FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information:
Matthew Ricchiazzi
(716) 548-3371 c.
matthew.ricchiazzi@changebuffalo.org
(email evidence can be forwarded to all reporters who are interested)
Government money, state workers used to orchestrate a staged anti-Paladino political event
BUFFALO, NY (October 12, 2010) – The partisan anti-Paladino political protest held outside the Ellicott Square Building today was organized by senior administrators of two government-funded service delivery agencies: AIDS Community Services of Western New York, and the Pride Center of Western New York.
The Pride Center of Western New York is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that derives its budget from the New York State Department of Health in the form of an annual grant that is secured at the behest of a popular local politician, who then enjoys the patronage derived from that budget. Among other superfluous and contrived public services, the Pride Center performs the following wastes of taxpayer money (taken from the organization’s website):
- Refer individuals and groups to LGBT organizations and allied organizations for health care, legal issues and other needed assistance
- Enhance communication between organizations and businesses to make their mission and services known to each other and to the larger community.
- Develop leadership within the community.
- Strengthen vehicles of communication and information.
- Expand the visibility of LGBT issues and accomplishments, and educate the general public about the value that the LGBT community has in our society.
- Provide a safe, secure, and private environment for groups and organizations to meet, allowing them to increase their impact on the community
- Organizes parades and festivals
On the day of the partisan political activity, the Pride Center’s Senior Director, Jorien Brock, sent an email to every employee of the agency and other state employees at various government and quasi governmental offices. That email invited them to attend an anti-Paladino protest rally at 4:00 pm, during business hours, while being paid by taxpayers for the “services” that they provide.
Shortly thereafter, Christopher Voltz, the Director of Marketing and Special Projects at AIDS Community Services of WNY, which also derives its budget from the State of New York, sent the same invitation to every employee of AIDS Community Services of Western New York, encouraging them to leave work early to participate in the partisan political activity while being paid by taxpayers.
Other government administrators in City Hall circulated additional invitations. State Senator Antoine Thompson extended the same invitation to state workers in his office.
It is estimated that at least 80% of those individuals attending the partisan anti-Paladino political rally worked for various levels of state, county, and city government, in addition to various taxpayer-funded non-profits. The event was held at 4:00pm, during work hours, on Tuesday, October 12, on the day following a long weekend and paid holiday.
At the event, senior administrators of these taxpayer-funded organizations are on camera engaging in partisan political propaganda directed against a gubernatorial candidate. These bureaucrats and local Democrat politicians are engaging in partisan political activity to propagate their political machine—at taxpayer expense.