Blaber's News and Commentary

Comptroller Auerbach Releases Legislator's attendence Audit

2010-01-05T19:38:00.005-05:00

Where does your Legislator Rank? This is an important audit done done by Comptroller Auerbach and we applaud him and his top notch staff for doing it. Public officials should be held to a higher standard...you pay their salaries and congrats to Hector Rodriguez for a perfect attendance record!

Legislator	Regular Meeting Attendance %	Public Hearing Attendance %	Committee Meeting Attendance %
Hector Rodriguez	100	100	100
Glenn Noonan	100	100	97
Roy Hochberg	100	92	100
David Donaldson	100	92	95
Richard Gerentine	100	92	89
Donald Gregorius	100	85	100
Brian Cahill	100	85	94
Alan Lomita	100	85	92
Gary Bischoff	100	85	86
Robert Parete	100	77	82
Paul Hansut	100	77	69
KennethRonk, Jr.	100	69	91
Catherine Terrizzi	100	69	74
Jeanette Provenzano	92	92	94
Sue Cummings	92	77	89
Kevin Roberts	92	77	81
Dean Fabiano	92	77	64
Wayne Harris	92	69	83
Laura Petit	92	69	76
Mary Sheeley	92	62	58
James Maloney	92	54	74
Frank Dart	83	77	92
Richard Parete	83	38	82
Jon Decker	83	38	55
*Philip Terpening	75	88	89
Peter Loughran	75	69	94
T J Briggs	75	62	71
Susan Zimet	75	62	73
Frank Felicello, Jr.	75	46	60
Joe Roberti, Jr.	75	8	50
Brian Shapiro	67	31	50
Joe Stoeckeler, Jr.	58	62	43
Robert Aiello (Ill much of the year)	25	0	None assigned

Nick Woerner Puts out Blog

2010-01-05T18:48:00.003-05:00

Former Ulster Town Supervisor Nicky B. Woerner put out a blog this past week going after Town Supervisor Jim Quigley. Because we are fair and Balanced and like to hear both sides, I am publishing it and hope people check it out.

But, just a note, the sour grapes by Nick Woerner does not go unnoticed, this guy still has not called Jim Quigley to congratulate him. I was there the night Nick Woerner became Supervisor, Fred Wadnola came over to Dem Headquarters and shook Nick's hand as did Sennett when he lost to Carnirght it's an act of class. Walter Maxwell also called Nick's cell and congratulated him, it's just what you do.

NICK WOERNERS BLOG: http://www.ulster-truth.blogspot.com/

Here is a Blog that seems to be Pro- Quigley but not directly done by the Supervisor himself : www.ulsterisyourtowntoo.blogspot.com

2010-01-04T18:23:00.002-05:00

Supervisor Jim Quigley

Ulster County Court Judge Don Williams

Congrats to Kingston's New Common Council

2010-01-02T23:43:00.004-05:00

Back row: Charles Landi (D-3), Tom Hoffay (D-2), Robert Senor(D-8), my boy: Bill Reynolds (D-7), Ron Pollocco (R-6), Hayes Clement (D-9), Shirley Whitlock (D-4),

Front Row: Andi Turco Levin (R-1), Council President James Noble, and Jen Fuentes (WF-5)

Congrats, Good Luck, a lot of challenges lie ahead and two more years of Mayor Sottile

A lot of Man Crushing Over Hein

2010-01-02T23:27:00.004-05:00

What is with the GOP's obsession with Mike Hein? I mean it's almost embarrasing to watch, it's like certain Dems and Republicans have a middle school type crush on hiz honor. Jump off the guys back and let him do his job. In this past week he has been accused of killing a former political foe and the new legislature is about to launch into dozens of investigations on Hein's business dealings.

Give me a break it's just ridiculous and a note to the new legislature: if you really care about the people of Ulster County and want to make a difference work with Mike Hein not against him.

The GOP has a choice to make bust Mike's chops for the next two years and gridlock county government, accomplishing nothing. Or sit down with County Executive Hein and County Comptroller Auerbach and look for ways to make Ulster County the finest place ever to live, work and raise a family. Bottom line it's time for the GOP and Mike to leave politics at the door and man up for the people that put their trust in you this past November.

Blaber News Persons of the Year: Mike Hein and Jim Quigley

2009-12-29T16:08:00.007-05:00

Mike P. Hein

Jim Quigley

This year we have two persons of the year, it really was a tough choice and I could not pick between the two. We had a lot of worthy contenders : Don Williams, a life long resident of Ulster County former DA who recently won a 10 year term to be the next county court Judge; James Gilpatric who saw his life dream come true as well in November finally winning a well deserved spot in the NYS Supreme Court; but there are two that stand out Mike Hein and Jim Quigley.

Mike Hein has shown that he can do the job of Executive and he's been tough when neccisary but very fair. Mike's first year has been full of accomplishments and some shortfalls....we will have a full fair and balanced on Hein's first year as Executive and we are incredible proud, as Mike would say, for Hein to be one of our person of the year.

Jim Quigley came out of no where last year and came an eye lash from being Ulster County Comptroller, stayed involved and in a two year period single handily broke the Democratic stronghold in Ulster County. Jim Quigley absolutely slaughtered Nick Woerner to become the next Supervisor of the town of Ulster and his coattails and checkbook certainly where responsible for the Gop taking back the Ulster County Legislature. It is no coincidence his boy Fred Wadnola is chair, Jim Quigley may not be the chair of the County Republican party but make not mistake about it, he's the boss. It's good to be Jim Quigley these days and we are honored to name him one of our persons of the year.

A full layout next week will profile both Mike Hein and Jim Quigley, Happy Holidays and God Bless!!!

POLL FINDS AUERBACH ON TOP

2009-12-29T13:30:00.000-05:00

IT'S NOT MY BACK, IT'S NOT YOUR BACK IT'S AUERBACH!

A recent Blaber News polls shows Ulster Comptroller Elliott Auerbach the top rated elected official in Ulster County!!!

Gotta Love the Gov.

2009-12-13T15:36:00.002-05:00

Patterson Takes Shot at Disfunctional Legislature

According to the New York Post's Cindy Adams, at a fundraiser on Wednesday night the governor joked about the dismal situation in Albany with a little toilet humor:

The two of us share an ongoing slightly unclassy joke dealing with his first night ever sleeping in Albany's Executive Mansion bedroom where, in the middle of the night, the day-old Gov. couldn't find the john. So at this party I whispered for fun: "Have you peed yet tonight?" and he whispered back: "No, because I'm waiting to do it when the Legislature is under me."

We Forgot Holly

2009-12-11T17:56:00.001-05:00

Please retake our county wide poll as we forgot to include in the mix Ulster County DA Holly Carnright, thus making the poll inaccurate.

Pinheads and Patriots!

2009-12-09T21:10:00.004-05:00

It's been a while but here is the return of Pinheads and Patriots! Pinheads and Patriots will again be a weekly feature on the blog :)

The very beautiful and talented Elin Woods recently left her husband golf superstar Tiger Woods after it was reported Mr. Woods had been cheating on her with multiple women, I think the count is now at six. It takes a strong woman to do that, especially someone married to such a high profile guy. It was reported Mr. Woods was offering Elin, 60 million dollars for her to stand by his side and she choose morals over money, Elin who is a success in her own right did the right thing and is a patriot.

On the pinhead front Rich Cahill, is at it again, critisizing the Mayor and the City Council on the recently past budget but offering no viable solutions to make things better. Sure we can talk about cutting taxes, doing away with the homestead/non-homestead tax rate all while increasing the work force but how do you do that Mr. Cahill? How can you be against layoffs but still expect a tax decrease? I am not advocating for layoffs or returning to a flat tax rate, simply pointing out the hypocracy of Richard Cahill. You can't have both Mr.Cahill.

Surly we have a mayor that leaves a lot to be desired but to his credit he has made real reform and his efforts to increase the city reserves to enable us to borrow at a lower rate, will help us in the big financial picture. Also cutting out wasteful spending like the 50k line items for the fourth of July celebration and having the businesses step up and pay for it also is commendable. Cahill's attacks on the Mayor and city council are ridiculous and he of course is a pinhead!

Hein's Budget Approved!!!!

2009-12-08T00:04:00.006-05:00

The Mike Hein budget was approved tonight, the budget modifications made by the vindictive Ways and Means committee all failed.

Pretty much the reader digest version of tonight's events was this, the GOP wanted to get rid of a position in the Executive's administration and the Dem's refused to cut the position. The GOP in retaliation rejected the Dems proposed cuts to the budget and adopted Hein's budget in it's entirety.

Kind of ironic...no?

It will be so interesting to see how the new legislature works with Mike Hein because it's clear that the guys in there now have no clue! We're talking about both the Dems and the Republicans.

I'm glad Mike Hein's budget was passed, some of the cuts that came out of the ways and means committee were scary, like 90k out of the Comptroller's budget, basically handicapping Comptroller Auerbach from doing his job in what is clearly an underfunded department to begin with.

Here you have a legislature that is trying to undercut it's own Democrat Comptroller..it's sick, some Dem legislators that will remain nameless apparently have woken up and realized that they don't have power anymore and as they say misery loves company.

So I hate to say it but Kudos to a dysfunctional legislature that got it right by default this time!

Mike Hein and Elliott Auerbach continue to get it right all the time and lead by example for the people of Ulster County. While the 33 legislators just squabble and play politics like kids in a sand box. They need to all wise up and move out of the way and let team Hein/Auerbach do the job that the majority of Ulster County elected them to do.

Bruno Found Guilty

2009-12-07T22:29:00.000-05:00

A jury in Albany, N.Y., has convicted former state Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno of committing two felony crimes while in office.

The complicated verdict, delivered Dec. 7 at 4:17 p.m., also acquits Bruno of five other accusations of mail and wire fraud. On an additional count, the jury remained deadlocked and could not reach unanimous agreement.

Bruno, 80, faces a maximum $250,000 fine and up to 20 years in prison for each count he was convicted on.

Sentencing has been set for March 31, 2010.

Bruno’s attorneys are preparing an appeal, which would delay the start of any sentence for months and months. Bruno’s attorneys have 36 days to appeal.

The verdict ended the first round of the high-profile criminal trial of Bruno. The 12-person jury, made of seven women and five men, deliberated for almost seven full days before delivering their verdict.

Federal prosecutors accused Bruno, an iconic politician from Brunswick, of intentionally and illegally covering up his outside business consulting activities while in office. Federal prosecutors say Bruno devised and carried out a scheme to hide his business dealings—which often included people or companies who had business before the state—by withholding information on annual disclosure reports that legislators must file with the state.

Bruno made $3.2 million through his consulting work over a 12-year period.

“We established at this trial that Bruno exploited his office by concealing the nature and source of substantial payments that he received from parties that benefited from his official actions and the resulting conflicts of interest,” said acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Baxter, who runs the Albany division of the U.S. Attorney’s office.

By law, state legislators are part-time workers, enabling them to hold outside employment if they want.

Bruno has consistently maintained his innocence, saying he broke no laws. He did not testify at his trial.

“It goes without saying I’m very, very disappointed with the verdict I just heard,” Bruno said outside U.S. District Court in downtown Albany, clearly stung by the jury’s decision.

“The legal process is going to continue, and in my mind and in my heart, it’s not over until it’s over—and it’s far from over,” Bruno added, before stepping into a vehicle driven by Kay Stafford, who is Bruno’s boss at CMA Consulting Services in Latham.

Three years ago, Bruno confirmed an ongoing FBI investigation into his outside business activities. He retired from the Senate in June 2008. He was indicted in January 2009.

Bruno was found guilty on a count of fraud involving 11 mailings of checks in 2004, sent by companies connected with Loudonville businessman Jared Abbruzzese to Bruno’s firm, Capital Business Consultants.

Prosecutors said Bruno performed little to no work for the money, meaning that the payments should have been reported as gifts on Bruno’s annual financial disclosure reports.

Bruno was also found guilty on a count of fraud involving a racehorse partnership with Abbruzzese. It included Abbruzzese paying Bruno $80,000 for what prosecutors described as a nearly worthless racehorse; Abbruzzese testified he bought the horse for that price to compensate Bruno for money he was supposed to get in a consulting contract with one of his companies.

Still, the jury acquitted Bruno of two other counts involving work allegedly performed for other businesses Abbruzzese was connected with.

In all, Abbruzzese paid Bruno $440,000 from 2004-06 for work allegedly performed for at least four companies. Earlier in the decade, Bruno steered $500,000 of state grants to Troy firm Evident Technologies Inc., which Abbruzzese financed and chaired.

The jury also acquitted Bruno of any counts connected with McGinn Smith & Co Inc., an Albany brokerage firm that employed Bruno part-time from 1994-2006.

Senator Diane Savino, A Bright Voice in NYS Government

2009-12-06T15:15:00.002-05:00

DRAFT CAHILL FOR DEM BOSS

2009-11-27T20:37:00.004-05:00

TWO COUNTY WIDE LOSES

DEMS LOSE LEGISLATURE

DEMS LOSE MAJORITY IN 5 DEM TOWNS

Action needs to be taken to bring back the Democratic party back in power. There has been an effort launched to draft Brian Cahill to become chair of the Ulster County Democratic committee.

Democratic politics is in this guys blood and there is no one better to lead the party than outgoing Majority Leader Brian Cahill.

I personally feel under one term of Brian Cahill, we can take back the legislature and reelect our incumbent countywide officers that are up next year.

The time to act is now! Join our facebook group 1000 Strong for Cahill for Chair, and help encourage the Majority Leader to step up to the plate and lead our party back to the Majority again!. (note: if link does not work, just type in 1000 strong for Brian Cahill for Chair in your Facebook accounts search bar)

What We're Thankful For

2009-11-26T18:28:00.001-05:00

As we sit down and celebrate thanksgiving this year we should sit and reflect on all we have and what we are thankful for.

Back in February of 2007, shortly after this blog started to really kick off and get the small following that it has, I got a call from Jim Quigley, who at the time was not really involved in politics, other than a Republican committeeman in Ulster, he invited me to his house and we talked about my passion for politics and how he read the blog and he gave me advice on how to take it to the next level. It was a brief discussion and I really didn't have much communication with Jim until about a year later when I ran a successful campaign for his opponent Elliott Auerbach, probably costing him hundreds of thousands of dollars in the process.

To my surprise, when I was out of a job in the county shortly after that and in a great deal of soul searching of what to do with my life it was Jim Quigley that took the selfless act of again sitting down with me and helping me move forward and take the risk of leaving Ulster County for a shot at a better life in New York City, sharing his personal experiences, working in NYC and his success as the guy from Ulster County that made it big.

I can honestly say that if not for Jim, I am not sure this year would have been as good for me as it has, while life is not perfect, I have a full time job in NYC and am living on my own and making it as a young professional because of the advice and help of a guy that owed me absolutely nothing and just wanted to see a guy who he saw potential in make it, and for that I am extremely thankful for the friendship I have with Jim and I thank him for changing my life, I have grown and learned more in these eleven months than I have in the previous five years.

In that same time Len and Terry Bernardo, two people who again owed me nothing, befriended me and I am extremely grateful to them and would not know what to do without them.

Jon, M.A., and Stef my extended family who have always been there through good and bad, especially Jon my mentor and idol, sometimes I know I make him crazy but I know he knows deep down I do listen to his life lessons and am extremely thankful to call him my best friend.

And of course to my family, friends, and co workers at WFP and everyone that means so much in my life, thanks for always being there and Happy thanksgiving to all of you guys that come on here and read the nonsense and Machiavellian politics that I spew on a daily basis..all five of you :) Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

Governor Paterson TV AD 2010

2009-11-22T17:56:00.000-05:00

From the Record: Ulster's Watch Dog Slams Palen in new report

2009-11-22T17:22:00.003-05:00

COMPTROLLER ELLIOTT AUERBACH

KINGSTON — Dean and Debra Palen's iron grip over the Ulster County Health Department created years of distrust, inappropriate cash management practices and extensive inefficiencies that put the public's health and safety at risk, according to an investigation released Friday by the Ulster County Comptroller's Office.

The 46-page report is the culmination of a five-month-long investigation by Comptroller Elliott Auerbach into the administration of former Health Director Dean Palen and his wife Debra Palen, who worked as his administrative assistant. The investigation focuses on the department's Environmental Sanitation Division, which, among other duties, is tasked with inspecting and issuing permits to restaurants, public water supplies and other businesses and utilities.

While the Palens' mismanagement did not lead to any major health crises, the report paints their 15-year tenure as a time of political gamesmanship, poor financial management and nepotism.

Multimedia

Ulster County Comptroller's investigation (PDF File)

According to the comptroller's report, these are some of the signs of mismanagement that festered in the Ulster County Health Department from 1994 until June of this year, when the Palens' were ousted:

- Dean Palen often used permits for restaurants and other projects as a way to gain political friends. Staff report overhearing Palen say that his P.E. (Palen was a professional engineer) actually stood for “political engineer.” Any one of the county's 33 legislators could call Palen about a project and it would be put at the “top of the list.” When called to task for this practice, Dean Palen would say it was a “win-win”—Dean now had a friend in the legislator, and the legislator had a friend in whomever benefitted from the permit.

- Debra Palen had far too much control over the department. She alone processed the payroll, collected inspection fees, prepared enforcement documents against noncompliant businesses and “wielded a degree of authority and control substantially inconsistent with her position and job description.” Debra Palen's work was never audited or checked by an outside party.

- Despite whistleblowing by employees and the press, those who oversaw Dean Palen in his role as director did nothing to monitor his performance. According to the report, that's largely because Palen manipulated the oversight bodies to avoid oversight or responsibility. Critical state audits were addressed to him and nobody else. When one oversight board would question his performance, he would tell that board it was the job of another board.

“Not only was he a master manipulator, but it was a shell game over the last decade,” Auerbach told the Times Herald-Record. “When you lifted up a shell there was nothing there, but it was somewhere else.”

To read the full audit report, click the link to the right of this story.

For more details from the audit, check back later with Recordonline.com and read Saturday's edition of the newspaper.

Is Julian Still Chairman?

2009-11-22T17:06:00.002-05:00

Working in Brooklyn and spending a lot of time here, it's difficult to keep up with all the local Ulster County stuff although I try my best and have local "Blaber News Corespondents" that keep me in the loop, so I am surprised I have not heard of Julian Shriebman's resignation as chair of the Ulster County Democratic committee.

I mean, come on, he can't expect to stay on, in less than 0ne year he lost the county legislature and two county wide offices that we could have easily one.

Julian instead allowed the far liberal radical left of the party, i.e. Terry Rosenblum to field candidates, and of course those candidates were not qualified and did not receive the proper support and failed to raise any money.

To think that you can run a lawyer that defended a cop killer t be county judge is laughable and to think they could pull this off with a chair that lives in NYC and has no ability to raise money is more laughable.

Julian Schriebman has been the worst chairman the party has ever witnessed and needs to be replaced as soon as possible.

Kevin Cahill, Elliott Auerbach and Paul Van Blarcum are all up next year and we can't afford to lose any of those seats.

Kevin, Elliott, Maurice and Mike need to sit down with Julian and tell him it's time to go. I think Brian Cahill would be a great choice to step up to the plate and fix our party...the sooner the better.

King Fred

2009-11-19T19:54:00.002-05:00

The new Ulster County Legislature will now be lead be veteran politico Fred Wadnola, who took out Majority Leader Brian Cahill in this November's election. While Blaber News supported Richard Gerintine to succeed current chairman Dave Donaldson, we have no problem with Fred Wadnola, who is a good guy. Wadnola, who has never lost an election, did three years in the county legislature and is a former two term supervisor of the town of Ulster and is certainly qualified for the position.

We supported Rich over Fred for two reasons: one, we thought that it's inappropriate to elect a chairman that has admitted he is only interested in serving one term in the legislative body. Effectively, Fred Wadnola starts his tenure as Chair on Jan. 1 as a lame duck. Secondly, we feel Fred Wadnola is too close to Albert Spada and anyway to minimize Spada in county government is is a good thing.

Again, I like Wadnola, he is a paid advertiser on this blog and my former elementary school principal and I want him to do a good job and think that he will. Blaber News asks that Fred recognise that the majority of GOP legislators that elected him to serve as chair are from the post-Spada Republican party and do not want to go back to the good ol' boy ways that existed under the Spada days.

We also feel that Fred should create a colition government and give Democrats an equal and fair say in county government, the people of Ulster County are sick of partisan politics and want someone that is willing to work on both sides of the aisle...here is your chance Fred, good luck.

The new Majority Leader Paul Hansit on the other hand, is a big mistake, the guy has no personality and has a clear agenda and axe to grind with County Executive Mike Hein. Note to Hansit: the majority of Ulster County like Mike Hein and wants him to succeed, your vendetta will do nothing to help the Republican party. The majority party will regret not picking Ken Ronk and it could cost them the majority in 2011.

Ronk would have been a leader that transformed the persona of the GOP being a bunch of old men and he would have been a voice that would have agreed with the Executive when he was right and disagreed with him when he was wrong.

Democrats made a solid choice in picking my county legislator Jeanette Prozanzano to lead the minority party, I love Jeanette and think she will do a great job leading our party.

2009-11-18T18:27:00.003-05:00

Blaber News is now projecting Fred Wadnola will be the chairman of the Ulster County Legislature.

Full analysis on this later. Also Paul Hansit will be Majority Leader, with Ronk as whip...once again the GOP gets it backwards.

How Bout Gerentine?

2009-11-09T20:01:00.003-05:00

A lot of opposition to Fred Wadnola and Jim Maloney for chair of the legislature...how about a proven leader like Richard Gerentine?

You know a Republican that will work with both sides and do what is best for the people of Ulster County.

Call your county legislator and ask them to support Richard Gerentine for Chair of the Ulster County Legislature!!

Key Legislators to call:

Brian Shapiro 845-679-6646

Robert T. Aiello 845-246 4028

Alan Lomita : 845-658-8730

Laura Petit 845-340-1293

Catherine Terrizzi 845-895-3252

Susan E. Zimet 845-255-2117

David B. Donaldson 845-331-8985

Peter M. Loughran 845-338-5369

Mike Madsen (legislator elect) 845-399-9644

A little about Rich :

For close to twenty five years, Richard Gerentine has served his community through a variety of elected, leadership positions that have entailed a broad spectrum of fiscal and management responsibilities. His thorough knowledge of federal, state, and municipal regulatory and policy issues coupled with his commitment to problem-solving and communication have enabled him to successfully foster relationships and build coalitions with individuals from a diverse constituency. While a member of town government, he sought to lower taxes through innovative budget reductions. As the chairman of the Ulster County Ways and Means Committee, and later as Legislature Chairman overseeing a 300 million dollar budget, Richard brings focus and energy to all that he undertakes.

Richard has held positions in government since 1984 beginning as Town Councilman of Marlborough until 1987, where he created and was responsible for oversight of a 23 million dollar budget. In 1988, he was elected as one of the youngest town supervisors in the Hudson Valley for the Town of Marlborough. He was elected to a second term and served until 1991. He then began his service as an Ulster County Legislator representing District 9. He has been re-elected to eight consecutive terms. He was elected Chairman of the Legislature by his colleagues and served for two and half years. His other legislature committee positions include Majority Leader, member of the Union Negotiations Committee, Chairman of the General Services Committee, member of the Human Services Committee and Chairman of the Ulster County Records Advisory Board where he was responsible for overseeing the establishment of a record management program under the jurisdiction of the Ulster County Clerk.

In addition to his years of dedicated work in government, Richard’s commitment to the needs of the community extends to his professional accomplishments as well. As General Partner of Marlborough Associates, LP, Richard began the development of senior citizen housing complexes. His first project, a 44-unit complex became known as Jenny’s Garden I, followed by the addition of a second 22-unit complex, Jenny’s Garden II in Marlborough. He later developed a 51-unit complex, Golden View Housing for the town of Highland’s senior community. According to the Rural Ulster Preservation Company (RUPCO) that provides property management for the Jenny Garden complexes, Richard’s developments offer much needed affordable senior housing, both attractive and comfortable, designed for community members whose income is 60% or below the Area Median Income (AMI).

Richard finds time to participate in community activities as a member of the Knights of Columbus, UNICO, St. Rocco’s Society and as a past coach for Marlborough Youth Baseball and Basketball. Also a volunteer position, Richard has served as a Commissioner of the New York State Bridge Authority since 2006. He majored in Business Administration at SUNY Ulster beginning in 1972, and received a Bachelor of Science degree from Marist College in 1975.

A resident of Ulster County, Richard Gerentine continues to have a distinguished career in private business and community involvement. In his position as Ulster County Chairman, he presided over a solemn Legislative Session held on September 12, 2003 in remembrance of the attacks of September 11, 2001. His remarks during that meeting reveal aspects of Richard’s character and the level of his commitment to his community. “The passage of time will not erase the pain and devastation which were felt by the citizens of our beloved country. Today, we thank God for the unity in our country and for the courage and commitment of our leaders…..I assure Ulster County residents that its government is committed to their safety and protection, and all measures possible are being taken towards this goal".

Here and There

2009-11-07T20:22:00.000-05:00

Big thanks to Julian Schriebman on taking only 12 months to screw up the empire that Dems buildt under former Chairman John Parete.

Julian we don't want excuses or for you to apoligize, all we want is your resignation.

We the Democrats of Ulster County are giving you your two weeks notice!

An online will be started al Dems encouraged to sign.

Comptroller Auerbach, Assemblyman Cahill, and Sheriff Van Blarcum are all up next year and we can't afford to allow Julian to cost is those very important positions.

My hope is that County Executive Mike Hein, Congressman Hinchey, Assemblyman Cahill and Comptroller Auerbach sit down with John Parete and tell him it's time to step out of retirement. If John won't do it, I think Brian Cahill or Gilda Riccardi would all be fine choices but new leadership is needed fast.

Town of Ulster Supervisor Nick Woerner, who was stomped in the general election last week by a more than two to one margin, is having trouble again, this time Nick refuses to allow Supervisor elect Jim Quigley a fair and open transition process.

Mr. Supervisor, the people have spoken loud and clear, Sir, stop the politcal games and help allow Jim Quigley do the job he was elected to do.

The County Legislature:

We urge all Democrats to support Rich Parete for Minority Leader. Parete, a veteran lawmaker has the temperment and passion required of a leader of the Minority party and think Dems will be served well under his leadership.

For Republicans the choice is difficult for Chairman, I think Jim Maloney would be a good Chairman, he worked hard and partly responsible for Republicans being in the Majority.

For Majority Leader Ken Ronk has earned it and it would be good for the face of the Republican party to be someone under the age of 50.

No matter who ends up leading the legislature next year, expect the GOP to be holding Hein's feet to the fire every step of the way. We're confident in Hein's ability to govern no matter what party is running county government.

2009-11-04T04:45:00.005-05:00

DEFEATED

QUIGLEY WINS,

DESTROYING WOERNER

BY A 2 TO ONE MARGIN

CONGRATULATIONS TO COURTY COURT JUDGE WILLIAMS

GOP RETAKES MAJORITY OF THE ULSTER COUNTY LEGISLATURE

VOTE EARLY. VOTE OFTEN, VOTE CAHILL VOTE QUIGLEY!!!

2009-11-02T21:03:00.013-05:00

There are a lot of important races this year and while it's considered an off year election, please remeber all politics is local and the decisions that effect your life on a daily basis are made on a local level and today's election is just as important as the historic election that took place last year when we elected President Barack Obama. Below is a list of people both Democrat and Republican that I support and feel have their heart in the right place for the people of Ulster County. Please consider supporting these candidates and get out and vote!

- Jeremy

p.s. to all town of Ulster Residents : Vote Early, Vote often, Vote Cahill, Vote Quigley! Please say this phrase 5 times and get this stuck in your head before you go to the polls. Both are great people and both must be elected and reelected respectively today!

Majority leader Brian Cahill **

Jim Quigley for Town Supervisor Row B, C, D **

Gilda Riccardi for County Clerk, ROW A or Row E **

Don Williams for County Court, row B,C,D**

Candidate Overview Who We're Supporting

**= an important race

City of Kingston

Ward 1
Andi Turco-Levin

Ward 2
Tom Hoffay **

Ward 3
Charlie Landi

Ward 4
Shirley Whitlock

Ward 5
Jen Fuentes **

Ward 6
neutral

Ward 7
Bill Reynolds

Ward 8
Todd Langon

Ward 9
Hayes Clement **

County Legislature

District 1 Terry Bernardo, TJ Briggs, Joe Stoeckler, Mary Sheeley

District 2 Don Gregorious and Brian Shapiro

District 3 Rich Parete, Rob Parete, Roy Hochberg

District 4 Nicole Tucker and Marcy Goulart (we also like Frey, Sweeney, and Jones)

District 5 MAJORITY LEADER Brian Cahill **, Fred Wadnola

District 6 Mike Madsen, Jeanette Provanzano

District 7 Alan Lomita, Dennis Pitcock, write in Phil Terperning

District 8 Ken Ronk, Tracy Bartels and Jack Hayes

District 9 Richard Gerintine, Frank Fellicello, Wayne Harris and Pam Baxton

District 10 Hector Rodriguez

District 11 Mary Beth Maio, Jon Decker **

District 12 David Donaldson, Peter Loughran

Judge Schneers breaks contribution limit laws?

2009-11-02T16:42:00.001-05:00

People have been writing to Blaber News and asking is Judge Schneer breaking campign finance laws with a single donation of $30,000 from one person.

$30,000 is a lot of money in the last week of a campaign from one person.

C50099
COMMITTEE TO ELECT DEBORAH SCHNEER
28-OCT-09
MATTHEW SCHNEER8104 CHESTER STTAKOMA PARK, MD 20912
$30,000.00