Famous Quotes: Part 1 Thomas Jefferson

 In between Posts relating to our county government and it's performance we will offer posts in the form that follow to explain why America is the Greatest Experiment in Liberty the world has ever known!

It has been said: 

"the greatest volume of sheer brainpower in one place occurred when Jefferson dined 

alone... "         

 HOW DID JEFFERSON KNOW??? 

"When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, 

we shall become as corrupt as Europe."

Thomas Jefferson 

"The democracy will cease to exist 

when you take away from those who are willing to work 

and give to those who would not. "

Thomas Jefferson 

"It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. 

A principle which if acted on 

would save one-half the wars of the world." 

Thomas Jefferson 

"I predict future happiness for Americans 

if they can prevent the government 

from wasting the labors of the people 

under the pretense of taking care of them." 

Thomas Jefferson 

"My reading of history convinces me 

that most bad government results from too much government."

Thomas Jefferson 

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." 

Thomas Jefferson 

"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms 

is, as a last resort, 

to protect themselves against tyranny in government. "

Thomas Jefferson 

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time 

with the blood of patriots and tyrants. "

Thomas Jefferson 

"To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes 

the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors 

is sinful and tyrannical. "

Thomas Jefferson 

The United States of America was not just an extension of England and a European Ideology, it is a concept born of man's desire to be free! Why then do many of our leaders wish to take us back centuries under the guise of a Progressive Movement, when the idea alone is as regressive as it can be?

Massachusetts Rising!

Just in case anyone in county government hasn’t yet gotten the message: elected officials serve at the pleasure of their electorate, I suggest you review what has occurred in the State of Massachusetts.

Just as Ulster County Legislature's newly elected Republican Majority, Scott Brown, the new senator from that state has overcome enormous odds and afforded the Nation the checks and balances that keep government responsible.

The message, carried from the hills of Virginia to the farms of New Jersey is now being read in the city of Boston, ‘unbridled spending and unpopular programs and policies will not get you re-elected'.

Just as the voters of Ulster County voiced their will last November, the people of Massachusetts have echoed our plea.

We New Yorkers will face similar challenges this November as we send our message to Albany and Washington DC. It is time to change the tide from entitlement programs to earned income. Responsible government respects the people that pick up the tab, the taxpayer. Keep this in mind, when you consider if New York needs another Coumo, especially one who makes his father, former Governor Mario Coumo look conservative, NYS welfare rolls grew dramatically under his tenure as our Governor. If Patterson should get the Democratic nod, remember the failures of his Administration. We can also do without a failed Tennessee congressman 'carpetbagging' his way up the Hudson.

Republicans, Independents and Conservatives have good honest leaders in the wings, Collins, Lazio and Guiliani top the chart. We don’t have to settle for merely adequate leaders. November is not that far away, we can carry the message from Boston to Albany and in 2012 on to Washington. We deserve a seat at the table, after all it is our table and we paid for the diner! 


Even ACORN couldn’t steal this one.

Trouble at the Top

Waste and inefficiency in Ulster County Government, do ya' think?
County Exec Hein is going to have his hands full defending his position on this one.
It is his standing position that the Legislature has no right to evaluate and advise the the Executive branch regarding the efficiency of the various departments. He claims the County Charter expresses no such authority.
Whether it is due to policy or practice, if inefficiency exists wouldn't you expect that the County Executive would want it resolved for the benefit of the taxpayer.
Mr. Hein's efforts to prevent the Legislature by protesting the formation of just such a committee is contrary to why the Charter form of government was adopted  by voters in the first place.
It's main objective: to streamline government and control spending.
No one ever imagined the biggest culprit for waste in management would be the executive itself.
Hein's office has tripled in size since his election, what's more the County Comptrollers office has done the same, as well as hiring outside consultants.
Are they afraid they might be the target?
It seems Comptroller Aurbach is staying ahead of the curve, (but not out of the crosshairs), with all the issues confronting county finances Aurbach has chosen to utilize his resources to audit the attendance of County Legislators.
Having lost the support of a Democrat majority, unless both men get a handle on why the were elected,  it may prove to be a long year at County Headquarters.

I "Swear" It was a Success!

6:00 PM:
As 33 members of the Ulster County Legislature took there seats for the 1st time in 2010 and prepared to be sworn to serve the good citizens of the County there seemed to be little if any tension in the crowded Assembly Hall. The new Republican majority, 18-15 seemed no issue whatsoever.
The 1st order of business was the instillation of the new Chairman, Fred Wadnola. Escorted by new Majority Leader, Paul Hansut and Minority Leader, Jeanette Provenzano, Mr. Wadnola took the Chairman's seat.
In a short but emotional acceptance speech, Chairman Wadnola outlined his goals for the coming year, defined the Legislatures challenges ie; Reducing and Redistricting the County's 33 Legislator seats to 23 and establishing a balance to the Executive.
Other issues of concern was the Legislatures failure to determine 'Appropriations, and set Policy', a situation Susan Zimet (D) New Paltz recanted as she pledged her support to the Chairman's agenda.
The only contentious voice in the entire Assembly was that of Jeanette Provenzano, (D) Kingston as her recollection of the Legislature's performance the last year was one of greater success.
As all 9 resolution's were enacted without opposition, Ms Provenzano later took issue with an amendment presented by newly elected republican Legislator, Terry Bernardo, also Chairwoman of an oversight committee intended to look into County Waste and Inefficiency. Ms Bernardo attempted to appease the Minority leader but Ms. Provenzano seemed concerned more with the language rather than the substance of the amendment.
By the way, this committe fell under the criticism of County Exec, Michael Hein who not only questioned the Legislatures authority but who seems to feel that waste and inefficiency is an acceptable evil and the residents of the County have no right to complain. As usual Mr. Hein resents any criticism regarding his performance and that of the Executive. He has gotten accustomed to facing no opposition or questions regarding his performance. This too shall change!
All said and done the meeting was adjourned and all in attendance were invited by GOP Committee Chair, Mario Catelano to a reception at the SkyTop Restaurant & Steakhouse.
For the time being, party lines seem almost invisible, for the sake of the County, let's hope it stays that way.

Battle Lines Being Drawn

It seems County Exec Hein can't wait for January 6th to get here. He, in his usual 'bull in a China shop' manner, has gone out and fired the first volley at not yet inducted Legislative Chairman, Fred Wadnola.
As reported in both the Times Herald Record and Kingston Times, 'Headfirst Hein' intimated that Mr. Wadnola was involved with the 'Lower Esopus River Watch' (LERW), in a less than ethical manner. While LERS was investigated by the NYS Attorney Generals Office, their report found Fred's affiliation to be above board, the investigation also showed Mr. Wadnola's involvement came long after the period in question.
There are few people in the public arena (sometimes even his Democrat friends fall in his cross hairs), that Mr. Hein has refrained from criticizing, many have been outright attacked but is the opinion of this blog that picking a fight with Fred could damage Hein's credibility even further, after all, Fred Wadnola's reputation for public service is well documented.
I think the next 2 years will be if nothing else, entertaining, it should provide topics for discussion for the balance of Hein's term as County Exec and make his re-election bid, (if he really thinks he has a chance), a little more difficult.

This is one fight Hein really doesn't want, especially when the long list of his questionable affiliations are fair game!