Some ‘Noble’ thoughts
A recent article quoting Jim Noble as decreeing that Kingston will have no Minority Leader as of Jan/ 1, 2018 is troublesome.
What do the Nobles think of Kingston voters?
The Common Council “rule” which defines the minority leader as the head of the non-majority Party with the second largest number of members is hardly clear.
With such a vagueness supporting their position, why would a family in control of the city’s fiscal future take such a stance?
There can be no reason other than an attempt to stifle their opposition. So the Nobles seem to be saying that if you do not register with a major party, you can have no say on the Common Council. What if Patrick identified with the Green Party?
Having a minority leader would allow the minority to participate in committee meetings otherwise private. It would allow for perspectives in closed-door meetings that at times would differ and possibly provide a sobering look at fiscal decisions being decided by a one-sided vote. It would allow the minority party a say annually after the mayor’s state-of-the-city statement. Voters should be outraged, as should newspapers.
Patrick O’Reilly is a hard-working, long-time Kingston resident who won the Democratic line in a landslide. He won the Republican, Conservative, and Independence lines. He was endorsed by the CSEA and won more votes than any other alderman-elect. He represents those opposed to the Nobles!
The Nobles, in spite of Patrick’s overwhelming Democratic primary victory, chose to not call Patrick to better understand his platform and, in fact, campaigned against him … going against the wishes of their Democratic Ward 7 primary constituents!
The Nobles seem to have no sense of political fairness and don’t understand the system of checks and balances our Common Council is designed to provide over an inexperienced, unqualified mayor and his family who some believe are spending Kingston into financial difficulty.
Vincent Rua
Kingston
We pray for Maurice
On behalf of the Bruderhof communities, I would like to add tribute to a courageous, wonderful man and representative, Congressman Maurice Hinchey. Congressman Hinchey will be remembered for his sincere and tireless service in public office for the people of New York State and our entire country. Congressman Hinchey or Maurice are we knew him, was always ready to take time to listen and converse about both local and global concerns, whether they would be about education, religious freedoms, peace and justice, or environmental issues. In addition to representing the concerns of his constituency, Maurice was genuine and outspoken in his personal convictions.
A longstanding friend of the Bruderhof, Maurice was well acquainted with my late father, Pastor Johann Christoph Arnold, and on one occasion arranged for him to say an opening prayer on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives and serve as guest chaplain for the day. On yearly school field trips to Washington D.C., Maurice could always be counted on to spend time with our students, answering questions about government and current legislative issues. He was an avid supporter of the peace and reconciliation program Breaking the Cycle of Violence. That program introduces audiences to conflict resolution through forgiveness. In 2005 Maurice facilitated a campaign to bring this program to Israel with NYPD Detective Steven McDonald and my father.
Today we pray for comfort and wish condolences for Maurice’s wife Ilene, and children Maurice Jr., Joseph, Michelle, the extended family, friends and colleagues. Future lawmakers and representatives would do well to take a page from the selfless and dedicated legacy of the late Representative Maurice Hinchey. It is fitting this Thanksgiving Day to thank God for the life and work of Maurice and it is our prayer that Maurice truly rests in eternal peace.
J. Heinrich Arnold
Pastor, Woodcrest Bruderhof
Rifton