Below is a letter I received today from Chairman Donaldson. The letter expresses his desire to seek the Democratic nomination for Comptroller. I like Donaldson and have been a strong supporter of his forever but I do have have some issues with his candidacy. One, I think he is a good legislative Chairman and many members of the legislature fought very hard to make sure that he kept that position. I personally think that is where he should stay. There also is the issue of him announcing for Executive and now running for Comptroller as some second place prize.
Below is the letter in it's entirety :
| County Chair, Town Chairs and others I will soon be announcing that I will be seeking the democratic nomination for Comptroller. As most of you know I have been involved in local government for the past 25 years with the past 15 in County Government. I served as the last democratic minority leader in the legislature and I have the honor of presently serving as the first democratic Chairman of the Legislature in almost 30 years and the only democrat to serve as said chairman for more than two years. I believe my integrity and dedication as an elected official in general and as a democrat is quite sound. I also believe I am a creditable candidate that can win come this November with your help. In regard to the position, despite what some believe, the comptroller in the new charter is not the Chief Fiscal Officer. The Commissioner of Finance will hold those duties and will be appointed by the County Executive . The Commissioner of Finance will eventually replace the elected County Treasurer . What will be required of the Comptroller's Office is to have extensive knowledge of the inner workings of county government and to be able to work with the County Executive and Legislature to help promote efficiencies. The individual will also be an independent voice to protect the taxpayer through the use of oversight, audits, interviews and a close examination of procedures used by departments, the County Executive and the legislature. As Comptroller I intend to work collaboratively and cooperatively with the county executive and the legislature, as well as each department in order to provide fiscal discipline to county government and to assure we continue to move Ulster County in the direction of better government at a better price. As the independent watchdog I will need to put the interest of the taxpayer first and foremost and when necessary, vigorously communicate my concerns to the public on wrongdoing, procedures that create waste or are questionable, along with matters that I find troubling or inefficient. As our democratic principles dictate, I will assure an open, honest government that is accountable to its citizens. That's what a Comptroller should do and that is what I will do. The people of Ulster County deserve no less. That is how I as Comptroller, will create the public trust in the office of the Comptroller and will help to create the public confidence in democrat candidates in general. |
David Donaldson
10 comments:
off the subject:
"I have a responsibility to this community to make decisions that are in the best interest for progress and financial accountability
Your mayors words about teh garage debacle.
Does he beleive that we are idiots?
He hasnt done fiscally sound thing since he has been in office
You and dibella deserve this moron
Ha Ha. What a joke this guy is. he isn't really serious is he?
Who is he? Mr. Pirro. decides he can't win one election so goes down a level. Please. Just what we need is a teacher as comptroller...I can see where the skills from one job would translate to the other. He needs to look in the mirror and realize he will do everyone a favor by staying where he is.
Hmm well...if he runs and wins...then who becomes chairman(Brian Cahill?) and who becomes Majority Leader(Jeannette Provenzano?).
"God forbid" in the first instance..and in the second instance....."Mother McRee!!!"
No one has more experience in seeing and acting on the lack of oversight within the legislature that happened under Republican leaderhip than Dave. That is the essential role of the comptroller. New elections will be held next January for leadership roles in the legislature. There are no guarantees that any of the current office holders will be the winners.
It's time to stop bashing every candidate that throws their hat in the ring. Support your choice without casting dispersions on other candidates.
Eliot is the most qualified.
Dave....stick to teaching.
In any event, I hope that Brian Cahill is ready to assume the Chairmanship of the Legislature.
I think the legislature elects new leaders at the begining of each year. It would be wide open if that is true. I would give Cahill the inside track for Chairman since he is the Majority Leader now.
Donaldson and Zimet have sent a clear signal that they are done with the Legislature.
I'll reserve my dispersions for those I know are unqualified. So far only Auerbach is unfit. Everybody else gets a chance to prove themselves either way regardless of who they know or where they're from. Auerbach has a proven record of mismanagement and unethical conduct. No future. Rather trhan promote anyone over another,I'd like to focus my praise on whom I find to be most intelligent and progressive.
Someone should draft a candidate. It sounds like these two guys are the gasoline and the match that will make the Democrats blow up this silly season. Is there not a Mayor or Town Supervisor in this County who will step up to the plate an save the Democrats from themselves?
Donaldson is the right choice for a taxpayer advocate. He has more than proven himself in the City as an alderman and then in the county as a legislator and Chairman. If we had him in such a position 6 years ago we wouldn't ended up with the jail mess we ended up with. GO DAVE.
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