Thursday, May 22, 2008
Mike Berardi : I'm Running for Exec
Former County Legislator Mike Berardi announced that he a candidate for the Democratic nomination for County Executive. Everyone has the right to run and I respect Mike Berardi and his decision. Although, I strongly disagree with it. As a party we must get behind Mike Hein, he is the strongest candidate and is in the best position to take on Len Bernardo this November.
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38 comments:
I'm excited about Mike's candidacy and glad he is getting involved.
Jeremy....I agree. Mike Berardi is a long time friend, but this is not the time nor the race for him to be in right now. Mike Hein has the qualifications, has done the work, put himself out there asking for support in a timely manner and will represent the Democratic Party with first class credentials.
-Tom Hoffay
KingstonTruth has a Poll
http://kingstontruth.blogspot.com/
Berardi left the Legislature because he couldn't give the time, (to many other responsibilities). County Legislature is a part time job. Democrats lost a seat in the Legislature because of his pulling out. Now he is running for a full time ,and more, job as Co. Ex?????I doubt it. Besides he doesn't have the temperment needed for Co. Exe.
Mike is by far the best candidate. He knows county goverment, can work with all, does his homework, and most of allis not owned by private interests. GO MIKE
mike berardi is bad the IDA Chair, carrying the failed economic development policies of the County rather than leading to create new ones!
Another lost cause.
Hein has promised Jim Sotile a high paying job - Deputy Dog or something(with boots and a new jeep too)- Noble becomes Mayor and Reynolds Alderman - at large - and we get Jeremy Blaber as Alderman. If I were you Jeremy - I would support Hein too.
Warning - if you allow this post - you may be sued or like Ricters or like Hugh Reynolds - lose you job.
Its obvious that Susan Zimet put Mike Berardi up to make this race, and its obvious that after he loses bigtime at the county convention, if he stays in the race for a September primary Berardi's candidacy will probably lead to yet another entirely avoidable county-wide loss for the Democrats.
Where is the leadership of the Democratic party?
Jeremy - maybe you can create a new webpage titled the Ulster County Spoilers Hall of Shame: start with Vincent Bradley Junior. next up, Mike Berardi
This is a joke, right? Those in the legislature know that Berardi is unable to take any criticism whatsoever. He just yells or sulks. Along with Susan Zimet,he was Harvey Sleights biggest supporter, too.
Mike B's poor track record speaks for itself.
I hope you are all wrong and this guy is not in bed with Zimet. He is he that much of a lapdog that he would do her bidding.
Berardi is an honest hard working good hearted guy. But, we need a more qualified person to step into this position. Please look at the future of this county and how we can make it better. Come on lets let the Democratic party get behind Hein and beat the Republican. Stop the nonsense now.
Zimet backing out of the race was just too simple and clean. Now she is trying to beat Hein with Berardi. Hein is the right guy for the job. Neither Zimet nor Berardi are.
B?eat hte Republican? What Republican?
He dropped out of the race!
Mike's decision to enter the race seems to be more about Zimet's ego and desire to mess things up again than Mike's desire to serve as County Executive. I thought he said the reason he didn't want to run for reelection in the county legislature was that "his heart wasn't in it" .... same reason Zimet told people she was pulling out.
If you read the aticle in the Freeman on the Berardi announcement with the many quotes from Zimet, their agenda becomes obvious. They seem to think the County Exec job is merely a personality contest and political opportunity rather than an important government reform to improve county government. The County Exec will be the CEO of the county- its a big job, an important administrative post. The first County Exec will be at the helm of a huge organization of over two thousand county employees and responsible for a budget of over 325 million dollars. Having run successful political races for public office is great, but no legislative office (town board or county legislature) is adequate prepararation for a candidate for the administrative responsibility on this level.
Read Zinet's quote in the Freeman 5/23/08. All the wanabe's, Zimit and friends talked up Berardi to run. Mike B. I thought you were smarter than that. You, more than most, know how lucky Democrats were to have Mike Hein at the helm. Voters don't want career politicans running the Charter form of Government. They have had enough of that.
Berardi is getting in way over his head.....just like Zimet. This will be another win for the Republicans
the republicans have no candidate. there is an independent put up by bonachoke to be endorsed by republicans.
It is nice to see the democrats come up with a real business minded candidate for a change.
The Indipendence party candidate is likely to be Republican candidate and the Conservative party candidate. If so, Senator Bonacic is a genius-- because the Republicans will steal from the Democrats yet another Ulster County-wide office.
If so, is Berardi the guy you want on the ballot? Professionally, he ran a small family fuel oil business with less than twenty employees- and his political resume says he has 4 years as a town councilperson plus a couple terms as a county legislator. Even if you like Berardi, is he qualified to run a $325 MILLION dollar organization with over 2,000 employees?
The Democratic Party seems to be two parties; the Kingston Core and the other. Mike Hein is the best choice, but he has promised a majority of the appointed jobs to the Kingston Core. The names are out there, you just need to hold a glass againt the door to listen in. The other side is against this. Political, Mike Berardi has got the clout to win the endorsement. There are are over 40 appoint jobs, that too much politics to be in the best interest of the county. The charter was too fast and too soon and the taxpayers will pay for it. Mike B. hang on and don't let go. I need an appoint job.
What is this fascination with business people running Government? Why do some people think business people would be good at government? They are distinctly different and require a completely different set of skills. Are there some tools that can be used for either? Yes,but the fundamental differences are significant.
Sound fiscal practices do not need a foundation in business. They need a foundation in common sense.
bonachoke wants to steal the election from the democrats like he steals money from taxpayers to fund his reelection. he isnt a genius he is trying desparately to retain and gain power.
Wow, I don't know why anyone would think that private sector business experience would help someone to run a county either. I think a school teacher like David Donaldson is more than qualified to be the comptroller for our county. Look at NYC. Michael Bloomerberg was a businesman, and it's not like he's done anything that special for NYC. Barack Obama doesn't even have any business experience either, and he's going to be the next President of the United States. We Democrats in Ulster County know what's best and who's the smartest to run our County finances, and in my opinion that's David Donaldson for Comptroller.
"We Democrats in Ulster County know what's best and who's the smartest to run our County finances, and in my opinion that's David Donaldson for Comptroller."
Who wrote this?
Do you not pay taxes own a business or drive through this county?
We are inundated with filth, low income housing and welfare...
You think this the way this county should be run?
What a shame, its such a beautiful area of the state and we have no signs on intelligent life in positions of power to make it what it could be..a suburb of NYC that the wealthy would like to call a home, but instead we cater to the dregs of society because we cant sell the area to any businesses because of the tax structure.
Wake up
None of the reasons that supported a Zimet candidacy apply to Berardi:
1) he has no government executive experience
2) he hasn't run a county-wide election and won
3) he's not progressive
Hein is still the best person for the job, hands down. While I welcome the democratic process and having a choice at the convention, I hope to see a single candidate emerge for both Comptroller and Executive.
I'm voting for Berardi at the convention. According to Mr. Blaber's poll 51% of those polled agree with me, so this is not as clear cut as everyone here wants to think. Hein is a Republican who turned Democrat because that's which way the wind was blowing. He saw the tide turning, Republicans losing power, and "became" a Democrat. I'm not buying it for one second. You don't just "become" a Democrat, you are born a Democrat. If Hein is truly a Democrat at heart, he will seek the WF endorsement. We'll all know soon enough where his loyalty really is. If he interviews with the Conservative Party, then we will all know that this change of heart was all just to get elected - NOT because he suddenly became a believer in the Democratic platform. Please don't prove me right Mike. I realize that because of your money and Kingston friends that you have a good shot at being our nominee; (a 51% shot according to Blaber's poll) but don't stain the Democratic Party with your past affiliations. Stand up for your liberal principals, our party deserves at least that much. In the meantime, Ulster County Democrats, show some party loyalty - VOTE FOR BERARDI !!!!!!!!
Those polls mean nothing. Tell me who you want to win and I can make them win. I just bumped Hein up to prove my point.
9:35 principles????
Mike B. is out of his league.
I am a "progressive" Democrat, and will not vote for Mike Berardi based on his poor voting record:
• Mike Berardi was the only Democrat to join Republicans in voting against the Democratic sponsored resolution urging investigation for the impeachment of George Bush. “Democrat Michael Beradi voted 'no', as did all of the Republicans present.” -MidHudsonNews.com
Resolution No. 392 December 5, 2007 - Urging The United States Congress To Create A Select Committee To Investigate The Presidential Administration And To Make Recommendations Regarding Grounds For Possible Impeachment
• Mike Berardi voted against a Democratic resolution to put an end to the legislature’s practice of “telephone polling,” which means conducting county business and voting over the phone or by email, in violation of Open Meetings Law and outside of the public’s view.
Resolution No. 189 May 9, 2007 -Confirming Ulster County’s Commitment To The New York State Open Meetings Law In Regard To “Telephone Polling”
• Under pressure from the Town of Shandaken’s Republican Supervisor, Mike Berardi was the swing vote within the Democratic Caucus that caused Congressman Hinchey’s “Lower Build” proposal for the Crossroads Ventures / Belleayre project to fail on the floor of the legislature.
Resolution No. 55 February 8, 2006 - Endorsing The Lower-Build Alternative To The Proposed Belleayre Resort Development Project In Catskill State Park
• With Ellenville Hospital facing the threat of closing its doors forever, Mike Berardi voted against a $600,000 loan to save the area’s only hospital. He responded to this final step in the hospital's recovery plan by stating “If you help one you have to help them all."
Daily Freeman - 10/15/2004
• When the County Legislature voted in favor of broadening the relicensing criteria at the Indian Point Nuclear Site to include factors like location, the size of the surrounding population and terror threats, Mike Berardi voted NO and questioned whether the move was “a veiled attempt to close the plant down.”
Daily Freeman - 02/24/2007
• Mike Berardi was one of only two Democrats on the Ways and Means Committee who voted NO along with Republicans, to the Democrat’s plan that would have cut benefits to county legislators by more than a total of $52,000. The measure failed in committee. According to the resolution’s sponsor, Democrat Alan Lomita, “I think it's important for the Legislature to set an example when we're asking all county departments to cut spending. What kind of example do you set when you're not willing to cut your own stuff?"
Daily Freeman - 03/18/2006
Mike Berardi will make Sue Zimit Queen of the County.
After reading 10:30's comment, who says there is not a Republican running. Berardi may be enrolled as a Democrat, but his voting record looks like a true blue Republican.
Mike Berardi uses 4'x8' sheets of plywood as toilet paper.
Berardi is nothing more than a stand in for Zimet who didn't have the stomach for another loss.
Mike Berardi:
*Is a Democrat
*Has won elections
*Is a Decent and Fair Man
*Owes no hidden favors
*Has Management experience
*Has elected government experience
*Will be supported by both wings of the party
*Has no hidden agenda
*Is beloved by many
*Will be a wonderful County Executive!
9:21 - Get Real
Mike Berardi:
*Is a Democrat - Questionable!
*Has won elections - Because of his Familiy name!
*Is a Decent and Fair Man - Thats why he supports people like Barbara wise!
*Owes no hidden favors - Was involved with the "Citizens for Change" with Jim Quigley!
*Has Management experience - Sold the family business because it was too dificult to run!
*Has elected government experience - He was in a walking comma most of the time!
*Will be supported by both wings of the party - The Right wing of the Republican Party to be exact!
*Has no hidden agenda - Anarchy!!!
*Is beloved by many - In his mind!
*Will be a wonderful County
Executive! - In your wildest dreams!!!
Get real he is just a pawn for the Republican Party to attempt to make Mike Hein look bad. Berardi is a snake.
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