KINGSTON – A measure before the Ulster County Legislature that would have prohibited elected county officials and board of elections staff from holding any elective public office in the county, has been sent back to committee.
The measure came before the county legislature last week, but when it came up for discussion, it was immediately sent back to committee for review.
During public comment period, New Paltz Town Supervisor Neil Bettez criticized the effort, which he said was targeted at one individual.
“You may say it’s not about Dan Torres, but it’s kind of like when people say it’s not about the money; we all know it’s about the money,” Bettez said. “We all know it’s about Dan Torres. It’s a single person and it doesn’t really address so-called conflicts. If serving in an elective office and working for another government is deemed a conflict; then this legislature should hold themselves to the same standard. Currently five members of this legislature fall into this category.”
Torres is an elected member of the New Paltz Town Board and is also a staff member of Ulster County Executive Patrick Ryan.
