Republicans cry “foul” on Binder guarantee

By DAVID HULSE

MONTICELLO — Legislative majority leader Leni Binder’s recent guarantee that the Democratic majority in the Sullivan County Legislature would replace resigned Republican Steven Kurlander with a Democrat, has not unexpectedly stirred comments from county Republicans.

Kurlander, who took a position in the State of Florida last year, announced his June 1 resignation earlier this month as the Legislature prepared to declare his seat vacant. The district-nine representative was a two-term incumbent.

Following a May 17 Executive Committee meeting devoted to the resignation, Binder (D-7) said, “One thing I can tell you for certain, the replacement is going to be a Democrat… Good, bad or indifferent, that’s the way it’s done.”

While some Republicans tacitly admitted they would likely have done the same thing if roles had been reversed, they were not happy about Binder’s pronouncement coming even as the Legislature was issuing an open call for candidates for the job.

County Republican Greg Goldstein said Binder showed “blatant disregard” for the district-nine voters who had twice elected Kurlander. “They should choose the right person, not necessarily because of his or her party,” he added.

Rock Hill Republican James Carnell has been endorsed by the Town of Thompson Republican Committee to run for the position in the fall. Carnell, who says he will also submit his resume for consideration for the appointment, seemed resigned when told of Binder’s position. “I can’t say I’m surprised… As long as she’s made up her mind, I guess she won’t have to sit in on my interview,” he added.

Jodi Goodman (RC-6) said Binder’s accepted pattern is questionable. “This bothers me. Just because it’s the way it’s been done, doesn’t make it right. How creative is that if we always stick to doing that… When constituents call me about problems, I don’t ask them what their party is. It’s absurd,” she said.

Minority leader Rodney Gaebel (RC-5) said, “My original thought was that probably the best thing was to allow the voters to pick in November, but I don’t know if it’s fair for them to go without representation until then.”

The appointment could backfire in fall, he added. “There could be voter dissent in making an appointment like that. People might say that’s not the way it should be. Normally an incumbent has an advantage, but people could say this should have been their choice.

“I’d like to think that when [Chairman Rusty Pomeroy] called for resumes and interest, that we would look them all over, talk to them and pick the best person. It’s too bad that politics plays a part,” he concluded.