ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST

GOING....GOING.....GONE

Another one bites the dust as we predicted several weeks ago as Budget Direct Art Smith heads out of the automatic doors at 244 Fair Street. Smith has had several incarnations as a county employee including the administrator who was replaced by the current county executive during his meteoric rise to the top.

The announcement was quietly released to the press as Friday the 13^th came to a close and it also folded in some other interesting news.

Smith’s replacement is JJ (come lately) Hanson a former Governor Spitzer and Governor Patterson spokesman who arrived as the executive’s camera wielding, press releasing deputy budget director. JJ, a Marine who is both loyal and faithful to the sixth floor has been rewarded with a multiple thousand dollar bump and an opportunity to help Mike Hein move on to his next political endeavor.

Succeeding Hanson will be a poached staffer from Comptroller Elliott Auerbach’s office, Senior Auditor Lisa Cutten. She will also receive a sizable financial bump up and exchange her collective bargaining status to an at will employee of the Exec.

Stay tuned and pay close attention there will be more changes on the horizon.

ALL ABOARD FOR THE LAST TRAIN RIDE FROM ULSTER COUNTY GOVERNMENT

I HEAR THE TRAIN A COMING

They seem to be rushing toward the exit or being pushed out the door this month in Ulster County with the departure of another Hein appointment, the Commissioner of Finance, Paul Hewitt saying adios.
This makes three with the DSS Commissioner Rodriguez, Deputy Executive Beckman and now Hewitt.

Hewitt is a wonderful chap with an affable personality who batted clean up for his previous boss, the then Treasurer Lew Kirschner. Hein, another Kirschner protege, has named Hewitt's deputy to fill his shoes. The Executive has imbedded one of his own to flow right into the soon to be vacated deputy's spot.

We expect another one of Hein's team "voluntarily" retiring before the month is out. It would come as no surprise if the Budget Office has a new look by February....stay tuned!