MARTINO JUMPING THE GUN ON COMPTROLLER

Word is Hyde Park Supervisor had the woman he's picked for the new Comptroller's position being introduced around Town Hall Wednesday even though her appointment hasn't even been voted on. That tells me the fix is in and Martino is giving voters the back of his hand again. (Martino's pick has some but limited financial experience while the other candidate has been a comptroller in a number of towns including Fishkill.) Why isn't the board hiring her if it was so important to upgrade the bookkeeper's position? The way it's supposed to work is you have a public hearing and give your fellow board members an opportunity to evaluate the nominees. Unfortunately with the exception of Sue Serino, Martino and the other three slugs on the board just do what they want, the process and public be damned. Here's hoping some folks come out Friday at 1PM to let Martino know they don't like it.

MARTINO DISSES PUBLIC AGAIN

In yet another example of the contempt Hyde Park Supervisor Tom Martino has for residents, he has called for yet another "special meeting" of the town board for this Friday at 1PM. That would be the Friday before the big Labor Day weekend, when many people are on vacation or going away for the last big summer weekend. Remember Martino just had another "special meeting" on Tuesday to vote on sewer warrants, not exactly an emergency item. The purpose of Friday's meeting is to vote on Martino's choice for the new Comptroller's position. (She's a Hyde Park resident who used to work at the Chase bank branch in town.) The reason the cowardly and sneaky Martino has called the meeting for such an inconvenient time is obvious. He doesn't want anyone there or any public discussion. Remember this guy fired Joann Lown at another weekday afternoon "special meeting" while she was out of town visiting her ill father. Martino and his gang of four thugs have no shame and no scruples. They like doing business behind closed doors. It also costs the town money every time he convenes one of these phony meetings. (The lawyer isn't working for free) Hopefully some folks will come out Friday and remind him of that.

Glenn Beck Pulled it Off

In spite of the best efforts of the liberal media to mischaracterize Glenn Beck's "Restoring Honor" gathering as a KKK rally, the event went off flawlessly. There was no political posturing or partisan name calling. It had nothing to do with race or class. It was simply an opportunity for like minded people to gather peaceably and express their concerns about the fiscal and moral condition the country finds itself in today. The crowd was huge but orderly compared to the usual chaos and bombast that normally attends a leftist gathering. When it was over, you'd never know anyone had been there. Those attending simply returned to their communities energized by the the can and will do philosophy of Beck and his philosophy. They will likely reassemble in the voting booths of America in the fall.

The Oil Spill Whiners

Watching NBC News tonight and they're anchoring from New Orleans on the 5th anniversary of Katrina. Most of the coverage is predictable and absurdly sympathetic all things considered. As if that weren't enough, they just had a piece on about one of the many fishing boats doing oil clean-up work for BP. The captain is whining about the fact BP may be pulling out because there just isn't a lot of oil in the water. The captain is concerned he won't be able to make as much fishing now. Really? Isn't that your job and don't you know more than anyone this oil spill was grotesquely exaggerated and you profited by gouging BP? I talked to a number of correspondents and producers during the Chelsea wedding who told me they couldn't find enough oil for the network types back in New York. BP was extorted by the environmentalists and the liberal media.

Another Cancelled Concert

Once again the powers that be decided to cancel yet another concert in the park tonight because of "weather." Tonight's concert was sceduled for the Mills Mansion and was the last of the season. It's cloudy and cool, a perfect night for the event but some ninny decided to move it indoors. Nobody likes the indoor concerts when you can be outside. It's not raining and doesn't look like it will. You're going to lose a lot of people if you keep cancelling these things every time the sun goes behind a cloud.

Martino's Obsession with Don Goddard Bizarre

The Monday night ramblings of Hyde Park Supervisor Tom Martino are somewhere between hilarious and horrendous. At times, it's hard to believe he's serious or that psychologically damaged. The other night was a perfect example. After introducing a new hire for the police department, Martino went off on a rant about how much better the police department was these days and how sharp they looked since Chief Charlie Broe took over from Don Goddard. Goddard resigned in April rather than continue to deal with the bizarre Martino. Fine, that was his choice. But Martino just can't let it go. He has to bash Goddard every chance he gets. He's like a spurned lover who just can't leave it alone. And like a divorce, people don't want to hear the other person trashing the other. It's immature and annoying. Martino might want to pencil in a little couch time and get beyond the fact Goddard thought he was nuts.

Another Celebrity Wedding?

Don't look now but we're hearing the faintest whisper of another very big celebrity wedding in the area. It's way too early too early to discuss anything solid but wouldn't it be something if the Hudson Valley is becoming the hot spot for high profile weddings? Let me know if you hear anything.