Sodus Bay Heights hosts Dems dinner
By Linda Stevenson
(Story & photo courtesy of The Sun & Record)

Wayne County Democrats gathered at Sodus Bay Heights last Friday evening for their annual dinner.

Pictured are County Democratic Chairman and Rose Supervisor, Carm Pascarella with Charlie King, the guest speaker.

Pascarella opened the festivities, introducing members of the County Committee, the Democratic Town Supervisors and Town Chairmen. Many of the candidates for town office were in attendance, and Pascarella asked those present to stand and be recognized. Pascarella himself is not a candidate, having made the decision to retire at the expiration of his term.

'But not from politics!' he vowed, with a twinkle in his eye. 'I'll never retire from politics.'

Democratic candidate for Wayne County Clerk Larry Quinn spoke briefly, explaining why he had made the decision to run for County office. 'People have asked me why I want to do this. I don't like politics, never have. I have no political aspirations whatever,' he said. 'But I'm the Assessor for the Town of Arcadia, and not a day goes by that I haven't had someone call me to ask about their taxes.'

Quinn added, 'People are being forced out of their houses by the high taxes in Wayne County,' he continued. 'Some have to choose between paying their taxes and paying to heat their homes. The good old boys' system just keeps going on and I've HAD it!'

Joe Ruggiero, candidate for the Democratic nomination for Lt. Governor in 2006, was also on hand. Ruggiero is a Town Supervisor from Wappinger in Duchess County, and Chairman of the County Democratic committee. He encouraged the Wayne County folk to continue their efforts towards democracy, despite Republican efforts to keep them off the ballots.

'Republicans spend a lot of time complaining about how government doesn't work, and they're right ... when they're in office, it doesn't!' he smiled. 'When Democrats are in office, we show people what good government can do.'

After a break for dinner, Pascarella introduced Charlie King, who's seeking the Democratic nomination for Attorney General. Current AG Eliot Spitzer has announced his intention to run for governor.

King is a newcomer to politics. However, though he has never held elected office, he was appointed by President Clinton in 2000 to serve as the top official for the NY and NJ region of HUD, managing over $3.2 billion in federal funds and over 500 employees. He currently runs a non-profit organization providing housing for the homeless of New York City, and recently spent a week touring the areas devastated by Katrina.

He spoke of three families he'd met on that trip, all of whom had lost almost everything they owned. 'Despite it all, there was a quiet dignity and strength there,' King said. 'I will never forget those pictures.'

King explained he was like Spitzer in some ways. 'Eliot was an outsider when he first ran for office, just like me - but that can be an advantage. Outsiders can bring in fresh ideas, a fresh vision for what government can be. Eliot Spitzer has shown us the good that government can do, and I would like to continue that service to the people of New York!'

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