In a STUNNING report in today's Times Herald Record, reporter Paul Brooks tells us that Ulster County's leaders have only bothered to act on 7 out of 15 recommendations which came out of a special panel and Grand Jury to avoid another jail fiasco.
The staff at Ulster Politics thinks that kudos should go to Richard Parete (D - Hurley) for wanting to act on more of those recommendations. Boos and hisses, however should go to Chairman David "I'm an Economics Teacher, that's why I should be Comptroller" Donaldson for failing to act, and of course to Mike "I'm a Republican - no wait, I'm a Democrat" Hein for doing nothing on the jail debacle - except pay the bills of course.
Hein is running scared from the jail but the facts are clear:
In 2003 Mike Hein started as the Deputy County Treasurer. He was the right arm of the man who signed the checks which paid for the jail.
He sat silently, taking his government check, while his boss (Lew Kirschner) agreed to pay millions in jail overruns in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and now 2008 (with him being the top dog in the whole County for 06, 07, an 08). Now Hein says he had no part in the jail . . . hmmm
Paid the bills for the project, and was administrator while the jail fiasco ballooned to what will ultimately be $145 million, but he had no part in it? Give me a break.
We also hear that some Republicans are grousing that Len Bernardo is saying both parties are at fault. Well, they can complain all they want but the fact is both parties are at fault - the Republicans and their hand picked county administrator, who is now Hein's Deputy, did a horrible job watching the store. The Democrats took over, but in 2004, 2005 they had 16 votes on the Legislature - and time and again Democrats voted to spend money on the jail.
The jail is a stunning indictment (no pun intended) of the price of government being run by those who care more about the blame game than about getting the job done. Republicans and Democrats are equally at fault for the jail debacle.
What in the world was Lew Kirschner, and his hand picked lackey, Mike Hein doing paying for millions in cost overruns without putting up a big sign that says STOP and getting all parties in the room and "leading the way" out of the mess.
Hein's campaign slogan is "leading the way". Ulster Politics asks: to what? higher taxes and less jobs?
(remember that Ulster Politics post Sun Aug 10?
Lew Kirschner & Mike Hein in "The Good Old Boys",
bringing Ulster County less jobs and higher taxes
Here's another of our favorite old posts about Kirschner and Hein
Likewise, what in the world did the Republican Legislators do? zip, nada, bupkus.
Jim Quigley would have audited the He*l out of this jail fiasco and Bernardo would have been on top of it from the first cost overrun. What we got was a Legislature asleep at the switch and a Treasurer paying the bills without bothering to demand any accountability first. Shame, shame, shame.
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43 comments:
i saw Lew Kirschner today,,on COUNTY TIME, in front of the UC Office Building @ 11:30 a.m. wearing a HEIN for County Exec golf shirt,,,,
ON COUNTY/TAXPAYER'S TIME/dime
disgusting - shameful - unethical !
Why did Hein keep the Republican County Administrator on as his deputy if he thought the Republicans did such a bad job handling the jail fiasco? Wouldn't he be one of the first people that Mike Hein should have replaced if he were truly interested in better government for the taxpayers in Ulster County.
This jail thing was the worst managed, most expensive thing to every happen to Ulster County taxpayers, and Mike Hein keeps the guy who was the administrator and makes him HIS deputy. Does this guy Hein have NO common sense at all?
This jail thing cost the taxpayers at 39% tax increase, and then the Democrats, who then took over because the taxpayers voted the Republicans out to punish them for the jail, raised taxes an extra 8% and 7%.
My paycheck as CERTAINLY not gone up 39% + 8% + 7%.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
I LITERALLY CAN NOT AFFORD TO LIVE HERE ANYMORE IF THIS KEEPS UP
VOTE THEM ALL OUT
If we are voting them all out then vote for Bernardo/Quigley 08'.
And an article like this needs to make the front page of every paper because I do not believe that anyone in Ulster County understands how much control Hein had over the jail.
Ulster Politics should be the "official" Ulster County blog for the Poughkeepsie Journal instead of Blaber.
Can anyone out there actually believe that Blaber is the offical blog for the Poughkeepsie Journal.
WHAT are they thinking over there.
This is an embarrassment for all of Ulster County. I encourage everyone to write to that newspaper to have him removed.
http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=blogs&template=1col
Ulster Politics should write for the Freeman. They would do a whole hell of a lot better than what we are getting now.
Nice revisionist history. Many, Many times, Legislators spoke out against the necessity, planning, size & scope, lack of preparation, finance, property purchase and every other nuance associated with this ill advised, ill planned and utterly disgusting failure of a project. It was Ward Todd that produced a video to show around to the various town boards. Todd, Alphonso, Sleight, Stock and finally Gerentine pushed hard for the project. They then denied problems, lied to the public, and deceived everyone as the project went south.
Hein did an excellent job of keeping the Legislature apprised of the budget, how much was spent. how much was left, and the projections of how much would be needed. That was, by the way his job. He had no project oversight authority or responsibility. Those that did, ignored the obvious.
Hein bares as much responsibility as the auditor, purchasing agent or any other ancillary department to the project. The fault lies squarely with the DPW and the Republican lead Legislature that was in charge at the time. It is way out of line to try and blame Hein for any part of this mess.
There were and are 33 legislators they could be all held responsible. but to keep rehashing this is the reason that we have NO job, NO economic development, BIG tax hikes lets be real that was yesterday we need to look for the future Todd is gone hopefully Hein will be and may the others will be weeded out in time there are still good legislators on both sides we need to keep that maybe were left in the dark
10:30, I thought your types love "Whistle Blowers", especially a whistle blower from the opposition party. If Hein was powerless, if he was no more than a mere monkey signing checks, does he really deserve to be County Exec? He COULD have blown the whistle. It would have cost his job at the time. I hear this all of the time from democrats, he had a RESPONSIBILITY to blow the whistle. He was one of the few who saw the whole picture, and that picture was bad.
He was too aligned with the club then, I don't see how he can't be now.
Every single bill that was paid had the approval of the Legislature. Every penny that was added to the cost of the jail was approved by the Legislature. Every cost overrun was a direct result of poor planning, poor oversight and poor management of the project overall. All of those were the responsibility of the Legislature's Republican Majority. They failed and were drummed out of office.
Mike Hein had nothing to do with the problems at the jail. He was an asset to the Legislature with his honest assessments & his accurate and timely reporting. He did nothing to hide the truth and forewarned of the impending financial shortfalls for the project on a regular basis. He did a very good job and got a hard time from the Republican power brokers for telling it like it was. So get it right!
Those of you who claim otherwise are full of you know what. This is what happened and these are the facts.
10:30 is Blaber, don't you think? Use your name son. It won't hurt your reputation that you watch other blogs. In fact, it should help it.
8:00am... Blaber probably doesn't post his name because he thinks people will delete his posts like he does on his blog. That is why I always have to post anonymous on his blog, he hasn't posted a comment with my name since I started my blog several weeks ago, so I gave up and went anonymous.
10:30 -
Amazing how one can make a claim of historical revisionism then proceed to present their own revisionist version of what has gone before.
You conveniently leave out the fact that - while several Republicans voted AGAINST building a new jail - ever single Democrat in the Legislature at the time voted in favor of it. Let's repeat that: there was not a single Democrat "No" vote on the original Resolution to build a new jail.
To continually try to paint the jail fiasco as a Republican scandal is nothing short of perpetrating a fraud on the voters. In point of fact, this is a bipartisan disgrace and pointing fingers at anyone else is simply smoke and mirrors.
Ulster County is in deep financial trouble. The jail is just the tip of the iceberg, something the Democrats keep bringing up whenever we ask questions about the rest of the problems, problems which came into their own under the Democrat regime.
As a voter, I am sick and tired of being told to "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain."
Yes, we need to find out what went wrong and make certain it never happens again. However, we rarely have projects anywhere near the size of the jail project. If we really want to bring down the costs of government, we need to root out the waste and unacceptable business practices from the thousands of everyday transactions our County engages in everyday. The annual losses hidden in those transactions dwarf the jail's cost overruns.
That is what the Establishment desperately wants us to avoid looking into. That is why they want one of their own in the County Executive's Office, so that business as usual can continue.
That is why we need Len Bernardo as our County Executive. He is INDEPENDENT of the GOOD OLE BOYS. He WILL FIND the waste and stop it in its tracks. He knows how to do that.
His opponent neither knows how nor has any motivation to stop the bleeding.
I think the person who signs the checks should be held responsible for the money he is signing for. He could refuse to sign the check. It would have saved Ulster County residents a ton of money. I mean then we would have had the 60% tax increase we did. Even though it seemed like a 600% tax increase.
The next major capital project is the County Infirmary located on Golden Hill.
You are right on it - Bernardo has not made alot of GOP friends. But, for a leader, we want a straight shooter, dont we?
If I mess up I want people to tell me that I mess up. How else do we all improve for next time?
With telling people how it is you need to take the criticism with the complements. If all you [insiders] want is complements you are in the wrong ball game. ...and like Len says, perhaps its time for insiders to go.
Imre, and the others who say the treasurers office should not have signed the checks and all that other nonsense. In the current form of government, the Legislature rules. If they say pay the bill, they pay the bill. If they say hire the contractor they hire the contractor.
Now, if anyone, and I will even include the Republicans in this knew that the leadership of the county was going to abdicate their shared responsibility for this project, none of them would have voted for it.
I don't think anyone ever said that they do not know where the money was spent or that it was not accounted for. No money is missing.
The worlds best auditor would not have been able to do anything about it. It was necessary work to complete the jail because the people who were suppose make sure the plans were good, simply did not. They rushed it through and hid the fact that the plans were incomplete. It was incompetence, not malfeasance that was the problem.
Why can't some people understand that?
That photo of Lew & Mike says it all !!!
Good ol' Boys,, thick as thieves !!
Disgusting,,, I say CHANGE NOW !!
Out with the old school,, there is a new agenda in Town,
Bernardo - Quigley,,, or at least just BERNARDO !!!
I hate Lew Kirschner and like Mike Hein. I will vote for Mike.
There was malfeasance alright, when the county employees who overseeing this took their paychecks!
If they were told to jump off a bridge, would they jump of the bridge??
I love Lew Kirchner but there is NO WAY I'm voting for Hein. He simply talks.
No action. Anything good the Democrats did in the Legislature did he takes credit for. Anything bad the Democrats did or the Republicans did he says "oh that is not my fault". You can't have it both ways.
slow motion is better than no motion which is what was there when the democrats took over. bernardi and quigley's heads would be spinning if they ever got elected. they would not have any idea what to do if it is more than talking about it.
I'm a Republican voting for Mike Hein. I'm SICK of the mess my party has made of my country, my county (Ulster) and my town (you figure it out).
Hein was an honest Republican, like some of the rest of us who are so fed up with business as usual. I stand for real republican values, smaller better government that gets out of the way of good business. Bush and Gerentine/Todd legislature didn't pursue my values. Instead it's been a take-what-you-can-get-no accountability situation.
Hein WAS blowing the whistle. He's the one who cleaned up Lew's Treasurer's office. Not paying the bills would have resulted in firing and no change in county government run by the rascals.
I'm with Hein, ready to jump ship. And now, the UC Republicans CAN'T EVEN FIND A DECENT REPUBLICAN TO RUN ON OUR LINE??? So we've had to go with the owner of a skate rink. Yeah, he's a businessman--one who sold his company with less than 20 employees and NEVER managed the new company as CEO. He can't even get along with the decent Republicans we've gotten elected!
Bernardo's mantra of change, smaller government and more jobs sounds just like Obama.
Time for action with real plans, not empty slogans of hope and change. Here's to McCain/Hein: men who know how get things done.
Maryann Degroot... we all know you are voting for Hein... trader
12:07, you sound like the same old crybaby that complained about Kevin Cahill.... we know who you are
12:07, It seems to be a choice to vote for the person or to lay blame to a party, and vote against the party. I'll give you this much, you seem to be voting for the person, of your choice, no one elses. Political party be damned. I, for one, am all for removing politcal parties from the ballot, and just show the names of the candidates. FORCE people to KNOW the players.
If you are being honest with your choice, then go at it! But don't make your choice because you feel a party has forsaken you.
To me, voting for Hein is voting things to remain status quo. Obviously, you are not happy with local government as it stands. You go ahead though, shoot yourself in the foot, just to show those waskaly wepublicans how mad you are.
to 12:19: nope we ain't the same person.
Bernardo has to learn to get along with some party , if elect they will screw him and then we are back to politics as usual. Hein both sides don't like him but the GOB( good old boys) will put the squeeze on the legislature to work with him. Clean house vote Bernardo/Quigley
3:32am... if I had to guess, I would say that you are from Saugerties.
Further, I bet you are referring to the Nina thing. Len Bernardo is not the one who has trouble getting along with people. He just calls them like he sees them.
Nina NEEEDED to be called out. Len did that, he wasn't rude, he just called it what it is.
Nina wants it BOTH ways. Better yet... Nina supports the Democratic candidates, but not so much that she wants the Republicans to know. She wants it both ways and she's pissed that she has been exposed.
Quigley's wife was her treasurer, and she is even refusing to support him. Figure that one out.
Now Jim getting along with people is another story. He is on his 3rd consultant.
Maybe the consultants that he fired were incompetent, or maybe Mr. Quigley has trouble getting along with people too? NEITHER!
Bernardo and Quigley are businessmen, not SUCK UP politicians. They will tell it to you like it is.
If you want suck up, no change politicians, vote for Hein and Auerbach who are owned by the good old boys club.
If you want executives who are not afraid to speak up when they notice something is WRONG, vote for Quigley and Bernardo.
The are not OWNED, nor will they be owned by ANYONE
Be careful of MaryAnn Degroot her brother is the Under-Sheriff.
While she is a GOP'er she tends to like Dems - like Hein and others.
Ever wonder why she is not a committee-person?
Getting Along??
Odd [Dutchess County Exec Bill] Steinhaus in Dutchess County often is at odds with GOP leaders in his legislature yet when the ballot comes they all vote him in.
If you honestly think that people need to get along all the time, then you and I are not living in the same world.
You can't be a trader when a candidate is not enrolled in the same party. I am not afraid to sign my name to my comments...unlike alot of those listed here. My views and my track record speak for itself. I will continue to support the candidates that I know and like and ones that are of my choice. As a citizen in the USA I have those rights. Good Luck to all candidates that want to make a change and get involved, rather than sound off anonymously.
that's your opinion and you are entitled to it Maryann.
personally, I am a member of the GOP and we (that this the GOP) decided to endorse Bernardo on our line.
he is a member of the independence party, which last time I check, WE (GOPers) don't have a problem with.
We DO however have a problem with the views of the Democratic party, and the candidate for which you are raising money for.
Trader? oh yes - you are
I agree Degroot is a traitor and unwelcome in the GOP
Maryann are entitled to vote for anyone that you want.
Raising money publicaly for Hein that's a different story and a slap in the face to every person working hard for the Republican Party.
I hope you don't have the nerve to show your face at the County Republican dinner this year, cause there are a lot of people who would like to spit in it.
Go ahead dish it out MaryAnn you're entitled.... We are entitled to give it right back to you and express our opinion as well. You and Vicki St. John are of the same ilk.
Too many people are working too hard for Bernardo, and we don't appreciate your efforts against him. And make no mistake it not be forgotten.
Name calling, threats, mud slinging, being a Republican is not much fun these days. When the party I'm enrolled in nominates a person from another party over one of our own, I reserve the right to complain about it. There is no way I can be expected to blindly support a candidate that is NOT a Republican.
Len thinks he is qualified for the job of Ulster County Executive because he can see Ulster County from his house.
Len is qualified because he says so. Just ask him.
Who was the person who wanted the nomination of the Republican party???
Noonan? please! he could never get elected.
Noonan, great name recognition - how did he vote on the jail? how did he vote on the bond?
No on the jail, yes on the money and then didn't watch the money being spent.
Is he electable? I don't think so.
What about Rich Gerentine, Rich Cahill, Joe Roberti,Fred Wadnola, Bob Ryan, Ward Todd. There are lots of names who had a chance.
8:08 writes " Rich Gerentine, Rich Cahill, Joe Roberti,Fred Wadnola, Bob Ryan, Ward Todd. There are lots of names who had a chance."
Oh Gimme a break, Joe Roberti is a pompous ass who votes againt the Party when it suits his own needs,,,& isnt bright enough to lead a boy scout patrol,, A moron, Savago gave him a job because of his father's loyalty, only Italians ever got ahead under Savago,, & incompetant ones at that,,
Genentine maybe, but he is tainted with the jail,
Cahill has no shot out of Kingston, Wadnola's days are over,
So i am glad we have Len,, smart aggressive, accomplished & not part of the Savago-Catalano cabal.
Hey, 7:47, you called it! Imre, if you really were the "watchdog-critic" you claim to be, you, 7:47 THE MEDIA, everyone, would know: THERE NEVER...NEVER... was a vote ON THE JAIL. Merely umpty ump fundings. So, there. You gotta go to legislature meetings to learn this; nobody'll tell you. It's so bad, even the legislators don't get it. I got PROOF. THe legislature is getting WORSE, not better. Now, we have a drunk on board who not only sleeps through meetings but snores that wake the dead. And NOBODY censures him. Like the U.S. Senate: a "buddy" can do no wrong. Lifetime cynosure.
Having spent 20 years with big, multi-nationals, I'd seen executives politely fired...with NADA take-home...for doing MUCH LESS THAN the then-leaders of the jail fiasco. Then, of course, there was/is Tyco, Enron, et al.
Allan Wikman
845 + 802-0403
IN IT TO WIN IT
www.campaignwindow.com/allanwikman/
Kirschner hasn't worked in 15 years - just keeps sucking the taxpayer.
Mr. Wikman (7:38) -
There were, indeed votes - several of them - on the Law enforcement Center. There was a vote to solicit bids, various votes on siting and other preliminary measures and a final approval of the project and acceptance of the top bid.
To say there were no votes is to show a lack of understanding of the process. Projects of this magnitude have many, many votes, approving each and every step separately. To approve such immense projects in a single, omnibus resolution would have been foolhardy and irrepsonsible and we saw enough of both characteristics in this project as it is.
By the way, I have never proclaimed myself to be a "watchdog-critic" (whatever that may be). I am simply a guy with an opinion who avails himself of his First Amendment rights from time to time. I don't consider my opinions to be any more or less important than those of anyone else, whether I happen to agree with those other opinions or not.
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