Sottile Drops Insurance Costs

Mayor Jim Sottile, who is known to save the city money anyway he can, has recently agreed to an insurance package that will save the city $132,000. this is a big win for the tax-payers said Blaber.

Not everyone is happy with the savings, Alderman Rich Cahill (r-w6) said Typically, consumers seek better rates when their own policies come up for renewal.
I don't get it? Mr. Cahill should Mayor Sottile have waited until the policy ran up? Or try to start saving the Tax Payers money as soon as possible? It seems Alderman Cahill is more concerned about making our mayor look bad then he is about saving tax payers money.

"He should get on the positive train," Sottile said .

Sen Clinton: No Raises for Congress Until Minimum Wage Goes Up

Senator Hillary Clinton who has been very instrumental in working for the people of NY, particularly the middle class has introduced a bill that will prevent members of congress from getting a raise until minimum wage goes up. Minimum wage right now is too low said Blaber they need to start thinking about living wages, how can someone raise a family on $5.15 an hour? I applaud Sen.Clinton on her efforts.

Hillary introduced a bill that would prevent Congress from giving itself a raise until it raises the minimum wage. For the last nine years, the minimum wage has stayed at just $5.15 an hour, while Congress has raised its pay by $31,600. Democrats have vowed to block any raise for Congress pushed by the Republican leadership.

"I am very proud that Democrats are standing up for the idea of linking a Congressional pay raise to increasing the minimum wage, and I urge Republicans to join us, and I urge people around our country to make their voices heard on this," said Sen. Clinton.

Kingston Public Access Telethon Raises $7591

Dear Friends,
Earlier this afternoon we concluded our Kingston Public Access Telethon, I am pleased to announce because of your support and the support of the community we were able to raise seven thousand five hundred and sixty one dollars. This is a big win for public access and for the viewers of public access. I would like to thank all the producers, volunteers, local officials, businesses and people who pledged because of there hard work and tireless efforts this telethon was a success.

There are still challenges that lye ahead, we will be moving into a new studio and a lot of work goes into such a venture; I look forward to your continued help and support. Last night was a great example of how important public access is to the community and it showed what an effective tool public access can truly be.

I would also like to give a special thanks to Alderman Bob Senor who was able to raise eight hundred dollars in one hour by putting himself out on the line, he has been a great sport and I am sure him and Eric will have fun on there date.

- Jeremy Blaber
K.P.A. Vice-Chairman

Kingston Public Access Begins 24 hr. telethon Monday with Main Event "Win A Date With Bob Senor"

"Win a Date With Bob Senor" will be the main event this Monday as Kingston Public Access T.V. Kicks off a 24 hour telethon to benefit the station, update equiptment etc. 100% of money raised goes to K.P.A. directly all producers and commissioners are all volunteers.


Before I go any further I would like to thank all the members of this community for there continued support of Kingston Public Access and I want to thank all the businesses that have donated to public access to make this telethon possible without the viewers and the local businesses this telethon and Public access would not be running, you guys are what make public access what it has become today and for that I thank you. I also would like to publicly thank Alderman Robert Senor for putting himself on the line and being a great sport for a great cause, he truly is a man of great character and integrity.


The telethon will kick off at 12pm on Monday and last until 12pm Tuesday, there will be local entertainment from poets, musicians and comedians. There will also be local politicians and leaders of the community including Mayor Jim Sottile,Town of Ulster Supervisor Nick Woerner, Alderman Bob Senor, Alderman Bill Reynolds, Alderman Lenny Walker, Chief Civil Officer Don Ryan and many others.

Some give aways will be "win a date with Bob Senor" Lenny Walker mows your lawn, Golf trip, A dinner prepared at your home and a cooking lesson, a picture painted by Chris Gonyea, Benchello's gift certificate, Dinner for two at Mariner's Harbor, dinner for two at Rosita's, $100 Gift card to The Steel House, dinner for two at the down town cafe, go-cart passes, $ 250 Microwave from Earl B. Friden, Coffee from Uptown Cigar shop, $25 dollar gift card from Portabella's, 3 month pass to fitness Unlimited, Late Night with Jeremy Blaber season one, and lots more.

The Telethon will be hosted by Jeremy Blaber and Local Comedian Rich Shultis.

Kingston School District Budget Fails

The Kingston school district budget FAILED yesterday, despite the fact the school board worked diligently to cut more then 1.6 million dollars from the original budget, and proposed a less then 1 percent increase of what is mandated by the state. " I am disappointed if there is anything I think we should spend money on it's education said Blaber it is an investment, we need to give our future (our children) the best educational environment possible. I do not think this budget will do that, but the people have spoken and it is what it is and I accept it."

Kingston School district Superintendent Gerry Gretzinger said he tried to keep as much as possible for the kids even under the austerity budget.

I thank Superintendent Gretzinger for his hard work on this, here is what the people took away from the kids:

* $100,000 for building work and repairs (only emergency repairs will be allowed) and $2,000 for summertime school improvements.
* $30,000 for high school and middle school extracurricular activities, a 50 percent cut.
* $50,000 for interscholastic sports, a 50 percent cut that will force the elimination of such new sports as bowling and girls' golf.
* One teaching position (grades 7-12) and benefits, at $68,799.
* $25,000 for seasonal employees and substitutes.
* $15,000 for an energy manager.
* $199,900 for equipment purchases.
* $15,000 for staff development, a 33 percent cut.
* $30,000 for teaching supplies and audio visual supplies, cuts of 31 and 55 percent, respectively.
* $10,000 from the Committee on Special Education, a 35 percent cut.
* $10,000 for night school, an 8 percent cut.
* $40,000 in debt service.
* A $685,000 transfer to the district's capital account

Alderman Ringwood Gets Tough on graffiti

Alderman Jennifer Ringwood who has made it a priority to clean up the city with her numerous neighborhood cleanups and work with neighborhood watches has struck again this time tackling graffiti, which recently has become a problem in this city. "Jen's work for Kingston is commendable and I really am pleased with her efforts" said Blaber.

Alderman Ringwood's proposal was favored by the laws and Rules Committee 4-1 (Alderman Cahill) the law will require property owners to remove graffiti within a 10-day period or face a reinspection fee of $150 leveled by inspectors with the Building Safety Division.

"Some of these tags have been there for years, not days, not weeks, and something needs to be done about it," Ringwood said.

Chief of Police Gerry Keller also praised the plan saying graffiti sometimes occurs in spurts, with one vandal trying to outdo or match another one. Keller said that by getting the graffiti removed quickly in a 10-day period may prevent its spread.

This will be an effective law and will help our city look it's best. I think it will also prevent graffiti said Blaber. Once these thugs who are vandalizing peoples homes see that there "tags" are being so quickly removed they won't do it anymore.

Town Supervisor Nick Woerner Continues Good Works For Ulster

It was January 1st Supervisor Nick Woerner took office after easily defeating opponent Walter Maxwell, since then Supervisor Woerner has done an impressive job in the town. " Supervisor Woerner is doing a fantastic job, he has brought a blast of fresh air to the town, his passion and commitment to the town and it's residents are inescapable" said Blaber.


Supervisor Woerner has passed a tentative contract with Laborers Local 17 covers all town employees, an act that will provide wage increases by 3.6 percent over the next three years. "It was one of the main priorities that Democrats campaigned on in the 2005 elections," he said. Also the Supervisor is working to fix the town's phone system which is broken, the 4 year old system does not allow residents to leave messages after hours, a "new Executone phone system" is going to be installed. In February the Town board approved Supervisor Woerner's plan to authorized borrowing $600,000 to repaint the Ulster Water District storage tank and build a pump station. "We do have the water currently coming in right now," "What this is going to allow us to do is when the demand becomes higher, such as in the summer months and when our contract increases ... to pump in the necessary amounts that we will need." said Nick. The Town also has a legal police Commission under Woerner.

Supervisor Woerner has only been in office for a little over 6 months and so much has been accomplished, the town is lucky to have his leadership. If this is any indication of what is to come then the town is in for something great. One thing I can say for sure is the town is in good hands.

Blaber News Person of the Week Alderman Bob Senor

Blaber News Person of the Week : Alderman Bob Senor " Alderman Senor's work for the city and his ward is very visible and I applaud him for his tireless efforts to the city and his constituents" said Blaber

Alderman Senor has done great things for this city and his ward since regaining office in January. In just six short months back in office Senor has accomplished a lot. The Roundout Market once plagued with loiterers and drug activity is now free and clear from such activity and people are no longer afraid to shop there. Another important accomplishment in ward 8 is the repair of the traffic light on Delaware Ave., now the kids at Kennedy school are able to cross the street and use the crosswalk with out fear of being struck by a speeding car.

The Alderman has also been an independent voice on the council most recently taking a stand on not rushing into a memorializing resolution in were the city of Kingston would support keeping the high school in Kingston. Even though this is a touchy subject for people and in it's very early stages the Minority Leader of the city had put tremendous pressure upon Senor and the rest of the council to vote in favor of this resolution and state there position. While Senor did state that he was not in favor of a new school he voted to table the resolution to a later date to gather more information so he could make an informed decision, I applaud the Alderman for doing so and showing that he represents the people, not the party.

Alderman Senor has also participated in joint neighborhood meetings led by Alderman Bill Reynolds and has done so in a bipartisan manner, having participated in the neighborhood meetings with him I can say they have been a success.

Jeremy Blaber with Congressman Hinchey after the Congressman was nominated to run for re-election to the 22nd Congressional District

Blaber News Gives 2006 endorsements

Governor- Elliot Spitzer www.spitzer2006.com
LT.Governor - David Patterson
U.S. Senate Hillary R. Clinton www.hillaryclinton.com
Attorney General- Andrew Cuomo www.andrewcuomo.com
Congress 22nd District Maurice Hinchey www.hincheyforcongress.org/
Congress 19th District Ben Shuldiner www.ben2006.com
NYS assembly 101st district Kevin Cahill
NYS Senate 40th district Sue Zimet
NYS Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi
State Supreme Court Karen Peters
Ulster County Sheriff Paul Van Blarcum www.paulforsheriff.com/

It is with a great sense of honor I give my full endorsement to these candidates, they all have proven leadership and proven results. I know that once (re) elected they will fight hard for there constituents and work hard to make sure they provide the best services possible for the people they represent.

Broadway Looking Cleaner?

After looking at Broadway it seems cleaner, all the trash that once disheveled Broadway has been removed, papers and bottles seem to be replaced with flowers and neatly cleaned sidewalks. " It really is something, it has improved surpassingly said Blaber.

Mayor Sottile has done a great job reshaping Broadway and making it a cleaner and more appealing part of the city, my hat is off to him.

Although Blaber was quick to point out the transformation on Broadway, it is not unique to Broadway. The city looks better as a whole said one city resident, "I am proud to live here, our Mayor has done a fantastic job making Kingston look and feel more desirable."

Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi To Appear On Late Night w/ Jeremy Blaber

Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi who is currently seeking the democratic nomination for Governor will appear on Late Night w/Jeremy Blaber. The Nassau County Executive will be in the Kingston area next week and has agreed to do a tapping for Blaber's June 13th show. " I am honored to have this opportunity said Blaber."


I plan to discuss why Mr.Suozzi is running and what his plans are for the state and specifically for upstate NY said Blaber. There are a lot of issues that are on our minds as New Yorkers, the rising cost of health care for our seniors, our children's education and the tax rate in NY state, the people will want to know his positions said Blaber.

* In an effort to remain impartial Jeremy Blaber and Blaber News and Commentary have NOT endorsed any candidate for the NYS Governor's race, and has given an invitation to all candidates to come on his weekly show.

City Of Kingston Maintains Great Credit Rating

Mayor Jim Sottile who has worked hard to keep the city's bond rating at a satisfactory level is seeing his hard work pay off, The city has maintained its credit rating by Moody's Investor Services for the second consecutive year, the service put Kingston's credit rating at Baa1, the same as in 2005, after sharply downgrading it three years ago. In 2003, Moody's gave the city a Baa2 standing, a three-point drop from its previous rating of A2.

Moody's said that the latest rating "reflects the city's improved financial position that reversed a trend of deficit operations, a slowly growing tax base that expects an accelerated rate of growth going forward. "

Mayor Sottile pointed out that the credit rating service sees the city on the right track, "The comments by Moody's is (affirming) the polices that I have put in place and that we are moving in the right direction and have a positive outlook," Sottile said.

This is more great news said Blaber, Mayor Sottile is doing an excellent job at doing what is best for the tax-payers of this community. Blaber also pointed out that Sottile's work enables the city to save money, " when we have to borrow money, we are now able to do so at a lower interest rate.

Peter Kraft To Appear On Late Night W/ Jeremy Blaber

Ulster County Legislator Peter Kraft will join Late Night W/ Jeremy Blaber this Monday at 10pm. Peter Kraft represents district 3 in the Ulster County Legislator which includes The Towns of Hurley, Marbletown and Olive.

Legislator Kraft also Chairs the Human Development Committee.

Gov.Howard Dean and Ozzy Osbourne Duet?

Blaber News Person Of The Week Congressman Maurice Hinchey

Blaber News is pleased to have Congressman Maurice Hinchey as this weeks person of the week. Congressman Hinchey represents the 22nd district of New York. "I always say we are spoiled to have Hinchey as our congressman, we have such great representation here in Ulster County because of Maurice," said Blaber.

Congressman Maurice Hinchey has a proven record of getting results for the communities he represents. Since 1995, he has delivered nearly $3 billion for the 22nd Congressional District, including $220 million for Ulster County. In the last two years, Hinchey has secured more than $18 million for projects in Ulster County.
These federal investments in our region have created jobs, helped communities provide the infrastructure for economic growth, have made low-cost capital available for business startups and expansion, strengthened our schools and health care systems, promoted our tourism industry and lured new businesses to the area.
Highlights from the 108th Congress include:
Education
Kingston: $499,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Physical Education Program to the Kingston City School District, allowing the district to improve and expand its physical education programs.
Saugerties: Hinchey successfully earmarked $150,000 for the Saugerties Boys and Girls Club to help finance renovations to its new headquarters.
Environmental & Historic Protection
Countywide: For the 2003 and 2004 fiscal years, Hinchey secured $1.15 million for the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area to fund its grant program for communities and non-profit organizations to preserve significant sites in the Hudson Valley, perform public outreach and education, and promote tourism and community-based economic development. An additional earmark of $500,000 was included in the House-passed version of the Interior Appropriations spending bill for the upcoming fiscal year.
Cragsmoor: Hinchey successfully earmarked $750,000 for the Sam's Point Preserve Visitors' Center in the House-passed version of highway reauthorization legislation, which is still awaiting final approval. Funding will be used to construct a visitors' center and improve entrance to the 4700-acre wilderness area on the Shawangunk Ridge.
East Kingston: $532,000 low-interest loan and $562,000 grant to the town of Ulster from the U.S.D.A. for the development of the East Kingston Water District, serving 64 users.
Glenerie: $162,900 low-interest loan from the USDA's Rural Development Administration for the completion of the Glenerie Water District in the Town of Ulster.
Highmount: $475,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for renovations at Belleayre Ski Resort.
Kingston: Hinchey successfully earmarked $1.6 million for Kingston's waterfront restoration in the House-passed version of highway reauthorization legislation, which is still awaiting final approval. Funding will be used to enhance the waterfront promenade by constructing a landscaped trail from the proposed Noah Hotel to Kingston Point.
Kingston: In the 2004 fiscal year, Hinchey earmarked $100,000 for historic preservation of the Old Dutch Church, which will fund emergency repairs to its exterior.
Marlborough: $150,000 grant to the Town of Marlborough for improvements to Cluett-Schantz Memorial Park, including the addition of two multi-purpose athletic fields and new tennis courts. The grant was awarded through the National Park Service's Land and Water Conservation Fund.
New Paltz: $250,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant to the Town of New Paltz for the construction of a 78-acre sports and recreation park.
New Paltz: $250,000 Save America's Treasures grant for the stabilization and repair of the Jean Hasbrouck House, one of the few surviving examples of the late 17th century dwellings build by French Huguenots who founded New Paltz.
Shandaken: Hinchey submitted testimony to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation urging that it give the most rigorous scrutiny to the proposed Crossroads Ventures, LLC development. Subsequently, he filed public comments strongly opposing the proposal, which threatened the New York City Watershed and Catskill Park.
Health
Kingston: Hinchey secured a $350,000 earmark for Benedictine Hospital to help construct and equip an on-campus Comprehensive Oncology Center to fill the critical need for cancer treatment in the area.
Housing
Countywide: $52,800 grant for housing counseling to the Rural Ulster Preservation Company. The HUD program helps families understand the home buying process, get credit problems fixed and helps them avoid predatory lending practices.
Ellenville: $400,000 Youthbuild grant from HUD to Ulster BOCES to expand its program to the Village of Ellenville. Twenty young people will be trained in housing construction as they renovate a house located in the village.
Kingston: $350,000 grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York's Affordable Housing Program to the Kingston Housing Authority. KHA will create Birchwood Village, an 80-unit rental housing complex for single-parent households and homeless families.
Kingston: $1 million commitment over five years to Family of Woodstock from HUD's Transitional Living Program for Runaway and Homeless Youth to assist homeless youth and help them make the transition to independence.
Jobs & Economic Development
Kingston: $465,000 Small Business Administration loan for the purchase and rehabilitation of the Skytop Motel and Restaurant. The loan allows the property's new owners to reopen the hotel, create seven jobs and eventually reopen the restaurant.
Kingston: $1.91 million Section 108 loan guarantee from HUD to the City of Kingston for the Noah Hotel project on Kingston's waterfront. The loan guarantee brings to $10.2 million the total federal funding Hinchey has secured for the project, which includes the construction of a 57-room hotel, conference center and 16-boat slip on the Rondout Creek.
Kingston: Announced that the City of Kingston had qualified as a HUD entitlement community, entitling the city to guaranteed annual funding through the Community Development Block Grant program instead of competing for funding for CDBG grants with other small cities around the state. CDBG grants are used for small business development and community revitalization.
Kingston: Hinchey successfully earmarked $594,000 for streetscape improvements in historic uptown Kingston in the House-passed version of highway reauthorization legislation, which is still awaiting final approval. The upgrades to sidewalks and pedestrian crossings will make uptown Kingston businesses more accessible and attractive to shoppers.
Kingston: In the 2003 fiscal year, Hinchey earmarked $1 million to Ulster County for the construction of a visitors' center, drawing new tourism business to the county.
Kingston: Hinchey secured a $400,000 earmark for the Kingston-Newburgh Enterprise Community, to continue KNEC's efforts to promote urban renewal and economic development through job training initiatives. The funds would enable KNEC to continue to offer training programs for local community college students to transition into the local workforce, sponsor job fairs and establish counseling and referral programs.
Lake Katrine: $173,000 Small Business Administration Loan to Excel Auto Glass, allowing the company to purchase new, larger headquarters.Milton: $1.5 million low-interest loan guarantee to Hudson Valley Domicile, LLC. Hudson Valley Domicile is constructing a more than 87,000-square-foot air-supported dome in Milton. It will contain four artificial turf fields suitable for indoor soccer, lacrosse, flag football and field hockey. The facility will also include an indoor golf driving range and batting cages. The project will create nine full-time jobs and 15 part-time jobs.
Saugerties: Hinchey brokered a deal between the Army Corps of Engineers and Horseshows in the Sun (HITS) proprietor Tom Struzzieri that allowed HITS to build a state-of-the-art equestrian facility in Saugerties. The ACOE had raised concerns about wetlands areas on the HITS property. In exchange for permission to move forward with its plans, HITS contributed $250,000 toward the acquisition of 125 acres of property adjacent to the Esopus Creek in the Village of Saugerties. This acquisition by the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development and the Esopus Creek Conservancy will mitigate three acres of wetlands impacted by the HITS development. HITS is expected to annually generate $30 million of economic activity for Saugerties and the surrounding area.
Saugerties: Hinchey successfully earmarked $1 million for street upgrades in the Village of Saugerties in the House-passed version of highway reauthorization legislation, which is still awaiting final approval. He also earmarked $125,000 in appropriations legislation for the project. Funding will be used for the village's nine-point beautification plan, which includes such projects as improved street lighting, Main Street cleanup and tree revitalization.
Public Safety
Countywide: The Ulster Regional Drug Court received a $16,750 grant as part of a $3.4 million earmark that Hinchey secured for New York State to expand its drug treatment court system. Treatment courts provide supervised drug treatment, testing and monitoring for non-violent offenders.
Claryville: $198,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program for the purchase of a new fire engine.
High Falls: $109,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program to support firefighter safety programs of the High Falls Fire Department.
Kingston: $132,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program to support firefighter safety programs of the Kingston City Fire Department.
Pine Hill: $15,500 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program to support firefighter safety programs of the Pine Hill Fire Company.
Plattekill: $76,400 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program to support firefighter safety programs.
Ruby: $48,700 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program to support firefighter safety programs.
Transportation
Countywide: Hinchey earmarked $50,000 for improved bus service in Ulster County through the Jobs Access and Reserve Commute (JARC) program, which connects low-income workers to available jobs.
Countywide: In the 2004 fiscal year, Hinchey earmarked $40,000 for Ulster County Area Transit for the purchase of a new transit support vehicle. The vehicle will be used to respond to safety-related bus failures on the road, greatly reducing the need to tow buses at significant costs to the county.
Countywide: Hinchey earmarked $900,000 for Ulster County Rural Transportation for the construction of a bus garage.
Kingston: Hinchey secured a $240,000 earmark for the City of Kingston to upgrade its buses and purchase new buses.
Saugerties: Hinchey successfully earmarked $500,000 for the relocation of Tissal Road in the House-passed version of highway reauthorization legislation, which is still awaiting final approval. Funding will be used to reroute traffic at the intersection of Tissal Road, Old Kingston Highway and the CSX rail line at the entrance to the Northeast Solite plant.

Reynold's WIFI Plan Could Go County wide

About two months ago Alderman Bill Reynolds proposed Kingston begin examining the concept of providing free wireless broadband Internet access to its businesses and citizens, earlier this month the council voted 8-1 for a memorializing resolution to support in Mayor Sottile seeking requests for proposals. Now Leg. Brian Cahill and Leg. Rob Parete are looking at expanding Reynold's idea throughout Ulster county.

An Ulster County legislative committee is requesting information from wireless Internet services as part of an effort to connect the entire county to a WiFi network, including rural areas that do not have access. Ulster County legislators Brian Cahill, D-Ulster, and Robert Parete, D-Boiceville, said Wednesday that the Legislature's Administrative Services Committee has agreed to seek requests for information from wireless providers.

I think this is great, we are looking at putting this county into the 21st century and making it a desirable place to live and a good way to bring business into the county said Blaber.

Andrew Halpern of Tivoli, president of the company American WiFi, who made his pitch to the Kingston Common Council said he would be willing to present his plan to the Ulster County Legislature, on Wednesday.

Still not everyone wants to see Kingston and Ulster County move forward, Alderman Richard Cahill (r-ward6) has stated he is not in favor of the city nor the county providing free service to the people, Cahill said the city and the county should be "more concerned" about the rising taxes then "the internet."

It is a shame that even bipartisan efforts to better the residents of the city and the county somehow have to be made political said Blaber

School Board Election A Success

Congratulation to the School Board Winners!

Chris Farrell 3161
David Fletcher 2976
Jim Shaughnessy 2850

I am glad the voters were able to sift through the lies and deception and vote for the candidates that will do what is best for the children in our district and provide them with the best education experience possible.

I also would like to thank Matt McCoy who ran respectfully in a very competitive race, I am sure next time around he will be on the board and will do a fine job.

Don't Forget on Tuesday, May 16th Vote Farrell, Shaughnessy, and McCoy for School Board

Don't forget to Vote on Tuesday, May 16th for Chris Farrell, Jim Shaughnessy, and Matt McCoy for the Kingston City School board elections. These candidates will do what is in the best interest for your tax-dollars and most of all what is best for the children in the district. They unlike other candidates have NO hidden agenda.

Chris Farrell- Chris Farrell is currently a sitting member of the Kingston School board and is seeking re-election to another three year term, under Mr. Farrell's tenure as a school board trustee a lot has been accomplished, he has prioritized facility repairs and addressed them on a yearly basis, implemented full-day Kindergarten throughout the district, and has supported sound fiscal policies, we need proven leadership and Mr.Farrell has that leadership.

Jim Shaughnessy- Jim Shaughnessy decided to run for school board after he heard that the "shadow board" was running, Mr. Shaughnessy remembers what a disaster Gordon Webb and John Lee made the school district ten years ago. " Now that I have a nine year old daughter in the district, I have a stake in the system, I do not want to deal with a repeat of the shadow board experience. Mr.Shaughnessy founded Ives & Shaughnessy Web Information Services, one of the first web development companies in Ulster County. Mr. Shaughnessy is also a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a former junior high school teacher.

Matt McCoy- Matt McCoy decided to run for school board to improve the communication between the school board and the community, Mr. McCoy has been involved in the community his whole life coaching the boy's modified soccer team, coaching the girls under-14 team for the Port Ewen Athletic Association, asst. coach Kingston Girls Varsity softball under his father Coach Fred McCoy Sr., volunteer Fireman for the St. Remey Fire dept. and is a member of the ancient Order of Hibernians. Mr.McCoy is a graduate of Suny Ulster and employed at Begnal motors in Kingston.

* All three candidates have made it a priority to restore the Carnegie Library, which has sat dormant for over thirty years.

Blaber News Acquires Asemblyman Kevin Cahill's Autographed Tires

Blaber News has acquired the tires of Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, Jeremy Blaber bought the tires at an auction held by the friends of Kevin Cahill " I am not sure what I am going to do with the set of tires, but the one that was signed (by Kevin Cahill) proudly sits in my office" said Blaber. The cost for the set of tires a whopping 25 dollars.