BINGHAMTON – October 29, 2009 – Independent candidate Douglas Walter Drazen is denouncing his opponents’ practices of having people associated with their campaigns or with former local political officials sending letters to the editor, without disclosing their interest or association. Numerous such letters have appeared in the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin this week supporting the other candidates, or attacking Drazen, including one from current Binghamton City Republican Chair Chris Dziedzic, which omits any reference to his status as city chair.

“Having these people pretending to be ordinary citizens spontaneously expressing their opinions about the race is a deliberate effort to manipulate the public. Apparently, they can’t win on the merits, so they will cheat instead “, said Drazen.

Drazen also says if he was out of the race, or the other candidates were comfortably in the lead, such tactics would not be employed.

“Our information from within both major parties is similar to what it was in 2005, which turned out to be accurate, and this current development confirms, we are neck and neck with the incumbent, with the GOP candidate bringing up the rear.”

As to whether this type of campaigning just goes with the territory, Drazen said:

“Falsely accusing me of being against nuns, grandmothers, and kids, I can handle. Mischaracterizing my positions, or even trying to steal my ideas, I can handle, though I don’t like those things. But misleading the electorate in this manner is thoroughly dishonorable, and disrespectable. It deserves no place in politics, and should be exposed for what it is.

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As New York’s property-tax rates have grown in recent years, so has the value of exemptions for non-profits, educational organizations and other institutions, which jumped from $441 billion to $797 billion between 2000 and 2008.

[Senate] Lawmakers are seeking input on whether exemptions are being properly administered, what the state can do if there is evidence of abuse, and whether local governments want a change in the system.

Carol LaGrasse, president of the Property Rights Foundation of America, said exemptions should apply only to portions of property that are truly used for non-profit purposes. For example, hospitals may be non-profit, but a lot of private practitioners work there, she said.

There are some examples of religious or not-for-profit organizations that have purchased large tracts of land but only use small pieces of it, Krueger said. Some tax-exempt organizations have for-profit ventures within them, she said.

Read the full story and reader comments at pressconnects.com – NY property tax exemptions draw scrutiny.

BINGHAMTON – October 5, 2009 – Independent mayoral candidate Douglas Walter Drazen has issued a pledge that if at the end of his first term, city taxes are not lower than they are now, he will not seek a second term. Drazen is seeking to unseat incumbent Matt Ryan. He finished a close second in 2005. He will hold a press conference at his office in the Holiday Inn-Arena Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 1:00 PM to unveil the plan.

“All over town I’ve heard similar stories from people, and I strongly believe if taxes are not lower soon, the city will face a mass exodus of what upper and middle income population is left, which of course would be disastrous “, said Drazen.

Drazen has pointed to Census data showing Binghamton’s upper and middle income population drop over the last three Censuses, with the 2010 Census likely being similar.

“As Binghamton’s first mayor of the second decade of the 21^st century, I want to see to it the 2020 Census shows an end to that trend, which will be the true indicator of whether the coming new decade will have been a good one for the city “, said Drazen.

As to how he will accomplish that, Drazen said:

“Our reputation must inspire a return of that population. So, the goal is to establish the city’s reputation as the safest and cleanest city in upstate New York.”

As to what the plan offers, Drazen said:

“It lays out my governing philosophy, and is broken into segments; Reducing Costs/Increasing Productivity, Making the Pie BIGGER, Making New Opportunities, Raising Morale/Encouraging Innovation, Establishing a Good Reputation, and Conquering Fear. Copies will be distributed at the press conference, and will be available at http://www.douglaswalterdrazen.com.”

Paul Graham endorses Douglas Walter Drazen at a press conference on Wednesday, September 30, 2009.

FORMER DEMOCRAT MAYORAL CANDIDATE CROSSES PARTY LINES; JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY

Binghamton, NY – September 29, 2009 – Former Democrat mayoral candidate Paul Graham has endorsed Independent candidate Douglas Walter Drazen’s bid for mayor of Binghamton. Drazen is seeking to unseat incumbent Matt Ryan. He finished a close second in 2005. The two will hold a press conference at Drazen’s office in the Holiday Inn-Arena on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 1:00 PM.

“One of my goals is to forge a new political alignment in the city among independent minded Democrats, Republicans, liberals, conservatives, independents, and other non-affiliated voters. This is a major step in that direction. “, said Drazen.

Graham personally gathered over 500 Democrat signatures over the summer, more than twice the other Democrats combined, but was knocked off the ballot, after his petitions were challenged by fellow Democrats.

“He showed commitment to the kind of work that goes into gathering that many signatures. I’ve done it, and it’s no small feat. Now he is showing commitment to principle and the best interest of his hometown before party politics, which is exactly what the city needs “, said Drazen.

As to the significance of this endorsement, Drazen said:

“It’s working people and homeowners like Paul Graham for whom my administration will be fighting, because they are to a large extent the ones paying the freight. They have not come first in a long time, which must change. This endorsement shows such people I am the real candidate of change.”

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In the Independence Party primary, Drazen took 62.5%, the incumbent Democrat mayor 23%, the GOP candidate 11%, and the defeated Democrat primary challenger 3.5%.

“Considering the way the GOP candidate and his surrogates were boasting around town, and on the internet how they were going to ‘knock me off the ballot’, and the many thousands of dollars they spent on dual sided, multi-colored direct mailers, barely getting out of single digits must be a real embarrassment for them. It ended up being what Muhammed Ali called ‘a one-sided ass whuppin’,” said Drazen.

Drazen captured 34% of the votes cast in the Conservative primary,  the GOP candidate took 58%, the incumbent Democrat mayor 7.5%, and his defeated Democrat primary challenger got 0.5%.

“Definitely a disappointment that a good number of registered Conservative Party voters recognized the difference between a conformist and a conservative, but not the majority who voted. Nonetheless, I’m grateful for the support I got”, said Drazen.

As to what the Independence Party result portended for the upcoming general election, Drazen said, “The Independence Party is larger, more diverse, and less infiltrated by major party operatives than the Conservative Party,  making it a more reliable bellwhether. So, independents resoundingly rejecting the notion that a handpicked politcal insider is in any way independent, no matter how much money he spent trying to pass himself off as one, bodes well for November. People tend to overlook the role independents play in deciding elections,  like they played in the last presidential election, but I will not.”

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UPDATE 9/30/09: A Board of Elections recount places the final Conservative primary results as follows:

Drazen captured 40.5% of the votes cast in the Conservative primary, the GOP candidate took 49%, the incumbent Democrat mayor 5%, and his defeated Democrat primary challenger at just under 2%.

Douglas Walter Drazen is not going to blast Binghamton Mayor Matthew Ryan for considering the closing of a First Ward Binghamton Fire Station, but the Independence Party mayoral candidate also wants consideration given to the city getting out of the golf business.

“I don’t think Matt has put necessity before luxury,” said Drazen. “I’d say it’s a luxury, especially when you’re talking about closing down fire stations.”

Drazen said too many of the mayoral candidates are focused on cutting staff, but the city needs to find ways to also generate more revenue. He estimated the Ely Park golf course might fetch $2.5 to $3 million from a private investor, which amounts to a 10 percent cut in taxes.

Read the full story and user comments at pressconnects.com – Drazen questions city’s golf expenses.