A Kayak Park...Soon to be Reality!

Thanks to some sharp thinking on the part of the Town Board and the Recreation Department, ( and the help of a Government Grant), residents of the Town of Ulster will soon be able to enjoy public access to the Esopus Creek by what is to be know as Kayak Park.

Located behind the Town of Ulster Police Department on Mulvin Drive the park will provide access to the Esopus Creek for kayaking and canoeing. 

Properties owned by the Town have long been idle, the idea of utilizing these properties for the benefit of residents may not be novel but until the new administration took office was sadly overlooked.

Any one living in or visiting the Town of Ulster enjoys it's natural beauty and panoramic views. Adding public access to Esopus Creek can only improve the quality of life for everyone, residents and visitors alike.

Recreation Department A Real Success............

For those of you who are wondering how rewarding hard work and attention to detail can benefit our town, our taxes and above all our children, look no further than the Recreation Department of The Town of Ulster.

Summer Camp, a great success on the FUN front, Kid's one and all had a great time, (just ask them how much they miss it)! And as a bonus, for the first time in more than 4 years the program expense came in well under budget, YEAP, YOU READ THAT RIGHT, 'UNDER BUDGET'! In fact about $20,000 under the prior years expenditure of more than $89,000!

Rocky Who?

More importantly, the Camp Counselors and CIT's were the cream of young men and women, boys and girls from all around town, they are to be thanked and congratulated for their dedication and patience, campers of every age are better for the experience.

Just as importantly, the new fishing dock should be completed in time for the 911 Memorial Service to be held at Town of Ulster Park, (formerly Post Park ), Saturday September 11th at 10 AM. The service should be a memorable one and truly respectful of those whose lives were tragically taken by Fanatical Islamic Terrorists just 9 short years ago. 'Lest We Forget'!

On a sad note, it has come to our attention that the anger and selfishness expressed by former Councilman Rocko Secreto in his refusal to return Easter Eggs donated to the Town for the annual Easter Egg Hunt, (his insistence is they were donated to him personally), seems to have escalated to untold heights. It seems he is attempting to co-opt the Town of Ulster's 'Biddy Basketball Program' and relocate it at the Kingston YMCA. "SHAME ON YOU Rocky!"

The program has been run at elementary and middle schools in the Town for the young boys and girls of the Town and his attempt to hijack children of resident's for revenge is just plain 'CHILDISH'. Our children deserve better than to be pawns at the mercy of someone who is obviously such a sore loser.

It is our understanding that this is all a prelude in his plan to run, (yet again), for a Ulster Town Board council seat in the 2011 local election.

All this nonsense justifies the resident's choices last November. "I guess a leopard really can't change it's spots!"

Rocko...... the time has come for you to 'Go quietly into that good night'!

No News Is Good News.................

With all that is going on in County, State and Federal politics there is not much to discuss on the local front aside from the Fishing Pier at Town of Ulster Park.

Good, bad or indifferent, (opinions will vary),  the Pier adds to the landscape and will afford local fisherman a venue for catching the big one. 

"It kinda' resembles a playpen for adults, but I digress". 

The truth is, things around town have been quiet, not much news beyond the continuing push to bring finances into the black and the recent plan to allow town employees to apply for early retirement. Progress is being made and we should see a more realistic budget proposed this October.

Not much has been mentioned regarding the lawsuit brought by the mining company in Eddyville and the fact that the town attorney has asked for a 2 week postponement will keep it on the back burner for at least that long.

We have some issues regarding the new teachers pact agreed upon by KCSD, a 4.47% increase over 2 years while the economy is experiencing deflation is questionable at best, we are convinced it is a reward for their contribution of $1.2 million from the teacher's health care trust fund toward their benefit package. In itself all well and good but concerns remain regarding smaller classrooms, lower enrollment, excess staff, student performance and a pension/benefit package that will only continue to cause issues for taxpayers in the future. 

Did any one at either the School board or Union officials pay attention to Governor Chris Christi and his actions regarding union contracts in New Jersey?

This is troubling on many levels, the first of which is the fact that the only payrolls growing in this economy are that of state, federal and local government. It still takes tax dollars from the private sector to fund them and unless serious concessions are made by local unions, we don't see any improvement in the immediate future thus making these contracts even less sustainable.

On a side note: The Ulster is Your Town Too team would like to wish Councilman John Morrow continued success in his recovery and continued prayers for him and his family.

All that aside, I guess we begin discussing the impact that County, State and Congressional elections will have for local residents.

It is our position that fiscally responsible/small government candidates are our only intelligent choice. Government is growing faster than any aspect of our economy, a situation that can only spell disaster for every citizen. It is time to forget the ideology of party and entrust our future to elected officials who regard their constituency above their own ambitions. Political service should not be a career choice as many of our elected officials have opted. 

Realizing government should have little influence in social issues beyond enforcing our laws, defending the Bill of Rights and protecting our liberties, the choices we make should be based on the best man for the job rather than old party loyalties that can only divide the people and weaken what we can become: 'The most formidable force in the political landscape'.