KINGSTON – The Ulster County Legislature Tuesday night voted to spend some $4 million on construction and paving of a new Kingston Rail Trail while a few detractors said the money should be used instead to provide adequate housing for the homeless.
Legislator Laura Petit said while not opposed to new trails, the money would be better spent on taking care of the homeless.
“We have people sleeping outside DSS waiting for emergency housing. We have them moved from emergency housing every 21 to 25 days. These places are disgusting. They have bedbugs. They have roaches. Kids are missing school because they are not being given the transportation they need,” she said.
Lawmaker Joe Maloney voted against it saying, “temporary housing is out of control.”
Legislator Abe Uchitelle said the issue should not be about either one. Instead, he said the county should take $20 million from its large fund balance and apply that to housing for the homeless.
