Never give up!

Before and during the dedication of the Rochester Veterans Park, Memorial Day 2011.


With fellow Town Board members Tavi Cilenti and Carl Chipman, May 30, 2011.

Dear members of the Rochester Republican Committee and other open-minded readers:

After more than six years of being involved in Rochester’s political life, I realized that it’s impossible to have an open discussion with my fellow committee members which is not staged by David O’Halloran, the committee Chair.

I don’t like deals made behind closed doors, so I decided to communicate with you through this open letter which would be read by many and appreciated by few.

Being a member of the 2007 winning team, I served as a Town of Rochester Councilwoman (2008-2011). As most of you committee members never attended a Town Board meeting during my four-year term, or came to any of the town events I did attend or promote, please allow me to highlight some of my activity – before, while and after being an elected official.

I am proud of…

• being the record-holder in attending town meetings and events
• helping to create BusyRochester.com, the first and still the only business directory of our town (where a Chamber of Commerce does not exist)
• succeeding to establish the Town Board’s open interviews policy
• being member of a team which healed the town, and solved the problems in the Fire Department and Assessor’s Office
• being the only Town Board member attending Grievance Day in the last 40 years (as I was told by Bruce Schoonmaker, God rest his soul)
• being part of the team which never increased the town taxes
• never missing a crucial meeting as Town Board liaison
• having a proven record of non-partisan voting
• never allowing to be pushed when voting on the Town Board (there were only two such instances in four years, one request coming from Rochester Republican Chair David O’Halloran, the other from fellow Legislator-candidate John Dawson)
• being instrumental in finally finishing the Rochester Veterans Park, by following up – as Town Board liaison to the Historic Preservation Commission – on the seven-year project
• fighting to keep Rochester whole during the redistricting process (as opposed to having the town chopped up for 10 years between legislative districts to favor the incumbent)
• being the only Town Board member attending the Annual Association of Towns meetings and training sessions in the last six years
• participating hands-on to activities of the Youth Commission (where I am a member and secretary)
• promoting town events, especially those organized by the Recreation/Youth Commission, via letters to the editor and photographs sent to newspapers
• making sure – as a then member of the Ulster County Tourism Advisory Board – that what’s on the covers of the Ulster County Travel Guides helps creating and maintaining the Ulster County brand

Despite my record, all I hear is “how can we get rid of Manuela?”
The question, especially asked by outsiders, is “why”?

Until somebody provides a better answer, here is mine:
You want to get rid of Manuela because she is outspoken, Manuela hates deals, Manuela really desires to serve, Manuela wants true town representation at the County level, Manuela cannot be manipulated, Manuela is fair and non-partisan, Manuela cares for all the people, Manuela is not self-serving, Manuela refuses to let politics change her…

In 2009 I told the Ulster County Republicans that the selection of Legislature candidates should not be based on the Catalano-Bernardo deal. I was dismissed and threatened, but I was right, and those dirty deals permanently scarred our county – no matter if you accept it or not. My 2009 candidacy symbolically offered voters a choice: I won the Republican primary in Rochester and I won the Republican line in the general election by 415 votes.

The appointments made by Terry Bernardo as Chair of the Ulster County Legislature proved that I was right when I told you – in 2011 – that the Republican party was hijacked by the Bonacic-Bernardo people. Ignoring the weight-voting required by the Election Law, Chairman O’Halloran engaged in pretend-voting over the phone, more than ten days after the interviews of Legislative candidates took place. The incumbent got the nod, but many of you don’t even recall the 2011 vote that was never recorded in the minutes of our Committee. Again, I offered voters a choice in the Legislative race. Unfortunately, as all other candidates in town were running unopposed, not many people bothered to vote that year.

Today there are three Republican candidates for one Legislator seat. On April 17, 2013, at our meeting before the interviews, I explained “why I’m running” (that little speech is on my blog at BeingManuela.com).

I have the personal, professional and political qualifications that make me the best candidate for the position of District 21 Legislator. My character, determination, and fairness, my expertise in marketing/communication, my involvement at county level in tourism issues, my experience and dedication as Town of Rochester Councilwoman and Youth Commission member, are all beyond question.

I appeal to each of you committee members (except Terry Bernardo, of course) to vote – when unofficially nominating one of us – based on our records. Not based on our pets, wrinkles, husbands or nieces, but based on our records; please vote based on facts, not on rumors, friendship or deals. Please vote your conscience as one day your vote would tell more about our town and this committee than about the candidates.

We’ve all witnessed the wrong being done to the people of Rochester and Ulster County in the last four years. As I said at the April committee meeting, I would never be part of the problem; and you can bet your bottom dollar that I’m willing and able to right the wrong.

Thank you for reading,

Manuela Michailescu
Member of the Rochester Republican Committee,
former Town of Rochester Councilwoman,
presently Youth Commission member.

UPDATE – May 23, 2013
I’m glad I wrote this open letter asking for a vote based on candidates’ record… Last night, at the Rochester Republican Committee endorsement meeting, the “result” of my open letter was that I was not even nominated. Moreover, out of three candidates:

Terry Bernardo – Legislator and Chairwoman of the Ulster County Legislature
Manuela Michailescu – former Town of Rochester Councilwoman
John Dawson

…the person with no record whatsoever received the nod. Thanks to the Committee members for confirming my expectations.

It was my choice not to play this mad game. I would follow my own path to the November ballot.

I’m Manuela Michailescu. I served four years as your Town of Rochester Councilwoman, currently I’m a member of the Town’s Youth Commission.

Why am I running? I’m doing it for the right reason: I have a genuine desire to serve the people in our district – Rochester and East Wawarsing.

As a country president once said, “An elected official’s duty is to do what is obvious.” Recently, it became more than obvious that Rochester is not represented in the Legislature. When our town’s economic future, its tax base, and the survival of its two largest employers are at stake, it’s the duty of our Legislator to fight for the town at the County level. No excuses, no pretense, no recusal, no games, no abstaining from representation are acceptable. It is the Legislator’s responsibility to represent the town.

The people of Rochester deserve better. I would put to good use the local government experience I have gained during my four-year term while restoring dignity to the office of Legislator.

Please know that I am immune to power and money. I would truly represent the interests of the town, not mine. My dedication and involvement in town’s life would bring about positive changes. I would be part of the solution, not of the problem, and you will see the difference.

In 2006, my husband and I have created BusyRochester.com – the first and still the only website dedicated to the businesses in our town. Looking back, I see the recession years were not gentle, and I know better than most what a high toll we had to pay before regaining our footing.

Obviously, I would support any and all economic developments in town, with equal rights and responsibilities for each and every business. Everyone should pay their fair share of taxes, from the hot dog stand to the Pinegrove Ranch & Family Resort.

To remove any appearance of impropriety, I strongly believe that elected officials should not be the beneficiaries of any tax breaks.

I think I’ve been successful in everything I did in life, because, as an American writer said, “success is not measured by what you accomplish, but by the opposition you have encountered and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds.”

I have a record of overcoming adversities, on the personal and political level, while consistently acting on principles. I learned a lot from serving on the Town Board. It gave me a real understanding of town’s issues and of the impact County policies have on our town. I loved being a Town Board liaison and following up on projects. In a way, a Legislator is the “liaison” to the County, and you can count on me to do that very well.

I’m asking for your support. Give me a chance to serve and truly represent the Town of Rochester. I would never let you down.

Manuela Michailescu

May 9, 1980 is a day I cannot ever forget. A week after leaving Romania for good, I was approaching North America on a Pan Am flight out of Istanbul, Turkey. My first transatlantic flight, with an airline still alive in my memories. My first time wearing the cross – mine since Christening – I could never show in my thirty years of living in Communist Romania.

A major snafu at the American Consulate in Bucharest caused months of waiting for a visa and a huge “project” for my loving sister, who solved the problem in an almost miraculous way – I couldn’t ever thank her enough.

Not sure if – on my way to Vancouver, Canada – I would be allowed to stop in New York City, I was overwhelmed with emotion, hoping to at least be able to see and hug the people I loved and who were waiting at JFK airport: my sister Gabriela and Jon, my husband to be. For my mother – glued to the phone in Tennessee – my arrival became her biggest Mother’s Day present ever.

At JFK the emotions were so intense I was afraid I would collapse… Not only was I allowed to stay in New York City, but asked if – considering my status – I was willing to request political asylum.

Straight from the airport I was taken to the Rego Park building where Jon lived. That building, still very dear to me, was to become my address for 30 years… When the building was turned into a co-op, we bought a top floor apartment with a great Manhattan view, and I truly enjoyed being the co-op’s Board of Directors president for 23 years.

Then, that very evening – after seeing my sister to a bus to Charlottesville, Virginia – I discovered Manhattan and Fifth Avenue… I could never identify the spots offering me unforgettable memories but this dream-like quality makes them even more special.

May 9, 1980… I came to America with a suitcase, wonderful memories from Istanbul and, most importantly, with a set of special “sensors” for detecting the desire to get control and power, sensors honed during thirty years of living under a dictatorship.

A few days later, at the end of an interview with the FBI, the officer gave me a business card and said: “If you ever feel threatened, call us.”

I was granted political asylum – one more tie to my father, a political prisoner in Communist Romania.

Manuela Michailescu

Transforming a problem into an opportunity results in excellent ideas, products, or marketing solutions. A muddy trail which could not be used by the Youth Department for this year’s Easter Egg Hunt led to the idea of using, with great success, the Veterans Park and its surrounding area as a location for that event.

While Veterans Park got its largest and youngest “occupancy” ever, it became clear that this relatively new town park (down the hill from the Town Hall) was not known to many residents who just discovered it that day.

Inspired by past results, the Youth Commission Chair, Jessica Knapp, came up with the wonderful idea of a special ceremony at the Veterans Park on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2013, at 11:30 am.

In order to create a photo memory bank, all town residents – past and present – and their relatives are invited to share photos of family members who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, especially those who have given their lives serving. Scanned photos would be displayed at the Veterans Park.

Please bring photos by Friday May 17, 2013 to Kathleen Sergio, the Town of Rochester Town Clerk, at Rochester Town Hall, 50 Scenic Rd, Accord, NY 12404, 8:30-noon and 1:00-4:00 PM, (845) 626-7384 (you can call and then email the photos.)

All are welcome to come down and say a few words in remembrance. We would love to have as many children as possible introducing their attending veteran relatives, or sharing stories about those no longer alive or able to attend. Children playing musical instruments are invited to share their talent.

This ceremony could be a first step towards establishing a town tradition: honoring our town’s veterans through an educational meeting of generations.

The event will take place before the parade sponsored by the Accord Fire Department (which kicks off at 1:00 pm and is followed by a Memorial ceremony at the Fire House). The members of the Youth Commission hope that residents, neighbors and friends will participate in both events.

Please remember to bring or send photos to our Town Clerk by May 17, together with contact information, the name of the veteran, when and where served, and if memories would be shared by a family member. Thank you!

Manuela Michailescu

This post was published as a letter to Editor in the May 3, 2013 issue of Blue Stone Press, under the headline “Honoring the veterans and sharing remembrances on Memorial Day.”

Easter is my preferred celebration. For over thirty years now I attended the Easter service at Saint Mary’s Romanian Orthodox Church in Queens, New York. I love to look up and see my father’s name, Luca, looking down from the ceiling mural. I love to look back at the years when the church was only a construction site, and to remember how my sister and I, the church’s treasurers, spent hours taking turns counting the loose plate cash offerings and consistently reaching totals differing by only one dollar. I am going to Queens…

Before leaving for the City, I read the comment asking me to post the reasons for my running again for Ulster County Legislature, District 21. Here is what I said at the County Candidates’ Night on April 17, and I’d be happy to answer any questions and discuss in detail any issues pertaining to my candidacy:

Good evening…

I’m Manuela Michailescu. I served four years as your Town of Rochester Councilwoman, currently I’m a member of the Town’s Youth Commission.

Why am I running? I’m doing it for the right reason: I have a genuine desire to serve the people in our district – Rochester and East Wawarsing.

As a country president once said, “An elected official’s duty is to do what is obvious.” Recently, it became more than obvious that Rochester is not represented in the Legislature. When our town’s economic future, its tax base, and the survival of its two largest employers are at stake, it’s the duty of our Legislator to fight for the town at the County level. No excuses, no pretense, no recusal, no games, no abstaining from representation are acceptable. It is the Legislator’s responsibility to represent the town.

The people of Rochester deserve better. I would put to good use the local government experience I have gained during my four-year term while restoring dignity to the office of Legislator.

Please know that I am immune to power and money. I would truly represent the interests of the town, not mine. My dedication and involvement in town’s life would bring about positive changes. I would be part of the solution, not of the problem, and you will see the difference.

In 2006, my husband and I have created BusyRochester.com – the first and still the only website dedicated to the businesses in our town. Looking back, I see the recession years were not gentle, and I know better than most what a high toll we had to pay before regaining our footing.

Obviously, I would support any and all economic developments in town, with equal rights and responsibilities for each and every business. Everyone should pay their fair share of taxes, from the hot dog stand to the Pinegrove Ranch & Family Resort.

To remove any appearance of impropriety, I strongly believe that elected officials should not be the beneficiaries of any tax breaks.

I think I’ve been successful in everything I did in life, because, as an American writer said, “success is not measured by what you accomplish, but by the opposition you have encountered and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds.”

I have a record of overcoming adversities, on the personal and political level, while consistently acting on principles. I learned a lot from serving on the Town Board. It gave me a real understanding of town’s issues and of the impact County policies have on our town. I loved being a Town Board liaison and following up on projects. In a way, a Legislator is the “liaison” to the County, and you can count on me to do that very well.

I’m asking for your support. Give me a chance to serve and truly represent the Town of Rochester. I would never let you down.

Thank you!

Manuela Michailescu

I’m being Manuela because my father chose this name for me. It means “God with us.” Here we are together in this Christmas 1953 photograph: my father, myself, and my doll.
A political prisoner from 1959 till 1964, my father – Dr. Luca Mihailescu – had passed away in September 1977.

I decided to start this blog today for a sentimental reason. Thirty-three years ago, on May 2, 1980, a few days short of being thirty years old, I left Romania – an emigrant taking the one-way street to the unknown. I spent most of the previous year alone in Bucharest, waiting for an exit visa. My mother and my sister were already in the States, and so was Jon, my future husband.

I left Romania as Manuela Mihailescu and I decided to always keep my maiden name in my father’s memory. To make it easier to pronounce, I changed its spelling to Michailescu when I became an American citizen.

May 2, 1980… Saying good bye to dear family friends and one courageous cousin. My half-brother, afraid of losing his job if anybody learned about me leaving the country, didn’t see me to the airport. I had next to me my beloved friend Liliana, pregnant with Suzan, her daughter to be born a few weeks later. Liliana lived in Istanbul, Turkey, and that was the first stop on my way to America. Liliana passed away twenty years ago. Thanks to Facebook I know where in the world is Suzan: a French lawyer living in China.

May 2, 1980… Getting out of Romania for the first time in my life. Because of Ceausescu’s totalitarian regime, we were not allowed to travel even to Bulgaria, the Communist country next door.

Partir c’est mourir un peu… To depart means to die a little… Thirty-three years ago today, I died a little walking on the road to freedom.

Manuela Michailescu

Le Rondel de l’adieu
Partir, c’est mourir un peu,
C’est mourir à ce qu’on aime:
On laisse un peu de soi-même
En toute heure et dans tout lieu.

Song of Farewell
To part is to die a little,
To die to what we love:
One leaves a little of one’s self
In every hour and in every place.

Edmond Haraucourt