From MidHudsonNews.com : Ulster County Legislator Brian Shapiro, a Democrat, and member of the Government Operations and Efficiency Committee, calls it ‘reinventing the wheel’.
Republican Terry Bernardo, who chairs the committee, doesn’t quite see their mission that way.
Broadly, this has to do with clarifying the mission of the Legislative and Executive branches of county government, under the year-old Charter, and County Executive Michael Hein.
Bernardo said that despite some misconceptions, the county executive is but one of six elected countywide administrators, along with the comptroller, sheriff, district attorney, county clerk and others.
Republican Terry Bernardo, who chairs the committee, doesn’t quite see their mission that way.
Broadly, this has to do with clarifying the mission of the Legislative and Executive branches of county government, under the year-old Charter, and County Executive Michael Hein.
Bernardo said that despite some misconceptions, the county executive is but one of six elected countywide administrators, along with the comptroller, sheriff, district attorney, county clerk and others.
“The legislature is the body that appropriates and makes policy for all of those divisions,” she said. “Michael may have put out put out a directive about nepotism, but that only affected his little tower, if you will. It didn’t affect the people in the DA’s office, the people in the Sheriff’s office, in corrections. It didn’t affect the people in the clerk’s office. So that is the job of the county legislature.”
Bernardo noted that during an orientation with County Attorney Bea Havraneck, they were presented with a long “do not touch” list from the county executive.
“And it was all about the things that the legislator couldn’t touch, that were the executive’s. We didn’t really get a big list of things that the executive couldn’t touch.”
Bernardo was disappointed that Hein, who was invited to Wednesday night’s committee meeting, did not attend, but sent a few key staffers, instead.
“And it was all about the things that the legislator couldn’t touch, that were the executive’s. We didn’t really get a big list of things that the executive couldn’t touch.”
Bernardo was disappointed that Hein, who was invited to Wednesday night’s committee meeting, did not attend, but sent a few key staffers, instead.
Two other invitees did attend – Comptroller Elliott Auerbach and Legislature Chairman Fred Wadnola, who charged the committee with the mission of reviewing current personnel policy.
Shapiro, however, said there is a mechanism already in place, that has worked before, at doing the same thing.
Shapiro, however, said there is a mechanism already in place, that has worked before, at doing the same thing.
“So I think there’s a learning curve right now. I hate for us diving right into creating a new ethics law. Why don’t we give this to the Board of Ethics; that’s what we did last time. They came up with a good product. That’s what I’m going to recommend this time around, to look at the issue of nepotism.”
Shapiro sees this as the new Republican majority, which took office two months ago, wanting to jump in head first.
20 comments:
Come on Jeremy, Len Bernardo has been running around Ulster County saying the same thing since January of last year. Are we to believe that Terry in not just Len's mouthpiece?
I think the Republicans should be keeping a much closer eye on the budget instead of this other political nonsense. With all of the financial problem facing the county, why aren't they doing that?
Wasn't Shapiro the guy pushing an ethics law when the Democrats took over the Legislature who then quietly changed some of his views when his employment situation changed?
Well, the political season is heating up, and the temperature on the 6th floor of the county office building is almost summer-like. Word leaking (as you know, information is very tightly controlled by Executive Hein) has our favorite county executive, in a virtual meltdown these days. What could possibly be troubling Ulster Countiy’s most photogenic politician? Well lets’ see…
1. Word has it, that the “brains “of the outfit, Adele Reiter, is on vacation. Insiders, who dare not be quoted, tell the Sentinel staff, that Hein cannot function without her. He is going to be in real trouble in the next, inevitable campaign, if she finds out that there is no need for her and her MD husband to contribute $10,000 to secure a job for her, as he can’t function without her. Chapter and verse of the truthfulness of this observation is his conduct during her absence. More to follow on this, as soon as we can cover the tracks of those leaking the information.
More to Follow………….
What I don't understand is the length of term for the County Attorney. Since the Legislature has to approve of that position [doesn't it] why is Bea still around?
She is clearly not a friend of the GOP majority. Can her! Can her now!!
Umm 858 no Terry Bernardo is not a mouth piece for Len, if you KNEW Terry you would realize how untrue and almost funny that sounds.
Bea is Hein's attorney - the legislature has their own.
Terry Bernardo is the only one with any balls! SHE GETS IT! The voters sent a clear message that we want some checks and balance! (Shame on you chauvinist who can’t wrap your little mind around the fact that a woman can have strong opinions and fight for her principles even if she has an outspoken husband)
Wadnola wants to “be friends” and is so busy holding court in his restaurant that he doesn’t see the legislative staff is still under Hein’s thumb. What are Hansut and Ronk doing? No one is watching their back on the day to day stuff! Hein still has his gag order in place, everybody smiles and waves while Hein pulls the strings.
Jeremy is right. Terry Bernardo is her own person. She is a sharp lady who deserves more support for what she is trying to do - be the watch dog we need the legislature to be.
Wake up guys - you hold the purse strings - follow the money! Or at the very least WATCH the money!
Don't let Legislator Bernardo's sweet ladylike demeanor fool you. It hides a sharp mind and the tenacity of a pit bull. Those old school Republican’s don’t know what to do with her – a woman who can apply make up and common sense… Even Hein only tolerates women who are “yes men” like Havranek.
By the way – Bea is the Executive’s Council and doesn’t work for the legislature – she works against them – Terry Bernardo is the only one with the nerve to call her (and Hein’s) bluff.
'Policy' is legislation enacted by a governing body and 'administration' are elected pubic officers acting in a managerial capacity NOT adhering to the policy on the grounds that they are accountable only to the voters and thus can not be told what to do.
This is nonsense. I would rather see them start figuring out ways to make my taxes go down than doing this garbage that has alreadybeen dealt with. Why must they keep going over and over the same issues each term? This is why the legislature changes hands so frequently. We see what bozo's these people are and try to get new ones in there. Why don't they keep their eye on the ball?
Yes, Terry is Ulster County's Sarah Palin only much brighter and much more attractive.
To 4:26PM--There is an Administrative Code which outlines what positions go with what branch of government; the Legislature has their own team of attorneys and the CE has his. That's why Havranek is still gainfully employed.
I think the very smart and talanted Terry Bernardo should challenge that do nothing Assemblyman Crouch...I mean really what does this guy do? We need a bright new face in Albany. It's a safe year what does she have to lose?
I love how the Republicans go from a -z in a matter of weeks. They do it with Quigley out in Ulster and they are doing it with this one.
What has she proven? Nothing, that's what, not a damn thing. All she has done is talk, which she seemingly likes to do a lot.
Maybe Terry is the Bernardo that can take out Hein? btw- I agree that she should challenge Crouch. And why is Heiny lying to reporters?
Mighty Heiny is lying to reporters because he is desperate to hide the fact that he doesn't know what he is doing. He only proves that he doesn't know what he is doing when he tells reporters things like "her husband was feeding her information"
Mike, you might want to check with Elliott before you shoot your mouth off anymore about that one.
This one will not go your way. Bea may not be the most reliable suck up source of information - watch her.
Sarah Bernardo is pissing off the Republicans. She won't stfu and acts like a know it all. Some of the "old timers" are already sick of her. She is in for a bumpy ride if she keeps this up. I hope she is prepared for what comes next.
Terry For Exec in 2011.
Just because she is a woman, doesn't mean she isn't an asshole. Look at Zimet, do they come any bigger than her?
Bernardo is flapping her gums, following Lennie's orders and building herself up. The rest of the Republicans are biting their lips for now, but it won't last. She is digging a hole.
5:12 - What an inspiring message from the GOP! I'll be sure to remember that message the next time i'm in the voting booth! Maybe you are the one who should STFU, you aren't doing your party any favors by sharing your archaic and sexist old white man GOP views. I had heard rumors that this attitude existed in the party - but never in a million years thought anyone would go public with this. Do you have any KKK members involved with you for your "what's next, bumpy road" plan?
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