The Voters Have Been Heard

by: Bill Liblick

The election is over and the results are in.

Even though the Democrats will still remain in control of the legislature, Sullivan County voters decided that they wanted some change.

Interestingly, when it came to county wide races, the electorate opted for the Republicans instead. Congratulations must be extended to County Court Judge Burt Ledina, County Clerk elect Dan Briggs, and Coroner elect Alan Kesten. 

Our legislature will see a new chairman come January, and that person will start with a clean slate. Perhaps Ron Hiatt is the one who can do the job in bringing both political parties together. Alan Sorensen and David Sager are certain to be fine assets to our governing body. Sam Wohl is a gentleman who must be thanked for his years of service to Sullivan County.

All of those who ran for the legislature whether they won or lost, should be acknowledged for bringing many issues to the forefront. All factions must now unite to work for the same common goals.

In the County Clerk’s race it was disturbing to see what happened during the final days. It took an unnecessary dive when a flier was mailed out by Briggs suggesting a vote for Neil Gilberg would be a vote for allowing the issuance of driver’s licenses to illegal aliens, and thus possibly lead to terrorist attacks. The Bold headline read “Eliot Spitzer and Neil Gilberg have put us in danger.” A picture of World Trade Center terrorist Mohamed Atta superimposed on a New York State driver’s license was front and center.

Gilberg had stated publicly that he was opposed to Governor Eliot Spitzer’s plan, but would uphold the constitution of the State of New York. Congressman Maurice Hinchey was called in the last minute to counter attack the flier in a major radio blitz.

Briggs must now be held to his campaign pledge that under no circumstances would he uphold Spitzer’s mandate if it becomes law, even if ordered by the courts. One still has to wonder, what will it be next?  Will Briggs pick and choose which laws he will follow? Maybe he won’t register properties which are tax exempt?  Wouldn’t that be nice!

Seeing this turn in the campaign was upsetting because the County Clerk’s race had been clean and above board. Both Gilberg and Briggs were considered honorable, trustworthy, and respectable candidates. Briggs could have just run on his name and experience in Sullivan County politics, that was all he needed, but he chose not to.

Neil Gilberg has served our County well in a time when the county clerk’s office was in turmoil. He should hold his head up high, even though he did not get the support he needed from many Democratic powerbrokers to win the election.

Insurgent Bethel Town Judge Cindy Barber must also be given credit for having the guts to oppose County Court Judge Burt Ledina. I have gotten to know Cindy Barber and she is a person of great principal and integrity. At the end of the day voters determined that Ledina had the experience and should remain on the bench for another three years.

Ledina will now be required to retire in three years because of clear cut age discrimination. This law must be changed and a competency should be given in place of forced retirement.

I had an extensive personal conversation with Ledina on Tuesday, and I can tell you he is a man with enormous respect, compassion, and dedication for our judicial system.  He will continue to excel on the bench.

In a free and open democracy the people were heard. The battles are now over, and it is essential we all unite. All the campaign rhetoric must now be put aside.

Once again, congratulations to all of our winners in this year’s election, and let’s all get to work for a better Sullivan County.

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