WASHINGTON AVE TRAFFIC PATTERN

 Everyone in the greater Kingston area knows this Washington Avenue intersection with Schwenk and Hurley Ave. The traffic volume during rush hour is almost at capacity.

 The resurfacing, however, has provided the opportunity to alter the lane and storage pattern in each direction. You may find that navigation in both directions is much easier to understand and less dangerous.

That's because the new striping actually copies the plan that Charlie Schaller and I offered the Traffic & Public Safety Committee back in 2007. The plan that my colleagues wouldn't entertain because no-one saw the benefit in cleaning up what I thought was a storage nightmare.


This shot above brings the lane division out to where Ulster Savings exits. I may still have drawings that depict the same pattern!

 The west bound lanes are wider than before and the east bound single is cut down to 14 feet wide from 20. I'm going to have to commend my friends on the county and state traffic boards for following through with the modifications from so long ago. Job well done!

EXEC HEIN: SHARED SERVICES AWARD

BELOW IS A PRESS RELEASE REGARDING THE AWARD:

UC Exec Mike Hein was awarded a 2011 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award for his work on Intergovernmental Collaboration/Shared Services in Ulster County.  NACo acknowledged the County Executive’s “hard work to promote quality, efficient, and responsive management and administration.”

Hein said, “This award is the recognition of a strong group effort and I want to commend the many towns that have participated in this program.  I believe shared services are the wave of the future and I look forward to growing this program.  Simply put, it works and saves taxpayers money.  We all serve the same taxpayers and it is critical that governments expand collaboration to protect them.  Taxpayers cannot afford escalating property taxes and as government leaders, we must continually find more creative ways to provide essential services while reducing costs.  Collaborating with Ulster County’s towns on projects, like the highway shared services, is an effective way to keep taxes low and make sure the job gets done.  I also want to recognize the amazing efforts of the County and town highway workers for making this program a reality.”

This innovative “shared services” program decentralizes various highway services including snow and summer maintenance, from the County to the towns for a fee. This provides cost savings to the County and additional revenue to the towns. This program reduced duplication, and provided better services and safer roads, and is better for the environment, all while saving our collective taxpayers money.
According to Town of Saugerties Supervisor Greg Helsmoortel, “Mike saw a problem with a solution that was simple on the surface, yet complex because of the need to involve different governments and agencies that usually work best because of their independence. The concept was to create greater efficiencies in snow and ice removal and general maintenance throughout the year by changing the traditional hierarchy of who plows what roads. Patiently, slowly, he built the coalition needed to get the job done.”
Despite the fact that the 2010-11 winter season ranked as one of the worst winters in the past 100 years, Ulster County received a total of 71 inches of snow, in 2011, Ulster County Executive Mike Hein was able to implement a package of reforms in the Department of Public Works, including this Intergovernmental Collaboration/Shared Services Initiative. These reforms save an estimated $2.3 million from the prior year’s budget. 

 There are currently six towns involved in the Intergovernmental Collaboration/Shared Services program. Shandaken, Gardiner, Woodstock, Saugerties, New Paltz and Hardenburgh. 

At least two of these towns are interested in expanding their mileage participation in 2012 and two additional towns have expressed interest in entering the program.  
County Executive Hein added, “It is my great hope that this is just the beginning. Collectively, we have created a strong foundation to build upon.”

DELAROSE WRITES TO CUOMO: AGAIN

Below is a letter sent by Lawrence Delarose to our Governor Andrew Cuomo sent only a few days ago. I thought I would publish the letter on behalf of Larry to increase the odds of a response from the Governor and our State Legislators.

Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo June 9, 2011

Governor of New York State

New York State Capitol Building

Albany, New York 12224

Honorable Governor Cuomo:

This is my fourth attempt to get a response from your office on the issue of double dipping by sitting state legislators.

While I commend your efforts to bring reform to Albany with your legislation on ethics reform and pension reform it is alarming to note that neither effort addresses the issue of double dipping.

You currently have 15 members of the “club” sitting in the state legislature being paid twice with taxpayers dollars to do the same job. How to you explain this situation to the thousands of New Yorkers struggling to make ends meet in the current economic recession? The simple answer is you don’t.

I once again urge you to use the influence of your office to put an end to this “gaming” of the retirement system at taxpayers expense.

Respectfully,

Lawrence M. Delarose

ELECTRIC CARS

Electric cars are coming. But how much do you really know about them? How much money will you save on gas? Where and when can you charge them? What happens if you want to charge your car at a friend's house? GOOD's latest video answers all these questions and more.

KINGSTON FIREWORKS 2011

Ok, I am having a problem understanding this whole June 26th thing. Did something significant happen in Kingston in our vast history on June 26? 
Sure, I'm being snarky, but how is we are celebrating our Independence a full nine days early?

If it's an issue of event competition between municipalities, what's wrong with Sunday July 3rd? Saugerties will be on the 4th! Don't get me wrong, I like a party like everyone else, but this tradition of "Last weekend in June" has it's limits.

This would be a good time to also say thanks to the brave souls at Mainetti, Mainetti & O’Connor for financing the event, as odd as it is. The big news, other than the date, is the lack of vendors and live music. Gone are the days when Starship and Scorpions take center stage at a free event in Kingston. 
 

Granted, all the events in the past cost a heap of money, compounded by the task of trash collection and cost of law enforcement. It did seem to entice a gathering of folks we don't regularly see at Council meetings.
 
The business owners have chipped in for the $4,000 estimated overtime costs for the police department. That's as much of a donation for the community as a safety precaution for their commercial property. Very smart!
Kate Cook, the city's event planner said in the Freeman, the vendor fees once covered those costs. She added: “The business owners want to bring back the waterfront to a different environment and not so much a carnival atmosphere.”

In regards to the scaled back expense of the once infamous three day celebration, Alderman Bob Senor is right... Our city just cant afford to spend precious funds on such events when we are painfully short on DPW and REC employees. His quote in the paper: “I too am disappointed, but this just comes back to a sign of the times, there is no money.” 

But one thing we can control Bob, is the date. Lets push our Independence celebration to Sunday July 3rd... OK?

I LOVE MY NEW YORK WATER!

KINGSTON GOP PICKS ANDI

As reported: The City of Kingston Republican committee nominated first-time Alderwoman Andi Turco-Levin  Monday night to be their candidate for the mayoral election in November.

As the new fresh face for the Republican Party, Andi has plenty of work to do to reshape the image of the local GOP. It would be my assumption that those who support her intend to do just that.

The majority of the committee chose Turco-Levin over former Alderman Richard Cahill Jr., current Alderman Ronald Polacco, R-Ward 6, and former Kingston School Board President Jean Jacobs. 

Best of luck to Andi and the rest of the ticket. With the potential for Primaries as evident as they are, she may face a September date just like the rest of us. Will it be Rich, Jean, Ron or someone we haven't heard of yet, we don't know until petitions are submitted. Enjoy your victory Andi. The summer of electioneering is yet ahead.

GLSEN: THINK B4 YOU SPEAK

FAIR AND BALANCED

Here is a little something to make you chuckle. The ticker-tape that announces updates for "Fox News" was hacked a few nights ago. For a few short minutes, they were "Fair and Balanced".

MEMORIAL DAY IN KINGSTON 2011

I have to say, even with the early morning storm and the mid-day humidity, it was a terrific day to experience the Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade in Kingston.
It's not every day that we reserve a time to acknowledge and honor those who served or are serving in a military capacity, but we should.
Today marked the ninth time I witnessed the service as an elected official and I never get past the distinction that we are merely temporary place holders who barely manage our governing affairs while brave men and women are out there making it all possible.

Below is a picture of the choir that sang the National Anthem and God Bless America. They were great!

Having said that, I figured I would just post a few pictures that I took as the day went on. Thanks again to those who serve our country and may our government treat you right when you come home.

I followed the Kingston FireFighters after the parade to their memorial park where they had an additional ceremony commemorating the passing of several former members. Also very moving experience as the bell was wrung five times to signify the losses. It was a solemn day, full of heavy thought, but also filled with joy, as we encourage our soldiers to carry on their duties in harms way.  

 

I have to mention that the AOH bagpipe brigade were on hand to play Amazing Grace. As often as I hear that song, in all of it's renditions, I never fail to choke up during it's performance. Beautifully done.

 

 

Below is a picture of that iconic statue at the park. It's an interpretation of four firefighters carrying 911 victim #1; Mychal Judge, the Franciscan Chaplin who was the first to perish during the WTC attack. Also worth stopping by to look at next time you have a spare minute.  

RED FACED DRUG DEALERS

It seems some people in Russia are taking the War On Drugs into their own hands. 
With so many people dying from overdose or involvement in the drug trade throughout their country, vigilantes have taken up marking the dealers with waterproof Red Dye.

ORIGINS AND FUTURE OF NATIONAL DEBT

Many of you are familiar with he Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Well they have decided to weigh in on this whole deficit chart issue that's been all over Facebook and twitter and offered their own update.   

As luck would have it, like many charts that have preceded it, it doesn't show a positive future. That is unless we make some drastic changes and soon. The final draft of the "Debt Origin" chart lays out the origins of the country's current fiscal trajectory. And as studies and charts before, most of the problem comes from ongoing Bush/Cheney policies. Policies that could be altered if the President and Congress had a set.

By the end of this current decade, the Center projects that, unless something drastic changes and soon, the Bush tax cuts, combined with the economic meltdown and the cost of the wars will account for most of the National Debt.

Is there still any doubt that returning to the Clinton era tax structure (which yielded quite the surplus as you know) should be the thinking persons logical conclusion? How is it that after a decade of this failed experiment we are still debating this?

DELETED STARWARS SCENE

AMY'S CHALLENGE TO MICHELE

This is quite funny! You cant navigate FaceBook, Twitter or the cable news programs without hearing about this New Jersey high school student who challenged Michele Bachmann to a constitutional duel. Considering popularity of the show "Think You Know More Than A 5th Grader", I suspect the fresh civic teachings in her public school give her the edge, and considering Michele has has decades of distorting the document. 

 

Always one to proclaim her constitutional conservative roots,  she cherry-picks lines to make her arguments when she's attacking the middleclass. So much so, that Amy Myers has thrown down the challenge to the Congresswoman. 

 

 In this "open letter", Amy states: "I have found quite a few of your statements regarding The Constitution of the United States, the quality of public school education and general U.S. civics matters to be factually incorrect, inaccurately applied or grossly distorted. I, hereby challenge Representative Michele Bachmann to a Public Forum Debate and/or Fact Test on The Constitution of the United States, United States History and United States Civics."

This may be her blog, when Bachmann responds I'm sure we'll all hear some more of her zany commentary. It's always ripe for the news cycles because the content is always juicy. Frankly I'd pay-per-view any such constitutional match if she decides to accept the challenge. But don't hold your breath. 

Note: When asked, Trump said he didn't know what the 13 stripes on the flag represented.

STICK A FORK IN HER

Robin Yess is done. She has announced her resignation as the Chair of the Ulster County Republican Party. Through a series of heated emails this past Friday evening, she and her predecessor Mario Catalano covered plenty of contentious points and took turns pointing fingers at who are to blame for the recent history of the Republican Party.
 
Accusing other committee members of working to oust her from the leadership position, she laid out her case against what she called: (GOB) or Good-Ol-Boys club within ranks of the party.
 
Throwing accusations about back room deals and third party bullying, Robin went on to say as a civilian, she can now focus on her real job 125%. When pressed by Mario for at least one name of someone she knows working to take her out, she offered David O'Halloran. She's not making any friends on her way out.

I hold no ill feelings toward Robin. I think about the condition of the GOP here in Ulster County and have to fight the urge to ask my Republican colleagues to give her another year to prove herself. But then why would they want to hear from me?

I WANT YOU...

NEW CAFE: @BROADWAY's SOFT OPENING

 

Great news! A new business has opened on Broadway in Kingston. A new Cafe called @BROADWAY, located at 346 Broadway just a few steps east of the Kingston Hospital. 

 

Everyone should appreciate all the work done to restore this property. The neighborhood between Foxhall and East Chester is seeing a gradual change for the better and this Cafe will help this area thrive again.

The second floor is destined to be a piano lounge and  Lyn (pictured above) expects to offer entertainment through the week. Work is still in progress so stay alert for future announcements. 

And if you're on the run, feel free to hit the sidewalk service window for a to-go order. You may even find Jason on duty in the window seat. Maybe.

RESTRICT SUGAR DRINKS FROM SNAP

The sticky subject of sugary drinks and SNAP benefits has erupted in New York City again. Mike Bloomberg, joining the call to help in the fight against childhood obesity, insists on restricting sugary drinks from the federally funded SNAP program. aka: Food Stamps. 

No surprize, the large soda companies are mobilizing against the measure. Selling large quantities of crap soft drinks to our most vulnerable is a significant source of profit.  
 

The American Beverage Association is the heavy hitter for the opposition, but not the only one. They are determined to kill this profit killing plan of his. They have a good reason too. The folks who are on SNAP are more likely to buy these products compared to other economic groups, providing yet another example of class warfare in the marketplace.

You may ask; why would those who represent us in Washington, hesitate to act on our behalf when it comes to citizen's health and the better use of taxpayer dollars. Think about it... These are dollars coming from federally funded programs to help those of us struggling. I understand that. But Pepsi & Coke dont rank up quite as far on the nutrition scale as milk and juice do. 
Truth is, the major beverage companies dropped allot of money on the congressional members in the New York City area, so they're putting pressure on the Mayor, City Council and even President Obama to block this measure.

These members are actually claiming such a restriction places an additional stigma to the clients who are already on the SNAP program. Im guessing people on the check out line may witness a client being called out on her Ginger Ale bottle when paying the cashier. There are already restrictions to prevent the sale of alcohol and other non-foods throughout the store, where would A&W Root Beer be any different?

One last thing; Bloomberg's proposal doesn't prohibit SNAP clients from buying soda with their own cash, just not with ours.

HASIDIC PAPER ALTERS WH PHOTO

Der Tzitung [The Time] used photoshop to cut Hillary Clinton and Audrey Thomason out of that iconic Situation Room picture. Forgive me for asking this, but here we are in 2011 with Clinton being only one of many women in places of power all over the world, and a Hasidic newspaper feels it's ok to cut them out? Does anyone else find this absurd? 

I cant help but think they discussed removing Obama from the same picture. Why print it at all if it was so offensive? Doesn't the White House specify no altering of issued photos when releasing them?
Thoughts?

THE PEOPLE'S BUDGET

The debate over the Federal Budget shouldn't be relegated to the center-right proposal of the President and the far-right proposal of the GOP. The People's Budget brings the voices of the middle class back to the conversation.

LOWRIDER LOSER SCRAPES FACE ON PAVEMENT

Ever wonder what would happen if one of those "Lowrider Losers" ever had to run with their pants hanging so low? Have a look...

GALLO FUNDRAISER RAISES THE BAR

Filling both of the main restaurant areas of Mariner's Harbor, the Shayne Gallo for Mayor fundraiser event Wednesday was the place to be.

As reported elsewhere, 200+ attended the event, half got to hear the speech because the mob couldn't occupy the main dining area at once. Those who did hear the speech were pleased at how short & to the point it was. That alone distinguishes Shayne from so many other candidates running for all other positions.

Dozens of other pictures are already posted on Shayne's website and FaceBook page and other Blogs, so I just published a few here. Expect to hear about his next "Meet & Greet" in just a few short weeks. 


Well done my friend, well done.
 
Go to: http://www.shaynegallo.com/ or just click on the link to the upper left on this Blog.

CHANGE PRIMARY DAY IN NEW YORK

In the last few years, there has been an uptick of concern regarding the primary process. Not about the format or petitions, but about the late date each year. Mid-September leaves little time for those who win such primaries to engage the other opponents before the general election. The concern is bi-partisan.

In a recent report by YNN, this debate was brought to the voter's attention once again. The renewed sense of urgency comes at the issue of Military ballots. The federal law pertaining to this issue requires a 45 day window before any election. More times than not, that window proves impossible to achieve for the BOE. 
 
As reported by YNN: Last month, the New York City Board of Elections submitted a proposal to the Governor and legislature, to move Primary day from September to the last Tuesday in June, solving one growing concern in the education community.
 
Party conventions occur during the first week of June so the petition process would have to be addressed, but it would also put New York in a heightened sense of influence in the National elections. I'm not advocating for a specific date during a specific month, but earlier than September appeals to me. Having worked on, and been a candidate for a primary race, I can attest how having the winner established early, for all party affiliates, settles the landscape and better educates the voters heading into the general.
 

Remember back in 2009 when the NYS BOE failed to ship absentee ballots to troops serving overseas in time? What a mess!
You may remember the quote from Senator Schumer at the time: "Our troops sacrifice their lives to protect our freedoms. They should never be denied the right to vote."
It was he who pushed a 2009 law establishing deadlines for mailing absentee ballots. The 45 day minimum still doesn't assure prompt delivery to and from our troops because the primary is so close to the general.
 
On a local note, with the next Ulster County Legislature races dealing with new single member districts, the primaries and general election will need extra attention. The public hearing, Legislative approval and petition process are just the beginning as we head into the 2011 Elections.
 
The Governor's office is currently reviewing the matter.
Both the Senate and Assembly hope to resolve the issue before the end of session next month. I sincerely doubt this will have any immediate effect even if it passes.

UC LEGISLATIVE MAP #8 PASSES

So the Re-apportionment Commission has had their final meeting this Monday night. The 23 possible Legislative districts have been hashed out over the course of multiple meetings. 
For those interested in the results of the City of Kingston, the city was chopped into three districts using Ward boundaries as guides.

Wards 1,2 & 4 will be District 5; Wards 3,5 & 9 will be District 6 and Wards 6,7 & 8 will be District 7. 
In case you are wondering how it affects the incumbents; Peter is in Ward 4; Dave is in Ward 5; Jeanette is in Ward 8 and I am in Ward 9. This puts Dave and I in the same LD.
 

I would like to thank the Commission on all their hard work during the last few months. Not everyone is happy, but that was expected. Now, Map #8 goes to the Legislature for a vote. Watch the fireworks begin!

UC LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS

Another week has passed and the Ulster County Reapportionment Commission has pushed for yet another meeting this Monday to continue the dialogue on the Legislative districts. 
The public should know just how difficult this process is. The second you shift a few census blocks to make one hamlet whole, the ripple effect throws two or more out of compliance. They chase the numbers around the county like a dog chasing it's tail.
 

This doesnt mean they are doing anything wrong. This is merely the sausage making process of redistricting exposed in real time, and it's not pretty or quick. Introduce political influence and you make matters worse. One district in Plattekill/Marlborough looks like the NYS Senate drew the lines, it's that bad.
 

Personalities and politics aside, the new lines must be presented to the public and then the Legislature during a special session. Time is not on their side.
My thanks to those who volunteered for this duty. I don't envy you.

ANIMAL TESTING CONTINUES