| Late last month, Brian Grear, a Republican, was given the necessary authorization to run as a Democrat against Sen. George Maziarz. The race in the 62nd Senate District is a unique one, considering Grear will not only have the Democratic line, but he is also challenging Maziarz in a Republican primary and Don Hobel, a registered Conservative, is challenging Maziarz on the Conservative line.
There have been questions about how much of a Democrat Grear is, including my own questions. The 62nd Senate District is my state senate district, so I have a personal stake in this.
But Grear came out against Maziarz for Maziarz's environmental record. Grear mentioned Maziarz's 51 percent rating by the EPL-Environmental Advocates in 2006 and also targeted certain legislation Maziarz has supported (or not supported):
Republican State Senate Candidate Brian Grear responded today to George Maziarz's futile attempt or lack of attempt at defending his position regarding the CWM facility or his dismal environmental record. Grear stated "Go ahead an attack me George, because that's about all you can do. Your history shows that's exactly what you do when others take a stand against you. But, in this case, with an environmental record being as poor as yours, you had nothing else to do but that. I'm not making this up folks, Grear stated, according to Project Vote Smart George scored a 51% in environmental issues in 2006. Not exactly a score to be proud of, unless you're the guy trying to defend it. So who is out of touch with the citizens of the district."
"Twelve years you had the opportunity to stop this and you have the audacity to say I'm exhibiting the "same type of strange bizarre behavior" and my claims are "baseless." I forgot if someone has a differing opinion of yours their wrong and you're right", commented Grear.
Grear continued to fire back, "The facts remain the same - you got caught lying or flip flopping you decide what you want to call it. You went from - "I'll do everything within my power to stop this", to "I think I can get it passed in the senate", when talking about placing a tax on the hazardous materials entering Niagara County. You can't have it both ways. Also, you are quick to blame a veto by Gov. Paterson - could you please let me know the bill number that he vetoed, so before I make any empty claims against "my Democrat friends" as you put it, so I can have the facts, because it can not be found since his appointment as Governor. But, what I find disheartening George is you playing the politics as usual game. You conveniently forget to tell the readers another very important fact George. You failed to tell everyone that in 2006 Gov. Pataki vetoed a similar bill. (A11713 same as S8107) Who's trying to score some cheap political points George? There's no "baseless attack or bizarre behavior" as you claim George. I'm running in a primary against you because you have failed this region in so many ways and this is just one of many you'll have to answer to."
You mentioned the word courage - "you don't' have a clue about courage George. We have emergency first responders, which I am proudly one of, and soldiers who have to face this everyday. Sadly, I don't believe you have an once of it in you. George what you fail to realize is I not going away - I plan on doing nothing but providing a truckload of truth every time, and I can't say the same about you. I'll make sure every taxpayer in this district understands who and what you really are - a hypocrite!
"Here's a brief look at your environmental record - This week the Buffalo Business First listed the Top 25 Toxic Emissions sites listed for the year of 2006. According to the byline all data was provided by the US EPA and is the most current data available for the publication. CWM Chemical Services, Ltd ranked #1 with 1.9 million pounds of released emissions. AES Somerset, LLC was in the #2 spot with 1 million pounds of released emissions. Niagara County again has another honor of being ranked #1 of the eight counties of WNY with a total of 3.6 million pounds of emissions. And let's not forget FMC in Middleport where they have been contaminating an entire community to include a school for decades.
Grear concluded with, "George, you claim to be proud of your environmental record as a Senator. Well, congratulations, you have the distinct privilege of representing two facilities that have been named "The Love Canal Sites of Today", while the other received an IDA Pilot for achieving the ranking #2 in Toxic Emissions. I don't believe I'd be proud of these numbers. But, it would take courage to say so!"
That's a pretty long statement, but a strong one. Targeting Maziarz on this issue is key since Maziarz tries to play himself off as a friend of all. Grear, if nothing else, will be a bother to Maziarz. Grear isn't going to run just to get his name out there. He's running to give Maziarz a run for his money. |
