Blaber News' Pinheads and Patriots

Bill O'Reilly has a regular feature on his show called pinheads and patriots, on the show Bill features people that are helping America, patriots and people that are hurting America Pinheads.

Here at Blaber News, we will be doing a weekly spin off of that segment. I will feature people that are helping Ulster County become a better place, Patriots as well as people that are hurting Ulster County, Pinheads.

I also will take your suggestions for both categories. If you have a nomination please e-mail me the suggestion with a pithy description of why this person should be nominated to : blabernews@gmail.com All submissions will remain anonymous but please do not be truculent when writing to us.


Brian Cahill, the Majority Leader of the county legislature, has introduced legislation that would ban smoking on all county property. Mr. Cahill says that he came up with the idea after receiving complaints from county workers who complained they have to walk through a fog of second hand smoke to get into their work place. Some may remember the city of Kingston passed similar legislation a few months back and so far it has been successful. We agree that smoking should be banned on county property for the health of county workers and the general public. Mr. Cahill is a Patriot for addressing this important quality of life issue.


On the Pinhead front, Jim Quigley the Republican candidate for county comptroller, sent out a joint press release with his running mate that made claims about his opponent that were out right false. As a result not one news organization picked up on the story. Mr. Quigley takes a small hit in his judgment for this blunder and of course for not having his facts straight, he is a Pinhead.

Mayor and Council Gets Tough On Sexual Harassment

Based on Mayor Sottile's recommendations the Common Council on Tuesday adopted an updated anti-harassment policy that includes unwanted sexual comments and actions as prohibited behavior by city employees.

The revised anti-harassment policy adopted on Tuesday prohibits:

* Abusing the dignity of an employee through insulting or degrading sexual remarks or conduct.

* Threats, demands or suggestions that the status of an employee is contingent upon their tolerance or acquiescence to sexual advances.

* Subtle pressure for sexual activities, requests for sexual acts or favors, and sexually oriented comments.

* Showing or displaying pornographic or sexually explicit object or pictures in the workplace.

The policy applies to all city employees, elected officials, boards and commissions and includes actions taken outside the work place such as "during business trips, business meetings and business-related social events."

Alderman Landi, raised a legitimate concern of whether or not this legislation would be able to be enforced. I think it's a legitimate concern, one way to insure the recommendations are enforced is to hire a person that specifically deals with it's enforcement, as Mayor Sottile has proposed.

It's clear Jimmy Sottile is not playing any games and I hope the council will continue to support his efforts. This is a good first step.

OMG: Paris Hilton Strikes Back on McCain Ad

Funny new ad in response to the ridiculous one released by the McCain camp this week. The sad thing is Ms. Hilton has a better energy solution for this country than John McCain.

You can watch Paris' ad by clicking here

As Hein Goes, So Goes NY State

Mike Hein, the Democratic candidate for County Exec has taken a little heat from GOP leaders over the last week or so for making some tough decisions in regards to the Ulster County budget. Glenn Noonan, said these cuts are to get Hein elected County Executive, nothing more.

No, Mr. Noonan, the cuts where done by an administrator that recognized that we are in tough times as a County. A leader that realizes that it is his responsibility to make the tough decisions and do what is best for Ulster County.

Mike Hein continues to lead the way and show the same foresight as many current county executives on both sides of the aisle have shown throughout NY. Below you will see a few articles that deal with other counties facing similar problems and making the same tough decisions as Mike Hein did.

As they say, as Hein goes, so goes New York state.


HEIN LEADING THE WAY CALLS FOR BUDGET CUTS

Other Counties Follow Hein's Lead :

Dutchess Tightens It's Belt Aug 5th

Greene County Reins In Spending July 27th

Budget Woes Divide Sides In Dutchess July 27th

Rockland Exec Orders Budget Cuts

U.C. Republican Committee Sets Up Hit Blogs; Afraid Of My Blog's Effect

Before Jim Quigley announced he was running for County Comptroller, actually before anyone announced for the position, I was invited to Jim Quigley's house for lunch. We had a talk about my blog among other things. One of the things we also discussed was the fact that my blog was upsetting a lot of the GOP and he had been asked to finance a GOP blog to counter mine.

I am not sure which blog (s) are officially backed by the county GOP but it seems a new Republican blog pops up every week to counter my blog. I have never witnessed this amount of blogs focusing on such a small local community.

They are all attack blogs and try unsuccessfully to discredit Hein, Auerbach, myself and Democrats in general.

None of these blogs even come close to having any real effect on my blogs popularity and that makes a lot of the people that invest their time and energy into these things very nasty and bitter. I am usually the brunt of their attacks, as the only real Democratic blog in Ulster County.

The success of my blog is nothing special, the people of Ulster County just reject the practices and beliefs of the Republican party and don't want to hear about them. So whether it's one blog or 15, they will all fail. And, Quigley's millions won't change that.

However, because this blog is fair and Balanced, and because I feel sorry for these people that have been turned into electioneer puppets, I will give them a free plug on the blog.

Here is the complete list:

It's interesting to point out that the overwhelming majority of these blogs are anonymous. They say whatever they want and take no responsibility for it's content.

Ulster Politics

The nastiest of them all. This vile blog chooses to attack myself and Democrats in general. Very poorly written and out of touch with reality.

Ulster County Conservative

A local blog written by a Kingston Republican. I disagree with it's content but it's not half bad.

Ulster Musings

Another hit blog that is as nasty as the day is long. Just another bitter blogger upset with Democratic success.

Cahill on Kingston

My Poughkeepsie Journal counterpart. At least this blog has been around for a while and is consistent. Cahill on Politics = I hate Sottile.

Ulster County Politics

Another GOP blog dedicated to Len Bernardo and Jim Quigley.

Right Time Radio

A blog hosted by Ed Gaddy and Imre Berk, again, like UC Conservative, they are true to what they believe in.

Clark Richter's blog

Lenny and Squigley's newest employee, uses blog to hit Dems and praises Bernardo and Quigley if they tie their shoes correctly.

---------------------------

There are also some other blogs that deal with Ulster County Issues that I recommend:

Kingston Truth

This is an overall fair and accurate blog. The down side it is anonymous but it's for the most part fair and I enjoy reading it.

Kingston Progressive

This blog done by Alderman Madsen, deals with relevant issues on all levels of government, a worthy read.

JOIN ALDERMAN HOFFAY THIS WEDNESDAY!

Let's not forget about our aldermadic candidate for the Kingston Common Council. This race is as important as any other because the stakes are so high. Alderman Hoffay is hands down more qualified than his Republican opponent and extremely well versed on the issues facing Kingstonians, specifically those in the second ward.

Alderman Hoffay is a life long resident of Ward 2 and a former Democratic county chairman. He also happens to be the smartest person I know. Many great leaders in our county owe part of their careers to the studies they learned at the Hoffay School of Political Science.

Help Elect

Alderman Tom Hoffay

For the Second Ward

At a fundraiser

This Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Le Canard

276 Fair St., Kingston

Tickets $30 per person/$50 for two

6-8pm

HERE AND THERE

DA Carnright expressed in the paper this week that he would use an extra $12k in state Impact money to give his staff raises. Now, I am all for Holley's staff being paid well and keeping the office competitive but I couldn't help but think that the extra money may be more effective expanding or creating crime prevention programs. This would be less of an issue if it did not come on the heels of an announcement by Carnright that he was putting in a request to the legislature asking for an extra $125k for his office. Part of the money also would go to providing raises to his full time staff.


SpongeBob and friends show their support for Elliott Auerbach at the county fair. It's good to see SpongeBob backing the right guy this year.


After reading the article in the Freeman on Jim Sottile's first 8 months back in office it is very clear this guy needs to hire a press secretary. I go back to what Alderman Hoffay said last week about good accomplishments being swallowed up by these ridiculous controversies. Mayor Sottile seems to have a new issue every week that he has to deal with, most times they are non issues that turn into a huge story for the simple fact that Hiz Honor can not effectively deal with the press.

There is nothing wrong with that, Sottile is a good mayor but someone that is very emotional and does what he feels is right, no mater what the political backlash. It's respectable and honorable...he just needs to get a professional to express his ideas to the press.

Great Article In Today's Record About Comptroller Race

I was against the charter before I was for the charter. Quigley flip flops positions.


If James E. Quigley III had had his way back in 2006, the comptroller job he says he wants to win in the November election wouldn't exist.

- Paul Brooks, Times Herald Record



CLICK HERE PAUL BROOKS ARTICLE

I encourage everyone to read the article that was written by Paul Brooks today in the Record.

It talks about Mr. Quigley and the campaign he ran against creating the position of Exec and Comptroller. How can a guy that ran a PAC that spent more than $15,000 trying to defeat the charter, go and run a year later for one of the positions created as a result of it being passed?

It also debunks some of the claims that Quigley has made about him being an independent person with no real political experience. The guy is as political as they come, the treasure of the county GOP committee, he has personally given more than 70k to Republican causes. Including a single contribution of $20,000 last year to the U.C. Republican committee.

One has to question, making that kind of personal investment in various partisan races, how can Quigley be an impartial Watch Dog for Ulster County?

Let's not forget that the Exec and Comptroller position was proposed and passed to provide ultimate accountability to the people of Ulster County. Mr. Quigley campaigned against that accountability...how can you defend that?

You can't have it both ways Mr. Quigley.


Here are a few excerpts from the article:

If James E. Quigley III had had his way back in 2006, the comptroller job he says he wants to win in the November election wouldn't exist.


Quigley has been quietly active in community and Republican circles for years. Since 1999, according to state records, he has made political contributions of more than $74,000. Most of that went to Republicans, including single donations of $20,000 and $10,000 in 2007.

Auerbach, the current Ellenville manager, is a past mayor of Ellenville. He ran his family's hardware store for 20 years and managed a federal economic development program for five years. He is on the county Industrial Development Agency board. State records list $100 in political donations from Auerbach.

"I grew up minding the store," he said. "I see a lot of what I have done as an asset to what I will do in the comptroller's position."

Auerbach Website Launched

Elliott Auerbach, the Democratic and Working Families candidate for County Comptroller has launched his campaign website. Make sure to visit often for constant updates throughout the campaign.


WWW.AUERBACHFORCOMPTROLLER.COM

You can also access the website anytime by clicking the Auerbach for Comptroller button on the side of the blog.

UC Minority Leader Glenn Noonan hands me a Len Bernardo balloon at the UC Fair. While I was nice and took one, I could not get Glenn to take a Hein or Auerbach balloon. I'm still hoping he'll come around.


I attended the UC Fair today and helped out at the UC Dem booth with Mike Hein, Elliott Auerbach, Joannne Chamberlian, Jody Edinger and Jon and MariAnn Sennett. It was a great time... people were extremely responsive to Mike and Elliott as well as OBAMA!!!

The fair is running all week and both Hein and Auerbach will be there each day. Come and meet the candidates and get info on their campaigns. Also pins, bumper and lapel stickers are available to show your support.



Photo courtesy of Clark Richters

Blaber New's Pinheads and Patriots

Bill O'Reilly has a regular feature on his show called pinheads and patriots, on the show Bill features people that are helping America, patriots and people that are hurting America Pinheads.

Here at Blaber News, we will be doing a weekly spin off of that segment. I will feature people that are helping Ulster County become a better place, Patriots as well as people that are hurting Ulster County, Pinheads.

I also will take your suggestions for both categories. If you have a nomination please e-mail me the suggestion with a pithy description of why this person should be nominated to : blabernews@gmail.com All submissions will remain anonymous but please do not be truculent when writing to us.

Diane Reeder of the Queen's Galley, a local soup kitchen, attended a recent heating summit in Ulster county and expressed concerns that she is having with the increase of volume she is seeing in her organization. "We are seeing an increase of working families coming in and if we can't afford the heating bill we may have to close." Mrs. Reeder's soup kitchen serves over 7000 people each month and provides quality education on nutrition to people in need. Her service to this community is priceless and for that she is a Patriot.


On the Pinhead front Len Bernardo, the GOP candidate for County Exec, attended the same heating summit and suggested that one thing that could happen to address the concerns of a potential heating crisis is to open up his business Skate Time 209 as a "place for people to get warm." Mr. Bernardo fails to realize that the problem is not getting people warm but finding a way of preventing them from being in that situation in the first place. More importantly, Bernardo's comments prove his arrogance and shows his complete lack of understanding of how to lead Ulster County. Mr. Bernardo is indeed a Pinhead.

KINGSTON DPW BOSS SUSPENDED

It appears that DPW Superintendent Steve Gorsline has been suspended according to an e-mail sent out by Kingston Majority Leader Bill Reynolds. The e-mail according to the Freeman,was sent by Reynolds to fellow members of the common council stating that Steve Gorsline had been suspended relative to the ongoing matters going on at DPW. The freeman did not report on the length of time or of any other employees that would be suspended.

While there are conflicting reports over whether or not Alderman Reynolds' email is accurate, I tend to believe it is. Reynolds would never send this sort of memo out if he was not 110% sure. I also knew last Friday that Gorsline and another employee, who I will not mention, where going to be suspended for a period of 30 days without pay. So this is no surprise.

I agree with Hiz Honor's position to some extent that he should not comment on personal matters, especially on a matter that is the subject of a lawsuit.

I also believe Bill Reynolds had a duty an obligation to inform his caucus of what was going on with Mr. Gorsline. As elected officials they are entitled to know everything that is going on in their departments, the council as a whole is equal to the Mayor's office.

However, one of the Alderman leaked Reynolds' e-mail to the press and violated the trust that is bestowed upon them and may have even jeopardized the integrity of an on going investigation.

That is unacceptable.

The Mayor, now more than ever needs to be able to rely on his seven Democratic Alderman to have his back and be in his corner at all times. And not have to worry about someone leaking info to the newspaper or anywhere else behind his back.

With that being said I agree with Alderman Hoffay when he says:

"What a shame it is that all the great accomplishments of this administration are being swallowed up by this lawsuit."

Something has got to give, there has to be full transparency in this matter. A guarantee by the administration that a report will be made public after the completion of this investigation. Including a report by the Mayor's office and the Kingston Common Council of recommendations to ensure ways to prevent that this situation does not repeat itself.

THE 100 DAY WAR

Count'em down, 100 days left till November 4th. The final stretch of the County's most historic race has begun.

Expect to see Democrat Mike Hein and Republican Len Bernardo's campaigns go into full gear in the next month or so. Voters will be bombarded with debates, radio, print and tv ads.

HERE AND THERE

Nina the Democratic County Clerk?

Some one pointed out to me the other day when discussing the County Clerk's race that takes place next year, that Nina Postupack, a registered Republican who was crossed endorsed by Dem's in 05, received more votes on the Democratic line than by her own party.

Sure enough Nina received 22, 384 on the Democratic line and 17,881 on the GOP line in 2005, replacing long serving County Clerk Al Spada, who retired a year prior.

So, essentially, Mrs. Postupack is our Democratic County Clerk. It will be interesting to see what happens next year, smart money says that Postupack may again get a free ride. She's a good County Clerk and well respected by both sides of the aisle.

Off in the distance is Democratic and Working Families candidate for Comptroller Elliott Auerbach and I, in front of Blaber Manor, on his was to the Immaculate Conception bazaar earlier in the month.


Reynolds Back In Action

Hugh Reynolds made his debut Thursday, in the Kingston Times, same City Beat column, different venue. It's good the have Hugh back, the races this year would not have been the same without him. There is also a good interview in the Times with Kevin Cahill.

I can imagine how the call from Reynolds went with Cahill:

Reynolds: Hey, Kevin, it's Hugh, I'm doing a Story on your new position with the Energy committee.

Cahill: I don't talk to the Freeman. Click

(Cahill ponders, didn't the Freeman fire him?)

A few minutes later:

Reynolds: Hey, Kevin, I'm doing the story with Kingston Times.

Cahill: Oh, how have you been?

Reynolds: Good, you?

Cahill : Good and your kids.......

While, I'm clearly being sarcastic, I think Reynolds will get that reaction a lot.. the Freeman has such a negative reputation and I'm glad he is away from it. I think he'll be happier and in more control in his new position.

Mike Hein at the U.C. Heating Summit

Auerbach Endorsed By Working Families party

Elliott Auerbach, the Democratic candidate for County Comptroller, has announced that he has been endorsed by the Working Families party. Which gives his campaign a huge boost and a second line on the ballot this November.


“The Working Families Party fights every day to make sure that hard working, middle class men and women are being looked out for by our government and that is right in line with what my mission will be as Ulster County Comptroller,” said Auerbach.

Rich Cahill : At Long Last, Have You Left No Sense Of Decency?

Rich Cahill's hatred for Sottile is completely out of control, he will stop at nothing to attack and make the Sottile administration look bad, including trying to capitalize on the misfortune of others. It is utterly disgusting.

Mr. Cahill writes on his blog details and personal attacks on Steve Gorsline and Tim Williams made by a money hungry lawyer in a federal lawsuit filled yesterday.

Now, let me say for full disclosure, I am friends with Steve Gorsline and Tim Williams and absolutely stand behind them. They also have more credibility in their fingers than Alderman Cahill has in his entire body.

With that being said, the lawsuit was filed and it will be played out in court, the Freeman has reported on the subject as a news story and that's appropriate. I'm confident that Mr. Williams and Mr. Gorline will be vindicated.

What's not appropriate is what Mr. Cahill has done. Cahill has used this story for his own political gain and dragged the names of Mr. Gorsline, Mr. Williams and others through the mud for the sole purpose of attacking Mayor Sottile.

These men have families, Mr. Cahill and what you are doing is despicable. Just as Joesph Welch said to McCarthy during the The Army-McCarthy Hearings of 1954, I ask Mr. Cahill:

"Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?"

The answer is very clear, Mr. Cahill does not.

Hein at the Ways and Means Meeting

Hein, left, gesturing, explains the cuts. Among those listening,
Lomita, center, Noonan, right foreground.

Blaber's News Person of the Week: County Administrator Mike Hein

It was unveiled yesterday by Mike Hein that close to 900,000 in cuts could be made in seven county departments. Hein made these recommendations to the Ways and Means committee, which will look and examine further Hein's findings.

These cuts are in response to among other things, out of control and unexpected fuel costs and a 2% reduction in state aid to all counties.

On an election year these cuts are not going to be popular, these are real cuts and tough decisions have to be made. Instead of pushing this under the rug, Hein is very direct about this, he has proven that he is a true leader, something this county desperately needs.

This is nothing new, Mike Hein has been making these tough decisions since becoming our County Administrator back in 2006, inheriting an absolute mess. Through his leadership the county is back on the right track and continues to move forward.

Which is why Hudson Valley Business magazine accurately reported that Mike Hein has delivered more reform in two years than the previous 26 years combined.

The leadership of Hein and his administration is a breath of fresh air and for that he is our person of the week.

WGHQ SHAKES UP MONDAY MORNINGS

Walter Maxwell changed up the morning the Monday morning schedule this past week replacing Mike Sweeney, Glen Noonan and Rich Parete with Dr. Hanovice and County Legislator Gary Bischoff.

One, I respect Mr. Maxwell's decision but I disagree with it. I am happy that Gary Bischoff is on KCR, he's a good guy and offers a lot to the program and I think he will be a great asset. Gary is a friend and I enjoy the program that he and Art Richter do on WKNY.

I do have a small issue with the placement that Gary was given, taking off Mike Sweeney, Glenn Noonan, and Rich Parete. Mike Sweeney is a great guy and while I disagree with him on almost everything, he is someone that has invited my on his show several times and I always felt that was the premier show. Mike also has volunteered for many years and I respect that.

Being on the program and being able to hear Glenn Noonan and Rich Parete talk about County issues from both sides was beneficial and a public service. It was also humorous to watch Mike Sweeney try to referee the two.


Again, Maxwell is the boss and I respect his decision. I understand that Rich Parete is going to be filling in from time to time on other shows and maybe will even fill in on Monday's from time to time, and that's great. The same courtesy should be given to Mr. Sweeney and my good friend, the distinguished Minority Leader of the County Legislature, Glenn Noonan.

Glenn, I hope you appreciate the wording of that last sentence ...it was painful to write :)

ON A SIDE NOTE : Jonathan Sennett, will be taking over for Gary Bischoff on KNY. You can hear Radio Free Kingston every Sunday morning at 12:30pm. Congrats, Jon!