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A Message from Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger
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Dear friends,
Phew, thankfully we are past the first heat wave of the summer. It’s important to know that we make cooling centers available to the community in times like these for folks who need relief from the heat and may not have A/C. Please check the County website, Facebook, and Instagram for notices on future extreme heat events, and help us spread the word to vulnerable neighbors.
We saw a great outcome this past week with the decision of the NYS Public Service Commission on a nearly $65 million settlement to be paid by Fortis/Central Hudson shareholders for the billing debacle that affected thousands of customers over more than three years. This is something we’ve been pushing hard on, and we are thrilled that customers are finally seeing some justice. We are happy to share this and other news, including our launch of a new road safety campaign yesterday. Enjoy!
All my best,
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Recent News & Events
County Launches ‘Safe Start to Summer 2024’ Road Safety Campaign
This week, the County Executive announced the launch of Safe Start to Summer 2024, a three-week road safety campaign to elevate awareness about the dangers of speeding and distracted driving, promote a culture of safety and respect on roadways, and help save lives.
The campaign is a collaboration of the Ulster County Executive, Ulster County Transportation Council, Ulster County Traffic Safety Board, Office of the Ulster County Sheriff, local governments, and state and local law enforcement, and involves both public education and enhanced enforcement of traffic laws in high-risk areas around Ulster County.
This initiative is intended to address growing problems on roadways with distracted driving as well as aggressive driving, which has been on the rise since the pandemic. In her State of the County address, County Executive Metzger announced plans for a variety of road safety initiatives in the wake of several tragic motor vehicle incidents, including a crash on Route 28 in Shandaken and hit-and-run incidents in Saugerties and New Paltz that claimed four young lives. A third hit-and-run incident occurred several weeks later in Marlborough in which two people died.
"Every life is valuable, and we have to work together to make our roads in Ulster County safer for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, alike," said County Executive Metzger, when announcing the campaign.
Ulster County Executive Applauds PSC Decision Holding Central Hudson Accountable
County Executive Jen Metzger applauds the unanimous decision by the NYS Public Service Commission (PSC) approving a $64.59 million settlement agreement with Central Hudson to be paid by shareholders, not ratepayers, for the failed implementation of the Company’s new billing system that was rolled out three years ago. The County Executive successfully advocated with the Commission and the Department of Public Service to complete the investigation and bring justice for customers before taking any decision on Fortis/Central Hudson’s new rate plan–a decision which is expected in August.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Website “Bearing Witness” Launches
In recognition of Juneteenth, the Offices of the Ulster County Executive and County Clerk hosted a presentation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, created in 2022 to conduct primary historical research into slavery in Ulster County and chronicle the lives of individuals of African descent.
The event launched the new “Bearing Witness” website, which includes a searchable database of local historical 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.
This website shares a more complete truth that dispels the common misconception that the North was not complicit in slavery. No one could have this impression after exploring the wealth of information about slavery in our county that is now publicly available on the new site. To populate the site, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Advisory Board, County Clerk Nina Postupack, Deputy County Clerk Taylor Bruck, and the staff of the Clerk’s office pulled 250 boxes of records between the years 1658 and 1850 for the Commission to examine, including court records, tax lists, deeds, mortgages, wills, censuses, coroner’s inquests, and inventories.
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Breaking Ground for Ulster BOCES at the County’s Workforce Development Center
On June 20, Ulster County Executive Metzger joined the U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Congressman Pat Ryan, NYS Commissioner of Education Dr. Betty Rosa, Ulster BOCES President Dr. Jonah Schenker, and educators from around the county for a ceremonial groundbreaking on a new Ulster BOCES Career Pathways Academy at iPark-87, the former IBM complex in the Town of Ulster. The BOCES academy will be directly adjacent to (and in the same building complex as) the County’s new Sustainable Ulster Workforce Innovation Center--a collaboration of County government, SUNY New Paltz, SUNY Ulster, and community-based partners. Together with Ulster BOCES, we're creating a hub of workforce development for every age, and a runway into meaningful, family-sustaining jobs for our people.
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Centralized Arraignment Part (CAP Court) Launches in Ulster County
On June 14, County Executive Metzger joined Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa, Public Defender Liz Corrado, Ulster County Legislature Chair Peter Criswell, former Legislator Eve Walter, and Judge Kyle Barnett (former President of the NYS Magistrates Association) at a press conference to launch the new Centralized Arraignment Part, known as CAP court. By centralizing after-hours arraignments at the Law Enforcement Center, the new court will help address administrative challenges of a traditional “on-call” system in a large rural county like ours and will ensure that everyone before a judge has legal representation.
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Recognizing the 2024 Ulster County Black Business Award Winners
We celebrated the remarkable achievements of Ulster County's Black-owned businesses and community leaders at the 2024 Ulster County Black Business Awards, a wonderful event organized by Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce, Black History Month Kingston, and Ulster County Tourism, and hosted by Ulster Savings Bank.
Our county is home to a rich history of Black entrepreneurship, and we recognize the importance of supporting and lifting up our Black-owned businesses. Congratulations to Corey James, Rendesia Scott, Liz Baker, and Shataya McComb for their much-deserved recognition, and for all they do for our youth, community, and economy.
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Juneteenth Celebrations
On Juneteenth, County Executive Metzger spent the day in Ulster County attending two inspiring local events commemorating the day that the last enslaved peoples in our country were told that they were free, in Galveston Texas on June 19, 1865–two years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
The day began at the New Paltz Rural Cemetery in Section C, a segregated section of the cemetery where African Americans were permitted to be buried beginning in 1867. At its founding in 1861, only whites were allowed to be buried there. The Margaret Wade-Lewis Center held a moving ceremony and tribute to the Wynkoop family, an African-American family whose members played important roles in the community. Jane Deyo Wynkoop, born in Hurley, later moved to New Paltz with her husband Thomas Wynkoop, and purchased land in New Paltz. Jane and Thomas had two sons, Jacob and John who were among the first Black men to vote. Jacob Wynkoop was born a free man in 1929 and became a carpenter. In the late 1880’s Jacob built a neighborhood of free Black residents, including the land his mother bought.
County Executive Metzger then headed over the ridge to the Shiloh Baptist Church in Ellenville for a wonderful Juneteenth celebration with the community.
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Ulster County Needs Foster Homes
Are you ready to make a difference in a child's life? Join our monthly Foster Parent Orientation to learn about foster care and how you can help. You'll get comprehensive info on the joys and responsibilities of fostering.
🗓️ Tuesday, July 2
🕔 5:30 PM - 6: 30 PM
📍 Department of Social Services (1091 Development Court, Kingston, NY)
Orientations are held on the first Tuesday of every month. To attend, please call ahead to confirm your spot with a Home Finder: (845) 334-5400.
Want to Work for the Ulster County Government?
On select Thursdays in June and July, the Restorative Justice Center and Office of Employment & Training 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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July 18: Alternative Careers
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July 25: Obtaining a Job Offer After Involvement with the Justice System
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Weekly Events & Activities at the Trudy Resnick Farber Building
Join us for a boost of well-being and community connection. Check out the June schedule of events hosted at the County’s Trudy Resnick Farber Center in Ellenville!
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Job Openings in Ulster County
We have some exciting positions open in the County government. Visit the civil service portal and apply today to join our team, and please help us spread the word! Here are just some of the rewarding positions we're hiring for:
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Assistant County Attorney ($86,932/year)
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Commissioner of Health ($183,511/year)
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Director of Housing & Homelessness ($75,000/year)
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Environmental Outreach Manager ($59,514/year)
- And more!
The Ulster County Government strictly adheres to the principles of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act and Americans with Disability Act.
Grant Opportunity for Ulster County Clean Energy Businesses and Organizations
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) wants to support businesses and future generations in growing our clean energy economy. If you work in the emerging clean energy industry in Ulster County, you may be eligible to have New York State reimburse between 75%- 90% of the cost of an intern, who can support your work and gain meaningful experience.
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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