So, this set of questions was just posted. Shall we help a brother out?
Anonymous said...
thought i posted this here but cant seem to find it now...i'm new to woodbury and trying to figure out the politics without having my head spin.
please list the positions of the following on the kj pipeline:
caruso v. donnery
conroy v. burke
the people running for council
diana v. edelstein
you have a very funny blog but i have no idea who's who.
help a brother out.
11:12 AM
Mind if we expand beyond the pipeline and add annexation and other fine things from those wonderful people who run Kiryas Joel?
Caruso v Donnery
Caruso is for a moratorium and against the Brodsky project. The main fallout from those positions would be more large chunks of land on the market to be bought up by guess who. Caruso is the gofer for Bill Larkin, KJ's best friend in Albany. The Uncle agrees with the growing number of people who expect that Ralph hope to take over that position from bill and to get there he plans to be in a position to hand over the Western end of Highland Mills to KJ and then claim "Peace in our time."
Roxanne and Frank Fornario have been the two leading the fight against the Pipeline. They introduced the resolution calling on NYC to drop the plan (which was expected to go nowhere, but, with a major assist from SOCA passed 20 to 1) and they led the fight (along with Spencer McLaughlin) to force the County to sue to challenge KJ's Environmental Impact Statement on the Pipeline.
Conroy v Burke
Burke was asked for his plan to prevent annexation. He said "we have lawyers." No one told him that our delightful neighbor, Mr. Szegedin, has lawyers too. Lots of them. And oodles of money to pay them. We'd go bankrupt before they broke a sweat.
Conroy says that the strongest tool to use against annexation is SEQRA (the State Environmental Quality Review Act). She is considered one of the county's two major experts in SEQRA - the other is Mike Edelstein. She also took part in the talks held by SOCA At Work and the Kiryas Joel dissidents that ended with their dropping their petition to annex a chunk of Woodbury.
The People Running for Council
Gerri took part in the talks mentioned just above.
Queenan: Dunno
Haviland: Dunno
Henry (Hank): all we know is that he announced he would vote against any zoning change that any developer requested, which, by law, now means that if he were on the Board he wouldnt be allowed to vote, because he has already prejudged the issue.
Darleen: As posted here in lots of places - she has said "I don't care about the town, I just care about my home." (yes, she really did say that) and "I don't care if Brodsky sells it to K.J. What do I care, as long as they build at the current zoning." Most telling is the point that Swiller made. When Sheila and the Board got the dissidents to cancel their annexation petition, Darleen complained to the NY dept of state that they were holding illegal meetings - that's the lowest. She is willing to screw the town to score political points. Henry (Hank), for example, would be a disaster on the board, but that's due to stupidity and incompetence, I don't think anyone doubts that he loves Woodbury. Darleen, obviously, doesn't give a monkey fart.
Diana v Edelstein: Diana is in the tank for the powers that be in KJ. HE rolled over on every confrontation. When they filed their environmental impact statement, he sat on it for 6 weeks trying to run out the clock on any court challenge, when they made illegal sewer hookups, he said bad boys, don't do it too often and allowed the hookups to stay. He dragged his feet on suing and was forced into it by Frank, Rox and Spencer McL.
Edelstein sees the problem of expanded use of our resources, the question is, does he have any real answers? Dunno. The Uncle will look into that one and report back.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Burke and Hair?
OK, we've looked into Darleen, Henry (Hank) and, of course, Caruso. Posters have gone after Sheila, Gerri and Roxanne. But we've barely discussed Johnnie Burke. How did he slip through the cracks? Is it that Elvis hair? Is it misattributed respect for the King?
I have another theory. It is impossible to think about John Burke without falling asleep. Listening to him drone on, meeting after meeting, saying nothing that remains in the mind when he is done -he doesn't have sleeping sickness, but he's a carrier.
He is like a brick of shredded wheat. Dry, tasteless, hard to get down, but seemingly good for you. In truth, before the FDA started making trouble for the cereal makers, the nutritional value of shredded wheat was the same as the box it came in. So, is that it? He appears to be good for us (whether or not there's anything there).
So who knows John Burke? Who went to his school or worked there? Is it true that he spent hours a day in the parking lot waving at the cars bringing the kids?
"He's a good man who's done a lot for Woodbury." That's what his PR people say. So, what has he done for Woodbury?
These are real questions. Please let the Uncle know.
Or then again. maybe it is just the hair.
I have another theory. It is impossible to think about John Burke without falling asleep. Listening to him drone on, meeting after meeting, saying nothing that remains in the mind when he is done -he doesn't have sleeping sickness, but he's a carrier.
He is like a brick of shredded wheat. Dry, tasteless, hard to get down, but seemingly good for you. In truth, before the FDA started making trouble for the cereal makers, the nutritional value of shredded wheat was the same as the box it came in. So, is that it? He appears to be good for us (whether or not there's anything there).
So who knows John Burke? Who went to his school or worked there? Is it true that he spent hours a day in the parking lot waving at the cars bringing the kids?
"He's a good man who's done a lot for Woodbury." That's what his PR people say. So, what has he done for Woodbury?
These are real questions. Please let the Uncle know.
Or then again. maybe it is just the hair.
Wow- Mike Erroneous got it right for once. What are the odds? (Well, I remember this time in seventh grade...after that he got sort of odd.)
So here's what mikie has on his blog :
"Winston Churchill once said:A politician needs the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn't happen. That's the kind of leaders we need so Vote for Ralph Caruso!"
Really!
Honest!
Erroneous admits that Ralph's big strength is to get it wrong and then make excuses. "That's the kind of leader we need"??????????????
Holy hemlock Boys and Girls. This is a keeper!
So here's what mikie has on his blog :
"Winston Churchill once said:A politician needs the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn't happen. That's the kind of leaders we need so Vote for Ralph Caruso!"
Really!
Honest!
Erroneous admits that Ralph's big strength is to get it wrong and then make excuses. "That's the kind of leader we need"??????????????
Holy hemlock Boys and Girls. This is a keeper!
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Her Lips Said Yes, But Harassment No
OK, so Darleen puts out her campaign materials listing who she is and what she does and why that means that she’s really, really a terrific choice for town council.
And what makes her such a great choice? She manages the health department for Garfield NJ, a city bigger than Woodbury. Yay! I’m impressed. I’ll vote for her twice.
But Swiller isn’t so easily impressed, because someone whispers in his ear "She doesn’t manage the Health Department down there."
So, Swiller, who’s got way too much time on his hands, goes and checks the facts.
How?
He calls the Bergen County Department of Health and says "Hello, could you please tell me who manages the City of Garfield Department of Health?" (He is just so very polite, and, did we mention, he’s sweet as pie.)
So, Bergen Health Officer Sam Yanovich, tells Swiller who it is who manages the Garfield Department of Health, and for the life of me, the Uncle doesn’t know who it is (it isn’t in Swiller’s email) but, IT WASN’T DARLEEN REVEILLE.
In fact, Swiller asked, what does Darleen Reveille do there and Sam Yanovich said she was a nurse and why was Swiller asking? So Swiller read the campaign blurb to Sam Yanovich and Sam Yanovich said No, that isn’t so. (OMIGOD!)
So Swiller thanks Sam Yanovich for his time (Polite, remember? Pie, remember?) And then probably goes into a swoon or something,
unhinged by the news that Darleen had deceived her fellow townspeople in order to win their favor.
Half an hour or so into his swoon the phone rings. Instantly unswooning, he picks it up.
Hello (says he).
Hello Jonathan, this is Darleen Reveille (says Darleen Reveille). I heard that you were giving out misleading information about what I do here.
Huh? Huh? Isn’t that backwards (that’s me, the Uncle, commenting here.)
If you want to know what I do (Darleen continues), you should talk to my co-workers and my City Manager Mr. Duch.
OK, I will. (Says Swiller)
So Darleen gives Swiller Mr. Duch’s number (and her own office number so he can call back) and Swiller calls Mr. Duch and he is out and Swiller leaves a message and then calls Darleen back (Wow - is this exciting so far or what?)
The person who answers the phone at Darleen’s office says that she is busy. So Swiller asks to speak to whoever runs the office and he is put through to Ms. English. (Sure sure, it’s a long slog, but you gotta get the facts straight).
Swiller asks Ms. English what Darleen does. "Oh, she is very important to this department. She manages the nurses."
Oh, neat, that does sound important.
"How many nurses are there? Swiller asks.
"Just the two of us." Ms English says.
Let us now pause while that sinks in. Darleen manages the nurses at the Department of Health. There are two nurses at the Department of Health. Darleen is one of the two. The other one is her boss. Um? Eh? Um? Darleen manages her boss? OK.
"Thank you," says Swiller. " You’re very welcome, " says Ms English.
And then Darleen gets on the phone and explains "You know when people write flyers they’ve got to get it down to 200 words." And she says, she manages some outreach programs for the Department of Health.
(After all " Manages some outreach programs for the Department of Health" is a lot like "Manages the Department of Health" except that the second one is shorter, easier to say and is well, sorta, you know, a lie.)
Well Darleen says that Swiller is out to get her and is twisting things and she, Darleen, wants only what is best for Woodbury unlike a part-time resident like Swiller. (ooo, that last one must have hurt - after all, Swiller has spent almost an entire week outside Woodbury in the past year and a half). And then everyone is talking and no one is listening and can’t we all just get on?
This, this is your great story that’s so weird and worth staying up for?
Nope. The neat story comes a few days later when the Police Chief calls Swiller and says that he got a call from some police captain down in Garfield who called because he got a call from Darleen that Swiller is harassing her and her co-workers.
In brief then:
1. Darleen puts out false statements about her work claiming that she manages the department of health (For A City Bigger Than Woodbury).
2. Swiller calls a the Bergen Health officer and asks if it is so. (It ain’t)
3. Darleen calls Swiller. She says speak to the people I work with, and gives him phone numbers to call.
4. He calls them.
This is known as harassment. Remember, candidates must feel free to lie about their records without the fear that some stalker will actually check out the claims. Otherwise our political system would be left to those boring, unimaginative people who tell the truth.
And here’s a new campaign slogan: Vote For Darleen Or She’ll Have You Arrested.
And what makes her such a great choice? She manages the health department for Garfield NJ, a city bigger than Woodbury. Yay! I’m impressed. I’ll vote for her twice.
But Swiller isn’t so easily impressed, because someone whispers in his ear "She doesn’t manage the Health Department down there."
So, Swiller, who’s got way too much time on his hands, goes and checks the facts.
How?
He calls the Bergen County Department of Health and says "Hello, could you please tell me who manages the City of Garfield Department of Health?" (He is just so very polite, and, did we mention, he’s sweet as pie.)
So, Bergen Health Officer Sam Yanovich, tells Swiller who it is who manages the Garfield Department of Health, and for the life of me, the Uncle doesn’t know who it is (it isn’t in Swiller’s email) but, IT WASN’T DARLEEN REVEILLE.
In fact, Swiller asked, what does Darleen Reveille do there and Sam Yanovich said she was a nurse and why was Swiller asking? So Swiller read the campaign blurb to Sam Yanovich and Sam Yanovich said No, that isn’t so. (OMIGOD!)
So Swiller thanks Sam Yanovich for his time (Polite, remember? Pie, remember?) And then probably goes into a swoon or something,
unhinged by the news that Darleen had deceived her fellow townspeople in order to win their favor.
Half an hour or so into his swoon the phone rings. Instantly unswooning, he picks it up.
Hello (says he).
Hello Jonathan, this is Darleen Reveille (says Darleen Reveille). I heard that you were giving out misleading information about what I do here.
Huh? Huh? Isn’t that backwards (that’s me, the Uncle, commenting here.)
If you want to know what I do (Darleen continues), you should talk to my co-workers and my City Manager Mr. Duch.
OK, I will. (Says Swiller)
So Darleen gives Swiller Mr. Duch’s number (and her own office number so he can call back) and Swiller calls Mr. Duch and he is out and Swiller leaves a message and then calls Darleen back (Wow - is this exciting so far or what?)
The person who answers the phone at Darleen’s office says that she is busy. So Swiller asks to speak to whoever runs the office and he is put through to Ms. English. (Sure sure, it’s a long slog, but you gotta get the facts straight).
Swiller asks Ms. English what Darleen does. "Oh, she is very important to this department. She manages the nurses."
Oh, neat, that does sound important.
"How many nurses are there? Swiller asks.
"Just the two of us." Ms English says.
Let us now pause while that sinks in. Darleen manages the nurses at the Department of Health. There are two nurses at the Department of Health. Darleen is one of the two. The other one is her boss. Um? Eh? Um? Darleen manages her boss? OK.
"Thank you," says Swiller. " You’re very welcome, " says Ms English.
And then Darleen gets on the phone and explains "You know when people write flyers they’ve got to get it down to 200 words." And she says, she manages some outreach programs for the Department of Health.
(After all " Manages some outreach programs for the Department of Health" is a lot like "Manages the Department of Health" except that the second one is shorter, easier to say and is well, sorta, you know, a lie.)
Well Darleen says that Swiller is out to get her and is twisting things and she, Darleen, wants only what is best for Woodbury unlike a part-time resident like Swiller. (ooo, that last one must have hurt - after all, Swiller has spent almost an entire week outside Woodbury in the past year and a half). And then everyone is talking and no one is listening and can’t we all just get on?
This, this is your great story that’s so weird and worth staying up for?
Nope. The neat story comes a few days later when the Police Chief calls Swiller and says that he got a call from some police captain down in Garfield who called because he got a call from Darleen that Swiller is harassing her and her co-workers.
In brief then:
1. Darleen puts out false statements about her work claiming that she manages the department of health (For A City Bigger Than Woodbury).
2. Swiller calls a the Bergen Health officer and asks if it is so. (It ain’t)
3. Darleen calls Swiller. She says speak to the people I work with, and gives him phone numbers to call.
4. He calls them.
This is known as harassment. Remember, candidates must feel free to lie about their records without the fear that some stalker will actually check out the claims. Otherwise our political system would be left to those boring, unimaginative people who tell the truth.
And here’s a new campaign slogan: Vote For Darleen Or She’ll Have You Arrested.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Preparing To Tell The Tale
OK, so the next posting was supposed to be Swiller's second one, but when I read what it was about, I demanded to tell the story, Noooooobody can tell a story this stupid like the Uncle.
There was much arguing and threatening and punching and shoving (well, as much as email allows for) but in the end the Uncle emerged VICTORIOUS!
And I get to tell the story. I get to tell the story.
Now if I screw up I’ll really look like a monumental jerk. SO – give me a little time and I’ll post it by tomorrow.
While you’re waiting, some mood setting.
The place: Woodbury.
The Time: The present.
The Cast: Caruso and his bunch of lying, whining, weasel (oops - got carried away)
Take two
The Cast: Mr. Caruso, Mr. Sullivan,, Mr. Donnelly, Ms Mullooly and our shining star the radiant Ms. Reveille.
Background story number 1: Caruso writes a "My View" talking about the Brodsky project. Accidentally, due to a World War One typing injury, he gets every single fact wrong. Swiller (who is, of course, sweet as pie) goes to the trouble of writing his own "My View" ---
I interupt this posting to bring up a pet peeve. I have written 8 or 14 My Views and not one has been printed (one I shortened and it was printed as a letter). Swiller and Caruso accidentally drop their shopping lists and they get printed as a "My View." The Uncle isn’t paranoid, but he’s seriously considering becoming so. Now back to our tale.
– so Swiller writes a "My View" pointing out Ralphie’s little lapses in truth (if the Uncle were harsher he would call Ralphie’s little fictions "LIES" - which of course they are - but the Uncle isn’t like that. Ralphie responds by going to the Tax Assessor’s Office and looking into Swiller’s taxes. Nice guy, huh? FOR A FASCIST! (Oops, there’s that harshness again - gently, gently...).
Then there is the story of The Dirty Dealings Of The Dancing Dude
(Yeah, yeah, alliteration is the last resort of inspirationally challenged)
(By the way a "Person In Whom I Confide" just wondered in, big nose included and asked "Why are you rewriting this instead of just posting what Swiller sent?" Because my story telling powers are soooooooooo much better AND IT’S MY FLIPPING BLOG! - can any of you children say "Premenstrual"?)
Ok, ok, ok, ok, Background story number 2
So Henry(Hank) writes a letter to the Photo News or the Record or the PennySaver and it is chock-a -block full to bursting with invented facts and hallucinations. And Swiller sticks it in a newsletter and tears it apart line by line and ends by asking -just a sec - gotta get the quote right - we are fastidious about such things - "Should someone as ill informed and/or as dishonest as Hank Sullivan, really be considered for public office?"
Now, that strikes the Uncle as being a valid question - given the L.W.D. (Lie to Word Density) of Henry (Hanks)’s missive.
But H(H) doesn’t see it that way and he sends a couple of his Elder Shock Troops to a particular business establishment in town where SOCA collects (yeah AT WORK, AT WORK, it’s there, shaddup) money and gives out flyers. And these two of Hanksters Gangsters tell the very well beloved proprietress of this place, take down this SOCA AT WORK stuff or no one from the senior center will shop here. And, having just gone through a rough stretch the woman in question does just that.
So, first, did you folks at the Senior Center all know that Hank was using you as a threat against a very nice Woodbury business-woman in order to stop SOCA AT WORK from pointing out that he is a LYING PIECE OF (10, 9, 8, 7, 6 –fine now, thank you, move along, nothing to see)
And second, Caruso and the Gruesome Crewso react to being contradicted in public by trying to keep the other side muffled. This is the group that wants to run Woodbury. Good luck to us all.
As for Darleen’s story. I’ll work on that and put it up sometime soon. It’s time for Lost.
There was much arguing and threatening and punching and shoving (well, as much as email allows for) but in the end the Uncle emerged VICTORIOUS!
And I get to tell the story. I get to tell the story.
Now if I screw up I’ll really look like a monumental jerk. SO – give me a little time and I’ll post it by tomorrow.
While you’re waiting, some mood setting.
The place: Woodbury.
The Time: The present.
The Cast: Caruso and his bunch of lying, whining, weasel (oops - got carried away)
Take two
The Cast: Mr. Caruso, Mr. Sullivan,, Mr. Donnelly, Ms Mullooly and our shining star the radiant Ms. Reveille.
Background story number 1: Caruso writes a "My View" talking about the Brodsky project. Accidentally, due to a World War One typing injury, he gets every single fact wrong. Swiller (who is, of course, sweet as pie) goes to the trouble of writing his own "My View" ---
I interupt this posting to bring up a pet peeve. I have written 8 or 14 My Views and not one has been printed (one I shortened and it was printed as a letter). Swiller and Caruso accidentally drop their shopping lists and they get printed as a "My View." The Uncle isn’t paranoid, but he’s seriously considering becoming so. Now back to our tale.
– so Swiller writes a "My View" pointing out Ralphie’s little lapses in truth (if the Uncle were harsher he would call Ralphie’s little fictions "LIES" - which of course they are - but the Uncle isn’t like that. Ralphie responds by going to the Tax Assessor’s Office and looking into Swiller’s taxes. Nice guy, huh? FOR A FASCIST! (Oops, there’s that harshness again - gently, gently...).
Then there is the story of The Dirty Dealings Of The Dancing Dude
(Yeah, yeah, alliteration is the last resort of inspirationally challenged)
(By the way a "Person In Whom I Confide" just wondered in, big nose included and asked "Why are you rewriting this instead of just posting what Swiller sent?" Because my story telling powers are soooooooooo much better AND IT’S MY FLIPPING BLOG! - can any of you children say "Premenstrual"?)
Ok, ok, ok, ok, Background story number 2
So Henry(Hank) writes a letter to the Photo News or the Record or the PennySaver and it is chock-a -block full to bursting with invented facts and hallucinations. And Swiller sticks it in a newsletter and tears it apart line by line and ends by asking -just a sec - gotta get the quote right - we are fastidious about such things - "Should someone as ill informed and/or as dishonest as Hank Sullivan, really be considered for public office?"
Now, that strikes the Uncle as being a valid question - given the L.W.D. (Lie to Word Density) of Henry (Hanks)’s missive.
But H(H) doesn’t see it that way and he sends a couple of his Elder Shock Troops to a particular business establishment in town where SOCA collects (yeah AT WORK, AT WORK, it’s there, shaddup) money and gives out flyers. And these two of Hanksters Gangsters tell the very well beloved proprietress of this place, take down this SOCA AT WORK stuff or no one from the senior center will shop here. And, having just gone through a rough stretch the woman in question does just that.
So, first, did you folks at the Senior Center all know that Hank was using you as a threat against a very nice Woodbury business-woman in order to stop SOCA AT WORK from pointing out that he is a LYING PIECE OF (10, 9, 8, 7, 6 –fine now, thank you, move along, nothing to see)
And second, Caruso and the Gruesome Crewso react to being contradicted in public by trying to keep the other side muffled. This is the group that wants to run Woodbury. Good luck to us all.
As for Darleen’s story. I’ll work on that and put it up sometime soon. It’s time for Lost.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
This Space For Rent
Swiller (yes, yes, I swore that if he was a good boy I'd call him Jonathan, but there is a 4 year-old named Jonathan close unto the Uncle (one might even call him a nephew) and while I have the warmest of feelings for the little fellow, it is hard to read anything associated with that name and not look for the finger-paintings - so "Swiller" will have to do) where was I? Oh yes - Swiller has sent two more things that he wants posted up front and apologized and asked permission and offered to go away and was honest enough to say that nobody (well hardly anyone) reads his site and everyone (well, yes, everyone) reads this one and would I mind? The truth is that the more that he sends, the less work there is for the Uncle. Maybe I'll just start renting space here and retire to the Dry Totugas or wherever.
So, in a bit, I'll put one of his things up (the one with the pictures - pictures are so much more - um - um - picturesque than blocks of type).
So, in a bit, I'll put one of his things up (the one with the pictures - pictures are so much more - um - um - picturesque than blocks of type).
Monday, October 24, 2005
Great New Prize Almost Offered
To the first person who can send in a scan of the palm card, threatening note or poison pen letter that Henry (Hank) and his faithful indignant companion were handing out today at the Post Office - a wonderful prize, almost.
You will win the vague promise that if we ever do have the shirt shown here, we would definitely consider thinking about the possiblity of giving you one of these elegant tank tops. Maybe.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
This just arrived in the mail bag:
From :
Jonathan Swiller
Sent :
Sunday, October 23, 2005 6:04 PM
To :
cuzzincookie@hotmail.com
Subject :
Ralph's Signs
Inbox
Please post on the Uncle Betty Blog (rather than in the comment area) thanks
Last Night (Saturday) we were out at about midnight placing our signs next to Ralph's. This morning our signs were there, but most of Ralph's were missing.
Everyone deserves to have their signs left in place. Whoever is taking Ralph's signs is not just breaking the rules, he's breaking the law.
Taking anyone's signs has to stop. If you see it being done call the police. We don't have to play dirty to defeat Ralph, that's his game, not ours.
Jonathan Swiller
From :
Jonathan Swiller
Sent :
Sunday, October 23, 2005 6:04 PM
To :
cuzzincookie@hotmail.com
Subject :
Ralph's Signs
Inbox
Please post on the Uncle Betty Blog (rather than in the comment area) thanks
Last Night (Saturday) we were out at about midnight placing our signs next to Ralph's. This morning our signs were there, but most of Ralph's were missing.
Everyone deserves to have their signs left in place. Whoever is taking Ralph's signs is not just breaking the rules, he's breaking the law.
Taking anyone's signs has to stop. If you see it being done call the police. We don't have to play dirty to defeat Ralph, that's his game, not ours.
Jonathan Swiller
Saturday, October 22, 2005
October 21, 2005
Ruling cheers opponents of KJ pipeline
By Chris McKenna Times Herald-Record
cmckenna@th-record.com
decision available at:
http://www.recordonline.com/archive/2005/10/21/pipe21.htm
Goshen – Opponents of Kiryas Joel's proposed connection to New York City's Catskill Aqueduct won a big victory yesterday when a judge ordered the village to continue studying the water project's potential impact. Ruling on a lawsuit brought by Orange County, acting state Supreme Court Justice Stewart Rosenwasser declared that Kiryas Joel's environmental review inadequately addressed several issues, including the treatment of wastewater that the pipeline would generate.
The decision doesn't in itself stop the project, but it requires Kiryas Joel to prepare an additional report – known as a supplemental environmental impact statement – that provides a fuller analysis of those issues.
Opponents of the water project were jubilant. "I'm thrilled at the outcome," said county Legislator Roxanne Donnery, a Highland Falls Democrat. "I'm not surprised." But she and Frank Fornario, a Republican colleague who helped goad the county into an unlikely confrontation with Kiryas Joel, also criticized County Executive Ed Diana for not intervening in the $22 million project before a lawsuit became his only recourse. "We got involved a little later in the project than I would have liked," Fornario said.
Michael Edelstein, a Democrat challenging Diana for office on Nov. 8, joined in that line of criticism: "This is exactly the kind of place where Eddie should have been at the beginning. Instead, he was asleep."
Diana was attending a ceremony for retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor at West Point yesterday, but his office issued a statement from him that merely recounted the events that led to the suit and avoided any fist-pumping. "I stated early on that a lawsuit is always the last resort," Diana said.
Kiryas Joel Administrator Gedalye Szegedin and one of the village's lawyers both expressed disappointment in the decision and left open the possibility of an appeal. Szegedin said the village still plans to proceed with its 13-mile pipeline. "We believe the environmental review that we did was very thorough and complete," Szegedin said. Daniel Ruzow, an Albany attorney who argued for the village in court, said Rosenwasser ignored "a variety of issues regarding selective enforcement." "He bought the county's arguments," he said. "The county has never applied those arguments toward any other project."
The village proposed building the pipeline to secure an ample water supply for its booming population and end its reliance on limited ground water. The pipe would cross through several towns and tap the Catskill Aqueduct in New Windsor. Residents and officials from neighboring communities launched a vehement protest last year, arguing that access to a virtually unlimited water source would perpetuate overdevelopment in Kiryas Joel and fuel its future expansion.
Spencer McLaughlin, a county lawmaker whose district abuts Kiryas Joel and who helped lead the Legislature opposition, said the ruling vindicated the environmental concern he first highlighted: the scarcity of sewage-treatment capacity. "It's not the end of the fight against the pipeline," McLaughlin said. "It's the end of the beginning of the fight against the pipeline."
Copyright Orange County Publications, a division of Ottaway Newspapers Inc., all rights reserved.
Ruling cheers opponents of KJ pipeline
By Chris McKenna Times Herald-Record
cmckenna@th-record.com
decision available at:
http://www.recordonline.com/archive/2005/10/21/pipe21.htm
Goshen – Opponents of Kiryas Joel's proposed connection to New York City's Catskill Aqueduct won a big victory yesterday when a judge ordered the village to continue studying the water project's potential impact. Ruling on a lawsuit brought by Orange County, acting state Supreme Court Justice Stewart Rosenwasser declared that Kiryas Joel's environmental review inadequately addressed several issues, including the treatment of wastewater that the pipeline would generate.
The decision doesn't in itself stop the project, but it requires Kiryas Joel to prepare an additional report – known as a supplemental environmental impact statement – that provides a fuller analysis of those issues.
Opponents of the water project were jubilant. "I'm thrilled at the outcome," said county Legislator Roxanne Donnery, a Highland Falls Democrat. "I'm not surprised." But she and Frank Fornario, a Republican colleague who helped goad the county into an unlikely confrontation with Kiryas Joel, also criticized County Executive Ed Diana for not intervening in the $22 million project before a lawsuit became his only recourse. "We got involved a little later in the project than I would have liked," Fornario said.
Michael Edelstein, a Democrat challenging Diana for office on Nov. 8, joined in that line of criticism: "This is exactly the kind of place where Eddie should have been at the beginning. Instead, he was asleep."
Diana was attending a ceremony for retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor at West Point yesterday, but his office issued a statement from him that merely recounted the events that led to the suit and avoided any fist-pumping. "I stated early on that a lawsuit is always the last resort," Diana said.
Kiryas Joel Administrator Gedalye Szegedin and one of the village's lawyers both expressed disappointment in the decision and left open the possibility of an appeal. Szegedin said the village still plans to proceed with its 13-mile pipeline. "We believe the environmental review that we did was very thorough and complete," Szegedin said. Daniel Ruzow, an Albany attorney who argued for the village in court, said Rosenwasser ignored "a variety of issues regarding selective enforcement." "He bought the county's arguments," he said. "The county has never applied those arguments toward any other project."
The village proposed building the pipeline to secure an ample water supply for its booming population and end its reliance on limited ground water. The pipe would cross through several towns and tap the Catskill Aqueduct in New Windsor. Residents and officials from neighboring communities launched a vehement protest last year, arguing that access to a virtually unlimited water source would perpetuate overdevelopment in Kiryas Joel and fuel its future expansion.
Spencer McLaughlin, a county lawmaker whose district abuts Kiryas Joel and who helped lead the Legislature opposition, said the ruling vindicated the environmental concern he first highlighted: the scarcity of sewage-treatment capacity. "It's not the end of the fight against the pipeline," McLaughlin said. "It's the end of the beginning of the fight against the pipeline."
Copyright Orange County Publications, a division of Ottaway Newspapers Inc., all rights reserved.
Friday, October 21, 2005
Well, the Uncle was there, but, things did not go as expected. The town workers turned out, first picketing out front and then quietly walking in to Town Hall. The Uncle was so proud of his namesake who spoke for the group, firmly but with dignity. Neato! Well done!
Sheila had to leave because of a family wake. But she was there long enough for Carol Mullooly to turn the proceedings back into a farce. Yippee! Good job Carol!
Mullooly came close to matching her all time best line ("I can't keep coming up here to make a fool of myself."). Tonight's entry came close: "It's a waste of the Board's time listening to my issues."
Then, in Darlien's (yes, there is a new contest - how many ways can you spell her name?) absence, Mullooly took up the "Can I Get The Town Sued?" challenge.
Basically, when someone, the Uncle for example, has an application to do something (build a chemical weapons testing facility perhaps) before the Board, the Board has to follow legal procedure in dealing with it. They'll hold public hearings where scardie-cats will say why I shouldn't get permission and I'll tell them why I should.
The one thing the Board can't do is discuss my application, in public, without me there to answer. That includes public comments.
Now this is not such a hard concept to grasp. Don't talk about me at any public, official proceeding when I aint there. If you do, I'll sue the pants off you.
For some reason Reveille and Mullooly don't get this. It's been explained about thirteen gazillion times.
Reveille will say " The Uncle's chemical test...oh I can't talk about it? OK, it's just that the chemical test site...oh, OK, sorry...I just wanted to make the point that the chemical test...oh...sorry, sorry...all I was saying was that when our soldiers in Iraq are dying for our right to test chemical weapons...oh, I see, sorry, sorry..I'm just saying that a test site for chemical weapons..."
Mullooly's take is to demand her first amendment rights and the Board tells her that she can talk about it anywhere she wants but not at an official Board meeting or the Town will get sued.
And the Town Attorney tries again and again and again to explain to these nitwits why they can't talk about an application and they are either too thick to get it, or they just want to show that the Board is made up of fascists who refuse to allow free discussion (well, not quite free - after someone sues them the price tag will be pretty hefty).
Roxanne Donnery was there and she got to talk about Rosenwasser's decision to tell KJ that their Final Environmental Impact Statement on the pipeline wasn't as Final as all that and they had to go rewrite it.
Since Rox was one of the people who forced the issue into court to begin with she had reason to smile. If Ralphie had gotten up after that to talk about giving poll watchers bathroom breaks (why does he keep bringing that up- poll watchers are allowed to pee- honest - I checked) he would have looked kinda silly. And Ralph doesn't like to look silly - that's what he's got Henry (Hank) and Mullooly for.
But Henry (Hank) fell down on the job. He didn't perform nor John nor Darlean nor Ralphie himself.
And Swiller had no one to react to so he didn't say a peep - but he was having a high old time anyway because everyone (well not everyone - but Sheila and Gerri and Rox) all thanked him for SOCA and SOCA 2 and SOCA 3 and all the baby SOCAs yet to come for helping get the pipeline stopped.
So all in all it was pretty tame stuff and the Uncle was bored and so this entry is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay boring because why should the Uncle suffer alone?
Sheila had to leave because of a family wake. But she was there long enough for Carol Mullooly to turn the proceedings back into a farce. Yippee! Good job Carol!
Mullooly came close to matching her all time best line ("I can't keep coming up here to make a fool of myself."). Tonight's entry came close: "It's a waste of the Board's time listening to my issues."
Then, in Darlien's (yes, there is a new contest - how many ways can you spell her name?) absence, Mullooly took up the "Can I Get The Town Sued?" challenge.
Basically, when someone, the Uncle for example, has an application to do something (build a chemical weapons testing facility perhaps) before the Board, the Board has to follow legal procedure in dealing with it. They'll hold public hearings where scardie-cats will say why I shouldn't get permission and I'll tell them why I should.
The one thing the Board can't do is discuss my application, in public, without me there to answer. That includes public comments.
Now this is not such a hard concept to grasp. Don't talk about me at any public, official proceeding when I aint there. If you do, I'll sue the pants off you.
For some reason Reveille and Mullooly don't get this. It's been explained about thirteen gazillion times.
Reveille will say " The Uncle's chemical test...oh I can't talk about it? OK, it's just that the chemical test site...oh, OK, sorry...I just wanted to make the point that the chemical test...oh...sorry, sorry...all I was saying was that when our soldiers in Iraq are dying for our right to test chemical weapons...oh, I see, sorry, sorry..I'm just saying that a test site for chemical weapons..."
Mullooly's take is to demand her first amendment rights and the Board tells her that she can talk about it anywhere she wants but not at an official Board meeting or the Town will get sued.
And the Town Attorney tries again and again and again to explain to these nitwits why they can't talk about an application and they are either too thick to get it, or they just want to show that the Board is made up of fascists who refuse to allow free discussion (well, not quite free - after someone sues them the price tag will be pretty hefty).
Roxanne Donnery was there and she got to talk about Rosenwasser's decision to tell KJ that their Final Environmental Impact Statement on the pipeline wasn't as Final as all that and they had to go rewrite it.
Since Rox was one of the people who forced the issue into court to begin with she had reason to smile. If Ralphie had gotten up after that to talk about giving poll watchers bathroom breaks (why does he keep bringing that up- poll watchers are allowed to pee- honest - I checked) he would have looked kinda silly. And Ralph doesn't like to look silly - that's what he's got Henry (Hank) and Mullooly for.
But Henry (Hank) fell down on the job. He didn't perform nor John nor Darlean nor Ralphie himself.
And Swiller had no one to react to so he didn't say a peep - but he was having a high old time anyway because everyone (well not everyone - but Sheila and Gerri and Rox) all thanked him for SOCA and SOCA 2 and SOCA 3 and all the baby SOCAs yet to come for helping get the pipeline stopped.
So all in all it was pretty tame stuff and the Uncle was bored and so this entry is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay boring because why should the Uncle suffer alone?
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Forgive Them Father, They Know Not How They Look
or
Open Mike Night At The Home
OOOOO! Call the sitter, there’s fun tonight at Town Hall. It’s the last Town Meeting with any chance of making it onto TV.before the election. Ralph’s Ragged Rangers will be pulling out all the stops (and you never knew they had stops, did you?)
What To Look For
Henry (Hank)’s latest dance moves as he tries to read a script he’s just been handed containing “his own comments.”
Carol (My Mother Dresses Me Funny) Mullooly, grinding gears as she goes directly into high dudgeon from a standing start to denounce the board’s poor manners for not falling into a dead swoon at her chastisements.
Darleen (Darlene) Reveille, explaining that she is not making a political speech while somehow mentioning 14 times that she is a candidate, how selfless she is, how she is so, so, so, not there to attack anyone, especially the Board which is doing so little, so poorly, for all the wrong reasons and that’s the only reason she’s running, but that’s irrelevant, she is just there as a loving citizen and why oh why is this super high density slum filled with homes for seniors that no senior could ever possibly afford or want or need when if we really cared for our seniors we’d put them all in hospices and turn them into Soylent Green and why do mean people keep saying bad things about me and no matter what happens after the election the Board will still have two months to destroy the town and oh those poor seniors shoved into million dollar high-density homes against their wills and have I gotten the Town sued yet, and sorry, sorry, it’s just that I care too much and here’s what’s wrong with you and if you plan on contradicting in any way shape or form I’ll have to leave because I’m just that sensitive and sweet.
Ralph Caruso, having prompted each and every one of these underlings in what they've just said, will act like he’s the only adult in the room, wanting to talk about Important Business. Will he be “Aide To Senator Larkin” explaining what fine beads and shiny things he has brought the natives (stuff that Larkin could have given the town a year ago, but hoarded till this very moment so Ralphie could play Santa Claus) or how he fought Eddie Diana into giving Woodbury its fair share of Woodbury Common tax revenue (somehow ignoring that this was actually done by Roxanne and merely announced a second time by Eddie in order to give what has to be called an “Unearned Tax Credit” to Ralphie)?
The return of ponderous John. Will Mr. Burke break his self-imposed silence to let us know, at length, how terribly wrong things are going and how Woodbury must be saved from the evil pack of women?
Other stuff to look for
Message of the Day
Last time out, three unconnected strangers who never met until that night(Henry (Hank), Lulu Mullooly and Darling Darleen) coincidentally all attacked Mike Queenan with the same exact words - what an astonishing coincidence. So, what will they all do tonight? Our money is on a speed round of “Savage the Supervisor”
Thank You Mike
How many ways can the posse thank Mike Erroneous for all the wonderful things he’s done and fought for despite those terrible terrible woman. (And for you hard core drinkers out there play “Mike Shots” and knock back a tequila each time Mike pops out of his seat and heads for that mysterious room on his right. Have a basin ready.)
Spot the Uncle
Having missed too many live performances, the Uncle will really, really, really try to be there tonight. So which one is he?
or
Open Mike Night At The Home
OOOOO! Call the sitter, there’s fun tonight at Town Hall. It’s the last Town Meeting with any chance of making it onto TV.before the election. Ralph’s Ragged Rangers will be pulling out all the stops (and you never knew they had stops, did you?)
What To Look For
Henry (Hank)’s latest dance moves as he tries to read a script he’s just been handed containing “his own comments.”
Carol (My Mother Dresses Me Funny) Mullooly, grinding gears as she goes directly into high dudgeon from a standing start to denounce the board’s poor manners for not falling into a dead swoon at her chastisements.
Darleen (Darlene) Reveille, explaining that she is not making a political speech while somehow mentioning 14 times that she is a candidate, how selfless she is, how she is so, so, so, not there to attack anyone, especially the Board which is doing so little, so poorly, for all the wrong reasons and that’s the only reason she’s running, but that’s irrelevant, she is just there as a loving citizen and why oh why is this super high density slum filled with homes for seniors that no senior could ever possibly afford or want or need when if we really cared for our seniors we’d put them all in hospices and turn them into Soylent Green and why do mean people keep saying bad things about me and no matter what happens after the election the Board will still have two months to destroy the town and oh those poor seniors shoved into million dollar high-density homes against their wills and have I gotten the Town sued yet, and sorry, sorry, it’s just that I care too much and here’s what’s wrong with you and if you plan on contradicting in any way shape or form I’ll have to leave because I’m just that sensitive and sweet.
Ralph Caruso, having prompted each and every one of these underlings in what they've just said, will act like he’s the only adult in the room, wanting to talk about Important Business. Will he be “Aide To Senator Larkin” explaining what fine beads and shiny things he has brought the natives (stuff that Larkin could have given the town a year ago, but hoarded till this very moment so Ralphie could play Santa Claus) or how he fought Eddie Diana into giving Woodbury its fair share of Woodbury Common tax revenue (somehow ignoring that this was actually done by Roxanne and merely announced a second time by Eddie in order to give what has to be called an “Unearned Tax Credit” to Ralphie)?
The return of ponderous John. Will Mr. Burke break his self-imposed silence to let us know, at length, how terribly wrong things are going and how Woodbury must be saved from the evil pack of women?
Other stuff to look for
Message of the Day
Last time out, three unconnected strangers who never met until that night(Henry (Hank), Lulu Mullooly and Darling Darleen) coincidentally all attacked Mike Queenan with the same exact words - what an astonishing coincidence. So, what will they all do tonight? Our money is on a speed round of “Savage the Supervisor”
Thank You Mike
How many ways can the posse thank Mike Erroneous for all the wonderful things he’s done and fought for despite those terrible terrible woman. (And for you hard core drinkers out there play “Mike Shots” and knock back a tequila each time Mike pops out of his seat and heads for that mysterious room on his right. Have a basin ready.)
Spot the Uncle
Having missed too many live performances, the Uncle will really, really, really try to be there tonight. So which one is he?
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
The Uncle received a very pleasant and non-whiney note from our Kodak Moment buddy. As a result he will, from now on, be referred yo as Jonathan. The Uncle is a sucker for good manners.
(By the way if you have any pix - or whatever - worth posting, send them to cuzzincookie@hotmail.com and they will find their way to the Uncle)
In part he says:
"I spoke with Bo Haviland last night and asked if he was still running. He said yes. I asked him about the signs on Burke's lawn and he said that I didn't check out the other side. I went back and looked and there was Bo's sign on the reverse side of Darleen's. I don't recall that it was there before, but I am not certain. What I am certain of is that there is a new sign added to the other two."
(By the way if you have any pix - or whatever - worth posting, send them to cuzzincookie@hotmail.com and they will find their way to the Uncle)
In part he says:
"I spoke with Bo Haviland last night and asked if he was still running. He said yes. I asked him about the signs on Burke's lawn and he said that I didn't check out the other side. I went back and looked and there was Bo's sign on the reverse side of Darleen's. I don't recall that it was there before, but I am not certain. What I am certain of is that there is a new sign added to the other two."
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Update on the Carcass, Oops, Caucus.
As one of the Anonymi noted, Bob Reveille endorsed his wife. Can't get a more objective view than that. He also endorsed John Burke, and that's just ducky too. And as to Bo? Well, that's all there is, there ain't no Bo.
We know that the Caruso Clan was pushing Henry (Hank), the poor man's Fred Astaire, for one of the two Town Council seats . So we all wondered which of the two Dems, Darleen or the Bo-ster would be tossed overboard. After her little malfunction a few weeks back it looked like Darleen was leaving the island, but now we know it's Bye Bye Bo.
Swilly Boy is rapidly becoming our favorite shutter bug and has sent on two more pix. The first is John Burke's lawn (again) Last time he sent a photo showing Burke's lawn with a Henry (Hank) sign. This time the signs are for Johnny himself and Bubbles Reveille. No Bo.
The second pic is the lawn of Mr. Henry (Hank). One sign for H(H), one for Ralphie and one for Johnny Burke.
As one of the Anonymi noted, Bob Reveille endorsed his wife. Can't get a more objective view than that. He also endorsed John Burke, and that's just ducky too. And as to Bo? Well, that's all there is, there ain't no Bo.
We know that the Caruso Clan was pushing Henry (Hank), the poor man's Fred Astaire, for one of the two Town Council seats . So we all wondered which of the two Dems, Darleen or the Bo-ster would be tossed overboard. After her little malfunction a few weeks back it looked like Darleen was leaving the island, but now we know it's Bye Bye Bo.
Swilly Boy is rapidly becoming our favorite shutter bug and has sent on two more pix. The first is John Burke's lawn (again) Last time he sent a photo showing Burke's lawn with a Henry (Hank) sign. This time the signs are for Johnny himself and Bubbles Reveille. No Bo.
The second pic is the lawn of Mr. Henry (Hank). One sign for H(H), one for Ralphie and one for Johnny Burke.
Saturday, October 15, 2005
WHO THE HELL LEFT THE SINK RUNNING?
The Uncle goes away a couple of days and the place nearly washes away! Sheesh!
Well I see you all have been busy. I’m still catching up on the comments, though some seem a tad repetitive (yes Workers, I’m looking at you).
The biggest hoot are the letters in the photo news. My fave has to be the one listing all of Ralph’s good points, signed by Mike Erroneous. Anyone who read Mike’s Blog before he removed all of his own writing knows that the poor man is illiterate. Ralph had to have written the letter for him.
The image of Ralph sitting there in his Dr. Dentons typing "Over the past few years I have met many people in the political arena, but I still have not met a person who can match up to the amount of energy, enthusiasm, vision and drive that Ralph Caruso has." Gee Ralph, you left off handsomest and most modest.
Almost as funny was that Ralph "is respected by local, county and state officials." Oh, yeah, Ralphie, in a pig’s eye!
Well, the Uncle has things to do and people to do them to.
And remember, if don’t have anything nice to say about someone, say it here.
Monday, October 10, 2005
Rumor crushers
There is no truth to the rumor that Hank Sullivan used to be a Dime-A-Dance hustler
There is no truth to the rumor that Jonathan Swiller ate Joe Ferguson
There is no truth to the rumor that Ralph Caruso is one of the undead
There is no truth to the rumor that Sheila Conroy moonlights as a mime
There is no truth to the rumor that Darlene Reveille (oh wait, that one's true)
There is no truth to Don Siebold
There is no truth to the rumor that Lorraine McNeil thinks she is a masked crime fighter by night
There is no truth to the rumor that Mike Aronowitz knows what he is talking about
There is no truth to the rumor that Geraldine Gianzero was a speech teacher
There is no truth to the rumor that Maria Hunter once killed a man by just staring at him
There is no truth to the rumor that Burke, Sullivan, Swiller, Crouse, Reveille, Mullooly, Haviland and Caruso are in love with the sound of their own voices
There is no truth to the rumor that Hank Sullivan used to be a Dime-A-Dance hustler
There is no truth to the rumor that Jonathan Swiller ate Joe Ferguson
There is no truth to the rumor that Ralph Caruso is one of the undead
There is no truth to the rumor that Sheila Conroy moonlights as a mime
There is no truth to the rumor that Darlene Reveille (oh wait, that one's true)
There is no truth to Don Siebold
There is no truth to the rumor that Lorraine McNeil thinks she is a masked crime fighter by night
There is no truth to the rumor that Mike Aronowitz knows what he is talking about
There is no truth to the rumor that Geraldine Gianzero was a speech teacher
There is no truth to the rumor that Maria Hunter once killed a man by just staring at him
There is no truth to the rumor that Burke, Sullivan, Swiller, Crouse, Reveille, Mullooly, Haviland and Caruso are in love with the sound of their own voices
Comments Anyone?
October 10, 2005
Woodbury race heats up
By Brendan Scott Times Herald-Record bscott@th-record.com Woodbury –
To the patchwork of communities tucked in these rocky hills, it must sometimes seem as if the Orange County Legislature's 14th District is a land besieged. To the south looms the nuclear power plant at Indian Point with its 10-mile evacuation zone. To the east sits West Point, which brings jobs and prestige but withholds thousands of acres from the tax rolls. To the west are the traffic conundrum of Woodbury Common and the exponential growth of Kiryas Joel. It should be no surprise, then, that both candidates vying to represent this area in the county Legislature approach their campaigns with a certain siege mentality. Over the years, Ralph Caruso and Roxanne Donnery have each gained a reputation for aggressively assessing and pursuing each new threat to this area's cherished quality of life. That shared tenacity might explain why the two have so often clashed over matters of politics, motivation and approach. On Nov. 8, they'll go head-to-head for the second time in four years, a rematch sure to be among this year's most-watched local races. For Caruso, this race is just the latest step in a 35-year quest to gain a voice in the community he first moved to "to mind my own business; own my little piece of land." But whatever pretense of seclusion Caruso had soon vanished after the faucets in his new house belched brown water, and his neighborhood had to fight to get municipal water. Caruso said he was "introduced to a government that wasn't as responsive as it should be." Since then, Caruso has been a fixture at all manner of public meetings, where he often rails against taxes or some zoning issue. As legislator, he promises to challenge the county budget process, fight for a larger share of county sales tax revenue and push the county to investigate the urban planning practices of the Hasidic community of Kiryas Joel. These are things Caruso says Donnery should have accomplished after two terms in Goshen. "She's been there eight years," he said one recent afternoon while handing out palm cards at the post office near his Highland Mills home. "What has she done?" Donnery will tell you she has done everything that others in power told her she couldn't – or shouldn't – do. Last year, the Democrat was among a handful of lawmakers who pressed the county to sue the politically influential Village of Kiryas Joel over its plan to tap the New York City aqueduct. She displayed a similar drive in the mid-1990s as president of the Highland Falls school board while advocating for more federal impact aid from West Point. But Donnery says it was while protecting her mentally ill older brother on the school bus that she "learned to take on bullies." "Who's your opponent?" a patron of the Fort Montgomery post office asked Donnery during one of her campaign stops. "His name is Ralph Caruso," she said, pausing to smile, "and he's a bully." While this is a county election, it can hardly be separated from local politics. Caruso heads the Republican committee that refused to support the party's incumbent candidates for Woodbury Town Board. He also works for state Sen. Bill Larkin, R-Cornwall-on-Hudson, who must face Kiryas Joel's potent block vote every two years. Each could prove to be a liability for Caruso. "He would have a hard time taking a stance, when his Senator, who he works for, has put so many dollars into that community," Donnery said. "His actions are what helped empower the bloc vote." Caruso, however, says his public opposition to Kiryas Joel's expansion confirms his independence. His only motivation, he said, is preserving the quality of life of a district surrounded by threats. "I do what I believe is right," Caruso said.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
As promised, Swilly Boy sent me a bunch of pix. These two make clear who was present.
Swilly wrote:
"Here is a small caucus after this Thursday's (10/6/05) Town Board session. Carol Mullooly, Ralph Caruso, John Burke, and Hank Sullivan.
They act as a single team. They used Mullooly's name on their misleading post card campaign because she isn't running for anything. It doesn't change the fact that Ralph and John were behind it."
Swilly wrote:
"Here is a small caucus after this Thursday's (10/6/05) Town Board session. Carol Mullooly, Ralph Caruso, John Burke, and Hank Sullivan.
They act as a single team. They used Mullooly's name on their misleading post card campaign because she isn't running for anything. It doesn't change the fact that Ralph and John were behind it."
Thursday, October 06, 2005
What Does It Profit A Man If He Gains The Whole World But Loses His Keys?
or
If Your Grassroots Organization Saves the Town But Nobody Hears About It Are You Out Of The Woods?
I just got back from Washington DC and boy are my twenty-first century governmental paradigms tired.
And now a very short history of the SOCAs (because no one really cares). So first there was S.O.C.A. which was a dumb name to begin with, but they got the County Leg to pass a resolution asking NY not to give KJ the Pipeline and that probably meant one hell of a lot to the NYC Council (not).
Then there was SOCA-OCEAN which is a completely meaningless name and they backed Nancy Calhoun (who would have won anyway) and Bonnie Kraham (who lost, but beat the KJ block vote in Monroe, but still lost) and then came SOCA At Work which makes some sense as a name since by then just plain SOCA was in a coma. SOCA At Work got the KJA to drop its petition to annex part of Woodbury, but nobody knows about it so big whoop.
The point of all this is Uncle Betty’s first contest. You ready? Here goes:
UNCLE BETTY’S FIRST ANNUAL NAME THE NEW SOCA CONTEST
Once a year, when Swiller gets bored and starts a new SOCA, it will need a name, and that’s where we come in. The best name for the new SOCA will win something (the Uncle hasn’t decided what, but I am sure it will be snazzy).
To help get the ball rolling here are a few suggestions.
SOCA At the Mall
SOCA In Blue Jeans
SOCA On Alternating Thursdays
SOCA Medioca
Go SOCA Your Head
La SOCA Loca
SOCA meets the Wolfman
To submit your new name click the word “comment” just below this sentence.
or
If Your Grassroots Organization Saves the Town But Nobody Hears About It Are You Out Of The Woods?
I just got back from Washington DC and boy are my twenty-first century governmental paradigms tired.
And now a very short history of the SOCAs (because no one really cares). So first there was S.O.C.A. which was a dumb name to begin with, but they got the County Leg to pass a resolution asking NY not to give KJ the Pipeline and that probably meant one hell of a lot to the NYC Council (not).
Then there was SOCA-OCEAN which is a completely meaningless name and they backed Nancy Calhoun (who would have won anyway) and Bonnie Kraham (who lost, but beat the KJ block vote in Monroe, but still lost) and then came SOCA At Work which makes some sense as a name since by then just plain SOCA was in a coma. SOCA At Work got the KJA to drop its petition to annex part of Woodbury, but nobody knows about it so big whoop.
The point of all this is Uncle Betty’s first contest. You ready? Here goes:
UNCLE BETTY’S FIRST ANNUAL NAME THE NEW SOCA CONTEST
Once a year, when Swiller gets bored and starts a new SOCA, it will need a name, and that’s where we come in. The best name for the new SOCA will win something (the Uncle hasn’t decided what, but I am sure it will be snazzy).
To help get the ball rolling here are a few suggestions.
SOCA At the Mall
SOCA In Blue Jeans
SOCA On Alternating Thursdays
SOCA Medioca
Go SOCA Your Head
La SOCA Loca
SOCA meets the Wolfman
To submit your new name click the word “comment” just below this sentence.
Monday, October 03, 2005
As promised, here’s exhibit 1. And a truly fine specimen it is (if we’re talking gastroenterology).
Carol Mullooly is a member in good standing of the Caruso-Burke posse. She sent this postcard out just before the Republican primary.
In case you can’t make it out it begins:
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Here are two reasons NOT to vote for Geraldine Gianzero for Woodbury Town Council.
On Open Government:
In 2001, and again in this election, Geraldine Gianzero promises open government, yet Gianzero made the motion to close the Public Hearing, which allows 483 housing units to be built. Gianzero said on July 18th "I would like to make a motion to close the public heating and allow people who want to speak just put it in writing and submit it." Myself and other residents were waiting to speak, having been told earlier that evening that we would be allowed to make our comments and be heard. Is that open government?
Holy Moley. Gianzero shut down the hearing!?!? HOW CAN THAT BE????
Well, the lovely and fragrant Ms. Mullooly sorta, kinda forgot to tell you a couple of things. Such as: IT WAS 12:30 AT NIGHT AND THE DAMNED MEETING HAD GONE ON FOR 5 HOURS!
Also Mullooly had already spoken 4 times!
And, minor point, it’s 451 units, not 483, but why sweat the details when you don’t really give a rat’s ass for the truth to begin with?
So, is Mullooly the least bit interested in giving us real information to work with?
Nope!
She figures we’re all idiots and don’t deserve the truth.
Expect more of this same crap from this gang just before the November election. Late hitting misinformation is one of Ralph Caruso’s favorite little toys.
By the way, Mullooly played the same crooked game at the first hearing, reading only half a sentence from the master plan in order to confuse folks. We’ll save that one for a another day.
There’s just a bit too much Mullooly on me for the moment and I have to take a shower.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Caucus
Main Entry: caucus
Pronunciation: 'ko-k&s
Function: noun
Etymology: origin unknown
: a closed meeting of a group of persons belonging to the same political party or faction usually to select candidates or to decide on policy; also : a group of people united to promote an agreed-upon cause .
Thus sayest Merriam-Webster.
"So what?" you well may ask. Go ahead, ask, I'll wait.
Here's what. Before and after most big town meetings, like the two at the Monroe Woodbury High School Ralph Caruso has a caucus. He puts his head together with his pals and they talk.
Maybe they talk about the weather. Or the price of gas. Or Val and Jennifer. Whatever the subject is, the chats are lengthy and, to the not so casual observer, at times intense.
"So what?" You well may repeat. Again, feel free.
Well, here are some of the folks who huddle:
Ralph , Don (Ankle Biter) Siebold, Henry (Hank) Sullivan, Carol (Half the facts, half the time) Mullooly, John (Whatever it is, I’m against it) Burke, Darlene (Bubbles) Reveille.
“But wait,” (that’s your line) “are these not in fact political opponents? Are not Henry (Hank) and Darlene running against one another?” (Gee, you speak funny) “Did you not quote the venerable Merriam-Webster as saying that a caucus consists of persons belonging to the same political party or faction?”
Yeah, yup, uh huh.
Piece #3
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