By Michael Ryan
PLATTE CLOVE - Confession.
I crashed an invitation-only picnic hosted by the Bruderhof Community out in the Platte Clove area of the town of Hunter, last Saturday afternoon.
But it wasn’t my fault.
I’d gotten a tip, that morning, the event might reveal some pertinent realities about the contest for the chairmanship of the Greene County Legislature, fast becoming a scintillating subject.
The voting won’t officially unfold until this coming January. However, I’d written a piece in this space, last week, on behind-the-scenes political maneuverings already stirring.
Republicans rule with a 12 to 2 majority, a number that could increase in the November election, and they want to keep deciding who’s the chair amongst themselves, leaving Democrats outside looking in.
It might not be that easy. It is expected current chairman, Patrick Linger, will face a serious challenge from Majority Leader Matthew Luvera in a repeat of three-years ago, a power battle between two Republicans.
Luvera didn’t get the support back then but it was close. Linger is now ending his second 3- year term. Two key changes in membership are occurring in November, likely impacting the next outcome.
Linda Overbaugh (District 1, Catskill) is retiring and Ed Bloomer (District 3, Athens) lost a primary vote, in June, under politically curious circumstances, ending his 6-year tenure.
Both were reportedly Linger backers and while their replacements, who are already known, are free to vote as they choose, their allegiance may be to those who got them there.
In neither case is that Linger, while Luvera serves as chairman of the GOP committee in the town of Catskill, hand-picking Overbaugh’s replacement.
Actually there is a third possible change, in District 7 (Hunter, Lexington & Halcott), where incumbent Democratic Party lawmaker Daryl Legg is opposed by Republican Catherine Legg.
All the details, some of them admittedly speculative, were spelled out here, last week, surmising that whoever wins District 7 might become the deciding chairmanship vote. That would be great journalistic stuff.
Daryl Legg, hoping for a second, 3-year term, could be sitting in the catbird seat if Republicans can’t settle things in-house. Catherine Legg would become a very sought-after and influential newcomer, if she wins.
The story has gained attention beyond county borders, based on off-the-record conversations I had at the Bruderhof Community picnic.
I won’t drag those good folks into that political quagmire even though some heavy hitters showed for the picnic, such as State Senator Michelle Hinchey and Assemblyman Chris Tague.
Confession. I had no idea this picnic existed until the Saturday morning tipster called and when I got there, I was in awe of the attendees.
There were a lot - and I mean a lot - of police officers present, from within and outside Greene County including state troopers, plainclothes dudes and Joseph Stanzione, the Greene County District Attorney.
Stanzione arrived in a summery-cool white suit that brought to mind Atticus Finch, the lawyer in my favorite movie,”To Kill a Mockingbird.”
We had a fun chat about the flik. Stanzione spoke to the crowd, noting the kind deeds and humanitarian efforts done by the Bruderhof Community.
“They make a real difference in many towns and for many organizations,” Stanzione said, without trying to draw attention to themselves.
Hinchey and Tague gave nice little speeches. Hinchey voiced appreciation to the Bruderhof Community for the event which is their annual way of saying “thank you” to law enforcement personnel.
Tague, who usually gets the crowd fired up, quieted them instead, asking for a Moment of Silence for Gary Slutzky who recently passed away, a revered member of the Hunter ski-slope-building Slutzky family.
The picnic began 17 years ago with the respectful police theme, expanding over the years to include government leaders, other public servants, fire and rescue workers, etc., said Bruderhoff spokesman, Milton O’Connell.
O’Connell explained that the Bruderhof Community came to Hunter in the late 1980’s, settling into what was formerly a mountain campground and vacation spot for the New York City Police Department.
So there has long been a law enforcement link and somebody told me a tale about how the place almost got turned into a corrections facility.
The way the story goes, Orville Slutzky, who with his brother Izzy created Hunter Mountain Ski Bowl, was loathe to the idea for sundry reasons.
Orville gave then-Governor Mario Cuomo a call, voicing his unhappiness with the plan, reportedly not liking the response he got, hanging up the old-fashioned rotary phone loudly in the Governor’s ear.
In the next motion, Orville reportedly called prominent State Senator Warren Anderson, going directly to the funding source, echoing his displeasure and the plan was deader than a doornail.
All that is water under the famously picturesque Platte Clove bridge, just down the road from the Bruderhof Community and their sweet picnic.
As far as the tipster saying there could be groovy stuff revealed about the legislative chairmanship, it’s too early to tell.
Both of the aforementioned District 7 candidates showed up as did Luvera which is probably pure coincidence. I mean, what are the odds?
They were joined by lawmaker Jay Lucas (District 1 Catskill), who could go with Luvera since Luvera was instrumental in choosing Lucas to replace Jack Keller, who died in 2022 while in office.
And the Minority Leader, Harry Lennon (District 8, Cairo), was also there, emerging as another possible swing vote amid hearsay he might not be particularly pleased with Linger over…but wait.
I was too occupied by the homemade blueberry pie to notice and there was also a beautiful lake beckoning, and the Bruderof Community being kind enough to allow a summer swim.
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