The Biggest Loser at the Debate

The biggest loser of last night’s debate, or should we say the person at the debate who should consider going on NBC’s hit reality show The Biggest Loser is Jeremy Blaber, and perhaps his slightly smaller sized side-kick Lew Kirschner. Everyone at the debate was glancing at the super-sized duo. We’ve all seen the show and know what’s under those shirts. Ewwwwwwww!

Now to the candidates….

Allan Wickman started the evening with his opening statement. His resume included that he has been around for 7 decades, has lots of hospitality experience, executive recruiter experience, and was an actor for 8 years. Most of his answers referred back to his 19 point plan which he touted on his website. His most notable moment was during his closing statement in rebuttle to Michel’s Hein’s closing statement. Wickman loudly stated “Don’t Believe It!”..... “What has he [Hein] been doing?” Having been an actor, Wickman was very comfortable on the stage and seemed to enjoy the spotlight. Wickman, who says he is running as an independent candidate, doesn’t have any party endorsements though. Bernardo has already captured the Independence Line, as well as the Republican and Conservative lines. Hein has the Democratic and Working Families lines, so Ulster Politics is not sure where Mr. Wickman will line up on this November’s ballot.

Len Bernardo went next. His resume included a career in the printing industry that he retired from in January of 2008. He was President of a multi-national corporation that did over 65 million dollars and had over 350 employees. He and his wife moved to Ulster County from NYC and have since opened up a roller skating rink and skateboard park. Bernardo said that right now Ulster County’s biggest export are our children and our grandchildren, there are no jobs for them in this County to keep them here. Bernardo’s most notable moment was when he pointed out that the 38.6% tax increase that Michael Hein said he was “left with” was something that Michael Hein helped to create when he [Michael Hein] was Deputy Treasurer and a Republican. He pointed out that after Michael Hein then became a Democrat, he didn’t repeal the 38.6% tax increase that he help put through, rather he raised taxes two more times, 6% and 7% as Ulster County Administor and tried to get a mortagae tax though as well. While not as “smooth” as Hein and Wickman when speaking, Bernardo's credentials and analysis keep him on equal footing with the other two showboats.

Michael Hein gave his opening statement last. He liked that Bernardo referred to him as the “pseudo incumbent”. He went on to say that he was born and raised in Ulster County. He didn’t speak of his “resume”, other than that he is currently the Ulster County Administrator. After the other two candidates had given so much history on themselves, the audience was left wondering how Hein got his current job, and what qualifications does he have to be County Executive. He reported that the “finances were in shambles” when he took over, but that he was the only Administrator in the history of Ulster County to cut spending. He talked about consolidating departments, and saving money on health care. He touted his relationship that he has with the existing County Legislators. Hein's most notable moment, as measured by the audience applause was when he said that "Tourism is Economic Development". He also went on to describe his vision of tourists being able to use UCAT for all of their transportation needs. Like Wickman, Hein was very comfortable on the stage. He seemed to like hearing the sound of his own voice. He enjoyed holding the microphone in one hand and gesturing with this other hand. He appeared well coached in public speaking, and liked using a percussive sort of cadence to make his points. He also came with a camera and crew that was bigger than Channel 6 News.

It was a very hot evening, which brought severe thunderstorms later in the night which knocked out power for Ulster Politics. We were ready to post early....but mother nature had other ideas.