Wednesday, January 04, 2012

BERNARDO TAKES THE CHAIR

Ulster County is making serious changes again. Where the Charter Reform of 2005 provided separate branches of government and last year's election gave us 23 districts, we now have our first female Chairperson.
 
With a near unanimous vote, Terry Bernardo leads the 23rd Legislature with an agenda: to get the policy making branch of county government back to business. "We are here to provide excellent service to the public." she said. 
  
Her inaugural address was anything but boring. There were so many serious points to be made as she set the agenda for the Legislature during this first year. Many issues that went unresolved or ignored during our time together on this body may actually be addressed in 2012. I'm excited.

 
As an indicator, Chairwoman Bernardo said “I’d like to say a few words about our body’s partners in government and the Charter.  The Charter set up a balance of power between this body, the executive and the comptroller, the vast overhaul proposed by some to make this legislature less effective is not welcomed from this chair today.” 
   
Terry and I worked together in the Government Efficiency Committee where we began an aggressive mission to better distinguish the blurred policy and operations rolls in the new Charter. We suspect we were getting too close to issues that others thought should remain in darkness. That committee was dissolved in 2011. Terry now has the ability to give strength to that same cause heading into the new year.
 
As with all governing bodies with new leadership, Ulster County will be watched by neighboring counties, state officials and all the residents within her borders. The press will do their best to keep officials honest and us bloggers will have our fun as well. Best of luck to everyone on this historic journey.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Too much independence party influence. Len might as well be the chairman.

Anonymous said...

It's interesting that you call this the 23rd Legislature. Most people don't know the history of the county leadership and how far we've come since those early Supervisor meetings. What puzzles me more is how we've gone this long without a woman chair and far too many people have no clue that Terry is the first.

Anonymous said...

9:33... I think not. The dynamics of that household is more complex than you might think. Len will have his opinions, but that's what they are, his. Terry thinks and manages on her feet and she's got a long history in that capacity before her life with Len. Let's just say they are both independent.

Anonymous said...

ALL ABOARD FOR THE LAST TRAIN RIDE FROM ULSTER COUNTY GOVERNMENT http://observingulster.blogspot.com/2012/01/all-aboard-for-last-train-ride-from.html

Anonymous said...

Terry stated she told Len to stay out of it. Then not a week later hired 2 Independence people one from out of county. Lost all credibility in my opinoin. And what does it matter a women or not we just need a real leader (man, women, black white, hispanic)this 2012 get past that stuff

Anonymous said...

Fawn Tantillo and Langdon Chapman. I wasn't even thinking about Len directly, but now that you mention it.

IPNY has 5% of the enrollment and are in extremely confidential positions both in Kingston and at the County level. That is not right.

Anonymous said...

Mike I'm glad you still post the responses I see blaber still has Len editing his posts. Anyone seen a Republican in Ulster County