Hein: “… reinvention and diversification …”
NEW PALTZ – Ulster County Executive Michael Hein delivered his
10TH annual State of the County Address Monday in New Paltz, to a standing
room crowd. “The state of our county is not only strong, it’s
stronger than it’s ever been and I firmly believe that our finest
days are yet to come,” Hein declared.
Among the achievements announced by Hein during the past year are continued tax savings, relief programs, and legislative reforms. He said the $61 million countywide infrastructure overhaul is working better than they could have ever imagined, creating quality jobs and safer roads and bridges for everyone.
We are witnessing firsthand the reinvention and diversification of our
county’s economy, with dramatically lower unemployment rates, the
birth of a film-based entertainment industry and the explosion of tourism
spending across our county,” Hein noted. “Add to that new
home sales that are soaring and sustainable local businesses that are
growing. Plus, we now have an emerging new tech industry that is helping
fuel more opportunities and an agricultural sector that is expanded into
wineries, cideries and distilleries that can barely keep up with the demand.”
Also accomplished in 2017 were programs to fund environmental reform, including a solar array at the Town of Ulster landfill, capable of producing 20 percent of the county’s electricity needs; a new energy efficient lighting system at the Law Enforcement Center; plus other progressive grants and awards looking forward to the future.
The county executive unveiled an initiative to protect victims of sexual harassment in the workplace all across Ulster County, directing that a hotline and website be available – the Workplace Sexual Harassment hotline 1-833-ENDS NOW or 1-833-363- 7669, and the website is www.UlsterHelps.org.
Hein also highlighted the new Ulster County Bystanders Against Sexual Assault Program which provides bystander training for bar staff as it aims to prevent sexual assaults before they occur. It is the first such program in New York State, to serve as a model for the development of a state-wide initiative.
In capital construction, the new $10 Family Court renovation at the Business Resource Center in the Town of Ulster is underway; construction of a restorative Justice Center is being planned; and Building a Better Ulster County public infrastructure program is getting another $16 infusion, totaling $61 million over the past four years.
Hein also promised to deliver a multi-location Fire Training Center with an exterior training complex at SUNY Ulster; a state of the art lecture facility at SUNY Ulster; and burning and extrication training split between the Town of Ulster and Walker Valley.
In legislative reform, Hein is asking the legislature to pass several new initiatives, including raising the age for tobacco purchases to 21. Hein is also seeking a sweeping set of campaign finance reform measures to be passed for Ulster County.
To save more taxpayer dollars, Ulster County will be merging the UCAT bus system with the City of Kingston struggling CITIBUS network. Hein is also striving to sign a new CSEA union agreement with civil service workers and extend the film industry tax credit with the State legislature.
