Hugh Reynolds: Congressional casting call
Prediction: Half of the eight Democratic candidates will drop out by the end of the year.
Hugh Reynolds
Hugh Reynolds: Facing the music
It’s probably not a good thing when a freshman congressman gets huge headlines after announcing his first town hall meeting with his constituents eight months into his term.
Hugh Reynolds: A grim diagnosis
I won’t get into the back-and-forth between Hein and Cahill over who did more (or less) to bring the feuding parties to the bargaining table. To paraphrase LBJ, they were both pissing into the tent, with the public ultimately getting soaked.
Hugh Reynolds: Political conflict at the gym
An incident at a local gym was revealing of this political moment. Confronting a man who declined to vacate a piece of equipment he wasn’t using, a woman said: “You must be one of those people who voted for Trump.” Game on.
Hugh Reynolds: Facing reality
According to a recent survey, 57 percent of the 56,000 registered voters in the 19th congressional district who are not enrolled in any political party failed to vote. A huge voting block is up for grabs— if only the candidates can put together an attractive message to reach them.
Hugh Reynolds: Alms for the poor
Fewer than two dozen property owners had leverage over more than 8,000 others in the city. Those ratios need to be adjusted, in my view.
Hugh Reynolds: One ring, eight hats
As new candidates enter the already crowded field for the Democratic congressional nomination next year, the odds for bottom-feeders can only improve.
Hugh Reynolds: Consolidation without tears
For better or worse, people like their government close, even if it costs more. Will the county’s application pass final muster? Could be. After that would come the heavy lifting.
Hein for Congress: Will he or won’t he?
Two years ago, Ulster County executive Mike Hein delayed a decision on whether to run for Congress until almost the eleventh hour. With Hein the party-supported front-runner, other Democrats held fire on Hein’s announcement. That delay cost eventual Democratic candidates time and money. This time around, no one’s waiting.
Hugh Reynolds: Where will the firefighters train?
The good news for Ulster County government is that the current squabble over the location of a fire training facility will probably end happily. A year or two from now, beaming officials and fire chiefs will be cutting a ribbon at a relatively isolated location. But not, I predict, on Cottekill Road, the county’s first choice, but near the residences of visibly surprised owners.