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Filmmaker's Run Just a Preview? Dems and GOP Challenge Petitions of Independent Town Board Candidate Steve Weber By Erica Jackson and Jay Beatty |
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August 28, 2007 It appears that the run of local filmmaker and independent candidate for the Smithtown Town Council Board candidate Steve Weber may be just a preview. His finale will come before the November ballot hits the screen. According to officials at the Suffolk County Board of Elections (BOE), Weber’s nominating petitions are being challenged by both major parties in town. “Mr. Weber’s petition is being reviewed,” confirmed Tom Knobel, of the BOE. “Objections were filed to his petition in a timely manner by four different individuals.” Specific objections were filed late last week by enrolled Republicans Randy Shaw, Richard Glasheen, and John E. Gee, Jr. Also filing an objection was enrolled Democrat Tony Clemente. The plot summary to all the objections to Weber's -- which contained some 1,700 signatures -- is that technical flaws render them invalid. Rather than identifying the addresses of signers by the township (Smithtown) in which they reside as required by New York State Election law, the petition entries listed only each signer's hamlet -- Commack, Kings Park, or Hauppauge, for example.. “Mr. Webber’s petition did not comply,” said Elaine Turley, chair of the Smithtown Democratic Committee. “All of us have to comply with state election law regulations to obtain our place on the ballot,” she added. While Turley says she has nothing against Webber and was actually pleased to see that an independent candidate was seeking election, she said she fully supported Clemente’s objection. “I supported it for two reasons,” said Turley. “One, because I honestly think that Tom Cleere (one of the two Democrats vying for town council) is the best person running for town board." Her second reason was that all nominating petitions must comply with State election law. “We would be remiss if we [the Democrats] didn’t look at everyone’s petitions, just as everyone looks at ours,” said Turley. Running alongside Cleere for the Smithtown Democrats is Bruce Ettenberg of Commack. Smithtown Republicans confirmed that they challenged Webber’s petition for similar reasons. “The challenge is part of the process,” said Bill Ellis, chairman of the Smithtown Republican Committee. “It is typical that if something is incorrect on a petition, it will be challenged.” Ellis said the party does not see Webber as a threat to the Republican candidates and does not feel that he will have a drastic effect in the race for the two town board seats at stake. What will have an effect, however, is the outcome of the September 18 Republican primary. Incumbent Councilwoman Joanne Gray has launched a primary in an effort to keep her seat after being rejected by her party. At its May convention, the Smithtown Republican Committee designated incumbent Councilman Edward Wehrheim for re-election and former Suffolk County Police Commissioner Robert Creighton to replace Gray. Weber, a resident of Kings Park (like Gray, Wehrheim, and Creighton), says he decided to run to bring unity to the town board. He said he is disappointed that his petitions are being challenged, but will accept the BOE’s decision. “I do think it is ridiculous that my 1,700 signatures are being challenged for technical reasons. The process makes it next to impossible for the common person to run for election,” said Weber. Prior to running for election, he said he reviewed the New York State election law as it pertains to the petition process and did seek help from the BOE, but said employees helped him little. Still upbeat, however, Weber said if his petitions are denied, he will be “all the wiser” and next time will get it right. According to the BOE, a decision regarding the validity of Weber’s petitions will be made by a bipartisan committee by the end of the week. The BOE’s two commissioners will then be responsible for approving or denying the committee's decision. -30- Click
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