KINGSTON – An oversight committee of the Ulster County Legislature, Tuesday, failed to approve a $25,000 grant for the Ulster Performing Arts Center.
Legislator John Parete felt this wasn’t the right climate in which to make the appropriation.
“I’d rather give this to Ellenville Hospital to buy another respirator. I just think it is totally inappropriate to offer a gift, which is really what we are doing, an appropriation, to a membership group,” he said.
But, Legislator Peter Criswell pushed for the funding.
“The arts are really important. I know that this is a critical time in our culture, in our society right this moment, but I feel arts are important and we can’t ignore it,” he said.
The committee chose not to vote on the resolution, but instead invite the UPAC director to the next meeting to further discuss the funding.
