Saland Challenger Rails Against Status Quo

Saland Challenger Rails Against Status Quo (publ 10/10/06)
By Patricia Doxsey, Freeman staff

ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON Brian Keeler, the Democratic candidate for state Senate declaring his opponent to be part of what is wrong with state government vowed to take on the "status quo" in Albany if elected to the 41st Senate District.

Keeler, an East Fishkill resident who is running against Sen. Steve Saland, criticized the 16-term incumbent during a 45-minute forum last week sponsored by Bard College.

He criticized Saland, R-Poughkeepsie, for not attending the forum and said Saland's absence from the forum reflects the attention Saland has given to issues in the district.

"He has been a fixture in Albany, unfortunately, he's chosen not to be a fixture here tonight," said Keeler.

Keeler said Saland's absence at the event, attended by about 75 students and community members, was particularly noticed since Saland is chairman of the Senate Education Committee.

He said Saland has let voters down on education reform, property tax reform, on reforms that would have resulted in lower health care costs for small businesses and lower prescription drug costs for individuals.

"My opponent has blocked the legislation from getting to the floor," said Keeler. Keeler added that Saland was Òpart and parcelÓ of the Senate Republican majority that blocked legislation which had been passed by the Democratic-controlled Assembly.

In a telephone interview Monday, Saland said he was unable to attend the forum due to a family obligation.

Saland said Keeler's attack on his record was taken from the Democratic party's "playbook."

He is saying basically the same thing every other Democrat north of the Bronx is saying," said Saland.

Saland defended his record of achievement during his tenure in office, saying that both in terms of passing laws that benefit all New Yorkers and in responding to the needs of constituents in his district, he has always put first the needs of the state's citizens.

"The reality is that I can't escape the fact that he's the challenger and I'm the incumbent. He is a man with no experience and no record," said Saland.

Keeler said he supports term limits for elected officials to protect the public from "career politicians" who are able to amass such power bases that they are virtually guaranteed re-election regardless of their effectiveness in office.

He said he also supports campaign finance reform and vowed not to use the public funds to send mailings to constituents that, he said, amount to self-promotion.

The 41st Senate District encompasses all of Dutchess and Columbia counties.