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A Message from Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger
I hope you enjoyed a wonderful and restful President’s Day weekend. Earlier this month, I gave my State of the County address at the Orpheum Theatre in Saugerties, which I invite you to watch on YouTube (more details below). You can learn about the progress we made as a County in 2023, and what we have planned for 2024!
Other topics in this week’s newsletter: County resources for mental health, an update on efforts to hold Hudson Valley Water Company accountable, a new focus on agriculture in our Economic Development Department, a paid NYS climate fellowship opportunity, nominations for the 12th Annual County Executive's Arts Awards, and more!
All my best,
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Recent News & Events
2024 State of the County Address
On Feb. 6, County Executive Metzger delivered her 2024 State of the County Address at the Orpheum Theatre in Saugerties, reflecting on her administration’s work in the past year and previewing what’s ahead for the County. Housing solutions, workforce development plans, a new Ulster County Center for Well Being, Ulster County’s Climate Commitment, and exciting plans for a Nature Bus are among the initiatives you can learn about in the video recording here. (The recording will also soon be available in Spanish!)
Here’s a by-the-minute guide to the video:
03:33 - Honor Guard & Pledge of Allegiance led by Hudson Valley National Center for Veteran Reintegration President Kevin Keaveny.
05:25 - Invocation by Pastor James Louis.
10:53 - Poet Laureate Kate Hymes.
20:39 - Saugerties Boys and Girls Club performance.
28:25 - County Executive Metzger's Address.
Many thanks to Upstate Films, the Sheriff’s Honor Guard, HVNCVR President Kevin Keaveny, Pastor James Louis, Poet Laureate Kate Hymes, and the Saugerties Boys and Girls Club for being such a special part of the evening!
State Regulators Take Action on Hudson Valley Water Company Failures, as Urged by County Executive Metzger, Local & State Officials
The Public Service Commission took action on Hudson Valley Water Company in response to a letter from County Executive Metzger, co-signed by 11 local and state officials, urging that the company be replaced by a new owner and operator after years of complaints about service interruptions, water quality issues, and poor customer communication. The Commission directed the company to show cause by March 1 as to why a different operator should not be installed. We thank the Public Service Commission and Department of Public Service for their prompt action in this case!
Read the full Press Release to learn more.
Welcome, Deborah Dewan, Ulster County’s First Agricultural Services Administrator!
We are pleased to announce that Deborah has joined the Economic Development Department as Agricultural Services Program Administrator, a new position that will lead efforts to develop programs supporting local farms and capitalizing on new opportunities that contribute to a thriving, diverse, and sustainable agricultural sector for years to come.
Deborah previously served as Executive Director of the Rondout Valley Growers Association and as Agricultural Policy Advisor to the State Senate Agriculture Committee under the leadership of then-State Senator Jen Metzger. Her knowledge of state policy will be an asset as the County partners with current Senate Agriculture Chair Michelle Hinchey on county initiatives. Deborah has also held senior positions at the Catskill Center and Scenic Hudson, bringing a wealth of experience to this new position. Welcome, Deborah!
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Learning About Ulster County’s Q'eqchi Community
Last week, County Executive Metzger attended an information presentation, organized by Ulster County Mano a Mano Coalition, on the County’s Q’eqchi (pronounced Kekchi) community. The event, held at the Institute for Family Health’s Pine Street Clinic, shared information on the culture, language, and history of the community. Q'eqchi is a Mayan language with about 500,000 speakers in Guatemala and Belize, and we have many native speakers of Q'eqchi here in Ulster County!
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Community Compost Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary
Happy 10-year anniversary to Community Compost, a local company that turns food waste into nutrient-rich compost, improving soil health and boosting productivity on our local farms. Congratulations to Founder Eileen Banyra and the team and thank you for the work you do! In Ulster County today, over 46,000 tons of food and yard waste is trucked to a landfill hundreds of miles away when we could be putting this waste to good use right here in our County. Companies like Community Compost are working to change that!
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Support for the NY HEAT Act
County Executive Metzger joined with State Senator Michelle Hinchey, Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, Rycor’s Scott Arnold, New Yorkers for Clean Power’s Betta Broad, and other community members in front of the County Office Building to share their support for the New York HEAT Act. The bill, currently before the State Legislature, would align Public Service Law with New York’s Climate Act and set utilities on a more sustainable and affordable path.
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Help is Available
Mental health is an issue that affects us all, and we all need to support our loved ones and community members to seek help. If you or someone you know is struggling, you're not alone. Help is available:
📞 Dial 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
📱 Contact Ulster County Mobile Mental Health at (844) 277-4820
📍 Visit the Behavioral Health Urgent Care at 368 Broadway, Suite 205 in Kingston
The Ulster County Department of Mental Health is available for additional support and can be reached at (845) 340-4110 or visit the website for more information.
For employees of Ulster County seeking support, employee resources are available through the Employee Assistance Program, reachable at 1(888) 881-5462.
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February is Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month
Let’s come together to support those impacted by this rare form of cancer. Knowledge is key in the fight against cancer, so join us in helping to spread awareness.
Join us for World CCA Day, an international effort to raise awareness about cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a devastating cancer affecting the bile ducts. With its increasing global incidence, collaboration is crucial. CCA presents vague symptoms, leading to misdiagnosis and uncertainty for patients and their families. This year, we advocate for a smoother path to diagnosis, urging healthcare professionals to clarify symptoms, listen to patient histories, explain possible diagnoses transparently, act decisively, and refer to specialists promptly. Let’s improve the journey for those impacted by CCA.
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Restorative Justice Volunteers Needed - Training Tonight at 4 PM
The Ulster County Probation team invites you to help support our youth with the Family of Woodstock’s One80 Program! Sign up to volunteer for their Juvenile Community Accountability Board and participate in a planned face-to-face Restorative Circle with the youth referred. The Circle aims to provide everyone an opportunity for helpful discussion, reflection, and making amends.
Volunteers will be required to attend a one-day training on Wednesday, February 21 from 4 PM to 6:30 PM. To register, contact Kim Mapes at (845) 802-7966 or kmap@co.ulster.ny.us.
Volunteer with the Ulster County Crime Victims Assistance Program - Begins Tonight at 6 PM
Support others through crucial moments in their lives and connect them to essential services that help begin their healing journey. This 40-hour hybrid training program prepares volunteers to assist victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and other violent crimes. Upon completion, participants will receive certification per NYS Department of Health guidelines.
The program begins on February 21 and runs through April 1 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 PM to 8 PM. For more information about how to apply, contact Sarah at (845) 340-3443 or skra@co.ulster.ny.us or visit our website.
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Nominations Open for the 12th Annual Ulster County Executive's Arts Awards
Do you know someone who's making waves in the Ulster County arts scene? Arts Mid-Hudson is now accepting nominations for the 12th Annual Ulster County Executive's Arts Awards! Award categories include: Artivist, Arts Education, Arts Organization, Art in Public Places, Business/Corporation, Inclusion in the Arts, Individual Artist, Patron/Philanthropy, Volunteer, and Youth with Exceptional Promise in the Arts.
The deadline to nominate is Thursday, March 1. Nominees must be residents of Ulster County and businesses or organizations must have a place of business in Ulster County.
Help Create Equitable Climate Solutions in Ulster County!
The County Executive’s Office plans to hire a Climate Justice Fellow through New York State’s Climate Justice Fellowship Program, and we encourage interested and eligible Ulster County residents to apply for this competitive, paid NYSERDA fellowship. The County will request from NYSERDA a one-year, full-time paid Climate Justice Fellow to work on County climate justice initiatives and help plan for climate change adaptation.
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Job Openings in Ulster County
Ulster County is Hiring! We’re looking for a Deputy Director to join our Department of the Environment and assist the team in supporting the implementation of important climate goals for our County.
Consider a career in public service and earn a living by making a difference. Visit the civil service portal and apply today to join our team.
The Ulster County Government strictly adheres to the principles of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act and Americans with Disability Act.
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