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Shawangunk Journal – April 21, 2011
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Keep Rochester Whole
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To the Editor:
I want to make all Rochester's residents aware of the fact that our town is chopped in two or more pieces in every proposal unveiled so far by the Commission on Reapportionment of the legislative districts.
Splitting up our town despite the declared obligation of the Commission to "meet established standards in state and federal law for equal and fair representation of all people in Ulster County" would result in lack of meaningful representation at the legislative level.
The Commission's pamphlet stresses "keeping districts compact and contiguous while taking also into account existing town, city, village and election district boundaries." A population of 7,900 is required for a legislative district. The Town of Rochester (population: 7,300) is the perfect size to be a district by itself as districts can be legally created within 10% of 7,900.
Members of the Commission on Reapportionment were present on April 7 at the Rochester Town Board meeting. The Town Board stressed verbally and in writing that our town should be kept whole. None of the re-districting versions presented on April 12 showed any consideration for this common sense request. So much about being "transparent to the public" and allowing "the public to have direct input into the specific plans" both principles adopted by the Commission, at least on paper.
Manipulating geographic boundaries to create partisan, neutral, or incumbent-protected districts is a practice of political corruption. The law requires the Commission to give "no consideration to providing advantage to one or another political party."
Moreover, I consider the splitting of our town an outrageous attempt at destroying our identity. A 300-year old town, Rochester boasts of unique elements of economic and cultural geography. We must fight to keep Rochester whole, as its history and heritage dictate.
Manuela Michailescu
Town of Rochester Councilwoman
Kerhonkson
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"Politics" prevailed in Dis. 1
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To the Editor:
It's not surprising to see that when "Local politicos assess election" (Blue Stone, Nov. 6, 2009), the Dist. 1 Legislature "deal" was not mentioned at all. In fact, the "Catalano-Bernardo deal" to have the same 4 candidates on 4 seats, covering all 4 party lines, was never covered by BlueStone. The Oct. 2 profiles of the District 1 Legislator candidates did not include ALL their cross-endorsements, which would have illustrated the deal (a correction was published on Oct. 16 but... how many people recall what was that referring to?).
Instead of simply saying that, as expected, the "deal team" won, having covered a total of 15 spots on the ballot, David O'Halloran finds reasons to explain why Manuela Michailescu did not win. In fact, based on ONE spot only, she won the Republican line in all 18 town districts, becoming overall winner of that line (please see manuela4legislator.com).
To call her fight for democracy, to restore people's right to choose when they vote a focus "on internal stuff" is absurd. She defended a noble cause and also talked about what she would do as Legislator. I feel no other Dist. 1 candidate communicated so much in such a short period of time; she is the only candidate who had a Web site and covered issues she would have addressed.
People had a choice. Politics as usual or voting for Manuela. The election results prove that the deal prevailed and more people voted for politics as (or worse than) usual.
Why not just say it as it is? Because of power, money and friendships.
Kandy Santosky
Accord
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Vote for Manuela
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Manuela Michailescu, the Republican candidate for Ulster County Legislator District 1, is consistent in her stand for democracy. She has lived under communism in her life time, and that experience gives her the strength to fight against the dictatorial-style deal made against the District 1 voters. Manuela has no personal agenda of her own.
As a Town of Rochester Councilman for 12 years I was pleased to see how fast Manuela learned on the job, and how much she contributed to solving problems in her two years as Councilwoman, already making a difference in various areas.
Active at both town and county levels, Manuela has all the right qualifications for legislator.
Her hands-on experience as an elected official and as a very active member of the Ulster County Tourism Advisory Board - as well as her expertise in marketing and advertising - would be invaluable assets for her as an Ulster County legislator.
The people of Rochester would be proud of Manuela Michailescu as their representative in the Ulster County Legislature.
Her name appears first on the Republican line - which is the right place to be for a true Republican. Please vote for Manuela Michailescu in the Sept. 15 primary, and give yourself, and all voters, a choice in the Nov. 3 election.
Ronald Santosky
Accord
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Smear campaign mounted against Manuela by the opposition
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Dear Republican Club Members:
This last month has proved challenging for our Town Board Councilwoman, Manuela Michailescu. First she was denied a ballot position by the Ulster County GOP in her quest to represent all of us as an Ulster County Legislator. And now, in an attempt to block her petition drive to be on the ballot, a smear campaign has been mounted against her by the opposition. I will not comment on Jon & Manuela’s personal bankruptcy filing except to say that I hope they will be able to rebuild their financial security.
Manuela Michailescu is a fine councilwoman. She has devoted endless hours of time and effort to the Town of Rochester. The Rochester Republican Club has a long, proud history of supporting candidates and elected officials. Manuela Michailescu is our councilwoman and with the support of the Club, our next Ulster County Legislator.
David O'Halloran
Rochester Republican Club
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Editor's Note: Town of Ulster Republican Committee Chair John Morrow is seeking a position on the Town of Ulster Town Board. Below is an answer to his e-mail sent to Rochester Councilwoman Manuela Michailescu. Read the e-mail.
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John Morrow, are you a thug or just a buffoon?
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Mr. John Morrow,
This inquiring Republican would like to know; are you a thug or just a buffoon? My response to your idiotic and misspelled e-mail is not to defend Manuela, truth and courage shields her, my comments to you are personal and ideological in nature.
First, your lack of understanding of the two party system is nothing to brag about.
Your attack on individuality is against one of the basic creeds of the Republican Party. You are beyond the RINO virus, you apparently suffer from pig flu.
This ‘larger picture’ code word you and Catalano banter about is meaningless in applicability unless you both intend to become filmmakers, then I'll be the critic, and already your movie sucks.
That you should deny an honest person a run in the elections because of the backroom deals you and Catalano have made with the opposing party is inexcusable. As any high school math student knows, 3 Democrats and 1 RINO does not a Republican make. You offer nothing to the Republican agenda but self-serving interests.
And whatever team you allude to, is no team any thoughtful person would sponsor. May the Republicans and Conservatives in your town awaken from the poisonous anesthesia you and Catalano have been dishing out and avoid catatonic state before it is too late.
Mr. Morrow, I offer you these words of advice; you should keep your nose up Catalano’s butt, where it obviously found a home, and out of the affairs of Rochester’s Republicans.
Bill Dukas
Kerhonkson
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We The People demand an end to deals
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To the Editor:
As Chairman of the Town of Rochester Republican Committee, it is my responsibility to convey a most urgent message to every Republican. The future of our Town is at stake! I've received so many phone calls asking for truth. Our Town is full of rumors, lies, half truths and self servants. I'm writing to set the record straight.
FACT: By a 6-1 majority vote, your Republican Committee stood up to Honorable Mario, Chairman of the Ulster County Republican Committee. Your Committee shouted "NO DEAL" to the snake oil sales of a "Fusion Ticket" for the District One Legislature.
Voting is a right and a privilege and should not be taken for granted. Voting = Choice. An elected Republican official from Rochester was simply told, "Step aside, it's not your time." This individual is a Republican, has proven to be electable and offered voters within Rochester a win-win situation. She was deprived based upon a deal called the "FUSION TICKET" that robs all District 1 voters of their right of choice on Election Day. I ask, "Has Democracy gone out of fashion?" I think not.
I invite each and everyone to join your Town of Rochester Republican Committee, elected Officials and TAXPAYERS to bring back the CORE values of the GOP. Help us promote fiscal responsibility, accountability and most importantly, restore dignity and respect to a Party that has been the cornerstone of our town.
It's time to stand up. It's time for We the People to rebuild from the ground up. Join us in a We the People campaign. Write to this Editor and make it clear: We the People demand an end to deals, and we expect our Republican leaders to behave in the best interest of the people.
Thank you for giving me this free opportunity to express my views.
Sincerely,
Marijane Knudsen
Chairman, Town of Rochester Republican Committee
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Shame on you, Mario Catalano!
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From: Tavi Cilenti
Date: June 21, 2009 8:51:00 PM EDT
To: Mario Catalano
Cc: Carl Chipman, David O'Halloran, Jon Dogar-Marinesco,
Cc: Marijane Knudsen, Manuela Michailescu
Subject: Rochester
Hello Mario,
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself.
I am Tavi Cilenti, Councilman of the Town of Rochester. I take this opportunity to introduce myself because obviously you do not know me, or have any idea who I am, or what my beliefs are. It is a shame that the chairman of the county's Republican Party knows so little about the elected officials of his party.
However, I should not be surprised, as your recent actions have shown that you have a dismissive attitude toward the Town of Rochester and the elected officials of the town. I say that you know little about your elected officials because I read a recent email that you sent to Marijane, which stated that I allegedly made a deal with the Democrats: if they did not oppose Carl Chipman's bid for re-election the Republicans would not oppose the Democrats running for re-election for their council seats. Well, first of all, I have no authority to make such a deal and I do not support cross endorsements as a matter of principle. (I hope I do not have to define this word: principle).
In addition, if you knew anything about me you would know that within weeks of my election I announced at a public board meeting that I have no intentions of running for a second term, because I am a strong believer in term limits and believe that our forefathers intended this country to be run by the citizens and not by professional politicians. I am sure that you did not start the rumor, but shame on you for repeating it in writing. I hope this email clears up this matter.
Respectfully,
The Honorable Tavi Cilenti
Town of Rochester Councilman
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Ellenville's Shawangunk Journal – June 18, 2009 (above)
Daily Freeman – June 18, 2009
Blue Stone Press – June 19, 2009
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What has happened to democracy?
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To the Editor:
This is my second year as a Rochester Republican Committee member and thankfully, it will be my last. When I petitioned for and was elected to the Committee, the Republicans in our town were divided between the Republican Committee and the Republican Club. I thought that if I was a member of both, I would be able to help bring the two sides together. There was a time when it appeared to be working, but I guess it was just wishful thinking on my part. It’s now very obvious that it will never happen and I am tired of wasting my time and efforts.
The total lack of trust and honesty from the leaders of each organization has gone to the point of no return. It wasn’t very long ago, that the club filed a grievance against the Chair of the Rochester Republican Committee for “actions unbecoming a Republican” and now the president of the Rochester Republican Club is demonstrating the same exact behavior. What’s even worse, so is the Chairman of the Ulster County Republican Party.
This year, Mario Catalano, the Ulster County Republican Chairman, with the support of the Rochester Republican Club president, has decided that residents of Ulster County do not need or deserve a choice. So, choice was removed from the democratic process. Instead we have deals and veiled threats. Apparently, the Chairman of the Independent Party wants his wife to be awarded a seat on the County Legislature. Yes, awarded. Not elected. Awarded.
So the deal is this: Independence Party Chairman Bernardo, has promised the Independentce Party endorsement to the Democrats and to the Republicans if they put his wife, Terry, on their line. Now, how is he going to accomplish this? Easy! You get the Republicans to cross-endorse the three incumbent democrats and one Republican – as long as the “Republican” is his wife. Then he promises the Democrats that they can all keep their seats and that no one will run against them IF they cross-endorse one Republican on their line – yup! as long as the “Republican” is his wife, Terry. As a bonus, Bernardo will endorse a few Republicans in the Town of Ulster, where, yup, Mario Catalano lives.
What in the hell are people thinking? What has happened to democracy?
And what do the Bernardos want so bad that an election has to be arranged?
Kandy Santosky
Town of Rochester Republican Committeewoman
Accord
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Making deals behind closed doors is the problem
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To the Editor:
The Rochester Republican Committee met on April 29, 2009 to conduct interviews for Ulster County Clerk and Ulster County Judge.
Glen Noonan attended this meeting at the invitation of Chairwoman Marijane Knudsen.
After our Committee interviewed the candidates, Mr. Noonan was invited to speak. He addressed the Committee and stressed that there are 33 Legislator seats up for election this year, that Catalano — and the County Committee — needs 33 Republicans to run. Noonan stated that he was given the task of finding qualified Republicans to run for Ulster County Legislature.
Less than a week later, on May 3rd, Noonan ran into Manuela Mihailescu at the "Wing Fling" event and asked her to consider running for legislator. Manuela thought about the offer and asked herself how would the County benefit if she were to be elected. She decided that yes, she would have a lot to offer as a County Legislator. She is currently on the Ulster County Tourism Advisory Board, has an MBA in Marketing and Advertising and 20 years experience in Travel Advertising. Since tourism brings home a substantial part of Ulster County’s revenue, a seat on Legislature would be the perfect place for her to contribute her knowledge and experience.
So, for people to think that Manuela Mihailescu is upsetting the apple cart is totally incorrect.
Making deals behind closed doors is the problem. If Catalano was working on deals instead of focusing on elections, he should never have sent Mr. Noonan out to recruit candidates, and all of this mess could have been avoided... or postponed until somebody else would have exercised his/her constitutional right to run for an elected position.
Kandy Santosky
Town of Rochester Republican Committeewoman
Accord
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