At its April 20th meeting, the Saugerties Democratic Committee unanimously endorsed its search committee’s recommendations for Legislative and Town elections. Democratic chair Mike Harkavy said, “I credit this committee and the Saugerties Democratic Party for creating a climate where talented, community-minded people who want to work in the best interests of Saugerties are always welcomed. In nominating this slate of candidates, we are putting our principles front and center and making it clear that, for us, the goal of elections is open and inclusive government and good public policy.”
For the legislative race, the Democrats are again calling on the talent and experience of Gary Bischoff to lead the team. He is a consensus-builder who has earned countywide respect for his unfaltering leadership on tough issues. Joining Gary on the ticket are Nicole Tucker, Marcy Goulart, and Alverta Jones. “These candidates bring a wealth of expertise in economic development, business management, education, tourism and community volunteerism,” said Harkavy. Gary Bischoff added, “The search committee had a difficult job picking the best candidates. There were other people who wanted to run, and they also would have made excellent candidates. The candidates that were ultimately selected bring a great balance of youth, enthusiasm and experience that provides voters with an excellent slate they can support with confidence”.
For the town race, the Democrats tapped the highly regarded Greg Helsmoortel for a sixth term as Supervisor. Joining Greg on the Team Saugerties ticket are Bruce Leighton, who is seeking his second term, and Jamie Fine, who is making her first run at elected office. “Over the past several years, our town board has put together a tremendous record of achievement, and we look forward to a continuation of this collaborative and effective approach to governing. Greg, Bruce and Jamie have our confidence, our support and our unfaltering commitment to help them succeed,” said Harkavy.
The Democratic Committee also gave a hearty round of applause to Nancy Campbell who will be leaving the town board when her term expires in December. “Nancy told us from the get-go that she was only going to serve one term, and we owe her a debt of gratitude for the extraordinary work she’s done…and continues to do…on behalf of the residents of Saugerties. She will be sorely missed.”
Monday, April 27, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Saugerties Democratic Committee News
By Mike Harkavy
Town Board Accomplishments…continued
While we continue to wait, for the Saugerties Republican Party to propose positive programs that support economic development and job opportunities for the businesses and residents of Saugerties, we will continue to highlight the accomplishments of Supervisor Greg Helsmoortel and our town board. They have:
· Worked actively with the Chamber of Commerce and the Village promoting events like the October giant flea market and the December Holiday in the Village
· Created High Tech, Green Collar and You, the first forum of its kind in the region that brought business leaders, educators, and local, state and federal government officials to Saugerties High School to enlighten students, teachers and parents about opportunities in “green collar” industry.
· Under Greg Helsmoortel’s leadership, worked with the Department of Transportation and our state and federal officials to relocate the Tissal Road railroad crossing insuring the safety of local residents and those entering and leaving Solite.
· Created the position of an in-house planner rather than depending on expensive outside consultants. This approach is being used as a model for other local townships.
· Adopted training regulations for planning and the zoning board of appeals prior to New York State Requirements
· Adopted zoning laws that combine environmental concerns with practical land use patterns
· Actively supported the Farmer’s Market
· Enhanced the TV 23 studio, providing free educational opportunities for community members who want to learn technical aspects of TV production.
· Continued to support the Hudson Valley Garlic Festival that brings tens of thousands of visitors to Saugerties each year.
The First 100 Days
You can read or listen to County Executive Mike Hein’s report on the first 100 days of his term as County Executive by going to www.ulstercountyny.gov.
Town Board Accomplishments…continued
While we continue to wait, for the Saugerties Republican Party to propose positive programs that support economic development and job opportunities for the businesses and residents of Saugerties, we will continue to highlight the accomplishments of Supervisor Greg Helsmoortel and our town board. They have:
· Worked actively with the Chamber of Commerce and the Village promoting events like the October giant flea market and the December Holiday in the Village
· Created High Tech, Green Collar and You, the first forum of its kind in the region that brought business leaders, educators, and local, state and federal government officials to Saugerties High School to enlighten students, teachers and parents about opportunities in “green collar” industry.
· Under Greg Helsmoortel’s leadership, worked with the Department of Transportation and our state and federal officials to relocate the Tissal Road railroad crossing insuring the safety of local residents and those entering and leaving Solite.
· Created the position of an in-house planner rather than depending on expensive outside consultants. This approach is being used as a model for other local townships.
· Adopted training regulations for planning and the zoning board of appeals prior to New York State Requirements
· Adopted zoning laws that combine environmental concerns with practical land use patterns
· Actively supported the Farmer’s Market
· Enhanced the TV 23 studio, providing free educational opportunities for community members who want to learn technical aspects of TV production.
· Continued to support the Hudson Valley Garlic Festival that brings tens of thousands of visitors to Saugerties each year.
The First 100 Days
You can read or listen to County Executive Mike Hein’s report on the first 100 days of his term as County Executive by going to www.ulstercountyny.gov.
Saugerties Democratic Committee News
By Mike Harkavy
Town Board Accomplishments…continued
While we continue to wait, for the Saugerties Republican Party to propose positive programs that support economic development and job opportunities for the businesses and residents of Saugerties, we will continue to highlight the accomplishments of Supervisor Greg Helsmoortel and our town board. They have:
· Worked actively with the Chamber of Commerce and the Village promoting events like the October giant flea market and the December Holiday in the Village
· Created High Tech, Green Collar and You, the first forum of its kind in the region that brought business leaders, educators, and local, state and federal government officials to Saugerties High School to enlighten students, teachers and parents about opportunities in “green collar” industry.
· Under Greg Helsmoortel’s leadership, worked with the Department of Transportation and our state and federal officials to relocate the Tissal Road railroad crossing insuring the safety of local residents and those entering and leaving Solite.
· Created the position of an in-house planner rather than depending on expensive outside consultants. This approach is being used as a model for other local townships.
· Adopted training regulations for planning and the zoning board of appeals prior to New York State Requirements
· Adopted zoning laws that combine environmental concerns with practical land use patterns
· Actively supported the Farmer’s Market
· Enhanced the TV 23 studio, providing free educational opportunities for community members who want to learn technical aspects of TV production.
· Continued to support the Hudson Valley Garlic Festival that brings tens of thousands of visitors to Saugerties each year.
The First 100 Days
You can read or listen to County Executive Mike Hein’s report on the first 100 days of his term as County Executive by going to www.ulstercountyny.gov.
Town Board Accomplishments…continued
While we continue to wait, for the Saugerties Republican Party to propose positive programs that support economic development and job opportunities for the businesses and residents of Saugerties, we will continue to highlight the accomplishments of Supervisor Greg Helsmoortel and our town board. They have:
· Worked actively with the Chamber of Commerce and the Village promoting events like the October giant flea market and the December Holiday in the Village
· Created High Tech, Green Collar and You, the first forum of its kind in the region that brought business leaders, educators, and local, state and federal government officials to Saugerties High School to enlighten students, teachers and parents about opportunities in “green collar” industry.
· Under Greg Helsmoortel’s leadership, worked with the Department of Transportation and our state and federal officials to relocate the Tissal Road railroad crossing insuring the safety of local residents and those entering and leaving Solite.
· Created the position of an in-house planner rather than depending on expensive outside consultants. This approach is being used as a model for other local townships.
· Adopted training regulations for planning and the zoning board of appeals prior to New York State Requirements
· Adopted zoning laws that combine environmental concerns with practical land use patterns
· Actively supported the Farmer’s Market
· Enhanced the TV 23 studio, providing free educational opportunities for community members who want to learn technical aspects of TV production.
· Continued to support the Hudson Valley Garlic Festival that brings tens of thousands of visitors to Saugerties each year.
The First 100 Days
You can read or listen to County Executive Mike Hein’s report on the first 100 days of his term as County Executive by going to www.ulstercountyny.gov.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Republicans Bring Nothing To The Table
Saugerties Democratic Committee News
By Mike Harkavy
Republicans Bring Nothing To The Table
The Republican Committee is rehashing, over and over again, the same tired talking points in their columns (Saugerties Times, March 26, 2009). They still complain about a unified town board as being a problem rather than an example of non-partisan government. What is most apparent is that they don’t offer any new ideas or programs to promote the growth of Saugerties and the welfare of its residents and businesses.
These are serious times, while the Republicans sit and complain, trapped in outdated political sniping; our current town board has a long list of accomplishments. Here are just a few:
• The Kings Highway Enterprise Corridor water/sewer project in on track and the Generic Environmental Impact Statement is near completion that will streamline the approval process for new businesses that want to locate in the corridor.
• They have partnered with the Saugerties Area Chamber of Commerce to produce the Discover Saugerties 2009 brochure funded jointly with the Town Economic Development Committee
• Supervisor Helsmoortel coordinated state, county and community groups, as well as the owners of the Winston Farm to market and develop a land management plan for the property.
• Revised the Ethics Law in 2007 and put an Ethics Board in place
• Passed the Right to Farm Law in recognition of farming as important to the tradition, character and well being of our community.
• Completed the Glasco riverfront mini-park with hundreds of thousands of dollars from the state and other agencies
• Supervisor Helsmoortel convened the Green Energy Task Force which has produced a cable access show “Go Green, Save Green” providing energy tips for the community. They held a forum for building contractors highlighting education and employment opportunities in the fields of alternative energy and conservation.
• Continued improvement and growing community usage of the Kiwanis Ice Arena and on and on.
I do have to take some time to respond to untrue accusations by the Republican Committee against the Saugerties Democratic Party.
“Greg Helsmoortel is one of the biggest contributors to the Saugerties Democratic Party”.
Untrue. Greg sent a check to the Saugerties Democratic Party to be passed through to “Team Saugerties”, the election committee representing Greg and the town board candidates. The Democratic Party did not get a dime from this transaction
“The Saugerties Democratic Party has a history of punishing those who stray from the party line. A few years ago, Saugerties Dems held a trial and kicked several people off of their committee”.
Wrong. The Ulster County Democratic Committee was petitioned and held a hearing because 11 elected Saugerties Committee members created another party line, “The Jobs First Party”. While maintaining their Democratic Party committee membership, they chose to support candidates from another political party against the nominated Democratic candidates. The hearing found them guilty of disloyalty and they left the committee.
“…The Saugerties Dems asked an “Independence Party” candidate they backed to give up the Conservative Party endorsement, he listened”.
Wrong again. All our candidates, running as a team, agreed in advance, because of differences in core values not to seek the Conservative Party endorsement. This candidate fully understood, but a proud family member put his name up and low and behold he won. He thanked the Conservative Party and declined the endorsement voluntarily.
The Saugerties Democratic Party will continue to support good government .We welcome an issue-oriented debate with the Republicans and are proud to support the record of accomplishment of our supervisor and town board members as well as our majority in the Ulster County Legislature.
By Mike Harkavy
Republicans Bring Nothing To The Table
The Republican Committee is rehashing, over and over again, the same tired talking points in their columns (Saugerties Times, March 26, 2009). They still complain about a unified town board as being a problem rather than an example of non-partisan government. What is most apparent is that they don’t offer any new ideas or programs to promote the growth of Saugerties and the welfare of its residents and businesses.
These are serious times, while the Republicans sit and complain, trapped in outdated political sniping; our current town board has a long list of accomplishments. Here are just a few:
• The Kings Highway Enterprise Corridor water/sewer project in on track and the Generic Environmental Impact Statement is near completion that will streamline the approval process for new businesses that want to locate in the corridor.
• They have partnered with the Saugerties Area Chamber of Commerce to produce the Discover Saugerties 2009 brochure funded jointly with the Town Economic Development Committee
• Supervisor Helsmoortel coordinated state, county and community groups, as well as the owners of the Winston Farm to market and develop a land management plan for the property.
• Revised the Ethics Law in 2007 and put an Ethics Board in place
• Passed the Right to Farm Law in recognition of farming as important to the tradition, character and well being of our community.
• Completed the Glasco riverfront mini-park with hundreds of thousands of dollars from the state and other agencies
• Supervisor Helsmoortel convened the Green Energy Task Force which has produced a cable access show “Go Green, Save Green” providing energy tips for the community. They held a forum for building contractors highlighting education and employment opportunities in the fields of alternative energy and conservation.
• Continued improvement and growing community usage of the Kiwanis Ice Arena and on and on.
I do have to take some time to respond to untrue accusations by the Republican Committee against the Saugerties Democratic Party.
“Greg Helsmoortel is one of the biggest contributors to the Saugerties Democratic Party”.
Untrue. Greg sent a check to the Saugerties Democratic Party to be passed through to “Team Saugerties”, the election committee representing Greg and the town board candidates. The Democratic Party did not get a dime from this transaction
“The Saugerties Democratic Party has a history of punishing those who stray from the party line. A few years ago, Saugerties Dems held a trial and kicked several people off of their committee”.
Wrong. The Ulster County Democratic Committee was petitioned and held a hearing because 11 elected Saugerties Committee members created another party line, “The Jobs First Party”. While maintaining their Democratic Party committee membership, they chose to support candidates from another political party against the nominated Democratic candidates. The hearing found them guilty of disloyalty and they left the committee.
“…The Saugerties Dems asked an “Independence Party” candidate they backed to give up the Conservative Party endorsement, he listened”.
Wrong again. All our candidates, running as a team, agreed in advance, because of differences in core values not to seek the Conservative Party endorsement. This candidate fully understood, but a proud family member put his name up and low and behold he won. He thanked the Conservative Party and declined the endorsement voluntarily.
The Saugerties Democratic Party will continue to support good government .We welcome an issue-oriented debate with the Republicans and are proud to support the record of accomplishment of our supervisor and town board members as well as our majority in the Ulster County Legislature.
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