Recent News & Events
Ulster County Reaches New Labor Agreement with Largest County Employee Union
 |
We're happy to share that the Ulster County Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Local 8950 has officially ratified a new four-year labor contract negotiated with County Executive Metzger and her team. The agreement will now go before the Ulster County Legislature for approval at its special budget session on December 3. “The agreement fairly compensates our employees for their dedicated work, strengthens pay equity, and will improve employee retention across departments, and I want to thank the leadership of CSEA Local 8950 leadership for a productive collective bargaining process that achieves a fair contract for their members,” said County Executive Metzger. Local 8950 is the largest of the five County employee unions, representing 880 members. The County Executive also thanks her negotiating team for their diligent work through this process, including Deputy County Executive Jamie Capuano, Personnel Director Dawn Spader, Director of Employee Relations Jim Farina, and Budget Director Ken Juras.
You can read more about the labor agreement here.
Vigil in Support of Detained Member of Afghan Family in Ulster County
On Nov. 14, County Executive Metzger joined with Ulster County's Interfaith Community in convening a candlelight vigil in New Paltz for Ali Sajad Faqirzada. The County Executive stood together with Ali's family and community members to call for Ali's release from detention in New Jersey, where he has been held for a month. He and his family, U.S. allies, fled Afghanistan under the Taliban and resettled in Ulster County more than three years ago, with the help and support of many community members. This young man is the last in his family to go through the asylum process, and was determined after meeting with immigration officials last month to have a Credible Fear of returning to Afghanistan. Then, without warning, he was taken to a detention center in New Jersey instead of returning home to school, work, family, and friends to await his asylum hearing as is normally done.
County Executive Metzger has written to ICE officials urging that he be immediately released and allowed to come home to his family and our community as he awaits his asylum hearing. Read her letter here.
Thank you to faith leaders, especially Reverend Marcella Gilles-Recter of Christ the King Episcopal Church in Stone Ridge, and the many people who came together from around the county in solidarity and support for Ali and his family. Thank you, also, to the Village of New Paltz for hosting the vigil at Peace Park.
Ulster County Establishes a Veterans Treatment Court to Support Justice-Involved Veterans
It's official! The NYS Office of Courts Administration has approved our County's request to establish an Ulster County Veterans Treatment Court, launched in a moving ceremony last Friday at the Ulster County Courthouse.
We know that many veterans return home carrying invisible wounds — including PTSD and traumatic brain injury — that can lead to struggles with mental health, substance use, and, in some cases, involvement with the justice system. Veterans Treatment Court provides an alternative path that recognizes the unique experiences of veterans and offers them the structure, support, and resources they need to heal and succeed in civilian life.
A special thanks to Judge Brian Rounds of the Ulster County Court, Ulster County Veterans Services Director Mark Cozzupoli and Deputy Director Frank Reggero, the NYS Unified Court System for their role in making this alternative pathway a reality. If you or any veteran you know might benefit from the Veterans Treatment Court, contact the VSA at (845) 340-3190 for more information.
Construction of Golden Hill Apartments Completed — a Shining Example of Affordable Housing!
On Nov. 14, County Executive Metzger cut the ribbon with Family of Woodstock Executive Director Michael Berg on Golden Hill Apartments – a beautiful 164-unit community development on the site where the old County jail once stood, co-developed by Pennrose and Family of Woodstock. The complex — with breathtaking views of the Catskills — has playgrounds for children, a community room, library, fitness center, community garden, childcare for working parents, supportive services for seniors and residents in need, UCAT bus service, and access to the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail.
The project is truly a model for what affordable housing should be, serving seniors, families, and individuals earning 30% to 80% of area median income. We thank the many partners who supported this project, including Governor Hochul and NYS Homes and Community Renewal, Empire State Development, NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, and U.S. Senator Gillibrand.
The first residents will move into this beautiful community in December!
Land Dedication for Hope Springs — Housing for Affordable Ownership
County Executive Metzger, State Senator Michelle Hinchey, and Town Supervisor Fred Costello joined Ulster County Habitat for Humanity in Saugerties for a land dedication ceremony for Hope Springs — a Habitat project to build 10 new affordable homes for working families and individuals for whom home ownership would otherwise be out of reach.
This is one of the projects selected for support in the first round of grants from the Ulster County Housing Action Fund, established in 2023 by County Executive Metzger and the Legislature to expand housing that is affordable and sustainably built. Thank you to Habitat of Humanity and its volunteers for working to make the dream of home ownership a reality for our residents!
Ulster County Holds Agriculture Forum with Sister Community, Chernivtsi Region of Ukraine
Earlier this year, County Executive Metzger and Chair of the Legislature Peter Criswell signed a Sister Community Agreement with the Chernivtsi Region of Ukraine. This past week, the Sister Communities launched a dialogue on a sector of vital importance to both regions – agriculture. The meeting brought together farmers and government representatives from both regions to share information and perspectives on topics like agritourism, soil health practices, and the healing power of farming for veterans.
We want to thank the Ulster County farmers who participated, including Wes Hannah (Solid Ground Farms), Oleh Maczaj (Founder of Rusty Plough Farm and Rondout Valley Organics), Olivia Petrocella (Rondout Valley Growers Association), and Charles Hurd (Hurd Family Farm), as well as Jake Wedemeyer from Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District.
You can view the full meeting recording here. You can also get some of the highlights from Lily Bortrych, a farmer and agricultural leader in Chernivtsi here.
$130,000 Raised for the Ulster County Food Access Fund!
We're happy to share that Ulster County has raised $130,000 for local food pantries through the Food Access Fund, launched by the County Executive in partnership with the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley. This funding is coupled with the $350,000 in County funds the County Executive directed to meet emergency food needs when SNAP benefits were halted during the federal shutdown.
We’re deeply grateful to an anonymous donor who contributed $100,000, to O’Connor and Partners and the NYS Trial Academy for a combined $20,000 donation, to the Dyson Foundation for $5,000, and to all of our community members who contributed!
SNAP benefits have since been restored, but supplies at local food pantries are still strained and the need remains great. If you’re able, please consider donating at https://ulstercountyny.gov/foodaccessfund.
Together, we can help ensure no one in our community goes hungry.
State Commissioner Spotlights Bell's Christmas Tree Farm in Accord
The NYS Commissioner for Agriculture and Markets, Richard Ball, made a special trip to Bell’s Christmas Tree Farm in Accord on Monday to spotlight this gem of a family farm in Ulster County and choose a tree for display at NYS Thruway Welcome Center in Woodbury Commons.
At the event, County Executive Metzger shared that she and her family have been making the annual pilgrimage to Bell's for the perfect tree for more than 20 years, and has seen their business grow while staying true to what makes this farm so special — a real family-run operation rooted in community and careful stewardship of the land.
Fun fact: When County Executive Metzger was a State Senator and Agriculture Committee Chair, she sponsored legislation for marketing support by NYS Ag & Markets to encourage holiday vendors to locally source Christmas trees and other holiday farm products rather than from out of state or from Canada. If you're buying a Christmas tree, ask if it was locally grown!
Honoring Local Youth Who Embody the Spirit of Sojourner Truth
On Saturday, Nov. 22, County Executive Metzger joined the community at St. James Methodist Church in Kingston — the very church where Sojourner Truth once worshiped — to celebrate her extraordinary legacy and 22 young people today in Ulster County who embody Sojourner's spirit in their own lives. Congratulations to the 22 honorees receiving the inaugural Ulster County Sojourner Truth Awards! This is the first of what will become an annual tradition around Sojourner Truth Day (Nov. 26) to honor the young leaders who carry forward Sojourner’s legacy of courage, resilience, and leadership in service to the greater good.
Congratulations to the Ulster County Sojourner Truth Award honorees!
- Nisean Abney, P-Tech at Ellenville High School – (nominated by) My Brother’s Keeper
- Nino Belheleurl, Kingston High School – Center for Photography at Woodstock
- Johnell Brannon, Saugerties High School – Boys and Girls Club of Ulster County
- Kyra Campbell, Kingston High School – Center for Creative Education
- Bryan Correa, Jr., Kingston High School – YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County
- Sam Constable, Kingston High School – Center for Creative Education
- Diego Estrada Perez, Kingston High School – Fly the Coop
- Marlene Hernandez, Kingston High School – Fly the Coop
- Alanny Jimenez Peralta, Kingston High School – Boys and Girls Club of Ulster County
- Henry Jones, P-Tech at Ellenville High School – My Brother’s Keeper
- Isabela Lewis-Rivera, P-Tech at Ellenville High School – My Sister’s Keeper
- Zackary Mahoney, Highland High School – Ulster County 4-H
- Ella Maxwell, Saugerties High School – Ulster County 4-H
- Juelz Mayers, Rondout Valley High School – Center for Creative Education
- Wyatt McNeil, Ellenville Central School – Wild Earth
- Timothy Michaud, Wallkill Senior High – Ulster County 4-H
- Dalianis Ortega, P-Tech at Ellenville High School – My Sister’s Keeper
- Kurtis Owens, Kingston High School – Boys and Girls Club of Ulster County
- Raisa Rehuma, Kingston High School – Center for Photography at Woodstock
- Janaye Riley, Kingston High School – Boys and Girls Club of Ulster County
- Isabella Rivera, Saugerties High School – Boys and Girls Club of Ulster County
- Jarell Seabrook, Grove Street Academy – The Children’s Home of Kingston
Thank you to the the youth-serving organizations who nominated these students, and to the Sojourner Truth Awards Committee who organized the event: Dina Suggs (Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer), Sharon Williams (Director of the Office of Employment and Training), Sugely Melenciano-Weed (Director of the Youth Bureau), and Kim Mapes (Youth and Family Engagement Coordinator at the Center for Restorative Justice).
Honoring Veterans at Frank Guido’s and the Ten Broeck Center
On Veterans Day, County Executive Metzger and Veteran Services Director Mark Cozzupoli were honored to participate in two great annual traditions — the Veteran’s Day Luncheon at Frank Guido’s Little Italy and the Veterans’ Tribute at Ten Broeck Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation.
The Guido family generously hosts a luncheon every year for veterans at no cost at their Kingston restaurant, and at this year’s luncheon, Executive Metzger and Director Cozzupoli presented Dave Hills, a former Marine and Federal Reserve officer and a Highland American Legion member, with the November Veteran of the Month honor. Congratulations, Dave!
Later they visited the Ten Broeck Center for a special tribute for the Center's many veterans, and presented each veteran with a certificate to honor their service. Thank you to Mackenzie Ferrendino and the entire Ten Broeck staff for hosting such a memorable afternoon!
The Ulster County VSA offers a wide range of supportive services for veterans’ needs. Learn more about what they do at https://www.ulstercountyny.gov/VSA, or contact Director Cozzupoli at mcoz@ulstercountyny.gov to get involved and stay informed.
County Executive Recognized by the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center
This past month, the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center in Kingston celebrated its 20th Anniversary, and County Executive Metzger was honored as a Community Ally for her commitment to building a community where all members feel safe, valued, and respected.
The Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center is open 11 AM — 7 PM, Tues. — Sat., providing a wide variety of programs, services, and support to LGBTQ community members of all ages. For more information, visit https://www.lgbtqcenter.org/. Happy Anniversary to the Center and thank you for 20 years of service to our community!
|
