Wednesday, November 4, 2015

What Could Have Been

In Kingston, Steve Noble has been elected Mayor.  Congratulations to him.  I hope he succeeds, because if he does, Kingston succeeds.

Ron Polacco ran a hell of  race.  If there was an organized Republican Committee in Kingston helping Ron instead of just 2 or 3 people, Ron could have won this race.  It was really sad.  He deserved better.  Certainly, it did not help that the City Republican Chairman refused to do ANYTHING to help the Republican Mayoral candidate.

In ward 3, an Independence Party candidate is ahead by 1 vote.  If Republicans had run a candidate, they would have won the ward.  Now, if Champ-Doran's 1 vote lead can withstand the recount and swarm of democrat lawyers forthcoming, the Republicans may not be the Minority Party.  The Independence Party and Republicans will each have 1 member.  Plus, if anyone else joins Champ-Doran, Republicans will be the 3rd party on the Council.

I cannot say this any more bluntly.  If the City GOP is to even survive, Sinagra has to go.

On the County level, Republicans are boasting that they have won a majority in the Legislature.  While they did win control, they do not have a clear majority.  They have a plurality.  They have 10 Republicans, 1 Conservative, and 2 Democrats working together.  That is a plurality that gives tentative control of the Legislature.  It is not a majority.  In actuality, the Legislature has 11 Democrats, 10 Republicans, 1 Conservative, and 1 not enrolled.

Had Republicans in Saugerties not dropped the ball and kept a Democrat from stealing the line, they would have 11 Republicans and 1 Conservative and would have control without needing help from enrolled Democrats.

In the County Executive race, Mike Hein won, but not by anywhere close to what people expected.  He ended up with slightly under 55%.  So, Mike Hein wins, but his aspirations for Congress took a big hit.

Many people at 2 different Republican headquarters this evening were lamenting that Republicans did not put full support behind Tery Bernardo.  Republicans could have taken the County Executive seat which is the real power in county government.

Overall, Republicans at the county level had a good night, but it could have been an historic one.  On the other hand, City Republicans can only lament at what might have been.

County Democrats had a bad night, but it could have been a disaster,  City Democrats had a strong night (except for Brad Will).  The Noble camp is relieved however at the lack of any City GOP effort.  Otherwise, Polacco might have pulled it off.

11 comments:

Unknown said...

I agree Rich. The republicans blew an opportunity to take over Ulster County and Kingston.

Not sure of the total number of voters in Kinston but turn out had to be less than 50%. About 6500 turned out for the last Mayorial election versus 5000 this year.
Over 9500 voted in the last presidential election.

We deserve what we get with less than 25% of the City deciding the fate of the other 75.

I don't buy "goodfellows" theory about one family. Kingston will survive the next 4years and taxes will remain low because of the 2% cap

People on Iraq wait 3 days in line to vote with snipers everywhere. In our free country people just take that right for granted.

It's a shame.

Anonymous said...

Tony and Phil Sinagra should go away and hide. Tony is a terrible chairman and if Mclean was there he would have had a candidate that wouold have won and the committee would have worked for. Sinagra is no good.

Anonymous said...

The real power will be in the City Clerks Office come 2016....masterful game plan and implementation made easier by Gallo's self-destruction. Well played Mr. Hoffay, now let's see you do the job.

Anonymous said...

Yes they do take it for granted. I was raised that no matter what party I was enrolled in you ALWAYS voted even if both candidates were not to your liking. It is what sustains the democracy. Soldiers died to preserve that right. If the apathy continues here in Kingston and even America you might one day get a "ruler" who will tell you what you have to think and say. PC is only one way to get to that point. For pete's sake ,stop being sheep and raise your voices in the booth. It was disheartening to see such a low turnout for an important election. Just a few deciding for the majority. In going forward, do NOT shame an individual if their ideology is different from yours. I see that from the left more so than from the right. I am an enrolled more conservative democrat . NONE of them have the correct answer. A collective respectful dialogue is needed. If Noble is smart he will have some people in his administration who are not of the same party as him. He has said he wants more diversity. Doesn't necessarily have to mean race. He can get a better consensus of what his administration can do for all of the people in Kingston and not be perceived as a power grab or retaliation.

Anonymous said...

It should be said that the 2 Dem's that you mentioned were shunned by the Dem establishment. They'll caucus with the GOP. Yes, the majority is razor thin as it was when the Dem's had it the last two years. One thing is for sure, we wont have Chairman Hector, still.

kerfuffle said...

No matter who gets in power, their opposition will relentlessly tear them down. Kingston is a city divided.

Anonymous said...

11:11 That is a sad state of affairs for the residents. I do see the NOP voters growing in numbers since I moved to this city many years ago. Very telling....

Anonymous said...

Rich....I completely agree with your assessment and shame on the lack of a City Republican party:( Question: Brad Will came into George Washington School where he was ON THE BALLOT and handed out small envelopes with $20.00 bills in them. Take note...I received one with my name on it and that I was a ballot master. The other woman working at my table (who is a Republican) did not receive one. It had my name incorrect and said Ward 3, Dist. 1. He said nothing but came up and handed me the envelope. It struck me as odd and felt smarmy for some reason and I immediately asked someone at the next table. She said it was "for meals" and "it's okay...we never say anything about it." I then sent a text to Tom Turco, who responded that it was fine.

Mr. Champ Doran contacted the Attorney General's office and they told him that it was "highly questionable." I agree. What say you? What should my next step be? Mr. Will seems to have a problem staying on top of what is ethical....

Anonymous said...

I too find it smarmy...Smacks of unethical behavior. If they are hungry why not buy them food instead of cash.? Cash is always questionable and people do a lot for cash rather than food...
Just because it has always been does not mean it has to be in the future. Take away all impropriety ..leave no questions as to the ethics behind it. Brad will is the poster child of flaunting the rules and his arrogant behavior shows that in his mind he is "the next second coming" for the city. I am hoping Andy Champ Doran can pull this off. He is a bit liberal for me but he is miles ahead in morals than the dumbo Mr.Will.

There was a story that many decades ago the politicians would stand outside the polling places and hand out money to voters going in. How is Mr.Will's actions any different? and he was right inside the voting area.

Anonymous said...

I spoke with Senator Amadore and filed a written complaint today with the State Board of Elections Enforcement Division....after calling them in Albany. We shall see what happens here. And yes he seems to be extremely arrogant.

Anonymous said...

good. Keep us updated. Will be curious if the State Board Of Elections will investigate. About time the good ole' boy policy gets laid wide open.