By Michael Ryan
CATSKILL - There is a famous line in “Casablanca” uttered by Humphrey Bogart that mirrors the Greene County Legislature and its upcoming political battles for chairman, Majority Leader and Minority Leader.
The words are spoken in the final scene of the flik as Bogart’s character, Rick Blaine, loses his love, Ilsa, played by Ingrid Bergman.
You have to see the movie to understand but Ilsa is escaping World War II crossroads Casablanca with her husband, a key Nazi resistance leader, leaving behind Rick, with whom her heart belongs.
It’s a classic romantic triangle and Bogie says to Ilsa, “I’m no good at being noble, but it doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world.”
The same is probably true for most folks in Greene County about the three legislative power positions, but they do matter to lawmakers.
And ultimately they can be significant for we mules of taxation which is why a scheduled December 16 gathering of the 11 Republicans on the 14-member legislature is an interesting tale.
County GOP chairman Brent Bogardus called for the sitdown, taking place immediately after a series of routine legislative committee meetings, moving the talks to a site away from the county office building.
Patrick Linger is the current legislature chairman, seeking a third, 3-year stint. Matthew Luvera currently serves as Majority Leader.
Longtime lawmaker Harry Lennon is the Minority Leader, one of two Democrats on the board, and is expected to retain the post.
So it’s a Republican fight for the other two slots with suspense mounting as the night nears, although the intrigue could be just beginning.
Three names have surfaced for the chairman’s job; Linger, Luvera and Michael Bulich (District 1, Catskill), who has tried in the past.
“I am thinking about it,” Bulich says. “I ran the last time with a direction I thought the county should be going and still believe it should.
“We are fortunate our financials are in good shape but that doesn’t mean government isn’t growing too much,” Bulich says, expressing a theme familiar to his constituency and legislative colleagues.
“There needs to be a push to keep government small,” Bulich says. “That isn’t happening. And I think six years is long enough for any chairman. Anything more can result in an engrained sense of authority.”
Linger, elected to the legislature nine years ago, representing the district of New Baltimore, wants to continue as the gavel-banger, the head guy, finishing his sixth year at the end of December.
“Over the last six years, we have seen a positive change in government operations,” Linger said when asked why he deserves to remain.
“Overall our leadership has been very effective. We are much better poised for the future than we were six years ago. Everything is on a much better track. There is not a reason for change,” Linger says.
Luvera has twice served as temporary chairman, smoothly holding the fort during medical leaves-of-absence by Linger.
There is wide speculation he will seek the title more permanently, having done so in the past. Both Luvera and Bulich have been on the opposite side of Linger on multiple issues and votes over the past six years.
Luvera did not respond to a text, “asking if you will be officially running for chairman at [the] December 16 meeting of the GOP.
“If you are, why are you running? A call back would be ok. I know you are at school now,” the text stated. Luvera is a local school teacher. The text was sent on Thursday, December 5. Luvera typically does not return calls.
Republicans want to settle matters amongst themselves, emerging from the room with a consensus, showing political unity.
A reporter in a fly suit would love to be on the wall, hearing how the talks unfold. Bogardus reportedly encourages no holds barred, presenting multiple scenarios, especially if Bulich and Luvera run for chair.
The two men were seen at a recent gathering of the legislature wearing matching red MAGA hats and are in accord on most legislative issues.
It is not known if Bulich and Luvera, who also sit next to each other in the legislative chambers, would try to make some kind of arrangement to perhaps secure the Majority Leader and chairman spots.
However it works out, either Bulich or Luvera is expected to win the vote of at least three Catskill lawmakers, including Jay Lucas and themselves.
One unknown is the fourth Catskillian, newly elected Michael Lanuto, who has no legislative voting record to draw upon.
Lanuto replaces Linda Overbaugh who retired and was a Linger supporter. Bulich and/or Luvera are also likely to get the support of Thomas Hobart (District 2, Coxsackie), a frequent political kindred spirit.
Another unknown is newly-elected James O’Connell (District 3, Athens), replacing Edward Bloomer, a previous Linger supporter.
The two newcomers could give Bulich and/or Luvera 6 ballots and Linger 5, a scenario Linger says, “I would not be at all surprised to see.”
If that happens, Lennon and his fellow Democrat, Daryl Legg (District 7, Hunter, Lexington & Halcott) would suddenly become very relevant, an unaccustomed position in terms of the chairmanship contest.
They are usually on the outside looking in. Similarly joining them would be Greg Davis (District 4, Greenville), a registered Conservative. All three could potentially tip the scales toward Linger.
No matter what happens in the Republican-filled meeting room, a final vote has to take place by the full legislature shortly after the New Year, using a weighted vote system.
It may be a GOP done deal by then, but if the Republicans can’t find common ground, Lennon, Legg and Davis hold fate in their hands.
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