A+ District Attorney.. Really, Franky?

By most all accounts District Attorney Holley Carnright has been an absent District Attorney since taking office almost a year ago. Many go far as to say (and we agree) that Holley Carnirght has done nothing more than sit at Don Williams' desk, doing nothing to establish himself as Ulster County's District Attorney. Then of course there are the many fumbles that have taken place under his watch this past year, so we were more than a little surprised in the Saugerties Times to read a glowing report by Frank Dart rating Carnright's performance as A+!

There is a great segment on SNL done by Seth Myers and Amy Pholler called REALLY? It goes after people that say and do stupid things,this ones for you Frank...


REALLY? UC FISHBOWL EDITION

So you think Holley Carnirght is doing an a+ job huh?

REALLY, Frank? Everything is just great.. you could of given Holley any rating but you felt strongly about an A+. Not an A, that was not good enough or even an A- but an A+ ... Really? Frank, Really?

The same A+ DA that fudged the KHS Sex scandal two months after taking office?

Really, Frank? Really?

The same A+ DA that failed to indict a SINGLE person in the Ulster County Jail Fiasco, and you are the chair of the Criminal justice committee??

Really Frank? Really?

The same A+ DA that refused to even look at launching an investigation into State Senator Malcolm Smith after he practically solicited bribes on the DA's home turf?

Really, Frank, Really?

The same A+ that has done nothing but ask the County legislature for more money and pay raises since taking office?

Really Frank Really?

The same A+ DA that admits in the Saugerties Times that Ulster County residents are not safer since he took office?

ALL A + STUFF FRANK? REALLY?

UC Fishbowl 2009 Predictions

Len Bernardo is elected Independence party boss and becomes a major player in both GOP and Dem circles. (While we supported Hein, Bernardo is a good guy and we wish him the best)

The race for Ulster County District Attorney gets a very early start when a former candidate steps up to the plate and becomes an immediate front runner.

The Ulster County legislature stays solidly Democratic and while there are some losses, there are also some pick ups and the majority stays about the same.

Andrew Cuomo is appointed to the US Senate, Vince Bradley launches bid for NYS AG but loses in the primary to a liberal that no one knows.

Jim Quilgey announces that he is running for Supervisor of the town of Ulster --- Kevin Costello calls and reminds him how that worked out for him---

Nina Postupack runs unopposed for Ulster County Clerk ---Jonathan Sennett and Elliott Auerbach breath a sign of relief and start raising money for their respective campaigns.

In exchange for all of his hard work on the Hein campaign, Allan Lomita is rewarded with a job by Mike Hein -- Ambassador to Green County.

Sue Zimet announces she is retiring from Ulster County Politics...alright, that's not a prediction, just a wish!

Have a Happy New Year!!!

Kraft Out!!!!!

It's official, Pete Kraft submitted his resignation from the Ulster County Legislature effective January 2009. The jockeying for this coveted seat will begin immediately.

As we start hearing names of replacements we'll update blog. Positions like this rarely become vacant. Whomever wins the appointment should have little trouble defending the seat in this Democratic leaning area.

Ulster County Fishbowl is the place to find breaking news. We called Kraft's resignation last week.

We'd like to wish everyone a happy holiday.

Republicans decide not to challenge Dems in 2009

Republicans kicked off the 2009 election cycle by having to climb out of a deep hole. The re-election of Glen Noonan as minority leader sends a message they are not serious about gaining control of the legislature. Glen is a long time member of the legislature and is an example of everything wrong in Ulster County.

This move will most certainly hurt recruitment of candidates and gives voters no reason to vote Democrats out of office. Just two short years ago Noonan was in jeopardy of losing his seat. With the retirement of Tracy Bartels, Noonan was able to win with lite weight running mates Kathy Terezi and Ken (just out of diapers) Ronk. If Bartels returns next year Ronk will be the youngest ever elected (2007) and the youngest ever to lose (2009). Something he could tell his grand kids.

Anyone who is awake in Ulster County knows the Republicans have a weak group of legislators. What surprises us is that with such an important election coming up they took a leap backwards. Santa couldn't have given Democrats a better present.

Guy Kempe for Legislator

I think it's pretty well known that the staff at the U.C. Fishbowl are not fans of Legislator Sue Zimet, we feel she is incompetent, self centered and does not properly represent her constituents. To put it bluntly, it's time for her to go.

Who to replace her?

Luckily for whomever has the task of replacing Zimet, they will not have big shoes to fill. Zimet has done nothing for the last four years but talk about how great she is and complain how everyone is out to get her.

We have thought long and hard about who is the best for that district and have come up with two great candidates that will serve the Village and Town of New Paltz the way they deserve to be represented. At this point we will talk about one of those potential candidates, Guy Kempe.

Guy Kempe, is currently the director of community development for RUPCO and extremely community minded and has strong ties to his hometown of New Paltz.

Mr. Kempe also is very active politically, a former member of the New Platz Democratic committee and current member of the executive board of the Working Families party, he is abreast of all the issues going on in the county and is ready to get to work serving New Paltz residents on day one----something many residents have not had in over 4 years :(

We are proud at the Fish Bowl to start the Draft Guy Kempe for County Legislature movement and we look forward to another name surfacing in the coming months.

Legislator to resign seat.

According to sources, Legislator Pete Kraft told several members of the Democratic Party last week that he will be resigning his seat effective January 1st. Kraft has not been seen much the past year and his work commitments finally forced him to leave office.

Kraft's seat, which covers Hurley, Olive and Marbletown will be well sought after by Democrats. It's a reliably Democratic seat and the opportunity to run with the Parete's should bring quality candidates into the fold. We hear that Rob Parete is considering a challenge to Nina Postupack, we believe it's rumor but will keep our ears open.

Lets handicap Krafts possible successors. Topping the list would be Dan Ahouse or Roy Hochburg. Both are Hurley guys and would be top tier candidates. Perennial candidate Mike Shultis will throw his name in the ring. Linda Bertone switched back to Democratic and she might mount a comeback. We would have to eliminate Shultis and Bertone, the Hurley Democratic Committee will likely look for a new face. Olive and Marbletown may be wild cards. While we can't think of any candidates from those areas some may challenge for the seat.

While we wait to see who emerges for the open seat, one has to wonder how long the Parete's have known about this. Have they spoken to potential replacements? Is the new legislator a done deal? Stay tuned.