It all may be decided at a higher level, however. Last week, a federal judge sentKingston’s lawsuit against the county to state Supreme Court for adjudication. The county, despite the executive’s claiming he had no position on the matter, had asked that the case, launched two years ago, be dismissed.
At a meeting of the town supervisor’s association last week, all but one supervisor in attendance went on record in favor of county takeover, according to Rochester Supervisor Carl Chipman, speaking at last week’s county legislature meeting.
Perceptive readers will note that these arguments have been going on for years, with the county legislature and now the executive refusing to change the status quo. What’s changed is that under state law to take effect next year those charges will increase from 50 percent to 71 percent. Supervisors are taking notice. More oxen are being gored.
Politics biz
Last week’s election of Frank Cardinale of Kingston as interim Ulster County Democratic chairman might have been one of those be-careful-what-you-wish-for situations. After trouncing challenger Nick Woerner by a two-to-one margin, Cardinale is now faced with the unenviable task of recruiting candidates on the fly in state legislature districts where few recruits seem to be forthcoming. It’s no consolation, but Cardinale’s plight is little different from other party leaders around the state. Blame, again, a dysfunctional state legislature which leftNew York the last state to reapportion.
As for the over-confident Woerner, a third crushing defeat in a row will not deter him from seeking office. Elected at the age of 21 as Town of Ulstersupervisor, one of the youngest municipal chief executives in state history, Woerner suffered a resounding defeat at the hands of Republican Jim Quigley in 2009. He was not a factor in a race for alderman inKingston last year.
Woerner may have a future in politics, but to paraphrase Casey Stengel, in a few years he’ll be 30. Will he back off and add perspective to a healthy dose of humility? Don’t bet on it.
Congressional candidate Julian Schreibman’s campaign got off to a positive start with the four-to-one demolition of Dutchess legislator Joel Tyner at theUlster Democratic convention last week. A few days later, the former county chairman edged Tyner at the Dutchess Demo convention. Then Schreibman got the nod from both the Greene andColumbia parties.
Though this is serious momentum, nobody should be celebrating just yet. A more revealing test of Schreibman’s prospects might be this evening’s (Thursday’s) first ($100 a ticket) fundraiser at Hillside Manor Restaurant inKingston. Doors open at 5 p.m.
