Niagara Falls Reporter

Letters to the editor on Destino leaving the GOP
GOODBYE JOHNNY Mike Norris The fact that failed Senate candidate Johnny Destino has left the Republican Party and become a Democrat comes as absolutely no surprise. Honestly, I owe lunch to one of our committeemen who predicted Destino would become a Democrat before this year’s November elections. It was predictable given his naked ambition to win higher office, the fact that people like Jason Zona were assisting his failed Senate bid—and ultimately that 70 percent of GOP voters chose George Maziarz over him. His big ego could never gracefully accept defeat. The Niagara County GOP endorsed Destino for Mayor in 2011 because we agreed with his contention that Mayor Paul Dyster had failed and we backed up that support with key financial and organizational support. We agreed with Johnny Destino that Niagara Falls was headed in the wrong direction under Democrat leadership. We agreed with Johnny Destino that Democrats had done nothing to get Niagara Falls moving in the right direction. We agreed with Johnny Destino that Democrats squandered NYPA and casino cash. With that message, Johnny Destino almost won against huge odds. Destino has now chosen to be a pawn in the machine he was criticizing a year ago in the hope it will get him elected to something with a paycheck, and that’s unfortunate. As for the Niagara Falls GOP, with new leadership and a commitment to our principles, I am confident we are going to be much more successful going forward. Mike Norris, Niagara County Republican Chairman. *** Johnny Destino I see Johnny deserted our party. Did we back the wrong horse? I have trouble with people with no real conviction in their hearts. Same with politicians who get the backing of the Republican line and the Working class or communist party line; it just doesn't sit right. Just an observation. Those people should not be supported either. We need a total overhaul with term limits. Either you have standards or you don't. There is no grey. Tom Blythe * I can totally understand the frustration of Republicans who are trying to reform and take back the party. Unfortunately both major political parties have failed the people. Many times you'll find someone who is willing to do what's right for the people and not be dictated by what the powers to be want. You can look at how some of these people voted to really see where they stand. Many of these "republicans" for all intents and purpose are really Democrats and sometimes you'll find Democrats that are more like Republicans. Voting a straight party line never works out -especially in this political climate. Luisa Smith * Dave Mongielo Do you want to be part of the Niagara County Republican mafia? I consider myself a libertarian, so am I a traitor being a Republican? When the Niagara County Democratic party helped many of us with information and welcomed people to take part in committee process, how can one not want to be part of that organization? Many Dems in the local organization don't agree with Obama, but is that what it’s all about? No! I feel many of us are doing it for the good of the community and if it means changing party, for the good of the community, so be it. All people want the same: better government regardless of party. I’m voting for Gary Johnson for president. He’s the only candidate who represents the will of the people. Should we vote for Romney, if we don't like him? Then what are we? We’re falling for the game of taking sides, just the way the paper said Destino is changing sides, like it’s a football game! Who’s playing the game? or should I say playing us! - David Mongielo

Letters to the editor on Destino leaving the GOP

GOODBYE JOHNNY

Mike Norris

The fact that failed Senate candidate Johnny Destino has left the Republican Party and become a Democrat comes as absolutely no surprise.

Honestly, I owe lunch to one of our committeemen who predicted Destino would become a Democrat before this year’s November elections. It was predictable given his naked ambition to win higher office, the fact that people like Jason Zona were assisting his failed Senate bid—and ultimately that 70 percent of GOP voters chose George Maziarz over him. His big ego could never gracefully accept defeat.

The Niagara County GOP endorsed Destino for Mayor in 2011 because we agreed with his contention that Mayor Paul Dyster had failed and we backed up that support with key financial and organizational support.

We agreed with Johnny Destino that Niagara Falls was headed in the wrong direction under Democrat leadership. We agreed with Johnny Destino that Democrats had done nothing to get Niagara Falls moving in the right direction. We agreed with Johnny Destino that Democrats squandered NYPA and casino cash. With that message, Johnny Destino almost won against huge odds.

Destino has now chosen to be a pawn in the machine he was criticizing a year ago in the hope it will get him elected to something with a paycheck, and that’s unfortunate. As for the Niagara Falls GOP, with new leadership and a commitment to our principles, I am confident we are going to be much more successful going forward.

Mike Norris, Niagara County
Republican Chairman.

***

Johnny Destino

I see Johnny deserted our party. Did we back the wrong horse?
I have trouble with people with no real conviction in their hearts. Same with politicians who get the backing of the Republican line and the Working class or communist party line; it just doesn't sit right. Just an observation.
Those people should not be supported either. We need a total overhaul with term limits. Either you have standards or you don't. There is no grey.

Tom Blythe

***

I can totally understand the frustration of Republicans who are trying to reform and take back the party. Unfortunately both major political parties have failed the people.

Many times you'll find someone who is willing to do what's right for the people and not be dictated by what the powers to be want.

You can look at how some of these people voted to really see where they stand. Many of these "republicans" for all intents and purpose are really Democrats and sometimes you'll find Democrats that are more like Republicans. Voting a straight party line never works out -especially in this political climate.

Luisa Smith

***

Dave Mongielo

Do you want to be part of the Niagara County Republican mafia? I consider myself a libertarian, so am I a traitor being a Republican? When the Niagara County Democratic party helped many of us with information and welcomed people to take part in committee process, how can one not want to be part of that organization? Many Dems in the local organization don't agree with Obama, but is that what it’s all about? No! I feel many of us are doing it for the good of the community and if it means changing party, for the good of the community, so be it. All people want the same: better government regardless of party. I’m voting for Gary Johnson for president. He’s the only candidate who represents the will of the people. Should we vote for Romney, if we don't like him? Then what are we? We’re falling for the game of taking sides, just the way the paper said Destino is changing sides, like it’s a football game! Who’s playing the game? or should I say playing us! -

David Mongielo

Niagara Falls Reporter www.niagarafallsreporter.com Oct 16, 2012