Rindler (file): “taking care of our own” law
KINGSTON – There was nothing but enthusiasm for a proposed Human Rights Law, which received unanimous approval from the Ulster County Legislature Tuesday night.
One of the main advocates was Jeff Rindler, executive director of the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Center and a member of the Human Rights Commission.
“It allows us on the Human Rights Commission to provide mediation as well as support through a restorative justice model,” Rindler said. “If that doesn’t pan out, then we go to the administrative law judge. But, the hope is that we will be able to do it. And, it takes the spin off not having to have people go there, many of whom are usually the most challenged, to actually go, might not have the financial means. This allows us to take care of us here. It’s what I call the ‘taking care of our own law’.”
Legislature Chairman Kenneth Ronk thanked dozens who worked together to make it happen.
“This law I’m very proud of because I think it shows what can happen when you bring all the stakeholders to the table and craft a law there at the table with all the stakeholders present and I think that it’s a really positive step forward our community and I’m proud of everybody,” Ronk said.
An amendment to the County Charter on appointments to the five-member Board of Ethics caused some debate.
The new law allocates the schedule to appoint board members as follows:
Term ending December 31, 2018 by the county executive
Term Ending December 31, 2019 by the legislature chairman
Term ending December 31, 2020, by the legislature majority leader
Term ending December 31, 2021 by the legislature minority leader
Term ending December 31, 2022 by the county executive.
Conservative Legislator Joe Maloney was in full support.
“To have an ethics board with five members chosen by four people, compared to an ethics board chosen by one person just makes a lot more sense to me,” Maloney said, adding it will “bring diversity.”
Republican Richard Gerentine was adamantly opposed.
“You just mentioned that the fact that these are quality people,” Gerentine said. “I’m not even sure anybody has been before the ethics board that sits in this legislative body. I think its disrespect that the people that are serving there that we are questioning the integrity of those people.”
The measure passed on a 17 to 5 vote and will go to voters on the November general election ballot.
