Hein and his battery of lawyers and advisors may work out all these details over time. The latest word is it will take at least a year for this “concept” (Hein’s word) to be up and running. In the meantime, the exec has been busily lobbying veteran’s organizations around the county. For the sake of needy veterans, I hope this all works out. But somehow, I get the impression that if Ike had planned theNormandyinvasion like this we’d all be speaking German today.
Hold that truck!
With an early to mid-July nominating deadline fast approaching, speculation over whether Assemblyman Kevin Cahill will draw a Republican opponent has shifted into high gear. The pun is intentional for here we’re speculating over whether Peter Rooney, Cahill’s 2010 punching bag, will sign up for another round of haymakers.
Rooney, recall, was that colorful character with the ponytail who dressed up like a cowboy and rode around in a Ford F-105 pickup that he asked supporters to autograph. Alas, the truck got lousy mileage. Saab Cahill prevailed by more than 5,200 votes. Rooney, a self-made millionaire, bankrolled his failed attempt to the tune of over $200,000, including the truck.
Efforts to reach the would-be candidate have been in vain and Republican honchos say they’re not saying. There is, however, smoke in the air. In the meantime, local pickup truck dealers must be doing wheelies past Rooney’s house, hoping for a rerun.
Milestones
A few years ago, I approached Congressman Hinchey for an interview on what was then an auspicious occasion, his 70th birthday on Oct. 27, 2008. The exchange occurred just before a meaningless candidate debate in Saugerties, about a week short of the congressman’s biblical three-score-and-ten.
“Oh, I’m not very interesting,” he said, turning a deaf ear (literally), to which I begged to differ. No manner of persuasion moved him, so I played my ace.
“You know, I work for some of your favorite newspapers now,” I pitched, knowing full well his adversarial relationship with the local daily.
Bingo. “You work for my very favorite newspaper! Woodstock Times,” he exclaimed.
“Exactly!” I responded, thinking I had finally planted the hook. “We’ll do this up big, front page, center section, pictures, the works.”
In hindsight, it might have been the worst thing I could have said. Hinchey, perhaps envisioning a series of file photos depicting him from young assemblyman to aging congressman, waved his hand in that dismissive way he deals with pests. The conversation was over.
Maybe I’ll catch him in a nostalgic mood after the election.
In the meantime, time marches on.
Back in the day when I had a lot more space, I used to occasionally run a “six-twenty” piece, about people born on my birthday, June 20. Luminaries include actors Danny Aiello, John Mahoney (“Frasier”), John Goodman and Nicole Kidman (She never calls. She never writes) and singers Lionel Richie, Paula Abdul and Brian Wilson.
Locally, there’s Woodstock Times editor Brian Hollander, former Freeman editor Rob Borsellino (deceased) and a newcomer to the list, Kingston Mayor Shayne Gallo. Gallo is the baby of our bunch, so from all of us belated best wishes.
Primaries are the place to show your true colors. A big vote for Tyner will push Schreibman farther left than he would otherwise go. Vote Tyner on primary day. Vote Democrat either way.
A letter-writer to this august publication suggested the S-man was an “experienced” person for the job. Tyner has had actual experience with skills that a Congressman uses, though, unlike his opponent. And WTF(What The Frack?)? Shale is not a commodity in this county? Is that what you are pushing, Mr. Hugh? You ARE joking us, are you not? I can recall my GRANDMOTHER talking about the shale, and quite frequently indeed. She was in fact one of the main admirers of this natural resource in her day. Did it ALL just disappear since, or suddenly all morph into sidewalk bluestone by some miraculous process?(if so you need to interview Ed Pell right away!)
I must say I did appreciate your “Saab story,” though, although I would replace the word “Saab” with its uncle, ie, S.O.B. (It still can sound the same when you say it however when you write it…this should make the differentiation). Oh, and I don’t think Ford ever produced an “F-105”.(The Air Force flew an F-105, which was a supersonic fighter-bomber, but that likely bears no resemblence to a pickup truck). I think it is likely an F-150, but hey, no one’s perfect(WTFrack!). Keep it up and perhaps someone might pronounce you “RooneyTunes” and then claim a typo in a defense of THAT mistake. LOL
“Time for Tyner?” Funny title for this absolutely anti Tyner column. Reynolds is looking for a job with Schreibman, who he thinks is winning tomorrow. Another sellout to bullshit politics.