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A Message from Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger |
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Hello friends!
We've got updates to share on new County initiatives, including an Arts and Culture Master Plan in the works, the launch of a grant program to help local governments make climate-smart investments, a ribbon-cutting on a new public trail connecting the City of Kingston with the O&W rail trail, and more!
If you or someone you know would be interested in joining our team in Ulster County government, don’t miss our Job Fair this evening, 4 - 6 pm, at 733 Broadway in Kingston. You can read more about the fair and other upcoming employment workshops in the "Upcoming Events" section below. We've got a wide range of rewarding job opportunities available!
All my best,
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Recent News & Events
Upcoming Primary Election on June 25 & Early Voting from June 15 - 23
The County Executive recently attended a naturalization ceremony at our County Courthouse for 25 new Americans — a poignant reminder of how fortunate we are to live in a country where our democratic rights are protected. Yet, remarkably for the oldest existing democracy in the world, the U.S. ranked as low as 31 out of 49 countries in voter turnout in 2020--and this was the year of highest national voter turnout since 1900 (Pew Research Center, 7/12/23).
As the saying goes, democracy only happens when people show up, so be sure to show up at your local polling location for the June primary and November general elections. You can find polling locations and ballot information for the primary election on Tuesday, June 25, at the Ulster County Board of Elections (BOE) website, as well as information on early voting (June 15-June 23) and mail-in ballots.
Ulster County Celebrates Juneteenth - Monday, June 17
The Offices of the Ulster County Executive and County Clerk invite you to attend our Juneteenth Freedom Day event on Monday, June 17, two days before the official federal holiday! Juneteenth commemorates the day of June 19,1865, when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were told they were free. Join us in honoring Juneteenth with a special presentation and demonstration of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s upcoming website: "Bearing Witness," which includes a searchable database of documents, an interactive map containing the locations of historic houses in Ulster County known to have been involved in enslavement, an overview of historic Black burial grounds, and an extensive collection of stories chronicling the lives of historic personages of African descent.
📅 Monday, June 17
🕒 4 PM - 6 PM
📍County Office Building, 1st Floor (244 Fair Street, Kingston NY)
The event will include a discussion of the first phase of work completed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the website demonstration, and updates on the next phases of work from the Commission, including curriculum development and narrative publication announcements.
Solar & Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (SEVI) Grant for Ulster County Municipalities
Ulster County is pleased to accept applications from local governments for Solar & Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (SEVI) grants--a new program funded with $2.5 million of the County's American Rescue Plan Act funds to encourage local clean energy investments and help mitigate climate change. The SEVI program will award up to $100,000 to Town and Village governments for projects and requires a 50% local match (federal and state funding can be included in the match). The application form has been sent to local governments, and submissions will be accepted through July 5, 2024.
Ulster County Announces Kick-off for Comprehensive Arts & Culture Plan
Ulster County has launched a process to create the first Ulster County Arts & Culture Plan--a blueprint for defining, assessing, prioritizing, and charting a course for a flourishing arts and culture landscape in Ulster County. The planning process is guided by a 27-member Project Advisory Committee (PAC), composed of arts leaders from around the County representing a diverse range of geographies, artistic disciplines, genders, and races. Their expertise will help create a comprehensive and inclusive arts plan that is both aspirational and practical. Follow the project on Participate Ulster to learn more about upcoming outreach events to inform the plan's development, including town hall meetings, creative sector workshops, surveys, and community conversations.
The final plan will reflect input from community members of all ages and backgrounds, providing well-defined goals and strategies that align with broader community needs, including economic prosperity, social equity, environmental protection, and cultural vitality.
Ulster County Adopts Preferred Name and Pronoun Plan
Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger announced a new Preferred Name and Pronoun Plan to create an inclusive and welcoming work environment for all County employees. This initiative allows employees to use their preferred first name and/or pronoun in internal and external communications, onboarding materials, and ID badges in a positive step towards respecting and celebrating personal identity and expression. This Plan is consistent with current policies protecting employees against discrimination based on gender identity and expression and is a best practice for supporting transgender and gender non-conforming members of our County workforce. The Plan is also intended to include anyone who uses a preferred first name on a daily basis other than their legal/primary first name.
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O+W Rail Trail Connector Officially Open
On May 30, we cut the ribbon on a beautiful 1.8-mile public trail connecting the O&W Rail Trail with the City of Kingston that has been long in the making. The trail is paved and designed for people of all ages and abilities. A big thank you to the Ulster County Planning Department for all your work to get us to this day, and to everyone who played a role in making this trail a reality, including our Department of Public Works, Ulster County Trail Advisory Committee, Greenline Leadership Team, County Legislature, and the O&W Coalition.
Come and enjoy the trail for a stroll, run, bike, or skate! On the Kingston end, you can access the trail by foot or bicycle at Washington Avenue. If parking and riding, the trail can be accessed at the parking lot at 79 Hurley Ave.
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Explore Vital Community Issues on Healthy Ulster Radio
Stay updated with the latest on climate, consumer, and environmental issues affecting our community. The two most recent episodes of Healthy Ulster Radio feature engaging discussions with key experts and policymakers:
Episode 267: NYS Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha discusses a new bill introduced with NYS Senator Michelle Hinchey to transform Central Hudson into a publicly owned utility focused on clean and renewable energy, customer needs, and community welfare.
Episode 268: Megan Wolff, Ph.D., MPH, Health Policy Director at Beyond Plastics, highlights the impact of plastic pollution on our health and environment and examines a pending NYS bill aimed at reducing plastic packaging and increasing recycling rates across the State.
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Urgent: Blood Emergency Declared by New York Blood Center
Our region’s blood supply is at a critical low, and hospitals and patients depend on your life-saving blood donations. You can make a difference! Schedule an appointment today or walk in to donate and spread the word among family and friends to join this crucial effort. Visit nybc.org to find a donation location nearest you.
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June is Pride Month!
Happy Pride Month, Ulster County! Throughout June and beyond, we honor the beauty, strength, resilience, contributions, and accomplishments of our LGBTQIA+ communities and recommit to building a safe, respectful, and inclusive world for all.
Join us in commemorating Pride with these special events in Ulster County:
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June 13-16: Kingston Pride.
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June 18: Ulster County Legislative Session featuring performances by Key of Q: The LGBTQ+ & Allied A Cappella Singers of the Hudson Valley, Big Gay Hudson Valley, and GLSEN Mid-Hudson, advocating for safe schools for all students.
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June 28: Stonewall Anniversary Event at the Hudson Valley LGBTQ+ Community Center.
Let's continue to uplift and support one another, creating a community where everyone is safe, included, valued, and proud of who they are.
Want to Work for the Ulster County Government?
Check out these upcoming events to help you navigate job opportunities and apply for positions with Ulster County!
On Thursday, June 13, the Ulster County Personnel Department, Office of Employment & Training (OET), Chief Diversity Office, and the Restorative Justice & Community Empowerment Center are hosting a Job Fair from 4 PM - 6 PM at the Center (733 Broadway, Kingston, NY). Learn about job opportunities with Ulster County, discover tips to enhance your resume, and access computers to apply and search for jobs.
On select Thursdays in June and July, the Restorative Justice Center and OET will host a series of workshops to help you navigate job opportunities and apply for positions with Ulster County. All workshops will take place at the Center at 3 PM - 5 PM.
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June 13: Civil Service Positions & How to Find Them
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June 17: Changing Your Career– What Could Be Next?
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July 18: Alternative Careers
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July 25: Obtaining a Job Offer After Involvement with the Justice System
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Join Us for the Annual Ulster County Older Adults Empowerment Council Forum
Discover the senior groups across Ulster County – learn more about how they were formed, what they do, how they support and assist each other, as well as find out about some of their fun activities, how they socialize and help each other, and how being part of a group can help prevent seniors from being isolated and becoming a victim of various scams that target seniors. “Seniors Helping Seniors Stay Afloat: All in the Same Boat!” is a hybrid event, and you can participate in person, stream it online, or join a group at a local library.
📅 Thursday, June 13
🕒 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
📍 Ulster County Senior Hub (5 Development Court, Kingston), Online via Zoom, or at a local library (Kingston Library, Woodstock Public Library District, Town of Esopus Library.)
Featured speakers and groups include local Seniors Serving in Place groups, Rhinebeck at Home, Catskill Neighbors, and Veteran support groups Ulster County Veterans Service Agency, The Hudson Valley National Center for Veteran Reintegration, and Vet2Vet.
Registration is required! Call the Office for the Aging at (845) 340-3456 or register online via Zoom.
Department of Mental Health Office Hours – June 13 & 20
A representative from the Ulster County Department of Mental Health will be hosting neighborhood office hours on two upcoming dates in Highland and in Kingston this month. Take advantage of this opportunity to receive one-on-one naloxone training and valuable opioid prevention materials, and learn about the array of services our Department provides.
📅 Thursday, June 13
🕕1 PM - 4 PM
📍 Highland Public Library, 14 Elting Place, Highland NY
📅 Thursday, June 20
🕕10 AM - 1 PM
📍 Peoples Place, 17 St. James Street, Kingston NY
Whether you're seeking connections to support or simply want to educate yourself and your community, this will serve as a great opportunity to get connected to the Department of Mental Health! For more information, contact Jillian Nadiak-Bruck atjnad@co.ulster.ny.us.
Join Us On the Nature Bus - Upcoming Routes for June 15 & 22
Take advantage of Ulster County’s free Nature Bus to visit one of our County's amazing natural treasures and outdoor destination favorites!
📅 Saturday, June 15 - River Route
📍 Kingston Point Beach (Activities include: Walking, Biking, Swimming, and Playground)
📍 Sojourner Truth State Park (Activities include: Walking, Hiking, and Biking)
📍 Shaupeneak Ridge (Activities include: Walking, Hiking, and Biking)
📍 Walkway Over the Hudson State Park (Activities include: Walking and Biking)
📍 Black Creek Preserve (Activities include: Walking and Biking)
📍 Esopus Meadows Preserve (Activities include: Walking and Hiking)
📅 Saturday, June 22 - Ridge Route
📍 Sam’s Point Preserve (Activities include: Hiking)
📍 Lippman Park (Activities include: Walking and Biking)
📍 Minnewaska State Park Preserve (Activities include: Hiking and Biking)
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Upcoming Public Information Sessions for the Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT) Route Optimization Plan
Join the Ulster County Transportation Council for a public information session to learn about the ongoing UCAT Route Optimization Plan and how you can be involved in shaping UCAT’s future. Staff will present an overview of the project and detail opportunities to provide input.
📅 Tuesday, June 18
🕙 Two Options: 3:30 PM & 5:30 PM
📍 Restorative Justice & Community Empowerment Center (733 Broadway, Kingston)
These sessions will be recorded and available online throughout June & July along with a public Q&A for further engagement. Contact Brian Slack for more information.
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Grant Opportunity for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts is seeking proposals for art and community projects that help build a sense of place. Find out if you may be eligible to support Ulster County’s wealth of creativity in your community.
This information is being provided for the benefit of Ulster Residents, these programs are not operated or controlled by the County of Ulster.
Grant for First-time Homebuyers in the City of Kingston
RUPCO offers grants of up to $50,000 to first-time homebuyers looking to purchase residential homes in the City of Kingston. Please click the link below to see if you may qualify.
This information is being provided for the benefit of Ulster Residents, these programs are not operated or controlled by the County of Ulster.
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Job Openings in Ulster 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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