Boyd to continue campaign

Last week’s election results had Keehn defeating him in both the Working Families and Independence primaries as well. However, after all the absentee and affidavit votes were counted on Tuesday Boyd came out ahead, 60-57, in the latter primary.

His name will now appear on both the Conservative and Independence lines. The ballot will also include Keehn on the Democratic and Working Families lines and Scott Johnson on the Republican line.

Boyd announced his plans at a press conference held at his home in Saratoga Springs.

“Over the past 10 days, I have given a great deal of thought to my campaign for mayor,” he said in a prepared statement. “I lost the Democratic primary. I won the Independence primary. The issues before the city are serious, and my posture could affect the final outcome. I want to do what is right for the city, not just what is best for me, or for any political party.”

As to whom Boyd considers the tougher competition – Keehn or Johnson – he said he hasn’t really given the matter much thought. He isn’t concerned about not running on either the Democratic or Republican tickets though.

“It’s a challenge running for office no matter what backing you have,” he said.

The main factor in Boyd’s decision seems to be a matter of principles. He said he’s running to fulfill his obligation to the Independence Party, but also out of a sense of duty.

At the press conference, Boyd distributed packets of data to the media. In them, it stated that the State Independence Party recently removed two local people, Richard Fenton and Holly Hammond, from its State Committee for “corruption in office”; Fenton serves as Chair of the City’s Ethics Board, a position he was appointed to by Keehn.

The Independence Party has concluded Fenton is closely associated with Dr. Lenora Fulani, the leader of an anti-Semitic political cult. Boyd said Fulani’s group has been trying for several years to infiltrate and take over the Independence Party, and that Fenton’s association with and fundraising for the group precipitated his removal from the Independence Party State Committee.

“Out of respect and appreciation for the battle that Chairman Lee Kolesnikoff and the Independence Party leadership has been waging against the Fulani forces throughout New York State, I feel it is my obligation to stand for mayor, to present a choice to voters who want to rid our community and state of the politics of hate that Fulani represents,” Boyd said.

Boyd said he would like to know what Keehn’s involvement in this matter is, what she knew and when she knew it. He also called for the mayor to immediately have Fenton removed as Chair of the Ethics Board.

As of press time, Mayor Keehn was not available for comment.

“Mayor Keehn has made a big deal out of bringing new people into city government, and getting rid of the so-called ‘old guard.’ If this is her idea of bringing in ‘new blood,’ I think the Mayor’s Office could use another transfusion,” Boyd said.