Former Kingston mayor Ray Garraghan liked to say, “Everybody looks smart when they have money.”

County Executive Jen Metzger has plenty of that — upwards of $135 million in the bank, almost a third of the entire county budget for 2024. She also has a solid, supportive majority in the county legislature, willing, receptive state legislators and a staff dedicated to her success.

What could possibly go wrong?

The answer, as revealed by Metzger in her second State of the County address in Saugerties on Tuesday at the historic Orpheum Theater, was not much.

Still, there remains the lingering angst that it might be too much of a good thing. Too easy, too much power concentrated in too few hands.

I’m reminded of the time Sen. Chuck Schumer dropped by the Freeman for a meeting with its editorial board during the Clinton boom years. That year Clinton had balanced the federal budget for the first time since Eisenhower was in office. The dot-com bubble burst soon after.

“The money is pouring in so fast, we can’t spend it fast enough,” Schumer told us. “And believe me, we tried.”

We may look back on the Metzger years as the best of times. Certainly, that is the sense that the county’s chief executive conveyed in a carefully crafted 64-minute speech interrupted by applause no fewer than 20 times.

It was as carefully orchestrated a State of the County address as by any of the county executives that preceded Metzger. And let us not forget, Mike Hein was a showman. The Orpheum Theater was a master stroke. What better place for theatrics than a theater?

Apropos location, I like Metzger’s idea of moving major addresses, like the State of the County, around the county. It’s good politics and good politics tend toward good results.

Metzger’s slide show that illustrated the many activities of county government featured her giant-sized in every other photo, leading some to wonder if she’s ever in the office.

Attendance was carefully controlled with invitees screened from prepared lists. There was no way any dissidents were going to rise up to shout down the main speaker as happened with U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan’s address last month before the chamber of commerce.

Metzger herself exuded exuberance and a remarkable degree of empathy. She might have inherited many a loose end from the suddenly departed Ryan, but this is now her government. Her review of herself didn’t quite reach the level of braggadocio, but there was no question she is quite satisfied with what she sees as a solid start.

There will always be problems and critics. Minority Republicans in the legislature, having lost their indolent leader Ken Ronk to town office, seem to be ready to kick up the traces. As long as Legislature Chair Peter Criswell of Kingston can keep his majority together, Metzger should have little worry from that quarter.

From a media standpoint, the advanced availability of Metzger’s 2,000-word speech was appreciated. It’s good to read along with the speaker, though in the dim confines of the Orpheum, it wasn’t easy. Her 10-minute Q&A with reporters after her address was also appreciated, less so a staffer’s direction to reporters to “stay on topic.” She should do more press conferences — a lot more.

I get the sense that in times of controversy, this administration tends to chase the curve. For instance, it’s been too often reactive to the drumbeat of scandals emanating from the Human Rights Department. The administration has had more than half a year to right that ship. Instead, a senior deputy will meet with a legislative committee tonight (Thursday, Feb. 8) to discuss matters.

Recommending a study on the county’s garbage disposal issues is yet another example of duck and cover. This subject has been talked about to death. It’s time for an action plan.

While I understand the often-abused need for confidentiality in government, there is a culture of secrecy in the executive’s office that has endured for the better part of 14 years. Metzger now stands on solid ground; she can change that.

I know it’s a temptation for politicians to juggle numbers, but this one was a doozie: Metzger claimed that tourism has doubled — yes, doubled — since 2019 to become an almost $1 billion-a-year business. Even the executive marveled when she rattled off that stat. I’ll leave the analysis to objective readers.

In sum, I’d give the executive a B+ on her record, something more for the speech. Blessed with smarts and money, there is still room for improvement.

Notes from Poly-Biz

Gabi Madden, the subject of media buzz since the first of the year, will “officially” announce her candidacy for the Democratic line for Assembly in the 103rd District at the family’s Savona’s Restaurant in the Rondout Thursday at 5:30. At that, incumbent Sarahana Shrestha beat her to the punch long ago in announcing her candidacy on Dec. 12.

The pair will compete in a Democratic primary on June 25.

Pat Ryan’s recent “demand” that the House Republican majority sign on to a foreign aid/border control plan he favors must have fallen with amusement in Speaker Mike Johnson’s office. “Demands” from freshmen minority members — heretofore called “backbenchers” — usually go ignored by leadership. Makes for great headlines back home, though.

Speaking of publicity hounds, Metzger hailed state Sen. Michelle Hinchey as a “great partner” during her pre-speech introductions at the Orpheum. Hinchey, a Saugerties native, was not in attendance.

The “great partner” line was not that far off the mark; I hear it all the time, from public officials of all stripes.

Did someone slip Criswell a pack of catnip at the State of the County event? For herding cats?

The young man selling popcorn at the Orpheum concession stand didn’t do much business, he said. It wasn’t that kind of show.