Stop the smear of Schneer

This was in the Kingston Times 9/30/09
Stop the smear of Schneer

Less than 24 hours after Judge Deborah Schneer won confirmation as our next Ulster County Court judge, the Ulster County Republican Party predictably kicked off its mud-slinging with baseless attacks against this outstanding judge.

On the night of July 16, 2009, Judge Schneer was unanimously confirmed by the New York State Senate to serve as our County Court judge. Even Kingston's own Republican state senator, Bill Larkin, voted for her. Schneer had previously been nominated by Governor Paterson after a judicial screening committee in Albany found her to be "highly qualified."

Never one to let facts get in the way of an attack, the very next day, in the face of the overwhelming bi-partisan support for Judge Schneer, our local Republican County Chair Mario Catalano issued a statement calling her appointment a "mockery" of the Ulster County Court. He then carefully mischaracterized a 20-year-old case in which a prisoner appealed having to appear in front of a jury shackled hand and foot. (Schneer did not "sue the taxpayers of New York" as Catalano claimed.) By seeking to undermine the public's faith in our judiciary, Catalano has decided to launch his campaign from the bottom of the gutter. The public can only hope that the Republicans won't dig any lower.

Not surprisingly, Catalano had not a single positive thing to say about his own candidate, Don Williams. This is telling. After all, just two years ago, the Republicans rejected Williams' bid for Kingston City Court judge. Now, they want to put him on the far more important County Court bench, despite his lack of judicial experience. Without a positive message, the Republican campaign apparently will consist of nothing but angry attacks. The citizens of this county should not elect as a judge the standard-bearer of angry partisans.

Deborah Schneer has 25 years of diverse legal experience throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond, giving her broad exposure to all facets of our legal system. Her opponent spent his whole career in one job. Deborah Schneer has years of judicial experience, balancing the interests of all parties who came before her and earning respect from both sides of the aisle. Her opponent has never been a judge - never presided over a single case in his life and has only been a court-room partisan.

Catalano's is only the first of what will surely be many Republican temper tantrums over imagined flaws. The public knows better. Deborah Schneer is the experienced judge we need in Ulster County's toughest court.

Julian D. Schreibman

Chair

Ulster County Democratic Committee

Schneer appointed County Judge (from the Daily Freeman)

Governor taps Dem candidate to be new Ulster County judge


Thursday, June 18, 2009
By KYLE WIND
Freeman staff
KINGSTON — Deborah Schneer, a town of Rochester justice and the Democratic candidate in this fall’s election for Ulster County judge, has been appointed to the county bench by Gov. David Paterson.
Schneer is to succeed J. Michael Bruhn, who retired in April, and would be the first woman to serve as the county’s judge.
Her appointment could be held up, however, because it requires confirmation by the state Senate, which has not conducted any business since an attempted Republican takeover of the chamber last week and which now finds itself gridlocked with 31 members on each side of the political aisle.
Ulster County Democratic Chairman Julian Schreibman said he’s hoping for a quick confirmation of Schneer, but he conceded it’s "difficult to know for sure" how soon she will be able to preside over County Court proceedings.
Schneer, in a telephone interview on Wednesday, said she was "thrilled and honored to have received the appointment by the governor to the important post of county judge."
Schneer was nominated by county Democrats on June 8 to run for the judgeship, which has a 10-year term and a current salary of $131,400 per year. She was chosen over New Paltz Town Justice Jonathan Katz and Shandaken Town Justice Michael Miranda.
The following day, Schreibman called the governor’s office to recommend Schneer be appointed to the judgeship for the remainder of 2009.
The winner of the November election — in which the Republican candidate is former Ulster County District Attorney Donald A. Williams — will begin serving on Jan. 1, 2010.
Williams was nominated by county Republicans on June 1 over town of Ulster Justice Marsha Weiss and attorney Michael Kavanagh Jr.
Schneer, 50, has been one of Rochester’s two town justices since 2006 and has had a law practice in Rosendale since 2003.
As county judge, she said, she would work to ensure all parties get a "level playing field" and "appropriate and fair experience" in the court system.
Schneer graduated from Tuft’s University in 1980 and New York University Law School in 1984, and she began her legal career with Prisoners’ Legal Services of New York. She spent a year with the state Department of Law in 1987, then returned to Prisoners’ Legal Services as a staff attorney and later managing attorney. She left that post in 1998 and began a part-time practice while also working part-time for the Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem.
Ulster County Democrats have described Schneer as having "extensive experience as a civil rights lawyer and an advocate for the poorest and most vulnerable members of society."
Schneer said she lives with her partner and 4-year-old son in High Falls.
URL: http://www.dailyfreeman.com/articles/2009/06/18/news/doc4a39b3f0c457e888978505.prt
© 2009 DailyFreeman.com, a Journal Register <http://www.journalregister.com/> Property

Photos from the Brunch

Hi all. Thanks for supporting us at the annual Spring Brunch - what a success! Below are some pics sent by Mike Harkavy!

First Post

Hello and Welcome.

This blog is a public forum for news, announcements, policy and more. Today the beta version of the new site goes live. We expect to have a somewhat more exciting layout in the near future, as we establish a web committee (I would imagine through the coordinated campaign).

Even though this is the "first post", you may notice that there are older posts; newsletters from the old site have been archived in this format, as a convenience.

While we are encouraging discussion, we are not allowing anonymous comments, at least for now. We would hope that commenters would be proud to represent their opinions, and that this requirement will encourage a higher level of discourse. (There are plenty of other venues for folks who revel in the disinhibition that comes from dissociation.)

I hope you'll enjoy using the new site, and we're looking forward to collaborating together.
Add this page to your Feeds and stay tuned as we build this site.

Best regards
Ian Brody, Treasurer

Democratic-Led County Legislature Accomplishment, January 2008

Democratic-Led County Legislature Accomplishments

January 2008 Report

 

Reforms and new initiatives were made

 with efficiency and accountability while remaining transparent.

 

 

Reforms in the County Government Operation

The completion of the federally-mandated MS4 requirements was accomplished at one-tenth the estimated cost. Instead of the projected $2.5 million, completion cost was only $250,000. 

 

The Public Works Department reduced three departments into one. Alternative Sentencing, Community Corrections and Probation were consolidated into one department.

 

Over the past two years the potential cost of County-employee health insurance was reduced by more than $4 million.  Most, if not all, doctors previously available in network will be available.

 

Over $1.3 million is being invested in information technology (desktops, routers, and servers.)

 

The first inmates entered the new Law Enforcement Center and inmates from other counties were boarded three months ahead of schedule.   

 

Economic Development

Over 65 volunteers were gathered to form the Ulster Tomorrow initiative which created various strategies and specific targeted actions.

Funding of Old King’s Highway shovel ready should reap benefits well into the next decade. 

 

The Solar Energy Consortium, with $200,000 of County-budgeted money and spearheaded by Congressman Hinchey, may be the best economic development investment Ulster County has ever made.

 

The Ulster County Development Corporation, our economic development agency, was provided with incentive funding.  The following projects were announced and committed:
Armor Dynamics (Kingston)

Blue Heaven Hosiery (Ellenville)

Events Unlimited (Saugerties)

Fala Technologies (Ulster)

Global Palate (Esopus)

Gym Stars (Saugerties)

Interstate Brands (Ulster)

Kingston Health Pavilion (Kingston)

Kirkland Hotel (Kingston)

Kosco (Saugerties)

LeFever House B&B (New Paltz)

Lloyd Park Commons Apartments (Kingston)

Medusa Gallery and Antiques (New Paltz)

Mobile Media (Ellenville)

Numrich Arms (Hurley)

Revenue Markets (Kerhonkson)

Sta-Dri (Saugerties)

Tischler Dental Center (Woodstock)

Woodland Ponds (New Paltz) 

 

On the Environmental Front

The long awaited Open Space Plan was created to secure funds to assure that farming remains vibrant in Ulster County and open space is protected for generations to come: The development rights of two farms  – the Davenport and Misner farms were acquired in the Town of Marbletown and funding was recently announced to preserve two more in the coming year – the Arrowhead and Domino farms in the Town of Rochester. 

 

The Department of Environment was created and the Recycling Law was revamped with incentives to assure compliance. 

 

Tourism and the Arts

The Ulster County Tourism's 2007 travel guide was honored as one of the best in the United States by the North American Travel Journalists Association, the premier association of writers, photographers and editors dedicated to travel and hospitality.  There have been an increasingly larger numbers of visitors to the site that browse for longer periods. 

 

Working with the towns this past year brought the start of installing all-weather, year-round tourism kiosks for the distribution of tourism information in various parts of the County, the first erected in Marlborough.

   

We created a dedicated fund for the Arts. We have one of the highest per capita of working artist in the nation.

 

Seeing the Big Picture on Our Little Screen

The Global Warming Advisory Committee was created to produce a comprehensive list of ideas created for publication this year that uses local suppliers and local common sense approaches to lessen our contribution to the problem.

 

The Local Re-Entry Task Force was created to work with parolees. 

 

The Blue Ribbon Health Care Advisory Panel helped address the concerns of the local hospital merger while working on its main charge to prepare for the changes in financing long term care.

 

The County Collaboration Council was established that began working with all the municipalities and school districts throughout Ulster County. 

 

Over the past two years spending was controlled which kept spending flat even though most obligations went up. The 2008 budget was kept under the inflationary rate.

OCtober 2006 Newsletter

Message from our Chair, John Parete

 

Thank you for electing me to serve as your Chair for another two-year term.  We’ve come a long way in Ulster County in the past few years, but we still have a lot of work ahead of us.

 

Last year, 2005, was a break-out year for Ulster County’s governmental addiction to special interests, back room deals, and reckless spending

 

The New York State Republican leadership has spent 20 years trying to avoid blame for raising taxes by passing a disproportionate share of state costs down to counties, cities, and towns.  This transfer of expenses from the income tax based state budget to the ad valorem based local taxes is one reason for skyrocketing property taxes.  Locallyt, this problem has been compounded as the Ulster County Republican leadership neglected their responsibilities to County taxpayers by failing to properly administer their spending authority in a prudent and accountable manner.     

 

Ulster County Democrats will continue to work to reform our government so that local taxpayers will no longer be forced to pay for the excesses of our legislature and to refocus on solving problems without passing on the costs to you and me.

 

Our legislature is addressing the issues of critical concern to the citizens of Ulster County, principally skyrocketing property taxes, a sinister creep in the size of County government, and quality of life issues that relate to both jobs and the environment.

 

The Democratic members of our Ulster County Legislature bring with them an interesting and extensive portfolio representing a perspective from both the public and private sectors.

 

The general election is less than four weeks away.  We’re 27 days from once again electing a Democratic governor.  And we have an excellent chance of picking up some Senate and Congressional seats nationwide (a majority in at least one house is a not-too-remote possibility.  Locally, I ask all Democrats to focus intently over the next four weeks to help lead our outstanding local candidates to victory.  

 

John Parete, Chair.

 

 

Report from the Organizational Meeting of the Ulster County Democratic Committee

 

An overwhelming majority of members of the Ulster County Democratic Committee turned up on September 25^th for the biennial Organizational Meeting at the Holiday Inn in Kingston. 

 

John Parete was re-elected to a two-year term as chair, Karen Markisensis of Ulster was elected to be our Vice Chair, Sue Ronga was re-elected as Treasurer, and Patt Candelari was elected to be our Secretary.  Sue Zimet, candidate for NYS Senate and a member of the Ulster County Legislature, gave a moving tribute to out-going Vice Chair Ann Rodman, who has served the UCDC in so many ways for many years.  Thank you Ann and congratulations to our new executive committee.

 

 

 

Volunteers Needed!

 

The Ulster County Democratic Committee and the Coordinated Campaign Committee are beginning our campaign phone banking on Tuesday, October 10 for Susan Zimet for New York State Senate and Paul VanBlarcum for Ulster County Sheriff.  We are going to be phoning four days a week (Monday thru Thursday) starting next Tuesday right up through election day from 6:00 to 9:00pm each night. To make this work, we need the help of our willing and able volunteers to make phone calls and to address and assemble the mailings we will be doing on the spot to the people we've talked to. So, even if you don't like to make phone calls, we can use your help.

 

Please respond to sfraser0326@aol.com or call Democratic HQ at 331 8275 with your name and contact information and the days you are able to help.  We will be working from Democratic Headquarters at 292C Fair St. in Kingston.

 

PLEASE VOLUNTEER TO HELP SUSAN AND PAUL TO VICTORY THIS NOVEMBER.

 

Meet Pam Duke, Supervisor, Town of Rochester

Pam Duke isn’t your typical town supervisor. Prior to her election, she was a successful executive with the Girl Scouts for two decades.  Now, as Supervisor since January 2004, she’s brought a lot of improvements to the way the Town of Rochester does business and has attempted to bring a business-like outlook to town government.  We asked Pam what that means.

PD: One thing that people in local governments sometimes forget is that town officials are public servants, with a duty to provide service to their respective electorates.  The residents of our towns are our customers and we have an obligation to manage the affairs of town government in like a business, with accountability at all levels, systems to track spending and revenues, and a clear set of objectives.

 

Q: Given your past in the private sector, why did you want this job?

PD:  I saw that there was a lot of room for improvement in the administration of our town government.  I thought that I would be able to bring a new, more inclusive outlook to government and decided to run for supervisor.  It was my first run for public office and with a lot of help from people on both sides of the aisle, I won.

 

Q: Is it tough to turn the boat around?

PD:   Yes it can be difficult sometimes.  One thing we have to realize is that the role of local government in a small town has changed significantly over the past decade or two.  The number and complexity of laws that municipalities have to follow have grown significantly and it’s now a full time job being supervisor.  It’s a rewarding job, though, and I get a lot of satisfaction seeing long term plans implemented. 

 

Q: What’s the biggest deal in Rochester government right now?

PD:   The biggest challenge we face isn’t one solely for town government or even unique in the Town of Rochester.  The tremendous level of growth in our region is creating a lot of change, both in the literal landscape of the town and in the way that town governments have to educate themselves in dealing with growth and development issues.  All this development makes it especially important to ensure that local government policy is able to deal with future growth.  At present, we’re in the middle of reviewing our Town’s comprehensive plan, which hasn’t been updated since it was first written in 1969.  It clearly needs to be updated and we invited anyone who was interested to participate in the process.  The development pressure is real, however,  we have some who want to put in hundreds of homes, and this type of development will have an irrevocable impact on our community.  It’s important that the process be thought out before hand and that government act proactively in managing change by ensuring that local codes reflect the vision that people in the community want, rather than being reactive and having no tools to influence the type of development that takes place.

 

Q: You mentioned hundreds of houses. How do you know if that’s even feasible?

PD:  That’s a good question because there are a lot factors to consider.  There might be plenty of land for development, and people willing to do it, but what will be the effect on the water supply, what type of additional infrastructure will be needed, will we need to build new roads, schools and firehouses?   What will be the impact and the cost to the rest of the taxpayers in the community to educate the hundreds of children who could potentially be added to our school district.  These are all factors to consider and there needs to be a greater dialogue between all the different agencies and autonomous boards that have to deal with them.

 

Q: Anything you’d like to add?

PD:  One thing we have to remember is that we’re in a small community.  We see our neighbors everyday, at the post office, in the grocery store, and passing on the road.  It’s important that we address our town’s problems together, with the best long-term interests of the town in mind.  I’ve tried to create an open dialogue and an environment where anyone can speak freely, because it’s only through an honest and inclusive process that these long-term solutions will stand.  Another thing is that town governments in our region can really benefit from continuing to address common problems together.  It pays to share ideas and to pool resources.  While each town has its own unique identity, there is a lot we can learn from each other.

 

Take Back Congress  - Let’s Turn some of those Red States Blue!

With newfound momentum, a number of candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate have a real shot at winning this November.  The opportunity for Democrats to take control of one or both houses of Congress is in sight.  There are many competitive candidates who can win if they have sufficient financial resources, including some in New York State.  If you would like to contribute to help in this effort, you can contribute online

                Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee –

http://www.dccc.org/

 

Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee

http://www.dccc.org/

 

Absentee Ballot Information:

If you’re there is even a remote chance that you will not be in town on November 7^th, we recommend that you obtain an absentee ballot.  Please note that these applications must be received by the Ulster County Board of Elections by October 31 in order to mail a ballot, or by November 6, if you or someone will pick up the ballot in person.  You can download a form at http://www.co.ulster.ny.us/elections/absenteeapp.pdf

 

In addition to voting by absentee ballot, the Board of Elections will hold special hours before the election during which you can vote in person at their office at 284 Wall Street in Kingston:

 

Tues, Oct 24                          5 to 7pm

Thurs, Oct 26                        5 to 7pm

Sat, Oct 28                             9am to noon

 Tues, Oct 31                         5 to 7pm

Thurs, Nov 2                         5 to 7pm

Sat, Nov 4                              9am to noon

 

Voting Suggestions (in ballot order):

Governor:                                              Eliot Spitzer  (D)                   Spitzer2006.com
Comptroller                                           Alan Hevesi  (D)

Attorney General                                 Andrew Cuomo  (D)            AndrewCuomo.com

U.S. Senate                                            Hillary Clinton  (D)               HillaryClinton.com

NYS Supreme Court                             Karen Peters  (D)                  KarenPeters.org

  (vote for two)                                      Gus Devine  (D)

U.S. Congress                                       Maurice Hinchey  (D)          HincheyforCongress.org

NYS Senate                                           Susan Zimet (D)                   SusanZimetforSenate.com

NYS Assembly                                     Kevin Cahill (D)

NYS Assembly                                     Kelly Keck (D)                      KeckforAssembly.com

Ulster County Sheriff                          Paul Van Blarcum (D)          PaulforSheriff.com

 

Proposition #1                    

Shall the County of Ulster, New York adopt a local law adopting a county charter form of government for the County of Ulster?  Vote YES

 

 

Democratic National Committee Launches “Party Builder”

In an effort to promote grass-roots activism in all 50 states, the Democratic National Committee has initiated a web-based system called PartyBuilder.

PartyBuilder is a set of online tools designed to empower Democrats to take control of the future of their party.  Through technology, we’re moving people from email and websites to canvasses and rallies.

 

PartyBuilder isn’t the typical online tool set. Individual users control most of the activity, from blogging to setting up and managing groups or activists, to organizing and managing real-world events, to fundraising. Democrats are entrusted to build the space and the Party.

 

Take a minute to explore the different features, then invite your friends and connect with each other to help build the Party for 2006 and beyond.  PartyBuilder gives you everything you need to take online action for real-world results.

http://www.democrats.org/page/content/partybuilder/

 

Analysis of “Supernova”

S.8360 (Saland, Bonacic) A.K.A Supernova

• During the final week of the 2006 Legislative Session, Senate Republicans, in a thinly veiled attempt to pander to voters -- who are becoming increasingly overburdened by regressive property tax bills  --  passed legislation (S.8360) that calls for the State to pay for the school property tax bills of primary homeowners.  

• The legislation, estimated to cost the State an additional $9 billion a year after it is fully phased in, does nothing to address the needs of underperforming schools and will shift more money away from Hudson Valley schools and into the budgets of wealthier downstate districts.  

• The bill would provide no benefits to the millions of New Yorkers who rent their homes and offers little, if any, relief to our largest cities.  

• This legislation is grossly irresponsible because it neglects to identify just how the State will pay for what would essentially serve as a massive expansion of the unfair and flawed STAR program.

• The fact that the sponsors of this bill waited until the very last hours of the scheduled end of the legislative session to introduce it and call for a vote is evidence that this bill is nothing more than an attempt to distract voters from the fact that the Senate Majority has failed to provide real school aid and property tax reform.

• The Senate’s plan is flawed in that it provides no relief to renters and commercial property owners. 

• It ignores the fact that tenants also pay property taxes. 

• While homeowners pay this levy directly, tenants, through their rental payments, carry a substantial portion of the property taxes paid by the owners of their buildings.  

• Under the Senate’s latest proposal, neither tenants nor landlords would receive any relief.  Only residents of owner-occupied dwellings would benefit.  

• This type of approach fosters extreme racial disparities. Over 62% of white households live in owner-occupied dwellings, while the comparable figure for black households is 29%.  

• Renters make up 37% of the population residing within the Kingston City Schools Consolidated District.  That is a number you might expect in a city.  In Poughkeepsie, the number is 63% and in Newburgh, renters make up 42% of the population.

• You might be surprised to find out that in the New Paltz, Ellenville, Highland and Marlboro school districts renters make up over 30% of the population.  In Rhinebeck, 29% of the school district residents are renters.

• When you take into account the fifteen largest city school districts in New York State, renters make up 67% of the population.  Looking at population statewide, 47% of the households in New York rent their homes.  

• To ensure fairness, property tax relief should not discriminate on the basis of geography or one’s status as an owner or a tenant.  This measure fails on both of these counts.

• The only thing the Senate seems to have gotten right with this proposal is their acknowledgement that our education funding model is broken. 

• Instead of perpetuating the existence of an already failing STAR program by expanding it to what would amount to supernova proportions, the Senate should join me in my commitment to ensuring a sound education for all of New York’s children while at the same time eliminating the regressive school property tax for all residents of the State. 

 

 To the Editor:

During this campaign season, school funding has taken center stage.  It’s about time. The people of the Hudson Valley and all of New York deserve real solutions, not rhetoric, for this most significant problem.  I salute those candidates who have taken the time to learn this issue and embraced realistic proposals such as the legislation I have introduced. 

 

Assembly Bill 8069 will eliminate the use of regressive real estate taxes for the purposes of funding education.  The bill first and foremost ensures that every child has access to the same quality education regardless of where they live or the level of their family's income.  By eliminating the school real property tax and shifting to a more progressive statewide income tax, we will be able to fund our schools equitable, fairly and more affordably for all New Yorkers.

School funding is an issue that impacts everyone.  Here in the Hudson Valley, we are bearing the burden of skyrocketing property taxes.  In other regions, where property values and incomes are not as high, schools are suffering because they do not have the means necessary to provide a basic quality education.

 

For too long we have had a Governor in charge that has refused to acknowledge the state's responsibility that every child, everywhere in New York has an equal right to a quality education.  Some people work against much needed reforms by claiming it is an upstate versus downstate issue or that it is only a regional problem and therefore only requires a regional solution.  The truth is that education funding is a broken system statewide and needs to be fixed.

Assemblymember Joel Miller recently attacked his opponent, Democratic County Legislator, Joel Tyner, for supporting my school financing proposal.  Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, Dr. Miller asserted that the current school aid formula is equitable and working just fine.  He also repeated the false argument that my plan would somehow siphon funding from our local schools to districts in Long Island or Westchester.  Dr. Miller knows better and so does Joel Tyner.  That’s why Tyner has articulated this issue passionately throughout his campaign. 

 

The fact is, for example, that in Suffolk County, which encompasses the east end of Long Island, local property taxes make up exactly the same percentage (64%) of education funding as in Dutchess.  Under my legislation, the state would treat each area equally.  Taxes on Hudson Valley residents would be significantly reduced under my financing plan.  Every taxpayer would be treated fairly and every student would be treated equitably.  That is the whole point of the bill.

The only way we are going to achieve meaningful school financing reform is to proceed with the value of this being about our children.  Ensuring that each and every child has access to the same basic quality education regardless of where they live, how high their family's income is or how much their property is valued should be our top priority.  The state has a moral and legal obligation to ensure equity in our education system statewide.  I have and will continue to advocate for legislation to accomplish that goal while eliminating our reliance on regressive property taxes. 

 

Joel Tyner clearly understands that this is the biggest problem we are currently facing.  Instead of perpetuating false and misleading scare tactics that get us nowhere, Joel Miller ought to be thanking Tyner for finally waking him up to get serious about reforming education funding in New York State.

Sincerely,


Kevin A. Cahill
Member of Assembly

 

Events Calendar

October  2006

 

October 10^th,   Phonebanking begins at Democratic Headquarters.  email sfraser0326@aol.com

 

October 15^th           Sunday, Ulster County Democratic Committee Annual Dinner,  Hillside Manor, Kingston,  Cash Bar 5:30 to 6: 30 dinner to follow.

 

October 15^th,   Sunday, Women’s Tea to Support Wendy Ricks for Town Justice, Town of Saugerties at the home of Rosemary Brackett, 37 John Street, Saugerties, 3pm to 5pm.

 

October 17^th, Tuesday.  5:30 to 9pm, Paul Van Blarcum for Sheriff Fund Raiser.  Gisianos Restaurant, 174 Main Street, Glasco, Cash Bar, Hors d’oeuvres, door prizes, a night of fun and support for Paul.  $35.00 per person.  RSVP to frankfaluotico@aol.com or cal 679-0016

 

October 21^st           Fundraiser for Congressman Maurice Hinchey, Details to Follow

 

October 22^nd, Sunday.  Pot Luck Supper to Support Paul Van Blarcum for Sheriff.  Home of the Faluticos, 296 Maverick Road, Woodstock.  Bring a dish to share.  Donation $25.00, for more information call Sam at 679-2713. Sponsored by the Woodstock Democratic Committee.

October 24, Tuesday

Rally to Take back Congress.  Change the course of the Nation

Starting right here in the Hudson Valley, Waryas Park, On the Hudson River, Poughkeepsie, NY, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Featured speakers:

Democratic candidates for Congress

Ø     Congressman Maurice Hinchey, 22nd District

Ø     Kirsten Gillibrand, 20th District 

Ø     John Hall, 19th District 

Music by the Flames of Discontent.  Help Us Take Back Congress for working families! 

Endorsements to date:

Dutchess County Democratic Committee, Communications Workers of America Local 1120, Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation, Town of Poughkeepsie Democratic Committee; Public Employees Federation, SEIU 1199, Teamsters Local 445, NYSUT, Dutchess Peace Coalition, The Flames of Discontent, Beacon Democratic Committee, Mid-Hudson Progressive Alliance, and Voices for Peace.

 fFor more information contact:

Jen Fuentes, Coordinator, Hudson Valley ALF at: 845.567.7760 ext. 10 or hvalf@hvc.rr.com

Wayne Nealis, CWA Local 1120 at:  845.705.3516 or at wynnls@hotmail.com        

 

October 27^th, Friday 5 to 8pm.  Rosendale Democratic Committee’s Fabulous Fish Fry, Rosendale Community Center, Route 32.  $10.00 per serving.  Eat in or Take Out.  Come meet the candidates and bring your friends.

 

October 29^th, Sunday 3-5 pm  DuPuy Canal House Fund Raiser for Sue Zimet for NYS Senate, $25.00 per person/Hors d’oeuvres, cash bar.  If you are having dinner afterwards Chef John Novi will donate $30.00 of the $65.00 five course dinner to Sue’s campaign.

 

October 31^st, Last day to mail absentee ballot applications.

 

November 7th, ELECTION DAY!

August 2006 News

MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIR, JOHN PARETE

Volunteers across our county will meet to contact 100 voters each from their communities

The Ulster County Democratic Committee will be joining our State and National counterparts in what should be a major voter registration drive. I hope each Democrat can attempt to contact 100 voters from his or her community by Election Day 2006. Here in Ulster County we have already registered over 1,000 new Democrats this year.

As a neighborhood Democratic volunteer, you know your neighborhood best. You are a local "opinion maker." This means your neighbors may come to rely on you for information about the Democratic Party, candidates from your area, and local issues.

Face-to-face voter contact is the most effective way to meet people, exchange information, and talk about the Democratic Party and candidates.

In other news, the petition process is over and what a tremendous job the County Committee members and other volunteers did this year! We gathered over 2,000 signatures for Susan Zimet’s State Senate campaign (whose district encompasses about half of Ulster County). In Paul Van Blarcum’s race for Sheriff, our Committee members and volunteers gathered almost 4,000 signatures. Maurice Hinchey and Kevin Cahill’s Ulster County numbers were also phenomenal.

 

Now the campaigns are organizing and will be co-coordinating efforts locally and State- wide for what will be a tremendous Democratic victory this November.

Democratic Primary to be held on Tuesday, September 12th
Absentee Ballot Information

The Democratic Party will hold a primary election on Tuesday, September 12, 2006.  Polls in Ulster County will open at 12:00 noon and remain open until 9:00 pm. 

The candidates being voted upon are:

Governor:
Eliot Spitzer (spitzer2006.com)
Thomas Suozzi (www.tomsuozzi.com)

Attorney General:
Andrew Cuomo (www.andrewcuomo.com)
Mark Green (www.markgreen.com)
Charles King (www.king2006.com)
Sean Patrick Maloney (www.seanmaloney.com)

United States Senator
Hilary Rodham Clinton (www.hillaryclinton.com)
Jonathan Tassini (www.tasinifornewyork.org)

On a more local level, the Conservatives and Independence Parties in Ulster County are also holding a primary for the office of Ulster County Sheriff.  If you know of any members of either party, please ask them to vote for Paul Van Blarcum, who was designated by the Conservate, Democrats, and Independence Parties.  (www.paulforsheriff.com)

For more information, please visit the candidates’ websites, noted above

If you are unable to vote in the primary election in person, you may print an absentee ballot application by visiting:
http://www.co.ulster.ny.us/elections/absenteeapp.pdf
or you can call or visit the Ulster County Board of Elections at 284 Wall Street, Kingston.  Tel: 845-334-5470.

Absentee ballot applications must be received by the Board of Elections prior to September 5th if a ballot is to be mailed, or by September 11th if the ballot is to be picked up in person at the Board of Elections office.

SUSAN ZIMET: A Genuine Hero in Our Midst

 

Susan Zimet, a candidate for NYS Senate, is not afraid to speak her mind, shake up the status quo, and to do whatever it takes to create a more responsive and effective state government. Susan is ready to work with you—and with Eliot Spitzer—to restore the Hudson Valley and our great state, the Empire State, to her rightful place as a world leader in business, finance, education, jobs, healthcare, transportation, and environmental protection. Even with these disparate goals in mind, you can bet Susan won’t forsake her deep and abiding respect for the civil and constitutional rights of each and every citizen.

 

Susan Zimet is challenging incumbent John Bonacic for the 42nd District seat in the New York State Senate, which includes Delaware and Sullivan County, most of Ulster County and parts of Orange.

 

Like many reformers, Susan was drawn into politics because of issues: unregulated development; endangered community and environmental treasures; out-of-control property taxes; and education reform. As Town Supervisor and County Legislator Susan has gained a reputation for tight-fisted budgeting, finding alternative funding opportunities and minimizing waste and taxes.

 

Zimet (New Paltz) represents the 10th District in the Ulster County Legislature where she Chairs the Ways & Means Sub-committee on Budget Reform, and chairs the Arts, Education and Community Relations Committee that oversees all cultural, tourism, education, aging, veterans and health agencies. She also serves as a member of the Ways & Means, and Criminal Justice & Safety Committees. Susan won re-election to her second term in 2005 in an historic victory that resulted in the second Democratic majority in Ulster County history, the first since 1978.

 

Working across the aisle she achieved legislative successes on issues including Veterans' Health Care, Clean Elections, and Homeland Security—including protections for first responders and a warning system for hazardous waste transported through the region. For years Susan has been in the forefront, leading the bipartisan call for Indian Point Nuclear Plant to be closed because adequate safeguards are not in place. Susan's Resolution, calling for veterans and active military personnel to receive the care they deserve, as well as for testing soldiers returning from war zones for depleted uranium poisoning, is a bill now under consideration in Albany.

 

Prior to service in the Legislature she served two terms as Supervisor of the Town of New Paltz, the first woman to hold that job. Under her leadership New Paltz prevented WalMart from coming in and changing the character of the town, while she simultaneously worked to increase opportunities for locally-owned area businesses.

 

For more information about Susan Zimet go to: http://www.susanzimetforsenate.com

 

 

Help Needed for our Candidates

 

Volunteers Needed:  We need campaign volunteers in all towns across Ulster County to help our Democratic candidates get elected.  If you would like to volunteer for phone banking, mailing, canvassing, voter registration, or anything else, please email:  info@ulstercountydemocrats.com

 

 

Ulster County Charter Reform

Let’s Get it Passed!

 

By Vic Work

The proposed Charter Revision to be voted on in November creates a Strong County Executive with a single source of public accountability and creates the top county position who is elected by all voters in Ulster County. Under the current system, we elect 33 legislators who elect one member to be chairman of the Legislature.

 

The Comptroller and County Executive will serve 4-year terms, elected in alternate, odd-number elections.

 

The charter revision creates the office of an elected Comptroller who fills the role of auditing and policy making. The duties of the currently elected Treasurer will be consolidated into an appointed position of Commissioner of Finance to administer policy, collect taxes and receive and disburse funds. The Commissioner of Finance will also draft the County's annual budget in concert with the elected County Executive. The Treasurer's office will be eliminated and the Office of the Appointed County Administrator will be eliminated.

 

The Charter Revision also ratifies the 2003 Local Law that reduces the size of the Legislature to 23 single-seat districts whose representatives will stand for election in November 2011. They will continue to serve 2-year terms.

 

The next step is up to you: The Referendum will go on the ballot at the election on November 7th. Assuming the Charter Revision passes the Strong County Executive will be elected in November 2008 for a 3-year term to start January 1, 2009 and there after every 4 years.

 

The Legislature will become a Policy Making body - make appropriations, adopt the budget, levy taxes, pass local laws and confirm the appointments of the Elected County Executive. The County Executive will be the administrative head of the government, prepare and present a budget and capital program, appoint department heads and the county attorney, and report to the people and the legislature on the condition of county finances.

 

The Elected County Executive will be the person responsible for the activities of the county government and will hold a lot of authority. The authority will be offset by the elected County Legislature andthe elected Comptroller who is responsible for the audit of the county affairs.

 

Please vocally support the Charter Revision - it will make our government more efficient and less expensive and more responsive to the electorate.

 

Kind regards, Vic Work 

 

The August-September Ulster County Democratic Party Events Calendar

Sunday, September 9—Olive Day, Davis Park, West Shokan

Sunday, September 9—Esopus Democrats Annual Picnic, Freer Park, Noon--?

Tuesday, September 12---PRIMARY ELECTION