The columnist Reynolds.
Murky stuff. One wonders whether McDonough is merely the stalking horse for leadership that claims to take the high road. Things will get settled at the Republican town caucus on Sept. 16.
As for the incumbent, the outspoken Quigley ain’t saying nothing, though the remarks about his alleged book-keeping failures must have stung.
In other Ulster news, 24 members of the Conservative Party caucused Monday night and nominated Quigley for re-election. Also endorsed were Eric Kitchen and newcomer Jared Mance for town board, incumbent Marsha Weiss (the leading vote-getter) for town justice and newcomer Susan Reavey for town clerk.
Chickens and ethics
I went to last week’s Ulster Town Board meeting with the expectation of some fireworks over an ethics bill currently making its way through the process. Instead, it was more like chicken delight.
Also on the table that night was a bill to control the harboring and harvesting of animals in the town’s more heavily populated residential areas. Except for practicing politicians, few seemed interested in whether office-holders hired kin, or if political leaders had too much influence over elected officials. They didn’t want anybody messing with their chickens.
A man with his ear to the ground and no dumb cluck, Supervisor Quigley advised that the law will allow existing chickens to roost where they are, but no more roosters.
As for the proposed ethics law, former town chairman and still Assessor Jim Maloney did a neat 180. Maloney, no doubt bowing to public pressure, gave up his office and handed it to Wadnola, who if elected supervisor, will have to hand it off to someone else in January. Having been the object of the ethics law, Maloney passed the chairmanship to a trusted crony. Maloney came out four-square in favor. Smooth operator, that Big Jim.
Rocky Secreto, the lone Democrat on the town board, got a rise from the crowd when they started talking specifically about nepotism. Secreto’s wife, the “hard working” Mary Secreto, has been employed for more than 11 years in the town’s planning and zoning office. “If she goes, I’ll go first,” the councilman declared. No wonder. Town board pays Rocky $10,000, plus about $2,000 in benefits a year; hard-working Mary is paid $36,000 with about $23,000 in benefits.
And finally
I add my condolences to the family of business and civic leader Abel Garraghan, 72, who died of apparent heart failure in West Hyannisport last weekend.
Garraghan, the son of former mayor Ray Garraghan (1966-69), touched many lives in positive ways; his sage advice was welcomed in the highest circles. Garraghan’s sudden passing at a relatively young age will leave a void.
Both candidates at the mayoral debate used a portion of their opening remarks to memorialize Garraghan.
