Speeches at kickoff fundraiser, Thurs., March 28, 2019, at Wiltwyck Golf Clug, Kingston, NY. Michael J. Kavanagh was introduced by his father, former District Attorney E. Michael Kavanagh.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHidplXwzcA
Outgoing Kingston mayor Shayne Gallo on primary defeat: "God help Kingston"
Noble & Noble sweep Kingston Dem primary, new mayor in January
You won’t have Shayne Gallo to kick around anymore. The one-term mayor whose administration is marked by reform, revitalization, and controversy, ended Thursday night when upstart candidate Steve Noble took the party line by a wide margin, along with most of his supporters in the Ward races.
Noble had won the party nomination in late May, forcing incumbent mayor Gallo to mount a primary challenge. He lost the Independence and Conservative lines as well, due to bureaucratic error, and therefore is now officially out of the race for re-election.
Ron Polacco, a Republican, faces Noble in November’s general election. The city usually votes Democrat two-to-one for local elections, making Noble the front-runner for mayor next year.
The alderman-at-large Democratic primary race was also clinched by another Noble, Steve’s uncle James, an incumbent who beat outgoing county legislator Jeanette Provenzano, for the position, which doubles as city council president.
Thus ends a citywide contest which polarized the community between opposing factions, both long-time political dynasties of sorts, on a local level.
Noble was conciliatory. “We don’t need any more old Kingston or new Kingston, we just need to be able to bring everyone in Kingston together for common goals,” Noble said. “My platform has been about one Kingston.”
The mood was somber at Gallo headquarters, with quiet tones and no smiles among his supporters. The mayor appeared shocked at the margin of defeat, which included his own Ward. “God bless you all,” he told his supporters, “but God help Kingston.” He added, “We got beat by a group of elite cronies.” “Now I will actually be able to have some time for myself, maybe make a little more money.”
Back at Keegan’s Brewery, where Noble joined friends and family in congratulation, the vibe was festive and ebullient. “I’m very humbled by this whole experience, getting so many people out that want to see some positive change in the way we lead our city,” Noble remarked.
“I put a lot on the line for this, but I always put my all in everything do,” Noble observed. He now must focus on winning the election against Polacco, knocking on all doors. “I think every challenge is tough, I mount every challenge with the vigor I did with this one,” he said.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMbspjnZpko
Hudson Valley officials unite with activists against fracking
Several of the region's most noteworthy politicians have offered support in the fight against hydraulic fracturing, a controversial gas mining technique known to pollute water supplies.
Hudson Valley United Against Fracking held a kickoff event Tuesday morning at the Ulster County Office Building, to urge a moratorium on fracking.
Former congressman Maurice Hinchey was joined by state senator Cecilia Tkaczyk, state assembly members Frank Skartados and Didi Barrett, New Paltz town supervisor Susan Zimet, Ulster County executive Mike Hein, and a host of environmental organizations.
They were accompanied by dozens of local "fractivists," pleading for Gov. Cuomo to delay gas drilling until independent scientific environmental studies are completed.
Large deposits of natural gas exist deep within the shale below upstate NY, representing a financial boon for the energy industry.
"Everywhere fracking has been allowed, the process has contaminated their water, polluted their air, and destroyed their land," indicated Hinchey.
"I have been fighting to protect our state from polluters for nearly 40 years. Now Gov. Cuomo is dealing with one of the most contentious environmental issues that we have ever seen," Hinchey said.
"Governor Cuomo is to be commended for taking a thoughtful approach to fracking, rather than rushing in, like so many other states. And I hope he will continue in that course," the retired congressman added.
"We're talking about our children, and our children's children -- we're having a conversation about whether or not we're going to poison them. It's absurd," maintained Hein.
"I'm incredibly proud as the Ulster County executive, to be part of the Hudson Valley, a place has turned out to be the conscience of New York State," Hein said. "But I will be the proudest when we can once and for all in NY State that we will not play games with our future," he noted.
"We are going to leave this planet like we found it, for generations to come, and generations after that," Hein said.
"Why are we continuing to rely on finite resources, that are also threatening to destroy our very existence," asked Skartados. "Why are we contemplating playing Russian Roulette with the same very elements that created us -- water, air, soil, food. Haven't we learned enough from the Hudson River?"
Skartados' remarks touched upon the underlying issue of renewable energy alternatives which preclude the need for environmentally destructive energy exploration.
Songwriter Natalie Merchant, a local resident, expressed her concerns about fracking while offering copies of a short documentary featuring musical performances from a recent State of the State protest in Albany, titled Dear Governor Cuomo.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlSThWVFP44