Donaldson (left) and Parete (file photo)
KINGSTON – A mailing from Ulster County to all county residents informing them of the upcoming vote on election day concerning whether or not the county Family Court should be moved out of Kingston and into the Town of Ulster, has come under fire from Democrat County Legislators David Donaldson and John Parete, the same legislators who sued the county over the proposition and lost.
They wrote to District Attorney Holley Carnright, a Republican, asking him to investigate what they called “the recent campaign card.” The DA has refused, saying there is “no evidence of criminality” that warrants an investigation.
County Attorney Bea Havranek said the issue has been fully reviewed by the county and is perfectly legal.
“This information is completely appropriate, provides essential information for the residents of Ulster County. It is absolutely legal and it is done in conjunction with the leadership of the legislature and consistent with legislative policy and the legislature’s resolution of June 2016 where they chose this option and identified the reasons why,” Havranek said.
In a written opinion to Havranek, Carnright wrote in his view, “the flyer is in conformity with two Ulster County resolutions on this issue. There is no evidence of criminality that would warrant my office’s involvement.”
Hein, meanwhile, said fellow democrats Parete and Donaldson are engaged in “a desperate attempt … to distract the voters from reviewing the relevant fact.” The county executive said the lawmakers “have done themselves, as well as our community, a disservice by trying to advance their own agenda in an attempt to influence the upcoming referendum.”
Hein noted the mailing was done in conjunction with the Republican chairman of the legislature and minority leader and input from other lawmakers.
Democrat Minority Leader Hector Rodriguez, said he “trusts the opinions” of both the DA and county attorney. “While I stood shoulder to shoulder with Legislators Donaldson and Parete on the ballot language, it is clear there is nothing wrong with the county informing voters regarding this issue.”
