Eric Massa has railed against our Town Board and made incessant accusations and misstatements regarding the wind farm. One example of such lunacy was his belief that there would be no hunting within 8 miles of a turbine because all the deer would flee the area—he stated this publicly on the radio on numerous occasions.



This cake showed up at tonight’s Town Board meeting and put a smile on a lot of faces.

MASSA-- REALLY??????

Plus-- he is entitled to pension benefits as a Congressman.



WASHINGTON — Former Democratic Rep. Eric Massa will have to return $129,251 of the $1 million in donations his campaign committee raised in 2009, according to the Federal Election Commission.




But most of the $643,973 in cash that Massa's campaign had as of Dec. 31 won't have to be returned.


The distinction, according to FEC spokesman Christian Hillard, is that money raised for the general election in November must be returned within 60 days after a retirement is announced. Money raised for the period leading up to a party primary doesn't have to be returned, even if there was no opponent.

Under federal election law, once a contributor donates the maximum allowed amount ahead of a primary, money donated after that is applied to the general election.

It's not known how much Massa's campaign raised and how much it spent between Jan. 1 and his March 3 announcement that he would not seek re-election, which preceded his decision to resign. That amount will be reported April 15, the next filing deadline for FEC campaign finance statements.

Two other former congressmen from western New York — Republican Tom Reynolds of Clarence, who retired at the end of 2008, and Democrat John LaFalce of Buffalo, who retired at the end of 2002 — still have large cash balances in their former campaign accounts.

Like Reynolds and LaFalce, Massa will be required to file periodic campaign reports as long as there is money in his campaign accounts.


Massa's committee could make maximum donations of $2,000 to Democratic candidates for Congress around the country, including whomever party leaders choose to run for his former seat.

Shawn Hogan, Hornell mayor and Steuben County Democratic Party chairman, said most candidates wouldn't want a donation from Massa.


"I think it would be best served to give it to charity," Hogan said. "If anyone took that money, it would bring a dark cloud over them."

Massa also could convert his campaign committee to a political action committee and use it for issue advocacy.


There's no limit on how much the committee can donate to charity or to a federal campaign committee such as the Democratic National Committee or the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Norman Ornstein, an expert on campaign finance at the American Enterprise Institute, a Washington think tank, doubts that even the DCCC would want Massa's money.

BTUMULTY@Gannett.com

Friday, March 12, 2010
Howard: PILOT for wind farm gets OK
Howard, N.Y.

Plans to set up a 25-turbine wind farm in the Town of Howard took another step forward Thursday, with the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency approving property tax reductions for the project.

The board approved a 20-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes – or PILOT – agreement for the EverPower project, Howard Wind.

The amount of taxes the energy company pays will be based on the amount of electricity the wind turbines produce. It will pay $8,300 per megawatt the first year, with 3 percent fee increases beginning the second year.

“We’re obviously very happy that the project is moving forward,” said Kevin Sheen, head of business development for EverPower Renewables in Howard.

PILOTS reduce property taxes for 15-20 years in return for annual payments divided between the town, county and school districts affected by the project.

The payments increase gradually every year until the property is at full taxation by the end of the agreement.

The split between Steuben, Howard and two area school districts has not been determined, but the total first year payment estimate is $415,000-$522,900.

SCIDA’s approval is based on similar approval pending in the town of Howard, and the school districts.

The town has not yet issued permits or collected fees, Sheen said.

Sheen also cleared up information posted on EverPower’s Web site reporting leases held by town officials.

Sheen said the most recent report, filed with the state Attorney General’s office in December, needed clarification.

The developer’s December report indicated brothers Dale and Lowell Smith had lease agreement options for 20 locations on Smith Farm, with each man individual leaseholders, as well.

What was not as clear in the report is all 20 locations were dropped from consideration, and there are no plans to set up any turbines on Smith Farm, Sheen said.

“It is not as clear as it needs to be,” Sheen said. “What this does do is say they have a financial interest.”

Dale Smith is a member of the town planning board, and Lowell Smith is a member of the town board.

The brothers jointly own land scheduled for two leases, Sheen said.

The report also does not include town planning board alternate member Wesley Coots as a leaseholder, Sheen said.

Other town officials with leases for turbines location are Planning Board Chairman Jack Bossard and Town Councilman William Hatch.

Sheen stressed any official on the town or planning boards with leases has not voted on wind farm issues.

DID MY CHOICE HELP MASSA?
Bob Lonsberry comments- 3-10-2010
I have a son who is 25. He is an intern in a state legislature.

I thought of him yesterday afternoon when I read that Eric Massa is suspected of sexually groping several young men who worked on his congressional staff.

I thought that the victims in this matter were probably young men like my son, starting out in life, thrilled at the opportunity to serve and learn at the seat of power. They went to Washington to do something great.

And something evil was done to them.

They were violated, not just in body, but in mind and spirit.

And thinking about that, I felt guilty. Sick-to-my-stomach guilty. Wish-I-could-go-back-in-time-and-do-things-differently guilty.

Guilty because, though I knew almost four years ago of Eric Massa’s alleged penchant for sexually assaulting younger and subordinate males, I said nothing about it. Thinking I was doing the better thing, I didn’t report what I knew. I didn’t stop him.

Which makes me partially responsible for his new victims.

That’s what I thought about yesterday.

Shortly after Eric Massa came to New York to run for Congress, I was contacted by a former shipmate of his, a naval officer who told me that while Massa was in the Navy he made unwanted sexual advances on two lower-ranking male officers.

That was incendiary information and I sought to verify it. I was not able to contact the alleged victims. But I did find two more former Navy officers who had served with Massa and remembered hearing about the incidents, though they did not have any first-hand information.

They knew enough, however, to lead me to believe that the first officer was telling the truth and that his claims were genuine.

But I did not report the story.

The charges were almost 15 years old, Massa had a wife and two children at home, no formal complaints had ever been filed, I had no information of recent occurrences. I didn’t think it was pertinent to the political contest at hand.

And I don’t like scandal.

I will fight people on the issues, but I will not destroy them personally. I know what it is like to have your own bad choices put you on the front page. I know what it is like to be disgraced, and I know what that does to innocent family members.

And I am reluctant to do that to anyone.

So I was silent about Massa. I argued against his politics, I wrote about a court case he was involved in. But I didn’t write about his alleged sexual aggression and abuse.

I considered it from the standpoint of journalism, and I considered it from the standpoint of politics and personal considerations.

But I didn’t think about future victims.

It never occurred to me.

And unwittingly I protected Massa instead of protecting them.

And I knew better.

I have thought about this issue often, and written about it. About the importance of reporting sexual crimes, about the importance of speaking up if you are a victim. Reporting what was done to you is a way to keep others from facing what you have faced.

I have written that church and school leaders must never sweep abuse under the carpet, that they must root out criminal conduct so that innocent children are protected from it.

I know that many of these people don’t reform, and that they depend on silence and fear to allow them to continue to force themselves on victims.

I knew all that.

And I knew it from experience.

I was molested as a little boy, by a man who molested little boys before and after me. In an odd horror, my investigation of Eric Massa’s staff indicates that there is a good chance the man who molested me later molested someone who grew up to work for Eric Massa.

If someone molested before me had told, I would have been spared. If I had told, the staff member would have been spared.

That kind of eats at you.

And yet the real danger of Eric Massa never occurred to me. I kept my mouth shut. And Eric Massa got elected. And now it seems there are new victims.

And I feel like an unwitting accomplice.

Last night as I watched him on Glenn Beck, he had the bug eyes of a liar, the manic BS of a conman. He was as genuine as a knock-off purse.

But I wasn’t thinking about him.

I was thinking about the staffers, the ones the “Washington Post” said he essentially sexually assaulted. I thought of them as young men like my son, in Washington for a dream job, faced with a dispiriting evil.

A lot of attention has focused on Eric Massa and his writhing dance of deception.

But I choose to think about his alleged new victims, and the one who had the courage to say something. That young man, and another congressional staffer, did what many others of us have failed to do.

He stopped Eric Massa.

Not Eric Massa the congressman.

But Eric Massa the predator.

DID ERIC MASSA COMMIT PERJURY? Lonsberry- comments 2006

Democratic congressional candidate Eric Massa has been accused by his former campaign manager of lying under oath earlier this year and committing perjury.

The accusation comes in court documents filed in state Supreme Court in Bath, New York, as part of a dispute between the two men over arbitration related to Eric Massa's employment of Sanford Dickert, a technology expert and political operative from New York City.

The campaign manager claimed that Eric Massa's affidavit is "nothing short of a false statement, under oath, submitted to court." He called the candidate's statement "perjurous."

Dickert's claims are substantiated by three other Eric Massa campaign workers.

Eric Massa "blatantly lied" under oath, one campaign worker swore in an affidavit on file with the Steuben County Clerk's Office.

Also arising from the documents is the claim by Eric Massa to have been aware of at least two violations of the law, including the supplying of alcohol to minors, which do not seem to have been reported to the authorities.

At the heart of the controversy is a three-page "Affidavit in Support of Petition to Stay Arbitration" sworn to under oath by Eric Massa on August 25. The affidavit is a list of reasons why he fired Sanford Dickert as the campaign manager of Massa for Congress. The apparent purpose of the affidavit is to demonstrate that Eric Massa doesn't have to submit to arbitration on the issue of unpaid compensation to Sanford Dickert because he was -- according to Eric Massa -- a bad employee or was hired under false pretenses.

For example, he swore that he had been "led to believe" that Sanford Dickert -- who had been brought to his attention by Nassau County supporter Nancy Mindes -- had a variety of well-developed campaign skills. In actuality, in her own affidavit, Nancy Mindes testified that she personally made Eric Massa aware from the very beginning that Sanford Dickert was fairly new to the political business.

In fact, in an internal campaign e-mail sent out by Eric Massa at the end of April -- when he appointed Sanford Dickert -- the candidate wrote: "Sanford has experience in building and managing small tech-oriented companies, in personal coaching and recently in a tour of duty as the (chief technical officer) for the Kerry for President campaign."

"Sanford knows his strengths and weaknesses -- as do I," Eric Massa wrote. But the newcomer did bring a "valuable and critical tool," the e-mail claimed, "He is loyal to this campaign."

And yet, in his affidavit, Eric Massa claimed not to have known of Sanford Dickert's background, and claims to have been misled. That claim does not seem consistent with other affidavits and with the campaign e-mail.

Most forcibly rebutting the Eric Massa claims is the 19-page affidavit sworn to and filed by Sanford Dickert. He goes through point-by-point and rejects or disproves the Eric Massa assertions. Additionally, the Sanford Dickert testimony is corroborated by three additional affidavits from Massa for Congress campaign workers, while the Eric Massa affidavit was offered without supporting statements, evidence or corroboration.

"Multiple witnesses, from Massa's own campaign, have submitted affidavits documenting that Massa's recitations, allegations, and mudslinging against me are outright lies," Sanford Dickert swore. "Massa has no supporting affidavits joining him in his outrageous claims."

Two and possibly three of the claims Eric Massa makes in his affidavit involve illegal conduct.

In the first, the congressional candidate swore, "Dickert solicited illegal furniture donations from various merchants."

If Eric Massa believed that to be true, he was in the position, as a candidate, of having discovered his campaign manager soliciting illegal campaign contributions. Yet there is no indication he notified the Federal Elections Commission of this.

Further, Eric Massa swore under oath that Sanford Dickert, "lured three college-age boys under the legal drinking age into (a campaign) apartment, and provided for their consumption more than a case of beer and a bottle of vodka."

If Eric Massa believed that to be true, he should have notified the Ciy of Corning Police Department -- particularly since the under-age drinkers were volunteers with his campaign, away from home presumably under his care, kind of like congressional pages. Yet there is no indication he told the police or anyone else of this supposed event.

Relative to the claim that Sanford Dickert gave the volunteers alcohol, one of them -- Burak Kanber, a student at the prestigious Cooper Union in New York City -- swore under oath: "I do not know why Eric Massa would lie in his affidavit that Sanford Dickert lured me and or my roommates into our apartment and/or provided for the alchohol that was in said apartment. I know on personal knowledge that the alcohol that was in said apartment was purchased by our roommate, Miss Alison Andrews, a 26-year-old female, who is of legal drinking age and purchased the alcohol for her own comsumption."

The Massa for Congress worker goes on to say that Eric Massa, "swears, under oath, to having witnessed things he never saw and which never happened."

The third possible violation of law claimed in the Eric Massa affidavit is cryptic. After saying that Sanford Dickert had "lured" or "solicited" young males described as "boys" or "young high school boys," Eric Massa wrote: "Dickert invited my then-16-year-old son to spend the night with him."

It is unclear if that is supposed to be a sexual reference. At best, it is meant to be ambiguous. And, at best, if an inappropriate sexual advance was made to a minor child -- most particularly his own son -- Eric Massa had a moral obligation to report that crime to the police. Yet there is no indication he told any police agency about this conduct.

And that is troubling.

Because either the Eric Massa affidavit is true, and the candidate indefensibly chose not to report state and federal crimes, or the affidavit is false -- as four Eric Massa campaign workers claim -- and Eric Massa has committed perjury.

Either way, Eric Massa should be held to account.

And the news media should stop sitting on this story.

As Richard Nixon said, the people have a right to know their president is not a crook. The same is true of the man who wants to be their congressman.

By the way, the judge didn't buy it. State Supreme Court Justice Peter C. Bradstreet rejected Eric Massa's request to avoid arbitration.


- by Bob Lonsberry © 2006

Posted Tuesday, March 09, 2010 7:28 PM
Eric Massa's Unconvincing Performance on Glenn Beck
Howard Fineman
The president finally caught a break in the Beltway steel-cage match over health care. Former representative Eric Massa and Glenn Beck may have thought they were teaming up to stop Obamacare, but the duo both ended up looking ridiculous on Fox. Viewers—even Fox viewers—might conclude that any bill these guys don't like must be worthy of every voter's support.

There's no doubt that the White House and Hill Democrats are out to discredit Massa, who claims he was pressured to resign because he opposes Obamacare. But on Beck's show, Massa made a complete fool of himself, and even Beck was forced to conclude that he had wasted his own viewers' time by hosting the former congressman for an hour.

Massa has been under investigation since early February for allegations that he sexually harassed at least one male staffer. Massa's defense about one incident—that he was merely reenacting the exuberant "tickle fight" male bonding of a Navy "crossing the line" ceremony—left Beck momentarily speechless. The host clearly realized at that instant that he had a sad, confused dude sitting across from him, and not someone who would impress Fox viewers.


Massa made it worse by insisting that it was his own behavior—not pressure from White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel—that made him quit the House.

As to the now famous (alleged) naked shower confrontation with Emanuel in the House gym, Massa insisted that it happened (Emanuel said it didn't). But even Beck seemed dubious. He asked a Journalism 101 question: were there any witnesses?

Massa didn't know.

End of story.

"We finally have found someone crazier than Glenn Beck," a White House insider told me. It's hard to disagree.

Tag(s): Congress

Massa resigns under ethics cloud

AP – FILE - This Tuesday Oct. 14, 2008 picture shows Eric Massa, Democratic candidate for New York's 29th …
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By LAURIE KELLMAN, Associated Press Writer Laurie Kellman, Associated Press Writer – 34 mins ago
WASHINGTON – New York Democratic Rep. Eric Massa, facing a harassment complaint by a male staffer, said Friday that he is stepping down from his seat with "a profound sense of failure."

"I am guilty," Massa said in an interview with a Corning, N.Y., newspaper columnist.

Later in the day, Massa released a statement saying that after learning he had a recurrence of cancer, he learned he was the subject of an ethics complaint by a male staffer who felt "uncomfortable" during an exchange with Massa. The exchange reportedly had sexual overtones.

"I will resign my position," Massa said in the statement.

"There is no doubt in my mind that I did in fact, use language in the privacy of my own home and in my inner office that, after 24 years in the Navy, might make a Chief Petty Officer feel uncomfortable," Massa added. "In fact, there is no doubt that this ethics issue is my fault and mine alone."

Earlier Friday, a visibly upset Massa said he didn't want to put his family through the rigors of an ethics committee investigation.

"It would tear us apart," Massa said, according to Joe Dunning, a columnist for The Leader newspaper. "It's not that I can fight or beat these allegations, I'm guilty."

The resignation takes effect Monday.

Massa's departure is good news for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's effort to advance a troubled health care overhaul. Massa had voted against it. His departure reduces the majority she needs for passage to 216.

Massa's acknowledgment of inappropriate behavior comes as the House's majority Democrats struggle with ethics matters among their own ranks despite promising to clean up Congress when they came to power.

The New York delegation has been especially hard-hit by ethics matters. Rep. Charlie Rangel, a 20-term House veteran and the most influential member of the delegation, surrendered the chairmanship of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee this week after the ethics committee found that the Harlem Democrat had broken House rules on accepting gifts.

And New York Gov. David Paterson dropped his re-election bid because of evidence he may have pressed the girlfriend of his closest top aide to drop charges of domestic violence against that aide. He's losing staff amid calls for him to quit.

Massa at first dismissed the allegations against him. The ethics committee issued a statement Thursday saying it is "investigating and gathering additional information concerning matters related to allegations involving" Massa.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Wednesday that he was told the week of Feb. 8 by a staff member in Massa's office about allegations of misconduct. Hoyer directed Massa to report the allegations to the House ethics committee within 48 hours. Hoyer said he got confirmation within that time frame that the committee received the report and would review the allegations.

Pelosi told reporters Thursday that Massa had informed her of his diagnosis and plans to retire, but that her staff had not told her of rumors about his staffer. "This is rumor city," Pelosi said.

Massa, who is married, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1996. He was elected in 2008, defeating Republican Rep. Randy Kuhl.

The 29th district in the southwestern corner of New York has been dominated by Republicans since the party's founding in 1854. It's a largely agricultural district the size of Connecticut.

Citing his cancer, Massa, 50, said Wednesday he would retire at the end of his term. During a conference phone call with reporters that day, Massa dismissed a Politico story that cited unidentified House aides in reporting that the congressman had been accused of harassing a staffer.

____

Associated Press writers Andrew Miga and Liz Sidoti in Washington and Ben Dobbin in Rochester, N.Y., contributed to this report.

Massa to resign from office

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


By The LeaderU.S. Rep. Eric Massa, D-Corning, announced Friday that he is resigning from office.
By Joe Dunning
Corning Leader
Fri Mar 05, 2010, 03:51 PM EST

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Corning, N.Y. -
Embattled U.S. Rep. Eric Massa announced Friday afternoon that he will resign from office effective Monday.

Massa, 50, notified his Washington and campaign staff from his home in Corning that he was leaving office, citing a reocurrance of cancer and allegations filed against him with the House Ethics Committee.

Massa admitted in his statement that he had used inappropriate language in front of staff both in his home and in his office.

"There is no doubt in my mind I have used improper language," he said. "It's my fault and I can't blame anyone but myself."

Massa said he learned of the allegations made by a member of his staff on Thursday by reading Internet news sources. He said he does not know the identity of the staff member, when the incident happened or what was said.

"I can't subject my family and staff to a full investigation," Massa said. "It would tear us apart ... It's not that I can fight or beat these allegations, I'm guilty."

Had the Ethics Committee conducted an investigation and found evidence against Massa, he could have faced a range of penalties from censure to expulsion.

His seat will either be filled by a special election or left vacant until November's election. That decision will be made by Gov. David Paterson.

Massa's announcement comes just two days after he announced he would not seek a second term representing the 29th Congressional District.

Massa Resigning from Congress Monday

Last Update: 4:37 pm MARCH 5-2010

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BLOG: The Massa Side of the Story (UPDATE)
Massa Won't Seek Re-Election, Cites Health Reasons
Scramble for 29th District Seat
Washington - Rep. Eric Massa (D-Corning) is resigning his seat in Congress. His resignation is to become official Monday at 5 p.m.

On Wednesday, in an announcement that surprised even Democrats, Massa ) declared Wednesday that he will not seek re-election for his seat in the 29th District. He explained that in December he suffered his third cancer reoccurrence, calling the experience "intense and personal."

Massa is now at his home in Corning under the care of his doctor.

Prior to those statements, reports surfaced alleging that Massa was accused of sexually harassing a male staffer.

According to the Associated Press, the House ethics panel is reviewing a complaint against Massa by a male staffer who reportedly felt uncomfortable in a situation with Massa that had sexual overtones.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer on Wednesday said he was told the week of Feb. 8 by a staff member in Massa's office about allegations of misconduct. Hoyer directed Massa to report the allegations to the House Ethics Committee within 48 hours. Hoyer said he got confirmation within 48 hours that the Ethics Committee had received the report and would review the allegations.

Massa was first elected to Congress in 2008 after defeating Republican incumbent Randy Kuhl. The 29th District includes several areas of southern Monroe County, as well as the Southern Tier cities of Corning and Elmira.

When Massa officially resigns Monday, the Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives will manage the office and staff, while Massa’s chief of staff Joe Racalto remains as an office administrator.

Governor Paterson will now decide whether a special election will be held or whether the seat will remain filled in that capacity until the November election decides who takes over in January.

Paterson has until Mid-April to call for a special election. After he signs the proclamation, the election must take place within 30-40 days. A spokesman for the governor says Paterson has been considering this, is aware of the situation, and could make a decision very soon.

Among the names that have been mentioned as possible candidates to run for the seat in 2010 are Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks (R), Hornell Mayor Shawn Hogan (D), and Kuhl. Former Corning Mayor Tom Reed (R) has already announced that he is running for the seat.

What I Knew About Eric Massa- Bob Lonsberry WHAM Rochester
Thursday 03-04-2010 6:55am ET

I’ve known about Eric Massa’s problem for more than three years.
And I’m not talking about his lymphoma.
I’m talking about the fact that he is reportedly attracted to men, and that he manifests it in inappropriate ways.
And now he is leaving Congress over it.
At least that is the assumption in Washington, as he yesterday announced his decision not to seek re-election, on the same day that it was reported that the House Ethics Committee is investigating a claim that he sexually harassed a young male staff member.
In Massa’s statement, he intimated – but did not directly say – that he was leaving public life because of his health. He also referenced – but did not specifically deny – a report of the accusation.
I hope Eric Massa’s health is strong, and that his cancer has not returned. But I seriously doubt that this is about his health.
It is about his conduct.
Currently, it is alleged that he sexually harassed a male staff member, and that this staff member went for help to a more senior congressional staffer, who contacted the office of House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. According to a statement released by Hoyer last night, he directed that the matter be taken to the Ethics Committee for review.
Hoyer also said that, though he doesn’t know whether the allegations are true or not, he regrets the fact that the episode reflects poorly on the Congress. He compared it to the matter of former Rep. Mark Foley, who sent inappropriate sexual text messages to a male House page.
When I heard the allegations against Eric Massa yesterday, they were sadly similar to allegations I became aware of during his first congressional campaign and which, though I was confident of their truthfulness, I did not report.
The information is this: During his Navy career, Eric Massa allegedly touched at least two men inappropriately and may have exhibited a pattern of putting himself in situations where he would see men naked – particularly younger and lower-ranked men.
These allegations come from general shipboard understandings and conversations, and were relayed to me by shipmates of Eric Massa.
In one instance, Eric Massa was a lieutenant commander and the combat systems officer of the USS Jouett. That made him the third-ranking officer on the boat – behind the captain and the executive officer.
According to another officer on the ship, Massa and a lieutenant were on liberty in the Middle East. Massa had made the motel arrangements and the room turned out to have only one bed. The lieutenant reportedly told other officers on the ship that while they were in the room, Massa came up behind him and started massaging his neck and shoulders.
The lieutenant, shocked by this conduct from a higher-ranking officer, shrugged it off, literally.
In the night, he later told shipmates, he was awakened by Massa’s hands in his shorts. The lieutenant was startled and turned away. Massa rolled over and pretended to be asleep.
Whether that happened or not, only two people know. But the story was known on the ship and was passed to me by a fellow officer and graduate of the Naval Academy.
A few months after this incident, another lieutenant – who had been Eric Massa’s stateroom roommate onboard the Jouett – was having a Hail and Farewell on the beach at North Island in San Diego. At the party – which celebrated the lieutenant’s departure for a new assignment – other officers asked him what it was like to room with Massa.
They then related the alleged incident from the motel room on shore leave. It was the first the lieutenant had heard.
He then told the officers present that he had had a somewhat similar situation. In the stateroom, Massa had the bottom rack and the lieutenant had the top rack. The lieutenant told the people at the Hail and Farewell that one night he had awakened to Massa atop him in his bunk.
The lieutenant rebuffed Massa.
Neither lieutenant officially complained about their experiences. In both instances, Massa was their boss – the No. 3 man on the ship – and they both were afraid of the captain, a reportedly gruff and harsh man. Massa’s stateroom roommate did report the situation to his immediate superior, but the superior – an Annapolis classmate of Massa’s – reportedly said it was best to keep things quiet.
Nothing ever came of either event.
Also while on the Jouett, junior officers were troubled by the fact that Massa used their shower – even though it was four decks below his stateroom and he had showering facilities with the other senior officers.
On a later assignment, as the executive officer of another ship, rumor went around the Navy that Eric Massa was in the habit of using a self-serve laundry next to the enlisted-men’s shower at 6 in the morning. Typically, an XO’s laundry would be done by an orderly, and an officer doing his own would not use the enlisted laundry.
These are the things I knew about Eric Massa three years ago. I had them primarily from one source, and in part from two other sources.
None of the sources wanted to speak publicly, though one of the sources wanted the story to go public. The other two feared retribution and had gone on with their lives and didn’t want to get involved in an old controversy.
Though I very much opposed Eric Massa in both of his campaigns, I did not report this information or ask him about it.
My thinking was this. Though the stories and how they developed seemed genuine, I recognized that it was possible they could have been mere gossip about a caustic and unpopular officer. They may also have been an orchestrated lie.
And while I had enough sourcing to put the information out, from a journalism standpoint, I didn’t feel good about it, from a personal standpoint.
The stories came to me a good 10 years after they happened. I considered that Eric Massa, even if the accusations were true, might well, in the intervening decade, have put his life in order and engaged in better conduct. Further, there was the matter of his family. He is married and has three children, and cavalierly hurting his family was not something I had the stomach for.
Additionally, I didn’t think it was relevant. Not relevant enough to pull the pin out of the grenade and throw it.
Finally, there were political considerations. Though I actively spoke and wrote against Massa’s candidacies – I reported other, more-pertinent damaging information about him – in his first race he had no chance of winning, and in the second race the real issue was the ability of his opponent, Congressman Randy Kuhl.
In short, raising this issue, under those circumstances, didn’t seem right. The good to be accomplished was not worth the damage that would be done.
Withholding the information was a decision I still feel good about.
But I was not surprised when news of the new allegation came forward. It struck me as a continuation of an old behavior pattern.
It also struck me as sad.
Because, while I disagree with Eric Massa, I have come to begrudgingly respect and even like him. He is a carpetbagger, and it galls me that this liberal parachuted in to represent the area where I grew up, but he has over the last year shown a personality that is winning. He has also been a very good congressman when it comes to honoring his district’s servicemen and veterans. A month ago, I saw him stand in line outside a funeral home in 20-degree temperatures for more than two hours in order to pay his respects to the family of a fallen Marine.
I respect that.
But that is over.
And now the question is: Who will replace him?
It is a Republican district, and this fall is shaping up to be a powerful pushback against the Obama Democrats, so prospects look very good for a Republican candidate. Unfortunately, the sacrificial Republican lamb sent up to face Massa is not really worthy of having the seat handed to him on a silver platter.
Though most of the Republican county chairmen have settled on this candidate, they should rethink their endorsements.
Most likely GOP candidates would be Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks, former Congressman Randy Kuhl, state Senator Cathy Young and Assembly minority leader Brian Kolb.
Most likely Democrat candidate would be longtime Hornell Mayor Shawn Hogan.
A factor in the race, and who decides to enter it, is the fact that this district will disappear in 2012. When New York redistricts, and loses seats in the House of Representatives, it’s a sure bet that the Democrats who draw the lines will eliminate this majority-Republican district.
If Massa was still around, maybe he could get the Democrats to protect his seat. With him replaced by a Republican, the district is doomed.
So the question will be, who wants to go through a campaign, and give up their day job, for two years in Congress?
The next few weeks will probably answer that question.
Yesterday was an interesting day in New York politics. It began with talk about the governor’s future, and ended with discussion of a congressman’s future.
I was surprised to hear Eric Massa was quitting politics.
But I wasn’t surprised by the reason why.

NY Democrat Massa retiring, citing health reasons
Posted at: 03/03/2010 2:50 PM | Updated at: 03/03/2010 4:09 PM

Rep. Eric Massa, a freshman Democrat from New York, says he will retire because of health reasons. Massa told reporters of his decision on a conference call Wednesday (listen to the call -- no video).
http://whec.dayport.com/viewer/viewerpage.php?Art_ID=11987&tf=whecliveplayer.tpl

Massa said, “There are blogs who are saying that I am leaving because there are charges -- harassment against my staff. Do I or have I ever used salty language when I am angry, especially in the privacy of my inner office or even at home? -- Yes I have and I have apologized to those where it is appropriate but those kinds of articles unsubstantiated without fact or backing are a symptom of what's wrong with this city. And it's why so many have looked at the absolute gridlock in Washington, the intense partisanship without rational thought and decided like I. I do not have the life's energy to fight all the battles all the time.”

He was elected in 2008, defeating Republican Rep. Randy Kuhl in a district long dominated by Republicans.

Massa was stricken with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1996. He underwent aggressive treatment and stayed on as an aide to retired Gen. Wesley K. Clark, a presidential candidate in 2004.

County Executive Maggie Brooks issued a statement saying, "Since early this afternoon, I have received dozens of calls from my colleagues in Monroe County, across New York State, and in Washington who have asked me to run for Congress now that the 29th Congressional District will be an open seat. Out of respect for our community leaders and a desire to serve hardworking and overburdened taxpayers, I will give this opportunity serious consideration over the next several days. Ultimately, I will make a decision that allows me to best serve the people of Monroe County and Upstate New York by fighting for lower taxes, job creation, public safety, and a quality of life that is second to none."



For more Rochester, N.Y. news go to our website www.whec.com.

By JOHN BRESNAHAN & JONATHAN ALLEN & JOSH KRAUSHAAR

Rep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) won't run for reelection after just one term in office.
Photo: John Shinkle
Rep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) will not seek reelection — after only one term in office.


According to several House aides on both sides of the aisle, the House ethics committee has been informed of allegations that Massa, who is married with two children, sexually harassed a male staffer.


Massa told POLITICO Wednesday afternoon that no one has brought allegations of misconduct to him.


Asked about the sexual harassment allegations, Massa said: "When someone makes a decision to leave Congress, everybody says everything. I have health issues. I'll talk about it [later].”


Massa recently suffered from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and he has said that his experience with cancer drove him to run for office so he could help reform the health care system.


A 20-year Navy veteran, Massa was elected to office in 2008. He serves on the Agriculture, Armed Services and Homeland Security committees, and his departure endangers Democrats’ hold on his competitive upstate New York seat.


Massa is scheduled to hold a conference call at 3:30 this afternoon to announce his decision, which came as a complete surprise to several of his freshman Democratic colleagues in the New York delegation.

According to the New York Daily News, which first reported that Massa was retiring, the congressman called party leaders and supporters in his district Wednesday to tell them of his plans.


Massa has played a gadflylike role in the House, calling for a single-payer health care system at a conference of liberal activists last year despite representing a Republican-leaning district. He was one of 39 House Democrats to vote against health care legislation; he said it didn’t do enough to control costs.


As a freshman representing New York’s most Republican House district, Massa was one of the most endangered Democrats in the delegation. Republicans had been aggressively targeting his seat and landed top recruit Tom Reed, the Republican mayor of Corning, to challenge him.


Massa is now the 15th House Democrat to announce retirement plans, with 11 of them leaving districts that Republicans are aggressively contesting. House Republicans face 19 retirements within GOP ranks, but most of their departing members hail from safe seats.


Massa’s departure also adds to the woes of New York Democrats, who have been on the defensive this week amid a scandal surrounding Gov. David Paterson, who announced he wasn’t running for election, and the tribulations involving embattled Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), who stepped down as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee Wednesday.


Massa’s departure could scramble the Republican field, since the filing deadline is not until July. Potential candidates include Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks, state Assemblyman Brian Kolb and state Sen. Kathy Young.


Massa defeated former GOP Rep. John “Randy” Kuhl (R-N.Y.) in 2008, narrowly winning by a 2-point margin.



Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/33864.html#ixzz0h9E70WaQ


Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/33864.html#ixzz0h9E76Jhr

BREAKING NEWS: Politico: Rep. Massa to Retire, Allegedly Sexually Harassed Male Staffer


Politico: Rep. Massa to Retire, Allegedly Sexually Harassed Male Staffer

Last Update: 3:19 pm

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Congressman Eric Massa
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Politico: Massa to retire amid allegations he sexually harassed a male staffer
Washington, DC – The Politico is reporting at Rep. Eric Massa (D-Corning, N.Y.) will not seek reelection after only one term in office.

The Politico sources “several House aides on both sides of the aisle” to report that the “House ethics committee has been informed of allegations that Massa sexually harassed a male staffer.”

Massa is married with two children.

According to Politico, Massa said no one has brought allegations of misconduct against him and when asked about the allegations, Massa said: "When someone makes a decision to leave Congress, everybody says everything. I have health issues. I'll talk about it [later].”

Massa was stricken with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1996.

He has scheduled a conference call at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Massa was elected to office in the 29th congressional district in November 2008 after defeating Republican incumbent Randy Kuhl in an election rematch from 2006. His district includes several Monroe County towns as well as the Southern Tier. Serving in a heavily Republican district, Massa's seat had been viewed as vulnerable for the GOP to regain.

He is the third New York Democrat embroiled in trouble in recent days, including Gov. David Paterson and Rep. Charles Rangel, who stepped down as chairman from the House Ways and Means Committee Wednesday.


13WHAM will bring you more information as it becomes available.

March 3, 2010 1:29 PM 2 Comments
Dem Source: Massa Won't Run (Updatedx2) »
By Elizabeth Benjamin

Rep. Eric Massa is poised to announce this afternoon that he will not seek re-election in the 29th Congressional District this fall as planned, a Democratic source confirms.


The freshman congressman is going to make his announcement at 3 p.m., according to the source. It's unclear if that event is taking place in the district or in Wahsington, D.C. A call to Massa's spokesman has so far not been returned.

UPDATE: Massa's office says he will be speaking with the press on a "very important" conference call at 3:30 p.m. He's in Washington.

Massa is calling around the district to inform party leaders and supporters of his decision.

The source said he assumed that Massa's move is "health related," but said the congressman also gave him a rather nebulous warning that he would be "hearing things that aren't true."

Sources close to the congressman say there has been talk of an ethics investigation, but a staffer in Massa's district office contacted yesterday insisted he had no knowledge of that.

UPDATE2: Politico is reporting the House ethics committee has been informed of allegations that Massa, who is married and has two children, sexually harassed a male staffer.

The former US Navy officer received a diagnosis of terminal cancer while serving as as the Special Assistant to the Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, General Wesley Clark, during the Bosnian conflict, according to the bio on his Web site. He returned to the US to undergo treatment, survived and is "completely cured."

Massa was already on the DCCC's watch list and is facing a challenge in a difficult political year from Republican Tom Reed.

With Massa out of the race, sources in the district speculated that Reed might be pushed aside in favor of a stronger Republican candidate - perhaps Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks, who has been mentioned as a potential LG running mate for Rick Lazio.

Massa was elected in 2008, ousting then-GOP Rep. Randy Kuhl, 51-49. It was Massa's second attempt at unseating Kuhl. He tried and failed in 2006, but came close, winning 49 percent of the vote.



Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/03/source-massa-wont-run.html#comments#ixzz0h98ynCpL