Ronk: “It’s vital that all parties …
act in good faith”
KINGSTON – County Legislature Chairman Kenneth Ronk was generally upbeat about out his vision of where Ulster County is and where it needs to go in 2016, as he gave the annual chairman’s address Tuesday night.
Topic one was the economy.
“The right kind of growth in Ulster County’s business community has the potential to lower unemployment and underemployment, reduce homelessness, increase sales tax collections, lower property taxes and create a better quality of life for residents here in Ulster County,” Ronk said. “But, the business growth needs to be sustainable and compatible with our quality of life here.”
The chairman said one first step toward that goal is creation of a Tech-Sector Task Force.
Ronk, a Republican presiding over an evenly-divided legislature, also emphasized a bipartisan approach to critical issues, including fiscal responsibility.
“It’s vital that all parties involved in any negotiation act in good faith. Rather than legislating or negotiating through the media, taxpayers are best served when their elected representatives come together and make decisions based on frank and thoughtful discussion.”
Ronk said that over the past eight years, they have positioned Ulster as “one of the most fiscally sound counties in the state.”
However, the chairman followed that with a warning.
“I submit to you that all we have accomplished could be undone with a legislature or an executive that makes a few poor decisions or by a legislature or an executive that gives in to external pressure and does not remember our history.”
The Majority and Minority leaders give their addresses at the March legislative session.
