VIDEO: Eliot Spitzer speaks at SUNY New Paltz

By Adam Bosch | Published: March 12, 2010 | 0 Comments

The video below is a clip of the first 8 minutes of former Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s speech to a crowd of students and professors at SUNY New Paltz. Spitzer is introduced by Stu Brody, the former chairman of New York’s Democratic Rural Conference, and Hadi Salavitabar, dean of the School of Business at SUNY New Paltz.

Enjoy!

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DWI offender Dylan Walsh, an unexpected figure in Ulster judge race, is arrested in California

By Adam Bosch | Published: February 2, 2010 | 0 Comments

Dylan Walsh, the five-time DWI offender who became an unexpected figure in last year’s Ulster County judge race, was arrested this week near Oakland, Calif. (Click here to read about it)

Walsh has been a fugitive since late August when he was arrested for his sixth DWI charge. While he was awaiting arriagnment on that charge, Walsh got drunk, crashed head-on into a car on Route 209 in Wawarsing and got slapped with his seventh DWI charge.

Dylan Walsh

Dylan Walsh

He caught in California after police found him with some marijuana, state police said.

For those of you who don’t remember, Walsh became something of a rallying figure for opponents of County Court Judge Deborah Schneer, who was ran for her first full term on the bench last year and lost to now-Judge Don Williams.

Schneer had revoked Walsh’s license after his sixth DWI, but decided to set him free without bail. The county District Attorney’s Office wanted $100,000 bail, mainly because Walsh had been convicted of other crimes in California. The DA’s Office argued that Walsh was a flight risk. Schneer didn’t see it that way.

Then Walsh flew – as far away as possible.

Many who opposed Schneer used her decision to release Walsh to paint her as “soft on crime.” Others were less quiet and wrote letters to newspaper editors about it. The Record wrote a story about the Walsh controversy during the campaign. You can read that here.

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The Nevele Grande: Growing debt and why it matters

By Adam Bosch | Published: February 1, 2010 | 0 Comments

Today we published a story detailing some of the pressure tactics and legal challenges facing the Nevele Grande and the alleged deal for a Brooklyn investor to buy it. (Click here to read that story.)

Here’s the bottom line: Before anyone can think about buying the Nevele, a judge has to rule on the suit between current owner Joel Hoffman and his former partner Mitchell Wolff. Hoffman owes Wolff more than $2 million from a civil suit in New Jersey.

As part of that suit, Wolff is asking the judge to grant him ownership of the Nevele. The judge is expected to rule by the end of February.

Hoffman has never returned the Times Herald Record’s myriad phone calls to his Long Island office, but it’s safe to say that debt (HUGE DEBT!) is one of the primary reasons Hoffman is putting up a fight. Here’s why:

nevelefile

The Nevele Hotel, once a jewel of the resort scene here, is now tangled in lawsuits and mounting debt.

The Nevele is currently swimming in more than $5 million of debt to roughly two dozen creditors. Many would think that Hoffman could rid himself of that debt by selling or relinquishing the property.

But that’s NOT true.

Some of the Nevele’s debt is attached to Hoffman, not the hotel property. For instance, Hoffman has been fined $1,051,683 by the state Labor Department for not paying employees, paying them less than minimum wage or not doling out their tips. Labor Department spokeswoman Karen Williamson said that debt will belong to Hoffman even if he gets rid of the property.

In court papers, Hoffman has said he wants to sell the hotel for about $16 million, just enough to satisfy his mortgage and debts. Wolff has suggested he’d sell the hotel for less, which means Hoffman would be saddled with some of the debt.

These are some of the sticks issues that the Nevele has to get through before anyone–including Brooklyn investor Rafi Weiss and his partners–can talk about buying and renovating the hotel.

So where does this debt come from? Here’s a list compiled by the Times Herald-Record. It’s all public info, found int he Ulster County Clerk’s Office. The debts are listed in no particular order:

Village of Ellenville for unpaid taxes and water fees:  $196,323.17

Settlement from a tip-and-fall accident at the hotel: $14,023.24

State Labor Department for wage and labor violations:  $1,051,683.51

State unemployment insurance: $10,331.93

Waste Management for unpaid garbage collection : $35,844.21

Adams Fences, a Poughkeepsie company: $7,650.78

State insurance fund: $59,678.96

White Plains Coat & Apron Corp. $118,529.24

Carrier Corp.: $28,148.25

Thyssenkrupp Elevator Corp., an elevator installation and repair company: $70,000

Days Inn, Monticello: $6,153.82

State tax commission: $947,414.40

Mainetti, Mainetti & O’Connor law firm that was not paid: $76,310.28

Mitchell Wolff, Hoffman’s former partner: $2,027,821.44

Insurance Company of Pennsylvania: $50,185.68

Civil suit by a guest: $13,982

Civil suit by a guest: $12,971.87

Inphase: $130,000

NY Police Ecumenical Golf Outing: $2,515

Hess Corp.: $94,947.50

Civil suit by a guest: $2,751.56

Central Hudson utility company: $143,366.81

If you have any questions or news tips regarding the Nevele Grande, feel free to contact me at abosch@th-record.com

-AB

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Update on Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at Golden Hill

By Adam Bosch | Published: January 21, 2010 | 0 Comments

The Ulster County Legislature’s health committee had a special meeting tonight to get an update on the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at Golden Hill. Health Director La Mar Hasbrouck, Deputy County Exec Marshall Beckman and Golden Hill Director Sheree Cross gave some new information.

Here are some of the highlights:

*** Legionella bacteria were found in 17 of the 32 water samples taken by the state Health Department, which were processed an a lab in Albany.

*** The source of the bacteria was found to be the home’s hot water system.

The Golden Hill nursing home in Kingston.

The Golden Hill nursing home in Kingston.

*** Two solutions are generally implemented in these cases. 1) The water is chlorinated heavily to kill the bacteria. Or, 2) The water temperature is raised to a level where the bacteria cannot live. The weak water pipes at Golden Hill cannot handle the chlorination, however, so county officials are opting to begin hot-water flushes on Friday night.

*** Cross and Beckman said they’re not sure if the hot water flushes will work. There are really combinations of three possible outcomes, which include:

1) The hot water flush could work, kill the bacteria, and they’ll continue to do that quarterly.

2) The hot water flush could stress the water pipes so badly that they burst or leak.

3) The hot water flush could not be hot enough in some of the longer pipes, rendering it useless.

*** The county plans to test the water again after 10 days to see if the Legionella bacteria were killed.

*** The 271 elderly folks who live at the home are not allowed to shower, bathe or drink the water. That’s likely to last until at least the beginning of February. They’re being given bottled water and bathing kits in the interim.

One major question still needs to be answered: Where did the bacteria enter the water system? It’s no secret that Ulster County has been warned at least five times since 2002 that Golden Hill’s pipes are corroded, weak, leaking and in danger of “catastrophic failure.” Thus far, lawmakers have avoided making a decision about renovating or replacing Golden Hill. So far, they’ve only lauded the home’s staff for handling this outbreak with speed and patience.

I wrote about the long-standing issue of bad pipes at Golden Hill last week. Read the story by clicking here.

Several legislators have told the Times Herald-Record they intend to re-introduce the issue of renovating or replacing Golden Hill in light of this outbreak, which has highlighted at least one of its weaknesses.

But in the interim, the county and state say it’s a safe place to live. Just ask Beckman:

“My own mom resides there and I haven’t had a concern about her at all,” Beckman told legislators Thursday night.

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On the first night, County Legislature pounds its chest

By Adam Bosch | Published: January 6, 2010 | 0 Comments

How will the County Legislature change now that it’s under Republican control?

Wednesday night’s first meeting offered strong hints as the Legislature–both Republicans and Democrats–pounded its collective chest and said it plans to be more forceful in its relationship with County Exec Mike Hein.

The two most popular words of the night: “co-equal” and “subpoena.”

Ulster County lawmakers take the oath of office Wednesday night

Ulster County lawmakers take the oath of office Wednesday night

Republican Legislator Terry Bernardo said the legislature will seek to “redefine its role this year as a co-equal branch of government as the charter intended.”

So how will lawmakers do that? The detailsremain unclear, but lawmakers pointed several times to their subpoena power. They even made a move to have the right to subpoena written into their committee mission statements. (The move was ditched at the last minute because the law already gives legislators the right to subpoena and hold hearings, a power it hasn’t used during the first year of the new form of government.)

But the County Legislature has created a new “Government Operations and Efficiency” subcommittee that will “evaluate governmetn operations and make recommendations to the Legislature on changing County policy. To review interaction between County Departments, the County Executive and the Legislature as related to the charter.”

Bottom line: the County Legislature wants as much power as the new charter allows, and it plans to grab every bit.

What’s more, Democrats unanimously approved the new committee set up. Make no mistake, they’re looking for an expanded role, too.

“I really hope you create an equal branch of government and I’ll be there to support you all the way,” Democrat Sue Zimmet told new Legislature Chairman Fred Wadnola.

Now, some other news and notes from the night:

Fred Wadnola assumes the chairmanship of the Ulster County Legislature during its first meeting of the year Wednesday night.

Fred Wadnola assumes the chairmanship of the Ulster County Legislature during its first meeting of the year Wednesday night.

*** Wadnola said he was humbled to be chosen as chairman. “We really have to focus on appropriations and policy,” he told his fellow lawmakers.

*** Wadnola chose Marlboro Republican Frank Felicello as vice chairman.

*** Democrat Dave Donaldson, the outgoing chairman, has been relegated to a desk in the back of the room. Most legislators sit in pairs at little tables. Donaldson has a table to himself, which became fodder for jokes among his colleagues: “At least I get to be the chairman of my own desk,” Donaldson joked.

*** After everyone was sworn into office, the new Republican Majority Leader Paul Hansut made a point of going across the aisle and shaking the hands of every Democrat. Democrats have said they look forward to working with Hansut, who is known as one of the more easy-to-work-with folks on the 33-member body.

*** Allan Wikman, a well-known gadfly of local politics, was arrested at the meeting and charged with disorderly conduct. Sheriff’s deputies had repeatedly asked people to leave an area at the back of the room because they said it posed a security risk to legislators. Wikman refused to move when deputies asked. Then he took it one step further: Wikman dropped to the floor and told deputies that he would not move. So four deputies grabbed Wikman by each of his arms and legs and carried him out of the chambers. He was arrested and released on a court appearance ticket. Some of you might remember Wikman as the 70-something Kingston man who tried to get on the ballot to run for county executive but couldn’t gather enough signatures. Others of you might know him as the gentleman who sends long, verbose e-mails that criticize local governments.

AB

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NBC’s Today Show calls Kingston a great place to buy a home

By Adam Bosch | Published: January 5, 2010 | 0 Comments

This little video clip started running through e-mail chains around Kingston just after lunchtime today.

Kingston, rejoice! NBC’s Today Show just named you one of the top places in the United States to buy a home.

Don’t believe me? Click here to watch the clip for yourself!

Other cities touted by the TV commentator included Minneapolis, Minn., New Haven, Conn., Akron, Ohio, Portland, Maine and Miami, Fla.

So how did Kingston end up in this veritable who’s who of U.S. cities? According to our city’s very short mention on the morning show, the expert said “jobs are very easy here,” and she mentioned 7 percent unemployment in the city.Kingston#1

This, like all gimmicky rankings that are so popular on news programs, should be taken with a steady dose of analysis. For instance, rising home values were one of the criteria used to create NBC’s list. Rewind a few weeks and you’ll remember that even though Kingston’s tax rate was increasing by 9.12 percent, the average home-owning taxpayer was only going to see a 2.69 percent increase because home values had fallen precipitously. The city’s total assessment–much of it belonging to commercial buildings–fell by $99 million last year.

Also, you have to consider that many of the Kingston jobs that are “easy here” are probably in the Town of Ulster, where certain solar-panel companies and others have been expanding lately. (Ulster DOES have a Kingston mailing address, so the TV folks could have easily fuddled that one.)

After watching the video, it reminded me a lot of the internet ranking that landed Ulster as one of the top 10 retirement communities in America. Strangely enough, the area that was chosen for that list included vast areas of vacant land and the Route 9W business corridor. Someone go find me a grandma who lives near Best Buy. Dare ya.

Don’t let me rain on the parade by over-analyzing. Kingston has a first-rate arts community, residents who are active and intelligent and a burgeoning digital corridor that’s being pushed by grassroots people. And Kingston has a better housing stock than most cities its size–it’s relatively affordable and in good condition. It also doesn’t hurt that Kingston’s historical significance is unmatched and it’s located a short train ride away from the No. 1 city in the world.

No matter how you look at it, one thing is certain: this is damn good publicity. Go Kingston!

-AB

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Kingston swearing-in ceremonies

By Adam Bosch | Published: December 31, 2009 | 0 Comments

Just a quick note one swearing-in ceremonies in the City of Kingston.

The slate of nine alderman will be sworn into office on New Year’s Day at noon. The ceremony will take place at City Hall. It will be a repeat for most of the alderman, but it will be the first term for newcomers Hayes Clement, Jen Fuentes and Andi Turco-Levin.

The new City Court Judge Larry Ball and part-time Judge Phil Kirshner will take the oath of office Jan. 2, also at City Hall.

-AB

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A gift in 2010: Lower taxes in Rochester

By Adam Bosch | Published: December 30, 2009 | 0 Comments

2009 will be remembered as the year when counties and small cities struggled to keep their tax increases below the double-digit mark.

For the most part, towns and villages managed their usual 2- to 4-percent hike.

Except the Town of Rochester, where residents will get the ultimate gift in 2010: lower taxes.

Supervisor Carl Chipman and the town board passed a budget that will cut taxes in Rochester by roughly 4 percent. The town’s total budget is $3,297,743, a roughly $63,000 reduction from last year. In a statement to the press, Chipman said that the good tax news was caused by “belt tightening” in all town departments and conservatively predicted revenues that avoided a year-end deficit.

No positions or programs were eliminated.

-AB

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More details on embattled Lower Esopus River Watch

By Adam Bosch | Published: December 26, 2009 | 0 Comments

Last week, readers were especially interested in the downfall of the Lower Esopus River Watch group.

If you’re not familiar with it, you can read the back story here and here.

Here’s the Cliff’s Notes version: Lower Esopus River Watch was a group that helped local governments plant for stormwater management by doing GIS mapping. LERW also brought environmental education into local schools. But, according to a suit filed by state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, the group’s leader, Rick Fritschler, was also directing grant money into LERW so that he could use its credit card for his own benefit. (Many of the allegations are outlined in some details in the stories linked above.)

But there are some details that we couldn’t fit into the stories this week. So, for the sake of public knowledge, here are other things you should know about the downfall of LERW.

1) The taxpayers suffer: According to Cuomo’s suit, Ulster County taxpayers lost a hefty load of money in this scheme. Fritschler was allegedly telling Ulster County lawmakers that some grants were received before they were actually awarded. Some of the grants never moneymaterialized. That means Ulster County was forced to backfill some of the money. Cuomo’s suit says that Ulster County taxpayers subsidized the group and Fritschler’s fraudulant activities by $339,096.

2) Government money for personal expenses? Many who’ve defended LERW and Fritschler say that Cuomo is on a “witch hunt.” Still, Cuomo presents evidence directly from credit card bills showing that Fritschler used the LERW credit card for the following:

  • More than 950 charges at delis and restaurants for meals totaling more than $48,000. Those charges on the LERW American Express card included meals for county legislators and other county employees. (The most expensive was a $466 dinner with former Independence Party chairman Dietrich Werner on Christmas Eve 2004 at the Depuy Canal House in High Falls.)
  • $2,000 in unspecified gifts for county employees.
  • $7,800 in grocery and drug store purchases for Fritschler
  • $3,000 in clothes for Fritschler
  • $2,500 in portable TVs, CDs, DVDs and other entertainment equipment.
  • $1,500 in veterinary bills for Fritschler’s two cats
  • $480 for movie theater tickets
FredWadnola

Fred Wadnola

3) The Wadnola connection: It’s clear that LERW and Fritschler had connections to politicians. It’s most clear connection was to Dietrich Werner, the former Independence Party boss who died Dec. 15. (See linked story above.) But one of the connections that hasn’t been talked about is the one to County Legislator Chairman-elect Fred Wadnola. According to LERW meeting minutes and federal nonprofit filings with the IRS, Wadnola showed up as a board member of LERW in 2007. He stayed on sometime through 2008, and LERW even held its meetings at Fred’s Place, Wadnola’s restaurant in Lake Katrine.

Cuomo’s suit was filed before Wadnola ever became a member of LERW’s board and Wadnola is never named in the suit or accused of wrongdoing.

When contacted this week by the Times Herald-Record, Wadnola said that he joined the board to try to straighten out the nonprofit group. But once he got on the board, he said it was clear that LERW couldn’t be saved. Wadnola also admitted to having mixed opinions about Cuomo’s suit. He told the Record that Cuomo’s suit seemed too heavy handed, but that some of Fritschler’s charges on the group’s credit card were probably inappropriate.

As usual, I invite you all to double check our reporting. You can find an original copy of Cuomo’s suit by clicking here.

-AB

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Hinchey to commemorate Hudson River anniversary in 2109

By Adam Bosch | Published: December 26, 2009 | 0 Comments

Congressman Maurice Hinchey loved the 400th anniversary of the Hudson River so much that he made special arrangements last week to make sure he’ll be around for the 500th anniversary.

We’re not talking about any cryongenic freezing, a la Ted Williams, that might bring Hinchey back from the dead. And we’re not saying he’s tinkering with science that will keep him alive till the ripe old age of 171.

Hinchey

Hinchey

Last week Hinchey taped a video interview in Kingston about this year’s quadricentennial celebration, which he boosted with $1.39 million in federal funding.  According to Hinchey’s office, the interview with be archived and shown to our children and grandchildren when they celebrate the river’s 500th birthday.

“The 500th anniversary celebration in 2109 will undoubtedly be even grander and I am hopeful that my thoughts on this year’s events as well as on our shared history with the Netherlands will contribute in some way to the activities that will be held 100 years from now,” Hinchey said.

Whether Hinchey’s speech is seen in 2109 might depend on this: Can we trust our kids not to lose the videotape?

AB

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