Last night I went to the Maertz-Fleming debate held at the Rocky Point VFW Hall by the League of Women Voters. Maertz and Fleming are running in the Democratic primary. Each of them hopes to be running against Ken Lavalle in November.
I went with an open mind but came out certain that my vote would go to Jennifer Maertz. When asked what makes each of them the better candidate to run against Senator LaValle, Fleming’s pat answer was “I can raise more money.” Where Maertz gave several budget reform initiatives she would support at the state level, Fleming repeatedly told us how much money she has raised so far in comparison to how much Maertz has raised. Fleming also told us about a New York City PAC that supports her, but what also came out was that this group approached Maertz first and Maertz declined because she refused to promise allegiance to their cause. On many issues the two agree: They both support getting rid of the MTA tax, they both want to encourage businesses to LI, and they both support the public finance bill. So, Ms. Fleming, who should we vote for: You because you’ve been able to raise more money or Maertz, who gave specific issues on how to solve some of the problems in our district and has shown that she will not be beholding to any special-interest group. I think the answer is clear.
Yes, it does take money to win an election, but it takes more than that to serve. It takes a commitment to the district that person will represent. So, let’s put Jennifer Maertz on the Democratic ticket and then give her the money she needs to win the general election.
Maertz came very close to beating LaValle two years ago when she stepped up only two months before the election to fill Calcaterra’s place when she was disqualified. Even with very little time and support she gave him a run for HIS MONEY. Please don’t tell me it’s all about the money. The voters are smarter than that!
Vote for Jennifer Maertz on the Democratic primary on Sept. 13.
She lost by 30 or 40 points
Also, Ms. Fleming lives in the Hamptons and that's where all her experience is from. So, of course she thinks money is what talks. This is not where most of the people in this district live and I doubt she knows what most of us have to deal with.
2) The number one reason she is better than Maertz is she has a record of getting things done as an elected official. The money issue Maertz would not let go of and has brought up again and again. It does show that Maertz does not know how to structure a winning campaign. And as a supporter and a donor to Team Fleming I can tell you is not the most important thing to Bridget. 3) Fleming is the only candidate in the this race who has actually crafted a public budget. She has fought for the working families in Southampton and maintain fiscal responsibility. Maertz has not and LaValle will NOT! 4) 30% is the hardcore Democratic base Maertz did not turn them out Bishop did and a professional well run campaign would have done better. PS Herbert, Bridget lives in Noyac, if you think all the Hamptons is lifestyles of the rich and famous you haven't been out here. I drove to Rocky Point last night because Bridget Fleming is a leader with ethics, ability and a record of getting things done. Her door is always open and she fights for all of us. In my life we have not had a State Senator who can compare. I would love to support Ms. Maertz in the future, but she needs to learn how to run for office, AND learn to get her facts right. Last night her memory or her integrity failed her often and I was ashamed for her.
Doesnt matter who gets in, they tell you what you want to hear, then do what they want in order to pay back supporters.
My understanding is that this NYC-based PAC supporting Fleming is run by a NYC Senator. It alleges to have a "good government" purpose, pointed out during the debate. This Senator or her PAC has not spoken out against one of her own NYC Senate Democratic colleagues that was just indicted this past week. Maertz stated that, when she spoke to them, she was told that if she wanted their support she would be expected to pledge loyalty to the same NYC Centric conference that forced the MTA payroll tax on Suffolk County taxpayers and now has had four of its members or former members indicted or convicted this year. One sitting NYC Democratic Senator was indicted this week alone according to what Maertz mentioned at the debate. Fleming did not deny that the NYC Democrats were associated with these things.