Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Freeman Editorial on Target


The Kingston Daily Freeman had an editorial in their Tuesday publication about Donald A. Willaims, the current D.A., taking a job with URGENT for three months so that he could retire with his full pension.


The editorial pretty much said that it's not the place of the government to be creating jobs to help out a public employee collect their pension at taxpayers expense. Mr. Williams' job with URGENT would be to serve as counsel...well, if the counsel is needed for three months than it's probably needed all year round.


I must say that I agree 100% with the editorial and it's very similar to a comment that was posted on my blog a few weeks ago,that is displayed below. I like Don Williams but if he wanted his full pension he should have run for another term. This is not about Don Williams or anyone else is about public integrity.



COMMENT POSTED LAST WEEK :



Anonymous said...


I am disappointed to see that the justice system can be purchased in Ulster County. At least, that is what the Hugh Reynold's story alludes to.

There are no golden parachutes for public servants. Why would any taxpayer approve a $22k payday for a part time position that should be used year round and NOT on a 3-month basis?



Also, putting Williams in an advisory position with URGENT...cops do not like the fact that as DA he required three drug buys before seeking prosecution. This put police and members of the public in danger between sale one and three.


Even more important, how in the world can the sheriff or DA approve of an anonymous donor to cover $7K? Perhaps this is someone with ties to the drug trade.All of this is exactly the reason we need a public integrity unit. Perhaps Don Williams is in line for that job as well. A full time position that he can do three months of the year?



Please keep in mind that Williams was the guy who said he would not persue a criminal investigation in the jail debacle because no one called to tell him that a crime had been committed. Taxpayers should not stand for any nepotism or turning the county into an employment agency for friends and family of elected officials.


We need to end business as usual and political paybacks. Hopefully, the Attorney General's office of investigation will catch wind of Hugh Reynold's story and keep an eye on it. The sheriff has compromised the integrity of his office.
11:02 AM


30 comments:

Anonymous said...

Far be it from me to defend the Deadly Freeman, but their call for a Legislative investigation into "DonnieGate" is right on target.

Will legislators Dart and Gregorious see it the same way?

Wasting public money can no longer be tolerated in Ulster County.

Unfortunately, Carnright will need Williams in the first year of his term to bring him up to speed on how prosecution has changed in the 25 years since Carnright worked in the DA's office. Williams can give Carnright good on the job training.

The truth is that Dutchess County DA's Office should be called in to handle cases where Carnright can't prosecute due to his previous work as a defense attorney.

Using Williams in this situation does not serve taxpayers or the justice system.

Does it serve Carnright? Darn right!

Anonymous said...

Jeremy, you and Ira definitely got it right this time. This is something right from the pages of ALL THE KINGS MEN & THE LAST HURRAH in the year 2007. Another example of why the jail debacle was such an uninvestigated mess and remains so.

Thanks to yourself, Ira and others for bringing this manipulation to light, now let's see if and how the legislature handles it.

Anonymous said...

Now let's see if George Wallace's quote is true,"When you're talking about Democrats or Republicans, there ain't a dimes worth of difference between the two."???

Anonymous said...

Get it right. Williams will not be an employee of the DA's office. It's the county court that assigns special prosecutors (who are independent contractors) and carnright has no say in the matter because, obviously, he's disqualified from those cases. Makes sense, doesn't it ? Further, in the 2 homicides Williams may be assigned to, do you think the victims' families want to meet with and deal with a different DA at this point in those cases ? The emotional bond that they have made under these circumstances cannot be overlooked. Bruhn will do the right thing and appoint Williams to these cases. As for legislative investigation of Van Blarcum and Co., think about it. The legislature itself had to sign off on this 30k package for Donnie. This deal is done and this case is closed. Donnie wasn't gettin rich in the early 80's as a regular assistant and no one one paid him overtime. These victims are very fortunate to have him remain on in these cases.

Anonymous said...

I dont often sgree with the Freeman. But the Editor is
100% Percent right on this one.
As on who voted for Sheriff Van
Blarcum I am dissapointed in him.
This is just another example of
elected officials helping each other out........While we the taxpayers get shafted.

Anonymous said...

7:14. No matter how you slice a clove of garlic, it is still has a strong stench. Same goes for this situation.

Political paybacks are not acceptable. Who is the anonymous donor...Spada...Oliveri....

Enough said.

Anonymous said...

To 7:14 AM What would these victims families do if Donnie ran and was elected City Judge? Please answer!!!! I'll be waiting....

Jeremy Blaber said...

The bigger question is that the contribution could come from a relative of one of the victims of a crime....maybe they want to pay the thirty thousand to see that Mr. Williams is the prosecutor of their case....that's not justice.

Anonymous said...

Good point, JB. Do you mean $7,000 anonymous for the three month Urgent position.

It would stink a little less if it was for a year round position not just a three-month gift tied with a bow to send Donnie off into a full retirement.

Anonymous said...

Rumor has it Dart & Gregrious are on the committee that appove this. Also, rumor, Dart is related to DA?????????????can't make this stuff up.

Anonymous said...

Jeannette Provenzanos last act as Majority Leader will be to appoint a Special Prosecutor.....Vince Bradley jr.

Anonymous said...

An Ulster County Cop was arrested for committing crimes against the public trust including forgery and filing false instruments. In a deal worked out he would NOT be arrested for many other felony charges providing he plead guilty to a lesser charge and resigned from the police department. He in fact resigned and plead guilty tot he single count. He had 19 years of service and needed 20 for his full retirement. He would collect about 45% of his pay rather than 50% for 20 years.
In a hidden secret deal he obtained a job with the Town of Plattekill PD so that he could finish out his 20 years and get full retirement. Here is a REAL travesty... A criminal fired from his position... and rehired as a cop??? Where are all you do gooders when there is a real cause?

Anonymous said...

Don Williams has completed 29 years and 9 months of unblemished service without any scandals. He needs 3 months additional service to complete 30 years. ANY public servant on either side of the political fence who has served this county so well deserves what he has earned adn worked so hard for. The sacrifices that he has endured for himself and family are unmeasurable. Don has EARNED his retirement.

Anonymous said...

Let's talk about real abusers of the system... As a former president Bill Clinton gets his presidential salary for life. In the even of his death Hillary still gets his salary for life. As a US Senator Hillary gets her US Senate salary for life. In the event of her death Bill gets her Senate salary for the rest of his life. They both get secret service protection for life as being a former president and former presidents wife. A US Senator does NOT get secret service protection normally. To house the secret service the Clinton's rent the guest house on their Westchester estate to the US Govt. a cost of $10000 per month which coincidentally just happens to be the amount of their mortgage payment for their estate.

Anonymous said...

8:37 The DA's Office should have stopped this back room deal. Williams has said that members of law enforcement need to be held to a higher standard. Guess they are not.

Let's give Williams a bonus. How about a ticker tape parade down Broadway on his last day in office.

Anonymous said...

Can't believe everyone is trusting what they read in the Freeman since when has Reynolds got a story right????

Anonymous said...

When my dentist left, I had to get a new dentist. When my favorite store left town, I had to shop at a different store. When my car broke down, I had to shop around for a fixer upper. And - in all of that - there were no mediators to be found.

In the DA's office and criminal court system things are different. Why? Because we have a Crime Victims' Assistance Program here in U.C. that is excellent - and could surely see people over or through the hump of losing thier "special" prosecutor.

This is not about the victims, folks. In fact, in my opionion, the justice system is rarely about the victim - unless the victim is very wealthy and influential in his or her own right.

Otherwise it is about money.

This situation with Williams is about money.

Has he earned it? Maybe. But that would not be any more the case for him than for anyone else in any other position...

So why should he float in a "special" boat?

A lot of good points have been made here, some of which are worthy of further investigation...

But who is to investigate the investigators, ad nauseum?

Sometimes it seems to me like we are all stuck on the tilt-a-wheel at the carnival and the carnies have gone home for the unforseeable future...

Probably to get stone as* drunk, read the blogs, and have a laugh on all of us.

Anonymous said...

Once a case is disposed of the DA has NO authority over it anymore unless it was spelled out in the terms of an agreement. No one EVER expected any other law enforcement authority to have such a lack of integrity to hire a person convicted of a crime against the public trust. If a cop would swear an oath that was false and file known false documents can you ever believe that person taking the oath in a court room. Were i a juror I would have to believe the defencant rather than the cop

Anonymous said...

8:49-And how is that abuse? Did you leave out a line or are you retarded? Maybe the rent in Westchester is a surprise to you?

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately for Williams he held an elected county position that has a termination date that is set in stone. Were he a regular county employee he simply would have stayed the additional 3 months to make his 30 and then retire. Under normal conditions and terms of public employment it is the employee who decided when and if to retire unless there are age limitations. In an elected position it is the term of the position that determines when one leaves office.

Anonymous said...

Can someone confirm Dart or Gregorious are related to Williams. Perhaps it is time for Cuomo's office to step in.

Anonymous said...

Whoever, is calling for an investigation is out of his or her mind and wants to waste more of our money. What are you going to investigate? As distasteful as this may be, there is clearly nothing illegal about it. It was done openly and through all the correct channels. The guy is out as DA. He has been hired on a part time basis as an attorney by the sheriff through the Sheriff's budget. It may reak of cronyism, but it is completely legal. There was nothing backroom about it. The only thing that could be illegal is if he did not show up for work and collected his paycheck, which I find highly unlikely. Carnright could hire the guy as his chief assistant for three months if he wanted to and there is nothing you all could do about it. He is clearly qualified and it is Carnright's decision who is on his staff. End of story so stop the whining. And do not forget that your democratic Sheriff and your democratic legislators signed off on this deal.

Anonymous said...

Damn few of the readers here receive anything like Don's well-into six figure salary BEFORE benefits. Damn few of you will get about 6 months pay, in cash, state tax free, when you retire(he will- "unused sick time")...or free to almost free total family health benefits for life- (yup..he qualifies as a Department Head).

The point is, he was and will continue to be, well paid for his work. He does not get "no retirement" because he missed the highest payout mark; He will do just fine, thank you and a damn sight better than YOU.

If he wants to work a few more months to get to the 55-year pension, fine. Apply like the rest of us and get hired for a few months. In short... follow the rules like you were preaching to the rest of us when the "rules" treated you better than they did us.

Message to 'Donny' et al: You're looking greedy. You've been treated well; better than most of us. Be satisfied; dont chase after every dollar- you dont need it, and you never will.

Anonymous said...

For many, many years, anytime Mr. Williams was on TV or Radio, he said over and over how 'thankful' and 'greatful' he was that he got to do the job he always wanted. Fine. Now, maybe, in order to reach 55 years old on the payroll, for full retirement, perhaps he'd like to work for URGENT for a small stipend. It would get him the fullest retirement he deserves and also supply a chance to "Give something back" to the community.

Looking for Thirty thousand dollars for 90 days work looks just plain greedy.

Anonymous said...

to 10:26...Who would ever admit to being related to Dart or Gregorious?

Anonymous said...

SO LET IT BE WRITTEN, SO LET IT BE DONE BUT PLEASE DON'T EXPECT US SLAVES NOT TO COMMENT OR HAVE AN OPINION.

Anonymous said...

I'd support terms Donnie is getting if I get them too. But, I don't.

I must pay nearly $15,000 a year in medical insurance for my family. That's just the premiums...not high deductibles that go along with plans for small businesses.

The lack of investigation on the part of Williams' office on the jail is a big black eye on his administration.

Instead of going out on top of the system, he should be barely sliding under the door on the way out. Tax payers are out tens of millions of dollars.

Thanks Donnie!

Anonymous said...

No, thanks Bradley and company for stealing this election.

Anonymous said...

Wait, I thought Bradley said the DA's office was above politics.

The good thing is that Google is Forever. Anyone wanting to learn more about the boy wonder's level of commitment to the Democratic party only needs to type in his name. The rest is history.

Anonymous said...

If Ward Todd is indicted, should he resign or take a leave of absence from the Chamber of Commerce?