Governor hopeful Paladino visits Fredonia

He may be “mad as hell” but New York State gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino still found time to visit Fredonia.

Paladino was the guest speaker of the Business Club’s 33rd annual Person of the Year Award’s dinner last Thursday, April 15 in the Williams Center Multi-purpose Room.

Paladino was selected to speak at the honorary dinner that recognized Vice President for Administration Tracy Bennett. The governor hopeful spoke of the lessons he has learned on the path to success in business world.

“My father told me never to set a goal,” Paladino said. “That only sets you up for failure. Instead, find a direction and push that way as hard as you can. Then when you get comfortable, push even further.”

Paladino is the CEO of the Ellicott Development Company, which he founded in 1973. The company controls nearly a half-billion dollars in assets. In April of this year, Paladino announced his ambition to run for governor of New York as a conservative Republican. In his candidacy he denounced government spending, abortion rights, gay marriage and labor unions.

“When I lower taxes in New York State, I will inspire the manufacturing base and expand the existing infrastructure. When I use a more conservative approach to government, we will have a better community. We will have a community more accepting of jobs,” Paladino told The Leader. Paladino declined to speak to the media about the governor'`s race during the dinner for Bennett.

Some students at Fredonia have been impressed with Paladino’s look at politics.

“For the entire history of the United States, the people have been governed by the elite,” said freshman business major Robert Young. “He [Paladino] has the every-man appeal.”

Not all students, however, believe Paladino is suitable to represent the average New York State resident.

“He seems to be a super-conservative, rich kind of guy,” senior music business major Scott Byrne said. “Not the kind of candidate for New York State governor.”

Paladino has made headlines in New York State after announcing his intentions to run for governor. Last week WNYmedia.net released a series of pornographic and racist themed e-mails sent by Paladino to a group of friends.

The e-mails fueled controversy surrounding Paladino which caused the Republican candidacy to seek damage control. The e-mails, according to Paladino, were forwarded by him. He did not deny sending them but said he regrets forwarding them over the years.

“I confess to being human and imperfect as are all God’s children,” Paladino said in a press conference. “I’m not a racist, and I say that even in some of the e-mails that they hacked from my computer.” He added that a political race is not about a candidate’s personal life but rather “returning honesty and leadership to Albany.”