ORANGE COUNTY DINNER

I attended the Orange County Democratic dinner this past Sunday evening. It was held pretty close to Middletown at the Brookside Manor. I went as part of the supporting team to elect Larry Delarose for the New York State Senate since Kingston is in the 39th District.

Both Congressmen Maurice Hinchey and John Hall were presented Distinguished Service Awards by the committee with introductions by their respective Assembly representatives Skartados and Gunther. It was your typical affair, with a cocktail hour, followed by light buffet, plenty of speeches and finally a dinner that surpassed our ability to finish.

Tom DiNapoli, our State Comptroller rounded out the evening with his anticipated speech focusing on the financial state of the state, how chaotic the budget talks have become and where we stand as Democrats heading into the 2010 elections. All expected at a political function.

The hall was littered with candidates running for AG, State offices and some local judgeships. Nick Woerner was in attendance to help support candidate Eric Dinallo, shown here being walked around by Elliott Auerbach. Sean Coffey and Kathleen Rice were working the crowd as well. No sign of Brodsky, Schneiderman or Holtzman.

What was unusual, was an endorsement letter placed at each setting at every table. With Frank Skartados' heading at the top, it was an endorsement of Harley Doles for Senate. It was on paper I had seen before. I used it myself my first run as Alderman here in the City of Kingston. It might be OK for a City Council or Town Board election, but for an Assemblyman? Not so much.

Here's the best part...I wander over to where Frank is talking about the Assembly with Nick Woerner and Vince Bradley, where the issue of the endorsement letter comes up. Nick picks up the letter to show him, where Frank says: "Whats that?" We come to find out that Assemblyman Skartados didn't know that his staff whipped up an endorsement letter for Doles, signed his name to it, and dispersed the copies to the tables before the event.
The look on Frank's face: Priceless.

Considering the damage to Frank at this point in both "choosing" one candidate over another and using the faded flag stationary in his name, Frank made a point to reach out to Larry in what looked like serious conversation in the back of the hall. I can only imagine what happened after the event when Frank got to engage our friends Phil and Trish Schacter on the issue. Personally, I don't know that I would tolerate a juvenile stunt like that had I been the Assemblyman, but then, I am speaking from the perspective of the opposing candidate. I might be biased?

The Ulster County conventions cant come soon enough to put these petty insider fights to rest and we can get on with the election season.

WALKWAY OVER HUDSON: QUAD FUNDING

The Federal Omnibus Appropriations Bill includes $950,000 for the Walkway Over the Hudson!

With an extra push from Sen. Charles Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, this chunk of change will better prepare the historic Poughkeepsie-Highland railroad bridge into the world's longest elevated pedestrian walkways. Just in time for this years 400 year celebration.

If this funding survives the vetting process both on the floor of the Senate and House, then the fast track to the crossing is a sure thing.

Schumer quoted in the AP: “The Walkway Bridge is poised to become one of the greatest tourist attractions in New York, and its opening will be the culminating event of the Quadricentennial Celebration, we are taking a landmark piece of the Hudson Valley’s industrial past and turning it into something that will draw visitors from every corner of the state and beyond—providing terrific opportunities for our local businesses and delivering a shot-in-the-arm to the Hudson Valley economy.”

Senator Gillibrand said: “These federal dollars will go a long way in helping local business make the Hudson Valley a destination for families and businesses. I will continue to work with Senator Schumer to ensure that New York receives its fair share.”

State Assemblyman Frank Skartados heaped praise on our two DC reps and expressed continued support for the project in any way possible. Noting that this is the opportunity for tourism economic growth to really accelerate in the midhudson region. The 100th AD includes both Poughkeepsie and Lloyd.

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

ULSTER COUNTY FAIR: MEET AND GREET

Friday night, I went to the Ulster County Fair in New Paltz, and by the looks of the weather, I picked the right night to go.

The evenings at any county fair are just like we all remember them, the colorful rides, the 4H Competitions, the bad carnival food and the smell of livestock. Conjures up fond memories doesn’t it?

Well, the fair also provides a terrific venue for county wide candidates to meet thousands of potential voters. Both major parties have information booths and solicit new registrations. Those of us enrolled in the respective committees take turns stationed at the cubicle and get to interact with people we would otherwise never meet.

Not all candidates are on hand each evening; I had the privilege to share the booth with Elliott Auerbach the UC Comptroller candidate and Frank Skartados, the 100th Assembly candidate. Both excellent choices for their intended positions and if voters weigh qualifications as they vote this November, both will serve us well.

Frank and I discussed the issues facing Dutchess and Ulster counties regarding economic stimulus, and how inter connected the whole region is when it comes to attracting quality jobs to the area. He got to meet plenty of his future constituency throughout the day. The 100th district includes some of southern Ulster and some of Dutchess.

Elliott was his usual animated self, greeting everyone like family. Indeed, if any of us are to survive the economic downturn that the White House has provided us, we have to consider all UC residents as one big family. Cahill, Delarose, Skartados, Hein and Auerbach all recognize this.

One thing you all missed if you weren’t at the fair Friday night, we got Blaber to wear the Sponge Bob costume. Yes, as if he couldn’t be more of a spectacle, he greeted the youngsters and took pictures with families, actually contributing a positive action to the community. It was a sight to see.