Chairman, 

Sullivan County Legislature

To the editor:

I read, with interest, Callicoon Supervisor Tom Bose’s recent letter. I’ve always considered Tom to be a good man. Unfortunately, his letter is almost wholly inaccurate.

It is sad but true to say that the Republican Committee under Gary Maas’ leadership has thumbed its nose at law and procedure again and again. They have sacrificed local representation for political gain, progress for deals and selfishness over principled leadership.

In this instance, Mr. Maas attempted to violate State election law by allowing a Wilson-Pakula (party authorization) to be given to Brian Conaty in the race for District Attorney without the required five-day notice period to the committee as a whole. After my objection was ruled to be in order, I approached the rostrum to cast my vote as Bethel was the first committee called. We mutually had a short debate about the issue at hand, which I can say with certitude that I am 100% correct about, based on the state statute.

I have enough self-awareness to know that I can be a very direct and sometimes abrasive person and that my personality can rub some the wrong way. However, in this case I was never disrespectful to Bose, the Chairman, or the committee and I was correct in my objections and interpretation of the law. My goal was to prevent the Chairman and the committee from making a costly legal mistake and I accomplished that goal. 

It should be known that, as I pen my response, I have made efforts to reach Tom Bose in an effort to clarify any misunderstandings.  We often converse, as our respective roles require we communicate with one another. There has always been an open line of communication between us. His letter was ill-conceived, incorrect and unfortunate, in that he never had the gumption to discuss the matter with me before writing to the paper.

As a member of the Sullivan County Legislature, I took an oath to support the constitution and laws of the state and county, and not the interests of the political elite. I believe an election should be decided by the people, not the party powers, and that the little guys’ voice matters just as much if not more than the politicians. I believe in rules and transparency, which allow for fair and just processes in government. 

In his letter Bose attacks my leadership in the Legislature. I would like to remind him that not only has this legislature accomplished more than past legislatures have but also that, as Winston Churchill said “You have enemies? Good. It means you stood for something!" We underspent the county budget three years running and this county is fiscally stable for the first time in more than two generations. I saw a problem, applied my business acumen, and fixed it. This progress is threatened when mired in political games.  

I realize people either like me or hate me as a person, but as a public official I can promise all of the hardworking taxpayers of Sullivan County that I will keep fighting for them despite any slings or arrows that come my way,  no matter what direction they come from.