Mike Stock and the press

Mike’s Woodstock Record
I realize that it is the duty of the Woodstock Democratic Committee to elect Democrats, but Chairman Peter Occhiogrosso should become familiar with certain facts known to many Woodstockers. His assertion that Mike Stock has done nothing for the community is egregiously incorrect.
Mike has contributed generously to our town both financially and with time and equipment. He has helped rehabilitate the Shakespeare stage at Comeau (as has Rennie Cantine, a Democrat). Mike has also helped to rehabilitate Rick Voltz and Andy Lee fields for the Little Leaguers. He has done the same for both the Zena and Woodstock elementary schools. His donation of men and equipment helped in the building of the new firehouse. Mike Stock was also instrumental in getting grant money for the Woodstock Library, the Woodstock Guild, the Woodstock Playhouse and the Woodstock Film Festival.
I don’t agree with anyone in either party one hundred per cent of the time, but politically Mike has made the county legislature more open. He voted to rescind the operating license of Indian Point. He broke with his party to vote for eminently qualified David Sheeley, a Democrat, to head the Ulster County Highway and Bridge Department. He supported the R/x program making prescriptions more affordable for county residents and he helped increase veterans’ exemptions.
One can disagree with Mike on issues but to say he has done nothing for Woodstock is simply incorrect. That’s it. I just wanted as a registered Democrat to set the record straight.

Sasha Gillman
Shady
Woodstock Times 8/04/05

OCCHIOGROSSO'S WRONG ABOUT STOCK
I read, with a sense of bemusement, the article in the July 21st issue of the Woodstock Times, in which Peter Occhiogrosso said that Mike Stock "...hasn't done anything of service to the town." This is an awkward letter for me to write, as I have been a life long registered Democrat and, honestly, can't remember ever having written anything positive about any Republican, but I think Mr. Occhiogrosso went too far. As Warner Wolfe said, let's go to the videotape.
Here are some of the things Mike Stock has done for the town: Opposed casinos in Ulster County (against the position of the head of New York's Republican party), gotten grants for the library, the playhouse and the sidewalk fund, gotten the town board to allow local businesses to but up banners at Rick Voltz Field, so the field can be properly maintained and been an active supporter of the town's Christmas Eve and Halloween celebrations.
On the other hand, here are some of the things Mr. Occhiogrosso has done as a member of the town's Democratic committee: Closed the meetings to anyone but the members, refused requests to attend the meetings, refused to announce the time and place their meetings were being held and finally, and most importantly, sat firmly on their hands and did nothing to help Lisa Childers' bid for the school board. The result of the last "accomplishment" was a 28 percent voter turnout in Woodstock, the election of the pro-Olive slate and everyone's school taxes going up a lot.
David Gross
Woodstock
Woodstock Times 7/21/05

Mike responds
To the Editor
I don’t normally respond to letters to the editor written about me, but in the case of David Donaldson’s letter of June 2, 2005, I felt compelled to separate fact from fiction.
I first would like to state that I have always shown Dave the respect he deserves as the Minority Leader and a fellow Legislator. I was surprised that Dave didn’t give me the same courtesy of at least a phone call to discuss the issues mentioned in his letter, but maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised because of his non-action in the past. Last year I defended him at a county committee meeting, I was later chastised by my own party for doing so. The only thank you I received came from his daughter in a letter to the editor in the Daily Freeman a week later.
With regards to the budget reform resolution that failed on the floor, I was as disappointed as many others were. I suggested budget reform earlier in the year in my Majority Leader speech and voted for its’ passage on the floor that evening and will support it when it comes to the floor again. Mr. Donaldson’s comment that I never said a word to him prior to the meeting about the intended vote, is true. This was a result of
Mr. Donaldson’s late arrival from his Democratic caucus, as usual. The guest speaker for the Empire State Games was already making his presentation and was standing between
Dave and I at the podium. Dave mentioned the Republicans response to his question why they voted against badly needed budget reform, was “…because we can and to prove a point.” I have not been able to find one person in my caucus who made that comment to him. So much for trust and credibility!
It is interesting that Mr. Donaldson blames all the financial difficulties the county is facing on the Republicans. What I find disturbing about his finger pointing in the press is his understanding of the crisis and cooperative attitude that he displays in the leadership meetings when his Democratic colleagues and the press are not present. Perhaps
Mr. Donaldson should look in the mirror and see the Minority Leader who has not been able to control his own caucus (by the way which are now 16 of the 17-16 Legislature) that has added to the financial woes of the County. It takes 22 votes to pass any bond resolution.
Last years budget process was difficult to say the least. I will admit it took a lot of work in part by both sides of the isle to present the final product. Mr. Donaldson’s statement that the Republicans “…implemented a tax in the last hour to an unsuspecting industry” is totally false. A mortgage tax of one-quarter percent was suggested as a revenue source in the proposed final document. Mr. Donaldson, with a take-it or leave-it attitude, substituted the mortgage tax with the motel/hotel tax. Had we not accepted their demands (the budget would have failed) the county taxpayers would have been faced with a 23.7% increase in taxes rather than the 11% increase.
Drastic changes are needed in Ulster County. I appreciated the County Treasurer’s forecast in particular Mike Hein’s thorough report on the County’s financial status. As
Mr. Donaldson admits if the County continues as it is, there will be a 23 million dollar shortfall by the end of 2006 and money would be needed for this year to pay for day to day operations. I believe the Treasurer has given us an opportunity to make the adjustments and changes to help strengthen the Counties financial position. As I have stated, this will take both sides of the isle working together to resolve these problems.
I can’t understand what Mr. Donaldson finds ironic with being cooperative.
In conclusion, I took the liberty of calling Mr. Donaldson the day I read his letter to the editor to discuss these very issues. After a brief conversation he told me he had to start a class. I understood that and I told him I expected a call back from him later in the day to continue this discussion. As of the writing of this letter he has not made any attempt to contact me. Hence the disappointment!

Michael L. Stock
Majority Leader Ulster County

STOCK'S GENEROSITY
As president of the Byrdcliffe Theatre Company aka Bird-On-A-Cliff, I would like to let it be known that along with all the charitable gifts we have received, Mike Stock has given us a very generous in-kind contribution to the reconstruction of our outdoor stage in Woodstock. When we approached Mr. Stock and asked him if he could haul away the seven tons of demolition debris left from the old stage he said "where and when?" We want to publicly thank Mike Stock and his company for supporting our arts group in this daunting task of rebuilding the stage on the Comeau property in Woodstock so that we can continue providing free theatrical events for the wonderful Ulster County audience.
David Aston-Reese
President BOAC
Woodstock
Woodstock Times 6/23/05

I recently received a "Dear Constituent" letter from Ulster County Legislator Mike Stock,R-Woodstock, which made me think about being a "constituent" at various levels of government and I wonder how many people feel as I do.
When I hear from our congressmen or our U.S. Senators, I certainly can identify with issues concerning war and peacce and the national economy. State Senators and assemblymen also trigger interest on matters ranging from the death penalty to property taxes. And government that's closest to us, our town boards, prompt keen interest in zoning laws which directly affect our properties.
But somehow, when we're dealing with the county Legislature, my eyes tend to glaze over. Sure, the local papers print large headlines about "hot" issues like the jail and the Ulster County Development Corp., but I find it hard to get through those articles and truly inderstand what's going on.
That's why I very much appreciated Stock's one-pager. He concisely explained what he's doing to prevent future management like what happened with cost overruns on the jail construction; initiatives on economic development, and another one to create better direct communication with people like me so my eyes won't glaze over when I see something in print concerning the Legislature.
When you think of it, we pay taxes at every level of government, and I'm happy to have a better idea of what money goes after we send it to the county Legislature.

To the Editor:
After reading Feb 24th article in the Woodstock Times, “Preliminary Focusing,” I’d like to thank the new Woodstock Democratic Chairman, Peter Occhiogrosso, for his quote “I know he’s popular in Woodstock and has a lot of friends in Woodstock, including some Woodstock Democrats who have worked with him in the past…” As the article goes on to say, I have always demonstrated a bipartisan attitude in representing District 2, additionally my record on voting on all county issues, reflects this same attitude. As quoted in the Kingston Freeman by Mr. Hugh Reynolds, “Stock is the go to guy when you need something done in the Legislature and most think he should be the Chairman.” All one needs to do is to check with any Supervisor or Councilperson; not only from the towns that I represent, but from other towns throughout the county, to see that that is true. I believe my record will speak for itself in this election year and the truth will prevail.

Majority Leader, Michael L. Stock