KINGSTON – A resolution approving a ballot proposition on a new location for the Ulster County Family Court failed when the legislature deadlocked with neither side getting a majority.
The issue was the wording of the proposition.
The wording that will appear on the ballot: “Shall the County
of Ulster be permitted to relocate the current leased site of the Ulster
County Family Court, located at 16 Lucas Avenue in the City of Kingston,
County of Ulster, State of New York, to an existing county owned property,
approved by the New York State Office of Court Administration, located
at 1 Development Court, Ulster Avenue in the Town of Ulster, County of
Ulster, State of New York?”
The revised wording added language, including noting that “Ulster County Legislature selected a new site for Family Court, the Business Resource Center … located at 1 Development Court, Town of Ulster, County of Ulster, … and whereas, pursuant to New York State’s County Law §216, no courthouse now or hereafter located in a city shall be removed beyond the limits of such city without the approval of a proposition …”.
The most emphatic defense of a ‘neutral’ proposition came from veteran Democrat David Donaldson.
“The idea of the thumb of government on the scale in order to do this, and that’s what this is, it is an insult and it insults the intelligence of the voters of this county,” Donaldson said.
Democrat John Parete used some mild sarcasm in arguing the enhancement is not needed and can be construed as leading the voter.
“How my opponent would feel if the ballot reads ‘John Parete, adored by his grandchildren, revered by members of the community, the best thing since lined paper’. I think my opponent would think that’s a little unfair.”
But fellow Democrat Chris Allen disagreed with both.
“We are not, you know, trying to lead things in the wrong direction,” Allen argued. “There should be more language on her to fully explain to the voters what’s going on here, all the different scenarios that are involved with different locations and the cost that would be involved with each one.”
In the end, the legislature, with five members absent, voted 9-9, so the resolution failed. There was no word last night on whether they will try again.
In other business during the monthly session:
The legislature adopted without debate memorializing resolutions calling on the state DEC to assure opportunities for public and municipal participation in the environmental review of the proposed Pilgrim Pipeline; and, opposing additional commercial vessel anchorages in the Hudson River.
A motion to set a public hearing on a proposed local law prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity at places of public accommodation, resort or amusement was withdrawn by its sponsor. Democrat Jennifer Berky said she wanted more time to fine tune the enforcement language.
