Independence? Prove it!

From an article in today's Record:

Republicans and Democrats who want their names to also appear on the Independence line in November now must complete an online questionnaire that includes some hot-button topics, such as dissolving tiny towns and villages to save taxpayers money.
"We want to make it less of a popularity contest and focus it more on highly substantive issues," explained Orange County's Independence leader, Langdon Chapman.

OK, so the Independence Party is against uneccessary villages. Like, perhaps, the Village of Woodbury?

And who was one of the loudest voices in Caruso's "Let's Form a Village" Choir?

John Burke.

Now the Dems are nominating Frank Palermo for the Town Board so that he will give their slate, headed by Burke, the Independence line.

If Burke gets the endorsement it will mean that the Independence Party's claimed interest in eliminating extra layers of government is pure manure.

Wait and watch.

Or better yet, call Langdon Chapman and shout.

Catching Up

Sorry, a brief sojourn to Maryland turned out slightly less brief than planned.

Tonight (Tuesday) the new members of the village board have their first meeting. Village Hall, 7:30 PM. This is to be their last meeting there. After tonight they move the show to town hall, which has the video equipment.

From the Record:
O’Dwyer set to announce Orange exec candidacy
By Chris Mckenna
April 14, 2009 6:00 AM
GOSHEN — Democrat Pat O’Dwyer has scheduled a news conference Sunday for what is expected to be her announcement that she will run for Orange County executive in November.O’Dwyer, a party activist and former Town of Goshen supervisor, said Monday she will announce her political plans at the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame at 240 Main St. in Goshen. The event is open to the public and set to run from 1 to 3 p.m.County Executive Ed Diana, a Republican, has already announced plans to run for a third term this year.

The Uncle admits ignorance about O'Dwyer. Any thoughts, insights or slander from you folks?

Ralph Was

Considering how much fun it has been to chat about Woodbury's own Gossip Girl, Ralph Caruso, the Uncle fears that that era may be coming to an end.

It appears that Ralph's sun is setting.

He hasn't won an election in decades, though not for lack of trying.

Not one of his Woodbury candidates has won in years.

His tenure as Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeal is also ancient history.

His one-time playmates on the Democratic Committee are poised to give the nod to Frank Palermo for Town Councilman. This is a wet chatooie in Ralph's face. Suffice it to say that Ralph and Frank don't play well together.

And now, our esteemed State Senator, Uncle Billie Larkin himself, has decided that Ralph's services as a chauffeur are no longer required.

Ralph has been fired.

Gasp!

No longer will our pal be able to stand before us and introduce himself as "Ralph Caruso, Aide to Senator Larkin."

O, how the mighty have fallen and the grape made low.

Prioritize

Ralph's attention was a bit diverted during the recent village election.

As attentive nieces and nephews will recall, Ralph set up THE CHAIRMAN'S CORNER in order to keep us all abreast of the pressing issues facing Woodbury.

http://www.preservewoodbury.org/ChCo.htm

He began with the "first in a series of Commentaries I will present as the Chairman of the Citizens for the Preservation of Woodbury for our community. They will cover a variety of subjects in no particular order, but will include Village, Town, County, State and Federal government matters."

From January 1st 'til now this appears to be a series of one.

And the only topic Ralph found noteworthy was the Pieman's living arrangements.

Hmmm.

Is Ralphie hoping for an invite?

And, the main (pretty much only) topic on the Perversionists home page is...guess who?

http://www.preservewoodbury.org/index.htm

We begin to think Ralph has a crush on the Pieman.

And now, as the flyer reproduced up above shows, Ralph has asked us all to join in.

He has invited us to the Planning Board's public hearing tonight (Wednesday, April Fool's Day appropriately) at 7:30 at Town Hall. The subject is, yet again, the Pieman's home.

Do try to come. Bring snacks. For shut-ins, the festivities will be on cable channel 22.

In case any of you have questions about any of this, Ralph has kindly included his number. Feel free to call.

Oh Ralphie, Ralphie, Ralphie. Did you ever consider sending flowers?