Though some solons were more obviously enthusiastic than others, in the interests of solidarity all were on board. Majority Leader Ken Ronk, glancing at the clock, attempted to close the debate.
Then former legislator Susan Zimet entered the caucus room. Caucuses are open to the public, but only legislators are allowed to speak, unless a comment is solicited.
Zimet, currently Town of New Paltzsupervisor, and Chapman, chief of staff to state senator John Bonacic, have some history. Four years ago Zimet ran against Bonacic. Chapman, on Bonacic’s staff, was a key player in what was an unusually ugly and negative campaign on the incumbent’s part.
Zimet’s asking for the floor in a debate over Chapman suggested something on the order of payback. But no. Zimet sang his praises to the sky, going on and on as only she can, until a clearly annoyed Ronk pointed to the clock and asked her to desist.
I walked out with the two Susans, Zimet and former Republican legislator Cummings from Ellenville.
“You Republicans are a lot thinner than I thought you were,” I remarked to Cummings, with Zimet standing nearby.
“Why do you say that?” Cummings asked.
“Sounds pretty thin to me when Susan Zimet, a Democrat, advocates for your legislative attorney,” I said.
“Are you insulting me?” the suddenly sensitive Susan demanded. (She has a hide like a rhinoceros.)
“No, I was insulting them,” I replied.
Madam Chair
As the reader can no doubt discern, I actually like Zimet. In our head-banging way, we get along pretty well.
Kudos to Zimet for assembling 14 former women legislators (including several carryover incumbents) in honor of the investiture of Bernardo, the legislature’s first woman chair. (She told her caucus she prefers to be called “Madam Chair.”)
