Parete listens quietly as Gregorius slams
the chairman’s appointments
KINGSTON – John Parete was not the unanimous choice among Democrats to become chairman of the Ulster County Legislature when the party captured the majority in the last election. Was there retribution?
That was clearly the sentiment when Majority Leader Donald Gregorius
presented the annual majority platform during Tuesday night’s monthly
legislative session.
Gregorius cited committee chair appointments as exhibit one.
“Our colleagues on the other side of the aisle fared far better than we did,” Gregorius claimed. “They asked to keep the same standing committee appointments with only one requested change. The chairman honored their requests. We, as the majority, received nine unrequested changes that have serious implications. We believe these changes were a direct result of our choice to not vote for him as chairman of this year’s session.”
Parete did not respond Tuesday night. He plans to give his annual
chairman’s report next month.
Gregorius did outline some goals, including a countywide broadband policy, a workable solid waste solution, reduced energy consumption and addressing safety net concerns. He also pledged to work with the minority on “sensible legislation.”
“Bipartisanship through compromise” is what Minority Leader Kenneth Ronk also called for.
“We vow to band together with other likeminded legislators from the other side of the aisle and form a coalition of the reasonable in order to do the good work for the people that we represent.”
Ronk emphasized what he sees as diversity among the nine-member Republican
minority on the 23-member legislature. He said all Republicans believe
in “fiscal conservativism and fiscal responsibility” but there
are some minority members who also have strong environmental concerns.
