FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: OCTOBER 5, 2011 FOR MORE INFORMATION: MICHAEL FRASER 859-8518, OR BECKY MILLER 727-1841 FOLLOW

DENISE SHEEHAN ON FACEBOOK

SHEEHAN CALLS FOR MAHAN TO RETURN CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS

Donations Received From Landfill Bidders is a Clear Violation of Public Trust COLONIE Denise Sheehan, candidate for Colonie Town Supervisor, today called on Supervisor Paula Mahan to return campaign funds received from two parties who provided donations while actively participating in an open-bid process to secure operating rights for the town landfill. According to published reports, the matter is now in front of the Albany County District Attorney. Its alarming that the Supervisor would shake on a deal with one hand, and take campaign donations with the other. But its even more disturbing that she apparently sees nothing improper about it, Sheehan said. This is another example of politicians saying one thing and doing another. The Supervisor and these companies had everything to gain by these unethical contributions. And as it turned out, the town had everything to lose. According to election financial records, Supervisor Mahan accepted donations in February and March from a former executive at County Waste now Waste Connections and by Waste Management. At the time the money was exchanged, both Waste Connections and Waste Management were participants in a Request for Proposal (RFP) process to secure rights to operate the town landfill. The RFP process was open from January 20 to April 22, 2011. Waste Connections eventually won the bid. Colonie Town Law clearly prohibits public officials from engaging in actions that represent conflicts of interest. According to Town Law (17-4(A)(6)), a conflict of interest occurs if: The person directly or indirectly solicits any gift or accepts or receives any gift or favor, whether in the form of money, services, loan, travel, entertainment, hospitality, thing or promise, or any other form from any person, firm or corporation as an inducement or to effect improperly the performance of the official duties or decision of such official employee. This wasnt an act in the Towns best interest. It was an act in the interest of self-preservation that put government up for sale, Sheehan said. I hope that the Supervisor admits this error in judgment and does the right thing by returning these highly questionable donations. ###