The events leading to the Ulster County Republican Convention and its choices should make every true Republican in our County ask a simple question:

Senator Bonacic's great stand

About two years ago, at a Republican event held at Hillside Manor, Senator Bonacic electrified the room with a strong message. He asked the audience – Republican Committee members from all Ulster towns – to always field Republican candidates when a seat is up for election. He asked them to never cross-endorse a candidate.

"Len Bernardo, owner of Skate Time on 209, announced today that he will be seeking the Republican nomination for County Executive. It seems that Senator John Bonacic is behind Bernardo, after introducing him tonight – at his fundraiser – as the first County Executive of Ulster County."

After reading the above on April 30, 2008, Senator Bonacic's great stand appears to be just grandstanding. Thank you, Senator Bonacic, for starting the process which brought us the Republican endorsing of 3 Democrats in District 1, Ulster County Legislature.

May 3
At the "Spring Wing Zing" event celebrating the retiring hometown clerks Ronnie Sommer and Jane Eck, Minority Leader Glenn Noonan asked the Rochester Councilwoman Manuela Michailescu to consider running for a District 1 Legislature seat. Minutes later, Manuela shared the "news" with Len Bernardo, Len Bernardo's wife, and David O'Halloran.
May 5
David O'Halloran, the Rochester Republican Club President, writes to Manuela:

From: David O'Halloran
Date: May 5, 2009 1:26:28 PM EDT
To: Manuela Michailescu
Subject: Dist 1

Manuela,

Please consider running for District 1 Legislature. There is little to lose and a lot to gain. If you are interested, forward a “letter of intent” to our lovely MJ. The RR Committee will be meeting on 5/13.

David.

May 7
Manuela Michailescu sent her letter of intent to Rochester Republican Committee.
May 18
Minutes after the Kerhonkson-Accord Chamber of Commerce Annual Breakfast held at the Pinegrove Ranch, Manuela Michailescu was "informed" about a deal between Mario Catalano and Len Bernardo, involving Town of Ulster and District 1, promises of Independent line endorsements, and Bernardo's wife being guaranteed a Legislature seat. This time, she was "encouraged" to step aside.
May 21
Manuela Michailescu sent her letter of intent to Wawarsing Republican Committee.
May 25
Wawarsing Republican Committee Chair John Constable and his Vice-Chair met with Manuela and tried to convince her to step aside.
May 27
Wawarsing Republican Committee has its pre-convention meeting...
Manuela gets more calls to step aside.
May 29
Rochester Republican Committee interviewed the candidates. Minority Leader Glenn Noonan and GOP Chairman Mario Catalano attended Manuela Michailescu's interview. Asked individually, 6 out of the 7 present Committee members said "NO" to Chairman Catalano's deal. Mel Tapper abstained. Chairman Catalano's last words — before he left — were addressed to Manuela Michailescu: "I cannot let you stand in my way... I'd do anything to defeat you."

May 30
Chairman Mario Catalano sent this e-mail to Rochester Republican Committee Chair Marijane Knudsen:

From: Mario Catalano
Date: May 30, 2009 3:03:21 PM EDT
To: Marijane Knudsen
CC: Robin Yess
Subject: Re: Committee Meeting

Marijane, thanks for affording me the opportunity to address your committee last evening. I had no illusions that I would be able to sell the fusion ticket to them, and completely understand their unwillingness to agree to the terms. I also feel badly that you didn't mention your disagreement with the ticket, when we met on June 19th. You could have saved me a trip to Alligorville. I am fully aware of the loyalty of your committee to you, and in fact admire your ability to accomplish that, so if I knew that you were not in favor, or you would have told me on the 19th, perhaps i could have avoided the rancor.

I also hope that your committee, in their current state of anger with the proposal, will not let their feelings affect our need for a new set of bylaws. Can I count on your support for the bylaws?

And finally, I thought Glenn was a much better politician than he demonstrated last evening. I think his failure to sign on to the ticket may have cost him a couple of party lines that he needs to win. Now that makes my job much tougher in trying to win the legislature. I hope I am wrong in that regard, but i am concerned.

As they say... "the best layed plans of mice and men"

Enjoy your weekend, and I look forward to seeing you Tuesday,

Mario

May 31
Manuela Mihailescu sent this e-mail to all Republican Town Committees' Chairpersons:

From: Manuela Mihailescu
Date: May 31, 2009 2:26:22 PM EDT
To: All Republican Committees' Chairpersons
Subject: Dist. 1 Issue

Dear fellow Republicans:

Please allow me to share with you a potentially explosive situation – before you become aware of it at the Republican Convention on Tuesday.

My name is Manuela Michailescu and I'm Republican Councilwoman in the Town of Rochester; I was a member of the Republican slate which won in its entirety in November 2007.

I expressed my intention to run for one of the four Legislator seats in District One, but I've been strongly "discouraged" to do so. I was boldly told that the Ulster County Chairman of the Independence Party – who happens to live in our town – wanted to make sure that his wife is presented with a Legislator seat, so he struck a deal with Chairman Catalano to block any Republican who intends to run in District 1.

I was denied an interview with the Wawarsing Republican Committee. Friday night I had my interview with the Rochester Republican Committee. With one voice, they said “NO” to Chairman’s deal.

Chairman Catalano attended my interview and was candid about his intentions, telling me – a Republican ELECTED Official – "I cannot let you stand in my way" and "I'd do anything to defeat you"...

I feel that Ulster County's GOP credo has a hollow ring: "The Ulster County Republican Committee believes the principles of true democracy include smaller government, lower taxes, free markets, justice, free enterprise, freedom, liberty, integrity, equal rights and fiscal responsibility."

Freedom, integrity, equal rights? True democracy?

I'm just wondering if something similar happens in your towns; if it does, we should not be surprised that Republicans are considered an "extinct species."

Thank you for listening.

Manuela Michailescu
Town of Rochester Councilwoman

John Morrow, the Town of Ulster Republican Committee Chairman answers Manuela's e-mail:

From: john morrow
Date: May 31, 2009 8:05:09 PM EDT
To: Manuela Mihailescu (reply all)
Cc: Mario Catalano
Subject: Re: Dist. 1 Issue

Your unsolicited letter to the world clearly indicates your lack of understanding of the job of the county chairman. You are writing as an individual who has absolutely no concern of the larger picture. The chairman's support for one candidate over another in this case is in an effort to strengthen the entire legislature. His effort is to get Independence Party support for a multitude of candidates so that we may take back control of the legislature. This is a critical election and you may find this hard to believe but it is bigger than you. The deals being worked out effect each and every one of our candidates including mine here in the Town of Ulster. You are being used as a pawn.

Wake up and start playing as a team player! You should be ashamed of yourself sending out unsolicited viscous emails of this nature. Either you are ON the team or NOT. Make up your mind. If you are not then get off and join another team.

AND take me off your email list!

John Morrow

Stay tuned.

Disclosure

Manuela Michailescu is my wife.
There will be attempts to describe my opinions as biased.
You be the judge.

This independent website is not associated either with the Rochester Republican Club or the Rochester Republican Committee.

Wanna laugh? Click above!
Wanna cry? Click below!

John Morrow: thug or buffoon?
Speak Out

Wheels and Deals
Kingston Times

"The Catalano-Bernardo deal
screws voters, but then,
that's what politicians do."

— Hugh Reynolds

Rumbling in Rochester:
Will District 1 Have A Choice?
Ellenville's Shawangunk Journal

We the Voters want to vote for people who will represent us
Speak Out

We the People demand
an end to deals
Speak Out

Bernardos' Districks 1

Shame on you, Mario Catalano!
Speak Out

District 1 Voters Without Say in Upcoming County Election
Ellenville's Shawangunk Journal

Ulster County's GOP —
A Party Fractured?
Ellenville's Shawangunk Journal

What has happened
to democracy?
Ellenville's Shawangunk Journal
Daily Freeman
Blue Stone Press

Shame on the deal-makers!
Blue Stone Press

Dirty Party Politics?
Ellenville's Shawangunk Journal

Town of Rochester Councilmembers Manuela Michailescu and Tavi Cilenti with Senator John J. Bonacic at the 2008 Local Government Day, Albany, March 5, 2008.

Ed Lamon, Councilwoman Manuela Michailescu and Senator John J. Bonacic at the 2008 Memorial Day Parade, Town of Rochester, May 26, 2008.