Dear Uncle, please excuse the disjointed nature of this report, but the Democratic Committee meeting was such a shocking travesty that my head is still spinning.
The first half of the meeting occurred in an alternate universe where this month’s election never took place. The fact that the committee had just elected three members to the town board (re-elected in John’s case) didn’t come up. Nor did they discuss the astonishing fact that the Times Herald Record had found their campaign so corrupt that the paper had called on all three of them to resign.
The only note-worthy thing mentioned in this part of the meeting came in Bo’s reading of the previous meeting’s minutes. He read that the committee had considered issuing a letter condemning the Village of Woodbury for its negotiations with the Village of Kiryas Joel, but that the motion was withdrawn and, instead, they decided to issue a letter that condemned KJ for the way it had acted on the water towers on Rt. 44 without mentioning the Village of Woodbury. (Only Burke voted “no.” )
What makes this note-worthy was what was left out. After the committee business was concluded, during the public input session, Sandy Caprigleone and Neil Crouse got Committee Chairman Manny Mangual to admit that the letter that was sent out had somehow been changed to condemn both villages.
Mangual said that this was done by polling some of the committee members by phone and email.
This may be a violation of the committee’s by-laws. It is certainly a violation of the by-laws – and possibly illegal – that this revote was not reflected in the committee’s minutes.
As to why this strange revote occurred – Manny claimed that it is acceptable to do this if conditions suddenly changed. Crouse asked “What was that sudden change?” At first Manny didn’t seem to know. When Crouse asked if it was the fact that the Republican Committee had issued an identical letter, word for word, Manny repeated that he didn’t know. Then he said that it may have been one of the reasons. A minute later he said it was one of the reasons. A minute after that he said it was the only reason.
Crouse asked who voted for and against the change. Manny didn’t know.
At one point, Uncle, you entered the discussion. Sandy brought up your blog and asked if a member of the committee had posted a comment there that mentioned her.
Manny was indignant. He denounced Sandy for making "unfounded allegations." Considering the lies this group had put out two days before the election, this was pretty funny.
Every member of the committee denied that they had ever heard of Meet Uncle Betty. A moment later, after first denying any knowledge of your site, Bo said that Meet Uncle Betty wasn’t a blog, it was a chat room. A sudden divine revelation, perhaps.
Grace Gerard went even further and denied knowing what a blog was (although at the end of the meeting her knowledge had shifted and she said that “blogs were bad.”)
Grace also said that she didn’t know what a FOIL was. I expected her to deny knowing her own name.
But the next shifting denial was Manny’s. He was asked who put out the yellow flyer accusing Lorraine and Mike of “approving the plan to raise your assessments.” At first he didn’t know. Then he said that it was one person, whom he wouldn’t name, and “that’s the end of the matter.” Then he said that it was John Burke, all John Burke, that John Burke had written it, printed it and distributed it, alone, all by himself “and “that’s the end of the matter.”
John sat there and said nothing.
Which is interesting, because three weeks ago, when I asked John, at a town board meeting, “who put out the flyer?” he didn’t seem to know, but suggested that I ask the committee.
And now the head of the committee at first didn’t know, but a minute later said it was John.
This lying is catching. I found their answers so ridiculous that I laughed. When Manny admonished me for laughing I lied and said that I had coughed. I figured, why should they be the only ones who get to lie?
But in truth, this isn’t funny. It’s disgusting. These people lie and contradict themselves within minutes. They make clear that lying means absolutely nothing to them. The truth is totally irrelevant.
Is this why they got into politics?
Did none of them ever believe in anything?
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32 comments:
Some follow up info sent by various stringers:
The Ankle Biter, the Rump Roast and one of the grey minions (these are the interchangeable, colorless Ralphlings - this one may have been John Smith - the name says it all) were present holding up the honor (???) of the Woodbury Republicans. Oddly, in that it was their candidates who were lied about - they had nothing to say.
Fashion Note: Donnelly, the Toad, stylishly wore his pants a mere three or four inches above the ankle.
On the subject of the Toad, the Uncle is capable of self- criticism and growth. Upon reflection, I realize that referring to Mr. Donnelly as the Toad is immature and unjust. A senior statesman of Mr. Donnelly’s gravity (or mass) should not be saddled with such a childish nickname, and so from now on, Mr. Donnelly will be given the full respect that he deserves and shall be called Dr. Poopypants
I knew that some members of the Democratic committee were lacking in honesty - Bob Donnelly, Manny Magual, Grace Gerard, Bo Haviland and John Burke had already demonstrated that.
But what truely stunned me was that not one member of that committee, not one, had any moral compass. Not one of them showed any belief that lying was wrong.
I already knew that too many members of the Woodbury Republican Committee are corrupt, but I also have seen a few honest members of that committee stand up to Caruso.
But as a life long Democrat I was disgusted to find that there was not one member of the Woodbury Democratic Committee who was willing to say "This is wrong."
Grace Gerard went even further and denied knowing what a blog was (although at the end of the meeting her knowledge had shifted and she said that “blogs were bad.”)
Grace also said that she didn’t know what a FOIL was. I expected her to deny knowing her own name.
jonathan swiller said...
I knew that some members of the Democratic committee were lacking in honesty - Bob Donnelly, Manny Magual, Grace Gerard, Bo Haviland and John Burke had already demonstrated that.
Does Monroe-Woodbury know that one of their teachers, Grace Gerard, is part of and involved with lying, writing attacks towards people and just simply confused?
This woman supposedly teaches our children to be truthful and honest even though she isn't. What a bunch of crap.
I'm new at this who is ankle bitter? rump roast?
Ankle Biter = Don Siebold
Rump Roast = Carol Mulooly
Well, well well. Republican Chairman Ralph Caruso has cancelled the Rep meeting for tonight. I wonder why? Can it be hes a little nervous. After all the Democrats looked like idiots last night trying to defend themselves, and only digging themselves in deeper with yet more transparent lies. Whats the matter Ralph, getting to hot in the kitchen? And Grace...if your going to lie about something, don't contradict yourself in the next sentence. You looked and sounded like an idiot. I'm glad Swiller laughed in all your faces. And Big John, no comment about being the sole writer, printer and deliverer of the flier? I thought you didn't know who wrote it? You said go ask the Democrats. We did....and it was you all along. Did Ralphie make you take the fall? Did he say, Don't worry Big Guy, this'll all blow over in a month or so. Then we'll get our other boys on the Village Board, and not have to anawer to anyone. WE WILL RULE THE WORLD, HA HA HA. And the rest of the Town/Village will pay.
So, how do you know Ralph has cancelled the Rep committee meeting? Is it just a ploy so that people won't show up? Is he setting someone up like he has been known to do in the past? Where are his meetings held? I think we should show up there just to see.....
I think rump roast needs to visit beauty parlor, can we call her greasy haired hilda instead?
Telfon John
Even if the Ralphlings were meeting you couldn't get in. They only allow spectators 4 times a years and this isn't one of them.
John, Bo, Carlton
I begin to understand why it doesn't bother you to lie to the public.
You believe that everyone does it. You have convinced yourselves of this and so you feel it's all right for you to do it.
And if you haven't caught someone in a lie as yet, you just mark it up to cleverness.
It never occurs to you that there are people who don't use lies to get ahead.
And, with that view of the world, you are now the majority on the town board.
My view of last nights meeting :
Carlton- Clueless, and did not speak after after the pledge. Guess that was the only thing he was sure of.
Bo- Couldn't write and listen at the same time. So he said.
Neither seemed upset or concerned about the manner in which this election was conducted.
John- Has reached a new plateau in disengagement from reality. You almost have to feel sorry for him.
Manny- Needs Republican input to make decisions.
Bob- Mr. Smug, Just goes along with Manny.
Half of the committee sat with there backs to the audience and said virtually nothing, letting Manny and Bob do the talking.
What a sad disgusting farce local politics has become.
BTW The committee didn't even congratulate their winners!
At least the Republicans in the back of the room enjoyed their lollipops.
If only the Democratic Committee meeting had been televised. What an eye opener that would have been.
John Burke proclaiming accountability and open government. Ha!! Open to his interpretation of the truth. The writer who says he lives in another universe said it. The bad part is that Woodbury is now caught up in his universe now that he has his Democratic majority on board. Boy are we in trouble. Surrounding communities must be laughing at us.
Some people saw the handwriting on the wall when Caruso became Chairman of the Republican Committee and Burke made the move to take over the Democratic Committee. Caruso has wanted to control both parties and Burke was the perfect person--- totally unknowledgeable about government and attacking previous boards with no suggestions of how to solve the problems he raised.
Burke wants to turn the town back to the 1970's forgetting that when he came with his 4 or 5 children, those already here paid taxes to educate them. Now he wants to close the door on newcomers. He even admitted at a town board meeting, as supervisor, that he did not read the 5 laws that he opposed that related to the development across from the high school. Since he "mouthed" what Caruso said, guess who he listened to instead of doing his own "homework". And he was a principal?
Uncle Betty, could you give us a list of all those on the Democratic Committee? It seems like most are Ralphites or connected to Burke in some way and simply follow the clueless leader.
I watched the town board meeting where Mr. Burke said people should go and ask the Democratic Committee about the yellow lying flyer (yellow is an appropriate color isn't it?) He even gave the date and time for that meeting.
Now you are telling us that they all skirted around who was responsible, finally settling on John Burke, Mr. Open Government (Open to only his cronies, I guess), who at the Town Board meeting said he didn't know anything about it.
The Record said that Carlton Levine said he had written it but Mr. Burke had approved the language.
What goes on here? It seems nobody wants to tell the truth. It is laughable that Mr. Burke argues about responsibility when he seems unable or unwilling to take responsibility for the ticket that he asked people to vote for so that he could have a democratic majority---not for their qualifications.
One more time: WHO WROTE AND DISTRIBUTED THAT FLYER?
It is unconceivable that Burke ran around Timber Ridge distributing all of those flyers on Monday before the election.
Have the guts, people, to own the lies you told. WHO WROTE AND DISTRIBUTED THAT FLYER?
Well come Jan 1 things should be interesting. I wonder how Geri and Mike Q will handle themselves. I kinda feel sorry for them. I would not want to sit on that board with a bunch of manipulating lying bastards like Burke, Haviland and Levine.
Don't worry about Geri & Mike, as they can certainly handle themselves just fine. They have a growing population of unhappy, disguted residents behind them who are going to make VERY sure that the "majority" of the board is held accountable for every word they utter, every glance they take around the room, every motion they make to their leader Ralph. John Burke and his bootlickers have set a new precedent for bad behavior and what should be acceptable. Therefore, I want to see HIM just try to make anyone else adhere to the rules of proper conduct! What a lowlife!
I hope Mike A comes back to meetings and goes after John like he went after the old board on the hockey rink. After reading what they did to him he needs to give a taste of their medicine.
Devant le peuple sang sera respandu,
Que du haut ciel viendra esloigner.
Mais d'un long temps ne sera entendu,
L'esprit d'un seul le viendra tesmoigner.
In front of the people blood will be spilled,
It will not be far removed from the heavens:
But for a long time no one will hear,
The spirit of even one person to bear witness against it.
Did Nostradamus have Woodbury in mind?
Recherchez votre sang, mon ami
it is already spilled you see!
By the way, what happened to Mr. Aronowitz...he's been MIA since the election???
Mike A. is probably happy he doesn't have to deal with all the bullshit anymore!
The truth is nothing to hoard,
Bo, Carlton and John get my gourd,
To besmirch the truth,
is very uncouth,
And these three should be abhorred!
Don't want to lose focus: WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LYING YELLOW FLYER?
Come on Mr. "accountability", "open government" Burke. Fess up. Stop distracting people by sidestepping the main question: WHO WROTE, APPROVED AND DISTRIBUTED THE LYING FLYER?
As the newspaper said: Either Burke did not know the assessor's relationship to the Town Board and his independence which means he is incompetent. Or he did know and lied about it which means he is a liar. Either way, his behavior is a disgrace as is the Democratic Committee which has clearly decided to cover it up and overlook it.
Morally corrupt, politically corrupt. That is why we need to know the names of those on this Committee. They have not spoken out against what was done so one can only assume that they approve of it and support it.
What a sad commentary that local elections have sunk to such a low level. We now have our own WoodburyGate, this time performed by the Democrats with support from a group in the Republican Committee.
We need to publicly explore these Republicrats ( Republicans and Democrats working silently together behind the scenes to control Woodbury).
dah!
"Well, don't worry about it, it's nothing"!
I've been told that these are a few of the current committee members: Burke, Burke's son Tom, Burke's son-in-law Fuchs, Levine, Haviland III, Donnelly, Manual, Manny's son, B&G Gerard, V Hebel.
Manny's son does not even live here and he is on the KJ payroll too? What a joke we live in loserville thats why we always get the short end of county tax.
Yeah Manny works for KJ, has for a long time. So, where are his loyalites? The people that he supposedly represents in Woodbury or the people who give him his paycheck?
Money talks and BS walks!
We need to publicly explore these Republicrats ( Republicans and Democrats working silently together behind the scenes to control Woodbury).
Amen to that... that means keeping an eye on primaries too. Like asking every future committee member to clearly state their commitments on campaign ethics and, in the case of the Republicans whether they will push for open meetings.
Then holding them to it.
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