Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Blaber News Persons of the Year: Mike Hein and Jim Quigley

Mike P. Hein

Jim Quigley

This year we have two persons of the year, it really was a tough choice and I could not pick between the two. We had a lot of worthy contenders : Don Williams, a life long resident of Ulster County former DA who recently won a 10 year term to be the next county court Judge; James Gilpatric who saw his life dream come true as well in November finally winning a well deserved spot in the NYS Supreme Court; but there are two that stand out Mike Hein and Jim Quigley.


Mike Hein has shown that he can do the job of Executive and he's been tough when neccisary but very fair. Mike's first year has been full of accomplishments and some shortfalls....we will have a full fair and balanced on Hein's first year as Executive and we are incredible proud, as Mike would say, for Hein to be one of our person of the year.

Jim Quigley came out of no where last year and came an eye lash from being Ulster County Comptroller, stayed involved and in a two year period single handily broke the Democratic stronghold in Ulster County. It is no coincidence his boy Fred Wadnola is chair, Jim Quigley may not be the chair of the County Republican party but make not mistake about it, he's the boss. It's good to be Jim Quigley these days and we are honored to name him one of our persons of the year.

A full layout next week will profile both Mike Hein and Jim Quigley, Happy Holidays and God Bless!!!

POLL FINDS AUERBACH ON TOP


IT'S NOT MY BACK, IT'S NOT YOUR BACK IT'S AUERBACH!

A recent Blaber News polls shows Ulster Comptroller Elliott Auerbach the top rated elected official in Ulster County!!!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Gotta Love the Gov.

Patterson Takes Shot at Disfunctional Legislature

According to the New York Post's Cindy Adams, at a fundraiser on Wednesday night the governor joked about the dismal situation in Albany with a little toilet humor:


The two of us share an ongoing slightly unclassy joke dealing with his first night ever sleeping in Albany's Executive Mansion bedroom where, in the middle of the night, the day-old Gov. couldn't find the john. So at this party I whispered for fun: "Have you peed yet tonight?" and he whispered back: "No, because I'm waiting to do it when the Legislature is under me."

Friday, December 11, 2009

We Forgot Holly

Please retake our county wide poll as we forgot to include in the mix Ulster County DA Holly Carnright, thus making the poll inaccurate.

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Pinheads and Patriots!

It's been a while but here is the return of Pinheads and Patriots! Pinheads and Patriots will again be a weekly feature on the blog :)



The very beautiful and talented Elin Woods recently left her husband golf superstar Tiger Woods after it was reported Mr. Woods had been cheating on her with multiple women, I think the count is now at six. It takes a strong woman to do that, especially someone married to such a high profile guy. It was reported Mr. Woods was offering Elin, 60 million dollars for her to stand by his side and she choose morals over money, Elin who is a success in her own right did the right thing and is a patriot.


On the pinhead front Rich Cahill, is at it again, critisizing the Mayor and the City Council on the recently past budget but offering no viable solutions to make things better. Sure we can talk about cutting taxes, doing away with the homestead/non-homestead tax rate all while increasing the work force but how do you do that Mr. Cahill? How can you be against layoffs but still expect a tax decrease? I am not advocating for layoffs or returning to a flat tax rate, simply pointing out the hypocracy of Richard Cahill. You can't have both Mr.Cahill.

Surly we have a mayor that leaves a lot to be desired but to his credit he has made real reform and his efforts to increase the city reserves to enable us to borrow at a lower rate, will help us in the big financial picture. Also cutting out wasteful spending like the 50k line items for the fourth of July celebration and having the businesses step up and pay for it also is commendable. Cahill's attacks on the Mayor and city council are ridiculous and he of course is a pinhead!

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Hein's Budget Approved!!!!




The Mike Hein budget was approved tonight, the budget modifications made by the vindictive Ways and Means committee all failed.

Pretty much the reader digest version of tonight's events was this, the GOP wanted to get rid of a position in the Executive's administration and the Dem's refused to cut the position. The GOP in retaliation rejected the Dems proposed cuts to the budget and adopted Hein's budget in it's entirety.

Kind of ironic...no?

It will be so interesting to see how the new legislature works with Mike Hein because it's clear that the guys in there now have no clue! We're talking about both the Dems and the Republicans.

I'm glad Mike Hein's budget was passed, some of the cuts that came out of the ways and means committee were scary, like 90k out of the Comptroller's budget, basically handicapping Comptroller Auerbach from doing his job in what is clearly an underfunded department to begin with.

Here you have a legislature that is trying to undercut it's own Democrat Comptroller..it's sick, some Dem legislators that will remain nameless apparently have woken up and realized that they don't have power anymore and as they say misery loves company.

So I hate to say it but Kudos to a dysfunctional legislature that got it right by default this time!

Mike Hein and Elliott Auerbach continue to get it right all the time and lead by example for the people of Ulster County. While the 33 legislators just squabble and play politics like kids in a sand box. They need to all wise up and move out of the way and let team Hein/Auerbach do the job that the majority of Ulster County elected them to do.

Monday, December 07, 2009

Bruno Found Guilty


A jury in Albany, N.Y., has convicted former state Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno of committing two felony crimes while in office.

The complicated verdict, delivered Dec. 7 at 4:17 p.m., also acquits Bruno of five other accusations of mail and wire fraud. On an additional count, the jury remained deadlocked and could not reach unanimous agreement.

Bruno, 80, faces a maximum $250,000 fine and up to 20 years in prison for each count he was convicted on.

Sentencing has been set for March 31, 2010.

Bruno’s attorneys are preparing an appeal, which would delay the start of any sentence for months and months. Bruno’s attorneys have 36 days to appeal.

The verdict ended the first round of the high-profile criminal trial of Bruno. The 12-person jury, made of seven women and five men, deliberated for almost seven full days before delivering their verdict.

Federal prosecutors accused Bruno, an iconic politician from Brunswick, of intentionally and illegally covering up his outside business consulting activities while in office. Federal prosecutors say Bruno devised and carried out a scheme to hide his business dealings—which often included people or companies who had business before the state—by withholding information on annual disclosure reports that legislators must file with the state.

Bruno made $3.2 million through his consulting work over a 12-year period.

“We established at this trial that Bruno exploited his office by concealing the nature and source of substantial payments that he received from parties that benefited from his official actions and the resulting conflicts of interest,” said acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Baxter, who runs the Albany division of the U.S. Attorney’s office.

By law, state legislators are part-time workers, enabling them to hold outside employment if they want.

Bruno has consistently maintained his innocence, saying he broke no laws. He did not testify at his trial.

“It goes without saying I’m very, very disappointed with the verdict I just heard,” Bruno said outside U.S. District Court in downtown Albany, clearly stung by the jury’s decision.

“The legal process is going to continue, and in my mind and in my heart, it’s not over until it’s over—and it’s far from over,” Bruno added, before stepping into a vehicle driven by Kay Stafford, who is Bruno’s boss at CMA Consulting Services in Latham.

Three years ago, Bruno confirmed an ongoing FBI investigation into his outside business activities. He retired from the Senate in June 2008. He was indicted in January 2009.

Bruno was found guilty on a count of fraud involving 11 mailings of checks in 2004, sent by companies connected with Loudonville businessman Jared Abbruzzese to Bruno’s firm, Capital Business Consultants.

Prosecutors said Bruno performed little to no work for the money, meaning that the payments should have been reported as gifts on Bruno’s annual financial disclosure reports.

Bruno was also found guilty on a count of fraud involving a racehorse partnership with Abbruzzese. It included Abbruzzese paying Bruno $80,000 for what prosecutors described as a nearly worthless racehorse; Abbruzzese testified he bought the horse for that price to compensate Bruno for money he was supposed to get in a consulting contract with one of his companies.

Still, the jury acquitted Bruno of two other counts involving work allegedly performed for other businesses Abbruzzese was connected with.

In all, Abbruzzese paid Bruno $440,000 from 2004-06 for work allegedly performed for at least four companies. Earlier in the decade, Bruno steered $500,000 of state grants to Troy firm Evident Technologies Inc., which Abbruzzese financed and chaired.

The jury also acquitted Bruno of any counts connected with McGinn Smith & Co Inc., an Albany brokerage firm that employed Bruno part-time from 1994-2006.

Friday, November 27, 2009

DRAFT CAHILL FOR DEM BOSS


TWO COUNTY WIDE LOSES


DEMS LOSE LEGISLATURE


DEMS LOSE MAJORITY IN 5 DEM TOWNS


Action needs to be taken to bring back the Democratic party back in power. There has been an effort launched to draft Brian Cahill to become chair of the Ulster County Democratic committee.


Democratic politics is in this guys blood and there is no one better to lead the party than outgoing Majority Leader Brian Cahill.


I personally feel under one term of Brian Cahill, we can take back the legislature and reelect our incumbent countywide officers that are up next year.


The time to act is now! Join our facebook group 1000 Strong for Cahill for Chair, and help encourage the Majority Leader to step up to the plate and lead our party back to the Majority again!. (note: if link does not work, just type in 1000 strong for Brian Cahill for Chair in your Facebook accounts search bar)

Thursday, November 26, 2009

What We're Thankful For

As we sit down and celebrate thanksgiving this year we should sit and reflect on all we have and what we are thankful for.

Back in February of 2007, shortly after this blog started to really kick off and get the small following that it has, I got a call from Jim Quigley, who at the time was not really involved in politics, other than a Republican committeeman in Ulster, he invited me to his house and we talked about my passion for politics and how he read the blog and he gave me advice on how to take it to the next level. It was a brief discussion and I really didn't have much communication with Jim until about a year later when I ran a successful campaign for his opponent Elliott Auerbach, probably costing him hundreds of thousands of dollars in the process.

To my surprise, when I was out of a job in the county shortly after that and in a great deal of soul searching of what to do with my life it was Jim Quigley that took the selfless act of again sitting down with me and helping me move forward and take the risk of leaving Ulster County for a shot at a better life in New York City, sharing his personal experiences, working in NYC and his success as the guy from Ulster County that made it big.

I can honestly say that if not for Jim, I am not sure this year would have been as good for me as it has, while life is not perfect, I have a full time job in NYC and am living on my own and making it as a young professional because of the advice and help of a guy that owed me absolutely nothing and just wanted to see a guy who he saw potential in make it, and for that I am extremely thankful for the friendship I have with Jim and I thank him for changing my life, I have grown and learned more in these eleven months than I have in the previous five years.

In that same time Len and Terry Bernardo, two people who again owed me nothing, befriended me and I am extremely grateful to them and would not know what to do without them.

Jon, M.A., and Stef my extended family who have always been there through good and bad, especially Jon my mentor and idol, sometimes I know I make him crazy but I know he knows deep down I do listen to his life lessons and am extremely thankful to call him my best friend.

And of course to my family, friends, and co workers at WFP and everyone that means so much in my life, thanks for always being there and Happy thanksgiving to all of you guys that come on here and read the nonsense and Machiavellian politics that I spew on a daily basis..all five of you :) Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Governor Paterson TV AD 2010

From the Record: Ulster's Watch Dog Slams Palen in new report

COMPTROLLER ELLIOTT AUERBACH

KINGSTON — Dean and Debra Palen's iron grip over the Ulster County Health Department created years of distrust, inappropriate cash management practices and extensive inefficiencies that put the public's health and safety at risk, according to an investigation released Friday by the Ulster County Comptroller's Office.

The 46-page report is the culmination of a five-month-long investigation by Comptroller Elliott Auerbach into the administration of former Health Director Dean Palen and his wife Debra Palen, who worked as his administrative assistant. The investigation focuses on the department's Environmental Sanitation Division, which, among other duties, is tasked with inspecting and issuing permits to restaurants, public water supplies and other businesses and utilities.

While the Palens' mismanagement did not lead to any major health crises, the report paints their 15-year tenure as a time of political gamesmanship, poor financial management and nepotism.

According to the comptroller's report, these are some of the signs of mismanagement that festered in the Ulster County Health Department from 1994 until June of this year, when the Palens' were ousted:

- Dean Palen often used permits for restaurants and other projects as a way to gain political friends. Staff report overhearing Palen say that his P.E. (Palen was a professional engineer) actually stood for “political engineer.” Any one of the county's 33 legislators could call Palen about a project and it would be put at the “top of the list.” When called to task for this practice, Dean Palen would say it was a “win-win”—Dean now had a friend in the legislator, and the legislator had a friend in whomever benefitted from the permit.

- Debra Palen had far too much control over the department. She alone processed the payroll, collected inspection fees, prepared enforcement documents against noncompliant businesses and “wielded a degree of authority and control substantially inconsistent with her position and job description.” Debra Palen's work was never audited or checked by an outside party.

- Despite whistleblowing by employees and the press, those who oversaw Dean Palen in his role as director did nothing to monitor his performance. According to the report, that's largely because Palen manipulated the oversight bodies to avoid oversight or responsibility. Critical state audits were addressed to him and nobody else. When one oversight board would question his performance, he would tell that board it was the job of another board.

“Not only was he a master manipulator, but it was a shell game over the last decade,” Auerbach told the Times Herald-Record. “When you lifted up a shell there was nothing there, but it was somewhere else.”

To read the full audit report, click the link to the right of this story.

For more details from the audit, check back later with Recordonline.com and read Saturday's edition of the newspaper.

Is Julian Still Chairman?

Working in Brooklyn and spending a lot of time here, it's difficult to keep up with all the local Ulster County stuff although I try my best and have local "Blaber News Corespondents" that keep me in the loop, so I am surprised I have not heard of Julian Shriebman's resignation as chair of the Ulster County Democratic committee.

I mean, come on, he can't expect to stay on, in less than 0ne year he lost the county legislature and two county wide offices that we could have easily one.

Julian instead allowed the far liberal radical left of the party, i.e. Terry Rosenblum to field candidates, and of course those candidates were not qualified and did not receive the proper support and failed to raise any money.

To think that you can run a lawyer that defended a cop killer t be county judge is laughable and to think they could pull this off with a chair that lives in NYC and has no ability to raise money is more laughable.

Julian Schriebman has been the worst chairman the party has ever witnessed and needs to be replaced as soon as possible.

Kevin Cahill, Elliott Auerbach and Paul Van Blarcum are all up next year and we can't afford to lose any of those seats.

Kevin, Elliott, Maurice and Mike need to sit down with Julian and tell him it's time to go. I think Brian Cahill would be a great choice to step up to the plate and fix our party...the sooner the better.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

King Fred


The new Ulster County Legislature will now be lead be veteran politico Fred Wadnola, who took out Majority Leader Brian Cahill in this November's election. While Blaber News supported Richard Gerintine to succeed current chairman Dave Donaldson, we have no problem with Fred Wadnola, who is a good guy. Wadnola, who has never lost an election, did three years in the county legislature and is a former two term supervisor of the town of Ulster and is certainly qualified for the position.

We supported Rich over Fred for two reasons: one, we thought that it's inappropriate to elect a chairman that has admitted he is only interested in serving one term in the legislative body. Effectively, Fred Wadnola starts his tenure as Chair on Jan. 1 as a lame duck. Secondly, we feel Fred Wadnola is too close to Albert Spada and anyway to minimize Spada in county government is is a good thing.


Again, I like Wadnola, he is a paid advertiser on this blog and my former elementary school principal and I want him to do a good job and think that he will. Blaber News asks that Fred recognise that the majority of GOP legislators that elected him to serve as chair are from the post-Spada Republican party and do not want to go back to the good ol' boy ways that existed under the Spada days.

We also feel that Fred should create a colition government and give Democrats an equal and fair say in county government, the people of Ulster County are sick of partisan politics and want someone that is willing to work on both sides of the aisle...here is your chance Fred, good luck.

The new Majority Leader Paul Hansit on the other hand, is a big mistake, the guy has no personality and has a clear agenda and axe to grind with County Executive Mike Hein. Note to Hansit: the majority of Ulster County like Mike Hein and wants him to succeed, your vendetta will do nothing to help the Republican party. The majority party will regret not picking Ken Ronk and it could cost them the majority in 2011.

Ronk would have been a leader that transformed the persona of the GOP being a bunch of old men and he would have been a voice that would have agreed with the Executive when he was right and disagreed with him when he was wrong.


Democrats made a solid choice in picking my county legislator Jeanette Prozanzano to lead the minority party, I love Jeanette and think she will do a great job leading our party.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Blaber News is now projecting Fred Wadnola will be the chairman of the Ulster County Legislature.

Full analysis on this later. Also Paul Hansit will be Majority Leader, with Ronk as whip...once again the GOP gets it backwards.

Monday, November 09, 2009

How Bout Gerentine?


A lot of opposition to Fred Wadnola and Jim Maloney for chair of the legislature...how about a proven leader like Richard Gerentine?

You know a Republican that will work with both sides and do what is best for the people of Ulster County.

Call your county legislator and ask them to support Richard Gerentine for Chair of the Ulster County Legislature!!

Key Legislators to call:



Brian Shapiro 845-679-6646

Robert T. Aiello
845-246 4028

Alan Lomita
: 845-658-8730

Laura Petit
845-340-1293

Catherine Terrizzi
845-895-3252

Susan E. Zimet 845-255-2117

David B. Donaldson 845-331-8985

Peter M. Loughran 845-338-5369

Mike Madsen (legislator elect) 845-399-9644


A little about Rich :


For close to twenty five years, Richard Gerentine has served his community through a variety of elected, leadership positions that have entailed a broad spectrum of fiscal and management responsibilities. His thorough knowledge of federal, state, and municipal regulatory and policy issues coupled with his commitment to problem-solving and communication have enabled him to successfully foster relationships and build coalitions with individuals from a diverse constituency. While a member of town government, he sought to lower taxes through innovative budget reductions. As the chairman of the Ulster County Ways and Means Committee, and later as Legislature Chairman overseeing a 300 million dollar budget, Richard brings focus and energy to all that he undertakes.

Richard has held positions in government since 1984 beginning as Town Councilman of Marlborough until 1987, where he created and was responsible for oversight of a 23 million dollar budget. In 1988, he was elected as one of the youngest town supervisors in the Hudson Valley for the Town of Marlborough. He was elected to a second term and served until 1991. He then began his service as an Ulster County Legislator representing District 9. He has been re-elected to eight consecutive terms. He was elected Chairman of the Legislature by his colleagues and served for two and half years. His other legislature committee positions include Majority Leader, member of the Union Negotiations Committee, Chairman of the General Services Committee, member of the Human Services Committee and Chairman of the Ulster County Records Advisory Board where he was responsible for overseeing the establishment of a record management program under the jurisdiction of the Ulster County Clerk.

In addition to his years of dedicated work in government, Richard’s commitment to the needs of the community extends to his professional accomplishments as well. As General Partner of Marlborough Associates, LP, Richard began the development of senior citizen housing complexes. His first project, a 44-unit complex became known as Jenny’s Garden I, followed by the addition of a second 22-unit complex, Jenny’s Garden II in Marlborough. He later developed a 51-unit complex, Golden View Housing for the town of Highland’s senior community. According to the Rural Ulster Preservation Company (RUPCO) that provides property management for the Jenny Garden complexes, Richard’s developments offer much needed affordable senior housing, both attractive and comfortable, designed for community members whose income is 60% or below the Area Median Income (AMI).

Richard finds time to participate in community activities as a member of the Knights of Columbus, UNICO, St. Rocco’s Society and as a past coach for Marlborough Youth Baseball and Basketball. Also a volunteer position, Richard has served as a Commissioner of the New York State Bridge Authority since 2006. He majored in Business Administration at SUNY Ulster beginning in 1972, and received a Bachelor of Science degree from Marist College in 1975.

A resident of Ulster County, Richard Gerentine continues to have a distinguished career in private business and community involvement. In his position as Ulster County Chairman, he presided over a solemn Legislative Session held on September 12, 2003 in remembrance of the attacks of September 11, 2001. His remarks during that meeting reveal aspects of Richard’s character and the level of his commitment to his community. “The passage of time will not erase the pain and devastation which were felt by the citizens of our beloved country. Today, we thank God for the unity in our country and for the courage and commitment of our leaders…..I assure Ulster County residents that its government is committed to their safety and protection, and all measures possible are being taken towards this goal".

Saturday, November 07, 2009

Here and There

Big thanks to Julian Schriebman on taking only 12 months to screw up the empire that Dems buildt under former Chairman John Parete.

Julian we don't want excuses or for you to apoligize, all we want is your resignation.

We the Democrats of Ulster County are giving you your two weeks notice!

An online will be started al Dems encouraged to sign.

Comptroller Auerbach, Assemblyman Cahill, and Sheriff Van Blarcum are all up next year and we can't afford to allow Julian to cost is those very important positions.


My hope is that County Executive Mike Hein, Congressman Hinchey, Assemblyman Cahill and Comptroller Auerbach sit down with John Parete and tell him it's time to step out of retirement. If John won't do it, I think Brian Cahill or Gilda Riccardi would all be fine choices but new leadership is needed fast.


The County Legislature:

We urge all Democrats to support Rich Parete for Minority Leader. Parete, a veteran lawmaker has the temperment and passion required of a leader of the Minority party and think Dems will be served well under his leadership.

For Republicans the choice is difficult for Chairman, I think Jim Maloney would be a good Chairman, he worked hard and partly responsible for Republicans being in the Majority.

For Majority Leader Ken Ronk has earned it and it would be good for the face of the Republican party to be someone under the age of 50.


No matter who ends up leading the legislature next year, expect the GOP to be holding Hein's feet to the fire every step of the way. We're confident in Hein's ability to govern no matter what party is running county government.

Monday, November 02, 2009

VOTE EARLY. VOTE OFTEN, VOTE CAHILL VOTE QUIGLEY!!!

There are a lot of important races this year and while it's considered an off year election, please remeber all politics is local and the decisions that effect your life on a daily basis are made on a local level and today's election is just as important as the historic election that took place last year when we elected President Barack Obama. Below is a list of people both Democrat and Republican that I support and feel have their heart in the right place for the people of Ulster County. Please consider supporting these candidates and get out and vote!

- Jeremy

p.s. to all town of Ulster Residents : Vote Early, Vote often, Vote Cahill, Vote Quigley! Please say this phrase 5 times and get this stuck in your head before you go to the polls. Both are great people and both must be elected and reelected respectively today!


Majority leader Brian Cahill **
Jim Quigley for Town Supervisor Row B, C, D **

Gilda Riccardi for County Clerk, ROW A or Row E **
Don Williams for County Court, row B,C,D**



Candidate Overview Who We're Supporting
**= an important race

City of Kingston


Ward 1

Andi Turco-Levin

Ward 2

Tom Hoffay **

Ward 3
Charlie Landi

Ward 4
Shirley Whitlock

Ward 5
Jen Fuentes **

Ward 6
neutral

Ward 7
Bill Reynolds

Ward 8
Todd Langon

Ward 9
Hayes Clement **

County Legislature

District 1 Terry Bernardo, TJ Briggs, Joe Stoeckler, Mary Sheeley

District 2 Don Gregorious and Brian Shapiro

District 3 Rich Parete, Rob Parete, Roy Hochberg

District 4 Nicole Tucker and Marcy Goulart (we also like Frey, Sweeney, and Jones)

District 5 MAJORITY LEADER Brian Cahill **, Fred Wadnola

District 6 Mike Madsen, Jeanette Provanzano

District 7 Alan Lomita, Dennis Pitcock, write in Phil Terperning

District 8 Ken Ronk, Tracy Bartels and Jack Hayes

District 9 Richard Gerintine, Frank Fellicello, Wayne Harris and Pam Baxton

District 10 Hector Rodriguez

District 11 Mary Beth Maio, Jon Decker **

District 12 David Donaldson, Peter Loughran

Judge Schneers breaks contribution limit laws?

People have been writing to Blaber News and asking is Judge Schneer breaking campign finance laws with a single donation of $30,000 from one person.

$30,000 is a lot of money in the last week of a campaign from one person.

C50099
COMMITTEE TO ELECT DEBORAH SCHNEER
28-OCT-09
MATTHEW SCHNEER8104 CHESTER STTAKOMA PARK, MD 20912
$30,000.00

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Schneer Blunder: Dylan Walsh No Show For County Court Yesterday

County Court Judge Debra Schneer allowed 6 time dwi offender Dylan Walsh to walk out with no bail and guess what...he didn't show up yesterday for court....this marks the end to the Schneer campaign. Williams breezes on Tuesday!


Opposition campaign supporters have begun criticizing County Court Judge Deborah Schneer for releasing a convicted felon while he awaits trial and indictment on two charges of driving while intoxicated.


The criticism stems from the case of Dylan T. Walsh, a 28-year-old Rosendale man with a long history of drinking and driving. Walsh has been convicted of DWI five times in New York since 2001, the Ulster County District Attorney's Office said. He has also been convicted of crimes in California.

Walsh was indicted here Aug. 13 on a sixth DWI charge. While he waited to be arraigned on that charge, police say Walsh got drunk Aug. 15 and crashed head-on into a vehicle on Route 209 in Wawarsing. The other driver suffered injuries that were not life-threatening. The accident resulted in Walsh's seventh DWI charge.

At his arraignment Aug. 25, prosecutors asked Schneer to set Walsh's bail at $100,000, but Schneer chose to suspend his license and release him without bail.

The move has become political fodder for supporters of Republican Donald Williams, who is running for the judgeship in November's election against Schneer, a Democrat. Local bloggers have labeled Schneer as an "advocate for defendants," and one member of Ulster's gang and narcotics task force decried Schneer's decision in a newspaper letter this week.

Schneer could not discuss details of the case, but noted that bail is based on a defendant's flight risk. "We don't lock people up in advance just because they're charged of a crime," she said. "The bail process focuses on risk of flight. I followed the law and made what might be considered a hard decision."

State law says that judges should consider the character, reputation, financial resources, length of residency, criminal history and weight of evidence against a defendant when measuring flight risk and setting bail.

Williams declined comment.

Meanwhile, Walsh was arrested again Wednesday for driving without a license. Police said Walsh drove James A. Burns, a state parolee, to a Kingston house that was under surveillance for drug activity. Walsh was given a ticket and released.

Assistant District Attorney John Tobin said he'll soon ask the court to send Walsh to jail without bail."

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

RIP Phil Terpening

We lost a great Legislator tonight, he'll be missed.

Monday, October 19, 2009

There are some e-mails that have come to light that are designed to attack my credibility and to humiliate me. I think it is best to tackle this directly. 1) About 6 or 7 months ago, I wrote an e-mail suggesting that I was going to use recreational marijuana. It's not something that I condone or am proud of, and not something that I am involved with any more. 2) Sometimes people say things they don't necessarily mean when they are upset . This is definitely one of those situations. Again, 6 or 7 months ago, in a private e-mail, I made some disparaging remarks about a good friend of mine Jon Sennett. This is not a reflection of my feelings for Jon, he is someone that I look up to and admire. 3) There are also a few gushy e-mails that I sent to a friend of mine that I like, certainly not inappropriate, but could be used for humiliating me. I do have a sensitive side :)


There also may be some rumors of a more personal nature: one having to do with accusations of abuse of prescription medication. Which is indeed true. After an injury, for a period of three years, I had a serious addiction to prescription pain killers. It is not something that I am proud of. Fortunately, I was able to address that issue, and I am now a healthier person.


Lastly, an issue that has been talked about very untruthfully on the blogs, which stems from a personal issue involving me and my mother. The truth of the matter is that there was a non-physical incident involving me and my mother that got out of hand. This was due to a series of poor decisions and reactions on my part, and I have accepted and taken full responsibility for the matter. While I am choosing not to go into further detail, the incident is public record. The incident that happened was well over a year ago, and I have since reconciled with my mother and family.


Jeremy

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Tune in to Radio Free Kingston, guest candidate for Supervisor Jim Quigley


Jonathan Sennett and Art Richter will welcome candiate for Ulster Supervisor Jim Quigley tomorrow on their show, Radio Free Kingstion. Make sure to tune in Sunday, 12:30-1:30pm on WKNY 1490 on your AM dial!

Guiliani Sells Out Ulster Republican Fundraiser



Let me tell you, Rudy Guilani is a phenomenal public speaker and a powerful inspirational individual. I had the privilege to meet him the other night and he was great.

Whether you agree with his policies or not, there is no question what he has done for NYC, making it one of the safest largest city's in the country and his leadership on 9/11 gave him the title as America's Mayor.

A fellow Democrat, and friend put it best when he said, Guliani is more of a New Yorker than he is a Republican.

His magic touched Ulster County on Thursday when over 400 people packed into Hillside Maner to support America's Mayor, pulling in tens of thousands of dollars for the GOP races this November. Mario Catalano pulled off a great event and deserves credit for it.

On a side note, Rudy Guiliani, who was on a tight schedule, stayed for over 30 minutes signing autographs and taking pictures which was more than enough. As he was leaving he whispered to his security detail, you know I missed a few tables, and walked back up the stairs into the second room and stayed another 15 minutes.... Rudy Guiliani is a stand up guy!

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

GOOD TO BE MARIO

It's good to be Mario Catalano, what better for Mario than a united Republican party that is out raising Dem candidates 3:1? Well, leaders of the opposition (Dems) giving to the GOP as well!

Mario Catalano is schooling the freshman county chair Julian Schriebman and the absent chairman has no idea how to respond or handle it.

Mario is going to make a boat load of money tomorrow night at the Guliani dinner and probably get a lot of money from Dems too.

How can Julian Schriebman, the chairman of the party who attacked John Parete every step of the way for mismanagement of the party allow and appoint Democrats to positions of power in the party that give money to Democrats.

Democrats must recognize, It's not the quality of our candidates that has been lessened, it's the quality of our leadership. This is something that must be corrected.

NOTE; Yes, I am supporting Jim Quigley (along with 90% of the town of Ulster) but I do not serve in a position of power within the party.


Here is a list of some of the contributions we found, this does not include a lot of Dems that are on the list or even those that hid the contribution through their wife's name...this is just a list of Dems in high positions in the party.



DEM MONEY GOING TO GOP



NINA POSTUPACK

Mayor James Sottile $190.00


Abel Garaghan $600

James Noble $190.00

Andrew Zweben $50

Eli Basch $740.00

and while he is not a Dem, Al Spada $5000.00...

DON WILLIAMS

Eli Basch $190.00

Lew Kirschner $190.00

for full disclosure there is another local attorney that serves on the executive committee, and he happens to be a friend of mine, I am not omitting him due to friendship but because it was his law firm NOT him, who gave money to the GOP candidates. This individual personally donated two thousand dollars to Debra Schneer.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

De Blasio and Liu pull off HUGE VICTORIES thanks to WFP

Bill DeBlasio wins runoff for NYC Public Advocate against Mark Green
John Liu wins runoff for NYC Comptroller against David Yassky

Friday, September 25, 2009

Congrats to our next Supreme Court Justice; Judge James P. Gilpatric


Congrats to Judge Gilpatric, who is now the Democratic, Independence and Conservative nominee for Supreme Court Justice and all but assured victory in November.

Judge Gilpatric, a veteran campaigner from the T.R. Gallo days is going to win and win BIG! He will also have some strong coattails that will coast Dems with him, Debra Schneer and Gilda Riccardi got a huge boost today!




  • Current Full-Time Kingston City Court Judge – proudly serving 16th year on City Court bench
  • Established and presides over Domestic Violence Court in Kingston
  • Currently presiding as County Judge over Ulster County Regional Drug Treatment Court
  • 30 Years Experience Representing Clients in NYS Supreme Court
  • Former New York State Supreme Court Confidential Law Secretary for the Honorable Vincent G. Bradley
  • Siena College and Albany Law School Graduate
  • Life-long Hudson Valley resident and voter
  • Past President of the Ulster County Magistrates Association
  • Founding Member of the Ulster County Inter-Agency Domestic Violence Council
  • Board Member of Rural Ulster Preservation Company for more than 17 years
  • Ulster County Mental Health Community Services Board Member and Chair of Substance Abuse Sub-Committee
  • Experienced, qualified, dedicated
  • Involved in the community

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Republicans Hijack Indy Line in Ulster


The Republicans have successfully hijacked the Independence line in the Town of Ulster in an attempt to get rid of Majority Leader Brian Cahill this November, their method was both illegal and unethical and can't be tolerated.

Brian Cahill was the party's choice for the Independence Party, the Republicans orchestrated a way to steal the line by having their supporters fill out absentee ballots and vote for the two GOP candidates in the race.

Election law clearly states if you are in town on election day than you must vote at the polls, at least 7 PEOPLE that voted by absentee in District 5 where in district 5 on election day, there are pictures and proof of this.

We can not allow the GOPs dirty tricks to take out a great public servant, we as Democrats need to get behind and work for Brian Cahill to make sure he returns to the legislature in January.

Republicans, Independents, Democrats and NOPs that live in district 5 should all protest what happened by bullet voting for Brian Cahill this November on the Democratic or working Families party line.

I know there is a strong GOP tidal wave going on in the Town of Ulster and I support the candidate for supervisor on that line but we must be fair have checks and balances and spare one Democratic vote in Ulster for Brian Cahill!

The GOP should be ashamed and voters should be outraged by the win at all cost tactics of the GOP legislative candidates, a SAD day in Ulster County.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

KingstonTruth Blogmaster Unmasked

Blabernews has uncovered who the blogmaster behind Kingstontruth was...details on Monday.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS


CITY OF KINGSTON PRIMARY RACES

Ward 9

Democratic Line
Hayes Clement crushes Mark Halwick to win the Democratic nomination in Ward 9. Clement won by a nearly 3 to 1 margin and will face Republican Deborah Brown in November. Congratulations Hayes!

Ward 8
Conservative Line
Congratulations to Todd Langdon on his HUGE victory over Bob Senor on the Conservative Line.

Ward 1
Republican Line
Congratulations to Andi Turco-Levin on her HUGE victory on the Republican Line.



ULSTER COUNTY PRIMARY RACES


County Court Judge
Independence Line
Don Williams easily fends off Democratic nominee Deborah Schneer. The Independence Line is a good litmus test for the General Election in November. I predict that Don Williams will easily win over Schneer, as long as he keeps the momentum going.



County Leg, District One Republican Line
Congratulations to top vote getter Terry Bernardo for running a hard fought and clean campaign. Look for Bernardo, Sheeley, Briggs and Stoecker to take the Legislative seats in November.








County Leg, District Five

Independence Line

The jury is still out in the Independence Line in District Five. Look for the endorsed candidates to win though. I bet those candidates that didn't send letters to the absentee voters are wishing that they did now.


County Leg, District Six Democratic Line
Congratulations to Mike Madsen and Jeanette Provenzano on a closely contested election for the Democratic Line. In the end Frank Dart was not the winner. While we have been very critical of Frank Dart in recent weeks, the election is over now and the voters have spoken. We would like to thank Frank Dart for his many years of service and contributions to the City of Kingston and the County of Ulster.



County Leg, District Seven
Independence Line
Top vote getters are Lomita, Petit and Pitcock, but absentees remain to be counted Terpening and Befiglio could still be in the race after the absentees are counted. Ditto on the absentee letters. I hope all the candidates were on top of them. It really is Campaign Strategy 101, you have to send the absentee voters a letter and ask for their vote.


County Leg, District Eight
Republican, Conservative and Independence Lines
Congratulations to Ken Ronk (TOP vote getter in Leg Dist 8), Cathy Terrizzi and Jack Hayes. Virtually no one in Ulster County thought that these three candidates could prevail over Noonan in all three primaries. Through hard work and dedicated campaigning they did win all three primaries with solid majorities. Thanks to Glenn Noonan for his many years of service to Ulster County.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Primary Election Endorsements

City of Kingston

Ward 9- Hayes Clement (Democrat)

Ulster County

County Court - Don Williams (Independence)

District 1 - Terry Bernardo, Joe Steckler, TJ Briggs, Mary Sheeley (Republican)

District 6 - Mike Madsen, Jeanette Provanzano (Democrat)

District 5 - Brian Cahill, (Independence)


District 8- Ken Ronk, (rep, ind,con,)


GOP State Committeewoman (107th Assembly District) Terry Bernardo

NYC

Mayor - Bill Thompson (Democrat)

Public Advocate - Bill Di Blasio (Democrat)

Comptroller- Jon Lu (Democrat)

Manhattan DA - Richard Aborn (Democrat)

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Campaign Season Begins

Well it's after Labor day and the official start of the campaign season begins!

Here is an open thread what are you seeing, what are you hearing?!?!

Campaign Season Begins

Well it's after Labor day and the official start of the campaign season begins!

Here is an open thread what are you seeing, what are you hearing?!?!

Sunday, September 06, 2009

Catskill Mountain Catering

I encourage everyone to go to the Hooley in Kingstog today and check out the fun!

While your there, make sure to stop by the Catskill Mountain Catering booth and say hello to my friend Jody Edinger who has a booth down there.

He will have some petty good food, so make sure you come hungry!

Friday, September 04, 2009

coming tomorrow

Comptroller Auerbach is looking to hire new staff to properly look over the county's finances and make sure every dollar and cent is accounted for... After the Dean Palen fiasco, the Jail fiasco and the most recent issues with DSS, its a no brainer.

As my father would if you're not going to do something right, don't do it all. We need the chief auditor of Ulster Counter to have the staff needed to do the job he was elected to do.

Tomorrow we will detail how the former county administrator and the charter committee, short staffed the Comptroller's office and what needs to be done to correct it.

We will also go into detail about how these positions will pay for themselves in the long run.

If you spend 300k on staff and they save taxpayers a million dollars by weeding out wasteful spending is it worth it?!?!

A full report tomorrow night!

RIP Kathy Janeczek

I am saddened to report the passing of our City of Kingston Clerk, Kathy Janeczek. She will be missed.



Pictured Above: The 120th anniversary of the Army's "opening fire" in Kingston was commemorated as City Clerk Kathy Janeczek presented Captain Kisser with a new red-and-white street sign emblazoned "The Salvation Army Way" to be displayed on the block of the street on which the Kingston Citadel Corps is located.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Random Photo Blog

me thinking it would be funny to write a poem for the person writting poems in Union Square (notice I am sporting the Auerbach for Comptroller tee)
Quigley's NY Grill?!?!?! East 18th and !st ave NYC
Deo and I working for future Manhattan DA Richard Aborn
Comptroller Auerbach at the sold out Fundraiser for Majority Leader Reynolds
Comptroller Auerbach with future Alderwoman Jen Fuentes and Alderman Tom Hoffay

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Bernardo's First Blunder

Nina Postupack.

Len Bernardo's first blunder as chair of the Independence party has to be trusting and endorsing Nina Postupack!

REWIND: Nina claims she was under no obligation to support Len when he ran for Executive because he was an independent not a Republican.

Well, if she didn't value Len as an Independence party candidate, than, why did she seek the line in her race.

Gilda Riccardi clearly is the more qualified candidate and had more respect for the Independence chair and the platform of their party.


Proof of that us what took place at Rotary park in Kingston on Sunday.

We hear Len and his dog Sunday attended Nina's event, and the co chair of team Nina, Beth Hanigan was quoted as saying how much she dislikes Len Bernardo.

Really...Nina??

It's unfortunate that Ms. Postupack used Len to get the Independence line because she couldn't care less about it's Chair or the values the party represents.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Auerbach Presents Warwarsing with $$61,486.90 Check

Comptroller Auerbach personally delivering a check for $61,486.90 which represents monies owed to the Town from a 2007 Payment In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) from the Nevele Hotel. The money was discovered by Elliott during an examination of payments made to Ulster County.

Aborn Challanges Crocker Snyder on Death Penalty Flip Flop

Hotel Unions Back Aborn

Aborn DA rival, Cy Vance, Under Heat for backing anti Abortion, Pro Gun candidate


Manhattan district attorney candidate Cy Vance Jr. - who lived in Seattle for 16 years - donated money to a Republican there who fought against gun control.

An examination of Vance's time in Seattle showed he gave $1,000 in 1998 to Christopher Bayley, a GOP Senate candidate who attacked the incumbent Democrat for supporting mandatory trigger locks and a ban on semiautomatic firearms.

Bayley, a former prosecutor in the Seattle area, sent gun owners across the state literature backing a proposal to let visitors to Washington state carry a concealed pistol if they had an out-of-state license.

Bayley also opposed abortion rights and supported a measure that would roll back state affirmative action programs.

Richard Aborn, one of Vance's opponents in the Democratic primary, jumped on Vance's support of Bayley, calling it wrongheaded.

"Manhattan residents can be assured that anti-choice, anti-gun control, anti-affirmative action zealots running for office will never have my support," Aborn said.

"We are significantly better off with the Democrat having won that election, and Mr. Vance and I simply have an honest disagreement about that," Aborn said.

Vance defended his support for Bayley as "appropriate." He called him a "very well-regarded" lawyer.

"If you look at my giving record, I think you will find that I am an active and repeat, almost recidivist, donor to Democratic candidates around the country," Vance said.

Aides said Bayley is the only Republican to ever received Vance's support. He has supported a slew of Democrats, including President Obama.

Vance, who is counting on Manhattan's liberal-leaning Democrats who typically vote in the primary to support him, moved to Seattle in 1988 to build a name for himself outside the shadow of his famous dad.

His father, Cy Vance Sr., was secretary of state in the Carter administration.

The winner of the Democratic primary on Sept. 15 is likely to win November's general election to replace longtime DA Robert Morgenthau.

msaul@nydailynews.com

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

David Blaine to Make Magic for Aborn!!!!

Magician David Blaine will be delving into the dangerous world of New York politics for the first time next week when he hosts a fundraiser for Manhattan DA hopeful Richard Aborn.

*Sep 21 - 00:05*

Tickets to the event range from $125 (just to get in the door) to $5,000 (for hosts).

Here's the e-mail from Aborn campaign manager Mike Rabinowitz announcing the event; the subject line is "making crime disappear":

"Dear xxxxxx,


We are delighted to announce that next Wednesday, August 26th, David Blaine will work his magic for Richard at a special event to support our campaign.

A remarkable and unique entertainer, the famed endurance artist has spent hours encased in ice, upside down, and underground...but this is his first foray into politics. (Richard can identify).

We would be thrilled if you would join us and support this special event, which will be held at at RDV, 409 W. 13th Street, from 7 - 9 p.m. It promises to be a really enjoyable evening and a great way for us to raise critical funds for these final weeks.

Space is limited. For more information, please contact Michael O’Regan at (212) xxx-xxxx or moregan@xxxxxx - or you can RSVP online.

Thanks again for all you are doing.

I hope to see you next Wednesday!

Mike Rabinowitz
Campaign Manager
Aborn for DA

Monday, August 17, 2009

Blaber News Endorses Richard Aborn for Manhattan District Attorney



PRIMARY SEPTEMBER 15TH

As Manhattan DA, Richard will enact progressive crime-fighting policies that keep our city safe — while building hope in every community. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform the way we fight crime, by using proven prevention methods. Richard Aborn will seize that opportunity.


Violent Crime



Today, New York enjoys the lowest levels of crime seen in decades. This has been achieved through a variety of means. But, we cannot take it for granted that crime levels will remain at these historic lows. We must constantly rededicate ourselves to fighting violent crime by moving swiftly and vigorously to incarcerate those that commit violent acts against our community. The message to violent criminals must be crystal clear: when you commit a violent act you will be arrested, tried, and when convicted, sent to prison.
Modernizing the Office



The next District Attorney of Manhattan has a unique opportunity to modernize the office and accelerate the use of technology as a tool to not only prosecute offenders, but to prevent crime from occurring in the first place. Technology can also be used to increase efficiencies in the office and save taxpayers money. I will conduct a bottom-to-top review of the office, implement a new program - PreventStat - to track which programs work and implement a paperless office.
PreventStat: Building a Modern District Attorney's Office


Drug Law Reform



It's time to stop ruining young people's lives because of a single mistake. It's time to repeal the Rockefeller Drug Laws and replace them with a sensible policy grounded in public health and common sense. Drug kingpins deserve prison. First and second-time non-violent offenders deserve an opportunity to rebuild their lives. And the families of offenders unfairly caught up in the draconian Rockefeller laws deserve to be reunited.


Domestic Violence


All domestic violence cases that come before the DA's office should be vigorously investigated. The DAs office should also vigorously respond to violations of "restraining orders." In addition, victims of domestic violence and their children should be linked to existing treatment programs, as well as programs that provide housing and jobs, so they can break the cycle of violence. Active partnerships with domestic violence organizations and local community organizations can help encourage people who do not necessarily trust the criminal justice system to come forward to report these terrible crimes.


Juvinial Crime



No matter how limited budgets must be, we cannot abandon our kids. Juvenile justice is a complex area but one where there is much learning taking place and we must dedicate ourselves to developing programs and policies that will help us to steer kids away from crime, before it becomes too late. The DA is in a unique position to give kids a chance; to give them a chance by intervening when they are young in order to eliminate the need to incarcerate them when they are older. Working cooperatively with other agencies, the DA's office can have a positive impact on kids lives - before it is too late.
Before It's Too Late: A New Strategy for Preventing Juvenile Crime


LGBT Rights



Equality of treatment, based on mutual respect, is the bedrock foundation upon which any free society must be built. Until we are all equal, none of us are equal. The LGBT community needs a strong voice and direct representation in the DA's office. We must use New York's Hate Crime laws to fully protect members of the LGBT community who are signaled out for bias crimes, and make sure that vulnerable gay youths and others have a Safe Harbor where they can seek protection of the law. And just as racial profiling by law enforcement is wrong, so is profiling based on sexual orientation.


White Collar Crime


Manhattan sits at the epicenter of the world financial markets and as a result, crimes that undermine the integrity of the financial markets can have a disproportionate and significant impact on New York and New Yorkers. But white collar crime does not begin and end on Wall Street. Scams against the elderly, immigrant groups and others that prey on the most vulnerable will not be tolerated and will receive a swift response.


Terrorism


We must not let ourselves be lulled into a false sense of security that because New York has not been attacked since 9/11 that we are safe. Safety does not flow from the passage of time, but from the constant, creative, cooperative and consistent use of law enforcement strategies and resources. The DA's office must be an active and integral participant in the fight against terrorism. Working cooperatively with other agencies, the DA must leverage advanced technology to look for anomalies, connect the dots and move quickly when necessary to stop terrorists before they act. We need a dedicated Counter-Terrorism Bureau — staffed not only by assistant district attorneys, but also by experienced analysts, researchers and investigators. This Bureau must develop close and cooperative liaisons with other law enforcement agencies. In addition, to be truly effective, all assistant district attorneys and investigative staff must be trained in how to spot anomalies in cases that warrant further investigation. The early detection and disruption of preparatory steps by terrorists can be an important way to stop terrorist activity in its tracks.


Wrongful Convictions


Clearly, nobody is served by wrongful convictions. While prosecutors strive every day to convict the guilty and protect the innocent, errors still occur. My District Attorney's office will provide every prosecutor with more tools and training to minimize wrongful convictions, and Assistant DAs will be encouraged to come forward if they think they have the wrong person. Every case will start with the question – do I have the right person? All cases of prosecutorial misconduct (which, although rare, are incredibly serious) will be investigated quickly and fully.
A New Strategy for Preventing Wrongful Convictions


Community Partnerships


Creating an effective, trusted partnership between the DA's office and the community is a critical crime-fighting tool. We will have a two part strategy designed to create a close working partnership between the DA's office and the community: First, we must not only create close working relationships with the community, but we must also work with trusted community groups to create safe harbors to protect those who are afraid to seek the protection of the law. We can never allow anyone to be beyond the protection of the law: battered women, immigrants, members of the LGBT community, youth, the elderly and others, will all need the protection of the law at one time or another, but for many different reasons be reluctant to contact law enforcement. The DA's office can overcome that reluctance by working closely with trusted community-based organizations so that those who need protection have a place to go where they will feel -- and be -- safe and secure. Second, it is essential for the DA's office to recognize that different communities and different individuals have different crime prevention needs.


Transportation Safety


Almost everyone in New York knows that the homicide rate in New York, thanks to effective policing and prosecution, has declined to around 500 homicides a year from a peak of more than 2200 homicides in 1990. And yet few people know that, shockingly, the traffic fatality rate in New York is almost as high -almost 300 lost lives a year. As District Attorney, I commit to dedicating appropriate resources to ensure that traffic fatalities become as rare as bike lanes used to be.


Gun Control


We must build on the success that has been achieved by expanding on proven interventions against illegal guns. Over 90 percent of illegal guns in New York have been brought in from other areas. Unlike politics, gun crime is not local. We must accept the fact that a regional, interstate approach to gun trafficking is required and set about to build that network. We must also share data with other prosecutors throughout the five boroughs of NYC as well as the surrounding region in order to cast a wide net over gun trafficking - and stop the guns from ever reaching Manhattan. We must also have a strong and clear voice on national and state legislation that is designed to fight illegal gun trafficking.
Aborn Unveils Five-Point Plan to Combat Gun Violence in Manhattan


Capital Punishment


Capital punishment is contrary to our values as New Yorkers. It is immoral and it is wrong. I have always opposed capital punishment, and will lead the effort against any attempt to revive it in New York.


Technology


Technology is an essential and integral weapon in fighting crime and keeping the public safe. Technology can - and should - be used to extend the reach and effectiveness of police department, criminal justice departments and the DA's office. In a time of diminished resources, increased use of technology can build greater efficiencies in administrative operations while also greatly aiding the fight against crime. One of the enduring lessons of 9/11 is that we must "connect the dots," and not just for terrorism cases. Advanced technology is a core component of doing so.