ACCORD – With the new county legislature districts decided, Rochester finally has a district to call its own. Instead of sharing a total of four legislators with residents of the Town of Wawarsing, the new District 21 encompasses the town itself and the entire hamlet of Kerhonkson, which straddles the Rochester-Wawarsing line. Two local Republicans — incumbent legislator Terry Bernardo and Rochester Town Councilwoman Manuela Michailescu — have announced their candidacy for the new seat. No Democratic candidate has emerged as yet, so the focus is on the September primary for the Republican line.

Town Supervisor Carl Chipman thinks the district lines serve the town well. "In some of the versions, Rochester was split among three districts," he said. Chipman lobbied to keep the town whole so that it would have a voice on the legislature. "Terry was the first legislator we've had from Accord in a long time," he said. "It's important, because Ellenville's priorities are different than ours."

One issue of difference between the two areas is the allocation of costs of the Safety Net program. Ulster County presently charges municipalities based on the number of recipients for the welfare program, but there is a push to have those costs spread out onto the entire county tax roll. This would mean a lowering of taxes in areas with a high concentration of low-income housing, such as Ellenville and Kingston, while residents of towns like Rochester would take a big hit. "People just can't afford it," said Chipman.

Bernardo kicked off her campaign with a lunch at the Accord Fire House, where she made available petitions for all three of the parties (Republican, Independence, and Conservative) which have endorsed her. She spoke to a full house as she touted her legislative accomplishments, such as raising awareness of the leaking New York City aqueduct in Napanoch. She also touched upon a budget controversy, in which $2.1 million of unanticipated Federal money was received after the budget was agreed upon; Bernardo voted with a minority of legislators to return the money to taxpayers.

The county chairs of all three parties endorsing Bernardo were present to show their support at her event. Perhaps most notable is Independence chair Len Bernardo, whose party is endorsing his wife. According to Terry Bernardo, she was the only candidate to apply for the endorsement; her husband said simply, "We have an executive committee, and I recuse myself."

Michailescu is making her second run for the legislature. Two years ago, she waged a successful primary campaign to get on the Republican line, and according to her press release was the top Republican vote-getter in all election districts in the old legislative district 1. In her statement she emphasized her work for the town, both as an elected official and volunteer, and her understanding of how county decisions impact local municipalities. "I feel I owe it to those who voted for me to run again," Michailescu said in her statement. "By talking to people in our district I understood what they are looking for in a legislator. I am encouraged and overwhelmed by their trust in me."

Town Democrats simply say that no candidates stepped forward, although one can get the line via the petition process, which runs until July 10. Primary day will be September 13 this year.