Congratulations Chief Taggard

First let me apologize for failing to update the blog, a little too much on my plate recently.

Now to the news at hand:

About a week late as I was expecting a few of those in attendance to e mail some photos of the Swearing in Ceremony, sorry to disappoint but as of yet no pictures to display.

Congratulations are in order for the Town of Ulster's new Police Chief, Officer Matt Taggard.
The ceremony was well attended by family and friends and quite a few residents.
Chief Taggard in his normal humble manner took the oath to protect and serve and defend the Constitution before Judge Sue Kesick after the proceedings were initiated by the Pledge of Alliegence lead by the Boy Scouts of America Troop 8 based at the SawKill Fire House.
It must have been a difficult decision to choose between two such fine officers as Matt Taggard & Joe Sinagra and the Town can boast of having two of the State's best officers as Chief & Deputy Chief.
In attendance the entire complement of T of U PD, lined up in support of their newly sworn in Chief.
Chief's Taggard's speach was short and complimentary of the Residents of the Town and his Officers and Academy Cadets. He discussed past performance and layed out his agenda for the future of Law Enforcement for the Town. Representatives of the Olive PD were in attendance to offer support for a dear colleague and friend.
Ulster Hose FD was also in attendance and were recognized for their assistance and support of the Town of Ulster PD and their fine work.
We would like to wish Chief Taggard God Speed in his new position and we congratulate him again for his fine performance as an Officer for these many years.
We also congratulate Deputy Chief Sinagra and wish him the best of luck.
Chief Watzka will be surley missed as his service to Town of Ulster residents was unwavering and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

November Elections

Now that the New York Primaries are behind us and State and Local Races will be heating up things should begin to get interesting.
There are still questions begging to be answered:
For Instance:
How important is Tea Party support?
Will Democrats even bother to vote?
Will Coumo's past relationship with HUD and the housing crisis come back to bite him?
Will Gillibrand's past relationship with Coumo and HUD come back to bite her?
When will George Phillips finally take the gloves off and hit Hinchey where it hurts....his record and his relationships with lobbyists and his ultra liberal positions on the economy? (don't forget the Saugerties pipeline)!
Now that Kevin Cahill has a real race on his hands, can he run far enough from his record to win a 9th term against Peter Rooney the choice of Republicans, Independents and Conservatives across the district.
Will Cahill's relationship with the Working Family line hurt him or help him this time around?
Where is ACORN?
Will Cahill have Sheldon Siver out on the campaign trail this time out?
Can Fawn Tantillo upset Eliot Auerbach for County Comptroller?
Will Faludico hurt Van Blarcum's chances at re-election?
And maybe most improtantly:
Can Carl Paladino give Andrew Coumo a run for the 'Money'?

YOUR THOUGHTS?

Respectful, Reverent & Remebered

There is not a lot to say, over 3,000 lives lost, citizens and civil servants alike, 9 years later as American lives are still being lost in strange lands far away, to free people who know no freedom, we at home should not forget.


Without hatred and vengeance we must revere the qualities of America and our way of Life, Liberty and Prosperity.


Without apology for we have raised the civility of man to heights unimagined by oppressed people around the world, we sacrifice our blood and treasure.


For those whose lives were stolen and to those who suffered the loss of a father or mother, a son or daughter, a relative or friend, as well as those who hate and despise us, NEVER FORGET!



See: links to the right parts 1-4 or visit youtube.com and search 2010 Town of Ulster 9 11

Cut & Paste the following link to view slide show:

http://picasaweb.google.com/118352082476109227540/Fofofofof#

911 Memorial, Don't Miss It!

Saturday Morning, Sept. 11, 2010, (911), people should begin gathering by 9 AM.
Town of Ulster Park, (formerly Post Park), at the new fishing dock.
With all that is wrong with the world, so many firefighters and policemen gave their lives unselfishly as did many ordinary citizens trying to save the lives of men and women they did not know. Over 3,000 died and thousands of their family members and friends are still searching for answers and justice.
Dismiss for the moment those who politicize and demean their sacrifice for profit and self interest and just as improtantly dismiss the many others still at war with us. Instead celebrate the American Experience. We are all Americans on 911 just as we are on December 7th. Americans have stood tall and made the ultimate sacrifice for millions of people the world over.
Time and time again we spend our blood and treasure to offer liberty to a reluctant world. There are those of us who would rather offer appologies for our actions throughout our history. Saturday morning at 9:03 WTC South Tower, 9:43 The Pentagon, 10:05 WTC North Tower and 10:10 Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Let us offer our prayers for those who died and the families and friends they left behind, let us not insult their death, their memory and their sacrifice with appologies for our way of life, our liberties and our freedoms.

A Kayak Park...Soon to be Reality!

Thanks to some sharp thinking on the part of the Town Board and the Recreation Department, ( and the help of a Government Grant), residents of the Town of Ulster will soon be able to enjoy public access to the Esopus Creek by what is to be know as Kayak Park.

Located behind the Town of Ulster Police Department on Mulvin Drive the park will provide access to the Esopus Creek for kayaking and canoeing. 

Properties owned by the Town have long been idle, the idea of utilizing these properties for the benefit of residents may not be novel but until the new administration took office was sadly overlooked.

Any one living in or visiting the Town of Ulster enjoys it's natural beauty and panoramic views. Adding public access to Esopus Creek can only improve the quality of life for everyone, residents and visitors alike.

Recreation Department A Real Success............

For those of you who are wondering how rewarding hard work and attention to detail can benefit our town, our taxes and above all our children, look no further than the Recreation Department of The Town of Ulster.

Summer Camp, a great success on the FUN front, Kid's one and all had a great time, (just ask them how much they miss it)! And as a bonus, for the first time in more than 4 years the program expense came in well under budget, YEAP, YOU READ THAT RIGHT, 'UNDER BUDGET'! In fact about $20,000 under the prior years expenditure of more than $89,000!

Rocky Who?

More importantly, the Camp Counselors and CIT's were the cream of young men and women, boys and girls from all around town, they are to be thanked and congratulated for their dedication and patience, campers of every age are better for the experience.

Just as importantly, the new fishing dock should be completed in time for the 911 Memorial Service to be held at Town of Ulster Park, (formerly Post Park ), Saturday September 11th at 10 AM. The service should be a memorable one and truly respectful of those whose lives were tragically taken by Fanatical Islamic Terrorists just 9 short years ago. 'Lest We Forget'!

On a sad note, it has come to our attention that the anger and selfishness expressed by former Councilman Rocko Secreto in his refusal to return Easter Eggs donated to the Town for the annual Easter Egg Hunt, (his insistence is they were donated to him personally), seems to have escalated to untold heights. It seems he is attempting to co-opt the Town of Ulster's 'Biddy Basketball Program' and relocate it at the Kingston YMCA. "SHAME ON YOU Rocky!"

The program has been run at elementary and middle schools in the Town for the young boys and girls of the Town and his attempt to hijack children of resident's for revenge is just plain 'CHILDISH'. Our children deserve better than to be pawns at the mercy of someone who is obviously such a sore loser.

It is our understanding that this is all a prelude in his plan to run, (yet again), for a Ulster Town Board council seat in the 2011 local election.

All this nonsense justifies the resident's choices last November. "I guess a leopard really can't change it's spots!"

Rocko...... the time has come for you to 'Go quietly into that good night'!

No News Is Good News.................

With all that is going on in County, State and Federal politics there is not much to discuss on the local front aside from the Fishing Pier at Town of Ulster Park.

Good, bad or indifferent, (opinions will vary),  the Pier adds to the landscape and will afford local fisherman a venue for catching the big one. 

"It kinda' resembles a playpen for adults, but I digress". 

The truth is, things around town have been quiet, not much news beyond the continuing push to bring finances into the black and the recent plan to allow town employees to apply for early retirement. Progress is being made and we should see a more realistic budget proposed this October.

Not much has been mentioned regarding the lawsuit brought by the mining company in Eddyville and the fact that the town attorney has asked for a 2 week postponement will keep it on the back burner for at least that long.

We have some issues regarding the new teachers pact agreed upon by KCSD, a 4.47% increase over 2 years while the economy is experiencing deflation is questionable at best, we are convinced it is a reward for their contribution of $1.2 million from the teacher's health care trust fund toward their benefit package. In itself all well and good but concerns remain regarding smaller classrooms, lower enrollment, excess staff, student performance and a pension/benefit package that will only continue to cause issues for taxpayers in the future. 

Did any one at either the School board or Union officials pay attention to Governor Chris Christi and his actions regarding union contracts in New Jersey?

This is troubling on many levels, the first of which is the fact that the only payrolls growing in this economy are that of state, federal and local government. It still takes tax dollars from the private sector to fund them and unless serious concessions are made by local unions, we don't see any improvement in the immediate future thus making these contracts even less sustainable.

On a side note: The Ulster is Your Town Too team would like to wish Councilman John Morrow continued success in his recovery and continued prayers for him and his family.

All that aside, I guess we begin discussing the impact that County, State and Congressional elections will have for local residents.

It is our position that fiscally responsible/small government candidates are our only intelligent choice. Government is growing faster than any aspect of our economy, a situation that can only spell disaster for every citizen. It is time to forget the ideology of party and entrust our future to elected officials who regard their constituency above their own ambitions. Political service should not be a career choice as many of our elected officials have opted. 

Realizing government should have little influence in social issues beyond enforcing our laws, defending the Bill of Rights and protecting our liberties, the choices we make should be based on the best man for the job rather than old party loyalties that can only divide the people and weaken what we can become: 'The most formidable force in the political landscape'.