Friday, March 16, 2012

Chapman Should Withdraw

If for no other reason than to protect his (big) boss from any appearance of impropriety:
Ulster County Legislature Minority Leader David Donaldson Friday accused Chairwoman Terry Bernardo of “sneaking” through a $49,750 contract with the law firm for which her appointed legislature attorney works by paying the firm, Bonacic, Krahulik, Cuddeback, McMahan and Brady, LLP of Orange County.

[. . .]

The minority leader also asked Chapman to reveal any potential conflicts of interest as legislative counsel since he is also counsel to Senator John Bonacic and to the Senate’s Racing, Gaming and Wagering of which Bonacic is chairman.

Donaldson said that Bonacic has commented that getting Sullivan County a casino is his “number one priority.” Communities in Ulster County, most notably Ellenville, have expressed interest in obtaining casinos. The new owners of the Nevele Hotel are hoping to include gaming as part of their redevelopment plan. (emphasis added)
This is a really good point. If NY State approves a casino plan, there will be a few counties that will reap huge tax revenues. Needless to say, this will instigate a certain amount of competition. Ulster county is just one of many counties that could attract a casino (and there's a deal for the Nevele in the works).

So how can Chapman honestly represent the fiduciary interests of Ulster County when he's so heavily involved in Sullivan? He can't.

Chapman should withdraw his name from consideration as counsel to the Ulster Legislature.

30 comments:

  1. C'mon Chapman! Be a mensch! Withdraw your name from consideration as counsel to the Ulster Legislature.
    It's not worth it. Why be humiliated, ridiculed, despised by the whole population of Ulster County. Go home with what's left of your dignity! Start a new life, like being the boy Friday for Bonacic's daughter.

    (For those who don't know, Mellisa Bonacic is the Majority Leader in Orange County Legislature, and plans to run soon for here father seat, upon his retiring to his Arizona castle.

    Act now,or for generations to come, the Bonacics, Chapmans and Bernardos will be your masters.)

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  2. Chapman said that and that they want their government officials “to address issues such as economic development, lower taxes and a higher quality of life in our region.”

    How the fuck does Chapman know what the people want? He only talks to Bonacic and Bernardo!

    I just love it!

    Q: Isn't it true that you are a thief?
    A: People are “sick and tired of politics.”

    Q: Isn't it true that you are a scoundrel?
    A: People are “sick and tired of politics.”

    Q: Isn't it true that you are a crook?
    A: People are “sick and tired of politics.”

    Q: Isn't it true that...?
    A: People are “sick and tired of politics.”

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  3. In full MHNews.com story, Scott Bonacic is now in the picture too! It's not about the benefits Scott. Maybe somebody should ask young Bonacic just how many "jobs" Langdon should have or how much attention he can really pay to Ulster County if he holds 5 other jobs. Maybe somebody should call Senator Bonacic's office and ask if Langdon is still on the NYS Senate payroll for 2012 for 90k? Maybe someone should ask Langdon how much of that $49,750 (thanks to Bernardo's math skills) he plans on spending in Ulster County? How about zero? That is the point!

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  4. The Chair does get to appoint the attorney. However, that does not mean this is the ethical choice. It is not. There are several issues that would not be on the table if the attorney was a local attorney who was not affiliated with the Bernardo's personally, not affiliated with a Political Party executive committee, not on the payroll of a sitting NY Senator and not on the payroll of a NY Senate sub committee.

    It is entirely avoidable. The Legislature should be doing the right thing. Just because it is legal, does not make it right. The entire Legislature should be screaming about this one. There are literally hundreds of attorneys in Ulster County who would not have to consider recusing themselves for any reason.

    This is not the Bernardo's money it is the mine and everyone else who pays taxes, I do not like them handing it out to their rich friends who happen to be politically connected.

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  5. Donaldson is a drug-addled bufoon & should never be taken seriously.
    Who appointed him the conscience of the Legislature ?

    Shut Dancin' Dave & shuffle off to Vic Work's back room where you take your marching orders from, ok ?
    sheesh, I dont like langdon anymore than the rest of you folks, but jeez, there are bigger fish to fry & this is a dem smokescreen,

    SHUT THE EF UP DAVE DA DWEEB !!!

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  6. 07:09 one who knows sheesh...you are dead wrong. There is no bigger fish to fry. By not frying the small fish for a number of years, we got Bernardos the clowns to rule Ulster County. As someone wrote above:

    Q: Isn't it true that you are a thief?
    A: There are bigger fish to fry.

    Q: Isn't it true that you are a scoundrel?
    A: There are bigger fish to fry.

    Q: Isn't it true that you are a crook?
    A: There are bigger fish to fry.

    Q: Isn't it true that...?
    A: There are bigger fish to fry.

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  7. Wait -- help me understand. Madam Chair appointed fawning Fawn Tantillo as her personal secretary for $51k, but her "best bang for the buck" lawyer will only earn $49k? Newly hired Mathes, who was earning $2,525 a week in Greene Cty, will now earn $29k. And the grand madam herself only receives $20k.
    What's wrong with this picture? Setting up the chess board is my guess.

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  8. A run for another office is most definitely in store for Madam Chair. Perhaps for State Assembly or perhaps she's got her eye on Hein's job. Whatever it is, it's something. Making the rounds around the county visiting Town Boards and GOP meetings sure looks like a campaign. How lucky for us that she will continue to bless us with her "for the people" work ethic.

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  9. One good thing about Bernardos, they are hard working people. Unfortunately, their hard working is fueled by greed and power grabbing. Hopefully, they are going to hit a wall.

    It's one thing to have O'Halloran scheming to force her GOP nomination, to have hubby provide a couple hundred votes (firefighters and their families), then twist 20 legislator arms to "elect" her chair.

    It's quite different to have her campaign assembly-district wide. She's dumb as a rock and can't put a decent sentence together, so she uses her iPad as a teleprompter. People see that. She's not going any places!

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  10. The best thing she could do is run against someone like Cahill or Hein. She would whooped so badly she would ruined for life in politics.

    I can imagine her trying to debate Cahill... now that would be something to see. It would be even better than the clown the trotted out last time who knew nothing, did no homework, and thought he could buy the election.

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  11. Chapman won't step aside him and Bernardo have the little guy ego problem. He has already destroyed Bonacic's image in Ulster County and Bonacic could care less he is out of here. He lied about the redistricting pledge thinks he is setting up his daughter. Not unless she uses a married name will she get any support, maybe in Shawangunk 80% Rep and Boss Rascoe wife works for the senator Every other Ulster town she will lose just like her father

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  12. Maybe... just maybe when Dorothy gets to meet with the Wizard she'll get the Scarecrow a brain, the Tin Woodman a heart, the Cowardly Lion some courage and the Ulster County Legislature a little bit of all three and a backbone.

    Rockett and Sundae, we're not in Kansas anymore... we're in Ulster County!

    Len and Terry Bernardo - OH, MY!

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  13. Love the argument that the taxpayers are saving money because Chapman is not taking benefits. The problem is that they added benefits for another Legislative Counsel that was not budgeted.

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  14. 4:31, How about he does not have to enroll, he can opt out just like everyone else. Can you say smoke screen?

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  15. Chapman can't resign till he is done with kid Ronk's speech this week telling us how Len will lead us across the Shokan by parting the water. Chapman was called to write it because boy wonder was having trouble spelling ULSTER

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  16. Chapman holds about 10 jobs, all paying five and six figures salaries, and Terry Bernardo wants Ulster County to pay his benefits? Is she out of her missing mind?

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  17. Got an idea need a roof goe toDutchess County(Roberts) an ice cream cone go to Walden(Ronk) Bank go to orage take all your money whats left(Maio) place for your parents Elant in Fishkill(Gerentine)Hair cut go to Green county(Aiello)dinner stay away from the Boiceville in maybe go to MagretvilleWant to take the kids skating nah go bowling in Dutchess or Orange. The rest of the Republican are on the taxpayers dime anyway

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  18. No offense, the above comment it's so to the point, it begs for a re-arrangement.

    Got an idea!

    Need a roof?
    Go to Dutchess County!
    (screw Legislator Roberts)

    Need an ice cream cone?
    Go to Walden!
    (screw Legislator Ronk)

    Need a bank?
    Go to Orange, take all your money (whats left!)
    (screw Legislator Maio)

    Need ba place for your parents?
    Go to Elant in Fishkill!
    (screw Legislator Gerentine)

    Hair cut go to Green county(Aiello)

    Want to take the kids skating?
    Drive to Dutchess or Orange.
    (screw Legislator Terry Bernardo)

    Go to dinner?
    Stay away from the Boiceville!
    Screw you know who...

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  19. 2:10 - got everyone but the "you know who...". Can someone please fill me in?

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  20. By popular request:

    Go to dinner?
    Stay away from the Boiceville Inn!
    (screw Legislator John Parete)

    Need a hair cut?
    Go to Green county
    (screw Legislator Aiello)

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  21. want to go away for the weekend go to Green County screw Ohalloran at pinegrove

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  22. 04:31am yesterday - And let's not forget the raise for Patty Jacobsen's daughter, Vicky Fabella, who has been on the job in the Legislative Clerk's office for 18 months and had a budgeted and recommended 2012 salary of $57,159 that got bumped up to $60,970 by the Legislature. Nice raise for a new employee about to go out on maternity leave. Only in government with our tax dollars at work!

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  23. Come on lets not pick on Jacobsen now she has always done her best work on her knees and is training her daughter. She was even training back when she was in New Paltz with the highway dept

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  24. Funny how Jacobsen, who works for the Board of Elections, got confused when collecting signatures for Terry Bernardo and witnessed the signature of a dead woman. No matter, Terry won the election, all the while twisting the right arms for chair. But, the good Madam pays her bills promptly. Vicky got a raise, Langdon & Fawn & Bonacic buddy Sandy got jobs, and the dutiful legislators were rewarded with committee chairmanship and nifty titles (vice chair, maj leader, whip). Life is good in Bernardoville once you swallow the bitter Koolaid.

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  25. Langdon Chapman's father should have withdrawn about 40 years ago.

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  26. nicer than you all,9:07 AM, March 23, 2012

    Picking on Jacobsen's daughter is going too far.

    NOT ONE OF YOU would do less for your kids,

    shame on you all !!!

    Family members should be OFF-LIMITS !!!

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  27. @6:07, Bonacic's son runs his law firm. And the current occupant of the governor's mansion is the hack offspring of his prison-building father. Are they off limits? If you're going to play the cronyism/nepotism game, you've gotta be ready to take the criticism for it.

    @1:43 ROFLMAO!

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  28. I agree family should be off limit But she has 60,000 reasons to fall on the sword with mommy dearest since she took a do NOTHING job that was vacant for a year and then works a few months and gets a big raise over$60,000 taxpayers money. Makes her part of the big heist

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  29. @7:06 I'm sure the only reason Jacobsen got that job is that she was the best qualified candidate, just like Chapman and Mathes are the best qualified candidates for their jobs. There's no one better out there than a Bernardo buddy! Didn't you know this?

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  30. @6:07 a.m., are you serious? We shouldn't say anything about an employee because they're related to someone? If Patty Jacobsen's daughter wasn't working for the county, then we'd agree with you and she likely wouldn't be part of the conversation. But $60k for nothing more than a clerical job that requires no training, skills, or education is a lot of money...and I'm footing the bill. We all should be saying something.

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