We've all come to accept that hyperbole has a place in politics. But why bring G*d into the mix?
In a letter to the New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB), John S. Friscia, Chairman of the Richmond County Republican Committee (RCRC), advised the CFB that the Committee objected to the "wasteful expenditure of tax payers fund." (So far, so good.)
As previously reported, Emanuele Innamorato, a candidate for the 51st City Council District seat, successfully petitioned the Richmond County Supreme Court to have his nickname, "Manny," appear in place and stead of his legal first name on the ballot for the special election. Friscia objected to that outcome noting that, "The taxpayers of New York City are burdened enough that they should not have to incur the bill for a political candidates' vanity."
Friscia estimated the cost of the name change at $35,000 and submitted the following request to the CFB:
I request that since Mr. Innamorato was well acquainted with the rules and chose to ignore his wimisical change of his god given name or his birth name constitutes a breach of trust with the New York City Tax Payer, as well as the spirit of New York City's Campaign Finance Laws. Accordingly, I would respectfully request that Emmanuelle Innamorato's matching funds be reduced by the amount of monies expended by the New York City Board of Elections in accordance with the petition filed by Mr. Innamorato.
"God given name?" What's up with that?
And what about the American flag and Mom's apple pie, Mr. Friscia?
If there had been true concern for the welfare of New York City's taxpayers, there wouldn't have been such needless hoopla over an opposing candidate's "name change" request.*
The whole thing strikes us as petty and utterly nonsensical.
To download a copy of Mr. Friscia's letter, please use the following link: http://www.nyrealestatelawblog.com/RCRC.pdf
For our other blog post on this election, please use the following link: http://www.nyrealestatelawblog.com/2007/02/emanuele_to_manny_whats_the_bi.html#000697
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*The Republican candidate, Vincent Ignizio, ultimately won the race by a landslide. Ignizio received about 3,879 votes (78%) to Innamorato's 1,494 (28%).