The Shawangunk Blues

Who would have ever though the Town Of Shawangunk would be the Florida for the U.C.
Comptroller Race?

Well, It has come down to 5 Dist's. within the town.

I have to be honest here. At this time next week, I hope I am eating crow.

Shawangunk is one of the most Republican Town's in all of Ulster County. When you go to
Wallkill it is kind of going back to 1965. One of the bedrocks of the community is the Dutch
Reformed Church right in the center of town. Lots of old world German's and Dutch... And they
tend to vote the party line.

The McCain-Palin Ticket won the town 2-1. And Tom Kirwin [who was right next to Auerbach
on the ballot] also had a easy win here. The machine vote had Jim Quigley the 3rd with a 6,000
vote lead on election night.

One would assume where I am going here. If it comes out the way I think, I am sure Jim the 3rd
will buy a heck of a lot of tickets for the church dinner next fall.

But, It ain't over till it's over.

Would Someone Please Primary Carl?

What do John F. Kennedy, Hubert Humphrey, Jimmy Carter, Ed Koch and Mario Cuomo all have in common? They were all once in the living room of a fellow by the
name of Meade Esposito. Who is Meade Esposito you ask? Esposito, was the long time Chairman
of the Kings County Democratic Party. If one wanted to win a primary in NYS you would have to carry Brooklyn by a large margin, as Brooklyn to this day has the largest amount of Democrats then any place in the U.S.A. Meade, would be rolling around in his grave if he saw what was going on in his county. It looks like one NYS Senator really gets along with Republicans so much
he is the only Democrat to have a chairmanship under Joe Bruno. He got more ear mark's
then any other Democrat. And now, he is one of the 'Gang of Three' in Albany who may deny
Sen. Malcom Smith and the rest of the Democrats from being able to return to the majority for the first time since 1965. Who is this Senator? It is none other then Carl Kruger of Brooklyn.
Why would Sen. Kruger who is a long time Democrat do this you ask? Well, it would appear that
he wants the chairmanship of the powerful Housing Committee, the only problem is that he is not the ranking member. Also, Kruger has taken 1.7 million from anti -regulation, pro landlord
groups that have funded the GOP. There is another problem. The NYS Working Families Party
has said there will be 'hell to pay' If the Democrats cave to Carl. The WFP did provide the winning total to a least two Democratic State Senator's in Western N.Y. So what to do? If Kruger
does not get what he wants he may support a GOP majority leader, which would lead to a Republican housing committee. In my view, this is wrong, wrong, wrong. How could anyone hold
up a process, a party that has done so much for you? Well, you know the answer. My advise
to Vito Lopez, the Current Democratic Chair of Brooklyn? Start looking for a primary opponent
for Carl for 2010. It's Brooklyn.... He should not have to much trouble in finding a good Democrat
it's Brooklyn for heaven's sake.

The Overtime Blues

First, I would like to offer kudos to Third Ward Alderman Charlie Landi. Landi, a long time
vet of many common council budgets, has suggested cutting some of the city overtime by about 20%. This, would drop the tax percent increase by 1 percentage point. And, as the Democrats
on the council have figured out, will save the taxpayers pain. The Kingston Police [who are the
best] do run up a lot of overtime. If, I am correct one detective collected thousands of dollars
in OT, from what I heard it was in the 50 K area [I might be wrong on that, if I am please correct me]. But, again Landi is doing a good job. It is easy to yell at council meeting, go on
public access and put Sottile down, have a protest in front of city hall. Anyone, has that right.
But actions is what matters. Again, where is the GOP budget? The voters want to know.

My Endorsement

First, Congratulations are in order for Sen. Hillary Clinton. Senator Clinton has served the
people of New York State since 2001 and left her mark. Mrs. Clinton made history in 2000
in terms of being the first female US Senator from NY. She will be missed.

Second, My Endorsement, It is rumoured that Gov. David Paterson has an assistant read 'Ulster
Progressive' to him, every morning.

My Endorsement to be the next US Senator from NY is Kirsten Gillibrand. Rep. Gillibrand
has served the residents of the 20th Congressional Dist. well. Gillibrand has fought for workers
rights, women's right, and has been accessible to the residents of her Dist.

In short, Gillibrand has the vision to lead in the spirit of Hillary Clinton.

Gov Paterson, Pick Gillibrand.

Am I Missing Something?

Boy, Times are bad, really bad. When a political party is in the minority, usually, they really
want to obtain the majority. Every day I pick up my newspapers, or check out local blogs.
I have seen suggestions from Mayor Sottile and the Democrats on how to reduce spending.
Yet, I would have assumed the Re publican's on the Council would have come up with a plan?
Would have called a news conference? Would have said 'we can do it a better way'. If the
GOP has solutions to this mess, tell the people. Stand in front of city hall and come up with
your plan. Gallo did it when he was in the minority. In my view it is REALLY sad when you
criticize but do not have a plan. That, is what the voter's need to know.

On A Positive Note.................

Today, is the late US Senator's Robert F. Kennedy Birthday. To honor Kennedy[D-L Long Island]. The Triborough Bridge in NYC is now the 'Robert F. Kennedy' Bridge. In my view,
it is a nice honor to someone who served our state. And, who I consider a hero.

The Budget Blame Game

This morning I read with much attention, the continuing saga of the Kingston Common Council
in a attempt to bring down the 15% tax hike. And, like Ringo Starr sang all those years ago
'It don't come easy'. It is my view , that the Majority Democrats are doing everything they can do
to bring down the numbers. With such council veterans on finance such as Reynolds and
Landi [a former chair of finance] they are dealing with a terrible National, State and Local
economy. But, cut they must. But where? Police, Fire, DPW? In my view, Mayor Sottile was right to make the cuts to parks and recreation. And, as a taxpayer I am concerned about the
deep cuts to Kingston Police and Kingston Fire. Some member's of the City GOP has come up
with suggestions. As, any citizen can. But, some of the cuts that are suggested I have to disagree
with. At this time, the police chief and the fire chief have city owned vehicles. As, does Mayor
Sottile. In my view, all three are on call 24 hours 7 days a week. So, why should Sottile the
highest ranking member of our city not have a vehicle? Also, what really shocked me was the
same member of the City GOP wants to cut the purchasing dept. The Republican, who ran city wide last year had the endorsement of the CSEA. The last time I checked the employees
of that dept. are members of CSEA. The budget needs to be cut but as Gov. Paterson said yesterday 'Let's do it and leave politics out of it'.

Showdown In Ulster?

One thing you have to give Nick Woerner credit for, in the tough economic times that we are
all going though, he has a public hearing, and goes over the budget line by line and defends the
budget that he crafted. Yet, In the next election cycle, with the big race being the County
Clerk [Yawn] a real exciting supervisors contest may be brewing. The Town of Ulster GOP
looks like they would like the flex there once mighty muscle. Word around town is that two
member's of the Town Republican Party may be thinking about entering the race. The two
names I hear being circulated are businessman John Morrow and Frm. State Assemblyman
John Guerin. Both men are well known within the town. In checking my ageing memory banks,
I do not believe Mr. Morrow ever ran for public office, but Guerin, who first broke on the scene
in 1994 has been though three tough races. To be honest I though John was just a GOP'er in 94
who rode the Pataki wave in that year. Yet, when he ran for reelection he ran against Jeanette
Provenzano, one of the toughest campaigners I have ever seen with my two eyes was
able to pull out a win. Woerner, the grandson of the legendary Former City of Kingston Chairman
Larry Woerner, is tough on the trail. No one can say Nick has not earned his battle scars. If any
one of the three lock horns next November this may be the one to watch. For one thing,
I know this one is going to be expensive.

Dave At 65%

The one nice thing about Monday's is when I pick up the New York Post and I turn to page
15 or so, and read the latest state political news by Fred U. Dicker. Dicker reports today that
the latest statewide poll has Gov. David Paterson at a 65% approval rate. To be sure, Gov.
Paterson has his work cut out for him. With the state near a 2 billion dollar in the hole, he
has to be wondering how he can get out of this mess. So far, Paterson has been direct he is
proposing to the state legislature deep cuts in health care and education. It will be interesting
to see what happens when the State Senate and Assembly meet this week for a special session.
It's a tough time. He is going to need all the help he can get.

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