Rochester Smoke Out

Both Len Bernardo and Michael Treanor – who hopes to win state approval for a full-blown casino at the former Nevele hotel, recently bought by his company – use the Whiteman Osterman & Hanna law firm in Albany. What a coincidence!

“For any officer of the IDA to assert that my client (Bernardo) breached any obligation is untrue and may warrant civil action,” wrote attorney Langdon Chapman in 2008. Chapman is now the Legislature’s lead attorney, hired by Terry Bernardo. An attorney with Bonacic, Krahulik, Cuddeback, McMahon & Brady, llp, Chapman advises both Treanor and Bernardo. What a coincidence!
Why was it so important that Bernardo hire him? Let’s see… Langdon Chapman is State Senator John Bonacic’s chief of staff. State Senator John Bonacic is the Chairman of the Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee (Senate). Bernardos are casino-struck wheeling and dealing wannabes. What a coincidence!

Whiteman Osterman & Hanna represents both Skate Time 209, the Accord roller rink owned by Terry and Len Bernardo, and Hudson Valley Sportsdome in Milton, owned by Nick Pizza. Skate Time and Sportsdome were both penalized by IDA (the Industrial Development Agency) for failing to create the number of jobs they promised in return for tax breaks. What a coincidence!

If you know of more “coincidences,” don’t be shy, write a comment.

– Jon Dogar-Marinesco

From: David O’Halloran
Sent: Sunday, April 07, 2013 12:49 PM
To: Roger Rascoe
Subject: County GOP Vice Chair

Dear Chairman,

Please accept my resignation as Vice Chair to the Ulster County Republican Committee effective April 8, 2013. The expression “the tail wags the dog” is a very appropriate quote for the Ulster County Republican Party. I will not be influenced or lead by political leaders outside of Ulster County nor minority party leaders within Ulster County.

Respectfully,

David O’Halloran
Town Of Rochester Republican Committee Chairman

Mr. O’Halloran continues to hold the position of Town of Rochester Republican Committee Chairman.

– Jon Dogar-Marinesco

This week’s installment of the Bernardo saga – published weekly in Shawangunk Journal under Terence P. Ward’s byline – contains new information offered by Len Bernardo:

The red flag for Skate Time 209 was the response to a question on the application. That question asks “…will the Project preserve permanent, private sector jobs or increase the overall number of permanent, private sector jobs in the State of New York?” The response was “yes,” and in the space for an explanation the applicant wrote, “We will create 26 new jobs upon opening.”

Last week’s article referred to that number as “job promises,” but Mr. Bernardo didn’t agree with that wording. “The application made job projections — they were not job promises,” he advised by email. And those projections were actually exceeded, he pointed out, saying, “We opened with 43 employees,” and that the rink had 28 on staff “for a long time” after that.

Say what? You opened with 43 employees? Good for you guys! If you don’t mind providing the complete list of the 43 employees, I don’t mind making this form for you:

43 employees? Pretty soon the Bernardos will run out of numbers! To date, they claimed creating 37 full-time jobs… only nine… 26 jobs… seven full-time and 31 part-time jobs were created… 15 full-time workers… he was the only full-time worker… 12 or 13 part-time/student employees… 12 full time employees… between 23 and more than 40 employees…

But wait! The Industrial Development Agency wanted a reduction of benefits to reflect the fact that the rink has “4.5 jobs this year…” Funny, funny, funny, because Freeman was told on March 21, 2013 that Bernardos reported 9.5 jobs – true, without the proper documentation…

As my friend Dorothy says: “Things come apart so easily when they have been held together with lies.”

– Jon Dogar-Marinesco

Freeman: Republican Ulster County legislators blast Democratic resolution aimed at Legislature Chairwoman Terry Bernardo. The measure calls for the IDA to cancel the PILOT agreement of any company owned by an Ulster County legislator upon failure to meet job creation numbers and/or file its annual report.

Without naming Terry Bernardo, the Resolution 218 mentions “an incumbent legislator” whose business “was one of those that did not deliver on its promised jobs.” While in their application for a PILOT agreement Bernardos promised to create 26 full-time jobs, the company reports – without proper documentation! – only nine full- and part-time positions.

The resolution was defeated Wednesday in a 3-2 party-line vote in the Legislature’s Economic Development and Tourism Committee. James F. Maloney (R) – the Committee Chairman – called the resolution “disgusting” and “politics at its worst.” Kenneth Wishnick (D) said: “It’s disgusting that the whole conversation is coming up because it reflects upon the entire Legislature.”

Then we have the readers’ comments:

G Christopher
Funny. As a tax payer in Ulster County I find it disgusting that a legislator who lives in a gorgeous large home and has a gorgeous large business and a gorgeous large job seeks funds and then balks and drags out the process while refusing to take any personal ownership or responsibility for her failure to live up to her legal and financial obligations and those of her husband AND is so arrogant that those of us paying high taxes should stand silently and hold that bag. I REFUSE to do that and this is just one more example of Rochester Republicans and Ulster County Republicans who view themselves as above the law. It is disgusting. It is shameful. It is criminal. What these “disgusted Republicans” should be doing is sitting down with their colleague and demanding that she pay what’s owed, voluntarily terminate the agreement, and make a public apology to the rest of us. The Bernardo’s smug attitude is what’s disgusting.

Reader12401
The truth hurts no matter how it is delivered. Bernardo should be called out in the chamber she presides over, in front of the public and her peers. It is only fair. As for Legissessor Maloney’s opinion, the only thing that it’s “disgusting and politics at it’s worst” is the pillaging of the public trust at the public trough that the Bernardos have perpetrated over the past ten years.

Wow! Disgusting galore, but…

Six defendants were arraigned in court in White Plains this past Tuesday and each was released on $250,000 bond. It’s a shocking and wide-ranging scandal: six highly-placed politicians – from both major parties – are accused of using bribery to rig the elections.

These charges are extremely troubling, particularly because they involve the use of taxpayers’ dollars to advance corruption, proving once again that a “show me the money” culture seems to infuse every level of government.

Elected officials are called public servants because they are supposed to serve the people. Public service shouldn’t be a shortcut to self-enrichment.

The integrity of the electoral process must be preserved. The public corruption crisis in the New York State is bigger than one prosecutor’s reach, so let us all help to pursue and punish every rotten official we find.

Click here to read more about the current bi-partisan disgrace.

– Jon Dogar-Marinesco

This is a press release sent out today by Terry Bernardo:



Sloppy, aren’t we? Imagine dating a real County document one year earlier. Unless dating the press release April 2, 2012 is some kind of a secret handshake among Bernardo loyalists.

So, here she is – Legislative Chairman Terry Bernardo – taking “a break from her busy schedule today to prepare for tomorrow’s recognition of National Walking Day sponsored by the American Heart Association.”

Busy schedule my foot – her taxidermist is closed on Tuesdays – but lets see how she prepared for tomorrow’s recognition: “Chairman Bernardo is encouraging all Ulster County residents, visitors, employers and employees to wear sneakers tomorrow.” Oh, yeah, that required a big chunk of time off her busy schedule!

Let’s examine another seed from Terry Bernardo’s pumpkin: “Physical activity is great
when it is incorporated into your daily activities.” So, physical activity is not that great when it’s not done?

You want more? Look here: “As part of this National Walking Day, Ulster County residents are encouraged to take just 30 minutes out of their day to get up and walk.” Excuse me, what about the residents of Orange County? Langdon Chapman could use some exercising too…

And now, ladies and gentlemen, it’s my pleasure to introduce the Blah-Blah-Blah: “Ulster County residents who join the millions of Americans across the Nation on April 3, 2013 to take steps to a healthier life are asked to let the Chairman know by joining her in the newly formed online Ulster County Walking Club.”

Before you get the wrong idea that Terry Bernardo is actually part of something bigger than herself, look below:



Terry’s millions of Americans prove to be only 506 worlwide, while the newly formed online Ulster County Walking Club has only two members – Terry Bernardo and Krista Barringer:



What, pray tell, is the purpose of this press release calling for action next day at 8:00 AM, other than sending to media another picture of Terry the Exhibitionist?

– Jon Dogar-Marinesco

Dear Editor:

About eight years ago, I purchased a financially distressed resort property — a major Ulster County employer — The Hudson Valley Resort, also known as the Granit Hotel, for $20 million. I was not only investing in the current value, but also the future potential that existed at the time.

After the real estate collapse at the end of 2008, our real estate development dreams were lost. Although it has been very tough keeping the doors open the past few years (and so many other resorts have shut down), at no time did we give up on our employees and the guests who come to enjoy our resort and the beautiful surrounding area. With a great thanks to our amazing General Manager Orest, and to our entire staff who work so hard, we continue to provide great service and keep our doors open year-round.

We are asking for a resolution permitting the operation of video lottery terminals (VLTs) at two Kerhonkson resorts: my Hudson Valley Resort and the Pinegrove Ranch. We are not proposing the construction of mega-resort casinos. We simply wish to level the playing field a bit by adding VLTs so we can compete in this tough market.

Ulster County is second to none in natural beauty. We have a long proud tradition of tourism going back to the days of the famed Catskills resorts and thousands of summer guests from around the world. The people here are friendly, enthusiastic and hard-working. VLTs could tip the scales in our favor when trying to compete for tourism dollars against the gaming resorts elsewhere.

We have every advantage in terms of the region and the people. We simply need the ability to allow those who are now going to full casinos to choose the best of both worlds: the beauty of Ulster County and resorts with VLTs.

The economic impact from allowing VLTs would be felt immediately: Part-time employees would become year-round, full-time employees. We have great employees, we just do not have enough room nights to keep them working.

I support a casino at the Nevele. It can serve to resurrect the lost tourism industry of Ulster County. However, one casino on its own will not create a regional tourist destination alone; there should be many successful establishments that in total Ulster County once again will become a sustaining destination resort area.

I ask Ulster County Executive Hein and the county legislators to approve the operation of video lottery terminals in Kerhonkson at these two specific resorts. I thank you for your support.

ELIOT SPITZER
Kerhonkson
espitzer2000@aol.com

Mr. Spitzer is the owner of Hudson Valley Resort, not to be confused with the former New York governor with the same name.

The Rochester Town Board has adopted a resolution supporting efforts by the Pine Grove Ranch and Hudson Valley Resort to get state approval for video lottery terminals (VLT) at their properties. The Ulster County Legislature’s Economic Development Committee will take up a similar resolution at its April 3rd meeting.

Apparently, Terry Bernardo, the Chair of the Legislature, keeps forgetting who sent her to Kingston. She represents the Town of Rochester and should support the town. Her personal issues, vendettas, animosities and ambitions should not play a role in the way she spends her vote.

I know, Terry fell upon trying times; one more reason to put on her thinking cap and decide to support the right VLT. C’mon, it’s an easy choice:

VLT = Video Lottery Terminal
VLT = Vermont Land Trust
VLT = Visible Light Transmittance
VLT = Variable List Table
VLT = Very Long-Term
VLT = Very Large Telescope
VLT = VLAN Trunk (3Com)
VLT = Vita Lemon Tea (beverage)
VLT = Vince Lombardi Trophy
VLT = Visible Light Technology
VLT = Vinalhaven Land Trust
VLT = Varrio Loco Town (gang; Salt Lake City, UT)
VLT = Very Little Text (newsgroups)
VLT = Virtual Learning Tool
VLT = Virtual Library Tape

– Jon Dogar-Marinesco

Somebody slipped a letter under my door today, without an envelope. I read it a few times, couldn’t believe my eyes. Here are the relevant paragraphs, with my highlighting – please let me know what you make of it:

Dear Mrs. Blosser-Bernardo,

Thank you for your recent inquiry about Irving Berlin’s song name and lyrics. We are confident that this letter will provide the answers you have requested.

The original version of “God Bless America” was written by Irving Berlin during the summer of 1918 for one of his Ziegfeld-style revues. However, Berlin decided that the solemn tone of “God Bless America” was somewhat out of keeping with the more comedic elements of the show and the song was laid aside.

In the fall of 1938, as war was again threatening Europe, Berlin decided to write a peace song. He recalled his “God Bless America” written earlier and made some alterations to reflect the different state of the world.

Berlin’s manuscripts and lyric sheets in our possession document his attention to detail. Without any doubt the name of the song has always been “God Bless America.”

Your claim that originally the song was named “God Blosser America” – after your paternal grandfather – is without merit. In my opinion, your expectations for substantial royalty checks would never be met, but, alas, I am not an expert in the matter.

In Terry Bernardo’s shoes, I wouldn’t give up. With Len’s help she might have a point. In fact, I almost remember a godblosseramerica heard in the historic 1938 broadcast, when Kate Smith introduced the song.

Click here to see the answer to Terry Blosser-Bernardo from the Library of Congress.
Click here for more elucidating details.

– Jon Dogar-Marinesco