Friday, December 03, 2010

Who Will Replace Kathy Mihm?

Democratic Elections Commissioner Kathy Mihm is taking the early retirement incentive and will be retiring.

Who will replace her? What is everybody hearing? Only name out right now from what I understand is Vic Work.

67 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your kidding me? His wife is a judge, she would not be allowed to handle any election case that comes before the county. Also in 07 he was given a job to be fleet manager, was given another job he had to quit because he couldnt pass a civil service test and now he is the county's deputy purchasing agent. Wow, that's like 4 jobs in 3 years. He is not reliable enough to get this job we need a person that will do it for a long time or at least one election cycle. Yeah, he worked hard last election cycle, that does not guarentee you employment at the board of elections, just ask Jeremy Blaber. Vic has 0 experience to run that department and if I had a vote I would support a Sue Zimet or someone that is going to be a victim of redistricting idk, Rich Parete would be a good choice.

Anonymous said...

Vic Work is the choice , no one will beat him. 6:59-your comment demostrate you do not know Victor Work. He is the man with the numbers (election numbers that is). He is the guy behind every successful office holder. He deserves this position.

Anonymous said...

Jay Mahler.... Duh

Anonymous said...

The man behind every succesful election is Vick Work? My dude, what drugs are you fucking on

Where should I start how bout from the top:

Mike Hein - Lew Kirshner, maybe Resse AND Addelle ..Vick was the sign guy.

Elliott Auerbach- Like him or hate him, Jeremy Blaber

Paul Van Blacum - John Parete

Jim Sottile - TR and Dr.Habeeb in 07


The only race he clearly was succesful in was in the 80's for his wife and I think she had more to do with that than him.

Vick is not the best choice or the worst but don't open your mouth and pretend like you know what you are talking about. The guy couldn't pass a civil service test for pete's sake. He is not the guy with "the numbers", or even a go to guy. He is good at making phone calls and the coordinated campaign.

Anonymous said...

The man behind every succesful election is Vick Work? My dude, what drugs are you fucking on

Where should I start how bout from the top:

Mike Hein - Lew Kirshner, maybe Resse AND Addelle ..Vick was the sign guy.

Elliott Auerbach- Like him or hate him, Jeremy Blaber

Paul Van Blacum - John Parete

Jim Sottile - TR and Dr.Habeeb in 07


The only race he clearly was succesful in was in the 80's for his wife and I think she had more to do with that than him.

Vick is not the best choice or the worst but don't open your mouth and pretend like you know what you are talking about. The guy couldn't pass a civil service test for pete's sake. He is not the guy with "the numbers", or even a go to guy. He is good at making phone calls and the coordinated campaign.

Anonymous said...

Vic Work - because he is only involved for personal gain.
Jay Mahler - she has been a good Deputy.
Linda Provenzano - mama will make sure her name is thrown in.
Ashley Dittus - worked as hard as anyone on the last election.
Peter Loughran - he puts his name in for anything and everything.
John Parete - he has experience and has to be considered.
Jeremy Blaber - one of the most vocal Democrats in Ulster County
Dave Donaldson - he is ready to retire as a teacher.

Anonymous said...

Work gets the numbers from Hinchey. Without Hinchey, Work is just another hack.

Anonymous said...

Jay Mahler would be good, why should she allow someone like Victor be her boss, when she is above him in experiance and knowledge of the office. She has been getting her ducks in a row for years. She has a good relationship with Hein, Auerbach and the current commish, now is a time for her to make a move. Does she have the guts? Don't forget about Ulster or Kingston Brian Cahill, Woerner, Linda Provanzano. Victor is not going to walk into this. Did anyone mention this is his 4th job in two years?

Anonymous said...

I think Jay Mahler would be a good choice. Then maybe Brian Cahill or even Mike Berardi both of those guys know the ropes. Vic Work may be first to put his name out there, but he is not the best. Has he really gotten 4 jobs already?

Anonymous said...

As a Democratic committee person, I will support Jay Mahler. If not Jay than Brian Cahill who is a very good next choice. Victor Work is a good Democrat, but like others have said, he has been given several good jobs already.

Anonymous said...

Jay does not have the guts to run that is the problem. Blaber is bitter at the Mihm/Mahler admin anyway for costing him a good well deserved job in that office.

Jeremy Blaber said...

Not bitter at all, if I would have taken the job John Parete appointed me to, there are so many great people I never would have gotten to meet. I really mean that, I was upset when it happened but you have no idea what a blessing in disguise not getting that job was for me. I have no regrets at all.

Anonymous said...

One vote for Brian Cahill.

Anonymous said...

Kathy should not of run if she was going to retire. This is insane, dems have a week to find someone.

Anonymous said...

[1] Vote for my Daddy.. Clinton Brown

Anonymous said...

I would choose Cahill over Work. Wonder if he is even interested? Has anyone asked him?

Anonymous said...

8:59. You forgot Maurice Hinchey and Kevin Cahill.

Hinchey was run by Liam Fitzsimmons
and Cahill by his brother Brian.

Vic is good at sending out emails, keeping a calendar, and asking everyone else to do the work. I didn't really see him do much else.

Anonymous said...

12:30 - I agree - wasn't she just reelected a couple of months ago? If she didn't want to stay, why did she run? I wonder if she did this (announce last minute) intentionally so those interested didn't have time. It seems awfully odd that Vic Work already has a letter out to the committee members. There was definitely something going on behind the scenes - the fix is in. I hope others step up - a lot of good names have been suggested on this blog.

Anonymous said...

If Vic is so good why couldn't he get anyone elected in his home town? Why does he go thru so many county jobs? Beradi would be the best choice so I guess that rules him out.

Anonymous said...

Can Mihm take Turco the box of rocks Rep leach with her

Anonymous said...

I am glad to see there are other names being mentioned other than Vic Work. Who anointed him heir apparent anyway?
I hope that a couple of these names are brought forward during the convention and the committee people act accordingly.

Anonymous said...

LOOK VICTOR WORK IS SENDING OUT THE EMAIL FOR THE CONVENTION!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? SO INAPROPRIATE FOR A CANDIDATE FOR ONE OF THE OFFICES TO BE SENDING OUT THIS EMAIL.

Vic Work" View contact detailsTo: undisclosed-recipients


Ulster County Democratic Committee



Save the Date

Convention Notice



Chairman Julian D. Schreibman hereby calls a meeting of the Ulster County Democratic Committee for the purpose of electing:



Ulster County Democratic Commissioner of Elections



Fill Vacant Ulster County Committeeman Positions



To be held:



Wednesday, December 15th 2010

6:30 pm Sign-in

7:00 pm Vote



Hillside Manor

Rte 32. Kingston NY



Light refreshments will be served!



Post Card to be mailed to all Ulster County Democratic Committee Members



Questions/Concerns please email: ashley.dittus@gmail.com or ucdemchair@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

no way on Vic. As a county legislator I will NOT vote for him even if nominated. I have an oath I need to follow that is bigger than partisan politics. While I understand tradition is to rubberstamp whomever the Dems pick, I can't vote for Work, his incompetence as fleet manager and the switching of jobs makes him too unstable for this job. Why not a Jay Mahler or Ashley Dittus. Vic is not qualified and I will be encouraging my fellow legislators (which wont be hard) to not support Mr. Work.

Anonymous said...

Jer-

Come out and just tell us who you are supporting. What kind of post is who is going to replace Kathy and asking what others are hearing.

So now we know: Vic Work is running and the unconfirmed contenders are Jay Mahler, Brian Cahill, Nick Woerner, Peter Loughran, Dave Donaldson and John Parete.

Karen Feldman
Rosendale

Anonymous said...

7:08... It is an unwritten rule that one side honors the other sides choice. They are the ones who have to live with the choice. With that being said, no one but Work had an inside track. Let's see what happens in the next week before we jump to conclusions.

Anonymous said...

733 that is correct and it seems that 708 is a Republican legislator but Democratic legislators should be worried. What happens this time next year Vic wants a job in NYS, idk, how about Cuomo's chauffeur (wait is that a civil service job?) scratch that! Lets say he wants another job elsewhere. Well we now have very important elections that need to be decided without a strong Dem commish watching our backs.

Vic Work is too risky for THAT job.

Anonymous said...

one vote for Jeremy Blaber! You are made for this job, why run for anything else?

Anonymous said...

Dems are pussies. No way will they stand up to who ever at the top chose Vic Work. Hein? They'll just follow blindly along like sheep and no one else will run. I hope the Republicans have the balls to vote no.

Jeremy Blaber said...

Mrs. Feldman:

I am not supporting anyone, there is one candidate running right now. Despite what some comments say about Vic, I like Vic and have worked with him a lot in the past, he's a great guy and I could support him to be the Dem comish. Also, all I get is about 77 weighted votes so I am not the deciding factor of this race.

I will say I am going to wait and see who all the candidates are before I make a decision and when I do I will let people know. Of all the people that were mentioned there are about two I would strongly get behind.

And someone mentioned John Parete, which to me would be ideal, it would be great to have him back but I don't see that happening.

Anonymous said...

Another vote for Brian Cahill.

Anonymous said...

I would support Brian Cahill for sure. He is perfect, knows how it works, former Majority leader and someone that can work with everyone. Yes, Brian Cahill is perfect.

Anonymous said...

The fix is in for Vic Work, save your breath.

Anonymous said...

Of course it was decided in advance. Vic is prepared becasue he had a head start. I mean Dibella just got his job with the bus dept like five months ago and Vic took his post and now he wants a new job already. It's so funny and sad. No one can answer this question what makes Vic more qualified than Jay Mahler, Brian Cahill or Linda Provanzano?

Actually what makes Vic Work qualified at all?

Anonymous said...

It is a shame that good people will be shut out of this job. Vic is older than Kathy and should be thinking about retirement himself. Instead he eats up every job that comes up. Selfish guy that Vic Work.

Anonymous said...

I'll give the devil his due you nailed it fix is in for Vic Work. Jay Mahler or someone qualified deserves that job!

Anonymous said...

I am not voting for Vic Work. If no one else comes out to run against him, I will not go to the convention.

CB Love Child #2 said...

Vote #2 for Clint Brown

Anonymous said...

As someone who has worked with Victor on about 6 coordinated campaigns I can tell you he will do a fine job at the BOE.

If you had to ask those in the know (like say a Dan Ahouse or Mike Hein) Victor Work was the guy to have your campaign. Vic always helps out every year--the worst criticism you could lobby at Vic is that he works REALLY hard when Mary, Maurice, Kevin or Mike are up for election. He helps every year for all Democrats.

He does need to get up to speed on BOE specific issues (such as costs, the machines, etc) but Victor is a good choice. And lets face it....Vic will probably only do the job for about 5 years, which gives Jay the chance to have even more support in the party when its "her turn" at the job.

Anonymous said...

Sue Zimet? I wouldn't vote for her to be dog catcher. Just what we need an election commissioner who also happens to be the nastiest person in Ulster County.

Anonymous said...

Didn't Butch Dener put his name in yet?

Jeremy Blaber said...

To the person who posted about Fusfeld and Mayor Sottile, please remove the content about their reigion (you know what I am talking about) and I will publish it..you can get your point across by removing two small references.

Anonymous said...

This election should be put off untill after the first of the year. Mihms reg should not be accpted untill 1/15/11. This is shoving it down the throats of the Dem committee. Brian Cahill or Nick Woerner, Jay Moler would top canidates if the county would let things play out.
Its allways sunny in the T/U

Anonymous said...

10:11 is right - the Deputy can serve as Acting Commissioner when there's a vacancy. Why is this whole process rushed?

Anonymous said...

It seems like all those interested in the job can contact committee members before the meeting. People are throwing out names and those people haven't shown any interest in the job to date.

Anonymous said...

Why does this vote have to be rushed? What is so urgent on the political calendar that it can't wait a month or so? The Deputy can handle anything that comes up. Who decided it had to be done NOW anyway? This rushed time frame seems to fit the agenda of a certain person who covets the job and no one else.

The time provided is insufficient for people to make an educated decision for this important job. But then again, that may be the motive here. Time for the party leadership to step in and slow this train down a bit.

One individual has been able to solicit support because he was tipped off it was coming and he was prepared when the clock struck 12. That seems very unfair to anyone else who may be interested. It stinks of an inside deal. I though some people were above this sort of thing....we learn something every day I guess.

Is it any wonder people are disgruntled with the Democratic leadership? Not to me it isn't.

Anonymous said...

9:21..How do you know if someone has shown interest? What is your authority for such a statement?

Anonymous said...

I got the post card informing me of the convention in the mail this morning. Since when is one week enough time for someone to rearrange their calendar to attend this event, let alone muster support for the job if they were interested?

Anonymous said...

11:25am. I was referring to making their intentions known through this blog. I have no independent information one way or the other.

Anonymous said...

11:45...Is that what we have come to? If someone hasn't put it on a blog, then it hasn't happened?

Anonymous said...

yes, it's called the 24 hr news cycle.

Anonymous said...

I guess the powers that be won this one. Too bad someone like Vic Work can walk in a room, decide he is the right person for a job and everyone rolls over and gives it to him. How many times will that happen for this guy? Hein sure does payback his supporters.

Anonymous said...

Now let's see who Hein puts in Vic's deputy job (his 4th different county job in 5 years). I predict, he moves one of his multitude of deputies over to Vic's job and claim he is reducing his staff again. Same as when he moved Vin Martello.

Anonymous said...

Vic can do the job and will be fine
Susan Zimet would be a disaster
Hector would be a disaster
Jay could do the job maybe down the road
Peter Loughran would take any job
Brian Cahill would do a fine job.
Rich Parete would be good.
sorry to see Kathy go.

Anonymous said...

test

Anonymous said...

Work can stay hidden where ever he is working now. He can get ready for Hein's campaign since he is so good at that.

Pete Healey said...

I have read most of these comments and it's all "insider trading". Who do you like best, or who do you dislike more? Those are the only qualifications for this job that matter?
The party's leadership has apparently already decided who gets the job, a cushy part-time job with full-time pay and benefits, so shut up and deal with it. This is patronage and "business as usual", and the next time you're tempted to moan or whine about cuts and reductions to some social service that's near and dear to your heart, remember this, "That extra $35,000 goes to
Vic Work (or Jay Mahler or who cares who)".

Anonymous said...

We care Pete. It is a very important position for proper functioning of the current election system. It may not fit your agenda of proportional representation, but is it the law of the land today. We all know you and Legislative Barbie have an axe to grind so why not disclose that before you discredit the position?

http://legislativebarbie.blogspot.com/2010/06/ulster-county-board-of-elections-shady.html

The person in that job may have prevented or helped with your problem so, maybe you should care about it too.

Pete Healey said...

Number 58, By all means duck the issue that I raised, raise another issue altogether, turn it into a personal attack, and remain anonymous throughout. That's what I've come to expect from Democrats when debating issues of public policy, so of course you fit the bill quite nicely. None of this changes the fact that the Democratic Commissioner of the Board of Elections has a part-time job and a full-time salary (and the full-time salary isn't mandated by law).

Walter P. Watkins Jr. said...

Actually Pete, you are the one who changed the topic from who will be Elections Commissioner to the structure and legal requirement of the job. But that is what we have come to expect from a fringe political party disciple like you. Take any topic at all, give it a little twist and voila, it is now a good government issue, that only you of course, understand fully.

Pete Healey said...

Waltie, you mind if I call you Waltie (or do people call you Junior)? This isn't a job like any other. Only Election Board jobs, among all public service jobs, are privately hired by the two parties and then placed on the public payroll. And with all the talk (I suppose that talk doesn't reach you where you live, does it, Waltie?) about cutbacks in public spending and bloated budgets and layoffs and... why isn't it fair to check in on a part-time job and ask why it's being paid at a full-time rate, and an attractive $72,000 of the county taxpayer's money at that? Ok, Waltie or Junior, or maybe Junie (I know a couple of Juniors who like being called Junie), maybe that isn't interesting to you when you got such important decisions to make, like which of these people who have never read any Election Law, and if they get the job you know they never will, which of them deserves the job, and for what reasons?
Me, I don't mind being called a "fringe political party type", do you mind being called a member of a party that no longer knows graft when it collects it?

Anonymous said...

Introducing Mr. Charles "Vic" Work, the newly selected Democratic Commissioner of Elections.



Wait a minute.....

ARTICLE XXVII Board of Elections
§ C-97. Appointment; term; powers and duties.
There shall be a Board of Elections, whose members shall be appointed by the County Legislature in the manner provided by law, and who shall serve at its pleasure unless
otherwise required by law. The Board's powers and duties shall be as provided by law.

Does the Legislature have the balls to go against Hein, Schriebman, Mihm and Hinchey and not select the chosen one?

Anonymous said...

so they gave it to that senile fuck vic work. yippie.

Anonymous said...

Mihm handed it to him. The one good thing is that he can't be worse than she was.

General Robert E. Lee said...

vic work as elections commish... great. I think the problem is that everyone in the southern part of ulster county is corrupt..republican or democrat, as we now see. perhaps its time for the north to succeed from the union. ;)

Gen. Lee

Anonymous said...

Hinchey and Hein have nothing to fear. They just got carte blanche into the BOE mechanism and staff. Everyone else? Good luck.

Pete Healey said...

Vic Work may get $72,000 for nothing, but he had to ask permission, and then win a couple of votes. Look at what Billy Larkin and "Denny" Farrell (your former state party chair) gave themselves, and they didn't ask anyone's permission and no one got to vote on it. Billy gave himself an extra $74,000 and "Denny" gave himself 100 Big Ones. Who cares about layoffs more- Billy or "Denny", or Vic (and all of you could have admitted that Kathy's old job is a part-time affair and paid accordingly, but no!)?

The Ghost of Dick Schermerhorn said...

Pete Healy tells the truth. The few GOP'ers that manage to get elected know they can effectivley do nothing except line their own pockets and retire with a McMansion.

The Ghost of Dick Schermerhorn