Ian in the News

State Assemblyman John Lemondes a no-show for local library event.

LAFAYETTE, NY – On June 23rd, NYS Assemblyman John Lemondes (R-126) failed to appear at a “Community Constituent Meeting,” leaving residents waiting with no word from him.

The event was co-hosted by the Town of Lafayette and the Lafayette Public Library. It was advertised on Facebook beginning on June 11th as “informal discussion with local residents” and a “great opportunity [for constituents] to speak directly with [their] New York State Assembly representative, ask questions, share concerns, and discuss issues that matter to [them] and [their] community.”

On June 22nd, the day before the scheduled event, Assemblyman Lemondes advertised it on his campaign Facebook page, calling the event “Lemondes Listens.” Constituents were encouraged to attend the event for the opportunity to “personally talk to the man himself!”

At 5 PM on the 23rd, four people arrived to attend the event. After waiting fifteen minutes, they were informed by a librarian that Lemondes was on his way. Four or five other residents arrived, and the group waited an additional twenty minutes. They then were told that neither Lemondes nor a member of his staff would be attending. They were not given a reason.

According to attendee Doug Anderson, a long-time resident of Lafayette, “First Lemondes gives the impression he’ll be here in person, then he doesn’t show, then he attempts to send a staffer who also doesn’t show.  What a joke!  He’s not the sort of Assemblyman I want.  I want someone who is willing to talk to his constituents and take them seriously.”

Stephen Pitoniak, also of Lafayette, said, “It looks like he knew he would have some tough questions he could not answer.”

Lemondes is a resident of Lafayette.

Attendees of the event reached out to the Phillips campaign and are available to talk to interested members of the press.