FISHKILL – Republican candidates in the Town of Fishkill have had a page of their nominating petitions ruled “invalid” because a person collecting the signatures used an incorrect address and Democrats are going to ask for an investigation.
Ed Baecher, a Republican who lives in Wappingers Falls, collected 19 signatures to nominate Robert LaColla, Glen Scofield, Ori Brachfeld and Raymond Raiche for the positions of town supervisor, highway superintendent, town board members respectively.
Democrat Louise Daniele filed an objection to the signatures collected by Baecher, owner of NTS Auto Body on Route 9 in Fishkill. Daniele’s objections claimed that Baecher “clearly misrepresented where he resided” and both the Democrat and Republican election commissioners agreed with the objections.
Democratic Commissioner Beth Soto and Republican Commissioner Eric Haight ruled on April 10 that the signatures collected by Baecher were not to be counted but the four candidates had still received more than the required amount and were eligible to appear on the ballot.
The nominating petition carried by Baecher has, in his handwriting, the address of 218 Route 9, Fishkill, NY 12524 and is listed as his residence. The petition that bears the pre-typed statement of “I understand that this statement will be accepted for all purposes as the equivalent of an affidavit and, if it contains a material false statement, shall subject me to the same penalties as if I had been duly sworn.” Baecher signed and dated the petition on March 24. When asked about the false statement, Baecher said that his driver’s license and mailing address has the Fishkill business address but he resides in Wappingers Falls.
County records indicate that a lawsuit in which Baecher is a plaintiff, signed by Baecher, says that he resides at 218 Route 9, Fishkill, NY 12524. County records indicate that Baecher owns a home at 67 Myers Corners Road in Wappingers Falls.
Town of Fishkill Democratic Committee Chairman Ozzy Albra said “we plan on asking the Dutchess County DA to investigate Edward Baecher for offering a false instrument for filing.” In New York, a person is guilty of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree when, knowing that a written instrument contains a false statement or false information, and with intent to defraud the State or any political subdivision, public authority, or public benefit corporation of the state, he offers or presents it to a public office, public servant, public authority or public benefit corporation with the knowledge or belief that it will be filed with, registered, or recorded in or otherwise become a part of the records of such public office, public servant, public authority, or public benefit corporation.
When advised of the potential complaint against him, Bacher responded saying “the taxpayers in the 8th district elected me to represent them at the Republican Committee, I am a registered Republican, I’m in the 105th Assembly District and have the right to collect signatures from people in that district.”
Advised that he filed a document with the wrong address, the body shop owner said “it grinds my gears that an opponent in desperation would do whatever to deny all those residents their voice in this election. It seems that these people cannot state what they will do to help Fishkill but find it sporting to tear down all the people who are actually doing it.”
According to state election law, individuals whose petition signatures were invalidated are still eligible to vote in any primary or general election.
