On January 7, 2014 Ulster County Legislature had its organizational meeting.

I was there.

I saw two legislators wasting their breath trying to make a bunch of political animals think twice before they sell their souls for some elusive short-term gain.

This is what happened:
Because his father is his hero, Legislator Richard Parete nominated him for the Chairmanship of Ulster County Legislature. The hero won 13 (10 Republicans + 2 Paretes + Dave Donaldson) to 10 (the rest of the Democratic majority).

Here is what you need to know, clearly explained by Legislator Provenzano:
The hero did not seek the chairmanship. The battle was initiated by the Republican minority who found in John Parete a renegade Democrat.

It’s a known fact that Len Bernardo masterminded the ascension of John Parete. In 2012 Len Bernardo bought for his wife a well written speech. Yesterday Len Bernardo left his buddy to his own devices. So, John Parete – apparently a show and tell aficionado – produced a tailor’s measuring tape and announced the audience that he has only six inches to live. A bungled metaphor to be sure, followed by the 72-year old’s disquieting promise that he will behave for the remaining six inches.

Len Bernardo supports John Parete with a vengeance, even after the plan succeeded:

As you see, Len calls Lynn Archer a partisan because she voted for Hector Rodriguez, a Democrat. Isn’t Parete also a Democrat? Len, you’re such an idiot!

– Jon Dogar-Marinesco