Sad to learn of the passing of Len Cane.
Len was well known for his wit and charm. Many people left events where Len spoke with their sides aching from laughter.
He is a person I will always remember fondly. Rest well, Len.
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Hudson Valley Senators Betray Upstate New York.
Capital New York interview various Senators and has confirmed the exact vote of the Republican conference on the selection of the Majority Leader.
The vote was 18 to 15. I knew of 5 Upstate Republicans who betrayed their Upstate constituents. Turns out that there were 6 of them, including all 3 from the Hudson Valley, committed this act of betrayal.
Yes, folks. Senator Bill Larkin, Senator John Bonacic, and Senator Jim Seward all betrayed us. They all confirmed to Capital New York that they sided with New York City and Long Island by voting for Flanagan.
For years, I have heard these 3 men complain about how Upstate never gets any respect. Now, when we had the chance to have an Upstate Senator be Majority Leader and have a seat at the table, they betrayed us all.
Senator Seward was quoted as saying, "My natural inclination was to support him if he had the
votes. But it became apparent by the time I had my chance to vote that he was going to fall short. So I thought it was important to begin to coalesce behind Senator Flanagan, so I voted for him.”
The vote was 18 to 15. I knew of 5 Upstate Republicans who betrayed their Upstate constituents. Turns out that there were 6 of them, including all 3 from the Hudson Valley, committed this act of betrayal.
Yes, folks. Senator Bill Larkin, Senator John Bonacic, and Senator Jim Seward all betrayed us. They all confirmed to Capital New York that they sided with New York City and Long Island by voting for Flanagan.
For years, I have heard these 3 men complain about how Upstate never gets any respect. Now, when we had the chance to have an Upstate Senator be Majority Leader and have a seat at the table, they betrayed us all.
Senator Seward was quoted as saying, "My natural inclination was to support him if he had the
votes. But it became apparent by the time I had my chance to vote that he was going to fall short. So I thought it was important to begin to coalesce behind Senator Flanagan, so I voted for him.”
Note -- Seward said he would have supported the Upstate Senator "if he had the votes". In other words, rather than take a stand and offer support, he intended to wait to see who was going to win and then suck up big time. What integrity!
The only Hudson Valley Senators who stood up for New York State were Serino and Amedore. The other 3 betrayed us. I for one will NEVER forget this treachery.
2 Democrats Announce for County Legislator
Jeanette Provenzano announced her intentions to seek the position of Alderman-at-Large. Almost immediately, 2 Democrats have announced their intention to seek the position.
Jennifer Schwartz Berky, former Ulster County Deputy Director of Planning, has announced. Right after, Brian Woltman, the City Purchasing Agent, announced his plans to run.
According to the Daily Freeman, Jeanette Provenzano is supporting Brian Woltman.
No Republican has announced. Interestingly, both of the candidates planning to run for Mayor live in this district. I know for certain that Ron Polacco intends to run for Mayor and has no interest in the County Legislator. I have not spoken with Scott DiMicco and thus do not know his thoughts or plans.
As far as the 2 declared Democrats, I do not know Ms. Berky, so I have no opinion. I do know Brian Woltman. Although he and i disagree on almost every issue imaginable, I know that he is a true believer. He takes liberal or progressive positions because that is what he believes. So, while I do not agree with him about 99% of the time, I do respect his willingness to stay with his beliefs.
Jennifer Schwartz Berky, former Ulster County Deputy Director of Planning, has announced. Right after, Brian Woltman, the City Purchasing Agent, announced his plans to run.
According to the Daily Freeman, Jeanette Provenzano is supporting Brian Woltman.
No Republican has announced. Interestingly, both of the candidates planning to run for Mayor live in this district. I know for certain that Ron Polacco intends to run for Mayor and has no interest in the County Legislator. I have not spoken with Scott DiMicco and thus do not know his thoughts or plans.
As far as the 2 declared Democrats, I do not know Ms. Berky, so I have no opinion. I do know Brian Woltman. Although he and i disagree on almost every issue imaginable, I know that he is a true believer. He takes liberal or progressive positions because that is what he believes. So, while I do not agree with him about 99% of the time, I do respect his willingness to stay with his beliefs.
Monday, May 11, 2015
Upstate Gets the Shaft Yet Again
Dean Skelos stepped down. The 33 member Republican conference met behind closed doors to pick a new leader. With 21 of the 33 members from Upstate New York, surely the winner would be Senator DeFrancisco from Upstate and not Senator Flanagan from Long Island. Right?
Wrong!!
Senator Flanagan apparently got at least 5 Upstate Senators to betray Upstate New York and their constituents and support downstate. Once again, Upstate New York got the shaft.
Even though he was betrayed, Senator DeFrancisco showed party unity by nominating Flanagan once they went on the floor. He has also refused to identify which Senators betrayed Upstate.
So, who are these Benedict Arnolds? According to CapitalNewYork .com, one of them was Senator Cathy Young of Olean. There are already threats of a primary against her and rightfully so.
I am urging all New York Upstaters to contact their Senators and demand to know who they supported.
The Buffalo news reports that another turncoat is Senator Michael Nozzolio.
There are claims being made that Senator Seward supported Flanagan though I cannot get any confirmation of that. It is a claim by a prominent politico on Twitter (not a great source I admit).
Who are the others? Who else betrayed Upstate New York? What did they get in return?
Call your Senators and demand to know.
**********
UPDATE
**********
The New York Post is reporting that there were 4 Upstate Turncoats: Nozzolio, Young, Hugh Farley, and Bill Larkin who once represented Kingston. If true, these 4 have betrayed their constituents and all of Upstate New York.
Wrong!!
Senator Flanagan apparently got at least 5 Upstate Senators to betray Upstate New York and their constituents and support downstate. Once again, Upstate New York got the shaft.
Even though he was betrayed, Senator DeFrancisco showed party unity by nominating Flanagan once they went on the floor. He has also refused to identify which Senators betrayed Upstate.
So, who are these Benedict Arnolds? According to CapitalNewYork .com, one of them was Senator Cathy Young of Olean. There are already threats of a primary against her and rightfully so.
I am urging all New York Upstaters to contact their Senators and demand to know who they supported.
The Buffalo news reports that another turncoat is Senator Michael Nozzolio.
There are claims being made that Senator Seward supported Flanagan though I cannot get any confirmation of that. It is a claim by a prominent politico on Twitter (not a great source I admit).
Who are the others? Who else betrayed Upstate New York? What did they get in return?
Call your Senators and demand to know.
**********
UPDATE
**********
The New York Post is reporting that there were 4 Upstate Turncoats: Nozzolio, Young, Hugh Farley, and Bill Larkin who once represented Kingston. If true, these 4 have betrayed their constituents and all of Upstate New York.
We have a Primary Race for Alderman-at-Large
In a bit of surprise, Jim Noble has announced his intentions to seek reelection for Alderman-at-Large. I must confess that I thought he would run for Jeanette Provenzano's legislative seat.
Now, a long term incumbent will battle an even longer term County Legislator for the Democrat line and possibly other lines.
This has the potential to be an incredible race. The anti-Gallocrats have already started their nonsense by taking cheap shots on the Daily Freeman web site. Although I expect Jim Noble will resist attacking his opponent, his supporters, i.e. the Anti-Gallocrats, will not resist. Expect comments from Hoffay and other anti-Gallocrats to be absolutely vicious.
Calling a winner on this one is very difficult. Jim is a nice guy with a lot of support. Jeanette is well respected, more experienced, and is related to at least 1/2 the city. It is the type of match up that politicos dream about.
Now, a long term incumbent will battle an even longer term County Legislator for the Democrat line and possibly other lines.
This has the potential to be an incredible race. The anti-Gallocrats have already started their nonsense by taking cheap shots on the Daily Freeman web site. Although I expect Jim Noble will resist attacking his opponent, his supporters, i.e. the Anti-Gallocrats, will not resist. Expect comments from Hoffay and other anti-Gallocrats to be absolutely vicious.
Calling a winner on this one is very difficult. Jim is a nice guy with a lot of support. Jeanette is well respected, more experienced, and is related to at least 1/2 the city. It is the type of match up that politicos dream about.
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Provenzano Announces
Jeanette Provenzano announced her candidacy for Alderman-at-Large.
She also stated that she supports Gallo for Mayor. A ticket of Gallo/Provenzano is extremely formidable.
As noted in the Daily Freeman:
The pressure is now on Steve Noble. Who will be his running mate? If he chooses one of the 2 Aldermen rumored to be considering it, i.e. Will or Dunn, they will not match up well with Jeanette, a legislator with 2 decades of experience.
She also stated that she supports Gallo for Mayor. A ticket of Gallo/Provenzano is extremely formidable.
As noted in the Daily Freeman:
“I believe Mayor Gallo deserves another term,” Provenzano said. “I think the city is headed in the right direction.”
Gallo, in turn, said he supports Provenzano’s candidacy.
“She has been a hard-working, dedicated, zealous advocate of the public interest,” the mayor said. “She has always been people first, politics last.”
Those of you who read this blog know that I recommended Gallo choose Jeanette as his running mate. Now that it is happening, all I can say is that this is a HUGE development.The pressure is now on Steve Noble. Who will be his running mate? If he chooses one of the 2 Aldermen rumored to be considering it, i.e. Will or Dunn, they will not match up well with Jeanette, a legislator with 2 decades of experience.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Time for Upstate to Step Up
Senate Majority Leader, Dean Skelos, and his son were arrested and charged with various crimes. It seems very likely that he will be forced to step down as Majority Leader.
Already two Senators are planning to seek the position with one other looming in the background. Senator Flanagan, a liberal Republican, from Long Island is supposedly the choice of Skelos himself. Senator DeFrancisco of Syracuse, a conservative Republican, has also declared his intentions to seek the position if Skelos steps down.
There is also Senator Catherine Young of Olean. She has not formally announced intentions.
I believe that Upstate New Yorkers need to make it clear to the Senate Republicans, most of whom are Upstate New Yorkers too, that the next leader MUST be an Upstate New Yorker.
The Governor was born and raised in Queens even if he now considers Westchester home. Shelly Silver is from Manhattan and his successor from the Bronx. Dean Skelos is form Long Island. Upstate New York has no representation in any of the leadership. The entire State is run from New York City and Long Island. Upstate gets ignored and treated like a redheaded step-child.
My fear is that the downstate liberal Republicans will convince Senator Young to jump into the race and split the upstate vote so that Senator Flanagan will get the nod. Then, downstate will continue to get all the control and upstate will continue to get the shaft,
I hope Upstate New Yorkers will light up the phones and call Senators Larkin, Bonacic, Amedore, Seward, and so forth and demand that they support Senator DeFrancisco and give Upstate New York some say in the State government.
Light up those phones.
Already two Senators are planning to seek the position with one other looming in the background. Senator Flanagan, a liberal Republican, from Long Island is supposedly the choice of Skelos himself. Senator DeFrancisco of Syracuse, a conservative Republican, has also declared his intentions to seek the position if Skelos steps down.
There is also Senator Catherine Young of Olean. She has not formally announced intentions.
I believe that Upstate New Yorkers need to make it clear to the Senate Republicans, most of whom are Upstate New Yorkers too, that the next leader MUST be an Upstate New Yorker.
The Governor was born and raised in Queens even if he now considers Westchester home. Shelly Silver is from Manhattan and his successor from the Bronx. Dean Skelos is form Long Island. Upstate New York has no representation in any of the leadership. The entire State is run from New York City and Long Island. Upstate gets ignored and treated like a redheaded step-child.
My fear is that the downstate liberal Republicans will convince Senator Young to jump into the race and split the upstate vote so that Senator Flanagan will get the nod. Then, downstate will continue to get all the control and upstate will continue to get the shaft,
I hope Upstate New Yorkers will light up the phones and call Senators Larkin, Bonacic, Amedore, Seward, and so forth and demand that they support Senator DeFrancisco and give Upstate New York some say in the State government.
Light up those phones.
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