Who Do You Want Answering the Phone?

Dan Gartenstein Joins Blaber Show Tonight!

Please tune into my show tonight at 8:30pm. This week, I'll be welcoming former School Board President Dan Gartenstein. Make sure to call in the show!

Freeman Pulls Hatchet Job on Assemblyman Cahill

I just want to point out that today's editorial in the Daily Freeman is pretty disgraceful. The Freeman continues to distort our Assemblyman's record and I find it appalling. They pretty much accused our Assemblyman of being a yes man for Shelly Silver because he sponsored a piece of legislation with Speaker Silver and could not recall the specific legislation when confronted by a lobbyist in what appears to be an informal and hostile manner. Or so they say, the Freeman does not include in it's editorial what the legislation was or what the other side of the story is. Instead, they lift an article from the NY Times, analyze it completely out of context and take the word of some lobbyist.

First, here is a list of some of the legislation that our Assemblyman has co-sponsored :

Prime-Sponsored Legislation:
A00029 Gen Bus L. safe pharma drugs
A00078 V & T L. registratn/title info
A00079 Gen Mun. hi risk duties standard
A00080 ABC. co-op agrmnt
A00126 Gen Mun. health ins emer serv vo
A00127 RPT L. property tax assessments
A00128 RPT L. cred. franchise fees
A00150 Lab. limit consctr. nurse hours
A00204 V & T L. fines fail safe appr ve
A00243 Pen L. temp. surr. firearms
A00244 Elect. polling place accessibilt
A00279 Ins. 3rd party notifctn for snrs
A00280 Telework 2007 Act: tsk frc/dem p
A00354 Ed L. sprinker equip; collg dorm
A00355 Academic review board; textbooks
A00378 Ed L. emplymt of schl nurses
A00402 Gen Bus L. homeowners; liens
A00403 Work C. cost-of-living adjustmt
A00404 RPT L. assessor recpt STAR
A00470 Civ Serv. hlth ins. after-adopte
A00477 Exec. int control officers respo
A00500 Tran. permit vets on taconic pkw
A00514 Vol Ffs Ben. claims asst unit
A00515 V & T L. no fees purple ht plate
A00518 V & T L. amber reflector/bikes
A00519 Ag & Mkts. animal release/custod
A00524 Ed L. prorated fee refund to sps
A00526 Ed L. commiss to recom trustees
A00527 Pub Serv. toll-free #/unslct
A00533 Ed L. acc`ntng exempts;
A00534 RPT L. reservoir valuation metho
A00573 En Con L. mining permit; applict
A00574 REALPRTX. forms w/ largr print
A00605 Soc Serv. 9/11 victim health car
A00606 Pub Serv. utility serv.center
A01277 Hudson Sch.Math,Sci.,Engineering
A02570 Ag & Mkts. agrcltl. notice to of
A02571 Exec. disab. discrim. prot.
A02600 ABC. on-prem wine: NY-prod bevs
A02601 Children`s book biennial contest
A02602 Pub Heal. ntfy ptnts revok medli
A03284 Genetics advisory council
A03462 Pub Serv. citizns` util advoc bd
A03463 Tax. exempt; schl book fair good
A03735 Exec. NYS genome institute
A03903 Ed L. school aid 75/25 ratio
A03904 Pub Serv. consumer guide
A03905 Pub Heal. ban smoking; st office
A03928 St Fin. net econ. imp on purchsn
A03929 Pub Heal. access dur med equip
A03930 Ed L. TAP awards
A03931 RPT L. tax & surv.maps; notice
A04739 Soc Serv. medical asst
A04746 Ed L. financing public education
A04785 Gen Bus L. fees for wireless com
A04786 Pub Heal. sep recyc mat & sl wst
A04787 Ed L. NY international schlp pro
A04788 Lab. liability of LLC, LLPs
A05639 Ed L. NY YouthBuild demo prog
A05703 Const. comptr; AG;special electn
A06517 Exec. tribal comp gaming facilit
A06892 RP L. 90 day evict not disabled
A06893 Pub Off. compt/AG vacancy; elect
A07645 Pub Heal. prescrption privacy ac
A07672 V & T L. Explore NY 400 plates
A07675 Pub Heal. genealogical research
A07683 Tax. deduct indiv plan empl svce
A07686 En Con L. mercury emissions redu
A07692 Ed L. nutritionists; alt; healin
A07713 En Con L. FOI dam safety
A07714 Pub Serv. util rate eco impact
A07715 Gen Bus L. credit card late char
A07716 Pk & Rec. herit infrastrctre act
A07717 Elect. campaign expenditures
A07718 Pub Heal. nursing home agreemt
A07719 Ed L. medical physics; reg fees
A07720 Pub Off. sale of real prop state
A07721 Exec. observ patient; unlawful
A07722 Tax. ind. cntrts. dir. new hires
A07723 CP L. bench warrants; ct officer
A07724 Pub Off. exemptions health safet
A07796 Ed L. schl dist vote; resid proo
A07797 Ec Dev. child. ed. eco. act
A07798 ABC. sale of liquor; on/off-site
A07802 Elect. ballot pamphlets
A07829 Ins. hair prosthesis; coverage
A07830 Ed L. director of facilities
A07831 Personal care trend language
A07852 Ins. super ins proh retro chgbks
A07853 Ins. recd pers med info
A07854 Vol Ffs Ben. pymnt of death benf
A07855 Hway. Shawangunk Wine Trai
lA07856 Soc Serv. asst/durable med equip
A07880 Ed L. school energy reserve fund
A07894 Ins. 1st surg asst svs reimbs
A07958 Tax. tax stamps; cigarettes
A07959 Ed L. eliminate citizenship req.
A07989 Leg. NYS legislative research sv
A08025 Const. office of public advate
A08380 Retire: Vincent G. Bradley bnfit
A08473 Civ Serv. dir of fcltys; cvl srv
A08886 Tax. petroleum heating exemption
A08925 Exec. Esopus creek added
A09026 Hudson River Valley Greenway
A09063 ABC. exempts cert parcels
A09104 Gen Mun. commun preserve funds
A09105 Gen Mun. commun preserve funds
A09345 Ag & Mkts. companion anl hoardin
A09359 Tax. Ulster Co transfr tax
A09478 ABC. exempts cert parcels

A long and impressive list if you ask me. I think it is perfectly reasonable especially since the Freeman gave no context to the year the bill was sponsored, that Kevin may not of remembered a bill when put on the spot. It takes time to go back and look it up and give a detailed answer, which Cahill offered to do. And, of course, the Freeman knows that is the case. The Freeman should stop their vendetta against Cahill and other progressive Democrats. Is it any wonder why Assemblyman Cahill refuses to talk to a "news" paper that continues to smear him on a regular basis?

Bruno's Majority Down to 1 Seat: Aubertine Wins Senate Seat in Heavy GOP District

Majority Leader Joe Bruno must be shaking in his cowboy boots tonight after his once large majority has shrunk to a single seat after Democrat Assemblyman Darell Aubertine defeated William Barkely in a special election tonight in the 48th Senatorial district that has a huge GOP advantage.

Expect Governor Eliot Spitzer to roll out the red carpets and offer GOP Senators in key districts nice easy jobs in his administration to take back the State Senate. Our own Senator John Bonacic is rumored to be considering switching his party registration and becoming a Democrat. Bonacic also lives in a key district and could be one of the Senators to be asked again to join the administration. In which case Sue Zimet would easily win a special election for the seat. Whether it's now or in November, the writing is on the wall for the Dems to take back the Senate.

Also on a side note Stuart Fraser went down and campaigned for now Senator-elect Aubertine and that's not unusual. Mr. Fraser is someone that really does great things for our party. Not only is he someone that is always willing to help you out but the type of guy that will go all the way to Oswago County to campaign for a special election that will benefit our party. Kudos to Stuart Fraser.

Aubertine got 27,712 votes, compared to Barclay's 25,001 votes, according to the unofficial breakdown of election results from the three counties that cover the district:

Oswego County (98% reporting):

13,290-Will Barclay

7,759-Darrell Aubertine

St. Lawrence County (100% reporting):

4,084-Will Barclay

6,502-Darrell Aubertine

Jefferson County (99% reporting):

7,627-Will Barclay

13,451-Darrel Aubertine

Ringwood's Smoking Ban Moves Closer to Law

The Kingston Laws and Rules Committee unanimously recommended that smoking be banned in all City owned property. The penalty for violation would be $100.

This is really a no-brainier, the effects of smoking and second hand smoke are extremely dangerous and Innocent bystanders on City property should be protected.

One example of how this will improve the quality of life for Kingstonians is this: After the Kingston hospital banned smoking on their property, hospital employees go over and smoke at city hall. Senior citizens coming to pay their taxes should not have to breath that smoke. While hospital employees are moving to city hall, in the long run they will be sending City Hall employees to Kingston Hospital.

I commend Alderman Ringwood and urge all the members of the Kingston Common Council to vote in favor of this.

Clinton to Obama: 'Shame on you'

Mike Hein for County Executive

I said in November when Mr. Hein first announced that I was going to wait until late February or early March before I looked at this race for County Executive. Over those months, I have had time to research what the qualifications are for the position and in my opinion there is no one that is qualified to lead this county as our first executive more than Mike Hein. As County Administrator Mike Hein has shown the proven leadership skills to lead this county in the right direction. I will be pleased to support him to be the Democratic nominee for Ulster County Executive.


With that being said, there is a fundraiser for Mr. Hein next month that I encourage people to attend. Details below.

You are invited to Join the Committee to Elect Mike Hein as the First Ulster County Executive


Where : The Reservoir Inn
159 Basin Rd (off Route 28), West Hurley
When : Friday, March 14th 6-9pm

Buffet/Cash Bar/ Live Band - $30.00 person

RSVP to 331 3638 by March 10th

Checks payable to:
Committee to Elect Mike Hein
PO Box 3005
Kingston, NY  12402

Williams to be on Jeremy Blaber Show

I got a call tonight from former Ulster County D.A. Don Williams today and he had left a message about coming on my show to discuss the social host law that he has spearheaded. I give Mr. Williams a lot of credit for that, I had some concerns and he has reached out to me to address them. I'm working to set up a date to have Mr. Williams on my show in the near future. I have a great deal of respect for Mr. Williams, he is a person who has dedicated his life to public service, I'm confident that his appearance on my show will inform the public as well as myself on this new law. More details as they develop.

Ulster Town Board Steps Up To Keep KPA Going

Below is a video of the Town of Ulster Board voting to give 5,000 dollars to public Access for the year of 2008. The measure passed 4-1 with Councilman Kitchen voting against the proposal.

" I'm not against KPA but I don't agree with the way it is being funded. Councilman Kitchen donated $250 out of his own pocket, Supervisor Woerner doubled that amount by pledging $500.


Thanks to Clark Richters for the video

Hillary Clinton's Great Moment Last Night

Jeremy Blaber with NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli

NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli came down to Kingston for a round table discussion between business leaders and elected officials in Ulster County. There was a lot of talk about the discussion of the upstate economy and the state of Ulster County. Comptroller DiNapoli referred to Ulster County as above the curve on many key issues in New York State.

After the round table discussion which I only caught the last five minutes of, there was a smaller round table for the "press" which consisted of Jesse Smith, of the Kingston Times and myself getting about a half hour of one on one time with our Comptroller which was exciting and informative. There is no doubt in my mind that the State Legislature, Cahill included, made the right choice in picking DiNapoli. I found Comptroller DiNapoli to be very knowledgeable about our fiscal issues and and extremely down to earth.

Many may remember that I was one of the first in the state to support and mention DiNapoli in 2006 for the State's Chief Fiscal Post. Read post here: Blaber Endorses DiNapoli for Comptroller


Kingston Mayor James Sottile presents NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli with a City of Kingston lapel pin which DiNapoli sported the rest of the day.

Make Sure To Tune In Tomorrow For My New Show

My new show will start this Thursday (tomorrow) and will air at 8:30pm. Be sure to watch and call in if you would like.

Show Schedule :

2/21 Jonathan Sennett

2/28 Dan Gartenstein

3/6 Assemblyman Marc Molinaro

3/13 Ulster County Legislator Rich Parete

Paula Leonard,former Judge and Ulster Police Commisioner Suffers Heart Attack

Paula Leonard a former Ulster Town Justice and current Ulster Police Commisioner suffered a heart attack and is undergoing emergancy surgery. I ask that people keep Justice Leonard in your thoughts for the next few days. More details as they become available.

Yankee Jim Kills Wife And Then Self

Jim Leshkevich a white supremacist who went by the name "Yankee Jim", shot his wife Deberah Leskhevich, an employee of the Onteora school district, and then hung himself after finding out his wife was having an affair.

State police at the Ulster barracks said they went to 213 Morgan Hill Road at 11 a.m. after co-worker's of Deborah Leshkevich voiced concern about her well-being. Police said that, once inside the house, they found Mrs. Leshkevich, 55, dead in a bedroom and the body of her husband James, 52, in an attached garage.

Jim Leshkevich was one of the organizers of a rally in Kingston last year headed by Hal Turner.

Last night, Leshkevich left a rambling post on his blog about his wife's affair (www.thehudsonvalleyfreeman.blogspot.com), in the post he wrote, "This will also be the last post on The Hudson Valley Freeman for a while. I'm just too depressed over all this to continue. Hopefully that'll change in the future.Why the fuck did it have to end like this?!!!"

The blog post also goes into great details and names names....it's intresting to see how this guys mind works. Sourses say that Mrs. Leshkevich was in the process of getting a divorce. The situation is very tragic.

Just Words. Just not Obama's.

Obama outed as a plagiarist. Give me a break with this guy, his message of hope is not even his own.

Jonathan Sennett To Appear This Thursday On My New Show

Jonathan Sennett the 2007 Democratic nominee for District Attorney, will be the first guest on my new show that will air live this Thursday at 8:30 on ch. 23. I'm honored to have Mr. Sennett on my first show back and I encourage people to watch and call in.

Blaber News Poll : Kingston Should Fund KPA

The Blaber News poll that was conducted this last week shows that 51% of people feel that the City of Kingston should fund public access. There is a finance meeting this Thursday at 7:30pm. I encourage people to go out and tell the committtee how you feel. The chair and memebers of Kingston's finacne committee are good resonable people and will listen.

Assemblyman Molinaro to Appear on my New Show

Assemblyman Marcus Molinaro will be a guest on my new show on March 6th at 7:30pm. Molinaro first appeared on my show when he was running for Assembly and I'm glad to have him back on. Assemblyman Molinaro represents the 103rd district of the New York State Assembly.


Also, I'll be doing a poll on the naming of my new show, it used to be be Late Night w/ Jeremy Blaber, now that I'm on at 8:30 I need to change it.

BREAKING NEWS: SOTTILE WILL APPOINT HOFFAY IN MAY

Kingston Mayor Jim Sottile has confirmed that he will appoint Tom Hoffay in May to replace Alderwoman Ringwood who is moving out of the area. Jim Sottile has made a great descion and I think the residents of Ward 2 will be well served.