So it's official Mario Catalano is stepping down as chair of the Ulster County Republican committee, it's a loss for the Republicans Mario is a good chairman and put a little bit of life back into a once dead party. Rumors for his replacement include: Robin Yess, Roger Rascoe, and David O'Halleran. If the Republicans are smart they will elect David O'Halleran to replace Mario. I obviously have no horse in this race and I hope I don't hurt Dave's chances but I guess as a partisan Democrat, it would be good if they did not elect O'Halleran.
Speaking of Republicans in Ulster County they are up to their old tricks, doing whatever they can to undermine County Executive Mike Hein. First with his appointment of Mrs. Caffo and now with the 2011 budget. Give me a break, Mike Hein could say the sky is blue and Kevin Roberts, Paul Hansit and the gang would say no it's yellow. The Republican party needs to get their act together and stop attacking Hein on every single issue. Hein's a good executive and they know it and so does the public. The Republican majority attacking Mike in the press will not change that, what it will do is ensure they lose their slim majority in 2011.
I was the first to break the story about Sottile not seeking reelection, we now hear he may not even finish his current term. If this is true (and I do not know it is), James Noble would elevate to become Mayor and the common council would vote to appoint an Alderman at Large to replace Noble, smart money on Majority Leader Bill Reynolds, who represents Kingston's 7th Ward. Again do not know if this is true but I have it on reliable sources.
The Ulster County Legislature wants to shift funds from the county comptroller’s budget for accounting and auditing over to its own budget to cover the annual county audit. UMM? Is that like the fox watching the hen house?
The charter is very clear that the audit should be an independent one, the legislature proved it is incompetent in handling these matters..do we forget the jail? Comptroller Auerbach is fighting back as he should, it is his job to be the people's watch dog. This is a matter of principal, it does not matter who is the comptroller is or what party has the majority in the legislature, the legislature is dead wrong on this. They need to back off and let the elected Comptroller do his job.
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