Ronk (file): All smiles when elected chairman
last January
KINGSTON – Ulster County is moving its email software from one company to another as of the first of the year, but during the final business meeting of the year, the county legislature approved a $50,000 maintenance contract for the old software.
Carl Belfiglio could not figure out why.
“Why can’t we cut the cord on the maintenance cost of this bloated, hugely ineffective email system that we have,” Belfiglio asked.
He wasn’t getting sympathy from fellow Republicans but three Democrats joined him in voting ‘no’ on that particular contract.
Also approved was a $3 million contract for the Public Safety Enterprise Software.
Most of the agenda for the year-end meeting consisted of approving standard annual contracts for several outside agencies, including Astor Services, Mental Health Association and Family of Woodstock.
The 18-minute meeting ended with legislature Chairman Kenneth Ronk thanking all his fellow lawmakers.
“I just want to say it’s been a profound honor to serve as your chairman for the past year,” Ronk said. “Working with every one of you has been enjoyable for me. I think that this is one of the best bodies I’ve served with. I think that there’s not a single person on here that I don’t feel like I can call up and work well with.”
The year began with Republican Ronk emerging as chairman, even though technically, Democrats hold a one-vote majority. Democrat Richard Parete was dumped by his party in the 2015 election. He won re-election by running on the Republican line.
