In Saugerties, the focus is on the supervisor’s race, where six-term incumbent Democrat Greg Helsmoortel faces a spirited challenge from village Trustee Kelly Myers. This is another one of those incumbent-against-incumbent affairs, which is to say the race is about Helsmoortel’s performance in office. Not always the easiest guy to take, Helsmoortel has ruled over a period of revival in Saugerties. The contention by Republican Myers that assessments are out of whack, taxes too high and Helsmoortel too high-handed may resonate among grousers, but will it be enough?
Tickets to the Kingston chamber event are scarce and expensive at the door. After all, how many link sausages can one consume for $20? Admission to the Saugerties face-off is free, but parking and seating are limited.
Mike makes it rain
County Executive Mike Hein got loud applause after pledging $10,000 from his war chest to help elect a Democratic majority in the legislature next month. Hein can afford it. Running unopposed, his campaign coffers top $100,000.
While some of Hein’s contributors might question how he’s spending their money — they donated to Hein, not some no-name in the hinterlands — office-seekers can legally spend campaign funds on almost anything. In 1994, a Republican running against Pat Moynihan for U.S. Senate bought himself a new Cadillac for the campaign.
In politics, Hein sees only black and white. There are Hein Democrats (as well as Hein Republicans) and there are those in the wilderness. The question for local Democrats is who among them gets Mike’s money?
Alliances shift. After faithfully carrying Hein’s water for three years, legislature Minority Leader Jeanette Provenzano is currently on the outs after bucking the executive on Golden Hill issues.
Rich Parete, of the ubiquitous Parete clan, seems to be worming his way back to the reservation. Other Parete candidates — poppa John in Olive and brother Rob in Marbletown — probably shouldn’t order any extra lawn signs, however.
Hein will put his money where it matters. There are only a few contested races in a legislature which many predict could go 12-11 either way. Hein, for instance, would be foolish to spend money in Kingston where perennials Provenzano, Pete Loughran and Dave Donaldson face no opposition. New Paltz and Woodstock are safe.
