KINGSTON – Democrat David Donaldson and Republican Richard Gerentine have been Ulster County Legislators for decades. Under a local law adopted Tuesday night, they will be limited to six terms, after the law takes effect following this year’s general election.
Gerentine is, in a sense, ‘term-limiting’ himself by retiring at the end of this year. Donaldson would like to stick around and thinks the decision should be up to the voters to decide on when to set the limit, for legislators.
Gerentine believes every two years lawmakers are up for re-election and the voters decide whether they should be returned to office.
Donaldson had the same view. “It’s really up to the public. It’s up to those people that elect them. Now if they didn’t want me, they would put me out of office.”
Donaldson said he supports the three-term limits for county executive and comptroller, whose terms will be staggered in odd years.
Another Democrat, Kathy Nolan tried to split the apple.
“I oppose term limits,” Nolan said. “I support this resolution because it is the way that this county should put term limits into place if we are going to do that.”
The local law was approved on a 16 to 5 vote, with dissent from Donaldson, and Manna Jo Greene on the Democrat side. Republicans Gerentine, Mary Beth Maio and Mary Wawro also voted ‘no.’
It goes to County Executive Pat Ryan. If he signs it, the law takes effect in 2020, after this November’s general election.
Under state law, term limits cannot be set for county clerk, sheriff, district attorney or judges.
On another issue, the legislature defeated a resolution increasing the employee contribution toward the cost of health insurance for new management non-union employees.
