After five years on the County Payroll, Mike Hein decides this campaign is about jobs – his job.
Len Bernardo has had a campaign website up for months touting the need to:
- Create shovel ready sites;
- Dedicate all the revenue from the Hotel tax to tourism;
- Hold the Ulster County Development Corporation and IDA accountable for their success . . . and their failures
Mr. Hein’s late in the game claims that he will build shovel ready sites and create jobs, and promote tourism are the exact opposite of what he has done. Copying Len Bernardo’s plans are smart moves, but why hasn’t Hein proposed doing those things for the five years he’s been taking our money to fund his salary?
Ulster Politics was at this morning’s chamber debate. There is no question that Mike Hein is the better talker when it comes to politics. If speechmaking rather than actual accomplishment were the qualifications for office Hein is the choice hands down.
For those of us who are being bled dry by government, however, we care about results. Bernardo started a company from scratch, grew it to an amazing success, cashed out and retired. Hein started selling jewelry, held a low level position at a local bank, was hired by a politician to work for him and continues in that position to this day.
Hein talks about jobs and taxes but the facts are clear: he kept the 39% tax hike in place and raised it each year he had a chance. On his watch (literally his watch because all he was doing was watching), Hydro Aluminum shut down, Plasmaco’s gone, Colony Liquor is moving to Greene County, and our IDA has failed to land any new private sector projects.
Leadership isn’t about proposing things during an election cycle, it is about a record of actual accomplishment. The simple fact is Hein can spin all he wants but taxes go up and jobs go out – that’s the real Hein/Auerbach record.
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43 comments:
Jeremy Blaber was there this morning. He's still needs to go on The Biggest Loser.
I still don't know what Hein has ever done with his life. He "touts" that he has 18 years of private sector experience.... who doesn't?
Everyone has experience... Hein just doesn't have any experience creating job and cutting taxes.
I was at the debate, and the Michael Hein / Lew Kirschner people were extremely rude and disrespectful to Len Bernardo. I was in the middle of the room, but they appeared to be heckling him, which I found to be highly inappropriate.
I was at that dinner. They created a special category in order to honor Skate Time. Previously there was a "Business of the Year". In order to honor Skate Time 209, the UCDC created the category "Small Business of the Year".
I saw this on KT and thought it was well said
Hein's plan comes after 5 years of milking the system for more than a $1/2 million in taxpayer funded salary and benefits.
He's been the architect of two budgets, why didn't he propose these then?
Wrong again BT
Skate Time was nominated by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Kingston.
I think the nomination was made by either Sam Kandel or Arnoldo Sehwerert
There are a lot of parents who take their children there who do not appreciate your hostility towards this much needed business for kids in Southern Ulster. It is the best thing that has happened in the Town of Rochester for kids in a long time.
Please give it a rest.
I was at the breakfast. Bernardo was an embarrassment. How can we send this guy to Albany? Will he be able to talk to Eddy Diana and Bill Steinhaus? What exactly does he plan to do? He can talk about jobs and cutting taxes all he wants, HOW IS HE GOING TO DELIVER?
Bernardo is out of touch. He can say he's a big business guy but he was never CEO of that big company. He held a title in name only. How many jobs has he really brought at Skatetime? And what exactly were the tax benefits he received in the process?
Bernardo has no plans, no direction and paper-thin credentials, IMO. I'm voting for Hein. Yeah, I'm sure he hasn't done everything he could have as Administrator, especially since he had to clean up so much crap left over from the mismanagement.
The comptroller's race is a different thing. Quigley is smart as heck and he knows it, I just hope that his losing expensive lawsuits against the Town of Ulster, his money spent fighting the charter form of gov't and his dour aloof personality don't hurt him on the campaign trail.
I love the anti-Bernardo people.
1. He owns a Mercedes. He's too rich and successful to relate to the average person says one person.
2. Now the other side is "hey, he was just a peon with a big title at that big company, he didn't have real responsibility" (I guess the Mercedes is really a Yugo with a different name on it).
Either he was too successful and therefore rich and can't relate to the common person or he was just a peon at a big company without any responsibility. Which one was it I ask of the Bernardo critics.
I personally thought Hein came off as arrogant and almost angry this morning. I want sensible leaders not angry bureacrats running our government.
Hein has had five years to get it right. He hasn't. Time for a change.
11:08, the only thing embarrassing in Ulster County is that we have had over a 50% tax increase over the last 3 years and no new jobs.
Mike Hein claims that "he has he has cut spending and instituted performance-based funding."
If Hein has cut spending so much, then why are taxes going up? If he is such a "financial wizard" then why can't he get the budget done time time?
He talks about Bernardo having on the job training. This is only the 3rd budget that Hein is putting together for the County. That is not a lot of experience to be saying that the "other guy" is going to be learning on the job.
Why is he consistently late in bringing the budget to the legislators? Why has he already asked to be be late this year? Are we going to see him dipping into the general fund this year to keep taxes down? Is the the kind of "wizardry" that we need in Ulster County?
I say no. Let's get a real businessman who has created real jobs and controlled real costs in his own business to watch over our taxes and jobs in Ulster County.
It will be interesting to see if Mike Hein follows the Nick Woerner school of government and slams the savings to make it look like he is keeping taxes low.
Hein cut spending???? The budget WAS 300 million is NOW 325 million. 18 years experience he started carrying Lews golf bag at 23
Did anyone question him on his trustworthiness? I mean, he is basically a republican running on the democrat ticket. His party affiliation had EVERY thing to do with which party was in the majority and keeping his job. Mike Hein does what is good for Mike Hein.
I support Len Bernardo for County Executive, because of HIS visions and from personal experience, feel he can be TRUSTED. But I can also take heart that if Hein wins, we STILL have a republican (although dressed in sheep's clothing) at the top. Although, untrustworthy.
To 11:01pm
I am in Kingston and I take my kids there. I see other Kingstonians with their kids there too.
I am sure that you will agree that Skate Time 209 is clean, bright and fun for kids and adults alike.
BT, let's talk about Hein's record--he projected a $23 mil. deficit and the county had a $12 million surplus. Let's talk about economic development, under Hein, Ulster County has record unemployment. Check out how many IDA applications the UCDC has received in the last two years--you can count them on one hand.
Hein needs to create jobs. He has failed to create jobs no matter how his minions spin it.
Hein record:
1. Cutting tourism;
2. raising taxes;
Spint to another subject you Hein flacks, you have no choice because your man has no record.
Give it up, Brittany. You're cute, but an airhead.
Brittany lets be real Hein no jobs. No IDA projects under his watch. A lot of companies leaving Ulster County especially the Ellenville area. And now who writes your paycheck?? Vote Bernardo even you Brittany, he will bring jobs. Hein just will bring money to the good old boys
New York State law currently allows local IDA's to shuffle jobs around the area without a net job gain.
Exemptions for tourism, corporate headquarters are allowed and also for the state to allow tax breaks for retail and service businesses which, given a fixed market, do not create any new jobs
Mike Hein at the HEIGHT of his "career" was a branch manager at a bank. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but he had no authority to make loans and this is not way compares to Bernardo's credentials as a successful entrepreneur.
Bernardo started a business and at the height of his business, sold it to an international company and left it with 325 employees and 65 MILLION dollars in revenues.
I think that TRUMPS Bank Branch Manager.
After that pinnacle of Hein's career as Bank Branch Manager, Hein joined UC Government as Deputy Treasurer FIVE years ago, where he continues to receive on the job training. He trained as Deputy Treasurer for 3 years and has been Administrator for 2 years. He has prepared 2 budgets. Wow! Two! Many would agree that he is still "in training" as to how to work in County Government.
That hardly qualifies him to throw around comments about Bernardo such as "we can't afford Bernardo's on the job training".
In my opinion, that is like the pot calling the kettle black.
I swear I didn't make this up
Brittany Turner, the best piece of ass in the whole city!
I think the pretty part is way overstated
Brittany Turner
* Age: 26
* Gender: Female
* Astrological Sign: Cancer
* Zodiac Year: Dog
* Industry: Non-Profit
* Occupation: Coordinator
* Location: New Paltz : NY : United States
About Me
so rich, so pretty, the best piece of ass in this whole damn city.
Bank Branch Manger at the pinnacle of Hein's career... 5 years of low level on the job training in goverment
OR
Bernardo - his own company, 325 employees, 65 million in revenue - SOLD IT, RETIRED
Two people competing for the same job, who would you hire? Not the Bank Branch Manger.
bernardo could have run friggin' ibm and it does not equate to 1 week of experience in the pubic sector. when are you people going to get that through your thick skulls? private sector experience is ok, but it does not in anyway, qualify someone for this position.
repeat after me, private sector experience means little in the public sector. apples and oranges. if bernardo wins, he will ask for a do over so he can quit.
Hein = Bank Branch Manager
Bernardo = own company, 325 employees 65 million dollars
Enough said.
Hein is in over his head
'pubic' sector!!! Hahaha...now THAT'S funny!! Freudian slip, maybe?
To: 217pm
bernardo could have run friggin' ibm and it does not equate to 1 week of experience in the pubic sector. when are you people going to get that through your thick skulls? private sector experience is ok, but it does not in anyway, qualify someone for this position.
repeat after me, private sector experience means little in the public sector. apples and oranges. if bernardo wins, he will ask for a do over so he can quit.
I disagree with you and I think that the millions who voted the folks below will disagree with you too.
Michael Bloomberg - of Bloomberg Financial - now the Mayor of NY City....
Jon Corzine - Chairman of the Board and Co-CEO of Goldman Sachs - then US Senator and now Governor of the state of New Jersey.
Fred Thompson - actor turned US Senator
Arnold Schwarzenegger - actor turned Governor of California.
Oh and if you are Dem you might want to check out Al Fraken who is running for US Senate in Minnesota too.
I have other examples...shall I go on??
Hey September 25, 2008 2:17 PM
so your saying being a bank manager is better qualified??
2:17 -
Wrong, wrong, wrong. The entire reason the public sector is in such shambles - local, County, State and Federal - is because of the mentality that the public and private sectors are two different things.
Granted, the ways in which the two sectors operate is very different. The point is THEY SHOULDN'T BE. Government is - or should be - nothing more than a service provider doing those things for us which we cannot do for ourselves.
The very problems with Government are those factors which would cause a business to close its doors if the same issues arose there. The ONLY difference is that Government doesn't close its doors by virtue of its ability to force its "customers" to continue providing it with revenues.
That's it. That is the sum total of the real world difference. The ability of Government to use force to maintain its survival.
If Government operated more like a business, the issues the voters complain about the most would not be issues. Responsiveness. Accountability. The idea that they have to earn increased revenues rather than simply saying "We need more money, so cough it up."
Will it be difficult to implement the kind of change of mentality which is required? Of course. Is it impossible? Not by a long shot. Can someone who is rooted in that very mentality change the paradigm of Government? Not on your life. Can someone from the private sector? That's the only hope we have.
What we need is something new, innovative, out-of-the-box. The old way is a complete, absurdly pathetic failure. Saying that we need someone with experience in a system which is in broken, shattered, rusty pieces is simply living in denial.
Like someone who refuses to take his medications, this County will never get better until we acknowledge the illness. The disease we are facing is business as usual. The medication is someone who is willing and able to bring us something new.
I have come to a conclusion. We need people who know more about the business world then the political world to control money. I mean isn't that whats the government is about. Money!! And why would we want someone who is just a politician when we could have someone who knows how to handle money!
I don't care if Bernardo has created 5 jobs. It's 5 more than Hein has created.
We have been given legal advice to delete any posts that allege crimes, including lying about issues.
In order to be fair to both sides, we have deleted all posts referencing this tread both for and against the "issue".
There's always that one person who has to ruin it for everyone. Sorry folks.
Isn't it more like you are protecting Bernardo?
Obama, --- ROW A --->>> Hoffay
and every Democrat in between. The Republicans have screwed up this country/county enough.
It isn't you Brittany, you are a scapegoat.
Doesn't anyone remember what happened to Clark Richters with the Mayor?
Maybe Ulster Politics doesn't wanted to get sued for posting Brittany's allegations.
I read her comments and some of them did cross the line.
I think Ulster Politics did the fair thing. They didn't just remove Brittny's comments.... they , they removed both sides of the argument SO people couldn't say the were targeting just her. If you read, there are no more comments refuting Brittany and trying to protect Bernardo
There are plenty of OPINIONS on this blog against Bernardo. It's the ones that allege wrongdoing that were removed.
Brittany just need to take responsibility for her irresponsible posts. If I were the blogmaster, I wouldn't put myself in legal jeopardy for her either.
She claims that she doesn't know of any other blog masters with any attorney. I ask her, do you know who Clark Richters is? He certainly has a attorney. He is being sued in court over his blog.
She likes to push the envelope. I read her profile about being the best piece of ass in the whole damn city. That was up for a long time before someone called her out on it here on the blog.
Kingston Mayor Jim Sottile has filed a libel suit against Clark Richters over comments made on his blog, Ulster County Politics, allegedly reporting that the Mayor was going to be indicted on bid rigging. In the suit Sottile claims to have suffered ridicule, damage to his good name and reputation and is seeking 100 thousand dollars in damages.
Hein made a job again for campaign manager Vic Work and then gave Blaber a truck.
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