Candidate Karl on the Radio

Karl Brabenec, candidate for the 98^th NYS Assembly district, was on the radio last week. Auntie and the team listened avidly. Karl did his best to project enthusiasm for public service and presented an example from his grammar school days. We guess that this was to illustrate his passion for public service and “getting involved” but it is problematic in at least two ways. One, the example provided was about his disappointment that there would be no 8^th grade dinner dance and the charge he led to organize a dance is self-serving at best, not the desired motivation for public servants who are supposed to serve THE PUBLIC. Two, presenting childhood credentials for an assembly race is inappropriate. Maybe, someone will be impressed that he appears to be a “down-to-earth guy” but Auntie is not fooled.

During his presentation of his childhood resume, he spoke of his association with the other “YR’s”: ("Young Republicans" to you among the uninitiated) Steve (Neuhaus), Jimmy (Booth), Kelly (nee King-don’t know her last name now) and Scott (Wohl). He then segued into his association with his then gym teacher and later County Executive, Ed Diana. He blabbered on some more (Auntie almost turned it off) but it did get interesting as he presented his work history, including Hudson Heritage Financial and later how he worked for…wait for it…HARRY PORR as an events coordinator. (Please refer to previous post “Loyalty is nice but can be misguided Part Two”)

Karl’s main platform was that NYS is in terrible shape and people are leaving in droves. Let’s look at that. Moody and Fitch recently UPGRADED New York’s bond rating according to NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and they moved NY’s outlook to stable. (Take a look at the State Fiscal Year Report for the year 2014-2015 by the Comptroller-good reading!)

Yes, New Yorkers are heavily taxed but if a candidate is going to use the issue as a campaign mantra then that candidate better present some solutions, aside from gutting the environmental laws so that businesses can have free reign. (That is NOT a solution!) And what is strange about his presentation on the radio when he mentioned how difficult it is for business because of the environmental laws (not accurate); we thought to take look at the main resource in the towns along the Delaware River, including Deer Park. Ta da! TOURISM!!! And why do tourists visit the area? The beautiful environment! Also, we should inform Candidate Karl that because of the Delaware River’s status as part of the National Parks system, YOU can’t gut those pesky environmental laws as a state official either. http://www.nps.gov/dewa/planyourvisit/delaware-river-parks.htm

  

Karl pointing to locations ready for development

From the MidHudsonNews.com Saturday October 12, 2013

Candidate Karl made a big gaffe when he spoke of the district is composed of “border communities” Deer Park borders on PA; Warwick, NJ; Tuxedo on Rockland (same state btw). On what other state does Goshen border? Chester? If he did not mean that ALL of the towns in the district are border communities, it was not evident.

Deflect, Deflect, Deflect:

Twice in his appearance on the local radio station, he avoided answering the question about annexation, a BIG topic in the district. He was asked by a caller and by the show host who correctly pointed out that he did not get to the answer.

He responded once by saying: “Annexation is a local issue because of home rule” (really? who writes the state laws of which Annexation is a part? the Assembly and Senate!) and then in the other instance, he segued into the MTA tax and how New Yorkers are leaving the state in droves. (Back to that again). (Go to: census.gov for inter-state migration info)

Annexation of land from Monroe into Kiryas Joel is one of the biggest issues in the district and cannot be avoided. Other candidates have not only answered the question whether they are for or against this particular annexation but one has even been endorsed by United Monroe, who is quite obvious about their opposition to the annexation. Karl, are you afraid that everyone will know that you obtained your party endorsement because of the KJ votes at the convention? Are you afraid to criticize KJ and the annexation because you may lose support from KJ? These are the questions in the voters mind(s)!!! Answer them!

Also, the funding for the pipeline, dependent on the fees realized from an annexation not yet materialized, is suspicious. This funding should be a concern to state level representatives. An assemblyman from a neighboring district was very clear in his opposition; you should be very clear as well, one way or another.

And Karl, before you get blisters on your fingers posting a reply 50 times, expressing your outrage at the truth, think! Think! Because no matter what you want to call this, it is something to which every candidate should be subjected, it is called SCRUTINY.