COLONIE GOP BASHES NICHOLS' MACHINE TIES.(CAPITAL REGION)

Byline: MARC CAREY - Staff writer

Democratic Albany County Legislator Tim Nichols reacted with vim and venom Tuesday to Republican allegations that he is a paid lackey of the county Democratic machine.

On Monday, town Republicans pointed to campaign funding Nichols received last year that showed the majority of his money came directly from the Albany County Democratic Committee.

That, they claimed, put him securely in the pocket of the county machine. "Hypocrite" was one of the kinder terms used by Republican officials to describe Nichols, who defeated longtime GOP incumbent Ed Buhrmaster. Republican town Councilman James Egan, who is up for …