GOLDEN HILL IN COMPLIANCE

After years of reports of a crumbling structure and physical risk to clients and staff, the State Health Department informs the public that Golden Hill is not falling down around our residents.

 

Yes, we have financial issues facing us. The facility is over 40 years old and has built-in deterrents to modernization upgrades, but that doesn't mean evacuation under emergency status is looming. 

 

While attending meetings in an office building atmosphere may be informative and convenient, I knew we would all read about it the next day. I however made the unexpected visit a few evenings ago and took some pictures. Although obviously dated, the place was maintained, clean and hardly distinguishable from other "For-Profit" facilities I've been in recently. 

 

I caught the 'Activities Team' [pictured above] still planning the next day's events in their small corner at the end of one hallway. All expressed their concerns about the future of Golden Hill while remaining focused on what they were going to do the next day to engage the residents.

 
While the speakers told the Legislature that “The residents are absolutely safe.” We cant help but reflect on the anomaly in health safety we experienced last year. Understanding that such a tragic loss like that could happen anywhere there are extended piping systems and non-flushed water lines doesn't shake the fact that Golden Hill is old, out dated and exposed to health risks. 

 

 

Still, I need only cross the river and visit some friends at Ferncliff Nursing Home to hear stories about their care. For fear of being sued, I wont repeat them here. 

It's a "For-Profit" facility that operates much the same way anything private is run. Minimal expense, minimal staff and ever increasing cost to the client. I wont talk about the "ClenliFactor" either.

Oddly, the state reimburses such facilities at a much higher rate per bed than they do County run facilities such as Golden Hill. Go figure.

 

A cynical person would suggest the private firms have a good lobby in Albany, pushing for the continued decrease in funding so as to push local government funded homes to the breaking point. I can see how someone would come to that conclusion. 

 

In recent months, I have heard numerous times how the Legislature knew Golden Hill was in a predicament for many years and didn't act when it could have cost a whole lot less than it does now. Why municipalities ALWAYS do this is beyond me. Both parties have had control of the Legislature during this time of inquiry. Now the choices are limited.

 
I lean toward building a new county run facility with a higher number of beds if possible. Close to the current building would be preferable. The future of the current building would be a fight for another time. 

The other option I am open to would be two smaller facilities with one located at the southern end of Ulster County. Either way, the county would have to negotiate a more equitable reimbursement policy with the state. 

TSUNAMI HITS AIRPORT

Ever wonder what it looks like when a tsunami hits an airport?  This video is from Russia Today, broadcast March 11, 2011.

It's natural events like this that bring you back to the reality that we are small and that the bickering we do over petty issues is less significant than we make them out to be.

SAFETYNET LAWSUIT: CITY VS COUNTY

Anyone who read the papers this week, is aware of the City of Kingston's attempt to sue the County of Ulster. Why? For the extra fiscal and social burden associated with the 'Safety-Net" welfare program. That's why. 

It's back in our conversation because our county representation is urging Judge Kahn to dismiss the charge on the grounds that it has no merit.

Lawrence Kahn is a US District Court Judge. It's up to him to decide if the case goes any further. The Albany law firm hired by the County has pushed the city to prove its claim of discriminatory burden. The task; demonstrate that the county places most of its homeless clients in Kingston and Wawarsing. Simple. At least for the last 20 years.

As housing developments spring up throughout the county, we are seeing more instances of the "billing of pain" being spread to other townships. This will no doubt wake up some of those Supervisors as the impact on their budget starts to grow. 
I say, build more low-income government-subsidized housing like the City of Kingston did. 
Welcome the huddled masses with open arms and wilfully accept the cost of housing those who have been discarded by other towns. Kingston cant do it forever.

 
As stated in the Freeman: The Safety-Net Assistance Program is a temporary assistance program funded 50 percent by the state and 50 percent by municipalities.

Unlike all other counties in the state which pay for the program through the county budget, Ulster County requires that the each local municipality bear the cost of Safety Net recipients living within their borders.

The city of Kingston, the only city in the county, is home to the largest number of Safety Net recipients in the county. In 2010, the county budgeted about $7.3 million for the program. Of that, the city pays about $1.14 million and the towns pay about $1.1 million. The county pays about $1.2 million of the bill, with state and federal monies making up the difference. 

Even if the suit is dismissed by the court, it keeps the issue of equal safety-net burden alive in conversation. The issue usually comes up in the final days of Budget negotiations in the County Legislature and has gotten as many as 10 out of 33 votes to fix the anomaly. 

I say anomaly because we are still the only County in the country that places 50% of the program cost on the individual municipality that houses people in need. ALL other counties that actually have such a safety-net program, share the cost at the County level.

 

With so many members of the Legislature announcing their retirement this December, perhaps those without electoral hindrance can do the right thing on the way out the door this December.

DOUBLE DIPPIN COWARDS IN ALBANY

Double-Dipping New York Lawmakers: MyFoxNY.com

MASSIVE GATHERING THAT MSM IGNORED

To hear about the huge number of civil protesters that gathered at the Wisconsin capitol in Madison, you'd think the Librul media would be all over it. Well, not so much.
Estimated between 80K to 100K people gathered in a snowstorm to voice their opposition to the Governor's proposal to squelch bargaining rights to the public unions. This after those same units offered the needed concessions.
 
Saturday's numbers surpassed the previous record set during the Viet Nam protests. Some would say there isn't much difference between the base feelings of the two. As noted through the day, this gathering brought out other middle-class groups and private union members not affected by the Governor's slash-n-burn policy.

Through the week, people from around the country had been buying food for the protesters from the restaurants long distance. Saturday, Representative Keith Ellison of Minnesota paid $3K to Ian's Pizza, located right in the heart of the crowd. He fed allot of people today.

What was absent, was the news coverage. Coverage that would usually be droning by this point if it had been anywhere else. CNN, MSNBC and of course FOX were too busy with fluff programming, and in the case of FOX, bashing the middle class workers in Madison. One person on Twitter went so far as to suggest Charlie Sheen sightings in Madison to get CNN to show up.
 
What did come to light however, is the fact that the KOCH Brothers are now a household name. Those vampires have a long history and people are now following their money. Remember Aunt Issa? Whoa. And they say the John Birch Society is dead.
 

Anyway, I wanted to express my support for the right of employees to exercise collective bargaining. If the Legislative and Executive branch cant handle such negotiations, they're in the wrong job.
 
One last fascinating note: Not only have the firefighters from around the state joined the protest, so have the police units that were sent in to forcibly break up the crowds. An amazing display of non-violent disobedience without so much as one arrest. Newburgh cant go a sunny day without a few.

MERGING HEALTH DEPARTMENTS

There are times when I feel so lucky to be running on the same ticket as County Executive Mike Hein. With the announcement that he wants to pursue a merger of the County Health Department and Mental Health, I fight the urge to start a parade in his honor. Yes, I may seem a little jubilant over this, but I am thrilled that this opportunity arises while I'm serving on the Legislature.

 

Mike's press release indicates that he is prepared to explore the consolidation, which would further streamline government while bolstering the county's efforts to provide health services to our citizens. This was obviously prompted by the announcement of the current Mental Health Director's intent to retire. For his years of service, we say thank you Edward Brown for years of quality service as we wish you well. 

Health Director La Mar Hasbrouck, will be managing both duties separately as the administration and Legislature work out the possible merger of the two departments. 
The release said: The Executives appointment provides for a unique opportunity to evaluate the coordination of multiple health service delivery systems. I think we'd all have to agree there.
As New York State government attempts to address its $10 billion budget gap, counties throughout the state are facing the potential for significant reductions in state aid and Medicaid reimbursements.  

Executive Mike Hein said: “State and county governments are in a period of great transition and must continue to proactively identify efficiencies.  In addition to improving service coordination, this action is expected to provide Ulster County taxpayers with estimated annualized savings of over $57,000 immediately.  We look forward to working with the departments’ boards, the Health and Human Services Committee, the entire Legislature and all stakeholders to ensure that the highest quality service continues to be delivered”. 

Walter Frey (R Saugerties) Chair of the Health Committee got a quote in the release stating that the Legislature is looking forward to working with the Executive exploring the merger. He added: “This demonstrates our commitment to streamlining and ensuring accountability to the taxpayers of Ulster County." Walter is right and I think I join my colleagues on the sixth floor when I say this sounds like a brilliant idea.

ED SHULTZ & SHEP SMITH

WORKFORCE REBELLION

No doubt you've all witnessed the workforce uprising in Wisconsin. Madison has become the focus of so many as we wind up our state budgets. But like so many instances before, the workforce suffers at the whim of the powerful.

Without argument, my Republican colleagues admit this is a perfect opportunity to whittle away some of what they see as prohibitors of growth. Of course this would be their perspective or they wouldn't be Republicans and since I don't know about their homelife growing up, I wont cast judgement.

What has transpired though, is the "I've had enough!" syndrome in a state that is known as the birthplace of modern worker's rights. The unions confronted with massive layoffs, gave Governor Scott what he wanted in the way of concessions. Enough to close the financial gap that he caused by slashing taxes for his top corporate donors. At the behest of those donors, he went further. Crafting a bill that would basically strip his bargaining partners of their ability to negotiate.

A line in a NYT article went: Republican talk of balancing budgets is cover for the real purpose of gutting the political force of middle-class state workers, who are steady supporters of Democrats and pose a threat to a growing conservative agenda. Once the connection to the Koch Brothers was revealed, I just laughed and thought how did they not see this coming?   
 
 
 In Ohio, Indiana and Florida, we see the GOP leadership having second thoughts as we head into week three of the Wisconsin protest; Urging fellow Republicans to drop it because it could interfere with other items on their agendas.

The same article went on: Conservative leaders in most states with strong unions have in the past generally made accommodations with organized labor, often winning support on social issues in return. That changed this year after wealthy conservatives poured tens of millions of dollars into the election campaigns of hard-right candidates like Kasich and Walker. 

The billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch, who have long been staunch union opponents, were among the biggest contributors to Mr. Walker. 

The Republicans’ claim to be acting on behalf of taxpayers is not believable. 

 Bring that issue home to Kingston and Ulster County, we are looking at the bare minimum in our workforce, an average public income 30% less than the private sector and a looming deficit in the near future. Where are we to scrounge for binary funds when the wealthiest among us get tremendous tax breaks and the cost of running a municipality are expected to rise. If you want even more drama, lets throw in the threat of the 2% taxcap coming from Albany. 
See Circuit Breaker alternative.

Getting back to Wisconsin: Union leaders agreed to concessions requested by  Walker. Paying nearly 6 percent of their wages for pension costs, and double payments for health insurance. At that point, most governors would declare victory and move on. Instead, Walker has rejected concessions and won’t even negotiate. His true priority is stripping workers of collective-bargaining rights and reducing their unions to a shell. 

If you want to know how that's working for him, simply turn on CNN.

CHAMBER BREAKFAST: MOLINARO & LOPEZ

The Ulster County Chamber Breakfast was packed. For an institution that often features speakers in the majority or executive leadership, it was nice to hear from intelligent voices from the minority to get the other perspective.
Mark Molinaro and Pete Lopez spoke on the issues that face the state and the hopes that our new Governor holds fast to his intent to change the way Albany does business. 

 It was a light review of the way the Assembly works considering noone in the audience needed much review, but I have to say some of the questions prompted spirited debate. Questions about "School Funding" and "Mandate Relief" were touched as was the ridiculous cost of replacing even a small bridge over Broadway in Kingston. 

 Legislators in attendance were Fred Wadnola, Terry Bernardo and myself. 

 To the Chamber leadership and staff, congrats on another successful event!

ANIMATED FUN WITH SARAH

MEXICAN NARCO-PARAMILITARY RIGHTS

If you are buying large quantities of automatic weapons along the southern border for the purpose of arming the Mexican drug cartel, you're in luck. 
 
The House voted to block the administration's attempt at implementing a mechanism to give the Fed the authority to track and catch gunrunners to Mexico. I know, it's one of the last items we make and export. So what gives?
 

Reports all over the internet confirm that the NRA was firmly opposed to restricting this export. I'm guessing they are protecting the Mexican 2nd Amendment too. Wait, do they have the same amendments?
 

Here's the point you're all going to love. This vote actually got bi-partisan support  and it was lumped in with all the other spending measures to keep the Gubmint runnin until September.

Now, you might think of Oklahoma as the source for such an amendment, but from a Democratic Congressman? Not so much. Enter: Dan Boren. Soon to be ex-Congressman of course. Once the DCCC gets done with him. 
His proposal  prohibits the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives from using federal money to require licensed firearm dealers to report multiple sales of assault weapons.  
 

About 35K people, [men, women & children] have been killed in Mexico since President Calderon took office. His administration implemented a sustained effort to eliminate violent drug-trafficking cartels. Bloodshed along the border is the result. To help with Calderon's effort, the Obama Administration proposed the rule requiring the 9,000 dealers just north of the border to alert authorities when they sell within five consecutive business days two or more semiautomatic rifles greater than .22 caliber with detachable magazines. Colderon is in favor of the proposal. 

Colderon is well aware that 65K of the guns recovered at village slaughters were traced back to US gun dealers. I'm expecting someone from the NRA to give us a good reason as to why we should ignore this mass sale phenomenon along the border. That clarification should come in the comments below.
There's a war going on right here on our continent and the main stream press is missing it entirely. You know it and I know it. When the CIA sanctioned arms sales in the 80's for human trade, the public went wild. Now we are simply ignoring the obvious because the task of securing the border is too great and we are embarrassed that the "war on drugs" has failed.
Making the access to semi-automatic WMDs more difficult to the Mexican Drug Cartel should be the minimum we do. 
 

The Senate must send this back to the House for repair.

LAW ENFORCEMENT SECURITY GROUP

 Below is a press release by Jack Hayes, the Chair of Ulster County's Law Enforcement & Public Safety Committee:  

 

Pictured: Terry Gilbert, Nina Postupack, Brian Cunningham, Jack Hayes, Peter Brennan, Paul VanBlarcum & John Morrow

 

The Ulster County Security 

Working Group Making Progress 

The Ulster County Security Working Group was formed by the Law Enforcement and Public Safety Committee to review and assess the current state of personnel and building security at County Buildings. The Working Group was honored to have Peter Brennan, Director of Dow Jones Security at its February 10, 2011 meeting. Mr. Brennan is the former New York State Police Troop Commander of Troop K, Poughkeepsie, NY. Mr. Brennan, has agreed to assist the Working Group in updating County security.

Ulster County Sherriff Paul VanBlarcum has agreed to be the Lead Ulster County agency for planning and implementation of Best Practices. Member, Ulster County Clerk Nina Postupack, is providing extensive knowledge of the Ulster County Office Building and its operations.

The Working Group is fortunate to have security subject matter expert John Morrow as a member. Mr. Morrow has an extensive background in Security and Safety systems application. Deputy County Executive Robert Sudlow is acting as County Executive Michael Hein’s representative and liaison to County Departments. Administrative Manager Brian Cunningham of Ulster County Buildings and Grounds is providing Technical assistance. Thomas Turco and Vic Work of Ulster County Board of Elections and Terry Gilbert, President of the Ulster County Civil Service Employees Association, are also members.

The Working Group is presently in the preliminary stages of its assessment and is reviewing physical building plans and systems. Upon completion of the assessment the Working Group will issue its findings and recommendations.

For additional information contact:

JACK HAYES

845-633- 8733

JOHNJHAYESUCLD8.COM

HINCHEY SPEAKS: OIL ROYALTIES IN GULF

What? An attempt by someone to cut reasons to borrow from Communist China? 
Say it isn't so!

MONTANA: GLOBAL WARMING IS GOOD

Thom Hartmann can be seen nightly at 9pm and repeated at 11pm on RTtv.
Channel 139 on the Hudson Valley TWC.

THE WOERNER LETTER

Below is a "Letter To The Editor" from Nick Woerner to the Daily Freeman regarding the Federal investigation into the City of Kingston Police/School District pay debacle.

A reprint of such letters do not necessarily equate to an endorsement of the statement.

 Dear Editor:

 

In following the news coverage regarding the issues surrounding the Kingston Police Department Double Dipping Probe, I felt it would be prudent to point out a potential solution that may have stopped this from occurring. The Town of Ulster Police Department regulations require that officers seeking outside employment obtain the approval of the Chief of Police prior to engaging in such employment.

 

The request for approval is made on a form on which the officer is required to indicate the name and address of the proposed outside employer, the hours and dates the officer proposes to work and the nature of the employment. Any approval given is valid for a period of one year. The policy also provides for an appeal of a denial of approval to the Police Commission.

 

This policy is consistent with New York State General Municipal Law 208-d which specifically authorizes police officers to:

 

“engage in extra work for another employer outside his regular hours of duty for not exceeding twenty hours a week provided that such extra work does not interfere or conflict with his regular duties as a member of the force or his availability for emergency duty nor affect his physical condition to the extent that it impairs his ability to efficiently perform such duties and further provided that the type of employment shall first be approved by the appropriate police department or police commissioner.”

 

I would urge the members of the Common Council of the City of Kingston to consider the adoption of a policy similar to that of the Town of Ulster.

 

Respectfully,

 

Nicky B. Woerner

Former Supervisor

Town of Ulster

HINCHEY AND THE BUDGET CUTS

This past Monday, Congressman Maurice Hinchey held a press conference. His task; to better inform the public about the dangers of the Republican majority plan to slash vital services while pampering the wealthy. His words are fairly backed up by anyone paying attention to available facts. That is if you chose to look for them.

 

Hinchey made note that the plan that is likely to pass in the 112th Congress, would hurt Hudson Valley families. Something very few of us doubt. Our region is already feeling the pain from this recession more than some others.

  
 Maurice drew attention to the $600M that the GOP intends to cut from the COPS program. That's almost 1500 police officers that will get pink slips on day one. Maybe Kingston, Poughkeepsie & Newburgh don't need police officers after all. 

Maurice also pointed out the deep cuts to the SAFER grant program which would send almost 2500 firefighters home jobless. I feel safer already. 

If you find yourself in a pickle during the winter and there's no fuel in the tank, you may as well kiss your pipes goodbye. The LIHEAP has been slashed as well. The elderly and disabled are at most risk from this one. I'm guessing "out of sight..."

Here's the whopper: The plan slashes one of the most binary of humanistic programs...WIC. $800Million wiped out heading into the next year. This baby helps provide prenatal care to low income women and gets much needed nourishment into toddlers from financially stressed homes throughout the country. I know this is some kind of joke but it's not funny. 

Hinchey said: "On Valentine's Day, the Republican majority in Washington is showing no love for Hudson Valley families while showering corporate special interests with tax earmarks and giveaways. This budget scheme is like giving a box of chocolates to Wall Street bankers and oil company CEOs, while delivering a dozen black roses to America's middle class. Instead of cutting special corporate tax earmarks that would actually reduce the deficit, they are actually slashing vital services for Hudson Valley families and eliminating job-creating investments that America needs to compete against China and India. It's no wonder that the difference between the rich and everyone else keeps growing."

 Here's the best part. When Maurice say we have to scour the budget for waste, fraud and abuse; opposition jumps right in and says "We've been saying that all along". Meanwhile, the GOP offer no changes in military spending, our tariff structure, outsourcing restrictions or closing tax loopholes for the wealthiest individuals and corporations. Just cutting the programs that affect the middle class and the weakest among us.   

Unlike the "crickets" we've heard from the GOP this past year, Hinchey has laid out alternative budget cuts:          

1.     Reduce cold war era military deployments in Europe - $80B in 10 years

2.     Eliminate special Big Oil tax earmarks from the tax code - $40B in 5 years

3.     Close tax loopholes that incentivize job exports - $34B in 5 years

4.     Erase the corporate compensation tax earmark - $17B in 5 years

5.     Eliminate Medicare red tape that prevents the government from negotiating lower prescription drug prices - $14B in 5 years

6.     End special tax earmark for private equity fund and hedge fund managers - $20B in 5 years

7.     End failed 1980s missile defense programs - $1.3B over 5 years

8.     Sell excess federal real estate - $1B in 5 years

9.     Cut funding for military coins - $18M annually

10.  Cut funding for Radio/TV Marti - $17M annually

Hinchey finished up with: "The difference between our plans is that mine cuts the deficit and theirs cuts jobs. If the choice is between ending tax earmarks for oil companies and investing in high speed rail and renewable energy, I choose jobs. We should not be cutting the solar panel manufacturers that will build our renewable energy future and construction workers that will build the interstate high speed rail systems that Japan and Germany built three decades ago."

ESPERANZA SPALDING: BEST NEW ARTIST

Winner for the Grammy for Best New Artist Esperanza Spalding, shares the stage with Tony Bennett at the White House.

GUINNESS: WORTH WAITING FOR

I LOVE PANDORA RADIO

I think it's amazing what's happening around us technically. From the way we get our news, entertainment and communicate with each other is radically different from how our parents did only a few short decades ago. I mean, what would Hosni Mobarak be doing right now without FaceBook, Twitter and YouTube? 

Which brings me to my fourth tech-love: PANDORA. This iPhone App has changed the way I listen to music. Depending on my mood, and I have mood swings, I chose a channel on the list and off it goes. You can select a genre or an artist. If I hit the Ozzy Station, I'm sure to hear him as well as bands he was in as well as those who sound like him like Preist, Metalica and Deep Purple. If I want to chill out, I select Portishead and enjoy tracks from Massive Attack, Morcheeba and Pink Martini. Who knew?
Think about traditional radio. It's their job to introduce you to new music while convincing you that you like what they're playing. It’s natural. That’s what they have to do to stay in business. The pop music world is about convincing people that’s how you belong, that’s how you are cool. People are insecure about their musical taste because of the music industry. The broadcast world is essentially a one-playlist world. Radio can run only one playlist at a time.

 The reason I bring this up in a Blog post today is because Pandora is about to go IPO. The company co-founded by Tim Westergren  and Joe Kennedy, has stopped losing money and about to turn dollar #1. Those of us who enjoy the online program appreciate the significance of such a threshold. How will the medium change? Will we be singled out for more focused advertising? Would any of that matter to any of us who'd like to continue our musical isolationism?

So what's so special about Pandora? The Music Genome Project. That's it. As you play one of your "stations", you give a thumbs up or down on the choices Pandora thinks you'd like. It "learns" what you like as you participate. 
I have a Genesis station on my iPhone list. If they or something close to it ever played on my Ozzy station, I would hit the thumbs down symbol. Same goes for Ozzy showing up on the Genesis station. in either instance, that song would never play on that particular station again. Not that I would expect either example to occur. The Genome Project already deters such an occurrence by default. But it's fun to imagine.

According to a quote from WikiPedia: The Music Genome is a collection of the most basic attributes that collectively define a song. Without the right word choice for describing the parts of a song our business wouldn’t have worked. We try to break down every dimension of a song to its most basic building blocks—like melody, harmony, rhythm, instrumentation, vocal performance. Vocal performance gets probably 30 attributes. Tom Waits is a gravelly baritone, with almost no bravado. Beyoncé, she’s an alto with bravado galore.

According to Newser.com: The Internet radio service filed for an IPO it hopes will raise $100 million and give it the chance to turn a profit for the first time. Though some 80 million listeners tune in, Pandora is largely free; it lost $16.8 million for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2010, but only $300,000 from that period through Oct. 31, 2010. It coughs up 60% of its revenues to pay performance royalties.

Anyone within my readership looking for something fresh to invest in, might want to have a good look at PANDORA. I'm just sayin.

Bill Maher on the Founding Fathers

JON SENNETT FOR UCDA 2011

Jon Sennett has made his formal announcement that he is a candidate for Ulster County District Attorney.

MEALS ON WHEELS

A few weeks ago, the sub-committee for Meals On Wheels met to discuss the future of the program and assess the long term operations pertaining to the preparation of the meals.

Chaired by Cathy Terrizzi, with Carl Belfiglio and myself as members, we were introduced to department heads who have the jurisdiction over the programs. Office for Aging Director Anne Cardinale, Dianne Stewart of Geriatric Services and Pat Konopka from Senior Adult Care were joined by Robert Sudlow from the Executive's office to give us an update.

Mr Sudlow started the meeting off right away declaring the issue of delivering meals to seniors throughout the county was in the operational purview of the Executive's office. That kinda set the tone for the meeting.

Chair Terrizzi established that the committee was established to get a better understanding of the threats to the program and determine the long range outlook. Basically to see if our homebound seniors needs are being met.

Anne Cardinale gave us the rundown on the previous conversations regarding the "frozen vs hot" meal delivery and the financial constraints that prompted that conversation. We do know that the contract the county has had with Prestige Foods 2009-2010 has been extended through 2011. So hot meal delivery is safe atleast until the end of this year.

Over 10K hot meals are delivered monthly at the cost of $7.42 each. The cost estimate for the service through 2011 stands at just under 1M if you include the Blizzard Boxes that go out before a forecast storm. Understand that the county doesn't fund the whole program. The cost is diced up so the Fed pays 35%, State 26% and the county 39%. Some of our share is offset by those receiving meals making anonymous donations ranging in the 60K - 70K during the year.

The Meals program currently serves about 460 clients. That number is down a bit from previous years past, but fiscal constraints have cut our ability to serve. What is most interesting is that Suffolk County has a waiting list of 800 and Orange: 500. Ulster is looking at 20. Is this a reflection of better management or more stable older constituency? Either way, Prestige Foods has the option to renew the contract for 2012. Whether they are still at the TechCity location is questionable.

You may ask why all the counties are promoting the Home Meal deliveries in this manor. The number of seniors who decide to stay home rather than move to nursing homes has increased dramatically. The diminished cost to the individual is significant and the impact to counties and their senior housing providers is well worth the program expense. The comfort to our seniors is invaluable.

Legislator Walter Frey, a guest at the meeting, offered a recent report from the Planning Department showing the aging population bubble in Ulster. This will have a serious affect on the program in the not so distant future. Mr Sudlow echoed the concern and noted that the tidal wave of seniors is a subject that we should address early, like this committee is attempting to do now.

Carl asked why there was a $136K increase in the expense line heading into 2011. Turns out it was the result of several years of rollover cost overruns that were not refundable by the Fed. After three years, they are now being allotted for in the budget. This was from exceeding the contracted meal allotment which is allowed, but must be accounted for. One factor is the Medicaid Adult clients which were a result of the "Older American's Act" and it's mandate of service.

There are situations where persons meeting the requirements for the Meals program are either unable or unaware of the program. Even with the small waiting list for the service, I asked what measures were taken to find seniors in our community that we suspect aren't getting the minimal nutritional needs they should. P-I was told persons in all of the services throughout the county are asked to look out for potential clients when offering other services everyday. They are then referred to the OFA where staff will inquire whether that person needs assistance. I then asked if there was a list of seniors in the county that the 33 of us Legislators could access to contact those in our community who we suspect might be in need. Trained staff would have to handle the detailed forms.

End report from the committee should reflect a sense of hot meal delivery security through the year. Since we are in the darkest days of the economic crisis and federal funding is scarce, the positive upturn in the economy may relieve the threat of diminished service, but nothing is certain when the number of clients is expected to explode. The subcommittee will convene again throughout the year.

SNOW HUMOR

It's a good thing Ulster County negotiated with the towns for "Shared Services" when they did.

EGYPTION PROTEST SONG: FEBRUARY 4th

Here is an Arabic protest song with subtitles recorded Friday night in Cairo. I thought it would be fun to post here today.

THE GOOD WORD AT UCCC: RISE

A few weeks ago, I attended the Programs & Education Committee. Chairman Wayne Harris and the rest of us got to hear about the status of UCCC. The Dean of Admin, Mark Komdat, gave us a pretty detailed report on the programs, finances and enrolment status. It seemed on course for the 95% expected projection.

Dean Komdat said that as of December, the projections were heading for 78% but already reached 88% by the mid January meeting. While I type this, Its probably at the desired amount heading into this semester. We discussed the possible reasons for the sluggish enrolment numbers, attributing issues such as changes in healthcare coverage for students under 26 as well as the economic stress in the Hudson Valley.

Mark then explained that they are looking to boost summer enrolment by implementing a head start collegian program for recent high school graduates.

 

Kathleen Keyser was present to give us a brief overview of the history of the RISE Program and how it has existed for more than twenty years under different names. I was shocked at the number of students that had utilized the program. At that point I realized that if I wasn't fully aware with the program and didn't know what it does, then most of us are in the same position.

 

RISE has served more than five hundred students with children who are on temporary assistance and has enabled them to earn a degree, a certificate or a diploma in select areas and to become self-sufficient. Those that qualify, get into the program through referral. There are a number of incremental programs designed to build a learning student. Eventually DSS assigns the students in specific activities to assess their engagement. The "Participation Summary" requires a designated number of hours each month.
(Im' going to have to get a tour of the program)

Wayne Harris asked if the participants were all women. Kathleen said men had been referred in the past, but not often. Don Gregorius asked about the entry program. Kathleen said the "Essential Skills" classes start at the beginning of summer to prepare students for the fall.

 Marianne Collins, the Dean of Advancement, noted that those who graduated the many courses in the RISE program had a 98% success rate of stepping out of the assistance system and staying out. Considering the cost of subsidizing a family through the safetynet, the educational investment in the head of household is well worth it. 

 

There are under 20 referrals in any annual program. Of those participating, some achieve sufficient employment during the course and drop out. Certainly not a negative. I only wish we had the resources to offer to place more referrals in the program. Perhaps the 2012 budget.

THE JON SENNETT LETTER

I have pasted the letter that Jon Sennett sent to the Freeman below. His opinion is his own. However, considering he touched on many of the Legislative issues that a select few of us have continually harped on, I have to agree with him.

Dear Editor:
The recent controversy surrounding the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency  is unrelated to the botched Ulster County Law Enforcement Center project, yet the citizens of this county see again a lack of accountability by the county Legislature. Worse yet, we see inaction by the district attorney on a matter of public integrity.

In the jail debacle, the Legislature immediately conducted a thorough probe and directed the district attorney to present the case to the grand jury. In the RRA controversy, the District Attorney’s Office is purposefully avoiding the public integrity matter and instead investigating only issues of alleged weapons possession and/or sexual harassment and misconduct.
 

The citizens of Ulster County deserve better and should demand more. Public integrity should be a priority for our district attorney, even if it means stepping on some political toes. While we await action from the district attorney, our Legislature should conduct an open and thorough probe. Moreover, I agree with the proposal to place administrative responsibility for the RRA in the hands of the county executive.

 

Seems someone has been following the recent RRA resolutions that are heading for the next Legislature meeting. Nice.