BULL

SCHNIEDER-MAN

As much fun as the above video was, there is a serious side to the whole campaign and I wish it weren't so. The artist who produced the video has had personal encounters with our good Senator and some of his colleagues as well as Judicial appointees. The commentary attached to the video is displayed below:

August 27, 2010

I am a song writer and musician. When I feel strongly about something I write about it. I wrote a campaign song for President Obama :
and he won!
I wrote this song about Schneiderman so that he may lose his bid for Attorney General of New York State.
Why do I strongly dislike like Senator Schneiderman?
Most New Yorkers know the story about Schneiderman smashing his car into a parked van. He caused over $3000 worth of damage to the van and sped off without even leaving a note. Fortunately, an onlooker took down the plate numbers of Schneidermans car and he was busted.
..
Schneiderman claimed he had not been aware that he crashed into the van (????) That's AG material.
But I have a very personal and serious problem with him, that is reflective of his utter disregard for the problem of corruption in our state government.
Mr. Schneiderman is the Senator of the district where I live.
On Apri 14th, 2010 Mr. Sunny Sheu and I went to see Senator Schneiderman at his first campaign speech and Q and A session, which was held at Mr. Dennehy's bar in the village. I had testified at the recent Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on judicial corruption
..
Sunny was scheduled to testify at the next hearing. Schneiderman sits on that committee but has not attended any of the public hearings on judicial corruption.
Before the Q and A session, Schneiderman's PR man, James Freedland approached us and asked us what we were going to ask the Senator.
That seemed inappropriate, but we answered: I wanted to ask the Senator about the fraudulent confirmation of Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman, at which numerous Senate rules were violated.
Sunny wanted to ask the Senator what he could do about death threats that Sunny said he had received from Supreme Court Judge Joseph Golia.
http://www.youtube.comhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Tr3QC./watch?v=W9fWFfCgM5Q
Freedland told us that we should not ask the questions at a public meeting, but that the senator would be happy to have a personal meeting with us. to discuss these concerns.
In the following weeks I called Schneiderman's office many times and was told that he senator was too busy to have a meeting.....ever.
Two months later, Sunny Shue was murdered.


..
The police are covering the murder by claiming that it was a natural death with no head trauma,
in direct contradiction to the New York State Medical Examiner who says he died from massive trauma and a cracked skull that led to his brain bleeding out.

...In light of the fact that Sunny was scheduled to testify at the senator's hearings on judicial corruption, and that he had been apparently murdered by a judge whose threats he had tried to report to the senator, I felt that the senator might meet with me to discuss the circumstances.
However, over the past two months, Senator Schneiderman's staff have never returned one of my twelve requests for a meeting.
Schneiderman has ignored my respectful letters regarding judicial .corruption and Sunny Sheu's murder.
This man wants to be the highest crime fighter in New York State, the guardian and enforcer of integrity of all three branches of Government, but he cannot find the time to have an aide meet with a witness to the death of a whistleblower.
Senator Schneideman has good reason to ignore judicial corruption. His father, Irwin Schneiderman is a powerful lawyer with one of the huge law firms that benefit from the thoroughly corrupt judiciary in New York State.
Notice that Schneiderman's "Ethics Bill" leaves out the Judiciary entirely!!!!!
When asked what he would do about Judicial Corruption if he became S=AG, Schneiderman replied that "The judiciary can police itself".
Despite the fact that Schneiderman did not attend the hearings of his own committee, he should have at least looked at the testimony and documentation of dozens of witnesses who demonstrated that the Judiciary has become a criminal enterprise.
To say that the Judiciary can police itself shows either utter ignorance of the state of the judiciary or a complicity in its criminality.
In either case, this man should not be allowed within a mile of the office of Attorney General.
Please spread the word, and VOTE in the September 14th primary AGAINST Schneiderman.

Peace,

Will Galison
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2c897_JR1I

FLOOD HELP FROM ALBANY?

Although we are looking at another two days of rain early this week, it's a far cry from the worrisome wet season that was threatening our reservoir basin last month. Luckily the waters along the lower Esopus crested before wiping out another 200 homes.

As you'll read in the press, there was a renewed call for our government to help with the situation. Namely water level control at the Ashokan Reservoir and to determine what could be done to help those in chronic harms way.

Our State Senator, John Bonacic was quoted asking that more authority be exerted over the New York City DEP's policy so that flooding along the creek could be prevented. John is spot on. I agree that the managers of the Ashokan Reservoir could have been pre-emptive in their efforts to curtail what could have been much worse. I did read that the DEP was releasing extra water into the Esopus a few weeks prior, but it wasn't enough. How many of us remember the horrors of years past when homes were washed away with only modest warning?

Bonacic also said: “In December, you know that Mother Nature is coming, you know you are going to have snow. I don’t know if this late you’d have this much snow, I don’t think anyone anticipated that, but you’re going to have the April rains always, and you have to keep the reservoir levels lower to prevent flooding. It’s a danger to people’s homes and a danger to people’s lives.”

When asked, Senatorial candidate Larry Delarose, noted that "Ours is not the only continually flooded area in the Hudson Valley. The fact that so many people built on properties that were just too close to estuaries, makes this a problem throughout the region." He added: "What impresses me is how John [Bonacic] is actively engaged in helping to find solutions to the problem, both with the Esopus watershed and the continued water contamination issue in the Wawarsing area along the leaking NYC Aqueduct. Options are limited, but when officials work with their constituents as he has, optimal outcomes are much closer to reality."

When Delarose speaks of public service, he fully understands what the job of State Senator entails. Look no further than the 42nd District and you'll see how a representative from either party should interact with his constituents. I tend to agree with him. Regardless of how they carry on in Albany, Bonacic has always served his district well.

Other quoted sources in the press seemed to imply that because of the DEP's arrogance, they place peoples lives and property at risk with disregard. I'd like to think they are just inept in their water management practices rather than suspecting the worst.

CHEERIO GUARDS THE MANSION

It's all over the state capitol...our Governor's dog, Cheerio snuck up on a carpenter working on the staircase railing and bit him on the calf. What type of dog would be so ferocious? Why a teacup Maltese of course.

Cheerio has a history of being over protective of the Paterson's while living in the mansion. Seems the other victims have been the elevator operator and a painter.

So why is this news? Well, it seems the tag line for the AP reports everywhere is that "Cheerio is the only thing in Albany with any bite." Considering the lack of action by the Senate in past weeks. But also the fact that these big burly contractors would get all huffy over the dog that's just a little bigger than a hamster attacking them.

We have real dog attacks here in Kingston that get no press and have real victims with real scars to prove it. Yet, this makes news in Albany.

To the right is the fella who finally called homeland security on Cheerio. His name is Tom Keyser. I'm waiting to hear how much he will settle for once he heads for court.

And where is his Union Rep during all this? These are dangerous working conditions, so I don't think we'll hear the end of this.

THE BRUNOMOBILE and more

New York State Senate Democrats have been in control for 50 days now. It's taken this long to follow the perk money to the Brunomobile and the TV studio in Long Island?

For the period equatable to the Dark Ages, Republicans had control of the State Senate and have accumulated quite a few perks during their reign of "Good Ol Boys" and insider wealth dispersal.

The New York Times reported: The Democrats are still trying to find out how the chamber's nearly $100 million budget was spent, how perks were distributed and even how many people were on the payroll under the GOP. You know, the "smaller government party".

On the list of surprises, was a quasi-political outfit, staffed with 75 or more, funded by the taxpayers engaged in Republican campaign propaganda, mailings and brochures. Located very close to the State Capital. A printing outfit only a few minutes away! How could the Democrats or even the press not have stumbled on this during the last 40 years? 75 employees for 40 years? Starting 40K to 90K/year with benefits? You do the math.

Getting back to this tricked out van for Joe Bruno. Tell me it's a joke. The arrogance is over the top and it has reached the point of unbelievable. Is there any way we, as New Yorkers, can garnish their future wages until death?

Malcolm A. Smith's top aid, Angelo Aponte, said; "Every time we nail something down, we uncover another rock and there's another 30 people there -- it's all over the state."

Considering the way Governor Blago of Illinois handled his stellar exit, we all know the corruption grows within the party in power, unless the press and the good people of that party stick to the ethical duties of the office they hold. Which is never.

The new report shines a light on the much-maligned political culture in Albany, where the division of taxpayer-funded resources has traditionally been lopsided in favor of the majority party.

Aponte continued: Republicans are not cooperating as he investigates payroll records and the money trail. He said an audit would be conducted, either by the state comptroller or an outside accounting firm.

Smith has been modifying the dispersal of monies to individual Senators, but has cut spending in the two main committee staff budgets. Both the majority and minority staff will see less than half of what they're used to.

Imagine you become the CEO of a massive company and noone knows how many employees are on the payroll? No wonder Albany has the reputation it does.

Smith, the new leadership and all those who fought so hard to see this change happen, have plenty of work to do. Just as was done when Ulster County did it's big shift, the deep cleaning will continue. Those specialty expenditures that make everyone grab their chin and say "Hmmm" will be weeded out and made public.

Honestly, It should be fun if it werent so sad.

CAMELOT INTOXIFICATION FADES

It's confirmed: Caroline Kennedy is out of the running for the open NY State Senate seat. She notified the Governor a few days ago, that she no longerseeks the job because of family issues. Does this open the race? Will Paterson rethink the options before him?

Lets consider who's left? The two most prominenet names out there are Andrew Cuomo and Kirsten Gillibrand. Both have been subjects on past Blog posts and both have had more experience than the others and both havbe been duely elected by all or some New Yorkers.

I can't lend support to someone who comes into this seat as a complete unknown. I have to apologise for the initial gushing over Kennedy though. Like so many others, the first thought of Caroline, with her name, fundraising skills and connection to our new President did cause temporary blindness.

Now that her glow has faded and the thin resume' reviewed, I have to concede, she didnt have the tenacity or "junkyard dog" stubborness that I think New York needs in DC.

For those of you hoping for Kirsten to get the seat, her chances just got better. First, there are simple demographics: she's a woman from upstate New York and would balance the Democratic ticket in 2010.

Second, given that she's already in Washington, she would have a smoother transition than, say...Cuomo. Those who know her, think she has a close relationship with Hillary and could easily absorb much of her staff on Day One.

But, David Paterson said last week, that he is still considering AG Andrew Cuomo.

Paterson told Katie Couric on CBS that "He's a person that is the only current elected statewide official in New York, the rest of us came to our positions one way or the other. We won't rehash that. He has outstanding qualities and is someone I'm considering."

So, at this time of posting, I am in no better place to judge what Paterson is going to do than anyone else. Now that I am over the Camelot Intoxification, I think I would pick Andrew Cuomo.

What do you think?

LEADERSHIP THEATRICS IN ALBANY

Just like the City of Kingston and every town across the nation, New York State is in a financial mess. With the second highest taxes, (second only to California) New Yorkers pay the most taxes per capita in the northeast.

Having stated that, I had the displeasure of seeing our state leadership as a panel on PBS13 over the weekend. Gov Paterson seated in the middle, with Dean Skelos on one side and both Silver and Tedesco on the other. Malcolm Smith was a no-show. It’s just as well.

As the program went on, I realized these guys have no intention of taking any big steps to cut spending and decrease pork. So I have to ask, does Governor Dave have a plan B? He has asked the NY representatives to come back to Albany on several occasions and had little success in cutting spending.

I know from experience here on the Council level what we can and can’t alter regarding minimum operating funds, state regs and contractual agreements, but NY is a big state, and heavy with bureaucracy. Surely there is fat hiding somewhere.

Paterson offered a slashed version of the budget with funding cuts to Schools and Medicaid, while increasing tuition costs at SUNY and CUNY. With that kind of threat, you’d think the obstinacy of the Legislature would diminish. Not a chance. Skelos and Silver are fine with Paterson taking the heat, so long as no-one touches their line-item pork.
[Hey, why don’t the Aldermen get pork?]

The last tool Paterson could use is the power to order our reps back to Albany weekly. Doing this during the holiday season would actually be fun to watch. He could also lay off a chunk of the state workforce. Let the pink slips hit the mailboxes right around Christmas. With State Senators like our own Bill Larkin, spending over 1.2 Million in office expenses in the last 18 months, even he might turn off some lights at night.

And where was Smith during this Faux Leadership meeting? Was he too busy with his new economic team for 2009, or did he know this was just theatrics for the sleeping legislature?

Now I’m off to a City Budget meeting. I’ve got my scissors.

DELAROSE CAMPAIGN MESSAGE 08

First, I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the literally hundreds of residents of the 39th district who have spoken with me personally on the campaign trail, e-mailed me or called me on the phone to express their views.

It has been an honor and a privilege for me to talk with you.

As we approach Election Day, let me ask each voter in the 39th State Senate district to take a moment of your time to think about what you want to see changed for the better in New York State.

Whether it is lower property taxes, more affordable health care for everyone, or equal rights for all our citizens, you have the power on November 4th to make changes happen.

If you give me the opportunity to represent you in Albany for the next two years, I can promise you that I will work tirelessly to help you achieve a better lifestyle for you and your families.

Together we can accomplish anything and no goal is out of reach. I need your help and your vote on Election Day to begin our journey together toward a brighter future for all of us and for our children and grandchildren. Thank you.

LARRY M. DELAROSE

Lawrence Delarose to New York State Senate - 39th District

GOOD OL BOYS ENDORSEMENT

Once again, the Poughkeepsie Journal endorses the Good Ol Boys in the State Senate.

First, It was Larkin over Delarose for some misleading reasons pertaining to vagueness.

From what I understand, Larry went into great detail on some of the issues they focused on and yet, the Editorial Board sites that Delarose was vague. Whatever.

Now it’s Frank’s turn. Assemblyman Tommy Kirwin, has been weaseling through election cycles with the same tactics as if the formula will always work. Not this time. Just as with Delarose, Skartados has some sharp points for serious change in the Assembly, and his private sector success story? Untouched. What a paper!

The Editorial Board thinks Tommy’s “lack of” is reason enough to let him continue to “Fight on” for another term. Everyone knew going in, that the paper was going to do this…but why so brazen?

Tom's claim to fame? Voting against the budget! I also voted against the City budget twice. I was out voted and it passed, but I voted against it…should I tout that and run for Assembly?

Puh-Leez !

I read the papers editorial with dismay as they showed a second time who they serve…themselves. Albany needs an enema and the Poughkeepsie Journal isnt interested. Delarose and Skartados will be the ones who usher economic change to their two districts and will surely pay attention to their constituency in a different fashion than what you’ve seen of late.

What happens when one or both of these fine candidates of change wins and the board has to face them for the next term? Will they be shunned by the office holder like Kevin Cahill has done to the Kingston Freeman? Hmm, maybe there’s something to that!

100th Assembly District that includes the cities of Beacon and Poughkeepsie in Dutchess County and the towns of Marlboro, Shawangunk and Lloyd in Ulster County.

Lawrence Delarose to New York State Senate - 39th District

Frank Skartados for NY State Assembly - 100th AD

GANG OF 32: TIME EXPIRED

So the NYState Senate Republicans are meeting this Thursday to decide what strategy has the best chance to stymie Gov Paterson’s fiscal crisis plan.

Doesnt that sounds about right?

Using a classic reference, candidate Larry Delarose called to say they’re once again circling the wagons to maintain the majority in the Senate without regard for the taxpayers. Paterson has some solid ideas, and as painful it will be to tighten our belts during FY 2009, most New Yorkers acknowledge how we got here and what it will take to get financially sound again.

Larry Delarose is running for the 39th district in the NYS Senate against Bill Larkin. Bill, like the rest of the “Gang of 32” could have offered some serious initiatives to curb spending and induce economic growth while in session, hell while in session over 18 years.

The powerful connections that once made Larkin a big source of Pork for Orange and Ulster Counties are long gone. Pataki, Bruno, and D’Amato are all history, and the desire to keep such a relic from the 12 years of Pataki fades from our jaded memories.

Larry would know most of the key players in the Republican Party, having been an Orange County insider for years. With little success in bringing the Republican machine back to the people, he bolted and joined the standard bearers of the middle class, the Democrats.

Delarose said: “This is just more of the same old stall tactics they uses time and again, to stifle the betterment of the working class while offering an ever increasing amount of support to the special interests.”

Larry went on: “This is just another chance for voters to view the arrogance and indifference of the 'gang of 32' in Albany." He finished his comments by saying: “The Republicans better enjoy this while they can. In January it’s going to be a whole new ball game and a lot of them are going to be unemployed and that includes Bill Larkin."

The 39th Senatorial district includes the City of Kingston, so the issues that matter to us should be brought to Albany by someone who would best get results with a Democratic Governor, Assembly and soon to be democratically controlled Senate.

With a clear message and the shift in Orange and Ulster demographics, Larry has a great chance at taking the 39th.

Lets just see if Paterson, Malcolm Smith, Jeff Klein and the rest of the democratic leadership is paying attention.

PATERSON TALKS TOUGH CUTS

Paterson has given the State Legislature a two week notice that serious work has to be done to lessen the tax burden increase on New Yorkers. I can’t believe he’s cutting their summer recess short!

What do you think will get done in Albany?

Paterson called back the state Legislature to the Capitol on Aug. 19 to start tackling a $6.4 billion budget gap in the 2009 budget that threatens to disrupt state services.

This is a result of an estimated budget gap of $26.2 billion budget gap over the next three years.

Paterson said on TV: "Our economic woes are so severe that I wanted to talk to you personally this evening on where we stand, the fact is we confront harsh times. Let me be honest, this situation will get worse before it gets better."

Now, I don’t want to startle anyone, but since when do politicians tell it straight-up?

We may know what’s coming, but these guys in Albany and DC usually tell a rosy ”Everything will be fine” speech. Paterson called on lawmakers to come back to Albany to find remedies to the state's fiscal problems that are also impacting the current 2008-09 fiscal year, which runs until March 31.

Paterson continued: "For too long we have done less with more and paid more for less. Now government will do what families have done when their incomes have fallen: we will cut spending. Government will learn to do more with less."

Here on the local level, the city and towns are struggling to deal with the eminent energy expenses, while sales tax revenues and discretionary spending are down across the county.

Expect all town boards and the Common Council to tie down what little they can to weather this perfect storm. Preliminary figures for next year have me second guessing the worth of some programs and employees. Oh, imagine taking property off the tax rolls now!

The state is experiencing the most serious budget shortfall since 2002, when the deficit was more than $10 billion after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. In the 2003-04 fiscal year, the state had to close an $11.5 billion gap. The City of Kingston had to hit the 7% mark that year, and did it hurt!

According to an article in the Albany Times: Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco, R-Schenectady, said the test will be whether Paterson, unlike his predecessors, has the courage to override powerful special-interest groups.

I would second that concern for that is the true test here.

GOLISANO: FATE OF THE SENATE

What influence will Tom Golisano have on this year’s Senate race? Well, if money has influence, Golisano will have sway in this year’s election.

Every year, New York seems to inch closer to a democratic controlled Senate. Some people might not like the idea of the three branches controlled by the same party, but we all have diverse opinions on every issue, just like here on Kingston’s Common Council.

Joe Bruno is now gone, but don’t think his influence has dissipated. He still has almost 2 million in his war chest. And much of that will be spent on his endorsed successor, Roy McDonald of Saratoga.

The Republican machine in Albany has been dumping big money into the coffers of key races this year in hopes to stem the inevitable tide of Democratic take-over. The new chief, Dean Skelos of Rockville Centre, who took the departing Joe Bruno's place, is getting a lions share.

Malcolm Smith of New York City, the Senate minority leader, might be the new Senate majority leader this time next year if the Dems pull this one off. Golisano is the key.

Tom, like Elliott, pushed for reform in State government. How campaigns are funded, influence of lobbyists and timely budgets.

Tom has an agenda, and offers funds to those who aspire to help in this radical change. The Millions he plans on dropping on Senate races will greatly increase the viability of any candidate that steps up for his cause.

One key factor is the ridiculous shapes of the legislative districts throughout the state. Have you seen a Senate or Assembly district map? This has got to change. Golisano, with his Independence stripes, will be pushing this issue, and with enough support, might see a difference in how we draw the lines.

I will be working to replace Larkin this year. Larry Delarose is the Democratic candidate from Washingtonville in Orange County. The district includes Kingston, Esopus, Lloyd and Plattekill as well as all of Orange County where both he and Larkin reside.

The shift in leadership in the Senate, falls on the efforts of grass roots campaigns at this level. Members of town and city committees have serious work to do this and every year. No one is expendible and supportive volunteers are needed this fall to make this happen.

Bruno, Skelos and Silver may play games in Albany after the players are picked, but we get to pick the players. We damn well better put some money on some new blood.

PATERSON SUPPORTS NET-METERING

Governor Paterson has made it known that he will sign what is called the Net-Metering Bill if the Legislature ever gets it to his desk.

Net-metering refers to the credits utility customers receive for putting electricity back into the grid from wind, solar and biomass technologies. The option has been limited to residential and farm customers.

Net-Metering would extend the “sell back” benefit to municipal governments and schools powered by solar and wind technologies. This; at a time when the state is pushing toward a goal of 25% renewable energy use by 2013, should be no surprise.

City Hall, Kingston High School and the two local hospitals could participate in the Net-Metering program as well as reduce the demand on the Central Hudson supply. There must be grants to help with such an investment. I bet we could find some if we looked.

If any building needed attention regarding power efficiency, it would be City Hall. It wasn’t built with fuel conservation in mind. Heating and cooling that monster takes plenty of energy. I wonder if the Governor would consider new thermal repro windows for our historic landmark? But I digress.

Those of us who have created our own solar and wind power as residents have sold back the extra electricity to Central Hudson. This will allow small business to join in and provide a real incentive to invest in the self sufficient, albeit, expensive equipment for local entrepreneurs.

Thank you Governor Paterson.

DiNAPOLI: OPEN BOOK NEW YORK

The New York State Comptroller, Thomas DiNapoli, has offered a valuable tool for the public to track government spending.

This is terrific news!

Through his office in Albany, Project Open Book NY is helping anyone with a computer follow and understand the complex spending habits of our elected representatives.

This should thrill everyone contributing to the system as this program details the 113 state agency expenditures, like: salaries, travel costs and outsourced consultants.

You can also search State contracts in real time to see who is doing business with the State. Mind you, this site is in it’s infancy, with plans to expand the breadth of financial spending in our state in the not-so-distant future.

DiNapoli said: “We’re trying to increase transparency and “open the books” on state government so New Yorkers will have a better understanding of how state government works.”

I think you’ll join me in applauding our state comptroller for this advancement in information dispersal. For too long, we have suffered in the dark, subjected to whatever the leadership offered us in the way of info scraps.

Sure, we could FOIL for the individual expenses we discovered through diligent research, but nothing will compare to the free flow of info we are about to access.

Thank you Thomas.

Chck out the site: Office of the State Comptroller

STATE POISED TO OFFER LEAD REMOVAL GRANTS

The New York State Assembly passed a bill requiring the State Health Department to identify the 30 cities outside New York City with the worst lead-paint-poisoning problems. Additionally it dictates that the SHD then work with counties to develop plans to reduce the incidence of the problem once exposed.

Sponsored in the Assembly by David Gantt (D Rochester) it now moves to the State Senate and sponsored by Joe Robach (R Monroe County) where it has to get through the hands of Joe Bruno.

This no-brainer has been stalled in Albany for many years, not for lack of public support, but because NYC slumlords heavily lobbied against it because they might have to do upgrades in their units.

To get this passed through the two houses this time, NYC had to be cut out of the proposal. Thanks to Robach (pictured left) for delivering this to the Senate.

According to a recent article in the Poughkeepsie Journal, New York has the largest number of housing units that still have lead paint, both in absolute numbers and in percentage terms, of any state, and this is clearly stated in all the documents presented to members of the Assembly and Senate. Children who get too much lead in their systems - mostly through breathing air that includes dust from the paint - risk serious brain injuries and other developmental problems.

Small cities like Kingston, Poughkeepsie and Newburgh have pockets of older, economically stressed neighborhoods which lend themselves to layers of lead paint inside. A study back in 2005 had over 3,000 children diagnosed with elevated lead content in brain deposits. That would seem outrageous since lead paint has been outlawed in New York State since 1978.

In case you’re a landlord who has neglected your older properties or plan to rectify this problem, the state is offering tax credits to cover 50% of the cost of projects to remove lead paint.

The question is, will our local Senators step up and pass this legislation?

Contact Stephen M. Saland , Bill Larkin, John J. Bonacic, Joseph E. Robach, and

Joseph L. Bruno to show your support from the Hudson Valley.