Election 2011 has come to a close and overall it was a good year. I am very happy that Shayne Gallo won the Mayor's race in Kingston and that Jim Noble was reelected to another term as Alderman at Large. I know the Gallo/Noble team will bring good things to Kingston. Kingston will move forward, crime will decease and economic development will start to happen.
A lot of credit should be given to Mayor Jim Sottile, he served Kingston proudly for 10 years and did a lot to get Kingston on firm financial footing. He has a lot of critics, some deserved, some not so much. Like him or hate him, he served with his heart on his sleeve and did a lot of great things for Kingston. File me as a supporter of Mayor Jim Sottile.
I agree with Alderwoman Jen Fuentes, override Cuomo's 2% tax cap this year. Local municipalities have the right this year to override the Governor's two percent mandated tax cap. Overriding the cap this year will help protect the City's fund balance and not completely handicap Mayor elect Shayne Gallo next year. Speaking of Jen, I am sorry to see her go, she is a great Alderwoman. I am glad this year I have gotten an opportunity to get to know her better, even if I drive her crazy sometimes. :~) Jen is a true believer in good government and an asset to this community.
The new Kingston Common Council is going to do well. I'm excited about new faces like Matt Dunn, Elisa Ball and MaryAnn Mills. The new council is made up of a lot of great bright people that will serve Kingston proudly.
The race for Majority Leader appears to be between Alderman Bob Senor and Alderman Tom Hoffay. The race for Minority Leader could end up being decided by Chairman Tony Sinagra..smart money says Debbie Brown has an edge but I honestly have no idea.
Speaking of political party officials, rumor is Tony Sinagra is going to be asked to resign at the next City GOP meeting.. there are a lot of possible replacements...maybe even Ron Polacco. I also hear rumors that Frank Cardinale may throw in the towel but those rumors are unconfirmed. With the possibility of two new political leaders, a new Mayor and a majority of freshman common council members, Kingston may finally get the change they have been asking for. You can almost smell the fresh air being released into city government.
Holly Carnright was reelected Ulster County District Attorney, his opponent Jonathan Sennett is one of the brightest and greatest people I know. I am proud to have voted for him and proud to call him my friend and that is all I have to say on that subject.
Republicans have held onto control of the Ulster County legislature by one seat. Fred Wadnola the current chairman of the legislature did not run for reelection and a new chair will be elected by the legislature come January. The Republicans are taking an informal vote for leadership next week but with their slim one vote lead, Democrats will also have a say in who will be chairman. Right now the race is shaping up between Legislator Terry Bernardo and Legislator Jim Maloney. I hear there are some concerns at the number of government positions Maloney currently holds. You could see another candidate emerge at the last minute. Terry Bernardo is currently the odds on favorite to be the next chair of the legislature and the first woman to hold that position. Terry Bernardo is one of the brightest members of that body and will serve Ulster County well, I hope she is successful.
For Majority Leader, Ken Ronk seems to have it locked up. Several people tell me that Ronk has the votes and will be the next Majority leader..good for him, not a bad choice.
There is some talk that Jeanette Provanzano will face a challenge because of her vocal opposition to the privatization of Golden Hill. Jeannette Provanzano is a good Democrat and represents the party well as the leader. There will be big issues from Kingston Democrats if Jeannette Provanzano is messed with as some sort of political payback. Jeanette Provanzano will be protected and I think it would be wise for some people to think twice before trying to flex their political muscle on a legislator for standing up for what she believes in...just sayin'
Disappointed with the Kingston School Board for not hiring Elizabeth Ten Dyke as Superintendent of Schools. Ms. Ten Dyke was by far the most qualified candidate with the most diverse experience and the only finalist with an actual idea of the current issues facing the district. People should remember this when they vote in the next school board election...vote out the incumbents.
24 comments:
I think Kingston is in good hands and there will be changes made.
If Senor is Majority leader, the Dems have a very short memory, he was a terrible pain in the ass for many years.
Bernardo is not the brightest person on their side and should not be Chairman ever becuase her husband is the chairman of a party. Even though his head is huge, Maloney will have a hard time wearing another hat, not to mention that he does not deserve that job. He is a terrible Legislator. Since the Republicans are in charge, I would like to see someone like Kevin Roberts or Ken Ronk take over. They would make sure the Legislature is relevant, something the current Legislature has not done.
One thing is for sure, there will be a lot of new faces next year.
I agree with you on almost every point, JB. One exception would be Ronk, but that's based on my Golden Hill bias. Also, not sure about Bernardo. In the past year, I have not seen her contribute a whole lot as a legislator, and she too is against keeping Golden Hill county owned.
BTW - Why has your friend Walter Frey been absent for the past 2 legislative sessions? He seems to have disappeared ever since it was revealed that the committee he chaired witheld information regarding Golden Hill from the rest of the legislature.
The mayor pro[posed a budget within the 2% cap.The governor offered the 2%cap with the ability of representative government to exceed it.There is a popular national movement and tone to hold the line on taxes. Economic depression is here and there exists a great divide between the taxers and the taxed.Kingston is a city on the brink.The superimposing of additional taxes,fees and fines is a testimony to the inability to govern.
Jeremy:
I know you have more to say on the DA's race. Come on, its over, it time ... you can say it.
Diana
I am very happy we elected the superintendent from watervliet. I know he will do an excellent job.
Diana:
I wish to congratulate Holly Carnright, he won fair and square and that's it. Nothing more to say.
-JB
I am not sure about Bernardo. It is nothing personal, I just think the implications with her husbands position could be a political nightmare. I also don't agree with how the Independence Party is run and I think someone should change that.
Jeremy,
Your words of encouragement are certainly appreciated but our family is better off without the superintendent's job.
The outpouring of support, encouragement, and positive feedback from all segments of the community was wonderful and by far outweighed the few louder and more vocal opponents, certain of whom had axes to grind because they received negative evaluations and others who cannot forget that their child was disciplined in middle school.
Others formed opinions about my wife because of disagreements they have had with me and still others found fault with her because of issues they have with Mr. Gretzinger. Others legitimately questioned whether the jump from a director to superintendent was too much too fast at a time when the district is facing far too much controversy for any one person to handle.
We will choose to remember the overwhelming positive feedback and good wishes and forget the negatives.
Our family appreciates that Elizabeth was recognized as the most qualified internal candidate in the district and one of the top three state wide applicants out of a very qualified and experienced pool of candidates. My children and I could not be more proud of her accomplishments.
I wish Dr. Padalino all the luck in an impossible position and encourage the rest of the community to do the same. He will need all the support he can get.
Dan Gartenstein
Perfect. Thank you for that.
Why would you ever think that Polacco would be Republican Chairman of the City of Kingston? He was the biggest impediment to the Republicans not getting the chance to grab the Mayoral seat. He is not a team player and has no business being a Chairman. Nice enough of a guy, but not a leader.
751: That would be Tony Sinagra, he was the biggest problem. Not to mention, Shayne Gallo would have beaten any Republican running no matter what. I hear rumors that it could be Polacco, Kinnin or McLean. Personally, Robb Kinnin would do a great job. I am a Democrat and do not care who is chair of the Republican committee.
Terry Bernardo would be an excellent Chair. She is bright and would help bring in tourism. She also is a business owner and has a master's degree from Drexel University. I also hear she can do one hell of a job on the trapeze bar.
Blaber you should run for chair of Kingston Dem committee, you work hard for the party. Does it pay any money?
If Robb Kinnin becomes chair the go old boys would be more deeply intrench then befor..
Sinagra, Kinnin, McLean, Ingarra, Rausch x 2, Leahy, Lawlis, Postupack and Bruhn to name a few can't lead the committee. They are the reason why the City committee will never amount to anything. When you change the landscape there might be a glimmer of hope. LOL.
If you think the City's GOP Committee is disfunctional now just watch what would happen if Polacco was at the helm. He is not respected and has very little to offer in terms of rebuilding the Party. Many view him as the spoiler who ran on ego, not substance. (much like Cahill, but at least he had something to offer in the Mayor's race). Polacco offered nothing.
The Republican party was destroyed by an act of betrayal.Mr.Richard Cahill was the qualified and practical choice.His mayoral campaign of 07 was such that it established recognition and his behavior in this past election was commendable.Mr.Cahill was and is the best mayoral candidate in the Republican party.In a series of disconnects all administrators in the school district are associated with a school district in crisis ; regardless of their role or lack thereof "for they also serve who stand and wait."
Commendable? Cahill's behavior was nothing but commendable, he is a little dweeb and a sore loser. Fact is there was a primary and he got his ass kicked in it, the Republican's don't like him. If he wanted to do the commendable thing he would of got out of the race and support Ron Polacco. He is a little cry baby and a loser.
A man does not walk away from a betrayal nor does he betray his promise to the Conservative party nor does he ignore his costitutional right to seek office.I commend him on the uphill battle he fought knowing full well he would loose.He congratulated both opponents and was not disrespectful during the primary or general election.No candidate one on one could beat Mr.Gallo.In a universe of free thought let us assume he caused the defeat of one incapable of administering any office-than we all owe him a thank you. Call him names if you wish but that is more a reflection on you than him.
To 4:51 PM--The names you mentioned have been involved for so long they don't see themselves as part of the problem.
your lame for not printing my opinion of the gartenstein machine...if you actually have some standard you hold for printing these items at least let people know.
What is the Gartenstein machine exactly? He's one person..although he does have a few elections under his belt and the 2011 Mayor's race...lol, I didn't print your comment because it will start to go to his head :)
Please tell me more about this machine of mine. It really is very good for my ego. . .
I have been away from the blogosphere for a week or so.
When I came back it was interesting to see my name kicked around about Chairmanship for the City GOP. Others did encourage me to run for the position. In the future I may consider it but for now, its just not in the cards.
As for the good ole [not old] boys network remark. I do enjoy getting along with everyone as best as possible. However, being a part of that "network" is not something I have heard before. I have my own opinions and vote on matters based on my own findings and beliefs. Those that *really* know me know that I am an open listener and in the end I make my own decisions.
I can't fault anyone for doing the same thing as I would when it comes to voting and hope that anyone else can appreciate my thoughts too.
Thanks for reading and allowing me to share my thoughts.
-robb
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