Instead of viewing the State Committee of the Libertarian Party of New York as its Board of Directors with each member having fiduciary responsibilities, most of its current and former members continue to treat it as a private club where competence, getting proper financial breakdowns, having minutes and following the bylaws do not seem to matter.
Today, the New York affiliate of the Libertarian Party held another State Committee meeting. Brian DeMarzo, the elected Secretary, was not on the call nor did he submit minutes for the last meeting. In fact, State Committee meetings were held on April 24, 2010, June 6, 2010, and June 27, 2010 and no minutes have been submitted for any of those meeting. Mr. DeMarzo was also Secretary for the LPNY Convention held on April 24, 2010 and minutes for that convention have also not been uploaded. This is not simply an incompetence issue for Brian DeMarzo. The last LPNY Secretary, M Carling, did not submit minutes for any of the State Committee meetings held from December, 2009 through April, 2010 and no one on the State Committee, except former LPNY member Dr. Tom Stevens, ever raised this issue.
The LPNY Treasury is even in worse shape. Currently, Gary Treistman, the elected Treasurer, is still in the process of changing banks but that process has been on going since April 24, 2010. Knowing it took over 6 months to transfer signatures and pass codes during the last term of office, it was Dr. Tom Stevens, then State Representative for the Libertarian Party of Queens County, who made a motion at the State Committee meeting on April 24, 2010 requesting that this new transfer take place within 30 days. Mark Axinn, LPNY Chair, indicated that is not how he likes to do business and requested the language be changed to "as soon as possible". That motion passed but the former Treasurer is still handling aspects of the books and the new Treasurer has not gotten a proper breakdown of the money collected at the State Convention despite requests for such a breakdown that were made by Dr. Tom Stevens to both the Convention Committee and to the new Treasurer. Stevens also objected to the last State Committee authorizing funds for the Convention when it had not seen the contract signed on its behalf and did not know what the financial liability was for the state party.
Mark Axinn, LPNY Chair, also continues to treat voting procedures without a great degree of respect. His allowing voting on the "honor system" has led to a challenge of the nominating process that took place at the LPNY State Convention on April 24, 2010. Another example of that took place at the State Committee meeting held by teleconference on July 17, 2010. Gary Donoyan of Nassau County had come on the call but Blay Tarnoff, the Nassau County State Representative had not. Mr. Donoyan explicitly stated he was not a member of the State Committee. Mr. Tarnoff could have designated Mr. Donoyan to be the replacement State Representative for this meeting but he had not. Mark Axinn, LPNY Chair, announced that if Tarnoff failed to come onto the call, that he would let Donoyan vote for Nassau "just this one time". A similar situation occurred with respect to the State Representative for Suffolk County, who did not appear. Jim Harris, a Suffolk County member, was on the call. Mark Axinn, LPNY Chair, asked Harris if Michael Houze had designated him to be State Representative for the purposes of the call. Mr. Harris said "No, I have received no such authorization." Mark Axinn, then said to the entire State Committee, "I heard him say 'yes'. Did you all hear him say 'yes'?" It turned out Mr. Axinn didn't need either of these votes to make quorum, which was finally achieved 20 minutes into the meeting.
Dr. Tom Stevens, Political Director of the Libertarian Party of Queens County, said:
I was not on the State Committee teleconference call because I resigned my Life Membership in the Libertarian Party of New York after the State Committee suspended my membership for continuing to raise issues of professionalism and for asking questions I considered to be important to ask as part of my fiduciary responsibilities as a member of the State Committee, which I viewed as being the Board of Directors of the corporate entity we are.
I am certain my questions annoyed others who viewed the state party as more of a social club but I did and said what I thought was right. You can be sure that if I still served on the State Committee of the Libertarian Party of New York, that I would have objected to there not being regular minutes, not having a Treasurer's Report and to the effort to permit people to vote who had no authority to do so.
Dr. Tom Stevens is currently the Political Director of the Libertarian Party of Queens County and is the Founder of Libertarian Patriots of New York and Empire State Libertarians.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Empire State Libertarians Charters Hudson River Valley Libertarians
On July 16, 2010, the Governing Board of Empire State Libertarians chartered Hudson River Valley Libertarians, a local chapter that will be active in Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, Ulster, Columbia & Greene counties. Alden Link, the Libertarian Party's nominee for Lt. Governor, was appointed Chair of Hudson River Valley Libertarians.
Dr. Tom Stevens founded Empire State Libertarians on July 4, 2010. It has the following purposes:
1. to encourage New York State residents who share libertarian ideals and principles to become politically active and to seek out avenues to promote a pro-liberty agenda;
2. to endorse candidates seeking elective office who support smaller government, lower taxes and more individual freedom;
3. to encourage patriotism, respect for our Founder Fathers, and a deep appreciation for the United States Constitution; and
4. to organize and charter chapters of Empire State Libertarians in order to promote local activism.
Hudson River Valley Libertarians will be seeking to identify candidates in its area of geographic responsibility who would like to receive the endorsement of Empire State Libertarians and who are in complete agreement with the following Candidate Endorsement Statement for Election Year 2010:
If elected, I will take action to bring about smaller, more efficient, government as well as fewer and lower taxes. I intend to work to stimulate the economy and to create jobs by reducing corporate taxation and bureaucratic regulation. I do not believe it is the government's role to bring about social change. to redistribute wealth, or to pass laws criminalizing conduct that causes no direct harm to others. I will do what I can to bolster the value of our currency, to reduce the national debt, to better defend our borders, to keep our military strong, and to protect those individual rights guaranteed to all Americans in the United States Constitution.
For more information about Empire State Libertarians, contact Dr. Tom Stevens, its Founder, at DrTomStevens@aol.com or visit its Facebook Page at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=136427703051139&ref=ts
Dr. Tom Stevens founded Empire State Libertarians on July 4, 2010. It has the following purposes:
1. to encourage New York State residents who share libertarian ideals and principles to become politically active and to seek out avenues to promote a pro-liberty agenda;
2. to endorse candidates seeking elective office who support smaller government, lower taxes and more individual freedom;
3. to encourage patriotism, respect for our Founder Fathers, and a deep appreciation for the United States Constitution; and
4. to organize and charter chapters of Empire State Libertarians in order to promote local activism.
Hudson River Valley Libertarians will be seeking to identify candidates in its area of geographic responsibility who would like to receive the endorsement of Empire State Libertarians and who are in complete agreement with the following Candidate Endorsement Statement for Election Year 2010:
If elected, I will take action to bring about smaller, more efficient, government as well as fewer and lower taxes. I intend to work to stimulate the economy and to create jobs by reducing corporate taxation and bureaucratic regulation. I do not believe it is the government's role to bring about social change. to redistribute wealth, or to pass laws criminalizing conduct that causes no direct harm to others. I will do what I can to bolster the value of our currency, to reduce the national debt, to better defend our borders, to keep our military strong, and to protect those individual rights guaranteed to all Americans in the United States Constitution.
For more information about Empire State Libertarians, contact Dr. Tom Stevens, its Founder, at DrTomStevens@aol.com or visit its Facebook Page at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=136427703051139&ref=ts
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Empire State Libertarians Charters Long Island Libertarians
On July 14, 2010, the Governing Board of Empire State Libertarians chartered Long Island Libertarians, a local chapter that will be active in Kings, Queens, Nassau & Suffolk counties. Dr. Tom Stevens, Political Director of the Libertarian Party of Queens County and Founder of Empire State Libertarians, was appointed Chair.
Empire State Libertarians was founded on July 4, 2010 and has the following purposes:
1. to encourage New York State residents who share libertarian ideals and principles to become politically active and to seek out avenues to promote a pro-liberty agenda;
2. to endorse candidates seeking elective office who support smaller government, lower taxes and more individual freedom;
3. to encourage patriotism, respect for our Founder Fathers, and a deep appreciation for the United States Constitution; and
4. to organize and charter chapters of Empire State Libertarians in order to promote local activism.
Long Island Libertarians will be seeking to identify candidates in its area of geographic responsibility who would like to receive the endorsement of Empire State Libertarians and who are in complete agreement with the following Candidate Endorsement Statement for Election Year 2010:
If elected, I will take action to bring about smaller, more efficient, government as well as fewer and lower taxes. I intend to work to stimulate the economy and to create jobs by reducing corporate taxation and bureaucratic regulation. I do not believe it is the government's role to bring about social change. to redistribute wealth, or to pass laws criminalizing conduct that causes no direct harm to others. I will do what I can to bolster the value of our currency, to reduce the national debt, to better defend our borders, to keep our military strong, and to protect those individual rights guaranteed to all Americans in the United States Constitution.
For more information about Empire State Libertarians, contact Dr. Tom Stevens, its Founder, at DrTomStevens@aol.com or visit its Facebook Page at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=136427703051139&ref=ts
Empire State Libertarians was founded on July 4, 2010 and has the following purposes:
1. to encourage New York State residents who share libertarian ideals and principles to become politically active and to seek out avenues to promote a pro-liberty agenda;
2. to endorse candidates seeking elective office who support smaller government, lower taxes and more individual freedom;
3. to encourage patriotism, respect for our Founder Fathers, and a deep appreciation for the United States Constitution; and
4. to organize and charter chapters of Empire State Libertarians in order to promote local activism.
Long Island Libertarians will be seeking to identify candidates in its area of geographic responsibility who would like to receive the endorsement of Empire State Libertarians and who are in complete agreement with the following Candidate Endorsement Statement for Election Year 2010:
If elected, I will take action to bring about smaller, more efficient, government as well as fewer and lower taxes. I intend to work to stimulate the economy and to create jobs by reducing corporate taxation and bureaucratic regulation. I do not believe it is the government's role to bring about social change. to redistribute wealth, or to pass laws criminalizing conduct that causes no direct harm to others. I will do what I can to bolster the value of our currency, to reduce the national debt, to better defend our borders, to keep our military strong, and to protect those individual rights guaranteed to all Americans in the United States Constitution.
For more information about Empire State Libertarians, contact Dr. Tom Stevens, its Founder, at DrTomStevens@aol.com or visit its Facebook Page at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=136427703051139&ref=ts
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Empire State Libertarians Charters Downstate Libertarians
On July 7, 2010, the Governing Board of Empire State Libertarians chartered Downstate Libertarians, a local chapter that will be active in Richmond, New York, the Bronx, Westchester & Rockland counties.
Dodge P. Landesman, the immediate past State Representative of the Manhattan Libertarian Party, was appointed Chair of Downstate Libertarians. Dallwyn Merck, Secretary of the Libertarian Party of Queens County (who lives in Manhattan) was appointed Vice-Chair.
Dr. Tom Stevens founded Empire State Libertarians on July 4, 2010. It has the following purposes:
1. to encourage New York State residents who share libertarian ideals and principles to become politically active and to seek out avenues to promote a pro-liberty agenda;
2. to endorse candidates seeking elective office who support smaller government, lower taxes and more individual freedom;
3. to encourage patriotism, respect for our Founder Fathers, and a deep appreciation for the United States Constitution; and
4. to organize and charter chapters of Empire State Libertarians in order to promote local activism.
Downstate Libertarians will be seeking to identify candidates in its area of geographic responsibility who would like to receive the endorsement of Empire State Libertarians and who are in complete agreement with the following Candidate Endorsement Statement for Election Year 2010:
If elected, I will take action to bring about smaller, more efficient, government as well as fewer and lower taxes. I intend to work to stimulate the economy and to create jobs by reducing corporate taxation and bureaucratic regulation. I do not believe it is the government's role to bring about social change. to redistribute wealth, or to pass laws criminalizing conduct that causes no direct harm to others. I will do what I can to bolster the value of our currency, to reduce the national debt, to better defend our borders, to keep our military strong, and to protect those individual rights guaranteed to all Americans in the United States Constitution.
For more information about Empire State Libertarians, contact Dr. Tom Stevens, its Founder, at DrTomStevens@aol.com or visit its Facebook Page at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=136427703051139&ref=ts
Dodge P. Landesman, the immediate past State Representative of the Manhattan Libertarian Party, was appointed Chair of Downstate Libertarians. Dallwyn Merck, Secretary of the Libertarian Party of Queens County (who lives in Manhattan) was appointed Vice-Chair.
Dr. Tom Stevens founded Empire State Libertarians on July 4, 2010. It has the following purposes:
1. to encourage New York State residents who share libertarian ideals and principles to become politically active and to seek out avenues to promote a pro-liberty agenda;
2. to endorse candidates seeking elective office who support smaller government, lower taxes and more individual freedom;
3. to encourage patriotism, respect for our Founder Fathers, and a deep appreciation for the United States Constitution; and
4. to organize and charter chapters of Empire State Libertarians in order to promote local activism.
Downstate Libertarians will be seeking to identify candidates in its area of geographic responsibility who would like to receive the endorsement of Empire State Libertarians and who are in complete agreement with the following Candidate Endorsement Statement for Election Year 2010:
If elected, I will take action to bring about smaller, more efficient, government as well as fewer and lower taxes. I intend to work to stimulate the economy and to create jobs by reducing corporate taxation and bureaucratic regulation. I do not believe it is the government's role to bring about social change. to redistribute wealth, or to pass laws criminalizing conduct that causes no direct harm to others. I will do what I can to bolster the value of our currency, to reduce the national debt, to better defend our borders, to keep our military strong, and to protect those individual rights guaranteed to all Americans in the United States Constitution.
For more information about Empire State Libertarians, contact Dr. Tom Stevens, its Founder, at DrTomStevens@aol.com or visit its Facebook Page at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=136427703051139&ref=ts
Monday, July 12, 2010
Empire State Libertarians Issues Candidate Endorsement Statement For Election Year 2010
On Sunday, July 11, 2010, Empire State Libertarians published its Candidate Endorsement Statement for Election Year 2010.
In order to be considered for endorsement by Empire State Libertarians, a candidate must be in full agreement with the following statement:
If elected, I will take action to bring about smaller, more efficient, government as well as fewer and lower taxes. I intend to work to stimulate the economy and to create jobs by reducing corporate taxation and bureaucratic regulation. I do not believe it is the government's role to bring about social change. to redistribute wealth, or to pass laws criminalizing conduct that causes no direct harm to others. I will do what I can to bolster the value of our currency, to reduce the national debt, to better defend our borders, to keep our military strong, and to protect those individual rights guaranteed to all Americans in the United States Constitution.
Candidates running for office in New York State who receive the endorsement of Empire State Libertarians must agree to place the fact of their endorsement and the Candidate Endorsement Statement on their campaign website. Not all candidates seeking the endorsement of Empire State Libertarians will receive it. That decision will be made by the Governing Board of the group.
For more information about Empire State Libertarians, visit the organization's Facebook Group at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=136427703051139&ref=ts
In order to be considered for endorsement by Empire State Libertarians, a candidate must be in full agreement with the following statement:
If elected, I will take action to bring about smaller, more efficient, government as well as fewer and lower taxes. I intend to work to stimulate the economy and to create jobs by reducing corporate taxation and bureaucratic regulation. I do not believe it is the government's role to bring about social change. to redistribute wealth, or to pass laws criminalizing conduct that causes no direct harm to others. I will do what I can to bolster the value of our currency, to reduce the national debt, to better defend our borders, to keep our military strong, and to protect those individual rights guaranteed to all Americans in the United States Constitution.
Candidates running for office in New York State who receive the endorsement of Empire State Libertarians must agree to place the fact of their endorsement and the Candidate Endorsement Statement on their campaign website. Not all candidates seeking the endorsement of Empire State Libertarians will receive it. That decision will be made by the Governing Board of the group.
For more information about Empire State Libertarians, visit the organization's Facebook Group at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=136427703051139&ref=ts
Sunday, July 11, 2010
LPNY Split Wide Open: Sloan Circulates Rival Statewide Petitions & Hires Paid Petitioners
Sam Sloan, who like Kristin Davis, was denied the opportunity to communicate with eligible voting delegates prior to the State Convention of the Libertarian Party of New York being held, began circulating rival statewide petitions identical in every detail to those being circulated by the LPNY except that it lists Sam Sloan as the Libertarian Party's gubernatorial candidate instead of Warren Redlich, who was nominated at the LPNY State Convention held on April 24, 2010 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Albany New York. Mr. Sloan has hired a number of paid petitioners who are collecting petition signatures for him in a number of Congressional Districts throughout New York State.
It is Sam Sloan's position, which has been confirmed by election law experts at the New York City and New York State Board of Elections, that the Libertarian Party is not a recognized major or minor political party under New York State Election Law and that since all its candidates file Independent Nominating Petitions, that the first candidate petition to be filed for a particular elective office gets the right to use the Libertarian Party name.
Kristin Davis, Sam Sloan and Warren Redlich were the three announced candidates who were seeking the gubernatorial nomination of the Libertarian Party prior to the State Convention being held. Sam Sloan and Kristin Davis wanted to mail their campaign literature to eligible voting delegates in order to encourage them to attend the State Convention to vote for them. However, this opportunity was denied to both Kristin Davis and Sam Sloan. Ms. Davis decided to abandon her efforts to seek the LP nomination while Mr. Sloan decided to sue the Libertarian Party. Warren Redlich was handed the gubernatorial nomination by obtaining only 27 votes.
Kristin Davis, who is now running for governor as the candidate of the Anti-Prohibition Party, is still bitter regarding her experience with the Libertarian Party of New York and there is strong evidence she intends to challenge any petitions filed on Warren Redlich's behalf. In an e-mail dated July 8, 2010 to Dr. Tom Stevens, LPQC Political Director and Founder of Empire State Libertarians, Andrew Miller, Director of Communications for the Kristin Davis campaign, wrote the following:
The New York Libertarian Party is a joke. As you know the "party" declined to give a list of potential convention voters to Ms. Davis prior to the meeting of their "club" which enjoys no recognition or status in New York State other than the distinction of never being able to win 50,000 votes because they have nominated candidates with no resources and no public identity. I am certain the petition for the Libertarian Party will be challenged - there is no place on the ballot for a man who advocates sex with under-age children.
On Friday, July 9, 2010, Sam Sloan filed two separate appeals with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York. The first appeal seeks to overturn the decision of Justice Edmead ruling that Sam Sloan's lawsuit to force the Libertarian Party of New York to turn over to him a list of eligible voting delegates was moot. The second appeal seeks to overturn Justice Edmead's Order dismissing Sam Sloan's lawsuit alleging a fraudulent election process on the grounds that the LPNY convention challenge is subject to a 10-day statute of limitations noted in the Election Law.
Prior to the LPNY State Convention, Sam Sloan obtained an Order from the Supreme Court of the State of New York signed by Justice Edmead ordering Chris Edes, the State Chair, to turn over to him a list of eligible voting delegates. Mr. Edes ignored that Order and when a Hearing was held, Justice Edmead, although stating that Mr. Edes was in contempt of court for ignoring her Order, nevertheless ruled that Sam Sloan's request for relief was moot since the LPNY State Convention had already been held. The basis of Sloan's appeal is that Justice Edmead, as a matter of law, failed to consider how many of the 300-400 LPNY members may have attended the State Convention had Sam Sloan been allowed to mail his campaign literature to them prior to the convention being held.
Sam Sloan's second lawsuit, filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York before Justice Edmead, argued that even though delegates were given a wristband identifying them as eligible to vote and even though Dr. Tom Stevens, LPQC State Representative at the time, vehemently and publicly objected to Mark Axinn's decision to ignore the wristbands and to let people vote on the "honor system", the election went forward and resulted in actual fraud taking place during the vote on the gubernatorial nomination. Mr. Sloan has at least two witnesses who saw ineligible people vote, people voting twice, and people pocketing the votes of others as they collected other people's ballots in order to place them into a passing hat. Justice Edmead dismissed this second lawsuit claiming that the Election Law states that a 10-statute of limitations applies to anyone challenging a convention held by a "party committee". It is Mr. Sloan's contention that the Libertarian Party is not a "party committee" under the Election Law of the State of New York and that, therefore, Justice Edmead made an error in law when she found the statute of limitations applicable.
Dr. Tom Stevens, LPQC Political Director and Founder of Empire State Libertarians, said:
It was going to be difficult enough to obtain a sufficient number of valid petition signatures to get the Redlich slate on the ballot but now with Kristin Davis likely to challenge the petitions and Sam Sloan circulating a rival statewide petition being carried by many LPNY activists, the task now becomes Herculean, despite the commitment of $25,000.00 from the national LP.
I must say that the Libertarian Party of New York has brought this entire situation upon itself. First, when you make peaceful revolution impossible, you make violent revolution inevitable. Hence, by denying Kristin Davis and Sam Sloan a level playing field to compete for the LPNY gubernatorial nomination, you end up forcing the reactions you have observed. In addition, Carl Person, the LPNY candidate for Attorney General, and I negotiated a proposed settlement of the first Sloan lawsuit where Mr. Sloan agreed to drop all challenges to the alleged corrupt process in return for being named as a replacement gubernatorial nominee should Warren Redlich resign from the race. Mark Axinn, LPNY Chair, refused to consider the compromise because of rules he has in his head about not letting anyone gain an advantage because of their having filed a lawsuit. The result was a second Sloan lawsuit and now the two appeals. In my rule book, I believe in settling when the best interests of the party are served especially if you know that individuals are claiming they witnessed actual fraud take place in the election process that nominated your party's gubernatorial nominee.
I believe Sam Sloan and Kristin Davis have raised issues that needed to be raised. I have been commenting on what I considered to be a biased process from December, 2009 right on through to the LPNY State Convention held on April 24, 2010. I have no idea what the outcome of this situation will be except that I will say that it could have been avoided.
Sam Sloan is the State Representative of the Manhattan Libertarian Party, and Dr. Tom Stevens is the Political Director of the Libertarian Party of Queens County. Dr. Stevens is also the Founder of Libertarian Patriots of New York and Empire State Libertarians.
It is Sam Sloan's position, which has been confirmed by election law experts at the New York City and New York State Board of Elections, that the Libertarian Party is not a recognized major or minor political party under New York State Election Law and that since all its candidates file Independent Nominating Petitions, that the first candidate petition to be filed for a particular elective office gets the right to use the Libertarian Party name.
Kristin Davis, Sam Sloan and Warren Redlich were the three announced candidates who were seeking the gubernatorial nomination of the Libertarian Party prior to the State Convention being held. Sam Sloan and Kristin Davis wanted to mail their campaign literature to eligible voting delegates in order to encourage them to attend the State Convention to vote for them. However, this opportunity was denied to both Kristin Davis and Sam Sloan. Ms. Davis decided to abandon her efforts to seek the LP nomination while Mr. Sloan decided to sue the Libertarian Party. Warren Redlich was handed the gubernatorial nomination by obtaining only 27 votes.
Kristin Davis, who is now running for governor as the candidate of the Anti-Prohibition Party, is still bitter regarding her experience with the Libertarian Party of New York and there is strong evidence she intends to challenge any petitions filed on Warren Redlich's behalf. In an e-mail dated July 8, 2010 to Dr. Tom Stevens, LPQC Political Director and Founder of Empire State Libertarians, Andrew Miller, Director of Communications for the Kristin Davis campaign, wrote the following:
The New York Libertarian Party is a joke. As you know the "party" declined to give a list of potential convention voters to Ms. Davis prior to the meeting of their "club" which enjoys no recognition or status in New York State other than the distinction of never being able to win 50,000 votes because they have nominated candidates with no resources and no public identity. I am certain the petition for the Libertarian Party will be challenged - there is no place on the ballot for a man who advocates sex with under-age children.
On Friday, July 9, 2010, Sam Sloan filed two separate appeals with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York. The first appeal seeks to overturn the decision of Justice Edmead ruling that Sam Sloan's lawsuit to force the Libertarian Party of New York to turn over to him a list of eligible voting delegates was moot. The second appeal seeks to overturn Justice Edmead's Order dismissing Sam Sloan's lawsuit alleging a fraudulent election process on the grounds that the LPNY convention challenge is subject to a 10-day statute of limitations noted in the Election Law.
Prior to the LPNY State Convention, Sam Sloan obtained an Order from the Supreme Court of the State of New York signed by Justice Edmead ordering Chris Edes, the State Chair, to turn over to him a list of eligible voting delegates. Mr. Edes ignored that Order and when a Hearing was held, Justice Edmead, although stating that Mr. Edes was in contempt of court for ignoring her Order, nevertheless ruled that Sam Sloan's request for relief was moot since the LPNY State Convention had already been held. The basis of Sloan's appeal is that Justice Edmead, as a matter of law, failed to consider how many of the 300-400 LPNY members may have attended the State Convention had Sam Sloan been allowed to mail his campaign literature to them prior to the convention being held.
Sam Sloan's second lawsuit, filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York before Justice Edmead, argued that even though delegates were given a wristband identifying them as eligible to vote and even though Dr. Tom Stevens, LPQC State Representative at the time, vehemently and publicly objected to Mark Axinn's decision to ignore the wristbands and to let people vote on the "honor system", the election went forward and resulted in actual fraud taking place during the vote on the gubernatorial nomination. Mr. Sloan has at least two witnesses who saw ineligible people vote, people voting twice, and people pocketing the votes of others as they collected other people's ballots in order to place them into a passing hat. Justice Edmead dismissed this second lawsuit claiming that the Election Law states that a 10-statute of limitations applies to anyone challenging a convention held by a "party committee". It is Mr. Sloan's contention that the Libertarian Party is not a "party committee" under the Election Law of the State of New York and that, therefore, Justice Edmead made an error in law when she found the statute of limitations applicable.
Dr. Tom Stevens, LPQC Political Director and Founder of Empire State Libertarians, said:
It was going to be difficult enough to obtain a sufficient number of valid petition signatures to get the Redlich slate on the ballot but now with Kristin Davis likely to challenge the petitions and Sam Sloan circulating a rival statewide petition being carried by many LPNY activists, the task now becomes Herculean, despite the commitment of $25,000.00 from the national LP.
I must say that the Libertarian Party of New York has brought this entire situation upon itself. First, when you make peaceful revolution impossible, you make violent revolution inevitable. Hence, by denying Kristin Davis and Sam Sloan a level playing field to compete for the LPNY gubernatorial nomination, you end up forcing the reactions you have observed. In addition, Carl Person, the LPNY candidate for Attorney General, and I negotiated a proposed settlement of the first Sloan lawsuit where Mr. Sloan agreed to drop all challenges to the alleged corrupt process in return for being named as a replacement gubernatorial nominee should Warren Redlich resign from the race. Mark Axinn, LPNY Chair, refused to consider the compromise because of rules he has in his head about not letting anyone gain an advantage because of their having filed a lawsuit. The result was a second Sloan lawsuit and now the two appeals. In my rule book, I believe in settling when the best interests of the party are served especially if you know that individuals are claiming they witnessed actual fraud take place in the election process that nominated your party's gubernatorial nominee.
I believe Sam Sloan and Kristin Davis have raised issues that needed to be raised. I have been commenting on what I considered to be a biased process from December, 2009 right on through to the LPNY State Convention held on April 24, 2010. I have no idea what the outcome of this situation will be except that I will say that it could have been avoided.
Sam Sloan is the State Representative of the Manhattan Libertarian Party, and Dr. Tom Stevens is the Political Director of the Libertarian Party of Queens County. Dr. Stevens is also the Founder of Libertarian Patriots of New York and Empire State Libertarians.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Empire State Libertarians Formed On Independence Day 2010
On July 4, 2010, Dr. Tom Stevens, Political Director of the Libertarian Party of Queens County and Founder of Libertarian Patriots of New York (LPNY), formed Empire State Libertarians to be a more effective political force for promoting a pro-liberty agenda in the State of New York. Empire State Libertarians is not associated or affiliated with Free Libertarian Party, Inc., the recognized local affiliate of the Libertarian Party in New York State. Dr. Stevens resigned his Life Membership in the Free Libertarian Party, Inc. on June 27, 2010 to focus his energies on more productive political endeavors and opportunities.
Membership in Empire State Libertarians is free and it is expected that local affiliates will be chartered soon. Stevens said, "Our goal is to welcome all small government libertarians into our ranks and to take actions that will have an immediate positive effect in spreading the message of liberty. We do not plan to charge dues, to hold meetings or to run candidates for elective office in a futile attempt to capture 1% of the popular vote. We intend to participate in Tea Party rallies, endorse libertarian-leaning candidates and join pro-liberty coalitions. We have no intention of getting bogged down in bureaucratic machinations or suffering the company of unethical, toxic libertarians who wouldn't recognize what integrity was even if it came up and slapped them in the face. It is my intention to focus the efforts of Empire State Libertarians on goal-oriented action."
The formation of Empire State Libertarians reflects growing frustration with the individuals who are currently in charge of the Libertarian Party in New York State. The Libertarian Party of Queens County recently passed a resolution by unanimous vote condemning "the extremely dysfunctional Libertarian Party of New York, whose politically inexperienced, stagnant leadership and the presence of toxic individuals have been primarily responsible for the party's inability to obtain ballot access over the past nearly 40 years."
Empire State Libertarians was formed with the following four (4) purposes:
1. to encourage New York State residents who share libertarian ideals and principles to become politically active and to seek out avenues to promote a pro-liberty agenda;
2. to endorse candidates seeking elective office who support smaller government, lower taxes and more individual freedom;
3. to encourage patriotism, respect for our Founder Fathers, and a deep appreciation for the United States Constitution; and
4. to organize and charter chapters of Empire State Libertarians in order to promote local activism.
Feel free to join the Facebook Page of Empire State Libertarians at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=136427703051139&ref=ts
If you are interested in membership, taking a leadership role or being a political advisor to Empire State Libertarians, contact Dr. Tom Stevens at DrTomStevens@aol.com
Membership in Empire State Libertarians is free and it is expected that local affiliates will be chartered soon. Stevens said, "Our goal is to welcome all small government libertarians into our ranks and to take actions that will have an immediate positive effect in spreading the message of liberty. We do not plan to charge dues, to hold meetings or to run candidates for elective office in a futile attempt to capture 1% of the popular vote. We intend to participate in Tea Party rallies, endorse libertarian-leaning candidates and join pro-liberty coalitions. We have no intention of getting bogged down in bureaucratic machinations or suffering the company of unethical, toxic libertarians who wouldn't recognize what integrity was even if it came up and slapped them in the face. It is my intention to focus the efforts of Empire State Libertarians on goal-oriented action."
The formation of Empire State Libertarians reflects growing frustration with the individuals who are currently in charge of the Libertarian Party in New York State. The Libertarian Party of Queens County recently passed a resolution by unanimous vote condemning "the extremely dysfunctional Libertarian Party of New York, whose politically inexperienced, stagnant leadership and the presence of toxic individuals have been primarily responsible for the party's inability to obtain ballot access over the past nearly 40 years."
Empire State Libertarians was formed with the following four (4) purposes:
1. to encourage New York State residents who share libertarian ideals and principles to become politically active and to seek out avenues to promote a pro-liberty agenda;
2. to endorse candidates seeking elective office who support smaller government, lower taxes and more individual freedom;
3. to encourage patriotism, respect for our Founder Fathers, and a deep appreciation for the United States Constitution; and
4. to organize and charter chapters of Empire State Libertarians in order to promote local activism.
Feel free to join the Facebook Page of Empire State Libertarians at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=136427703051139&ref=ts
If you are interested in membership, taking a leadership role or being a political advisor to Empire State Libertarians, contact Dr. Tom Stevens at DrTomStevens@aol.com
Monday, July 5, 2010
Former OPME Affiliate President & Tea Party Activist Thayne Michael Ormsby Charged In Triple Homicide
Thayne Michael Ormsby, 20, of Orient, Maine was arrested in Dover, New Hampshire on Friday, July 2, 2010 on a felony fugitive from justice charge. Mr. Ormsby was interviewed at Dover Police Headquarters and probable cause was developed for his involvement in the murders of 55-year-old Jeffrey Ryan, his 10-year-old son Jesse, and 30-year-old Jason Dehahn, a neighbor. All three victims were stabbed to death and their bodies were found in or near Ryan's mobile home on U.S. 1 in Amity, Maine. It has been reported that Thayne Michael Ormsby was dating Mariah Ryan, Jeffrey Ryan's 16-year-old daughter.
In 2008, Thayne Michael Ormsby lived as a live-in-campaign-aide to John Frary, a Republican Party candidate for Congress in the 2nd Congressional Distirct (Maine). He also attended a number of Tea Party rallies and sought to speak at them. In addition, from July 2, 2009 until January 7, 2010, Thayne Michael Ormsby served as President of the Objectivist Party of Maine. He resigned his membership in the Objectivist Party on January 7, 2010.
Dr. Tom Stevens, Objectivist Party Chair, commented on Thayne's involvement in the party as follows:
Thayne Michael Ormsby contacted the Objectivist Party and sought to become a member. He was very committed to a pro-liberty agenda and was seeking to develop his personal, professional and political skills. Mr. Ormsby appeared to be a very charismatic and intelligent individual with great potential. I offered to help him in any way I could and the Governing Board of the Objectivist Party appointed him to serve as President of the Objectivist Party of Maine on July 2, 2009. Over the following months, Mr. Ormsby was often distracted by illegal drugs, alcohol and a particular woman he sought to marry and start a family with. His commitment to going back to school to get an education and to developing his skills waned and in time, no option remained except for him to resign.
It appears that Thayne Michael Ormsby has confessed to the murders even though a realistic motive for these horrific crimes has yet to be reported. There is no excuse for the actions he took and I fully expect Mr. Ormsby will spend most of the rest of his life in prison. It is a great tragedy when emotions and irrationality cause someone to take actions that will negatively affect the rest of their life. Had Mr. Ormsby remained an Objectivist Party member committed to a purposeful life based on reason and logic, he may have been able to avoid his current predicament. I was prepared to provide Mr. Ormsby advice and guidance but he was not at a point in his life when he was willing to accept it. Instead he chose to act on impulse without regard to future consequences. That is not the Objectivist way.
Thayne Michael Ormsby is being held without bail and will face an extradition hearing in Dover, New Hampshire on July 16, 2010. More details about these murders are contained in the Affidavit of Detective Joshua Haines, which you can read at: http://www.wlbz2.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=119754&catid=3
In 2008, Thayne Michael Ormsby lived as a live-in-campaign-aide to John Frary, a Republican Party candidate for Congress in the 2nd Congressional Distirct (Maine). He also attended a number of Tea Party rallies and sought to speak at them. In addition, from July 2, 2009 until January 7, 2010, Thayne Michael Ormsby served as President of the Objectivist Party of Maine. He resigned his membership in the Objectivist Party on January 7, 2010.
Dr. Tom Stevens, Objectivist Party Chair, commented on Thayne's involvement in the party as follows:
Thayne Michael Ormsby contacted the Objectivist Party and sought to become a member. He was very committed to a pro-liberty agenda and was seeking to develop his personal, professional and political skills. Mr. Ormsby appeared to be a very charismatic and intelligent individual with great potential. I offered to help him in any way I could and the Governing Board of the Objectivist Party appointed him to serve as President of the Objectivist Party of Maine on July 2, 2009. Over the following months, Mr. Ormsby was often distracted by illegal drugs, alcohol and a particular woman he sought to marry and start a family with. His commitment to going back to school to get an education and to developing his skills waned and in time, no option remained except for him to resign.
It appears that Thayne Michael Ormsby has confessed to the murders even though a realistic motive for these horrific crimes has yet to be reported. There is no excuse for the actions he took and I fully expect Mr. Ormsby will spend most of the rest of his life in prison. It is a great tragedy when emotions and irrationality cause someone to take actions that will negatively affect the rest of their life. Had Mr. Ormsby remained an Objectivist Party member committed to a purposeful life based on reason and logic, he may have been able to avoid his current predicament. I was prepared to provide Mr. Ormsby advice and guidance but he was not at a point in his life when he was willing to accept it. Instead he chose to act on impulse without regard to future consequences. That is not the Objectivist way.
Thayne Michael Ormsby is being held without bail and will face an extradition hearing in Dover, New Hampshire on July 16, 2010. More details about these murders are contained in the Affidavit of Detective Joshua Haines, which you can read at: http://www.wlbz2.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=119754&catid=3
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Libertarian Party Of Queens County Endorses Liz Berney For Congress (5th C.D. New York)
The Libertarian Party of Queens County endorsed Liz Berney for Congress at a Nominating Convention held on Sunday, June 27, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. on the second floor of McDonald's located at 203-11 Northern Blvd., Flushing, New York 11361. 42 dues paying members of the Libertarian Party of Queens County were in attendance.
Liz Berney and James Milano, two candidates who are also seeking the nomination of the Republican Party for Congress from the 5th Congressional District in New York, were both in attendance at the LPQC Nominating Convention seeking the nomination of the Libertarian Party. Both candidates addressed the voting delegates and took questions.
Liz Berney received 24 votes (68.6% of the vote), James Milano got 8 votes (22.8% of the vote) and 3 people abstained (8.6% of the vote). N.O.T.A. (None Of The Above) was not an option given to the delegates.
On Thursday, July 1, 2010, the Nassau County Libertarian Party also endorsed Liz Berney for Congress. The 5th C.D. is located in both Queens and Nassau Counties. The Bylaws of the Libertarian Party of New York addresses the issue of the requirements for an endorsement in such a situation in Article VIII, Section D, which reads in part:
Where the geographic boundaries of a public office other than statewide or New York City-wide cross into counties where there are more than one County Organization in existence, then endorsements shall be made by each and all affected County Organizations, each making such endorsement according to its own By-Laws and rules of order.
Liz Berney will now petition to get on the ballot as the Libertarian Party's candidate for Congress from the 5th C.D. and will presumably be running against James Milano in the Republican Primary for that office.
You can read more about Liz Berney at her website located at: http://www.lizberneyforcongress.com/
Liz Berney and James Milano, two candidates who are also seeking the nomination of the Republican Party for Congress from the 5th Congressional District in New York, were both in attendance at the LPQC Nominating Convention seeking the nomination of the Libertarian Party. Both candidates addressed the voting delegates and took questions.
Liz Berney received 24 votes (68.6% of the vote), James Milano got 8 votes (22.8% of the vote) and 3 people abstained (8.6% of the vote). N.O.T.A. (None Of The Above) was not an option given to the delegates.
On Thursday, July 1, 2010, the Nassau County Libertarian Party also endorsed Liz Berney for Congress. The 5th C.D. is located in both Queens and Nassau Counties. The Bylaws of the Libertarian Party of New York addresses the issue of the requirements for an endorsement in such a situation in Article VIII, Section D, which reads in part:
Where the geographic boundaries of a public office other than statewide or New York City-wide cross into counties where there are more than one County Organization in existence, then endorsements shall be made by each and all affected County Organizations, each making such endorsement according to its own By-Laws and rules of order.
Liz Berney will now petition to get on the ballot as the Libertarian Party's candidate for Congress from the 5th C.D. and will presumably be running against James Milano in the Republican Primary for that office.
You can read more about Liz Berney at her website located at: http://www.lizberneyforcongress.com/
Friday, July 2, 2010
Reform Party Leadership Threatens To Sue New York State Gubernatorial Candidate Kristin Davis
On June 25, 2010, Kristin Davis, a gubernatorial candidate in New York State, announced she intends to petition her way onto the ballot as the candidate of The Reform Party. In a Press Release entitled "Ex-Madam To Run As Reform Party Candidate" issued on June 25, 2010, Ms. Davis' campaign made the following statements:
Kristin Davis, who supplied escorts for former Governor Eliot Spitzer and subsequently spent 4 months in Riker's Island, announced today in the New York State Capitol building that she would petition her way onto the ballot as the candidate of The Reform Party. "I have thought long and hard about a name for a new Libertarian based party that would advocate personal and economic freedom for New Yorkers," said Davis. Because my campaign is about fundamental reform, I will run as a Reform Party candidate. Davis is running on a platform that includes the legalization of prostitution, the legalization of marijuana, the legalization of gay marriage and the legalization of casino gambling. "New York is ready for new ideas and new solutions to our budget crisis - other than higher and higher taxes," said Davis who became a feminist and Libertarian activist after serving time in prison for promoting prostitution. Davis said that her new reform party would also run a candidate for Lieutenant Governor and may also endorse candidates for Attorney General, Comptroller and the US Senate. Davis will require 15,000 valid voter signatures to place her new party and its slate of candidates on the ballot. Signature collection legally begins July 6...
Dr. Tom Stevens, Founder of Libertarian Patriots of New York (LPNY) and Empire State Libertarians, forwarded the Press Release to David Collison, Chairman of the Reform Party National Committee (2008-2012). In a private letter dated June 29, 2010 sent to Kristin Davis from David Collison, he demanded she change the name of her proposed party or face a lawsuit in federal court. The text of that letter is as follows:
I was forwarded a press release stating that you were seeking to run for Governor in New York as a Reform Party candidate.
Please be advised that, like the Libertarians, the Reform Party is a National Party Organization with a presence across the country. While we do not have a ballot line in New York at this time, we do have an existing organization there, with existing leadership, and a formal process for both joining that organization and seeking to use the Reform Party name for seeking elected office.
Likewise, we have several court rulings, including a recent summary judgment in NY Federal Court, clearly showing that we have the rights to use and control the use of the Reform Party name nationally. We have National Party Committee status. We have a functioning Reform Party organization in New York.
The purpose of this communication is to ask you to immediately change the name under which you are seeking to run for Governor. We have an established process for joining a Reform Party organization, and for seeking to run for office under the Reform Party service mark, and you have not followed that process. I understand that there is still sufficient time to change your ballot line title before you begin the petitioning process. I believe that doing so will save both the Reform Party and your campaign significant legal issues.
Thank you for your consideration
David Collison
Chairman, Reform Party National Committee 2008-2012
It is not known whether Kristin Davis responded to this letter or whether she still intends to run for Governor of New York State as the candidate of The Reform Party.
Kristin Davis, who supplied escorts for former Governor Eliot Spitzer and subsequently spent 4 months in Riker's Island, announced today in the New York State Capitol building that she would petition her way onto the ballot as the candidate of The Reform Party. "I have thought long and hard about a name for a new Libertarian based party that would advocate personal and economic freedom for New Yorkers," said Davis. Because my campaign is about fundamental reform, I will run as a Reform Party candidate. Davis is running on a platform that includes the legalization of prostitution, the legalization of marijuana, the legalization of gay marriage and the legalization of casino gambling. "New York is ready for new ideas and new solutions to our budget crisis - other than higher and higher taxes," said Davis who became a feminist and Libertarian activist after serving time in prison for promoting prostitution. Davis said that her new reform party would also run a candidate for Lieutenant Governor and may also endorse candidates for Attorney General, Comptroller and the US Senate. Davis will require 15,000 valid voter signatures to place her new party and its slate of candidates on the ballot. Signature collection legally begins July 6...
Dr. Tom Stevens, Founder of Libertarian Patriots of New York (LPNY) and Empire State Libertarians, forwarded the Press Release to David Collison, Chairman of the Reform Party National Committee (2008-2012). In a private letter dated June 29, 2010 sent to Kristin Davis from David Collison, he demanded she change the name of her proposed party or face a lawsuit in federal court. The text of that letter is as follows:
I was forwarded a press release stating that you were seeking to run for Governor in New York as a Reform Party candidate.
Please be advised that, like the Libertarians, the Reform Party is a National Party Organization with a presence across the country. While we do not have a ballot line in New York at this time, we do have an existing organization there, with existing leadership, and a formal process for both joining that organization and seeking to use the Reform Party name for seeking elected office.
Likewise, we have several court rulings, including a recent summary judgment in NY Federal Court, clearly showing that we have the rights to use and control the use of the Reform Party name nationally. We have National Party Committee status. We have a functioning Reform Party organization in New York.
The purpose of this communication is to ask you to immediately change the name under which you are seeking to run for Governor. We have an established process for joining a Reform Party organization, and for seeking to run for office under the Reform Party service mark, and you have not followed that process. I understand that there is still sufficient time to change your ballot line title before you begin the petitioning process. I believe that doing so will save both the Reform Party and your campaign significant legal issues.
Thank you for your consideration
David Collison
Chairman, Reform Party National Committee 2008-2012
It is not known whether Kristin Davis responded to this letter or whether she still intends to run for Governor of New York State as the candidate of The Reform Party.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Stevens Resigns LPNY Life Membership
On June 27, 2010, Dr. Tom Stevens resigned his Life Membership in the Libertarian Party of New York. He remains a member of both the Manhattan Libertarian Party and the Libertarian Party of Queens County, the two largest LP chapters in New York State and continues to serve as the Political Director and Membership Director of the Libertarian Party of Queens County.
The LPNY State Committee suspended the membership of Dr. Stevens in the Libertarian Party of New York on June 6, 2010 and extended the suspension on June 27, 2010 claiming that Dr. Stevens "followed a continued public course of action knowing it to be contrary to the principles and objectives of the LPNY", "claimed to represent the LPNY while knowing that this is not the fact", and "for knowingly, seriously and repeatedly disrupting meeting and activities of the LPNY", which was the language set forth in the LPNY bylaws as the grounds needed for a membership suspension. However, the real reasons behind his membership suspension stem from the positions he has taken in his capacity as State Representative for the Libertarian Party of Queens County.
Some of those positions have included:
1. Exposing the fact that Warren Redlich never had a strategy for giving the LPNY a fighting chance of obtaining 50,000 votes in this year's gubernatorial race, and objecting to Redlich's promise not to spend a dime of his own money on the gubernatorial race because his wife wouldn't allow it while simultaneously making the false claim he intended to petition to compete for the Republican Gubernatorial Nomination;
2. Opposing the efforts of State Committee members who wished to deny Kristin Davis and Sam Sloan, two gubernatorial candidates, the opportunity to send campaign literature to all eligible voting LPNY members in order to encourage them to attend the LPNY State Convention. Denied the opportunity to communicate with eligible voting delegates, Kristin Davis bolted to form her own party and Sam Sloan sued the party for the release of the member list. In the end, Sloan was not successful and Warren Redlich won the gubernatorial nomination with only 27 votes;
3. Raising the issue of possible election fraud that took place at the LPNY State Convention when despite every qualified voting delegate being given an identifying wrist ban, Mark Axinn, current LPNY Chair, placed blank sheets of paper on every table and permitted people to collect other people's ballots and place them into a hat. Stevens publicly objected to this procedure at the LPNY Convention and was told by Mr. Axinn he was running the election on the "honor system";
4. Informing Mark Axinn he witnessed election fraud actually taking place at the LPNY Annual Convention when delegates ineligible to vote voted and eligible voting delegates were witnessed voting more than once;
5. Objecting to the fact that the LPNY State Committee never saw or approved the convention contract, never knew how much money the LPNY was obligated to pay, that payments were made after the fact for unauthorized convention mailings and for making repeated requests to obtain a proper breakdown of the money collected at the State Convention;
6. Demanding an expedited process for the transfer of the Treasury records. Last year, there was a six month delay and two months have already passed since April and the signature cards have not been changed and we don't have a proper accounting of the money in the LPNY's Treasury;
7. Requesting that former Secretary M Carling post 4-5 months of missing State Committee Meeting Minutes and for current Secretary Brian DeMarzo to post the LPNY Convention Minutes and those of the past two State Committee Meetings; and
8. Trying to find out, before Chris Cantwell was nominated for Congress, why he spent 4 months in jail and what the status was of two current felonies that were pending against him for which he faced 4 years in state prison.
The Membership and Executive Committee of the Libertarian Party of Queens County responded to the Stevens suspension with the following statement that was unanimously adopted without objection:
The Libertarian Party of Queens County:
Condemns the LPNY State Committee for effectively denying the Libertarian Party of Queens County its choice of representative and the right to decide who it wishes to represent it on the LPNY State Committee by it having wrongfully suspended the membership of Dr. Tom Stevens, the LPQC's duly elected State Representative.
Stands behind Dr. Tom Stevens, our duly elected State Representative, whose actions we completely support without hesitation or reservation and who has represented us in a manner that has always made us proud.
Condemns the extremely dysfunctional Libertarian Party of New York, whose politically inexperienced, stagnant leadership and the presence of toxic individuals have been primarily responsible for the party's inability to obtain ballot access over the past nearly 40 years.
Condemns the LPNY State Committee for suspending the membership of Dr. Tom Stevens, our duly elected State Representative, on specious and baseless grounds in that Dr. Tom Stevens never followed a continued public course of action knowing it to be contrary to the principles and objectives of the LPNY: never claimed to represent the LPNY while knowing that this is not the fact, and certainly never knowingly, seriously and repeatedly disrupted meetings or activities of the LPNY during his service as State Representative for the Libertarian Party of Queens County nor when he served as State Representative of the Manhattan Libertarian Party or as an At-Large Representative to the LPNY State Committee. Expressing opinions and demanding proper accountability and professionalism on the LPNY's Yahoo Group is what the Libertarian Party of Queens County expected of its duly elected State Representative and we fully and unconditionally stand behind him.
Demands a formal apology from the Libertarian Party of New York for its having suspended the membership of Dr. Tom Stevens, our chosen and elected State Representative, and that even if the LPQC chooses to send a substitute representative to the LPNY State Committee, that individual's primary responsibility will be to seek and obtain a formal apology from the LPNY State Committee that must include an invitation to Dr. Tom Stevens to return to the LPNY State Committee as State Representative for the Libertarian Party of Queens County.
Demands that the LPNY State Committee take formal action against Blay Tarnoff, Gary Donoyan and Chris Cantwell for causing this disruption at the worst possible time for the Libertarian Party of New York, when the statewide petition drive is almost upon us, thus placing their own personal agendas above the interests of the party.
Believes that the unprofessional actions and political inexperience of many on the LPNY State Committee are a literal detriment to the cause of liberty and that the Libertarian Party of Queens County has always considered and still considers Dr. Tom Stevens, its duly elected State Representative, to be an advocate for professionalism who always fulfilled his fiduciary responsibility and who raised issues that needed to be raised and asked questions that needed to be asked, however uncomfortable that made some people feel. That was his duty as LPQC's State Representative and the membership and leadership of the Libertarian Party of Queens County is extremely proud of Dr. Tom Stevens, who we consider to be one of the most principled and effective advocates for liberty in the Libertarian Party on a local, state and national level.
Applauds Dr. Tom Stevens for his service on the LPNY State Committee as our State Representative for which we thank him. Dr. Stevens has been elected and re-elected to serve as State Representative for the Libertarian Party of Queens County and in the past was elected and re-elected to serve as State Representative of the Manhattan Libertarian Party. Nothing in his actions or deeds justifies his membership suspension in the Libertarian Party of New York. The action taken by the LPNY State Committee in suspending his membership is reprehensible and unforgivable and creates a rift between the Libertarian Party of Queens County and the LPNY State Committee that shall not be overcome or placed behind us until a formal apology to Dr. Stevens is issued along with an invitation for him to return to the LPNY State Committee as State Representative for the Libertarian Party of Queens County.
Carl E. Person, LPNY's candidate for Attorney General, responded to the Stevens resignation by saying:
It's a shame that you have been subjected to all of this, and the LP (in all of its component organizations) is the clear loser. You have emerged as the winner, and are now free to devote your time to organizations willing to succeed at their claimed goals instead of pursuing paralytic bureaucratic practices. What do they plan to do for an encore?
Donald Silberger, LPNY Vice-Chair, responded as follows:
The party from which you resigned is in disarray. LP National has evidently tired of our repeated and far-off-the-mark claims that "this time we have an excellent chance to garner 50K votes"... when never once since 1972 have we gotten even half of that total. As it now stands, the LPNY may not even get its candidates on the NY State ballot...the LPNY continues to do the same things, to make the same outrageously optimistic predictions, to set the same senseless goals, to squander opportunities, to squabble and laze, and to repeat the same silly mistakes, season after season. And now they congratulate themselves for their successful vindictiveness; i.e., the party's "defending itself". I've had it! You are one of the most articulate people in the LPNY...Sheer envy? We should have been running you for office -- giving you a forum. Sheesh.
Dr. Tom Stevens will continue his libertarian activism both locally and nationally and will continue to promote libertarian and Objectivist principles through Rising Action and Libertarian Patriots of New York. He welcomes invitations from Libertarian State Parties that allow out-of-state members to join and participate and looks forward to attending future LPUS National Conventions just as he has enjoyed fully participating in the conventions that were held in Atlanta, Portland, Denver and St. Louis.
The LPNY State Committee suspended the membership of Dr. Stevens in the Libertarian Party of New York on June 6, 2010 and extended the suspension on June 27, 2010 claiming that Dr. Stevens "followed a continued public course of action knowing it to be contrary to the principles and objectives of the LPNY", "claimed to represent the LPNY while knowing that this is not the fact", and "for knowingly, seriously and repeatedly disrupting meeting and activities of the LPNY", which was the language set forth in the LPNY bylaws as the grounds needed for a membership suspension. However, the real reasons behind his membership suspension stem from the positions he has taken in his capacity as State Representative for the Libertarian Party of Queens County.
Some of those positions have included:
1. Exposing the fact that Warren Redlich never had a strategy for giving the LPNY a fighting chance of obtaining 50,000 votes in this year's gubernatorial race, and objecting to Redlich's promise not to spend a dime of his own money on the gubernatorial race because his wife wouldn't allow it while simultaneously making the false claim he intended to petition to compete for the Republican Gubernatorial Nomination;
2. Opposing the efforts of State Committee members who wished to deny Kristin Davis and Sam Sloan, two gubernatorial candidates, the opportunity to send campaign literature to all eligible voting LPNY members in order to encourage them to attend the LPNY State Convention. Denied the opportunity to communicate with eligible voting delegates, Kristin Davis bolted to form her own party and Sam Sloan sued the party for the release of the member list. In the end, Sloan was not successful and Warren Redlich won the gubernatorial nomination with only 27 votes;
3. Raising the issue of possible election fraud that took place at the LPNY State Convention when despite every qualified voting delegate being given an identifying wrist ban, Mark Axinn, current LPNY Chair, placed blank sheets of paper on every table and permitted people to collect other people's ballots and place them into a hat. Stevens publicly objected to this procedure at the LPNY Convention and was told by Mr. Axinn he was running the election on the "honor system";
4. Informing Mark Axinn he witnessed election fraud actually taking place at the LPNY Annual Convention when delegates ineligible to vote voted and eligible voting delegates were witnessed voting more than once;
5. Objecting to the fact that the LPNY State Committee never saw or approved the convention contract, never knew how much money the LPNY was obligated to pay, that payments were made after the fact for unauthorized convention mailings and for making repeated requests to obtain a proper breakdown of the money collected at the State Convention;
6. Demanding an expedited process for the transfer of the Treasury records. Last year, there was a six month delay and two months have already passed since April and the signature cards have not been changed and we don't have a proper accounting of the money in the LPNY's Treasury;
7. Requesting that former Secretary M Carling post 4-5 months of missing State Committee Meeting Minutes and for current Secretary Brian DeMarzo to post the LPNY Convention Minutes and those of the past two State Committee Meetings; and
8. Trying to find out, before Chris Cantwell was nominated for Congress, why he spent 4 months in jail and what the status was of two current felonies that were pending against him for which he faced 4 years in state prison.
The Membership and Executive Committee of the Libertarian Party of Queens County responded to the Stevens suspension with the following statement that was unanimously adopted without objection:
The Libertarian Party of Queens County:
Condemns the LPNY State Committee for effectively denying the Libertarian Party of Queens County its choice of representative and the right to decide who it wishes to represent it on the LPNY State Committee by it having wrongfully suspended the membership of Dr. Tom Stevens, the LPQC's duly elected State Representative.
Stands behind Dr. Tom Stevens, our duly elected State Representative, whose actions we completely support without hesitation or reservation and who has represented us in a manner that has always made us proud.
Condemns the extremely dysfunctional Libertarian Party of New York, whose politically inexperienced, stagnant leadership and the presence of toxic individuals have been primarily responsible for the party's inability to obtain ballot access over the past nearly 40 years.
Condemns the LPNY State Committee for suspending the membership of Dr. Tom Stevens, our duly elected State Representative, on specious and baseless grounds in that Dr. Tom Stevens never followed a continued public course of action knowing it to be contrary to the principles and objectives of the LPNY: never claimed to represent the LPNY while knowing that this is not the fact, and certainly never knowingly, seriously and repeatedly disrupted meetings or activities of the LPNY during his service as State Representative for the Libertarian Party of Queens County nor when he served as State Representative of the Manhattan Libertarian Party or as an At-Large Representative to the LPNY State Committee. Expressing opinions and demanding proper accountability and professionalism on the LPNY's Yahoo Group is what the Libertarian Party of Queens County expected of its duly elected State Representative and we fully and unconditionally stand behind him.
Demands a formal apology from the Libertarian Party of New York for its having suspended the membership of Dr. Tom Stevens, our chosen and elected State Representative, and that even if the LPQC chooses to send a substitute representative to the LPNY State Committee, that individual's primary responsibility will be to seek and obtain a formal apology from the LPNY State Committee that must include an invitation to Dr. Tom Stevens to return to the LPNY State Committee as State Representative for the Libertarian Party of Queens County.
Demands that the LPNY State Committee take formal action against Blay Tarnoff, Gary Donoyan and Chris Cantwell for causing this disruption at the worst possible time for the Libertarian Party of New York, when the statewide petition drive is almost upon us, thus placing their own personal agendas above the interests of the party.
Believes that the unprofessional actions and political inexperience of many on the LPNY State Committee are a literal detriment to the cause of liberty and that the Libertarian Party of Queens County has always considered and still considers Dr. Tom Stevens, its duly elected State Representative, to be an advocate for professionalism who always fulfilled his fiduciary responsibility and who raised issues that needed to be raised and asked questions that needed to be asked, however uncomfortable that made some people feel. That was his duty as LPQC's State Representative and the membership and leadership of the Libertarian Party of Queens County is extremely proud of Dr. Tom Stevens, who we consider to be one of the most principled and effective advocates for liberty in the Libertarian Party on a local, state and national level.
Applauds Dr. Tom Stevens for his service on the LPNY State Committee as our State Representative for which we thank him. Dr. Stevens has been elected and re-elected to serve as State Representative for the Libertarian Party of Queens County and in the past was elected and re-elected to serve as State Representative of the Manhattan Libertarian Party. Nothing in his actions or deeds justifies his membership suspension in the Libertarian Party of New York. The action taken by the LPNY State Committee in suspending his membership is reprehensible and unforgivable and creates a rift between the Libertarian Party of Queens County and the LPNY State Committee that shall not be overcome or placed behind us until a formal apology to Dr. Stevens is issued along with an invitation for him to return to the LPNY State Committee as State Representative for the Libertarian Party of Queens County.
Carl E. Person, LPNY's candidate for Attorney General, responded to the Stevens resignation by saying:
It's a shame that you have been subjected to all of this, and the LP (in all of its component organizations) is the clear loser. You have emerged as the winner, and are now free to devote your time to organizations willing to succeed at their claimed goals instead of pursuing paralytic bureaucratic practices. What do they plan to do for an encore?
Donald Silberger, LPNY Vice-Chair, responded as follows:
The party from which you resigned is in disarray. LP National has evidently tired of our repeated and far-off-the-mark claims that "this time we have an excellent chance to garner 50K votes"... when never once since 1972 have we gotten even half of that total. As it now stands, the LPNY may not even get its candidates on the NY State ballot...the LPNY continues to do the same things, to make the same outrageously optimistic predictions, to set the same senseless goals, to squander opportunities, to squabble and laze, and to repeat the same silly mistakes, season after season. And now they congratulate themselves for their successful vindictiveness; i.e., the party's "defending itself". I've had it! You are one of the most articulate people in the LPNY...Sheer envy? We should have been running you for office -- giving you a forum. Sheesh.
Dr. Tom Stevens will continue his libertarian activism both locally and nationally and will continue to promote libertarian and Objectivist principles through Rising Action and Libertarian Patriots of New York. He welcomes invitations from Libertarian State Parties that allow out-of-state members to join and participate and looks forward to attending future LPUS National Conventions just as he has enjoyed fully participating in the conventions that were held in Atlanta, Portland, Denver and St. Louis.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Sam Sloan Explains The Effect The Stevens Suspension Vote Had On His Decision To Sue The LPNY
There has been some speculation that the vote of the LPNY State Committee on June 6, 2010 to suspend the membership of Dr. Tom Stevens, the duly elected State Representative of the Libertarian Party of Queens County, affected the decision of Sam Sloan, the duly elected State Representative of the Manhattan Libertarian Party, to sue the Libertarian Party of New York and others regarding fraud alleged to have taken place during the vote for the gubernatorial nomination that took place at the LPNY State Convention on April 24, 2010 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Albany, New York.
On June 23, 2010, Sam Sloan clarified this matter when he posted the following statement:
The motion and vote against Stevens did not give me the "incentive" to file the court case. I was considering filing the case all along especially after the last court hearing where the judge virtually invited me to ask that Chris Edes be put in jail and to appeal to the Appellate Division. (Have you read the transcript?) However, the negative consideration against filing the case was that I found some value in being in the relatively good graces of the party membership. The vote to suspend and ultimately expel Stevens, a long time party activist (although not nearly so long as I have been) meant that being in good graces with the party leadership was not such a valuable thing and not a good reason not to file a court case that I believe should be filed and that I think I can win.
Dr. Tom Stevens responded:
The Libertarian Party of New York has not expelled me. They suspended my membership without proper notice on June 6, 2010 at a State Committee Meeting held by teleconference. The notice of charges was posted to the LPNY_Committee Yahoo Group at 8:38 p.m., seconds before the motion was made by Blay Tarnoff to suspend my membership. I have waived my right to a Hearing on June 27, 2010 since I think it is clear to all fair-minded people that I am not guilty of any of the charges that have been lodged against me. In fact, I am quite proud of all the issues I raised and all the questions I asked. As for Sam being disappointed by the unjustified actions of the State Committee against me, I can fully understand his feelings and how that may have played a factor in his filing this new lawsuit against the LPNY. I believe there are legitimate grounds for the relief he is seeking but you never know how the Judge is going to rule. Sam had agreed to a settlement proposal made by Carl Person and myself that would have resolved this whole issue leaving the slate of statewide nominated candidates in place but the settlement was rejected by LPNY Chair Mark Axinn, who was representing the party at the time. All I can say is that if my suspension is upheld by the State Committee on June 27, 2010, I fear that the infighting will only get worse and will harm the party for years to come.
On June 23, 2010, Sam Sloan clarified this matter when he posted the following statement:
The motion and vote against Stevens did not give me the "incentive" to file the court case. I was considering filing the case all along especially after the last court hearing where the judge virtually invited me to ask that Chris Edes be put in jail and to appeal to the Appellate Division. (Have you read the transcript?) However, the negative consideration against filing the case was that I found some value in being in the relatively good graces of the party membership. The vote to suspend and ultimately expel Stevens, a long time party activist (although not nearly so long as I have been) meant that being in good graces with the party leadership was not such a valuable thing and not a good reason not to file a court case that I believe should be filed and that I think I can win.
Dr. Tom Stevens responded:
The Libertarian Party of New York has not expelled me. They suspended my membership without proper notice on June 6, 2010 at a State Committee Meeting held by teleconference. The notice of charges was posted to the LPNY_Committee Yahoo Group at 8:38 p.m., seconds before the motion was made by Blay Tarnoff to suspend my membership. I have waived my right to a Hearing on June 27, 2010 since I think it is clear to all fair-minded people that I am not guilty of any of the charges that have been lodged against me. In fact, I am quite proud of all the issues I raised and all the questions I asked. As for Sam being disappointed by the unjustified actions of the State Committee against me, I can fully understand his feelings and how that may have played a factor in his filing this new lawsuit against the LPNY. I believe there are legitimate grounds for the relief he is seeking but you never know how the Judge is going to rule. Sam had agreed to a settlement proposal made by Carl Person and myself that would have resolved this whole issue leaving the slate of statewide nominated candidates in place but the settlement was rejected by LPNY Chair Mark Axinn, who was representing the party at the time. All I can say is that if my suspension is upheld by the State Committee on June 27, 2010, I fear that the infighting will only get worse and will harm the party for years to come.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Mark Axinn, LPNY Chair, Secures $25,000.00 From The LNC Executive Committee For The New York State Petition Drive
Mark Axinn, LPNY Chair, announced the following on June 21, 2010:
Tonight, the Executive Committee of the the Libertarian National Committee voted to commit $25,000 towards the New York State petition drive on a motion made by Bill Redpath and seconded by Dr. James Lark. I was joined in the telephone conference by Warren's campaign manager, Eric Sundwall, whose assistance was tremendous. Now let's get ready to obtain the volunteer signatures needed to make up the difference! Thanks, all. Mark
This unexpected good news came on the evening of the day when Sam Sloan, State Representative for the Manhattan Libertarian Party, filed a lawsuit challenging the gubernatorial nomination of Warren Redlich by the Libertarian Party of New York.
Dr. Tom Stevens, LPQC Political Director, responded to this news with the following statement:
Mark Axinn deserves full credit for obtaining this financial contribution from the LNC Executive Committee. Frankly, I was surprised the National LP would commit such a substantial amount of money to New York State in a non-Presidential election year and when we have a gubernatorial candidate who is unlikely to draw the 50,000 votes we need to obtain Minor Party status under New York State law. I don't have the words to properly congratulate Mark Axinn for being able to convince the LNC Executive Committee to allocate these funds. It is a significant accomplishment for which he can be rightfully proud!
Tonight, the Executive Committee of the the Libertarian National Committee voted to commit $25,000 towards the New York State petition drive on a motion made by Bill Redpath and seconded by Dr. James Lark. I was joined in the telephone conference by Warren's campaign manager, Eric Sundwall, whose assistance was tremendous. Now let's get ready to obtain the volunteer signatures needed to make up the difference! Thanks, all. Mark
This unexpected good news came on the evening of the day when Sam Sloan, State Representative for the Manhattan Libertarian Party, filed a lawsuit challenging the gubernatorial nomination of Warren Redlich by the Libertarian Party of New York.
Dr. Tom Stevens, LPQC Political Director, responded to this news with the following statement:
Mark Axinn deserves full credit for obtaining this financial contribution from the LNC Executive Committee. Frankly, I was surprised the National LP would commit such a substantial amount of money to New York State in a non-Presidential election year and when we have a gubernatorial candidate who is unlikely to draw the 50,000 votes we need to obtain Minor Party status under New York State law. I don't have the words to properly congratulate Mark Axinn for being able to convince the LNC Executive Committee to allocate these funds. It is a significant accomplishment for which he can be rightfully proud!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Do Legal Grounds Exist To Invalidate The LPNY Nomination Of Warren Redlich For Governor & Was LPNY State Chair Mark Axinn Involved?
Is Sam Sloan, the unanimously elected State Representative for the Manhattan Libertarian Party (the largest LP Chapter in New York State), contemplating a lawsuit to overturn the results of Warren Redlich's gubernatorial nomination on the grounds that actual fraud took place at the State Convention of the Libertarian Party of New York? Was LPNY State Chair Mark Axinn involved? These issues were the subject of conversations overheard at the General Membership Meeting of the Libertarian Party of Queens County that was held on June 12, 2010 where three of the six nominated LPNY statewide candidates were in attendance.
The State Convention of the Libertarian Party of New York was held on April 24, 2010 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Albany, New York. Eligible delegates were carefully screened and given a red wrist band to evidence their right to vote. A number of LPNY members ineligible to vote and non-member convention attendees were also in the room. When it came time to vote on the gubernatorial nomination, Mark Axinn, the only announced candidate for LPNY Chair, handed out many scraps of cut yellow lined paper to each table. Dr. Tom Stevens, the unanimously elected State Representative for the Libertarian Party of Queens County (the second largest LP chapter in New York State) objected and confronted Mark Axinn telling him that it made no sense to carefully screen who was eligible to vote if he was handing out paper ballots to everyone with no way to determine who was voting or even if each person was only voting once. Mr. Axinn's response was that he ran elections on the "honor system" and proceeded to collect whatever ballots attendees placed into a hat that was passed around the room.
Sam Sloan, who was also a candidate for the gubernatorial nomination, objected to the corrupt process that first denied him the ability to communicate with LPNY members eligible to vote at the LPNY State Convention and now, to a voting process that kept no track of who was voting or how many times people were voting. In the aftermath of the LPNY Convention, Mr. Sloan continued to pursue his lawsuit about being denied access to the list of eligible voting delegates but at the LPQC General Membership Meeting, he was overheard soliciting support for a possible new lawsuit seeking to overturn the nomination of Warren Redlich because of a voting process that made fraud possible, if not probable.
In retaliation against LPQC State Representative Dr. Tom Stevens for raising these and other issues, the LPNY State Committee, at a teleconference held on June 6, 2010, suspended his membership in the Libertarian Party of New York. Bob Cotton, Hudson Valley LP State Representative, has recently proposed new rules that would allow the LPNY to get rid of anyone who "files a lawsuit against party officials" or who engages in "personal criticisms (of party officials) on public or committee lists." Dr. Stevens stated, "I have no doubt that Sam Sloan will be the next target of those fighting to maintain the status quo in the dysfunctional Libertarian Party of New York."
The State Convention of the Libertarian Party of New York was held on April 24, 2010 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Albany, New York. Eligible delegates were carefully screened and given a red wrist band to evidence their right to vote. A number of LPNY members ineligible to vote and non-member convention attendees were also in the room. When it came time to vote on the gubernatorial nomination, Mark Axinn, the only announced candidate for LPNY Chair, handed out many scraps of cut yellow lined paper to each table. Dr. Tom Stevens, the unanimously elected State Representative for the Libertarian Party of Queens County (the second largest LP chapter in New York State) objected and confronted Mark Axinn telling him that it made no sense to carefully screen who was eligible to vote if he was handing out paper ballots to everyone with no way to determine who was voting or even if each person was only voting once. Mr. Axinn's response was that he ran elections on the "honor system" and proceeded to collect whatever ballots attendees placed into a hat that was passed around the room.
Sam Sloan, who was also a candidate for the gubernatorial nomination, objected to the corrupt process that first denied him the ability to communicate with LPNY members eligible to vote at the LPNY State Convention and now, to a voting process that kept no track of who was voting or how many times people were voting. In the aftermath of the LPNY Convention, Mr. Sloan continued to pursue his lawsuit about being denied access to the list of eligible voting delegates but at the LPQC General Membership Meeting, he was overheard soliciting support for a possible new lawsuit seeking to overturn the nomination of Warren Redlich because of a voting process that made fraud possible, if not probable.
In retaliation against LPQC State Representative Dr. Tom Stevens for raising these and other issues, the LPNY State Committee, at a teleconference held on June 6, 2010, suspended his membership in the Libertarian Party of New York. Bob Cotton, Hudson Valley LP State Representative, has recently proposed new rules that would allow the LPNY to get rid of anyone who "files a lawsuit against party officials" or who engages in "personal criticisms (of party officials) on public or committee lists." Dr. Stevens stated, "I have no doubt that Sam Sloan will be the next target of those fighting to maintain the status quo in the dysfunctional Libertarian Party of New York."
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Rand & Stevens In 2012: Brookstone Says They Are "Two Doctors To Heal Our Freedom"
In an e-mail dated June 14, 2010 to Judge Andrew P. Napolitano congratulating him on his new television show Freedom Watch, which airs on the Fox Business channel, Melissa Brookstone, author of The Planetary Bill of Rights Project (http://www.planetarybillofrights.org/), said:
My Presidential Dream Ticket for 2012 would be what I'd call "Two Doctors to heal our freedom!": Dr. Rand Paul for President and Dr. Tom Stevens for Vice President.
Dr. Stevens is the founder of the newly formed Objectivist Party: http://www.ObjectivistParty.us
*Objectivism - the individual rights and freedom philosophy of Ayn Rand.
Congratulations on your new show, loving it!
Melissa Brookstone has agreed to be a Presidential Elector for the Objectivist Party from the state of Colorado in 2012.
My Presidential Dream Ticket for 2012 would be what I'd call "Two Doctors to heal our freedom!": Dr. Rand Paul for President and Dr. Tom Stevens for Vice President.
Dr. Stevens is the founder of the newly formed Objectivist Party: http://www.ObjectivistParty.us
*Objectivism - the individual rights and freedom philosophy of Ayn Rand.
Congratulations on your new show, loving it!
Melissa Brookstone has agreed to be a Presidential Elector for the Objectivist Party from the state of Colorado in 2012.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Dr. Tom Stevens Appointed Political Director Of The Libertarian Party Of Queens County
On Saturday, June 12, 2010, the Libertarian Party of Queens County voted unanimously to appoint Dr. Tom Stevens, its duly elected State Representative, to the newly created position of Political Director.
The motion made by John Clifton, Vice-Chair, and seconded by Ronald S. Ramo, Treasurer, was the following:
MOTION: That Dr. Tom Stevens be appointed to serve as Political Director for the Libertarian Party of Queens County and that he continue to serve in that capacity until such time that he either resigns from that position or the position is eliminated by the Executive Committee of the LPQC.
Dr. Tom Stevens said, "I am proud to be able to serve the Libertarian Party of Queens County in this new and important capacity. I am grateful for the support and confidence the members and leadership of the LPQC have expressed for me through the years of my involvement. I intend to continue to make them proud of all I do to promote liberty and to make the Libertarian Party of Queens County a more effective political force in New York State politics.
The motion made by John Clifton, Vice-Chair, and seconded by Ronald S. Ramo, Treasurer, was the following:
MOTION: That Dr. Tom Stevens be appointed to serve as Political Director for the Libertarian Party of Queens County and that he continue to serve in that capacity until such time that he either resigns from that position or the position is eliminated by the Executive Committee of the LPQC.
Dr. Tom Stevens said, "I am proud to be able to serve the Libertarian Party of Queens County in this new and important capacity. I am grateful for the support and confidence the members and leadership of the LPQC have expressed for me through the years of my involvement. I intend to continue to make them proud of all I do to promote liberty and to make the Libertarian Party of Queens County a more effective political force in New York State politics.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Latest Party Enrollment Figures Published By New York State Board Of Elections
The April 1, 2010 party enrollment figures have been published by the New York State Board of Elections. There were 11,658,341 total party enrollees, not counting a stray 3 enrollees.
The Democratic Party leads with 49.66% (5,789,432) of party enrollees, followed by the Republican Party with 24.93% (2,906,393) and No Party affiliation with 20.03% (2,336,122).
With respect to the Minor Parties that have obtained ballot access by obtaining 50,000 votes in the last gubernatorial election, the Independence Party leads with 3.6% (413,855) of party enrollees, followed by the Conservative Party with 1.3% (146,221) and the Working Families Party with .351% (40,878).
Of the three parties that are not ballot-qualified, the Green Party leads with .197% (22,939) of party enrollees, followed by the Libertarian Party with .021% (2,427) and the Socialist Workers Party with .00001% (74).
The Democratic Party leads with 49.66% (5,789,432) of party enrollees, followed by the Republican Party with 24.93% (2,906,393) and No Party affiliation with 20.03% (2,336,122).
With respect to the Minor Parties that have obtained ballot access by obtaining 50,000 votes in the last gubernatorial election, the Independence Party leads with 3.6% (413,855) of party enrollees, followed by the Conservative Party with 1.3% (146,221) and the Working Families Party with .351% (40,878).
Of the three parties that are not ballot-qualified, the Green Party leads with .197% (22,939) of party enrollees, followed by the Libertarian Party with .021% (2,427) and the Socialist Workers Party with .00001% (74).
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Four Pro-Liberty Gubernatorial Candidates May Be On The Ballot In New York State This November
As crazy as it may seem, it appears there may be 4 Pro-Liberty/Tea Party Gubernatorial Candidates running for governor of New York State this November. Those candidates are Warren Redlich, Kristin Davis, Sam Sloan and Carl Paladino.
Warren Redlich, a Republican attorney from upstate New York, is the nominee of the Libertarian Party of New York. Kristin Davis, former Governor Eliot Spitzer's Madam, has recently stated her party will be called the Free Libertarian Party. Sam Sloan has recently been discussing the viablity of running for Governor as the gubernatorial candidate of a new Personal Freedom Party, a rival Libertarian Party and/or as the candidate of the Liberal Party. Carl Paladino, an upstate businessman who is challenging Rick Lazio for the Republican Party's gubernatorial nomination, is planning to petition to get on the ballot as the gubernatorial candidate of a newly formed Tea Party.
Davis and Sloan had sought to obtain the list of 300-400 eligible Libertarian Party of New York voting delegates so they could send them their campaign literature and encourage them to attend the LPNY State Convention that was held on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Albany, New York where 40+ delegates handed the LPNY gubernatorial nomination to Warren Redlich. Upon being denied the ability to communicate with eligible voting delegates, Kristin Davis decided not to attend the LPNY State Convention and Sam Sloan filed a lawsuit, which did not result in the situation being rectified. Kristin Davis then committed to running on her own as the gubernatorial candidate of the Free Libertarian Party, which is the actual corporate name of the Libertarian Party of New York. Sam Sloan has been discussing financing a new Personal Freedom Party, a rival Libertarian Party or running as the candidate of the Liberal Party. Since the LPNY membership of Dr. Tom Stevens was suspended by the LPNY State Committee on June 6, 2010, there have been unconfirmed reports that three of the six LPNY nominated candidates for statewide office have been having discussions with Sloan, Davis and Paladino, seeking positions on their slate in protest to the unwarranted action that has been taken against Dr. Tom Stevens, who was recently described by Carl Person, LPNY's candidate for Attorney General, as one of the LPNY's "most principled and intelligent Libertarian activists" and by Carl Svensson of the Republican Liberty Caucus as "among the most intelligent and most effective local leaders in the LPNY."
Dr. Tom Stevens, the duly elected State Representative of the Libertarian Party of Queens County, said: "I have been encouraging all of the candidates nominated for statewide office by the Libertarian Party of New York, to stay on that slate and not to abandon it in protest. However, I am not certain how successful I will be. There has been serious talk of forming a new Libertarian Party in New York State and competing with the LPNY for national recognition and a number of officers in the Libertarian Party of Queens County have spoken of leaving the state party altogether. My response to all this talk has been to suggest that no precipitous actions be taken that will make matters even worse than they already are. I have no idea how all this will pan out but I can say without any hesitation that the political infighting present within the Libertarian Party of New York will continue to destroy our viability for years to come and that the same destructive forces will probably remain in the party while decent libertarians and new members get disgusted and leave."
Warren Redlich, a Republican attorney from upstate New York, is the nominee of the Libertarian Party of New York. Kristin Davis, former Governor Eliot Spitzer's Madam, has recently stated her party will be called the Free Libertarian Party. Sam Sloan has recently been discussing the viablity of running for Governor as the gubernatorial candidate of a new Personal Freedom Party, a rival Libertarian Party and/or as the candidate of the Liberal Party. Carl Paladino, an upstate businessman who is challenging Rick Lazio for the Republican Party's gubernatorial nomination, is planning to petition to get on the ballot as the gubernatorial candidate of a newly formed Tea Party.
Davis and Sloan had sought to obtain the list of 300-400 eligible Libertarian Party of New York voting delegates so they could send them their campaign literature and encourage them to attend the LPNY State Convention that was held on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Albany, New York where 40+ delegates handed the LPNY gubernatorial nomination to Warren Redlich. Upon being denied the ability to communicate with eligible voting delegates, Kristin Davis decided not to attend the LPNY State Convention and Sam Sloan filed a lawsuit, which did not result in the situation being rectified. Kristin Davis then committed to running on her own as the gubernatorial candidate of the Free Libertarian Party, which is the actual corporate name of the Libertarian Party of New York. Sam Sloan has been discussing financing a new Personal Freedom Party, a rival Libertarian Party or running as the candidate of the Liberal Party. Since the LPNY membership of Dr. Tom Stevens was suspended by the LPNY State Committee on June 6, 2010, there have been unconfirmed reports that three of the six LPNY nominated candidates for statewide office have been having discussions with Sloan, Davis and Paladino, seeking positions on their slate in protest to the unwarranted action that has been taken against Dr. Tom Stevens, who was recently described by Carl Person, LPNY's candidate for Attorney General, as one of the LPNY's "most principled and intelligent Libertarian activists" and by Carl Svensson of the Republican Liberty Caucus as "among the most intelligent and most effective local leaders in the LPNY."
Dr. Tom Stevens, the duly elected State Representative of the Libertarian Party of Queens County, said: "I have been encouraging all of the candidates nominated for statewide office by the Libertarian Party of New York, to stay on that slate and not to abandon it in protest. However, I am not certain how successful I will be. There has been serious talk of forming a new Libertarian Party in New York State and competing with the LPNY for national recognition and a number of officers in the Libertarian Party of Queens County have spoken of leaving the state party altogether. My response to all this talk has been to suggest that no precipitous actions be taken that will make matters even worse than they already are. I have no idea how all this will pan out but I can say without any hesitation that the political infighting present within the Libertarian Party of New York will continue to destroy our viability for years to come and that the same destructive forces will probably remain in the party while decent libertarians and new members get disgusted and leave."
Carl Person, LPNY Candidate For Attorney General, Withdraws Offer Of Direct Financial Support For Statewide Petition Drive
In response to the LPNY State Committee suspending the membership of Dr. Tom Stevens, State Representative of the Libertarian Party of Queens County, pending a Hearing to be held on Sunday, June 27, 2010, Carl Person, LPNY's candidate for Attorney General, has withdrawn his offer to contribute $5,000.00 to the statewide petition drive.
In taking this action, Carl Person said the following:
I am deeply disturbed by the recent unjustified suspension of the membership of Dr. Tom Stevens in the Libertarian Party of New York. The actions of the LPNY State Committee taken on June 6, 2010 represent the most egregious example of tyranny by the majority where reason and logic give way to petty, dysfunctional infighting and where Pyrrhic bureaucratic victories count more than promoting liberty.
I had recently indicated a willingness to Dr. Stevens to pay $5,000 to the LPNY for the statewide petition drive. Because of the actions taken against Dr. Stevens by the LPNY State Committee, I cannot go through with that support, which was for Dr. Stevens more than anyone else. The Libertarian Party of New York must realize I cannot in good faith donate money to a party that is able to cast aside one of its most principled and intelligent Libertarian activists instead of working to get its nominated candidates on the ballot and doing the fundraising that will make that possible. I wish to be clear I will still do everything I can to obtain volunteer petitions signatures. However, my proposal to Dr. Stevens of paying $5,000 directly to Dr. Stevens' former associates is no longer possible.
Blay Tarnoff made the motion to suspend the LPNY membership of Dr. Tom Stevens with supporting documentation posted by Gary Donoyan, both of Nassau County. These were the same two individuals who successfully obtained the temporary de-chartering of the Libertarian Party of Queens County in 2007 and who were instrumental in forming a Brooklyn-Queens LP that claimed to represent Queens County Libertarians. The grounds used against Dr. Stevens as set forth in the LPNY bylaws were the following:
1. that he followed a continued public course of action knowing it to be contrary to the principles and objectives of the LPNY.
2. that he claimed to represent the LPNY while knowing that this is not the fact; and
3. that he knowingly, seriously and repeatedly disrupted meetings or activities of the LPNY.
No evidence was provided regarding Dr. Stevens having taken a "public course of action...contrary to the principles and objectives of the LPNY" or his "claiming to represent the LPNY while knowing that this is not the fact" other than that he posted information and reported on the activities of the LPNY through his personal blog, which was characterized as "appearing to be an official Press Release of the Libertarian Party of New York."
The evidence provided against Dr. Tom Stevens regarding his "knowingly, seriously and repeatedly" disrupting meetings or activities of the LPNY have to do with postings he made to the LPNY State Committee Yahoo Group where general discussions were taking place about state committee business and not during official meetings of the State Committee. Two examples given of his disruptions were his publicly requesting that the committee be fully informed about the prison record of a candidate being considered for a LP Congressional Nomination in Suffolk County and his asking the LPNY Convention Committee to provide a breakdown of the income received during the 2010 LPNY State Convention.
In taking this action, Carl Person said the following:
I am deeply disturbed by the recent unjustified suspension of the membership of Dr. Tom Stevens in the Libertarian Party of New York. The actions of the LPNY State Committee taken on June 6, 2010 represent the most egregious example of tyranny by the majority where reason and logic give way to petty, dysfunctional infighting and where Pyrrhic bureaucratic victories count more than promoting liberty.
I had recently indicated a willingness to Dr. Stevens to pay $5,000 to the LPNY for the statewide petition drive. Because of the actions taken against Dr. Stevens by the LPNY State Committee, I cannot go through with that support, which was for Dr. Stevens more than anyone else. The Libertarian Party of New York must realize I cannot in good faith donate money to a party that is able to cast aside one of its most principled and intelligent Libertarian activists instead of working to get its nominated candidates on the ballot and doing the fundraising that will make that possible. I wish to be clear I will still do everything I can to obtain volunteer petitions signatures. However, my proposal to Dr. Stevens of paying $5,000 directly to Dr. Stevens' former associates is no longer possible.
Blay Tarnoff made the motion to suspend the LPNY membership of Dr. Tom Stevens with supporting documentation posted by Gary Donoyan, both of Nassau County. These were the same two individuals who successfully obtained the temporary de-chartering of the Libertarian Party of Queens County in 2007 and who were instrumental in forming a Brooklyn-Queens LP that claimed to represent Queens County Libertarians. The grounds used against Dr. Stevens as set forth in the LPNY bylaws were the following:
1. that he followed a continued public course of action knowing it to be contrary to the principles and objectives of the LPNY.
2. that he claimed to represent the LPNY while knowing that this is not the fact; and
3. that he knowingly, seriously and repeatedly disrupted meetings or activities of the LPNY.
No evidence was provided regarding Dr. Stevens having taken a "public course of action...contrary to the principles and objectives of the LPNY" or his "claiming to represent the LPNY while knowing that this is not the fact" other than that he posted information and reported on the activities of the LPNY through his personal blog, which was characterized as "appearing to be an official Press Release of the Libertarian Party of New York."
The evidence provided against Dr. Tom Stevens regarding his "knowingly, seriously and repeatedly" disrupting meetings or activities of the LPNY have to do with postings he made to the LPNY State Committee Yahoo Group where general discussions were taking place about state committee business and not during official meetings of the State Committee. Two examples given of his disruptions were his publicly requesting that the committee be fully informed about the prison record of a candidate being considered for a LP Congressional Nomination in Suffolk County and his asking the LPNY Convention Committee to provide a breakdown of the income received during the 2010 LPNY State Convention.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
LPNY Gubernatorial Nomination Controversy: Supreme Court Of The State Of New York Intervenes
Kristin Davis, Sam Sloan and Warren Redlich were the three announced candidates for the gubernatorial nomination of the Libertarian Party of New York in 2010. Warren Redlich, a Republican attorney, was considered the odds-on-favorite to win the nomination and was endorsed by former Libertarian Party State Chairs Eric Sundwall & Rich Cooper, current LPNY State Chair Chris Edes, and future LPNY State Chair Mark Axinn. Kristin Davis, former Madam to Governor Eliot Spitzer, was the highest profile candidate in the race with Roger Stone as her Campaign Advisor. Sam Sloan was a Libertarian Party activist who had been unanimously elected State Representative for the Manhattan Libertarian Party in January, 2010 and who had been endorsed for the gubernatorial nomination by the Libertarian Party of Queens County.
The Libertarian Party of New York's State Convention was held on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Albany, New York. Before the LPNY State Convention was over, Kristin Davis would withdraw as a potential gubernatorial nominee of the Libertarian Party, threaten to sue Warren Redlich for $25,000,000 for calling her "a whore", and would promise to run for Governor as the candidate of a new Personal Freedom Party. Sam Sloan would end up successfully obtaining a Court Order from the Supreme Court of the State of New York directing LPNY State Chair Chris Edes to hand over the list of voting delegates to him so he could properly compete for the nomination. Mr. Edes ended up not complying with that Court Order and would have to answer for that on May 23, 2010 before Justice Carol R. Edmead in Civil Part 35 of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County.
Warren Redlich was almost guaranteed the nomination of the Libertarian Party of New York for Governor since his supporters would almost certainly dominate the 40+ delegates attending the LPNY State Convention due to his insider support and due to the fact that the convention was scheduled to be held in Albany, New York, which was virtually in Redlich's backyard. Realizing this advantage, both Kristin Davis and Sam Sloan sought to obtain the list of 300-400 eligible voting delegates so they could mail their campaign literature to them and encourage them to attend the LPNY State Convention to participate in the process. The list of eligible delegates was not provided to either Kristin Davis or Sam Sloan.
Frustrated by the refusal to allow her to communicate with eligible delegates, Ms. Davis called the process "corrupt", threatened to sue Warren Redlich for $25,000,000 for calling her "a whore" and withdrew from consideration the night before the LPNY State Convention was held. At that point, Ms. Davis announced she would run as the gubernatorial candidate of the Personal Freedom Party on a "libertarian platform" and the LPNY further heard word she intended to challenge the legitimacy of any petition signatures the Libertarian Party of New York submitted on behalf of Warren Redlich.
Sam Sloan stayed in the race and succeeded in getting Justice Carol R. Edmead of the Supreme Court of the State of New York to direct LPNY State Chair Chris Edes to immediately release the list of eligible delegates to Mr. Sloan no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 23, 2010. An e-mail was sent to Mr. Edes at 2:36 p.m. on April 23rd informing him that an Order was coming and Justice Edmead's Law Clerk called Mr. Edes on his cell phone to obtain immediate compliance with the Order. Mr. Edes did not comply and stated at the LPNY State Convention that on the advice of "competent counsel", he was told he didn't have to.
On May 23, 2010, former LPNY State Chair Chris Edes appeared before Justice Edmead (with current LPNY State Chair Mark Axinn as his counsel) in order to answer why he did not comply with the Order to hand over the list of eligible voting delegates to Sam Sloan. Mr. Edes admitted to getting notice that an Order had been issued but he just ignored it because he said "I don't have any familiarity with this process." Justice Edmead responded: "You have familiarity with words and they connect and make sentences. It said there's been an Order related to the election and you didn't do anything. You essentially were in non-compliance. Pretending ignorance. It's not okay."
When Justice Edmead confronted former LPNY State Chair Chris Edes as to whether he got the two messages left on his cell phone by her Law Clerk, Mr. Edes said, "My phone was on vibrate." At that point, Justice Edmead went ballistic and said to Mr. Edes, "You sound so disingenuous. If I had the ability, I would put you right in Rikers right now. You are below incredible. You're something lower than that. I would like to put you across the street in the Tombs because you belong with those people." Further on during the Hearing, Justice Edmead continued to comment about Mr Edes and said, "...he's either an idiot or he's just a liar...(he's) one or the other or both". Justice Edmead then said to Sam Sloan, "If you had moved for contempt, he (Edes) would have been on a trip for at least 48 hours in prison where he belongs for being such a liar. And God, if he's in charge of something in your party, I don't want to know about it." Mr. Axinn said, "Mr. Edes is no longer the chairman of the party." to which Justice Edmead responded, "Good. Good."
After the LPNY State Convention was held on April 24, 2010 and prior to the Court Hearing on May 23, 2010, Carl Person, LPNY nominee for Attorney General, and Dr. Tom Stevens, State Representative of the Libertarian Party of Queens County, negotiated a proposed settlement of the pending lawsuit that had been brought by Sam Sloan. At the time, it was still possible that Justice Edmead might have ordered the Libertarian Party of New York to hold a new State Convention. Sam Sloan agreed he would drop his lawsuit if the LPNY agreed that if Warren Redlich dropped out as the Libertarian Party's gubernatorial nominee, that he (Sam Sloan), would be appointed as the replacement candidate. This settlement proposal was run by LPNY State Chair Mark Axinn, who rejected it and decided to proceed to the Court Hearing instead.
Since the Court Hearing, Sam Sloan has been trying to inform the LPNY State Committee of new information regarding Warren Redlich and the possibility of actual fraud that may have taken place at the LPNY State Convention. As a result of this effort, current LPNY State Chair Mark Axinn has placed Sam Sloan, State Representative of the Manhattan Libertarian Party, on moderation hindering his ability to communicate freely with LPNY State Committee Members. The Manhattan Libertarian Party has also passed a resolution reiterating its support for Warren Redlich and directing Sam Sloan to reflect their views on this topic or resign. I doubt either will occur and I suspect this is not the last we will hear about this controversy.
The Libertarian Party of New York's State Convention was held on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Albany, New York. Before the LPNY State Convention was over, Kristin Davis would withdraw as a potential gubernatorial nominee of the Libertarian Party, threaten to sue Warren Redlich for $25,000,000 for calling her "a whore", and would promise to run for Governor as the candidate of a new Personal Freedom Party. Sam Sloan would end up successfully obtaining a Court Order from the Supreme Court of the State of New York directing LPNY State Chair Chris Edes to hand over the list of voting delegates to him so he could properly compete for the nomination. Mr. Edes ended up not complying with that Court Order and would have to answer for that on May 23, 2010 before Justice Carol R. Edmead in Civil Part 35 of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County.
Warren Redlich was almost guaranteed the nomination of the Libertarian Party of New York for Governor since his supporters would almost certainly dominate the 40+ delegates attending the LPNY State Convention due to his insider support and due to the fact that the convention was scheduled to be held in Albany, New York, which was virtually in Redlich's backyard. Realizing this advantage, both Kristin Davis and Sam Sloan sought to obtain the list of 300-400 eligible voting delegates so they could mail their campaign literature to them and encourage them to attend the LPNY State Convention to participate in the process. The list of eligible delegates was not provided to either Kristin Davis or Sam Sloan.
Frustrated by the refusal to allow her to communicate with eligible delegates, Ms. Davis called the process "corrupt", threatened to sue Warren Redlich for $25,000,000 for calling her "a whore" and withdrew from consideration the night before the LPNY State Convention was held. At that point, Ms. Davis announced she would run as the gubernatorial candidate of the Personal Freedom Party on a "libertarian platform" and the LPNY further heard word she intended to challenge the legitimacy of any petition signatures the Libertarian Party of New York submitted on behalf of Warren Redlich.
Sam Sloan stayed in the race and succeeded in getting Justice Carol R. Edmead of the Supreme Court of the State of New York to direct LPNY State Chair Chris Edes to immediately release the list of eligible delegates to Mr. Sloan no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 23, 2010. An e-mail was sent to Mr. Edes at 2:36 p.m. on April 23rd informing him that an Order was coming and Justice Edmead's Law Clerk called Mr. Edes on his cell phone to obtain immediate compliance with the Order. Mr. Edes did not comply and stated at the LPNY State Convention that on the advice of "competent counsel", he was told he didn't have to.
On May 23, 2010, former LPNY State Chair Chris Edes appeared before Justice Edmead (with current LPNY State Chair Mark Axinn as his counsel) in order to answer why he did not comply with the Order to hand over the list of eligible voting delegates to Sam Sloan. Mr. Edes admitted to getting notice that an Order had been issued but he just ignored it because he said "I don't have any familiarity with this process." Justice Edmead responded: "You have familiarity with words and they connect and make sentences. It said there's been an Order related to the election and you didn't do anything. You essentially were in non-compliance. Pretending ignorance. It's not okay."
When Justice Edmead confronted former LPNY State Chair Chris Edes as to whether he got the two messages left on his cell phone by her Law Clerk, Mr. Edes said, "My phone was on vibrate." At that point, Justice Edmead went ballistic and said to Mr. Edes, "You sound so disingenuous. If I had the ability, I would put you right in Rikers right now. You are below incredible. You're something lower than that. I would like to put you across the street in the Tombs because you belong with those people." Further on during the Hearing, Justice Edmead continued to comment about Mr Edes and said, "...he's either an idiot or he's just a liar...(he's) one or the other or both". Justice Edmead then said to Sam Sloan, "If you had moved for contempt, he (Edes) would have been on a trip for at least 48 hours in prison where he belongs for being such a liar. And God, if he's in charge of something in your party, I don't want to know about it." Mr. Axinn said, "Mr. Edes is no longer the chairman of the party." to which Justice Edmead responded, "Good. Good."
After the LPNY State Convention was held on April 24, 2010 and prior to the Court Hearing on May 23, 2010, Carl Person, LPNY nominee for Attorney General, and Dr. Tom Stevens, State Representative of the Libertarian Party of Queens County, negotiated a proposed settlement of the pending lawsuit that had been brought by Sam Sloan. At the time, it was still possible that Justice Edmead might have ordered the Libertarian Party of New York to hold a new State Convention. Sam Sloan agreed he would drop his lawsuit if the LPNY agreed that if Warren Redlich dropped out as the Libertarian Party's gubernatorial nominee, that he (Sam Sloan), would be appointed as the replacement candidate. This settlement proposal was run by LPNY State Chair Mark Axinn, who rejected it and decided to proceed to the Court Hearing instead.
Since the Court Hearing, Sam Sloan has been trying to inform the LPNY State Committee of new information regarding Warren Redlich and the possibility of actual fraud that may have taken place at the LPNY State Convention. As a result of this effort, current LPNY State Chair Mark Axinn has placed Sam Sloan, State Representative of the Manhattan Libertarian Party, on moderation hindering his ability to communicate freely with LPNY State Committee Members. The Manhattan Libertarian Party has also passed a resolution reiterating its support for Warren Redlich and directing Sam Sloan to reflect their views on this topic or resign. I doubt either will occur and I suspect this is not the last we will hear about this controversy.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
New Libertarian National Committee Elected: New York Delegation Backs Most Winners
A new Libertarian National Committee was elected at the Libertarian Party's National Convention held from May 29-31, 2010 at the Renaissance Grand Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. The New York Delegation ended up backing most of the candidates who won election to the LNC.
Three separate ballots were conducted for the election of a new Libertarian Party Chair. On the first ballot, Wayne Allyn Root obtained 200 votes, followed by Mark Hinkle with 114 votes, Ernest Hancock with 82 votes, John Jay Myers with 70 votes, George Phillies with 56 votes and N.O.T.A. with 10 votes. On that ballot, the New York Delegation voted 69% for Root, 19% for Hancock, and 12% for Hinkle. On the second ballot, Wayne Allyn Root obtained 223 votes, followed by Mark Hinkle with 210 votes, Ernest Hancock with 87 votes and N.O.T.A. with 9 votes. On that ballot, the New York Delegation voted 80% for Root, 13% for Hinkle, and 7% for Hancock. On the third and final ballot, Mark Hinkle obtained 281 votes and was elected LP National Chair. Wayne Allyn Root came in second place with 228 votes and N.O.T.A. got 19 votes. On that third ballot, the New York Delegation voted 81% for Root and 19% for Hinkle.
In the election for Libertarian Party Vice-Chair, Mark Rutherford was elected with 285 votes to Carolyn Marbry's 201 votes with N.O.T.A. getting 4 votes. The New York Delegation voted 71% for Rutherford and 29% for Marbry.
In the election for Libertarian Party Secretary, Alicia Matson was elected with 265 votes to Rob Power's 194 votes with N.O.T.A. getting 4 votes. The New York Delegation voted 86% for Matson and 14% for Power.
In the election for Libertarian Party Treasurer, James Oaksun was elected with 319 votes to Aaron Starr's 133 votes with N.O.T.A. getting 4 votes. The New York Delegation voted 86% for Oaksun and 14% for Starr.
In the election for Libertarian Party At-Large Representatives, Wayne Allyn Root was elected with 250 votes followed by Bill Redpath with 225 votes, Mary Ruwart with 202 votes, David Nolan with 183 votes and Kevin Knedler with 177 votes. If the New York Delegation had the exclusive power to elect the LP's At-Large Representatives, they would have elected the following individuals: Bill Redpath, Wayne Allyn Root, Kevin Knedler, Dr. Tom Stevens and Sam Sloan.
Dr. Tom Stevens and Sam Sloan, the only two New York Delegates running for At-Large Representative positions on the Libertarian National Committee, received votes from New York Delegates Alden Link, Carl Person, Kurt Ferber, Tom Stevens and Sam Sloan (Andrew Clunn and Dan Halloran were not present to participate in the voting). No other New York Delegates voted for these two New York At-Large Representative candidates as one of their five potential choices, which prompted Sam Sloan to say, "These back-stabbers demand loyalty but offer no loyalty in return. It is a disgrace that New York Delegates would not support the only two candidates running for At-Large Representative who are New Yorkers. Even I would have voted for Chris Edes had he been running for a seat on the LNC. At this point, these people deserve everything that may be coming their way."
Three separate ballots were conducted for the election of a new Libertarian Party Chair. On the first ballot, Wayne Allyn Root obtained 200 votes, followed by Mark Hinkle with 114 votes, Ernest Hancock with 82 votes, John Jay Myers with 70 votes, George Phillies with 56 votes and N.O.T.A. with 10 votes. On that ballot, the New York Delegation voted 69% for Root, 19% for Hancock, and 12% for Hinkle. On the second ballot, Wayne Allyn Root obtained 223 votes, followed by Mark Hinkle with 210 votes, Ernest Hancock with 87 votes and N.O.T.A. with 9 votes. On that ballot, the New York Delegation voted 80% for Root, 13% for Hinkle, and 7% for Hancock. On the third and final ballot, Mark Hinkle obtained 281 votes and was elected LP National Chair. Wayne Allyn Root came in second place with 228 votes and N.O.T.A. got 19 votes. On that third ballot, the New York Delegation voted 81% for Root and 19% for Hinkle.
In the election for Libertarian Party Vice-Chair, Mark Rutherford was elected with 285 votes to Carolyn Marbry's 201 votes with N.O.T.A. getting 4 votes. The New York Delegation voted 71% for Rutherford and 29% for Marbry.
In the election for Libertarian Party Secretary, Alicia Matson was elected with 265 votes to Rob Power's 194 votes with N.O.T.A. getting 4 votes. The New York Delegation voted 86% for Matson and 14% for Power.
In the election for Libertarian Party Treasurer, James Oaksun was elected with 319 votes to Aaron Starr's 133 votes with N.O.T.A. getting 4 votes. The New York Delegation voted 86% for Oaksun and 14% for Starr.
In the election for Libertarian Party At-Large Representatives, Wayne Allyn Root was elected with 250 votes followed by Bill Redpath with 225 votes, Mary Ruwart with 202 votes, David Nolan with 183 votes and Kevin Knedler with 177 votes. If the New York Delegation had the exclusive power to elect the LP's At-Large Representatives, they would have elected the following individuals: Bill Redpath, Wayne Allyn Root, Kevin Knedler, Dr. Tom Stevens and Sam Sloan.
Dr. Tom Stevens and Sam Sloan, the only two New York Delegates running for At-Large Representative positions on the Libertarian National Committee, received votes from New York Delegates Alden Link, Carl Person, Kurt Ferber, Tom Stevens and Sam Sloan (Andrew Clunn and Dan Halloran were not present to participate in the voting). No other New York Delegates voted for these two New York At-Large Representative candidates as one of their five potential choices, which prompted Sam Sloan to say, "These back-stabbers demand loyalty but offer no loyalty in return. It is a disgrace that New York Delegates would not support the only two candidates running for At-Large Representative who are New Yorkers. Even I would have voted for Chris Edes had he been running for a seat on the LNC. At this point, these people deserve everything that may be coming their way."
Redlich, Gaetani, Credico & Clifton Conspicuously Absent From Libertarian Party's 2010 National Convention
Mark Axinn, LPNY Chair, was lobbying hard at the Libertarian Party's 2010 National Convention held at the Renaissance Grand Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri over Memorial Day Weekend for a $30,000.00 donation to help the Libertarian Party of New York obtain the petition signatures it will need to get its statewide candidates on the ballot this year. This lobbying was especially important since it will be the new Libertarian Party National Committee that will vote on this allocation of funds and because Mr. Axinn has said "it is unlikely we will obtain ballot access without that financial help."
So where were the candidates nominated by the Libertarian Party of New York for statewide office? Were they in St. Louis introducing themselves and speaking of the importance of this upcoming race to our obtaining ballot access in New York for the LP's Presidential Candidate in 2012? Were they at the LPUS National Convention lobbying along with Mark Axinn to anyone who would listen? No. Warren Redlich, LPNY candidate for Governor, was nowhere to be seen. John Gaetani, LPNY's candidate for Comptroller was also absent as was Randy Credico and John Clifton, LPNY's candidates for United States Senate.
Only Alden Link, LPNY's candidate for Lt. Governor, and Carl Person, LPNY's candidate for Attorney General were present as delegates and Mr. Person has already committed $5,000.00 to the statewide petition drive, something none of the other candidates have done.
Dr. Tom Stevens, State Representative of the Libertarian Party of Queens County to the Libertarian Party of New York, said: "I personally witnessed Mr. Link and Mr. Person promoting their candidacies and providing a higher profile to the New York Delegation. In nominating speeches, Alden Link and Carl Person informed the delegates they were the duly nominated candidates of the Libertarian Party of New York for Lt. Governor and Attorney General, respectively. They went on to promote their candidacies in person in the hallways and in the hospitality suites arguing for the importance of the Libertarian Party of New York obtaining 50,000 votes in this year's gubernatorial race. It is a great disappointment that the other nominated LPNY candidates for statewide office didn't consider attending the LPUS National Convention to be a high priority. A failure to obtain financial support from the National LP for our statewide petition drive will place us at a distinct disadvantage. While better planning and increased fundraising might have avoided this crisis, there is no doubt we face an uphill battle in getting our candidates on the ballot this year. A greater presence of our statewide candidates at the LPUS National Convention would have been a help."
So where were the candidates nominated by the Libertarian Party of New York for statewide office? Were they in St. Louis introducing themselves and speaking of the importance of this upcoming race to our obtaining ballot access in New York for the LP's Presidential Candidate in 2012? Were they at the LPUS National Convention lobbying along with Mark Axinn to anyone who would listen? No. Warren Redlich, LPNY candidate for Governor, was nowhere to be seen. John Gaetani, LPNY's candidate for Comptroller was also absent as was Randy Credico and John Clifton, LPNY's candidates for United States Senate.
Only Alden Link, LPNY's candidate for Lt. Governor, and Carl Person, LPNY's candidate for Attorney General were present as delegates and Mr. Person has already committed $5,000.00 to the statewide petition drive, something none of the other candidates have done.
Dr. Tom Stevens, State Representative of the Libertarian Party of Queens County to the Libertarian Party of New York, said: "I personally witnessed Mr. Link and Mr. Person promoting their candidacies and providing a higher profile to the New York Delegation. In nominating speeches, Alden Link and Carl Person informed the delegates they were the duly nominated candidates of the Libertarian Party of New York for Lt. Governor and Attorney General, respectively. They went on to promote their candidacies in person in the hallways and in the hospitality suites arguing for the importance of the Libertarian Party of New York obtaining 50,000 votes in this year's gubernatorial race. It is a great disappointment that the other nominated LPNY candidates for statewide office didn't consider attending the LPUS National Convention to be a high priority. A failure to obtain financial support from the National LP for our statewide petition drive will place us at a distinct disadvantage. While better planning and increased fundraising might have avoided this crisis, there is no doubt we face an uphill battle in getting our candidates on the ballot this year. A greater presence of our statewide candidates at the LPUS National Convention would have been a help."
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Stevens & Sloan Demand A More Pro-American, Patriotic Libertarian Party
Dr. Tom Stevens, State Representative of the Libertarian Party of Queens County to the Liberarian Party of New York, and Sam Sloan, State Representative of the Manhattan Libertarian Party to the Libertarian Party of New York recently attended the Libertarian Party's National Convention, which took place from May 29-31, 2010 at the Renaissance Grand Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. Over five-hundred delegates from throughout the nation were in attendance. Stevens was shocked that American Flags were nowhere in sight during this LPUS National Convention taking place over Memorial Day Weekend and sought to rectify the situation.
On Friday, May 29, 2010, Dr. Stevens brought the issue to the attention of Michael Jingozian, Vice-Chair of the Libertarian Party. Stevens said, "at least one American Flag should be present in the room, and if they are available, perhaps one can be placed on either side of the dais." He told Jingozian, "This is the National Convention of an American Political Party being held over Memorial Day Weekend. The absence of an American Flag sends the wrong message about this party and only reinforces the belief that we are dominated by open-border anarchists that do not have the best interests of the United States in mind." Jingozian responded, "This is something I can handle. I will rectify the situation."
Throughout Friday and Saturday, no American Flag was brought into the room despite the fact it was confirmed that the Hotel had many American Flags available for functions such as this. Stevens again confronted Jingozian in the hallway outside the Texas Hospitality Suite on Saturday evening and Jingozian simply said he "could not get it done."
Frustrated by this apparent deliberate desire to avoid patriotic symbols at its National Convention, Sam Sloan authorized Alden Link, the LPNY candidate for Lt. Governor, to mention in his nominating speech of Mr. Sloan for the position of At-Large Representative on the LPUS National Committee, that if Mr. Sloan was elected, he would "make certain an American Flag would be in the room during future conventions."
Dan Halloran, a New York City Councilman who is "the highest Libertarian Party official elected to a single district in a partisan race" and who was also present at the Libertarian Party's National Convention said, "I cannot understand how a national political party in the United States can hold a convention and not have the national anthem sung or even an American Flag present in the room."
Dr. Tom Stevens said, "I want to see the Libertarian Party become an unapologetic, pro-American, patriotic political party. Libertarian Party leaders wonder why they have not been able to take advantage of the growing Tea Party movement to recruit new members into the party. The reason for that, in my opinion, is the continued influence in the party of open-border anarchists who disdain symbols of patriotism and would have the United States end its influence as a world power. This is not a sentiment shared by most of the patriots currently active in the Tea Party movement and that is why the Libertarian Party has lost its ability to take a leading role in this new grassroots activism."
On Friday, May 29, 2010, Dr. Stevens brought the issue to the attention of Michael Jingozian, Vice-Chair of the Libertarian Party. Stevens said, "at least one American Flag should be present in the room, and if they are available, perhaps one can be placed on either side of the dais." He told Jingozian, "This is the National Convention of an American Political Party being held over Memorial Day Weekend. The absence of an American Flag sends the wrong message about this party and only reinforces the belief that we are dominated by open-border anarchists that do not have the best interests of the United States in mind." Jingozian responded, "This is something I can handle. I will rectify the situation."
Throughout Friday and Saturday, no American Flag was brought into the room despite the fact it was confirmed that the Hotel had many American Flags available for functions such as this. Stevens again confronted Jingozian in the hallway outside the Texas Hospitality Suite on Saturday evening and Jingozian simply said he "could not get it done."
Frustrated by this apparent deliberate desire to avoid patriotic symbols at its National Convention, Sam Sloan authorized Alden Link, the LPNY candidate for Lt. Governor, to mention in his nominating speech of Mr. Sloan for the position of At-Large Representative on the LPUS National Committee, that if Mr. Sloan was elected, he would "make certain an American Flag would be in the room during future conventions."
Dan Halloran, a New York City Councilman who is "the highest Libertarian Party official elected to a single district in a partisan race" and who was also present at the Libertarian Party's National Convention said, "I cannot understand how a national political party in the United States can hold a convention and not have the national anthem sung or even an American Flag present in the room."
Dr. Tom Stevens said, "I want to see the Libertarian Party become an unapologetic, pro-American, patriotic political party. Libertarian Party leaders wonder why they have not been able to take advantage of the growing Tea Party movement to recruit new members into the party. The reason for that, in my opinion, is the continued influence in the party of open-border anarchists who disdain symbols of patriotism and would have the United States end its influence as a world power. This is not a sentiment shared by most of the patriots currently active in the Tea Party movement and that is why the Libertarian Party has lost its ability to take a leading role in this new grassroots activism."
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