Mesi, Iannello join fight for 61st Senate seat endorsement
by JILL SCHMELZER Ken-Ton Editor

Iannello

Town of Tonawanda native Baby Joe Mesi went 36-0 during his boxing career and is looking to continue that undefeated streak in his quest for the state's 61st Senate seat.

Legislator Michele Iannello, D-10th District, is, like Mesi, also seeking the endorsements of the Democratic, Working Families and Independence parties.

Sen. Mary Lou Rath, who currently holds the seat, decided not to seek re-election this November. The district includes Genesee County and the towns of Amherst, Clarence, Newstead and Tonawanda and part of the City of Tonawanda in Erie County.

"I am running to bring an independent voice, strong leadership, and the average person's point of view and values back to Albany," Mesi said during a press conference held Saturday to announce his candidacy. "In my career I have a perfect record of 36-0, and now I'm embarking on this course to be your representative in Albany. With your help we'll keep a perfect record of 37-0."

Mesi, a heavyweight boxer, said he is not announcing his retirement from boxing, but it is taking a back seat to his quest for the Senate seat.

Mesi

Although he may be best known for his achievements in the ring, Mesi said he has also been a successful business owner since 1997. He is the founder and president of Baby Joe LLC, which is a promotion company, and he is the founder of the Baby Joe Mesi Fight for Organ Donation.

"My platform will be improving our economy and bringing well-paying jobs back to our area, cutting waste in Albany and lowering taxes, investing in green and renewable energy, supporting greater investment in our colleges and universities, and fight for every last dollar the 61st District deserves," Mesi said.

Iannello, who began her political career on the Kenmore Village Board, said she left that seat in 2005 because Erie County was dealing with the "red and green budget debacle."

"I watched tax dollars being mismanaged, so instead of just complaining about it, I decided to do something about it," Iannello said, noting she is seeking the Senate endorsement for the same reason.

"Our (Erie County's) budget is 88 percent mandated by the state," she said. ... "I see that we need to see changes at the state level now."

Iannello's platform includes adding transparency to the state budget process and imposing new, tougher ethics roles on politicians and campaign finance reforms.

"In the county, we did a debt diet," she said. "I truly feel it is important for me to work on reducing the state budget each year to cut taxes."

Iannello said she would also advocate to cut wasteful spending of Medicaid and "crack down on Medicaid fraud."

Jobs are also an important topic, she said.

"We have to protect the jobs we already have by reforming IDAs (industrial development agencies) and Empire Zones," Iannello said, noting that companies need to be held to their word of creating more jobs in New York.

Mesi focused on "fighting for jobs" in the state.

"My first priority is jobs," he said. "It is imperative to improve the economy."

Both Iannello and Mesi said energy is also an important issue that needs to be addressed at the state level.

As legislator, Iannello said two green laws have been passed at the county level, the first being that any tax dollars being used for new buildings or remodeling of buildings must be done to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) standards, a national benchmark for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. The second states that any electronic appliance purchased has to be energy-efficient.

"Both of these laws need to be brought to the state level," she said.

Mesi cited the windmills at the former Bethlehem Steel site in the Town of Tonawanda and the need for more sites such as that in the state.

"I am just one of us, and I understand the challenges that the middle class face," Iannello said. "I want to be their voice, and I will work hard for them to be heard."

Mesi said the 61st District is a pivotal seat in the Senate.

"The strongest candidate needs to be in this seat, and I believe I am that candidate," he said.