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!

WHAT GOES AROUND MAY COME AROUND

Ulster County Government will look a little different come Tuesday morning 1/3/2012 with the swift departure of one key figure and the termination of another.

Deputy County Executive Marshall Beckman's unexpected exit from the 6th floor has many wondering if this was a result of a disagreement between the Executive and Beckman over the Golden Hill Health Care Center and the creation of a local development corporation, whose sole mission is to sell and privatize the facility. Rumor has it that Beckman identified a defect in the plan and when brought it to the Executive's attention was summarily shown the door. That's doubtful!
Some also believed that Marshall, with a strong background in the human services, also appeared to be unhappy with the Executive's decimation of the County's Mental Health program. Doubtful as well!

He has been replaced with an operative from Suffolk County, Ken Crannell who was involved in the failed gubernatorial effort of that county's executive (Steve Levy). Levy switched from Democrat to Republican under Crannell's watch in a desperate effort to launch a challenge for the Albany top spot.

Political pundits are wondering what the Ulster County Exec has up his sleeve?

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Another turn of events in Ulster finds DSS Commissioner Roberto Rodriguez shown the door after his five year contract failed to be renewed. The Commish certainly did not endear himself to his constituents, clients and numerous elected officials. Sources say he appeared to be arrogant, uncaring and combative.
His absence affords a "nationwide" search by the Executive and an opportunity to place an interim commissioner in the slot until a suitable candidate is found.

Can you say Marshall Beckman?

WE'RE BACK WITH A VENGEANCE

It's been a while since we spoke. As a matter of fact there has been a lot of political water that has flowed under the bridge but we are back and ready to take on the tough topics:

Has the county's DSS commissioner gotten the boot and has the county exec appointed another one of his cronies to serve as interim?

What political patronage will Kingston's mayor-elect dole out?

The body is not even cold and who will be lining up to run for the Kirwan assembly seat?

Has the local Independence party chair started walking a little taller now that the Mrs. ascends to the chair?

Where are the county Republican and Democratic chair hiding and what is the deal with Yess after she said no?

Diplomatic Dave

Only a statesman like Dave Donaldson, a wordsmith, can so eloquently turn a phrase when speaking about the candidacy of Nick Woerner for Kingston City Alderman, Ward 5.

According the KINGSTON TIMES Donaldson sums up Woerner, the former Town of Ulster Supervisor like this:

“He’s a lying sack of shit,” said Donaldson, adding “he’s going to do to Kingston what he did to the Town of Ulster, run it into the ground.”

Read more: Kingston Times - Hayes ey shade of victor Clement nearly doubles up Gallo for mayoral nod at Democrat convention

ELECTION RESULTS AS EXPECTED

NO SURPRISES after yesterday’s election in Ulster County. What was quite evident was that constituent focused politicians, regardless of party affiliation, get re-elected.

On the national and state level Hinchey, Cahill, Bonacic and Larkin are in touch with the people they represent. They are approachable, engaged and in tune.

On a county level, Sheriff Van Blarcum has become Ulster’s top cop has no nonsense, law and order style that is sprinkled with his folksy down home personality. The public feels comfortable with him and confident in him.

The county’s first comptroller, Elliott Auerbach has crafted his brand as the people’s watchdog. He has pulled no punches and has demonstrated that he is independent and is answerable only to the tax payer.

TRUTH VS FICTION

As the political calendar winds down we are faced with both rumor,innuendo and some modicum of truth that has underscored this campaign season.

Who could have predicted that Town of Ulster Supervisor Jim Quigley (not up for election) would have blown his proverbial cork by leaving an acerbic message on the voicemail of former pal and on again-off again-on again friend of Nick Woerner, blogger Jeremy Blaber.

It seems that Blaber is setting himself up to star in his own reality television show.

Next we have the George Phillips team in the guise of Butch Dener who blew his proverbial cork and stormed out of a meeting with fifty seniors after they got a little frisky when Butch attacked their favorite Congressman Maurice Hinchey.

Seems Butch may be joining Blaber for a cameo appearance on that reality show.

We then find Fawn Tantillo, desperately looking for any job (she took on Kevin Cahill and lost) making a backroom deal with one of the Bernardos and offering either Len or Terry the deputy comptroller’s job if she is successful on beating back Elliott (it’s not my back, it’s not your back) Auerbach on Tuesday.

She too will be doing a walk on with Butch on the Blaber show.