Since my last column drew some heated reactions, I wanted to reaffirm my opinions and emphasize once again that there is a difference between an opinion column and a news article.
I have made it no secret I am a registered Democrat and have been a member of the Democratic Committee. I disclosed in June that I inherited the position of Chairman of Liberty’s Democratic Committee due to the resignation of the former chairperson.
There are even Democrats who believe I should not be on the Democratic Committee because I view local politics as being non-partisan.
The ethical issues involving legislators Jodi Goodman and Leni Binder were not brought to light by me, but instead by other credible members of the fourth estate. And, it is fair game for me or anyone else to discuss them.
It is also fair game to mention that Democrat Rochelle Massey was seeking signatures for judicial candidate John Kelly just weeks after her conviction of a crime, and that Kelly had no problem with her obtaining signatures for him.
Whether he wins or loses, after two decades of public service, hasn’t Judge Perry Meltzer earned respect and praise?
As for legislative candidate Cora Edwards, my comparison involved a candidate who did not obtain enough signatures. Both were seeking special authorizations to be on the ballot.
There are serious questionable issues hovering over Goodman and Binder. They had no problem in the past voting to include Stuart Salenger’s properties into the ag-district, but suddenly after Forestburgh residents and the press questioned their ethics in accepting tickets to Bethel Woods, their spin became: they needed ethics rules defined and changed.
After 16 years of Binder, and 12 years of Goodman in office, one would think they would have already done that. Their spin is a direct slap in the face towards our intelligence and Stuart Salenger’s.
The voters will ultimately decide if Goodman and Binder deserve to be reelected and not me.
Anyone who knows me knows my agenda is one of good, honest, accountable government.
I am honored that the Sullivan County Democrat allows me to discuss my opinions each and every week and the “Letters to the Editor” page is a place to agree or disagree with my thoughts.
With the reactions I’m getting, I guess I must be doing something right after all.