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Corwin campaign releases new attack ad against Hochul

By Howard B. Owens

Jane Corwin's campaign announced the release of this new commercial today attacking Kathy Hochul.

Regarding Hochul's record in Town of Hamburg, the clerk there tells me that there are board minutes going back to 2002, but they're not easy to find. I created this Google search link that at least pulls up some of the minutes. If the clerk there provides me with a better link, I'll post that.

Also, YNN has posted a video interview with Hochul:

Full press release from Corwin's campaign after the jump:

Jane Corwin Campaign Releases Second Television Ad
Spot Highlights Kathy Hochul’s Consistent and Troubling Record of Raising Taxes on Western New Yorkers

WILLIAMSVILLE – The campaign of Jane Corwin, successful businesswoman and unanimously endorsed Republican, Conservative, and Independence Party candidate for New York’s 26th Congressional District, began airing its second television advertisement today. The 30 second spot discusses career politician Kathy Hochul’s disturbing record of voting to raise property tax rates in 11 out of 12 budgets during her long tenure on the Hamburg Town Board.

Hochul, a resident of the town of Hamburg (which lies outside the 26th Congressional District she is seeking to represent), served on the Hamburg town board for 13 years before being appointed as Erie County Clerk.

“While hard-working Western New Yorkers have been struggling to do more with less, Kathy Hochul repeatedly and consistently voted to raise their property tax rates in 11 out of 12 budgets while on the Hamburg Town Board,” Corwin’s Communications Director Matthew Harakal said. “With a record like that she’ll fit right in with Washington Democrats, so it’s no wonder she was their hand-picked candidate. Western New Yorkers have a clear choice on May 24th – they can vote for career politician Kathy Hochul, who’s repeatedly voted to take more money out of their pockets to grow government, or they can vote for businesswoman Jane Corwin, who’s helped run a business and was part of a team that created hundreds of jobs right here in Western New York.”

The ad will air across Western New York in the Buffalo and Rochester media markets.

Kathy Hochul’s long record of raising Western New Yorkers’ taxes
In 1994, Hochul voted for a $29.5 million town budget that included an increased tax rate to $6.51 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for residents living outside the villages.
In 1995, Hochul voted for a $26 million budget that included an increased tax rate to $6.76 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for residents living outside the villages
In 1996, Hochul voted for a $32 million town budget that included an increased tax rate to $7.03 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for residents living outside the villages
In 1997, Hochul voted for a $33 million budget that included a decreased tax rate to $6.96 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for residents living outside the villages
In 1998, Hochul voted for a $33.8 million budget that included an increased tax rate to $7.12 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for residents living outside the villages
In 2000, Hochul voted for a $35.9 million budget that included an increased tax rate to $7.20 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for residents living outside the villages
In 2001, Hochul voted for a budget that included an increased tax rate to $7.41 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for residents living outside the villages
In 2002, Hochul voted for a $38.1 million budget that included an increased tax rate to $7.69 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for residents living outside the villages
In 2003, Hochul voted for a $39.6 million town budget that included an increased tax rate to $7.92 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for residents living outside the villages
In 2004, Hochul voted for a budget that included an increased tax rate to $8.35 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for residents living outside the villages
In 2005, Hochul voted for a $42 million town budget that included an increased tax rate to $8.63 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for residents living outside the villages
In 2006, Hochul voted for a $43 million budget that decreased the tax rate for residents living inside the villages to $4.06 per $1,000 of assessed valuation and increased the tax rate for residents living outside the villages to $9.07 per $1,000 of assessed valuation


Kathy Hochul – Washington Democrat’s hand-picked candidate
Leading Democrat Candidate Who Has Washington Ties Interviewed By DCCC. “Hochul was interviewed this week by national party officials in town to determine the chances and the costs of winning in the district.” (WNED, 2/16/2011)
“[D]CCC Northeast Political Director Abby Curran Visited The District In The Days Immediately After Lee's Resignation.” (Roll Call, 2/17/2011)
An “Old DCCC Hand” Helped Hochul With Decision. “[A]n old DCCC hand with experience in special elections was advising Hochul as she pondered her decision.” (Buffalo News, 3/20/2011)
The ad can be viewed and embedded from Corwin’s YouTube page, www.youtube.com/user/janecorwin.

George Richardson

Jane is as real as the guy with the hardhat. A 45% property tax increase over eleven years is much less than many places in America. Most of the increase was based on higher property values because of inflation. What have you done Jane? List yout ten biggest acomplishments in life that you feel help to make you qualified as a United States Congressman. Could you list the ten that made you qualified for Assemblyman as well? I'll start it off with two freebies.
1. Money
2. Female
Now take it from here.

Mar 22, 2011, 1:50pm Permalink
JoAnne Rock

Howard, I meant to post this link yesterday, but didn't get around to it.

http://townofhamburgny.com/Archived_Town_Board_Meeting_Minutes_-117177…

It is an index to the Town Board of Hamburg's archived meeting minutes 2003-2008.

I don't know how long she was a Councilwoman, but it was at least from 1994 because that was the year, as Councilwoman, she founded the Town Rejuvenation Committee.

I clicked around a little and didn't see any smoking guns....actually only found good things about her.

Although there was one instance where Councilwoman Hochul did go against Supervisor Hoak's recommendation to reduce the number of Bingo Supervisors from 2 down to 1. She voted to keep 2. :)

Mar 22, 2011, 2:22pm Permalink
Lorie Longhany

<b>Truth Test: GOP Attack Ad Is Misleading</b> WGRZ Channel 2 on Your Side has a piece out on the first attack ad where they break it down sound bite by sound bite. http://www.wgrz.com/news/article/115189/13/Truth-Test-GOP-Attack-Ad-Is-…

<i>According to a 2 On Your Side investigation, right off the top, the visuals in the spot are false.

The ad shows Hochul's name and picture on a New York driver's license with "Washington Lobbyist" printed at the bottom, insinuating that is her job.

Hochul doesn't live in the nation's capital and is employeed by the citizens of Erie County as the clerk. Hochul did spend times as a lobbyist for about a year almost 21 years ago. Her campaign says it was only a part-time job. Republican operatives continue to label her a "Washington Lobbyist."

The ad continues, saying, "Kathy Hochul voted to raise fees on all kinds of things: going to the beach, getting in shape at the gym, playing a round of golf, ice skating, and even owning that lovable four legged friend."

2 On Your Side determined those claims are misleading. As for the fees on playing a round of golf, the ad refers to Hochul's time on the Hamburg Town Board, which she left in 2007 to become county clerk. The Truth Test investigation shows the fee increases only applied to the town-owned and operated golf course, passed unanimously and were, in most cases, a hike of a dollar or less per round. Channel 2 has learned that the fee increases came at the urging of an advisory board made up of community members. In several cases, the board approved increases smaller than was suggested by the citizens panel.

When the advertisement refers to Hochul raising fees on owning "that lovable four-legged friend", it's again referring to Hochul's time on the town board. Hochul did vote to impose a dog licensing fee in 2004, but it was a requirement of New York State. 2 On Your Side found Hamburg has one of the lowest dog license fees in the region, $3 cheaper than the Town of Tonawanda, for instance.</i>

They sure are running scared. Who told them that all this negative advertising is going to play well with a very popular county clerk?

Mar 22, 2011, 3:58pm Permalink
James Renfrew

Usually, a candidate puts out her or his platform, then the opponent attacks the substance of that platform. The Corwin campaign seems to have decided to attack Hochul before she's had a chance to say even one thing about herself. Corwin doesn't yet know Hochul's platform or issues, but, no matter, attack first, ask questions later. For some reason, it occurs to me that the way a candidate behaves in a campaign gives some important clues about how they might serve while in office.

Mar 22, 2011, 6:01pm Permalink
Bea McManis

James,
the negative ads are meant to keep the issues off the table.
Far easier to instill fear into those who won't do their homework than discuss the platform.
Michele,
I totally agree.

Mar 22, 2011, 7:48pm Permalink
George Richardson

"Councilwoman Hochul did go against Supervisor Hoak's recommendation to reduce the number of Bingo Supervisors from 2 down to 1. She voted to keep 2."
The Lobbyists spent a lot of money trying to make it one. Hochul forced them to make two big pay-offs instead. Hopefully there is a third person who is jealous and keeping an eye on both of them. Or am I just jaded?

Mar 22, 2011, 8:29pm Permalink
Lisa Falkowski

And the mud slinging begins ...
Can't even be lady-like for a minute!
This is why we're in the shape we're in.
I'd not vote for either of them if they were handling out one-hundred dollar bills!
This kind of trash turns me off.
I don't even make it as far as the issues because I get so turned off at the childish, irresponsible, ignorant behavior!

Mar 22, 2011, 9:33pm Permalink
RICHARD L. HALE

Call me naive, but I can't wait for the day, when two candidates run in an election, and they spend all of their money on ads, telling us what they are going to do for us if elected.

Mar 22, 2011, 10:51pm Permalink
Bea McManis

Posted by Lisa Falkowski on March 22, 2011 - 9:33pm
And the mud slinging begins ...
Can't even be lady-like for a minute!
This is why we're in the shape we're in.
I'd not vote for either of them if they were handling out one-hundred dollar bills!
This kind of trash turns me off.
I don't even make it as far as the issues because I get so turned off at the childish, irresponsible, ignorant behavior!

Lisa, what mud slinging has Hochul done?

Mar 22, 2011, 11:10pm Permalink
Lorie Longhany

Jim, you are seeing very little from Corwin about what she will do if elected. She is a typical boutique candidate, much like Chris Lee. They will squirrel her away as much as possible while bombarding Kathy Hochul with negative ads.

In the month that Corwin has been the candidate, have you seen anything other than short sound bites from her? Compare that with Kathy Hochul's four days as a candidate. She has already given an extensive interview on the issues and her record on Capital Tonight.

Mar 23, 2011, 12:03pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

I've not had much time to deal with this.

I did talk with Steve yesterday and Chris's account is consistent with what Steve told me.

It's quite clear to me this rumor caught Steve by surprise.

BTW, Chris, I'm not sure I would characterize Carl Paladino and Rus Thompson as "Republican establishment."

It seems more likely they're freelancing on this, if it's true.

Mar 24, 2011, 2:55pm Permalink
Lorie Longhany

Is Chris Collins not "Republican establishment"? And I feel pretty safe in assuming that the last republican gubernatorial candidate would now be considered establishment.

As far as rumor -- at least as to whether or not a meeting did take place and who was present -- that has now been established via Rus Thompson, who was there. Unless he is a blatant liar.

I think in the big picture, David Bellavia certainly will have a lot to say when he's ready. If the Corwin lawyer's descending on Albany knock him off the ballot we may hear from him sooner rather than later.

"Bellavia is a man on a mission, he’s pissed off and has something to prove. He’s not burning any bridges because they’re already smoldering in the creek below." Alan Bedenko

Mar 24, 2011, 3:17pm Permalink
Chris Charvella

I went with Republican establishment' in this case because they were clearly there (along with that unholy of unholies, Chris Collins) because they were trying to get Bellavia off the ballot in favor of the Republican establishment candidate.

Steve's responses to my questions felt very genuine. No one will ever own up to offering up his seat so we'll never know if that part was true but, if it really happened, then Steve was being back-shot. I find that to be deplorable.

Mar 24, 2011, 3:23pm Permalink
JoAnne Rock

I read all three of the aricles: (Charvella's, Gramigna's and Bedenko's) and I don't see where anyone asked David Bellavia, on or off the record, if he was promised anything to back out of the election. Why not?

If it is true, I'd rather hear it from David Bellavia sooner rather than later.

Mar 24, 2011, 4:55pm Permalink
Bea McManis

If he wasn't promised anything, then he could lay this entire thing to rest with a simple answer.
If he was, then that opens a host of new doors.
Bellavia, showed a great deal of character in this. It sounds like he kept his wits around him.

Mar 24, 2011, 5:11pm Permalink
Chris Charvella

Bellavia is not (to my knowledge) on the record with anyone regarding this matter, nor does he have to be. He did tell YNN in a brief interview Tuesday that he's had many offers trying to get him out of the race.

Mar 24, 2011, 5:13pm Permalink
JoAnne Rock

Offers trying to get him out of the race are one thing, but being offered a seat in the Assembly, as implied in those articles, is something else entirely. I'm inclined to believe it never happened.

Chris, you said he was asked. What was his response?

Mar 24, 2011, 6:48pm Permalink
George Richardson

"Bellavia for Batavia, and a bunch of other people."
I want my T-Shirt in Sky Blue with blood red stained trim. Sitting tight is hard but that's what it sometimes takes, Mr. Bellavia Sir. You might want to look at the other side's viewpoint as well, perhaps there could be a better alignment? Be proactive because the winds of tide, and the hands of time, and the swing of the pendulum are constantly changing.
Should I credit Bob Dylan or Jimmy Buffett for those thoughts? I'm thinking splitzies.
"Bellavia for Batavia" alone could turn the tide, and you have scared them. Bravo Sir, bravo.

Mar 26, 2011, 9:46pm Permalink

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