VOTE ROW A NOVEMBER 3

Press Release October 26 Democratic Candidates Have First Solar Powered Illuminated Sign According to Gary Bischoff who designed the system, "we wanted to have something different this year, and to feature a modern technology. Lighting up any signs at night is nothing new, but using renewable energy adds an interesting twist. We believe in renewable energy, and wanted to send a message that we want to contribute to not only the knowledge base, but demonstrate a practical application of solar technology." READ MORE Letter To The Editor October 29 Democrats Have Earned Our Votes Like many Saugerties residents, I am deeply appreciative for the manner in which the Democratic candidates conducted themselves during this campaign. They responded to the many complexities that confront us on the town and county level with clarity, honesty and leadership. Please join me in supporting the Democratic team on Election Day. They have surely earned our votes. Patti Kelly Saugerties Letter To The Editor October 29 Attendance an Important Attribute for County Legislator My husband gave my nephew a piece of advice on his graduation from college. He said that the important thing was to just show up! I like that. You have to show up, and everything else follows from that simple action. When I checked into the attendance records for the Ulster County Legislature to see who, among our representatives, actually shows up and represents us at the scheduled sessions, it was instructive. We all know Gary Bischoff is a hard working man, who takes his job as a legislator seriously. Gary had the best attendance record of all our 4 reps. He missed only one special session out of the 16 regular and special sessions held so far this year. Dean Fabiano comes in second. He only missed two sessions so far. Dean obviously takes his job seriously as well.I encourage voters to look at the attendance of some of our other legislators. The records are public information. It's clear among our representatives who is dedicated to doing the people's business. We need Gary in the legislature because his sense of ethics and responsibility as our representative is impeccable. He shows up for you and me. Susan Weeks Saugerties Letter To The Editor October 29 Vote Row A Some of the best advice I have ever received was from a Saugerties Republican Town Supervisor who has since passed away. He said that at the end of the day "We all live in the same town." While we butted heads on many issues, I remember that it was always done with civility and respect. I am proud of the positive campaigns that our candidates have run. The incumbents have presented their accomplishments and their plans for the future and our newcomers have presented their credentials and their desire to serve the community, not as politicians, but as your neighbors. Our candidates have respected the election process and more importantly respected you, the voter. I encourage you to support all the Democratic Party candidates by voting Row A, All The Way on November 3. Mike Harkavy Chair, Saugerties Democratic Committee

Letter to the Editor October 23
Republicans offer Platitudes without solutions
I was at the legislative candidates forum held by the League of Women Voters and was struck by what seemed an inverse relationship between the bellicose ranting about taxes and actual proposals for addressing tax relief. To Mr. Sweeney and Mr. Frey: Of course lowering taxes would take economic pressure off people.... Do you think we don't already know that? What we'd like to hear from you are actual proposals to cut taxes with corresponding explanation of how services and obligations would be affected, not just snide jabs at government workers and people getting social services as we heard that night.

For 30 years, while the party under whose banner you run controlled the legislature, taxes steadily increased up to the alarming jump in one year of 39 percent! Under Democratic control the increases have steadily declined and now with the new county executive form of governance, with a Democrat at the helm making tough calls, the latest increase is down to 3.5 percent. It's not perfect, but unlike under Republican control, it's going in the right direction. Would you have us believe, with no discernable plan from you, you would now do better? Given your party's record it would be difficult to believe...

To be fair the two of you, as well as Mr. Aiello, you did mention economic development as a means of increasing county revenues... of course! This is not new thinking! In fact in the very town in which you live the development plans for the Kings Highway Corridor are about to be finalized through the hard work and cooperation (much to the distain of your chairman) of town and county leaders of different political leanings working together. Also under your noses, town, county, and public interest groups, as well as the owners, have been working on significant proposals for development at Winston Farm. There have been three major public meetings to solicit and discuss ideas for this project that could create as many as 3,600 jobs. Where were you guys? I guess not at the meetings for all we heard from you was uninformed remarks about "organic farms" (Mr. Frey) or "butterfly chasers ("Chairman Rob") or admissions of not knowing anything about it (Mr. Aiello). Your lack of involvement, and even disdain, for progress in economic development in your own community makes your campaign bluster seem empty rhetoric ... platitudes meant to incite without solution.

Greg Helsmoortel, Bruce Leighton and Gary Bischoff have been doing the tough work of trying to meet the challenges of hard economic times... they have been making discernable progress against the current of what is the worst economic slow down in decades... They are running on that record and want to bring fresh faces with positive energy, Jamie Fine, Marcy Goulart, Alverta Jones and Nicole Tucker, along to help. They all have specific goals to meet the challenges ahead, not just simplistic and self-evident proclamations, as their platform. They have even created a website (D4Dems.com.) to explain their positions... This is the kind of positive forward thinking we need in the town and county!

Marcus Arthur
Saugerties

Letter to the Editor October 19
Don't Be Fooled
There are Republican candidates for Ulster County Legislature asking for your vote by touting misleading figures and statistics. Comparing Ulster County property tax rates to other states is meaningless. The main reason is that New York is the only state that requires counties to fund 50% of Medicaid costs. READ MORE

Meet the Candidates
Eight vie to represent Saugerties in County Legislature
by David Gordon Saugerties Times October 15, 2009
The Ulster County Legislature is in a transitional period. After surrendering much of its power to the to the county executive this year, in two years the Legislature will again be altered, moving from 32 representatives spread out of 11 districts to 23 single-member districts. READ MORE

Letter to the Editor October 4
Think carefully before your vote
As you wade through the palm cards, flyers and visits from the campaign candidates, we should take the time to ask ourselves some important questions before we cast our vote on November 3rd. We are already dealing with the shortcomings and miscalculations of our government and how ultimately we as citizens pay the price in taxes and our well being. Now; more than ever, we should be thoughtful and exercise care in making our choices. READ MORE

Letter to the Editor October 4
Candidates embrace endorsement against misinformed attacks
It seems like some people have taken issue with candidates endorsed by the Working Families Party. We are proud to be endorsed by the Working Families Party. Their platform can be summed up in two words, Working Families.
The Working Families Party is dedicated to fighting for a more just world where the economy works for everyone, and where politicians are held accountable to working people instead of big-money backers. READ MORE

Letter to the Editor October 4
Setting the record straight
In previous letters to the editor it was implied that I somehow have ties to groups such as Acorn and the Mohegan Tribe. That is simply not true. Please allow me to tell you who I am. My name is Nicole Tucker and I am a candidate for Ulster County Legislature in District 4. I am proud to be endorsed by the Democratic Party, the Independence Party, the Working Families Party, the Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy and the Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation. READ MORE

Letter to the Editor September 27
Don't Rule Out Tourism
If there is reluctance in Ulster County to recognize tourism as a viable solution to Economic Development, don’t tell Pat Reppert. The “Queen of Garlic” and her Garlic Festival was spawned from her unique idea; her interest in the ordinary garlic bulb and has expanded into an annual festival for over twenty years. On Saturday attendance records topped twenty thousand people in one day! A quick glance at the many out of state license plates confirms tourism is alive and well even in this economy. READ MORE


Letter to the Editor September 27
High Priority:Economic Development
The most important issue facing Ulster County is Economic Development. Ulster County must continue to emphasize Economic Development. Since taking office in January, the new County Executive, Mike Hein sent a very clear message that Economic Development and stimulating the Ulster County economy are vital to our economic health and well-being. He’s right. READ MORE

Press Release September 29
Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy endorses local candidates running for office.
In an announcement this week, The Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy proudly endorsed candidates running for Ulster County Legislaure. Candidates Nicole Tucker, Alverta Jones, and Marcy Goulart, received the coveted endorsement from the organization. Eleanor Roosevelt dedicated her life to expanding the role of women in politics and government.

Press Release September 27
Bischoff Working on Government Consolidation.
Ulster County Legislator Gary Bischoff met with Legislature Chair David Donaldson and Pattern For Progress President and CEO Jonathan Drapkin on local government consolidation in mid September READ MORE.

Letter to the Editor September 17
Gary sets the record Straight
Every once in a while it’s necessary to set the record straight. This letter is in response to letters and articles by some of the Republicans running for Ulster County Legislature. They keep pointing out that the new form of county executive government is too expensive (or variations on a theme such as the government is top heavy, or executive and staff are paid too much or we didn't know the cost before voting on the charter). What they fail to point out is READ MORE

Press Release September 14
Legislature Candidates State Position on Affordable Housing
Ulster County has a problem.  Not too long ago, people could figure on paying about $100,000 to $150,000 for a nice, modest home.  Today that same home would cost $300,000 or more.  Many new homes are over $400,000, even in a slack market.  The increased housing prices include condos, townhouses and co-ops, which have also increased substantially in the last eight years. READ MORE

Legislative Newbies
by Will Dendis Saugerties Times

This field of candidates for the County Legislature will be the last to run under the current 33-member, 12-district format. As prescribed by the Charter, the document that brought us the county executive and comptroller last year, the legislature will be reduced to 23 members, each of whom will represent a single district. An independent commission will draw those boundaries based on the results of the 2010 census. READ MORE

New to the Game
Dems field three newcomers to join Bischoff on legislative ticket
Though registered Democrats recently edged out Republicans in Saugerties, and the town went Democrat in the past several presidential elections and last year's county executive race, three of the four county legislators in District 4 hail from the GOP. This year, the Democrats hope to make some gains. Incumbent representative Gary Bischoff will be running with Nicole Tucker, Alverta Jones and Marcy Goulart. Here's a bit about the newcomers. Subsequent articles will deal with incumbents of both parties, and GOP nominee Mike Sweeney, running for Joe Roberti Jr.'s seat. READ MORE

Dems Announce Candidates
ULSTER COUNTY DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE MAKES CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENTS
At their June 8 nominating convention, the Ulster County Democratic Committee endorsed candidates for Ulster County Judge, Ulster County Clerk and Legislative races.In the local Legislature race, Democrats selected two term incumbent legislator Gary Bischoff as well as newcomers, Marcy Goulart, Alverta Jones and Nicole Tucker.READ PRESS RELEASE