Cape GOP not backing candidates ~ Oct 2009

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15 October 2009

Page: A1

Edition: Both

Section: Jefferson

Copyright, 2009, Johnson Newspaper Corporation

Cape GOP not backing candidates

HIRSCHEY ABANDONED: Committee members, as individuals, believe Democrat Rienbeck is better choice

By Jaegun LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER

CAPE VINCENT — The town's Republican committee has dropped its support for Republican candidates for town office because several members say they feel the Democratic contenders are more qualified.

Urban C. Hirschey, the Republican candidate for town supervisor, said the committee turned its back on him to support his Democratic opponent and current supervisor, Thomas K. Rienbeck, whom the committee members are more familiar with.

"They basically said they are not going to support us. We're basically on our own," Mr. Hirschey said. "In a small town like this, there are strong bonds that are formed."

Mr. Hirschey is a leader of Wind Power Ethics Group, which has opposed the two proposed wind farms in the town. Mr. Rienbeck has supported them.

Raymond R. Benjamin, a Republican candidate for a Town Council seat, said he is dropping out of the race partly because of the issues with town's Republican committee. However, Mr. Benjamin said, he also determined that John L. Byrne III, who will appear on the Cape Vincent Citizens Party line, would be able to put more time and effort towards the town's businesses.

"I don't have the time and John does," Mr. Benjamin said

The Times was unable Wednesday to reach Richard H. Macsherry, Tibbetts Point, the Republican candidate for the other council seat. Mr. Macsherry replaced Mr. Hirschey as the Wind Power Ethics Group's representative on the town's wind zoning law committee.

Marty T. Mason and Robert H. Chapman, co-chairmen of the town Republican Committee, both said the committee is neither supporting the Republican candidates for town office nor openly supporting Mr. Rienbeck

"We're not openly supporting Mr. Rienbeck. But individually, our allegiance has always been with Mr. Rienbeck," Mr. Chapman said. "I really feel that he has done a fantastic job and, personally, I think he's the right person for the job."

Mr. Chapman said he also believed that the Democratic candidates for town council had "better ideals."

Mr. Mason, who is also a town councilman, said the committee members agreed to "sit back and see how things unfold."

Donald G.M. Coon III, chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Committee, said the party's bylaws prohibit local committees from supporting Democratic candidates.

"A Republican committee has the option not to support a candidate, and do nothing, but they don't have the right to work against that candidate as a whole," Mr. Coon said.

He said the county committee has the authority to remove local committee members if they act contrary to its bylaws.

"It's just too bad these issues are tearing apart these small communities," Mr. Coon said.

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