Julian resigns as dem chair to launch run for congress

Julian Schreibman resigned last week as Chair of the Ulster County Democratic Committee to launch is campaign for Congress. Karen Markasinis is now acting chair of the committee.  I don't really no what I could add to this...

End of an Era

Congressman Hinchey's announcement that he would not run for another term is no surprise, he told me he was retiring early in January so I knew it was coming but still when his office made it official, I could not help but get knots in my stomach, it's sad. Congressman Hinchey is someone that never was afraid to stand up and do the right thing regardless of how unpopular it was in the court of public opinion. Congressman Hinchey is a hero to many and a man that served his constituents proudly, he will be missed in Congress. I wish him the very best in the future and hope he is able to enjoy his golden years with his family and friends...he deserves it.

On a side note: Allison Lee Hinchey's treatment by the local media has been disgusting and despicable. How dare they treat her the way they have because of issues they have with our distinguished Congressman. Mrs. Hinchey is a woman of class and does not deserve to be treated in the manner in which she has. I'm not saying to hide things or push them under the rug but putting it on the front page of the paper  with a picture that is not flattering is very disrespectful. I wish Mrs. Hinchey the very best and hope people and the press will respect her privacy.

What now with the 22nd?

Well there are several different things that may happen. I think most people are waiting for the state legislature to go through the redistricting process to see what is going to happen. Two congressional districts will be lost and with Hinchey retiring it would be easy to chop up the distirct. Ulster County could end up being lumped into Congressman Gibson's district or Congresswoman Hayworth's district.


For arguments sake lets assume that the 22nd stays intact, if that is the case who are the top contenders for the seat?

Kevin Cahill: Assemblyman Cahill is arguable the most qualified and best candidate that Democrats can put up. Kevin is smart, charismatic and has the experience as a legislator in both Ulster county were he served as Minority Leader and as state legislator where he has been in positions of leadership. Cahill a former chair of the state Assembly's ethics committee currently heads the Assembly's very influential energy committee. Congressman Cahill is a good fit.


Mike Hein: County Executive Hein is a great guy and someone that is very likable, even when I disagree with him (which is very rare) you can't help but like him. Mike Hein is committed to making Ulster County the best place ever to live work and raise a family and has been a breath of fresh air leading our county government.  Hein is sharp, a great speaker and damn impressive. Hein would also be an excellent choice for Congress.


Dan Ahouse: As a long time Chief of staff to Congressman Hinchey, Ahouse has the connections needed to run a congressional campaign. Dan Ahouse knows that district and the players like no other candidate could. Ahouse has helped a lot of people and has a lot of friends. Whether or not he is interested is another story but Ahouse is a serious contender if he wanted to make the plunge.

Juilan Schreibman: We hear the Democratic county Chairman is indeed interested in a run for congress. 



Binghamton Mayor Matt Ryan also has been rumored as a possible candidate for Congress. Ryan a popular Democrat will do really well in a Democratic primary. I do not know enough about Mayor Ryan to give an accurate assessment but he's in the mix.

George Phillips: The two time loser did really well last time he ran. Phillips who took money from Karl Rove hit the district with his campaign full of lies and deception. The smear campaign almost was successful, he certainly is going to try and make a run at it.

There will be both Democratic and Republican primaries for this race..it should be interesting and it's gonna swing into high gear pretty quickly.

It's Newt

Newt Gingrich destroys Romney to win South Carolina primary. If Rick Santorum gets out of the way, Newt Gingrich has a good shot to carry Florida and win the GOP nomination.

Bloomberg‎ - 7025 related articles

Results for South Carolina Republican Primary (U.S. Presidential Primary)

Jan 21, 2012 (100% of precincts reporting)

Newt Gingrich	243,153	40.4%
Mitt Romney	167,279	27.8%
Rick Santorum	102,055	17%
Ron Paul	77,993	13%
Rick Perry	2,494	0.4%
Other	8,192	1.4%

Watch Fendi at New World Stages

Please take a minute to watch this video. My friend the very talanted Fendi Munoz performed at New World Stages..someone like you. She's really a great singer who's extremely talented. Look for her to be a household name in a few years. :)

BREAKING NEWS CONGRESSMAN HINCHEY TO RETIRE

As first reported here on Blaber News last week: Congressman Hinchey will not seek another term for Congress..more later. This is a huge loss to the 22nd district.

Will we lose the district or will a long list of politicos now start running for his seat? Full details later.

2012 Predictions

Mayor Gallo Leads Kingston to become one of Money Magazine's 10 best places to live

The Kingston Common Council works with their new Mayor, reform of City government is easier than expected  when the new Alderman team up in a bipartisan manner and control the Majority.

Assembly and Senate Districts redistricting will yield new Ulster County players in state politics

Skartodos returns to Assembly


Kevin Cahill runs and is reelected in the new 101st

The legislature and Executive will be at odds on a scale we have not yet witnessed since the adoption of  the Charter form of government.

Congressman Hinchey retires-- a lot of local pols line up to replace..none anywhere near as good as Hinchey.

Dan Ahouse X Factor in that race, a bright guy with the connections and brains.

An elder party attorney will be elected Chair of the Ulster County Democratic Committee in a three way race.

Barack Obama is reelected President of the United States of America

Blaber becomes Chairman of City of Kingston Democratic Committee (I really hope this one is accurate!)

Congratulations to Chairman Bernardo; Terry first Woman to hold Top Post

  "The Charter set up a balance of power between this body, the executive and the comptroller, the vast overhaul proposed by some to make this legislature less effective is not welcomed from this chair today.”
                                         -Chairman Terry Bernardo,  Ulster County Legislature

Congratulations to Terry Bernardo who became the first woman to become Chairman of the Ulster County Legislature. Terry has been an unfair target by some of her political adversaries and she played it just right, she killed them with kindness and they underestimated her.

Terry Bernardo who holds a Master's degree from Drexel University will be a great Chair, in her first term as a legislator she fought hard for the residents of Warwarsing that have been suffering with flooding due to an unresponsive agency in NYC. If not for Terry Bernardo this issue would never of come to light. Bernardo is a go getter and will get results.


Personally, Terry and her husband Len are two of the nicest and caring people I have ever met and I love them both a great deal. I am not sure you can be proud of someone older than you are but I am very proud of Terry, this was well deserved.

Gallo Takes Charge

The Gallo Era Begins:

 His supporters are called Gallonista's according to Political Columnist Hugh Reynolds, and after more than a year of fighting the political establishment Shayne Gallo was able to break down their back door and  is now officially in charge; as Kingston's 33rd Mayor.

At the swearing in on New Year's day, well over 400 people packed City Hall to watch Shayne get sworn in. Most has to do with the tremendous outreach Gallo's team had during the election and a lot had to do with the hope that Kingstonians have in another Gallo being Mayor. You could just  feel that the people in that room and around the city have a restored sense of pride and hope that they had lost after death of T.R. Gallo. 
With insiders describing Shayne as T.R. on steroids, we are going to see a lot of positive changes in the next year. The closing of a boarding house on O'Reilly house was already a positive start by the new mayor.

Noticeably absent from Gallo's swearing in was Kingston Democratic Chairman Frank Cardinale, who has been at odds with Shayne. Cardinale who didn't support Gallo's bid for Mayor during the primary is showing that nothing much has really changed.