Susan Zimet. (Photo: Phyllis McCabe)
Dave Donaldson of Kingston, rewarded for his loyalty with reappointment as deputy chairman, has advanced a sensible idea, albeit with relatively short legs. Donaldson, speaking to perspective, suggests committee assignments should be for the two-year term of the legislature instead of being doled out every year. I don’t recall him taking a similar position during his two years as the last “executive chairman” (his phrase) in 2008 and 2009.
On the move
New Paltz town Supervisor Susan Zimet’s appointment as director of the Albany-based Hunger Action Network of New York State has the town political hotline abuzz. She says she can handle both jobs, one of them 65 miles from New Paltz, but has been mum on seeking a third term this November. Can the supervisor serve two masters? I see lots of electronic transmissions and Thruway tolls in Zimet’s immediate future.
In other New Paltz news, town Councilman Dan Torres joined County Comptroller Elliott Auerbach’s staff on Monday. Maybe Torres and Zimet, on opposite sides of most issues, can commute to Kingston on her way to Albany. But who will drive?
Torres, 26, is moving nicely up the political food chain, after spending a few years on the staff of Assemblyman Kevin Cahill before signing on with fellow Democrat Auerbach. Given the recent unpleasantness in Albany, Cahill might not have noticed his absence.
Taxing times
Recent reports from the state on county sales-tax receipts show Ulster County just about even (at $103 million) in 2013-2014 collections. Reading between the lines, the report raises questions about how much Ulster actually lost during last year’s “Cahill Sales Tax Crisis,” which deprived the county of a one percent sales tax surcharge in December and January.
The county executive put the shortfall at $5.4 million, the comptroller at $3.8 million. Both blamed Cahill, who went on to win re-election by an almost two-to-one margin.
The state Department of Taxation and Finance is apparently saying, No harm, no foul. Adjoining counties showed modest gains.
I suppose the argument will be made that without the evil Cahill gumming up the works (in exchange for Safety Net and election expense relief of the towns), the county would have pulled in at least another $3.8 million.
Going forward, Cahill may demand something else in exchange for not blocking this year’s extension of the sales tax. He’s mum for now on the matter. But then, things have changed in Albany. Or have they?
And finally …
Condolences to the families of Steve Finkle, former director of economic development in Kingston, and retired city police officer Gerry Tierney.
Former mayor T.R. Gallo gets credit for restoring the Broadway City Hall (1998-2000), as does former mayor Jim Sottile for the city’s tourism-friendly walkway along the Rondout, but it was Finkle and his bare-bones staff chasing down highly competitive federal and state grants, oftentimes for years, and then supervising construction that got the job done. Sottile, along with a host of city officials, attended Finkle’s funeral in New Paltz last Friday.
Gerry Tierney was a good cop. We take special note of the passing of our finest and bravest. They protect us.
