Best qualified
I am writing to enthusiastically support the candidacy of John Beisel for Family Court Judge and to urge the voters of Ulster County to do likewise at the upcoming primary election.
Of the three candidates seeking the Democratic and Working Families party nominations and the four candidates seeking the Independence Party nomination, John Beisel is clearly the most qualified.
Of the four candidates, John Beisel is the only one who has been a sitting jurist (having served almost 15 years as a Support Magistrate in the Ulster County Family Court) and who has demonstrated the qualities that go into making an outstanding judge – knowledge of the law, patience and a commitment to fairness and equal justice for all. In fact, one of the candidates, Kevin Bryant, has admittedly not only had no judicial experience, but he also has not even had any experience as an attorney in Family Court.
The community should not leave the selection of a judge to this most important court to chance. Experience does count –especially when dealing with such critical Family Court issues as custody, child abuse and neglect.
Of all the judges that the voters get to elect, Family Court is the one which most often touches the lives and futures of our citizens–and it is for that reason that it is so important that the candidate with a proven track record in Family Court be elected.
Normally, the turn-out for a primary election is quite low and unfortunately, it is often the best financed – not necessarily the most qualified candidate – who wins.
For those enrolled members of the Democratic, Independence and Working Families parties who care about the quality of our Family Court Judges and who want to see the best qualified candidate selected, please circle your calendar for Sept. 9 and be sure and cast your vote for John Beisel.
Joshua N. Koplovitz
Kingston
Bryant understands at-risk youth
On Sept. 9th, the polls open at noon for the Ulster County primary for Family Court Judge. It is a general election that sadly and historically has an incredibly low voter turnout, but it is very important this year that each Democratic voter take the time to exercise their right. I would like to encourage area voters to consider and push the lever for long time Ulster County resident, Kevin Bryant.
There are several reasons that set Kevin Bryant apart from the other justice candidates. Many years ago, Kevin and I worked at the St. Cabrini Home with at-risk youth and I know that this past experience has given him a depth of understanding with children who, for a variety of reasons, will come into the court system.
As an assistant district attorney and a public defender for fifteen years, I know from personal experience that he is an extremely strong lawyer who not only cares about helping people, but cares about the law and justice. He is an avid listener and goes out of his way to make certain that communication is a primary goal.
I have known Kevin and his wife for almost a decade. His family is the kind you would love to have living next door. They care about their neighbors, they are committed to their community, to their children and to education. Why does this matter? It is vital to have a justice sitting in the court who has integrity, empathy, roots in the community and a strong knowledge of the law and how to implement it in a fair, just and measured manner.
I am proud to support lifelong Kingston resident Kevin Bryant for Family Court judge, and I urge you to do the same.
Jolie Dunham
Lake Katrine
Above the crowd
It is a political rarity in Ulster County politics when voters are given an opportunity to choose from several qualified candidates in a county-wide race. This is particularly true in the race for the newly created third Family Court judicial position.
However; one candidate stands above the crowded pack of attorneys vying to be elected Family Court Judge and that is Kevin Bryant of Kingston. Home grown and proud, Kevin is a graduate of SUNY Ulster County Community College and SUNY New Paltz. He has been a practicing attorney since graduating with his juris doctor from Albany Law School in 1998. Kevin is no stranger to Ulster County Courts having served as an assistant district attorney, assistant public defender and assistant town attorney. He has practiced in many town courts and currently maintains his own law office in Kingston. Until his candidacy, he served on the New York State Unified Court System independent judicial election qualification commission and the State of New York Supreme Court Appellate Division Committee on Character and Fitness for the Third Judicial Department.
One of the more desirable qualities of a Family Court judge is the ability to guide juvenile offenders in the right direction. Kevin Bryant has worked with troubled youthful offenders in both the Ulster County Jail and St. Cabrini Home in West Park. His experience as an attorney coupled with this ability will be an asset to Family Court. I, as a member of the Ulster County Democratic Committee, urge your support for Kevin Bryant in the Democratic Party Primary on Sept. 9.
Dan Conna
Plattekill
Cahill again
Assemblyman’s Cahill’s press release:
“The cry from the County Executive’s office is a red herring, at best. Instead of complaining about the small cost associated with accommodating a new judge, they should be applauding the fact that Ulster County was given premiere consideration in Albany this year.”
From the County Legislature:
Members of the Ulster County’s special subcommittee to study the cost of establishing a new family court judgeship were stunned by the news that the state Office of Court Administration and the building’s owner had developed a $7 million renovation plan for the Family Court building.
One can only hope that Cahill doesn’t co-sponsor any more “small cost” projects for Ulster.
Thomas Kadgen
Shokan
An unforgettable festival
A huge thanks to everyone who helped make this year’s Between the Tides Festival another successful fundraiser. We were fortunate to have a sunny, breezy afternoon on the river for the occasion on Sunday, Aug. 17. We were glad to see so many people come out in support of the Saugerties Lighthouse and to celebrate with us. The live music was superb, thanks to the talents of local musicians who generously volunteered to perform: RV Henninger, Kingston Sea Chantey Singers, Josh Tyler & Rob Schmidt, Abby & Rosie Newton with Paul Martin, and Rich Hines & the Hillbilly Drifters.
We are truly appreciative of the local merchants and restaurants who contributed to our summertime feast: Lucky Chocolates, Mother Earth’s Storehouse, Partition Street Wine Shop, Hudson Valley Dessert Company, Miss Lucy’s Kitchen, ‘Cue, Land & Sea Grill Steakhouse, Dutch Ale House, McDonald’s, Stewarts Shops, New World Home Cooking, Diamond Mills, Healthy Gourmet To Go, Adams Fairacre Farms, Main Street Restaurant, Brine Barrel, Cheese Louise, Krause’s Chocolates, Lox of Bagels, Mirabellas, Price Chopper, Ruyi Asian Cuisine, Slices of Saugerties, Town & Country Liquors, Two Brothers Pizza, Bistro To Go, and Saugerties Marina. A special thanks to Story Farms for fresh corn-on-the-cob and Miglorelli Farms for fresh salad fixings. Tivoli Sailing Company assisted with getting food and musicians to and from the Lighthouse.
The festival went smoothly thanks to the hard work of our volunteers: Laurie & Tom Rankin, Tyler Patti, Jim Kricker, Jean Whalen, Olga Micinska, Robin Goss, Dave Minch,Patrick Wadden, Lynn Patterson, Gwen Pritchett, as well as Dorothy and Amelia of Suminski Innski in Tivoli. All the proceeds from the event go towards the ongoing preservation of the Saugerties Lighthouse. As exemplified by the outpouring of local support at this year’s fundraiser, the Lighthouse is truly an icon of our community.
Save the date! Next summer’s festival will be held on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 23, 2015.
The Saugerties Lighthouse Conservancy
Bobby Garrison Memorial Golf Tournament
The team of Bill, John, Brian and Jason Garrison took top honors, with a score of –9 under par, in the Saugerties Elks Lodge Annual Golf Tournament held on July 18.
Longest drive in the Men’s Division was won by Jerry Jones and Ashley Gerace took the Women’s honors. In the Closest to the Pin, Chris Garrison and Ashley Gerace took the top honors.
The Saugerties Elks would like to thank there sponsors who helped make the tournament to benefit the Youth Activity Fund in the Lodge the success that it was.
Dr. Eugene Heslin, Chris Garrison, Saugerties Kiwanis Club, Sawyer Savings Bank, Bob Allen, CPA., Blue Kats Mens Club, Attorney Erica Guerin, Michael Catalinotto, Murphy Law Office, Hrdlicka Law Firm, Attorney Chris Kraft, Praetorius and Conrad, Seamon-Wilsey Funeral Home, H.L. Snyder, Naccarato Insurance, NY Drilling Service, Saugerties Lions Club, Smith Hardware, Lezette Express, Methods Tooling, Donro Trophies, Saugerties Animal Hospital, TDC Auto, Exchange Hotel, Ward Backhaus Collision, Electronic Control Concepts, Stone Pony, Destinations of NY, Leighton Water, Mowers & More, SAA, Sheila DeCicco, Catskill Mt. Chocolate, Sue Garrison, Charlotte Garrison and Village Apothecary.
The Saugerties Elks thank you for your support.
Saugerties Elks Club
Join the family! 
