Carl Paladino on Israel, Yeshivas and President Trump’s agenda

My Exclusive Interview With Carl Paladino, A Possible Replacement For Congressman Chris Collins in New York 27

Sixteen names are at the tip of political pundits as County and State Republican leadership must take the appropriate steps to replace Chris Collins. Collins suspended his reelection campaign days after he was arrested for insider trading.

Enter Carl Paladino

Before I heard the rumors that my friend Carl Paladino was one of the probable choices up for consideration, in my mind, he was the only choice.

I will never forget the meal we shared in Cleveland, at the Republican National Committee’s nomination convention. Paladino was the New York co-chair of Trump’s campaign. Paladino was so much like the man he was actively campaigning for.

Carl Paladino is a successful real estate businessman. Carl’s past includes some controversy, because his passion is pure, his intentions good. His support base is the political “rebel,” the hard worker, the legal immigrant and the minority family tired of being taken for granted by the Democratic Party. Sounds familiar, it should. That’s why I feel so proud to “scoop” one of the first print interviews with Carl Paladino and his desire to represent New York’s 27th district, located in Western New York, including parts of Buffalo and Rochester.

I feel that I am the best candidate to represent the interests of the people of the 27th, most of whom know me and understand my history, disposition, and values. They also understand my friendship with and respect for the President and how that will benefit the District and all of Western New York.

Israel, Yeshivas and Trump

Carl Paladino has never been to Israel. However, he admires President Trump’s policies in the Middle East, especially Trump’s Embassy move to Jerusalem. “His style is so effective with leaders around the world, that he is the best suited to bring peace to the region,” Paladino said, adding, Trump knows how to engage leaders around the world to meet him, then he plays hardball, always putting America first.”

Paladino knows the education system in the United States better than most politicians and businessmen, having served on the Buffalo School Board from 2013-2017. He is an advocate for school choice, vouchers, more oversight in classroom lessons and a revamped evaluation system. He is against the elimination of admissions testing for elite high schools and feels academic achievement is the way to success.

I am so honored to be a part of the group of individuals being considered for the congressional seat in this unusual position. I have one major advantage over the other contenders. I have a close relationship with President Trump. He will never have to question my loyalty or my vote. I am and will always be a vocal advocate on his side. History will prove that we are living during the Second American Revolution under a great leader, Donald J. Trump.

Photo Credits: Paladino

Politics is nothing new to Paladino. He ran and lost his bid for a Governor of New York in 2010. He campaigned for fellow Trump supporter, Newt Gingrich in 2012.

According to his website, as CEO of Ellicott Development Company, which he founded in 1973, and a life-long advocate of the City of Buffalo, Carl is best known for championing strategic ideas and plans to bring new life to the city and region.

To his credit, Carl has consistently invested in Western New York, beginning his career with his largest single real estate purchase to this day, the acquisition of the Ellicott Square. Now, Ellicott Development Co. manages over 5 million square feet of office, retail, hotel and residential space, making Carl the largest private landlord in downtown Buffalo today. Carl is a risk-taker, unafraid to pioneer strategic retail developments in one of the most economically depressed areas of Buffalo, Syracuse, and Albany.

Along the way, Carl has waged many battles with local governments to change the way the system promotes, attracts, and sustains economic development in our area. In doing so, he has taken more than his fair share of criticism. His leadership and vision for the revitalization of downtown Buffalo is just now beginning to take hold in the minds of both public and private sector leaders as they witness the interest and activity generated by Carl’s upscale housing initiatives in the downtown core. With these new projects and many others, he challenges the downtown business community to embrace market-rate strategies for sustainable economic development and to willingly abandon the old engines of patronage and subsidy.

Carl graduated from St. Bonaventure University and the Syracuse University College of Law. He received his Juris Doctor degree in 1971 and was assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas to serve for active duty in the U.S. Army. Carl later returned to Buffalo, eventually undertaking the management role for the New York City-based owners of the Ellicott Square, and establishing the law firm of Paladino, Cavan, and Quinlivan. He retired from military service as a Captain in 1981.

As a successful and experienced businessman, forever loyal to the City of Buffalo, Carl is frequently sought out to share his leadership and expertise with many organizations.

A life-long resident of the City of Buffalo, Carl is honored to be married to Mary Catherine Hannon and is blessed with four children: William, Danielle, Patrick and Sarah; and 5 grandchildren, Carl William, Grace Catherine, Claire, Nolan Lawrence and Lincoln Patrick.

Endorsements

“Carl Paladino is just the person President Trump needs to help drain the swamp in Washington,” says Stephen Flanagan, founder and director of Conservative Society for Action. “I’ve known Carl for many years and I deeply respect his ongoing efforts to fight corruption in his local community and throughout New York State. He does not mince words, so you’ll always know where he stands.” Flanagan describes Paladino as “a principled conservative who stands for the Constitution and good old fashioned common sense. I fully support Carl Paladino for Congress in New York District 27, and urge all members of the Conservative Society for Action and other Patriots to do the same.”

“We met back in 2010 and have been standing united since then. Carl Paladino is a man of action and a man of his word. His family values, dedication to the rule of law and the Constitution and uncanny common sense attitude are what will make him a much needed addition to President Trumps team in DC, NY 27 and America. We need Carl Paladino in Congress. I fully support Carl Paladino for Congress. #IStandWithCarl!” Judy Pepenella, National Coordinator of Conservative Society for America.

Cindy Grosz can be reached at cindyscorners@gmail.com