells you to vote for their "Endorsed" candidates, ask yourself, do they really represent my values and morals? Do they believe in true Republican principles? Have they voted to raise taxes? Have they done anything to stem the invasion of Illegal Aliens?
The Liberty Tree was a tree that stood in the Boston Commons in the days that saw Massachusetts as a colony, the days before the American Revolution. The tree was a gathering point for those who championed the growing resistance to British rule over the American colonies. In the years that followed, Liberty Trees sprang up in almost every American town, a living symbol of a new nation's dedication to individual liberty and resistance to tyranny.