Democrats honor Glenn Goldstein & Susan Goodman-Goldstein

Democrats from Red Hook and elsewhere in Dutchess County gathered at the farm of Chris and Sarah Gilbert to salute longtime Democratic activists Glenn Goldstein and Susan Goodman Goldstein. Many thanks to all who attended and to Vicky Perry and Sarah Gilbert for organizing the event.

An important voting reform bill passed in the Assembly last week. New York State’s absentee ballot application will be simplified if it passes the State Senate, too. Only 5 members took the radical position to oppose the reform. Assemblyman Molinaro was one of the 5 “NO” votes.

The simplified form would require less personal supporting information, like the name of the voter’s physician – information that some voters might prefer not to provide on a publicly available document. And by eliminating the requirement for that information, the new law would also eliminate an excuse for election lawyers to throw out votes cast when that information wasn’t provided, by oversight or out of privacy concerns.

The bill was popular and passed despite Molinaro’s opposing vote. It passed by a huge margin, 137 yays to only 5 nays. The majority of Republicans even voted for it. Now, the reform measure moves to the Senate for a vote.

Molinaro defended his “NO” vote, saying voters should provide specific information such as names of doctors or hospitals when they ask to vote absentee. “You need a note when you’re home sick from school…” What he fails to say is that a note for the teacher doesn’t require personal information like a doctor’s name. The other thing he doesn’t say is that a note would still be required – the voter would still have to complete a form and swear to the truth of it.

Molinaro complained that criticism of his “NO” vote was unfair, claiming it must be a partisan attack. Yet his “NO” vote against the bill was either hypocritical or a flip-flop. Molinaro is listed as a multi-sponsor on the bill!

Why did Molinaro sponsor the bill and then vote against it (along with Assemblyman Tedisco)? Molinaro may want to reduce absentee voting in the Hudson Valley. Remember the bruising loss of the Congressional seat last Spring – a contest that Republican frontrunner Tedisco lost when all the absentee votes were tallied? That race was closely watched, as Republicans tried to suppress large numbers of absentee votes cast in Columbia County.

Columbia County Democratic Commissioner of Elections Virginia Martin said that, although Molinaro had told the Register Star that he had spoken with “election commissioners” about the bill, he had not spoken to her. Concerning his claim that the bill would encourage more litigation, she said with surprise, “It’s his party that’s been doing the litigating.” Of the absentee ballot application, Martin said, “I think it should be less intrusive. The fact is that the voter, when applying for a ballot, swears to the truth of his or her statements, and I don’t see where those very personal bits of information are necessary.”

Molinaro doesn’t take criticism, such as that leveled by Columbia County’s Chris Nolan, very well. Molinaro said “I think it’s unfortunate that political leaders… want to turn what are very serious issues into party fights.” Serious issue? Molinaro has over 250 press releases posted – not one of which deals with the serious issue of improving absentee voting.

Assemblyman Molinaro called the Election Law “archaic” yet he refuses to fix these very same rules for absentee voting.

Read more about Steve Saland’s hypocrisy.

Dozens of Democrats March Proudly in Parade

Red Hook Democrats came together in an unprecedented show of solidarity on Hardscrabble Day 2008 with over 60 people walking and riding in the parade. Special thanks to local artist David Levine for his wonderful float and to Norman Greig for providing and driving the tractor.

Walking with us was Democratic Assembly candidate Anne Rubin who also greeted visitors near our table. Democratic State Senate candidate Ken Dow also visited us.

At our table in front of Merritt Books, we gave away free water and had a large selection of stickers featuring local and national candidates and issues. A big thank you to Lorelei Sharkey for providing the facepainting at our special edition double table in front of Merritt Books and to all the other volunteers who helped man our table and assemble and disassemble the materials.

All-in-all the day was a great success.

Defeats Rob Latimer in 2008 Special Election

With a strong show of support from across Red Hook, Democratic and Red Hook United candidate Robert McKeon defeated Republican Rob Latimer to earn a town board seat and, with it, delivered the first Democratic majority in the modern history of the Town of Red Hook.

Dozens of democrats and McKeon supporters from across Red Hook came together to celebrate his victory and the victory of other local and national Democrats on election night.

Leader in Tax Reform and Farmland Preservation
will seek Town Board Seat

By unanimous vote at Thursday night’s Red Hook Democratic Caucus, Robert McKeon was nominated to run for an open Town Board seat on the Democratic line in the November 4th general election. An estimated 75 Red Hook voters attended and also endorsed Anne Rubin for New York’s 103rd State Assembly District. McKeon spoke of his joy of raising a family in Red Hook and his wish to help others share the same opportunity before a rising cost of living pushes them out. “I grew up in the projects in the Bronx and I know what its like to struggle. I feel lucky that here in Red Hook my family and I have found a better life. What I work for is to give every family in Red Hook that same opportunity.” McKeon, who last year came within 17 votes of winning the race for Red Hook Town Supervisor, has over the last year become an acknowledged leader of New York’s growing tax reform movement. Earlier this year, members of the Governor’s tax team asked McKeon to make a presentation on tax caps to the NYS Property Tax Relief Commission. As director of the Tax Reform Effort of Northern Dutchess (www.trendny.org), McKeon is organizing voters throughout New York to advance the so-called circuit breaker, a tax cap based on income. McKeon believes tax fairness is the real issue. “Working families continue to pay an increasing share of the overall tax burden, while the very wealthy have seen their income tax rates cut in half over the last 30 years. This is not fair and we need to change that.” Republican Red Hook business leader Susan Simon spoke in support of McKeon saying, “Robert has an uncanny knack for identifying what is and isn’t working. He is not the kind of person who complains about problems — instead he does his homework, solicits opinions from the public and then works to put real solutions in place. He understands that our current sprawl zoning is hurting our local businesses and that a new approach is crucial.”

Named a Hudson Valley Hero in 2007 by Scenic Hudson, McKeon has helped introduce new tax-saving land preservation efforts in Red Hook and throughout the state. As the chairman of Red Hook’s Agriculture and Open Space Committee, McKeon works to promote the local agricultural industry. “Farmers are doing more of what they used to do, selling their locally grown produce elsewhere and bringing those dollars back into the community to circulate,” McKeon told the audience “Here in Red Hook, we need to become more self-sustaining and leave no one behind.” Robert McKeon McKeon is well- known and well respected by officials on the state and county level, according to Dutchess County Legislator Tom Mansfield. “Here’s a man, who as a private citizen has spearheaded a series of groundbreaking programs, while becoming the go-to guy for officials who need advice on issues from tax reform to land use and environmental bills. His work has become the role model for other communities throughout the county and we’d be lucky to have him in office.” Town Board member Micki Strawinski sees McKeon as a necessary catalyst to getting Red Hook working again. “I continue to be awestruck by Robert’s commitment, passion, and familiarity with Red Hook’s critical issues. Who else has done what Robert has to bring these issues before the public eye and into the voting booth?”

It seems to be our yearly tradition – rainy days for our Independence Day picnic. On the morning of Saturday, July 5th it seemed like the streak would remain alive. But by 10am the rain had stopped, the clouds parted shortly after noon, the sun came out and it was a beautiful day at Tivoli Rec Park. The third time was the charm!

The park was in great shape. Lots of good food and good company – some new friends and some old friends. Uncle Rock entertained the kids until the kids grabbed the microphone and began singing their own favorites. Thanks to everyone who could make it – we look forward to seeing all of you at our next event!