Is The Argument There to Change the Legislature?

by: Bill Liblick

The Democrats and Republicans running for the legislature have announced their platforms. To some they may seem similar even though they are not.

The Republicans announced their pitch which included a pledge to Sullivan County residents during an elaborate ceremony at the Government Center saying they mean business in their desire to change leadership. The Democrats were less formal in announcing their “stay the course” agenda outside their campaign headquarters.

As expected, both parties declared they want economic development, a safe secure Sullivan County, lower taxes, and a clean environment. What we really have to ask ourselves is if we are happy with the direction our county is headed. Even though I am a Democrat, I have made it very clear that I am not.

I honestly do not feel Sullivan County is a better place today than it was four years ago. That does not mean I am saying vote party line without examining the candidates in each district, and their qualifications.

As far as I am concerned this is not a Democratic or Republican issue. It is an issue about us, our county, and our future. This November we have to elect people whom we feel will best represent us during the next four years, and work together for the common goal of a better Sullivan County.

With that all said you still have to laugh when Legislature Chairman Christopher Cunningham says people should vote for the Democrats because they will continue to manage an “accountable, efficient, open and fiscally responsible government.” I wonder where he has been the last four years. Oh yeah that’s right, running the legislature.

Last time I looked, they were still hiring outside legal and accounting firms costing us a fortune. A high priced Albany company still does our contract negotiations. They even slapped our elected Treasurer Ira Cohen (who is also a Democrat and our former respected County Attorney) in the face by not including him in the process.

How can we forget when the legislature reversed their positions when it came to the Neversink Tax issue just to get one of their own elected? They can’t even get it right when it comes to making towns and villages whole.

There are few high paying jobs in our county, forcing our children to find employment and housing elsewhere. Those that are here find it very difficult to make ends meet thanks to tax increases and lack of employment opportunities.

Instead of getting serious about a new jail, they were busy creating headlines with the Woodbourne Correctional facility claiming they found a way to save money. It took them years to negotiate a contract with the sheriff’s patrol, and the only reason that happened was because Sheriff Michael Schiff and Undersheriff Eric Chaboty stepped in.

Then there was the unexplained firing of former County Manager Dan Briggs, and several scandals at the government center.

They didn’t even have the human decency to publicly thank former County Clerk George Cooke for all his years of community service to Sullivan County.

Lest we not forget that the majority of the decisions conducted by the legislature are still done behind closed doors in caucus meetings.

Unfortunately the list goes on and on, but I am sure you get my point by now.

My question to you is this, are we going to call all of this fiscal responsible open government? I sincerely hope not. They can give us any spin they want, but the facts speak for themselves.

Despite all of this, we will still have to decide if the candidates running against the current leadership can do the right job to make things better. That will be your call this November, I only have one vote.

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