One has to wonder if the Republicans are strapped for leaders with the choice of the resurrected Fred Wadnola as Chairman. The question begging to be asked is why Fred and not one of the other Legislators who have been there fighting the good fight? Was it his 1 year as Majority leader 6 years ago that swayed the new Majority? Or his tenure as Town Supervisor? The backlash from Rich Gerentine going for Chairman? The lack of faith in the tenured Legislators? Or is it what I have been told, the influence of County Chairman and fellow Town of Ulster Resident Mario Catalano.
Paul Hansut is a solid choice for Majority Leader. Jim Maloney, Wayne Harris, Dean Fabiano, Kevin Roberts, Catherine Terizzi, Laura Pettit all could fill that role and that of Chairman if pressed. Fred is not going to be around for another term, a fact he has made abundantly clear over and over. Why not bring in one of the people who is?
Ronk will gain much needed leadership skills in his role as Majority Whip if he gets to actually fulfills the role as disciplinarian. I just do not see Frank Felicello or Kevin Roberts listening to Ronk. Harris or Roberts was a better choice here.
Some of the murmurs that are being overheard are about Fred's penchant for wringing every last dollar out of his elected positions. 3 pensions, and now this, the highest paid position on the Legislature? Then there is Fred's place, and his perpetual promotion of his family business. To say Fred has his detractors in and out of the Legislature is an understatement. In a different time, I would not count out a coup d'etat from the "solid south", but I just don't think they have it in them anymore. Most of them are just phoning it in.
Time will tell if this was a wise choice. It may turn out to be a stroke of genius, or a complete bust. I will reserve judgment on that for a few months. Look for Hein to heap some praise on Fred in a colorful press release. Hein has some fences to mend with the Republicans after switching party's a couple of years back. You know what they say about elephants, they never forget.
'til next time,
Beware of the dog
bow wow wow yippie yo yippie yeah
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I remember watching the old 1950's Abbott and Costello sitcom re-runs back in the 1960's. One episode showed Lou Costello running for public office addressing an outside audience in New Jersey. He was asked, "What party do you belong to?". "Both" he replied. The bystander heckled him by saying "you got the brains of a jackass and the body of an elephant".
ReplyDeletePolitics in Ulster County hasn't changed not one iota!!!!!!!!!!!
Choosing Wadnola was a terrible decision. It sends the wrong message to the people who are serving now.
ReplyDeleteNothing’s changed in Ulster -- this election demonstrates that entrenched politics are still alive in well in our county. Wadnola claims to have come out of retirement to save the county. What a joke! He’s been heavily involved right along; in the spring, he met with the other “power” players (Mario Catalano, Fred Wadnola, Len Bernardo) and negotiated for candidates. Democracy took a hit, as usual, in the deal they concocted. Bernardo secured a legislative seat for his wife, Terry, who’s aligned herself with Wadnola & co. Now, Terry’s contriving to get herself a plum spot on the Ways and Means Committee. Watch out, Fred, the lady’s got stars in her eyes. She’s hyper-ambitious and only interested in self-promotion. We’ll have to wait and see what the former skating queen will do with a legislative position, though, this poster doesn’t expect anything but more Terry promotion.
ReplyDelete