December 19, 2011 — Ulster County, New York — Today on the steps of the Shawangunk Town Hall Roger Rascoe, Chairman of the Ulster County Republican Committee, was thrilled to announce the sale of the Republican Party for $1 in a transaction he dubbed at "fair market value." With a GOP checkbook balance of only $450, Rascoe explained that the sale of the Party was necessitated by his inability to raise any additional funds and the sale was necessary to save his own ass. "The Republicans of Ulster County will be better off when they're run by the Independence Party," proclaimed Rascoe.
"Indycans" — as the Republican Party will now be called — was sold off as part of a package deal to Len Bernardo, self-proclaimed Chairman of the Ulster County Independence Party, which even though it's not actually a Party, now controls the county's 29,000 Republicans. Besides the whopping sum of $1, the sale includes several former Republican Party members. Some of those sacrificed, include Fawn Tantillo, the perennial losing candidate who has been assured a no-show, high-paying job subsidized by the taxpayers of Ulster County, brought broad smiles to the faces of many of the Good Ole Boys as they are happy to see the likes of Fawn go. As a bonus, Roger Rascoe will receive one 'get out of jail free' card for his stepson that is good for future use only.
Jane Rascoe, spouse of Republican Chairman Roger will continue to work for Senator John Bonacic, until he is redistricted, at his request, out of Ulster County. Jane and fellow Bonacic employee Langdon Chapman, Orange County resident, former chair of the Independence Party and Chief of Staff to Senator Bonacic, will add another feather to his cap with the rumored appointment as Legislative Counsel to the Ulster County Legislature. This makes the third paid job for Chapman — (1) Senate staffer for $90,000; (2) associate counsel at Bonacic’s law firm; and now thanks to Terry Bernardo, he will receive an extra $50,000 salary compliments of Ulster County Taxpayers. Ken Ronk who says that "Chapman is highly qualified and intelligent" must mean that Chapman possesses Superhero powers, which he will need to do the work for three full-time jobs. Chapman was handpicked by her Royal Highness Terry Bernardo — who is presumed to assume control of the Ulster County Legislature on January 3 when the Legislature elects a new Chair. Lucky for Langdon, his pal Len and his wife Terry have guaranteed him another nicely paid, taxpayer-funded gig.
The purchase of the Republican Party being made by Former NYC resident and post-9/11 transplant Len Bernardo is a feather in his cap and Bernardo grinned about the addition to his portfolio, a well-thought out plan that has been in process since he rigged a guaranteed “no candidate can lose” election for his wife in 2009. Mr. Bernardo, through favors and various exchanges of services, already controls Ed Gaddy, Chairman of the Conservative Party, David O’Halloran, of the Rondout School Board and the Ulster County IDA, Carl Chipman and the Rochester town board, and the Ulster County Board of Elections, through his dear friend Patty Jacobsen, whose daughter, Vicky just landed herself a $3,000 per year raise after one year on the job (2011 salary $56,000 +/-) and who will shortly go out on maternity leave.
Following his purchase of the Republican Party, Lucky Len will also have control of the Ulster County Legislature, which his wife will operate on his behalf. Mrs. Bernardo boasts an impressive resume of never winning a competitive race, being censured in her first term and being fined $500 by the state Board of Elections for failure to file required financial disclosures as a candidate for public office. Pursuit of more power is her goal and she has stated firmly that the Legislators will need to work with her or "do things my way."
Mr. Bernardo assures us that upon the completion of the deal on January 3 — when the new legislature takes office — nothing will change. Continuing in the tradition of the past two years, the legislature will do nothing. In fact, his wife is revving up to spend more money rather than cutting it. Although not yet elected, Mrs. Bernardo has requested that Fred Wadnola vacate his office on December 30 and she’s already submitted questionnaires to Legislators and added one additional committee. Looking peaked and tired before the fun has even begun, Mrs. Bernardo squashed an attempt by outgoing Chairman Fred Wadnola to make appointments to the new Local Development Corporation, the group charged with negotiating the sale of Golden Hill. Stating that this is the best Christmas present a man could ever receive, Len Bernardo would like to wish a Merry Christmas to all and a heartfelt good night to the Republican Party.
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