Giannetti, Baird seek open government
Pair intends to create new Lewiston Independent Party

by Joshua Maloni
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, May 3, 2008

For the second week in a row, David Baird has made significant political waves in the Village of Lewiston.

On April 24, he upset Deputy Mayor Mike Marra in the Republican caucus to earn the GOP nomination for the June 17 Village Board election. On Monday, he attended the Democrat caucus – but not as a spectator. He was nominated to run on the Democrat line alongside Bob Giannetti, owner of Bob’s Olde Books on Center Street. He accepted and both secured an endorsement.

What surprised some Democrats – including party chairwoman Diane Roberts – was that, prior to the vote, Baird, a registered Republican, announced he would not run on both lines. Earlier in the evening, he turned down the GOP endorsement.

While some jaws in the room dropped, Baird’s decision wasn’t all that surprising. The 56-year-old Oxy retiree and Giannetti, a 66-year-old Niagara University professor, intend to form the Village Independent Party – not to be confused with the Independence party. They have collected the necessary signatures to form a new organization. Their goal is bipartisan, transparent government and a fully functioning Village Board. They say it’s time for residents to think bigger – and beyond party lines – on issues such as quality of life, character and responsible business.

“We look at this for the good of the village,” Giannetti said.

For Baird and Giannetti, the election is not about politics, it’s about people. And the people, Baird said, seem to be pleased with their plan.

“People were pleased with the idea that we are truly trying to be non-partisan,” he said.

Both Giannetti and Baird desire village residents to get involved in the electoral process and have a say in Lewiston’s future – particularly in terms of growth.

“This is a village, not a suburb,” both said.

Baird’s goal in obtaining the Democrat line was that both major parties would be represented. He turned the GOP endorsement down because, “I want this to be a competitive race.”

In other words, his name will only appear on the Democrat line and potentially the Village Independent Party line. The same goes for Giannetti. What’s more, Baird said he doesn’t care if 10 people run in the election. “Let the people decide (who wins),” he said.

Giannetti agrees. “We welcome broad participation (in the election),” he said. “That’s why we’re doing this – we believe in non-partisanship.”