A storm is brewing in Ulster County – with Len and Terry Bernardo under its eye. Bystanders should run for shelter. As Ulster County Cloakroom succinctly puts it:
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…our favorite chairwoman of the legislature, and her would-be kingmaker hubby, have finally received some overdue media attention for their cozy relationship with the Ulster County Industrial Development Association, of which Bernardo towel boy David O’Halloran is the chair.
Kudos to Novinson – of the Times Herald Record – who “began the bloodletting:”
- Terry and Len Bernardo’s Skate Time 209 has come under the Industrial Development Agency’s microscope for projecting the equivalent of 37 full-time jobs but generating only nine. The roller skating center and skateboard park has received nearly $160,000 in property and sales tax breaks since 2005. It’s slated to receive another $35,000 in breaks between 2013 and 2016.
Ulster County Cloakroom looks at the numbers:
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Nice to see these number put in such stark relief. These are the alleged captains of Rondout Valley industry, the Bernardos, nothing more than welfare recipients living off the county dime. And we’re talking about a lot of money, nearly $23,000 annually of the taxpayers hard-earned cash going to pay for whatever — and leaving the rest of us to pony up the difference to make the county’s coffers whole. If you want to know why your property taxes are so high, one of the reasons is that you help subsidize the Bernardos upscale lifestyle.
The IDA crisis is big enough that even Huge Hugh Reynolds wrote about it – without mentioning the IDA chairman O’Halloran’s entanglement with the Bernardos. Back to Novinson:
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Terry Bernardo, a Republican, became chair of the county Legislature this year. She has feuded with County Executive Mike Hein, a Democrat. Len Bernardo ran unsuccessfully against Hein for county executive in 2008. Current IDA board Chairman Dave O’Halloran managed Bernardo’s campaign.
Wake up people!
– Jon Dogar-Marinesco
Rochester Smoke Out 
Oh, I’d be happy to comment. Maybe Hugh is feeling sorry for them – what with all the negative attention the Bernardos get on the blogs and thanks to Novinson, now in the papers. I’m told that some of the GOP higher-ups are finally acknowledging their self-inflicted nightmare now dubbing it the “match made in hell” deal with the King and Queen. Let’s not forget that Catalano is a Bernardo pal (they were present at Mario’s 70th birthday party this summer) and that Catalano is a long-time friend of Hugh Reynolds. And there you go.
Not to forget Mario’s brother in law, John G. and Davey O. are fast friends. This web of deception needs to be corrected. Taxpayers have no alternatives to tax breaks. How is a skate rink a tourist destination? Guess if the Pine Grove Dude Ranch was dubbed the county’s BEST tourist attraction standards are low. Let’s ask Honey Boo Boo. Just do it Bernardo–PAY US back.
Ah but guess who was on the Town of Rochester Planning Board during the “review and approval” process. Just guess. Go ahead, I dare you.
Hmmm, let me see…give me a minute…I have an idea. Could it have been…David O’Halloran? If not, let me know. 🙂
Bernardo’s will payback NOTHING without a court order. You and I will pay for that too.
These have to be the sleaziest people of Ulster County.
Corrupt officials will need BAIL money!!!
Bernardo say’s the final contract does not state that she MUST create the jobs. Is she that Freaking Stupid to think the working people of Ulster County want to pay her taxes just for the hell of it? They mislead the taxpayers and now they need to pay up !!