Schreibman said he will fight to have Ulster hospitals reclassified by the federal government for Medicare reimbursement. “It makes no sense forUlsterto be in one MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) while Dutchess is another higher [reimbursement] MSA,” he said. Hinchey could not win that battle, but Schreibman feels the newly configured district could advance that cause. “The river won’t separate us now. We’re in the same district,” he said.
Tyner held a rally in front of Kingston Hospital last week after it was announced one of Kingston’s hospitals might be closed, but did not speak directly to the subject. He also held an anti-fracking rally later that week at Kingston’s Academy Green. Tyner has challenged Schreibman to debates in all eleven counties, but Schreibman has declined.
Both candidates support the president’s staged withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.
On the “nascent” solar-energy industry in Ulster, Schreibman said “a lot of money was poured in quickly without a long-term game plan.” Despite competition from China, he believes American solar energy will thrive. “My motto will be what’s good for the American worker is good for the American economy,” he said.
Tyner, who declares himself “one of the 99 percent,” questioned why Germany, with less sunlight than New York, “successfully uses solar panels.”
Schreibman fell short of describing himself as “a progressive” in the manner of Hinchey, a member of the congressional progressive caucus. “We have too many factions in the Democratic Party,” he said. “I’m doing my best not to be a hyphenated Democrat.”
Hinchey mum on preference
Tyner, who frequently quotes activist Michael Moore, considers himself even more progressive than Hinchey, who, after almost 40 years in politics, has chosen not to endorse anyone in the Democratic primary. “It’s a principled position and I understand that,” Schreibman said. He expects Hinchey to be active for Democrats in the general election. Tyner says Hinchey’s refusal to endorse the candidate several counties supported at convention indicates the congressman’s support for his candidacy.
The new 19th Congressional District comprises all or part of 11 counties, including Ulster, Dutchess, Columbia, Sullivan, Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie, Broome, Montgomery, Greene and Rensselaer. President Obama carried 56 percent of the vote in the territory covered by the newly configured district four years ago.
In a low turnout primary, which this will definitely be, the underdog candidate with the grassroots enthusiasm can sometimes pull off the upset. Tyner definitely has more activist support than Schreibman. He may win the primary, as stranger things have happened.
Fracking is a major issue and only Joel Tyner sees the science that is clearly indicating the health risks to the public of this practice in the unique topography of NYS’s shale formation. The danger of long term contamination of our watershed and environment impacting businesses and quality of life of fracking warrants an all out ban by elected officials who are duty bound to protect the public by their oath and ethics. People first. Joel Tyner stands for the investment in solar, wind and water energy that would make jobs that are sustainable and put NYS into the lead in the new energy environment.
Joel Tyner has been calling for a candidate forum for the voting public to make an informed decision on the significant differences in the two candidates and their positions on fracking and investing in green jobs for NYS economic development. As a voter and as a Democrat involved with supporting our party, I strongly believe that the candidates forum for the public is important and I encourage this to be scheduled so the Democrats are not short-changed from learning first hand about who they will choose as their representative speaking with the voice of the public.
Joel Tyner is 100% against fracking. His opponent is wish-washy on the issue. He says he is against it, but then, as a lawyer, says he is waiting for evidence before he commits. People! There is a ton of evidence! What is Mr. Schreibman thinking? Joel is completely committed to ban fracking. He also supports single-payer healthcare, Reinstitution of FDR’s Glass-Steagall Act to regulate the banks, increase in the minimum wage, and clean energy solutions. Please go to his website, JoelforCongress.org, and you will see that Joel Tyner is the best candidate for Maurice Hinchey ‘s congressional seat. The primary is June 26th. There IS a choice!