Irondequoit’s very own Think Tank

It’s no secret that the Irondequoit Chamber of Commerce has always been a clubhouse for the town GOP.

In fact, even after our Town’s “First Dude” resigned from his post as Chamber President, each meeting represents a “who’s who” of the Irondequoit GOP elite, from Flo Bianco to the legendary Nobert Rappl to former GOP Town Attorney Tony Sortino.

Thus, given its status as a subcommittee of the Town GOP committee, it’s a pretty safe bet that if you wanted to take the pulse of the Republican committee in Irondequoit, the Chamber’s minutes might be a good place to start.

And what have we here? This past month’s minutes!(Strangely, this was forwarded to me by a Republican member of the Chamber, with an attached note: “Irondequoit GOP 2011 Platform”)

Let’s look at what was up for discussion…..

“Meeting started 8:00 AM”
Well that answers the question as to why there’s no Democrats on the Chamber. This is waaaaay to early to meet. According to the Democratic committee website, the Dems meet at 7:30….PM!

“After hours at Hampton Inn was a success.”… “Mega Mixer was May 5th. Several ICC members were present.”
They don’t call them political PARTIES for no reason.


“Ridge Road Development - Partner with to move forward with redevelopment of Ridge Road. Chamber in favor of this redevelopment. Need to go to town meetings to express this with them. Meeting scheduled for the end of May. Date not set up yet. Invite business on ridge road to join chamber in this effort.” I find this comical. I wonder if there were any dissenters at the Chamber of Commerce who were opposed to redeveloping East Ridge Road. With Frank D’Aurizio’s KFC opening up, you really can sense the momentum building.


“Consolidate Taxing Units. Fire Dept and School Districts”
This is pretty benign so I’ll just skip ove–-WHAT???!!! Consolidate the school district? Surely this must be a suggestion of one of the rogue members (Dick Barone, perhaps). I’m sure it was dismissed immediately, right?

Let’s read on…

“Tony Sortino. Dave Schantz, Norbert Rappl, will meet with Town Board Members on this issue.” Hmm, where have I seen these three names all in the same place before? That’s right, they’re all card carrying members of the Irondequoit Republican Committee!!

According to this, at some time in the near future, the Deputy Leader of the Committee, Mr. Sortino; the former GOP Supervisor, Mr. Schantz; along with the coolest guy in Irondequoit, Major General Rappl, are going to make their pitch of consolidating our school and fire districts.What’s more amazing is the fact that these GOP policy wonks are ready to suggest this without even studying the issue.

The Chamber/GOP subcommittee was wise to note that this is a “Sensitive issue with these town units, need to be done in the right way.” Yeah, if by “sensitive issue” you mean: “the St Paul Fire Department will declare this their hill to die on (if Irondequoit had hills, that is).


Okay, let’s move on. I’m sure nothing else controversial was said.

“Dan Buerkle made a suggestion on trying to work on getting the supervisor position from 2 years to 4 years. Need to have more time to complete and know the town. Referendum needs to be put on ballot in November. Will need 10% of the voters who voted in the last governor election. Bob Spatola, Dan Buerkle, Peter Kelderhouse, Dave Shaheen and Tony Sortino on the committee”

To my knowledge, there is only one other Town in Monroe County where the Supervisor serves a four year term. With this additional two years in the Supervisor term, you would think it would be a Town where government ran so smoothly, so transparently, without any commotion that residents were proud to have their trusted Supervisor serve for four years at a time, right?

Well, what if I told you that town was Greece?

Could it be that the Irondequoit Republicans are so hungry for power, they want our Town Government to emulate the most unethical, corrupt Town in New York?

I also find it rather odd that these learned men never thought of this great idea while the Democrats were in control at Town Hall. If I know my Republican committeemen correctly, I believe that all but one of these guys is a card carrying member of the IQ GOP.

The only question is: will the former First Lady of the Irondequoit Chamber of Commerce embrace the counsel of these Blue Ribbon Commissions?

Stay tuned, kids!