CARBON EMISSIONS UP 6% IN 2010

Now that 2011 has come to a close, lets look at a small issue that since the reports came out, the main stream media have chosen to ignore.
During 2010, our planet saw the largest increase in carbon emissions since the Industrial Revolution.

There. I said it. According to the Global Carbon Project, an international group of scientists tracking these numbers, emissions during that one year jumped about 6%. This is scary stuff. Question is, why haven't the news outlets pounced on this?

 

Nature Geoscience Journal published a report detailing the evidence that confirms just how much humans contribute to this disaster since 1950. That would be three quarters in case you're interested. Let it be known that 10 of the hottest years ever recorded have occurred in the last 15 years.

 

What are world leaders going to do about it? They're going to jump right on this issue, right? 
Ha! Fooled you. These turds are going to wait another eight years to cut emissions. And not a minute before dammit! 
In all fairness, they do intend to have some resemblance of a plan by 2015, but don't hold your breath. These folks only serve themselves and those who contribute the most money to their campaigns. Coincidently, the worst polluters are usually those same financial supporters.
 

Although the EPA has finally accepted CO2 as a contributing pollutant, it seems the US will participate in the "kicking the can" mentality while the Durbin agreement, which contains plenty of loopholes, states emissions won’t be cut until 2020. (Long after the current knuckleheads in Congress have made their fortunes and moved on)
 
Is this the year that we eventually look back and say, Yeah, that's when us humans took the path of no return, the inevitable ruination of our planet? I certainly hope not.

EFFICIENCY AND ETHICS

Last week, I attended the Committee for Government Operations & Efficiency chaired by Terry Bernardo. During which the agenda focused on The structure of the county government, duties of each division and the options available to the Legislature to streamline their departments.

After discussing the methods of communication between the Elected and the staff, we asked about Wi Fi on the sixth floor as well as getting meeting minutes posted on the website. You can find the minutes of all county committees posted on the county website. Believe it or not, the issue of wireless access for the whole building is addressed in the Capital Projects package that is scheduled for review two months from now. Yes, I said Capital Projects.

Brian Shapiro helped review the prior leaderships attempt at Ethics legislation while Terry engaged the the attending members on the more positive ways we all could interact with each other and the staff while serving the electorate. We know how the discourse between legislators can get, well, not so respectful. Lets see if we can alter that this year.

Chairman Wadnola has placed the committee with the daunting task of reviewing the current "personnel policy" specifically the request of the County Executive regarding nepotism in departments that he has no control over. You've heard all about it in the press. Well, it may actually be looked at! I know I will.

The inaugural meeting of this committee was relaxed in that we were just getting to understand the role of it's duties. However, this committee will have it's hands full as the year progresses. Having seen the draft template created by Terry on how the County operates, I can see why this issue is in dire need of attention. Its a mess.

The make-up of this committee isn't final yet. Who knows who'll be on it next time we meet.

16th UC LEGISLATURE: CLASS OF 2010

With the coming of a new year, comes a list of promises from the governing bodies throughout the country. Ulster County was no different. This past Wednesday night, January 6th, the ceremonies that welcomed the 16th induction of the Ulster County Legislature took place. Yours truly was right in the middle of it all.

Transparency and bipartisanship were the themes we heard throughout the evening. Small steps were made in that effort during the last two sessions, but apparently, not enough. Mind you, the Democrats took control in 2006 just as the Charter Revision was taking place, combined with the fact that they hadn't held control of the Legislature for decades before then. Now, during the last class of "Fiddlers 33" the Republicans get to steer the last bloated ship to dock.

As you see above, Chairman Wadnola was chosen unanimously and the audience got to hear some humorous banter during our first organizational session. Parting wishes were offered to those leaving the body as well as Congrats to those joining.

During one odd exchange, the Democratic caucus took the initiative to reinstate the original language describing the Mission Statement of the Committee Chaired by Terry Bernardo. Racing through the agenda, we fully expected to hear someone from the majority motion to amend the watered down version on the floor, but there was silence. So, Legislators Provenzano, Zimet, Parete and Donaldson had a one party conversation with the new chairman regarding protocol with the result of unanimous vote to reinstate the original language. Congrats Terry!

Chairman Wadnola called on lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle to put aside their partisan differences and work together “in a real bipartisan effort” to do what must be done for the county’s residents. I think the Democrats made that impression on day one.

Now, as a County Legislator, I join the chorus of members who claim the Legislature must assert itself as a separate but equal branch of a government. Many of my colleagues have been in office long enough to still feel the former duties in their routine. I, having just come from the Common Council, join them knowing the separation of the two branches quite well. Lets see where this takes me and the 16th Legislature as we head into 2010.

ALBANY CHAOS PLAYS OUT IN KINGSTON

And they say what goes on in Kingston has no affect on the workings in Albany. Now we know different.

It seems our own Judge Karen Peters has presided over the appeal to place a restriction, called a TRO restraining order, against Senator Pedro Espada from acting as President Pro Tem. Have you been paying attention to the mayhem at our State Senate?

The decision was made at the appellate level at the Ulster County Courthouse late Thursday afternoon and set in motion the means to get Malcolm Smith and the Senate Democrats back in the chamber, that is until later today, when the State Supremes get their shot.

Yesterday, my friends on the Republican side, got to gavel in and out of session just to say they did. No bills were acted on.

Walking around our quiet uptown neighborhood, you'd never know that the chaos in Albany was being discussed and possibly influenced right on Wall Street.

I'll modify this post as I hear more. To think, we actually feel we have leadership problems here in Kingston and Ulster County. I wouldn't want to be in the middle of that one.

Update as promised: The latest is that we don't have any leadership in the State Senate for the weekend. That may be a good thing.

NEW YORK STATE SENATE LEADERSHIP

Great news on the Senate Leadership issue. New York senator-Elect Hiram Monserrate of Queens, decided to stay with the Democratic majority and thus end the speculation of which affiliation the Senate leadership would have.

Unless there is some kind of power struggle over the Majority Leader role, Malcolm Smith will assume the position.

Malcolm Smith said Thursday he will create a Latino caucus in his conference, addressing one concern of the so-called "Gang of Four" Democrats who threatened the party departure.

Sen. Pedro Espada Jr.from the Bronx, was set to meet with Skelos sometime before the 2009 session, but nothing is confirmed.

There is also the assumption that these four Senators were playing for the chance at a lucrative chairman positionS but in the midst of the political storm in Albany, Smith has made no promises.

Paterson has called the Legislature back to session Nov 18th to address the financial crisis we face this year. We all hope they work a little magic in those meetings because it has a significant affect on the Towns and Cities throughout the state.

[WE NEED THE MONEY]

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Our very own Bill Larkin is one of the “Good Ol Boys” who are pushing the “Gang of Four” to defect the Democratic majority. With the Senate under control of the Democrats for the first time in 40 years, there is no longer a road block to the sound, fiscal proposals coming from the Assembly. Joe Bruno and company let thousands of quality legislation proposals die in committee simply for political reasons.

The other two defector suspects are Rubin Diaz of the Bronx and Carl Kruger of Brooklyn. Kruger got a Chairman position under Bruno in return for favorable votes.

Espada primaried and won against Gonzales, who was supported by Smith. So there is a history here that those of us upstate might not know about. But it’s important to the Hudson Valley, because we are in the “No Job Zone” and the health of the valley depends on the leadership in Albany.

To counter Larkin’s smug attempt to shift the power, his former rival Larry Delarose said: “I just heard a newscast today that said State Senate is thinking of attempting to pass legislation for marriage equality in NYS. However, Bill and his conservative buddies in the Senate are looking to stop that by any means. The four Democrats known as the “Gang of Four” are tempted to jump caucus for this reason. Isn't it about time the LGBT community in the 39th Senate district stop grinding their teeth and step up to the plate and publicly call out those who oppose the move?”

I would have to agree with Delarose on this issue. There are a number of progressive issues that the "Brown Shirts" have blocked for decades. Watching this play out publicly by people we elect is disturbing. Lets hope the leadership change brings the policy change we asked for.

Question is, will Delarose run for Senate in two years and will the Democrats actually support him? That depends on if the Democrats finally get tired of the ugly politics of the "Good Ol Boys" who are now in the minority.

UC DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS COMMISSIONER; Its that time again.

Monday night, UC Legislator Peter Laughran, D Kingston, formally asked the Kingston City Committee to consider endorsing him for Democratic Elections Commissioner.

The position opens after this fall and is currently held by UC Democratic Chairman, John Parete.

Members of the Committee say they have gotten mixed messages as to John's intentions this fall. Cosidering the rumored 5 or 6 others who may announce their candidacy for the same position, the Committee decided to wait to endorse anyone until Septembers meeting.

Peter made it clear that after a long introspective search, he is determined to run for the position regardlass of John's intentions. Peter has served on the Common Council as well as the Ulster County Legislature for decades, and has sought the DEC position over 20 years ago.

Best of luck Peter. You are qualified and respected, but the field of contenders will make any campaign tough, and there are so many town boards to convince.

Whether the seat is open or not may depend on the ethics ruling on the Legislature. Parete may have to chose which hat fits best.

SENNETT GOES FOR LEADERSHIP

BREAKING NEWS:

Jon Sennett has announced he is seeking the position of Chairman for the Ulster County Democratic Committee. For those who follow the workings of local party politics, you know the significance of this challenge.

Jon, being the committee’s nominee for UC District Attorney in 2007, lost that race due to the split loyalties of Democratic Committeemen. Had there been strong leadership at the top during last year’s races, we would have Ulster County’s most competent lawyer as our DA today.

Today, that leadership is finally recognized as the failure it always was, in the challenge made by none other than Jon Sennett himself. With the image of “Good ‘Ol Boys” stripped from the public’s perception of party officers, the respect that the position deserves will once again be earned and deserved.

Wednesday night’s Executive meeting was the setting for this great news, and for many, it was a joy to behold, for others…not so good. It’s the end of an era. You can guarantee that a number of old school - party elders will not be happy, but I will support this regime change in any way I can.

Thank you Jon.