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Archives - 2006
Message
from our Chair, John Parete
Report from the Organizational Meeting of the
Ulster County Democratic Committee
Meet
Pam Duke, Supervisor, Town of Rochester
Take
Back Congress - Let’s Turn some
of those Red States Blue!
Democratic
National Committee Launches “Party Builder”
A
Letter from Assemblyman Kevin Cahill
Message
from our Chair, John Parete
Thank
you for electing me to serve as your Chair for another two-year term.
We’ve come a long way in Ulster County in the past few years, but we
still have a lot of work ahead of us.
Last
year, 2005, was a break-out year for Ulster County’s governmental addiction to
special interests, back room deals, and reckless spending
The
New York State Republican leadership has spent 20 years trying to avoid blame
for raising taxes by passing a disproportionate share of state costs down to
counties, cities, and towns. This
transfer of expenses from the income tax based state budget to the ad valorem
based local taxes is one reason for skyrocketing property taxes.
Locallyt, this problem has been compounded as the Ulster County
Republican leadership neglected their responsibilities to County taxpayers by
failing to properly administer their spending authority in a prudent and
accountable manner.
Ulster
County Democrats will continue to work to reform our government so that local
taxpayers will no longer be forced to pay for the excesses of our legislature
and to refocus on solving problems without passing on the costs to you and
me.
Our
legislature is addressing the issues of critical concern to the citizens of
Ulster County, principally skyrocketing property taxes, a sinister creep in the
size of County government, and quality of life issues that relate to both jobs
and the environment.
The
Democratic members of our Ulster County Legislature bring with them an
interesting and extensive portfolio representing a perspective from both the
public and private sectors.
The
general election is less than four weeks away.
We’re 27 days from once again electing a Democratic governor.
And we have an excellent chance of picking up some Senate and
Congressional seats nationwide (a majority in at least one house is a
not-too-remote possibility. Locally,
I ask all Democrats to focus intently over the next four weeks to help lead our
outstanding local candidates to victory.
John
Parete, Chair.
An overwhelming majority of members of the Ulster County Democratic
Committee turned up on September 25th for the biennial Organizational
Meeting at the Holiday Inn in Kingston.
John
Parete was re-elected to a two-year term as chair, Karen Markisensis of Ulster was
elected to be our Vice Chair, Sue Ronga was re-elected as Treasurer, and Patt
Candelari was elected to be our Secretary. Sue Zimet, candidate for NYS Senate and a member of the
Ulster County Legislature, gave a moving tribute to out-going Vice Chair Ann
Rodman, who has served the UCDC in so many ways for many years.
Thank you Ann and congratulations to our new executive committee.
The Ulster County Democratic Committee and the Coordinated Campaign
Committee are beginning our campaign phone banking on Tuesday, October 10
for Susan Zimet for New York State Senate and Paul VanBlarcum for Ulster County
Sheriff. We are going to be phoning four days a week (Monday thru
Thursday) starting next Tuesday right up through election day from
6:00 to 9:00pm each night. To make this work, we need the help of our willing
and able volunteers to make phone calls
and to address and assemble the mailings we will be doing on the
spot to the people we've talked to. So, even if you don't like to make phone
calls, we can use your help.
Please respond to sfraser0326@aol.com
or call Democratic HQ at 331 8275 with your name and contact information and the
days you are able to help. We will be working from Democratic Headquarters
at 292C Fair St. in Kingston.
PLEASE VOLUNTEER TO HELP SUSAN AND PAUL
TO VICTORY THIS NOVEMBER.
Meet
Pam Duke, Supervisor, Town of Rochester
Pam
Duke isn’t your typical town supervisor. Prior to her election, she was a
successful executive with the Girl Scouts for two decades.
Now, as Supervisor since January 2004, she’s brought a lot of
improvements to the way the Town of Rochester does business and has attempted to
bring a business-like outlook to town government.
We asked Pam what that means.
PD:
One thing that people in local governments sometimes forget is that town
officials are public servants, with a duty to provide service to their
respective electorates. The
residents of our towns are our customers and we have an obligation to manage the
affairs of town government in like a business, with accountability at all
levels, systems to track spending and revenues, and a clear set of objectives.
Q:
Given your past in the private sector, why did you want this job?
PD:
I saw that there was a lot of room for improvement in the administration
of our town government. I thought
that I would be able to bring a new, more inclusive outlook to government and
decided to run for supervisor. It
was my first run for public office and with a lot of help from people on both
sides of the aisle, I won.
Q:
Is it tough to turn the boat around?
PD:
Yes it can be difficult sometimes. One
thing we have to realize is that the role of local government in a small town
has changed significantly over the past decade or two.
The number and complexity of laws that municipalities have to follow have
grown significantly and it’s now a full time job being supervisor.
It’s a rewarding job, though, and I get a lot of satisfaction seeing
long term plans implemented.
Q:
What’s the biggest deal in Rochester government right now?
PD:
The biggest challenge we face isn’t one solely for town government or
even unique in the Town of Rochester. The
tremendous level of growth in our region is creating a lot of change, both in
the literal landscape of the town and in the way that town governments have to
educate themselves in dealing with growth and development issues.
All this development makes it especially important to ensure that local
government policy is able to deal with future growth.
At present, we’re in the middle of reviewing our Town’s comprehensive
plan, which hasn’t been updated since it was first written in 1969.
It clearly needs to be updated and we invited anyone who was interested
to participate in the process. The
development pressure is real, however, we
have some who want to put in hundreds of homes, and this type of development
will have an irrevocable impact on our community.
It’s important that the process be thought out before hand and that
government act proactively in managing change by ensuring that local codes
reflect the vision that people in the community want, rather than being reactive
and having no tools to influence the type of development that takes place.
Q:
You mentioned hundreds of houses. How do you know if that’s even feasible?
PD:
That’s a good question because there are a lot factors to consider.
There might be plenty of land for development, and people willing to do
it, but what will be the effect on the water supply, what type of additional
infrastructure will be needed, will we need to build new roads, schools and
firehouses? What will be the
impact and the cost to the rest of the taxpayers in the community to educate the
hundreds of children who could potentially be added to our school district. These are all factors to consider and there needs to be a
greater dialogue between all the different agencies and autonomous boards that
have to deal with them.
Q:
Anything you’d like to add?
PD:
One thing we have to remember is that we’re in a small community.
We see our neighbors everyday, at the post office, in the grocery store,
and passing on the road. It’s
important that we address our town’s problems together, with the best
long-term interests of the town in mind. I’ve
tried to create an open dialogue and an environment where anyone can speak
freely, because it’s only through an honest and inclusive process that these
long-term solutions will stand. Another
thing is that town governments in our region can really benefit from continuing
to address common problems together. It
pays to share ideas and to pool resources.
While each town has its own unique identity, there is a lot we can learn
from each other.
Take
Back Congress
- Let’s Turn some of those Red States Blue!
With
newfound momentum, a number of candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives
and the U.S. Senate have a real shot at winning this November.
The opportunity for Democrats to take control of one or both houses of
Congress is in sight. There are
many competitive candidates who can win if they have sufficient financial
resources, including some in New York State.
If you would like to contribute to help in this effort, you can
contribute online
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee –
Democratic
Senatorial Campaign Committee
If
you’re there is even a remote chance that you will not be in town on November
7th, we recommend that you obtain an absentee ballot. Please note that these applications must be received by the
Ulster County Board of Elections by October 31 in order to mail a ballot, or by
November 6, if you or someone will pick up the ballot in person.
You can download a form at http://www.co.ulster.ny.us/elections/absenteeapp.pdf
In
addition to voting by absentee ballot, the Board of Elections will hold special
hours before the election during which you can vote in person at their office at
284 Wall Street in Kingston:
Tues, Oct 24
5 to 7pm
Thurs, Oct 26
5 to 7pm
Sat, Oct 28
9am to noon
Tues, Oct 31
5 to 7pm
Thurs, Nov 2
5 to 7pm
Sat, Nov 4
9am to noon
Voting
Suggestions (in ballot
order):
Governor:
Eliot Spitzer (D)
Spitzer2006.com
Comptroller
Alan Hevesi (D)
Attorney
General
Andrew Cuomo (D)
AndrewCuomo.com
U.S.
Senate
Hillary Clinton (D)
HillaryClinton.com
NYS
Supreme Court
Karen Peters (D)
KarenPeters.org
(vote for two)
Gus Devine (D)
U.S.
Congress
Maurice Hinchey (D) HincheyforCongress.org
NYS
Senate
Susan Zimet (D)
SusanZimetforSenate.com
NYS
Assembly
Kevin Cahill (D)
NYS
Assembly
Kelly Keck (D)
KeckforAssembly.com
Ulster
County Sheriff
Paul Van Blarcum (D)
PaulforSheriff.com
Shall
the County of Ulster, New York adopt a local law adopting a county charter form
of government for the County of Ulster? Vote
YES
In
an effort to promote grass-roots activism in all 50 states, the Democratic
National Committee has initiated a web-based system called PartyBuilder.
PartyBuilder
is a set of online tools designed to empower Democrats to take control of the
future of their party. Through
technology, we’re moving people from email and websites to canvasses and
rallies.
PartyBuilder
isn’t the typical online tool set. Individual users control most of the
activity, from blogging to setting up and managing groups or activists, to
organizing and managing real-world events, to fundraising. Democrats are
entrusted to build the space and the Party.
Take
a minute to explore the different features, then invite your friends and connect
with each other to help build the Party for 2006 and beyond.
PartyBuilder gives you everything you need to take online action for
real-world results.
http://www.democrats.org/page/content/partybuilder/
S.8360
(Saland, Bonacic) A.K.A Supernova
During the final week of the 2006 Legislative Session, Senate Republicans, in a thinly veiled attempt to pander to voters -- who are becoming increasingly overburdened by regressive property tax bills -- passed legislation (S.8360) that calls for the State to pay for the school property tax bills of primary homeowners.
The legislation, estimated to cost the State an additional $9 billion a year after it is fully phased in, does nothing to address the needs of underperforming schools and will shift more money away from Hudson Valley schools and into the budgets of wealthier downstate districts.
The bill would provide no benefits to the millions of New Yorkers who rent their homes and offers little, if any, relief to our largest cities.
This
legislation is grossly irresponsible because it neglects to identify just
how the State will pay for what would essentially serve as a massive
expansion of the unfair and flawed STAR program.
The
fact that the sponsors of this bill waited until the very last hours of the
scheduled end of the legislative session to introduce it and call for a vote
is evidence that this bill is nothing more than an attempt to distract
voters from the fact that the Senate Majority has failed to provide real
school aid and property tax reform.
The
Senate’s plan is flawed in that it provides no relief to renters and
commercial property owners.
It
ignores the fact that tenants also pay property taxes.
While homeowners pay this levy directly, tenants, through their rental payments, carry a substantial portion of the property taxes paid by the owners of their buildings.
Under the Senate’s latest proposal, neither tenants nor landlords would receive any relief. Only residents of owner-occupied dwellings would benefit.
This type of approach fosters extreme racial disparities. Over 62% of white households live in owner-occupied dwellings, while the comparable figure for black households is 29%.
Renters make up 37% of the population residing within the Kingston City Schools Consolidated District. That is a number you might expect in a city. In Poughkeepsie, the number is 63% and in Newburgh, renters make up 42% of the population.
You might be surprised to find out that in the New Paltz, Ellenville, Highland and Marlboro school districts renters make up over 30% of the population. In Rhinebeck, 29% of the school district residents are renters.
When you take into account the fifteen largest city school districts in New York State, renters make up 67% of the population. Looking at population statewide, 47% of the households in New York rent their homes.
To ensure fairness, property tax relief should not discriminate on the basis of geography or one’s status as an owner or a tenant. This measure fails on both of these counts.
The
only thing the Senate seems to have gotten right with this proposal is their
acknowledgement that our education funding model is broken.
Instead
of perpetuating the existence of an already failing STAR program by
expanding it to what would amount to supernova proportions, the Senate
should join me in my commitment to ensuring a sound education for all of New
York’s children while at the same time eliminating the regressive school
property tax for all residents of the State.
To the Editor:
During this campaign season, school funding has taken center stage. It’s
about time. The people of the Hudson Valley and all of New York deserve real
solutions, not rhetoric, for this most significant problem. I salute those
candidates who have taken the time to learn this issue and embraced realistic
proposals such as the legislation I have introduced.
Assembly
Bill 8069 will eliminate the use of regressive real estate taxes for the
purposes of funding education. The bill first and foremost ensures that
every child has access to the same quality education regardless of where they
live or the level of their family's income. By eliminating the school real
property tax and shifting to a more progressive statewide income tax, we will be
able to fund our schools equitable, fairly and more affordably for all New
Yorkers.
School funding is an
issue that impacts everyone. Here in the Hudson Valley, we are bearing the
burden of skyrocketing property taxes. In other regions, where property
values and incomes are not as high, schools are suffering because they do not
have the means necessary to provide a basic quality education.
For
too long we have had a Governor in charge that has refused to acknowledge the
state's responsibility that every child, everywhere in New York has an equal
right to a quality education. Some people work against much needed reforms
by claiming it is an upstate versus downstate issue or that it is only a
regional problem and therefore only requires a regional solution. The
truth is that education funding is a broken system statewide and needs to be
fixed.
Assemblymember Joel Miller recently attacked his opponent, Democratic County
Legislator, Joel Tyner, for supporting my school financing proposal.
Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, Dr. Miller asserted that the
current school aid formula is equitable and working just fine. He also
repeated the false argument that my plan would somehow siphon funding from our
local schools to districts in Long Island or Westchester. Dr. Miller knows
better and so does Joel Tyner. That’s why Tyner has articulated this
issue passionately throughout his campaign.
The
fact is, for example, that in Suffolk County, which encompasses the east end of
Long Island, local property taxes make up exactly the same percentage (64%) of
education funding as in Dutchess. Under my legislation, the state would
treat each area equally. Taxes on Hudson Valley residents would be
significantly reduced under my financing plan. Every taxpayer would be
treated fairly and every student would be treated equitably. That is the
whole point of the bill.
The only way we are going to achieve meaningful school financing reform is to
proceed with the value of this being about our children. Ensuring that
each and every child has access to the same basic quality education regardless
of where they live, how high their family's income is or how much their property
is valued should be our top priority. The state has a moral and legal
obligation to ensure equity in our education system statewide.
I have and will continue to advocate for legislation to accomplish that
goal while eliminating our reliance on regressive property taxes.
Joel
Tyner clearly understands that this is the biggest problem we are currently
facing. Instead of perpetuating false and misleading scare tactics that
get us nowhere, Joel Miller ought to be thanking Tyner for finally waking him up
to get serious about reforming education funding in New York State.
Sincerely,
Kevin A. Cahill
Member of Assembly
October
2006
October
10th, Phonebanking
begins at Democratic Headquarters. email
sfraser0326@aol.com
October
15th
Sunday, Ulster County Democratic Committee Annual Dinner,
Hillside Manor, Kingston, Cash
Bar 5:30 to 6: 30 dinner to follow.
October
15th, Sunday,
Women’s Tea to Support Wendy Ricks for Town Justice, Town of Saugerties at the
home of Rosemary Brackett, 37 John Street, Saugerties, 3pm to 5pm.
October
17th, Tuesday. 5:30 to
9pm, Paul Van Blarcum for Sheriff Fund Raiser.
Gisianos Restaurant, 174 Main Street, Glasco, Cash Bar, Hors d’oeuvres,
door prizes, a night of fun and support for Paul. $35.00 per person. RSVP
to frankfaluotico@aol.com or cal
679-0016
October
21st
Fundraiser for Congressman Maurice Hinchey, Details to Follow
October 22nd, Sunday. Pot Luck Supper to Support Paul Van Blarcum for Sheriff. Home of the Faluticos, 296 Maverick Road, Woodstock. Bring a dish to share. Donation $25.00, for more information call Sam at 679-2713. Sponsored by the Woodstock Democratic Committee.
October 24, Tuesday
Rally to Take back Congress. Change the course of the Nation
Starting right here in the Hudson Valley
, Waryas
Park,
On
the Hudson River, Poughkeepsie, NY, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Featured
speakers:
Democratic candidates for Congress
Ø
Congressman
Maurice Hinchey, 22nd District
Ø
Kirsten
Gillibrand, 20th District
Ø
John
Hall, 19th District
Music by the Flames of Discontent. Help Us Take Back Congress for working families!
Endorsements
to date:
Dutchess
County Democratic Committee, Communications Workers of America Local 1120,
Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation, Town of Poughkeepsie Democratic Committee;
Public Employees Federation, SEIU 1199, Teamsters Local 445, NYSUT, Dutchess
Peace Coalition, The Flames of Discontent, Beacon Democratic Committee,
Mid-Hudson Progressive Alliance, and Voices for Peace.
fFor more information contact:
Jen Fuentes, Coordinator, Hudson Valley ALF at: 845.567.7760 ext.
10 or hvalf@hvc.rr.com
Wayne Nealis, CWA Local 1120 at:
845.705.3516 or at wynnls@hotmail.com
October
27th, Friday 5 to 8pm. Rosendale
Democratic Committee’s Fabulous Fish Fry, Rosendale Community Center, Route
32. $10.00 per serving.
Eat in or Take Out. Come
meet the candidates and bring your friends.
October
29th, Sunday 3-5 pm DuPuy
Canal House Fund Raiser for Sue Zimet for NYS Senate, $25.00 per person/Hors
d’oeuvres, cash bar. If you are
having dinner afterwards Chef John Novi will donate $30.00 of the $65.00 five
course dinner to Sue’s campaign.
October
31st, Last day to mail absentee ballot applications.
November 7th, ELECTION DAY!
In this issue:
Message from our Chair, John Parete
September 12 Democratic Primary and Absentee Ballot Information
Susan Zimet, A Genuine Hero in our Midst
Help Needed for our Candidates
Ulster County Charter Reform – Let’s Get it Passed
MESSAGE
FROM OUR CHAIR, JOHN PARETE
Volunteers across our county will meet to contact 100 voters each from their communities
The Ulster County Democratic Committee will be joining our State and National counterparts in what should be a major voter registration drive. I hope each Democrat can attempt to contact 100 voters from his or her community by Election Day 2006. Here in Ulster County we have already registered over 1,000 new Democrats this year.
As a neighborhood Democratic volunteer, you know your neighborhood best. You are a local "opinion maker." This means your neighbors may come to rely on you for information about the Democratic Party, candidates from your area, and local issues.
Face-to-face voter contact is the most effective way to meet people, exchange information, and talk about the Democratic Party and candidates.
In other news, the petition process is over and what a tremendous job the County Committee members and other volunteers did this year! We gathered over 2,000 signatures for Susan Zimet’s State Senate campaign (whose district encompasses about half of Ulster County). In Paul Van Blarcum’s race for Sheriff, our Committee members and volunteers gathered almost 4,000 signatures. Maurice Hinchey and Kevin Cahill’s Ulster County numbers were also phenomenal.
Now the campaigns are organizing and will be co-coordinating efforts locally and State- wide for what will be a tremendous Democratic victory this November.
Democratic
Primary to be held on Tuesday, September 12th
Absentee Ballot Information
The Democratic Party will hold a primary election on Tuesday, September 12,
2006. Polls in Ulster County will open at 12:00 noon and remain open until
9:00 pm.
The candidates being voted upon are:
Governor:
Eliot Spitzer (spitzer2006.com)
Thomas Suozzi (www.tomsuozzi.com)
Attorney General:
Andrew Cuomo (www.andrewcuomo.com)
Mark Green (www.markgreen.com)
Charles King (www.king2006.com)
Sean Patrick Maloney (www.seanmaloney.com)
United States Senator
Hilary Rodham Clinton (www.hillaryclinton.com)
Jonathan Tassini (www.tasinifornewyork.org)
On a more local level, the Conservatives and Independence Parties in Ulster
County are also holding a primary for the office of Ulster County Sheriff.
If you know of any members of either party, please ask them to vote for Paul Van
Blarcum, who was designated by the Conservate, Democrats, and Independence
Parties. (www.paulforsheriff.com)
For more information, please visit the candidates’ websites, noted above
If you are unable to vote in the primary election in person, you may print an
absentee ballot application by visiting:
http://www.co.ulster.ny.us/elections/absenteeapp.pdf
or you can call or visit the Ulster County Board of Elections at 284 Wall
Street, Kingston. Tel: 845-334-5470.
Absentee ballot applications must be received by the Board of Elections prior to
September 5th if a ballot is to be mailed, or by September 11th if the ballot is
to be picked up in person at the Board of Elections office.
SUSAN
ZIMET: A Genuine Hero in Our Midst
Susan Zimet, a candidate for NYS Senate, is not afraid to speak her mind, shake up the status quo, and to do whatever it takes to create a more responsive and effective state government. Susan is ready to work with you—and with Eliot Spitzer—to restore the Hudson Valley and our great state, the Empire State, to her rightful place as a world leader in business, finance, education, jobs, healthcare, transportation, and environmental protection. Even with these disparate goals in mind, you can bet Susan won’t forsake her deep and abiding respect for the civil and constitutional rights of each and every citizen.
Susan Zimet is challenging incumbent John Bonacic for the 42nd District seat in the New York State Senate, which includes Delaware and Sullivan County, most of Ulster County and parts of Orange.
Like many reformers, Susan was drawn into politics because of issues: unregulated development; endangered community and environmental treasures; out-of-control property taxes; and education reform. As Town Supervisor and County Legislator Susan has gained a reputation for tight-fisted budgeting, finding alternative funding opportunities and minimizing waste and taxes.
Zimet (New Paltz) represents the 10th District in the Ulster County Legislature where she Chairs the Ways & Means Sub-committee on Budget Reform, and chairs the Arts, Education and Community Relations Committee that oversees all cultural, tourism, education, aging, veterans and health agencies. She also serves as a member of the Ways & Means, and Criminal Justice & Safety Committees. Susan won re-election to her second term in 2005 in an historic victory that resulted in the second Democratic majority in Ulster County history, the first since 1978.
Working across the aisle she achieved legislative successes on issues including Veterans' Health Care, Clean Elections, and Homeland Security—including protections for first responders and a warning system for hazardous waste transported through the region. For years Susan has been in the forefront, leading the bipartisan call for Indian Point Nuclear Plant to be closed because adequate safeguards are not in place. Susan's Resolution, calling for veterans and active military personnel to receive the care they deserve, as well as for testing soldiers returning from war zones for depleted uranium poisoning, is a bill now under consideration in Albany.
Prior to service in the Legislature she served two terms as Supervisor of the Town of New Paltz, the first woman to hold that job. Under her leadership New Paltz prevented WalMart from coming in and changing the character of the town, while she simultaneously worked to increase opportunities for locally-owned area businesses.
For
more information about Susan Zimet go to: http://www.susanzimetforsenate.com
Help
Needed for our Candidates
Volunteers Needed: We need campaign volunteers in all towns across Ulster County to help our Democratic candidates get elected. If you would like to volunteer for phone banking, mailing, canvassing, voter registration, or anything else, please email: info@ulstercountydemocrats.com
Let’s
Get it Passed!
By Vic Work
The proposed Charter Revision to be voted on in November creates a Strong County Executive with a single source of public accountability and creates the top county position who is elected by all voters in Ulster County. Under the current system, we elect 33 legislators who elect one member to be chairman of the Legislature.
The Comptroller and County Executive will serve 4-year terms, elected in alternate, odd-number elections.
The charter revision creates the office of an elected Comptroller who fills the role of auditing and policy making. The duties of the currently elected Treasurer will be consolidated into an appointed position of Commissioner of Finance to administer policy, collect taxes and receive and disburse funds. The Commissioner of Finance will also draft the County's annual budget in concert with the elected County Executive. The Treasurer's office will be eliminated and the Office of the Appointed County Administrator will be eliminated.
The Charter Revision also ratifies the 2003 Local Law that reduces the size of the Legislature to 23 single-seat districts whose representatives will stand for election in November 2011. They will continue to serve 2-year terms.
The next step is up to you: The Referendum will go on the ballot at the election on November 7th. Assuming the Charter Revision passes the Strong County Executive will be elected in November 2008 for a 3-year term to start January 1, 2009 and there after every 4 years.
The Legislature will become a Policy Making body - make appropriations, adopt the budget, levy taxes, pass local laws and confirm the appointments of the Elected County Executive. The County Executive will be the administrative head of the government, prepare and present a budget and capital program, appoint department heads and the county attorney, and report to the people and the legislature on the condition of county finances.
The Elected County Executive will be the person responsible for the activities of the county government and will hold a lot of authority. The authority will be offset by the elected County Legislature andthe elected Comptroller who is responsible for the audit of the county affairs.
Please vocally support the Charter Revision - it will make our government more efficient and less expensive and more responsive to the electorate.
Kind regards, Vic Work
The
August-September Ulster County Democratic Party Events Calendar
Sunday, September 9—Olive Day, Davis Park, West Shokan
Sunday, September 9—Esopus Democrats Annual Picnic, Freer Park, Noon--?
Tuesday, September 12---PRIMARY ELECTION
(There was no July 2006 issue)
In this issue
Message from our Chair, John Parete
Report from the Ulster County Democratic Convention
Help Needed for our Candidates
The Fight in Plattekill
Kickoff Rally for Sue Zimet for NY State Senate
Kickoff Rally for Paul Van Blarcum for Ulster County Sheriff
Ulster County Charter Refortm - What it Means
Calendar for June and July
MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIR, JOHN PARETE
The Ulster County Democratic Party in Ulster County was out in full force
at our annual nominating convention held on the first Monday in June at the
Hillside Manor in Kingston. Congressman Maurice Hinchey and Assemblyman
Kevin Cahill, our incumbent legislators, spoke most eloquently where the party
was when they started and the positive direction our outstanding nominated
candidates will be leading us in the future. We owe the people of Ulster County
and we owe our candidates nothing less than 100% support in this November’s
election. On a party note, since the first of January 2006, our new enrollment
numbers show an increase of over 800—twice the amount of the other party. As
you can see, the Democratic Party in Ulster County is alive and well.
Thanks for your efforts.
At the Ulster County Democratic Convention
Over 200 delegates from town and city Democrats attended the June 5th County
Convention held at Hillside Manor. Turnout was significantly higher than
in prior years, perhaps an indication of an increase in interest in Democratic
politics after the sweeping November 2005 victories in towns across UlsterCounty
in which Democratic majorities were elected to a number of local offices as well
as to the Ulster County Legislature.
After a warm introduction by Kingston attorney and friend Eli Basch, Judge Karen
Peters, an appellate division supreme court judge covering the 3rd Judicial
District, addressed the crowd and told delegates that she was working hard on
her re-election to a second, 14-year term on the bench. Judge Peters looked back
fondly at serving as Ulster County’s Family Court Judge and her long
association with the County.
Congressman Maurice Hinchey was designated as the Party’s nominee for
reelection to the House of Representatives. The audience listened to the
Congressman’s remarks on the Bush Administration’s lack of respect for the
Constitution and rights and the politicization of the governmental process.
State Assemblyman Kevin Cahill was designated as the Democratic candidate for
the 101st Assembly District. Kelly Keck, Scott Trees, and Lee Kyriocou, all
running for office for the first time, were selected as the candidates
for the 107th, 127th and 100th Assembly Districts, respectively.
Ulster County Legislator and former New Paltz town supervisor Susan Zimet was
selected as the Democratic candidate for the New York State Senate’s 42nd
District, which represents nearly all of Ulster County, along with
parts of Delaware, Orange, and Sullivan counties.
Sheriff Department veteran Paul Van Blarcum was selected as the candidate for
Ulster County Sheriff in an open race. Van Blarcum addressed the inefficiencies
in that department and reminded the audience of the current
sheriff’s jail project.
Before adjourning, the members of the convention selected John R. Parete as the
Democratic commissioner of the Board of Elections and affirmed the members of
the State and individual town committees.
Help Needed for our Candidates
The campaigns of Congressman Maurice Hinchey, Judge Karen Peters, Assemblyman
Kevin Cahill, and Sergeant Paul Van Blarcum need your help. As you know, all
four have received the endorsement of the Independence Party;
Paul has also been endorsed by the Conservatives. (Each may also receive the
endorsement of the Working Families Party, though we believe WFP will handle
their own petitions this year.) So…
We need notaries or friendly members of the Independence and Conservative
parties to carry nominating petitions in every town in Ulster county.
Even though our own Democratic petition process has just barely begun, this
effort is very important for our candidates’ success in November and cannot be
ignored. If you are a notary or know a notary who would go around with
you in your town and carry petitions, or if you can persuade a friendly member
of the independence or conservative parties to do the same, please respond to
this email or call Democratic Headquarters at 331-8275 and leave
a message. Thanks.
THE FIGHT IN PLATTEKILL
Chris Mercier, chair of the Democratic Committee for the Town of Plattekill, is
a watchdog in a very Republican district. There are no Democrat legislators in
District 9—Towns of Marlborough, Plattekill and Shawangunk—and no Democrats
on the Plattekill Town Board, either. This is leading to an abuse of power,
according to Mercier, and to other problems as this most southern portion of the
county continues to see unchecked and in some cases poorly planned development,
with infrastructure issues causing the most concern. We asked Mercier to detail
the problems. Please also read to the BOTTOM of this section for information on
helping the Town of Plattekill and District 9 fight back against the Republicans
in office.
An Abuse of Power
The town board seems to think they can pretty much do whatever they want. The
department of state has said it’s illegal to use town funds to advertise
events for the Republican committee and for groups like the Rotary Club.
Also, Plattekill is using funds to buy property to increase the town park size.
According to state law they have to do an environmental assessment and it could
be expensive and the town has flat refused to it. Councilman Brian VanDuser
basically said he didn’t care and until somebody comes down from Albany
they’re going to do what they want. Essentially he was saying that until the
town gets sued or Albany says otherwise they’ll continue to break
the law. To counter this we’d have to call the New York state comptroller’s
office or the State Attorney General’s Office and let them know this is going
on and it’s a matter of record on the Town of Plattekill minutes; it’s
been brought to their attention and they’ve chosen to ignore the law.
Overspending When Other Options Exist
We had a $70,000 grant from Larkin’s office to redo Hoppenstead Rd. in
Plattekill, and the road was done. Unfortunately we lost out on the grant money
because it was only open for seven years and now, eight years later,
highway superintendent George Dougherty never filled out the paperwork. No
paperwork, no money—we lost the funding. Also NY State puts CHIPS
[Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program] money out there
for towns; there’s about $560k in the Chips program according to the previous
budget officer. However, Dougherty hasn’t filed for it, and Dougherty hasn’t
worked with the current budget officer to get that money either. This is money
for the town to build roads. This is money that offsets the tax burden of local
citizens. And his budget’s only about
$900,000 a year so that’d be two-thirds of his budget offset by this funding
but he has to apply for it. Meanwhile the roads are terrible around here and
badly need maintenance. One of the things the Town Board can do is request a
detailed road plan, which Dougherty has refused to submit. What the town might
want to do is freeze his budget until a plan is submitted. He gets re-elected by
staying under budget but he doesn’t do his job, which is to maintain the
roads. Eventually this isn’t a matter of comfort when you drive down a road,
it’s a matter of public safety.
THE GOOD NEWS! YOU CAN HELP PLATTEKILL!
The Plattekill Democratic Party is looking for new members including volunteers
and new committee people to represent one of the six districts of Plattekill,
two members per district. Call Chris Mercier at 883-7912 to step
up and help Plattekill become more Democratic (with so many more new residents,
that’s already happening!). The most important thing you can do is to get
involved with what’s happening in your town.
KICK OFF RALLY FOR SUSAN ZIMET FOR NY STATE SENATE!
It will take just four seats for the Democrats to capture our dysfunctional
State Senate. SUSAN ZIMET is going to be one of those Senators, to be elected
this November.
To help launch Zimet’s campaign, come to Kingston’s Fourth of July display
as seen from the balcony of Ann and Karl Rodman’s home, overlooking The
Rondout. Sunday, June 25th, starting at 7:30 pm.
Your $100 per person contribution will emphatically launch her campaign. Your
contribution will return, magnified, as Susan demonstrates her strength and the
campaign rolls on to victory. Come, enjoy all the fireworks and meet
with Susan.
RSVP to Karl or Ann at 340-1031. (Karl will be calling you, the week of the
event, with driving and parking instructions.)
Even if you can’t make it, contributions of any amount will be gratefully
received. Make checks out to Zimet For Senate and send to P.O. Box 444; New
Paltz, NY 12561 (write Rodman party in the memo).
Kick Off Rally for Paul Van Blarcum for Sheriff!
WHEN: Monday, June 19th
WHERE: Hillside Manor, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Suggested Contribution: $30.00 per person
Or please send contributions to:
Friends of Paul Van Blarcum
C/o Leslie Lohrer, Treasurer
335 Upper Boiceville Road
Boiceville, NY 12412
Help Paul become the next Ulster County Sheriff!
Ulster County Charter Reform
What it Is, What it Means PART II
By Vic Work
This
November we are going to have the opportunity to vote for a new form
ofgovernment. It will be an elected County Executive with a Legislature. The
elected county executive will have most of the power to make decisions effecting
our taxes and economic development. It is an important question.
Why should you vote for this new form of government? Is it foolproof? One of the
problems that we have with a county administrator hired by the legislature is
that NO ONE person has responsibility for running the county.
Lots of people have some degree of authority, but no one individual or office
has final responsibility. Too many times in committee meetings or in
department meetings we wind up with a finger-pointing exercise; everyone points
at everyone else as the person responsible for making the decision.
I spent a number of years at sea as a deck officer in the U.S. Flag Merchant
Marine. We were the officers who manned the U.S. flag cargo ships carrying goods
to and from the USA to other parts of the world. On most merchant ships there
are about 35-45 crew members, only one of whom is the captain. At sea, the
captain has total control—it is his or her responsibility to get the ship,
cargo and crew safely from one port to the next. He or she also has authority to
make life and death decisions. He or she cannot be on the bridge watching cargo
operations 24 hours a day, so the captain “delegates” some of his authority
to other officers and crew to carry out his/her orders. Notice he delegates SOME
of the authority, not final responsibility. He can make people responsible for
their own actions, but when something
goes wrong (even if he is not on the ship while it’s in port) It is his final
responsibility.
In this election we can make a statement, deciding that the elected county
executive is going to have the responsibility for running the county government
with the help of the legislature and the employees. The county executive will be
able to delegate some authority to other people in government, but when push
comes to shove it is the county executive who is responsible for those
decisions, good or bad. If they are bad, we will have the opportunity to vote
that person out of office. If they are good, we will have the opportunity to
relect them, but we will know who is responsible.
Harry Truman used to have a plaque on his desk: THE BUCK STOPS HERE! He was not
talking about the male deer or cash, he was talking about the final decision and
responsibility for that decision. No election is foolproof. We
can elect boneheads and hopefully they will not do too much damage while they
are in office, but we can make them very responsible for their actions and the
new form of government under the charter revision is our chance to
make that happen. Vote YES for the charter revision.
In
this issue:
Message
from our Chair, John Parete
Ulster
County Charter Reform: What it Is, What it Means by Vic Work
Straight
Answers About the Jail
Susan
Zimet Officially Declares for NY State Senate
A Workshop on the Art and Craft of the Perfect Petition!
MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIR, JOHN PARETE
Just
because the political pundits don’t consider New York a “battleground”
state, we can’t allow ourselves to sit back and coast through the fall
election season. Results have taught us that political coattails are real. But
if our citizens are persuaded into believing that their vote doesn’t count
because this isn’t a swing state, we may lose a great opportunity to sweep
even more Democrats into office.
This
year, in addition to the powerful State ticket featuring names like Spitzer,
Clinton, and Hevesi, we have the re-election of our outstanding United States
Congressman, Maurice Hinchey and our Assemblyman Kevin Cahill. We will also have
impressive candidates like Karen Peters, running for her second term as Supreme
Court judge, Susan Zimet running for the State Senate, and Paul Van Blarcum
running for Ulster County Sheriff.
With
so many critical races on the Election Day ballot, we must work overtime to turn
out every possible Democratic voter. To accomplish this, we are planning to have
a coordinated campaign of targeted direct mail, phone calls, Internet messages,
hard-hitting radio ads, and intensive door-to-door canvassing. In addition,
we’ve seized upon the momentum generated by the legislative campaign to help
register many new voters throughout the County.
Let’s
work together this fall for the entire Democratic ticket, remembering that we
can only count on our hard work and determination to elect our local candidates.
Ulster
County Charter Reform: What it Is, What it Means
By
Vic Work
There
will be a very important vote on November 7th.
Sure
we are going to elect Elliot Spitzer as our next Governor, Maurice Hinchey will
win re-election, Kevin Cahill will win re-election and Susan Zimet will become
the State Senator for half of Ulster County and Paul Van Blarcum is going to be
elected Sheriff.
But
there will be another vote: whether or not to establish a county executive form
of government. This will be another attempt at charter reform.
The
other elections are important, but none will have a greater impact on this
county than charter reform.
Why
does it make any difference whether we have a county executive or a legislative
form of government with a county administrator? Will there be more or less
accountability? We already have voted to reduce the size of the legislature and
go to single-member districts in the 2011 election, after the next census. From
that point on we will only have 23 legislators, each of whom will represent more
residents. Even so, they will still be part-time legislators.
Currently
there are 16 counties in New York with a county executive form of
government—Albany, Broome, Chautauqua, Chemung, Dutchess, Erie, Monroe,
Nassau, Oneida, Onondaga, Orange, Putnam, Rensselear, Rockland, Suffolk and
Westchester. There are the five counties of New York City with borough
presidents. All the other counties have boards of supervisors or legislative
bodies in charge with county managers or county administrators.
This
past fall we saw a County budget proposed that would increase taxes by 48%,
which was reduced to 38% with some fiscal tricks and estimates of revenues. The
county administrator, who is appointed—not elected—proposed that budget. How
would you like to be the elected county executive who proposed such a tax
increase? The counties around us with county executives had no increase in taxes
or very minor ones and have huge fund balance surpluses. How did we fritter away
our $40 million fund balance and the $45 million tobacco settlement? Everyone
blames the jail, but that still has yet to hit our budget and won’t until it
is finished.
A
county executive form of government puts one person in charge—not 33
legislators. That person is elected by a majority of the popular vote in the
entire county, not smaller legislative districts, and such a vote gives the
person in charge as close to a mandate as possible. The county executive cannot
blame anyone else or point fingers at the legislative committees. Rather, the
legislators are there as a check on the county executive but the county
executive is in charge.
It
is proposed that the county executive have a four-year term. The legislators
will still be elected every two years but a lot of the responsibility for
running the government will be in the hands of an elected executive—same as we
elect the President of the USA. Would we elect a bonehead? Sure, that can
happen—it has in the past. But then we the voters can vote the elected
executive out or change the complexion of the legislature.
There
will be an important vote coming up in the county legislature to put this
charter reform on the ballot. Urge your legislators to support the charter
reform and put it to a vote of the people. Two former attempts to change to a
county executive were defeated, one at the polls when the voters rejected it,
the second when the legislature refused to vote to put it on the ballot for the
voters.
I
believe charter reform is very important and I am going to work hard to get it
approved by the legislature and finally by the voters in November.
Straight
Answers About the Jail
Rich
Parete, Legislator for District 3—Towns of Hurley, Marbletown and
Olive—knows too well about the headaches and cost overruns. After all, even
though he was one of only four legislators who opposed its construction in 2002,
Parete volunteered to work as Jail Oversight Chairman this year. Why? Because
the 38-year-old Verizon Technician from the Town of Marbletown is a realist.
Parete wants to fix what’s wrong and get the facility on its feet as soon as
possible. We asked him four quick questions about where things stand now.
ONE
Q:
When will the construction be completed?
A: It looks like it’ll be finished by the end of May. At this point it’s more touch-up work than anything. Next comes the corrections team that will train all the officers. Remember, there are six housing units and each unit serves 48 inmates. It takes about two months for the officers to learn the procedures for managing these inmates and the facility. So the goal is to have inmates in there some time in August. We’ll have about 250 county inmates to begin with, and after a State Commission of Corrections review, we hope to have an additional 75 board-ins from elsewhere. These additional inmates will generate between $125-$150 a day, which o