Politics on the Hudson

State Assemblyman Greg Ball, R-Patterson, continues his exploration of a District 19 Congressional challenge in 2010 with a stop in Philipstown’s Cold Spring Cafe tomorrow.

Ball, a two-term assemblyman in the overwhelmingly Democratic body, has yet to announce whether he will take on U.S. Rep. John Hall, D-Dover Plains, who is expected to run for a third term in 2010.

Putnam County Clerk Dennis Sant, Putnam County Legislator Vincent Tamagna, R-Philipstown, Philipstown Highway Superintendent Roger Chirico, and Town Clerk Tina Merando are expected to be on hand at the 9 a.m. event.

So in case you’re wondering why the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee submitted a Freedom of Information Act request for the voting, attendance and expenditure records of state Assemblyman Greg Ball, R- Patterson, here’s what they have to say about it: “We don’t comment on research strategy.”

That terse statement comes from Shripal Shah, the DCCC’s recently named Northeast Regional Press Secretary, in response to a volley lobbed several hours earlier by Ball’s press people.

“This unusual and early move (the FOIA inquiry) shows that National Democrats consider the potential candidacy of Greg Ball a serious threat,” a Ball staffer wrote.

Last month Ball launched an exploratory committee to pursue a possible challenge against incumbent Congressman John Hall, D-Dover Plains.

State Assemblyman Greg Ball, R-Patterson, says his launch last month of an exploratory committee to pursue a possible challenge to incumbent Congressman John Hall, D-Dover Plains, has rattled the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Ball bases this conclusion on a Freedom of Information Act request made by the DCCC for his voting, attendance and expenditure records.

“This unusual and early move shows that National Democrats consider the potential candidacy of Greg Ball a serious threat,” a press release from Ball’s office states.

A State Assembly Public Information official confirmed that the request was made.

DCCC officials did not return calls for comment.

Putnam County Executive Robert Bondi presents his annual address tomorrow on the state of the county.

The 2008 State of the County address bore the title “Hard Times, Hard Decisions” and announced some layoffs.

No official word on what Bondi will say tomorrow but it’s not expected to be good given the economic melt down.

Bondi is scheduled to address the county legislature and the public at 7 p.m. at the Historic County Courthouse on Gleneida Avenue in Carmel.

With millions of federal dollars available to help more New Yorkers make their homes energy efficient, U.S. Rep. John Hall, D-Dover Plains, came to Brewster today to tell residents how to apply for the funding assistance.

While helping families weatherize their homes, the money will also create well-paying jobs throughout the state and nation, Hall said.

Hall was to be joined at 1 p.m. today by Dirk Fields of the Westchester Community Opportunity Program (WESTCOP) and Patrice Courtney of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

The meeting took place at the Putnam Headquarters of the Westchester Community Opportunity Program (WESTCOP) at 571 North Main St. in Brewster.

An earlier post indicated the meeting would take place Saturday.

U. S. Rep. John Hall, D-Dover Plains, wants his constituents to pick up the phone tomorrow night and talk to him about job creation and economic recovery.

Hall says the jobs reports highlight the urgent need for legislation to get the economy back on track. So, he’s organizing a “Telephone Town Hall” to talk about that.

“I want to give every single one of my constituents the opportunity to ask me questions or share their concerns with me,” he said.

The district-wide conference call begins at 6:50 p.m.
To join call 1-877-229-8493 and enter pin number 14618.

Putnam County Executive Robert Bondi signed a lease today making George Whipple, the Kent gentleman farmer and Credit Suisse lawyer, official overseer of the county-owned Tilly Foster Farm in Southeast for 40 years.

Bondi said the lease, which runs in five-year increments, will result in “funding for the longterm development of Tilly Foster.”

The Putnam County Legislature voted 6-3 last week to approve the lease with Whipple’s nonprofit Preserve Putnam.

A group calling itself Witness Against Torture has started a daily vigil outside the White House that is slated to last the first 100 days of the Obama administration.

The group calls on the new administration to close the U.S. detention camp at Guantanamo Bay and “end tortue and rendition by the U.S. within the first 100 days.”

They cite this Nov. 16, quote from President-elect Obama,” I have said repeatedly that I intend to close Guantanamo, and I will follow through on that. I have said repeatedly that America doesn’t torture, and I’m going to make sure that we don’t torture.”

Directly opposite the White House, the AFL-CIO hung a banner from its building welcoming the president’s children.

No word as to whether Sasha and Malia can see it from their rooms.

People from across the country lined up yesterday to take family portraits with the White House as a backdrop.

On hand to record Barack Obama’s first full day in office was press from around the world.

Here a French reporter interviews an American family.