Ulster County Democratic Committee

The Ulster County Democrat

January 2008

Message from our Chair, John Parete

A message from Assembly Member Kevin Cahill

Donations to Democratic Candidates Hit New Record

Some Encouraging Numbers

Presidential Primary Reminder – February 5, 2008

Message from our Chair, John Parete

Dear Friends:

As the holiday season fast approaches, we look forward to the time of year that is dedicated to our families. The season is one of celebration and renewal during which we reach out to and hear from family and friends far and near. My wife, Barbara, and I are blessed because our children and grandchildren are nearby; we see them frequently, but there’s something special about the holidays.

The Democratic Party is another family that I’m happy and proud to be a member of. Like all families, our Democratic family has its trials and tribulations. We share the joy of victories, like that of Sheriff Paul Van Blarcum last year, and we suffer from the disappointments of defeats. Like all families, we in the Democratic family have our disagreements and sometimes say things we later wish we hadn’t. Some do well and others don’t. At the end of the day, however, we stand together to do what is right.

Next year is one that will be filled with hope. A new Democratic president-elect, a Democratic majority in the Senate and House and a new Democratic Ulster County Executive are all on the horizon.

This holiday season, let’s take some time to think about what’s important to us, what our values are, and how we can come together to make our country better: a safe home for every American, health care that we can afford, education for our children, and equal access to opportunity so that our children can have lives that are better than our own.

Also, let’s not forget to raise a glass for the safe return of our brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, and fathers and mothers who are serving our country in places far from the comfort of family and home.

With best wishes for the holidays,

John Parete, Chair

Ulster County Democratic Committee

A message from Assembly Member Kevin Cahill

Will Rogers is often quoted as saying, “I am not a member of any organized party. I am a Democrat.” Don’t we know it. Another well-known person, Tip O’Neil, made famous a phrase that became the title to his best selling book, “All Politics is Local”.

This last election cycle here in Ulster County proved each of those sayings to be vast understatements. It’s time to reflect and, perhaps, regroup.

This year we saw the emergence of the new Democratic Majority here in the county. Statistics do not tell the whole story, but they are significant nonetheless. As of November 6, 2007, enrolled Democrats outnumbered Republicans in Ulster County by a wide and growing margin. In fact, we have more people enrolled in our party now than are non-enrolled -- a claim that the Republican Party has not been able to make for over a generation. We saw it coming. In fact, many of us have been working for this day for most of our adult lives.

The success of Paul Van Blarcum last year was a watershed moment. Not only did Paul trounce the opposition, but also his vote totals were unprecedented. Much of that is testimony to a terrific candidate and a well-executed campaign. Some of the credit, however, must go to our Democratic organization. When we put our minds and hearts to the task, we get it done.

The historic re-election of a Democratic County Legislature majority is also proof that we have arrived. The voters of Ulster County told us it was not a fluke. They liked our candidates and even with the retirement of some of our new bright stars, the voters all over Ulster County pulled the lever for the Democratic Team.

With all the talk of our problems this year, there really still was a sense of “team” at the very local levels. Town races were just as often coordinated, multi-candidate efforts as they were solo ventures. Fundraisers, now prevalent, even at the most local of campaigns, were well attended and raised record amounts of resources for our candidates. While we gave up a few important offices, but we picked up others, held on to key posts and had close races in many elections across our communities.

We also saw new people coming on board. Fresh new candidates, hard working supporters alike -- it is always invigorating to see new people getting involved in politics and government.

I made it around to many events, but to be sure, there were many I missed too. Again, the number and frequency of our events is proof of the vitality of our party, proof that our rise is at the neighborhood level and not just part of a regional sweep.

At the same time, we saw a rising factionalism in the party. Friends took up political arms against friends. Political allies became sworn enemies. Some of those wounds are still open and need time while others will apparently not heal without change. We do not have to fall into lockstep with one and other, after all, Will Rogers was right and Democrats are free spirits unencumbered by the shackles of strict party discipline. But we do need organization and it needs to be united and cohesive if we are to prevail. And Tip O’Neil was only right in direction, not degree. All politics is not just local, it’s personal. We would all be well-served to remember that and to begin to make friends with our friends, to align with our allies, to reach inside and call upon those values that make us Democrats and march forth into the new year with a determination to advance our candidates, our party and our shared vision. Let bygones be bygones? No. Instead, let us learn from our missteps. We should confront our problems, but with an eye to resolution, not further confrontation. Let’s be good public citizens, good Democrats and most of all, good human beings toward each other.

Happy Holidays to one and all.

Kevin A. Cahill

Member of Assembly, 101^st AD

Donations to Democratic Candidates Hit New Record

In order to coordinate fundraising activities for the November 2007 election, the Ulster County Democratic Campaign Committee raised approximately $37,500 in the past year. This was a record-breaking amount for a county-wide Democratic fundraising effort that was not associated with a specific candidate and it enabled the UCDCC to make approximately $20,000 in direct contributions to Democratic candidates across the county.

In addition to contributions to candidates, the UCDCC donated $4,000 to the Ulster County Democratic Committee for direct overhead expenses such as office rent and spent a further $2,300 on printing for candidate designating petitions, the brunch journal/program, and fundraising. The UCDCC also allocated approximately $4,500 to publish the Ulster County Clarion, which was an election week newspaper distributed to about 30,000 households and a further $3,750 to develop print and media ads for local candidates. This was all done with the help of a few hardworking volunteers and one paid fundraising solicitor/graphic designer ($2,600).

In prior years, there has not been a county-wide organization that had the funds to donate to democratic candidates. The UCDCC was founded in late 2006 for this purpose by John Parete, who felt that the fundraising abilities of a few volunteers could be brought together to help campaigns of Democratic candidates.

Here’s a list of recipients:

Jon Sennett (Ulster County DA), Ulster County Legislature candidates: TJ Briggs, Len Distel, Mary Shelley, Joe Stoeckeler, Gary Bischoff, Josh Boughton, Bob Capiello, Bonni Nechemias, Brian Cahill, John Martino, Frank Dart, Jeannette Provenzano, Alan Lomita, Sal Silvestro, Phil Terpening, Timothy Hunter, Peter Liepmann, Carl Zatz, Joseph Eriole, Jon Decker, Gary Pregno, Dave Donaldson, Peter Loughran, Town Supervisor candidates: Al Lanzetta, Mike Shultis, Pam Duke, Patrick McDonough, James Doloway, Peter DiSclafani, Kingston City Judge: James Gilpatric.

We thank everyone who donated to and supported this fund.

If you would like a copy of the financial report for the UCDCC, please email UCDCC treasurer Zali Win at RochesterDems@aol.com.

Some Encouraging Numbers

The Ulster County Board of Elections recently processed the change of parties for 2007 (these are voters who were previously registered to vote but changed parties), and the results for Democrats are very encouraging: 593 voters left other parties to become Democrats; 209 voters left the Democrats for other parties, for a net gain of 384 Ulster County Democrats. In contrast, 310 voters left the Republican Party and 289 switched to the GOP, for a net loss for the Ulster Republicans of 21.

Democratic Presidential Primary

The Democratic Presidential Primary has been moved to an earlier date this year and will be held on Tuesday, February 5, 2008. If you plan to be away, you can apply for an absentee ballot by downloading a form from the Ulster County Board of Elections’ website

http://www.co.ulster.ny.us/elections/absenteeapp.pdf

Archive of 2008 Issues

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2007 Political Calendar