By most accounts, Bloomberg, having bigger pimples to pierce, probably won’t be coming toUlsterCountyto stick his butt in the Willy Wonka Esopus, protestations by the county executive notwithstanding. Only DEC pressure, Hein’s trump card, could change that scenario.
The next phase, which probably should have been the first phase, involved Hein convening “a public forum on area concerns with the DEP” at Ulster County Community College on Monday, Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. Nowhere does the release mention the words “Esopus” or “mud,” but I think we know what he means.
Invitees to what should be a good ol’ country turkey shoot include “upstate leaders,” DEP reps and “senior DEC staff,” according to the release. Legislature Chairwoman Terry Bernardo, with a direct interest in DEP-related issues in Wawarsing, also got an invite. I guess if Bloomberg wants to schlep upriver, he’s (again) welcome, too.
Bernardo, less than a week into her new job, says she’s not sure what Hein hopes to achieve with his Esopus summit. “The legislature has similar concerns, which we will act upon,” she said. “Unlike the executive, we have subpoena power. We can summon people and force them to testify under oath.”
As a practical matter, it doesn’t much matter whether Hein wins or loses this one. What’s important is that he displays leadership in challenging what has been a popular whipping post since the reservoir system was created more than a century ago.
There are of course politics involved. That’s what politicians do. Hein, 46, is at a crossroads of his career. He can either stay where he is for another four years dealing with familiar issues or stake his claim — through a display of vigorous, well-publicized leadership — to higher office.
And what might that be?
Ran into U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey at a recent local inaugural and, being intrusive to a fault, buttonholed him on his plans for the coming year. A Hinchey spokesman had declared only a few days previous that his boss was absolutely committed to another term. That wasn’t what I had been hearing, but I wanted to get it from the horse himself.
