The 2011 Political Season-It's On!

It’s Official! The 2011 Political Season has begun. Ulster County Democrats and Republicans have held their respective conventions and have endorsed candidates for County Wide and Legislative District elections to be held November 8, 2011. The Ulster County Democratic Committee has endorsed Michael Hein for re-election to the position of County Executive and Jonathan Sennat for Ulster County District Attorney. The Ulster County Republican Committee has endorsed “NO ONE“ for the position of County Executive, leaving many county residents without a choice in only the second election since the County Charter and the position of Executive have been on the ballot. D. Holley Carnright is up for re-election to the position of District Attorney.

For the County Legislature down to 23 Districts:

Of the two Legislative races effecting the Town of Ulster, Districts 3 & 4, Ulster County Democrats have endorsed newcomer Mark Trott and the Ulster County Republicans have endorsed James Maloney as the legislative candidates for newly drawn district 4 covering the Town of Kingston and a large portion of the Town of Ulster. In District 3, covering the remainder of the Town of Ulster and a portion of the Town of Saugerties, incumbent Republican legislator Dean Fabiano will run unopposed.

For the Town of Ulster:

All is relatively quite. No caucus by either the Town Democrats or Town Republicans have been announced. Up for grabs in November is the Supervisors position held by Jim Quigley (2 year term), Council seats held by Joel Brink and Eric Kitchen (4 year terms each), Town Clerk Jason Cosenza (4 year term), Town Justice Marsha Weiss (4 year term) and Highway Superintendent Frank Petramale (4 year term). Although it is still early for these local races, no challenges have been announced as of the writing of this Post.

If you are a registered voter enrolled as a member of any political party, expect a knock on the door from a loyal supporter of the above candidates or perhaps the candidate himself asking you to sign a nominating petition on his or her behalf to complete the process to appear as a candidate on the ballot on November 8, 2011.

Ulster is your Town Too will be posting more often as local election news breaks.

Ulster Little League

Ulster Litttle League Kick-off

Opening Day for Town of Ulster Little League was enjoyed by the players as well as their parents. The day was s little sunnier than expected and with the BBQ out of the way it was time for opening ceremonies.
After all the players paraded onto the field and recieted the Pledge of Alliegence, Coach Ron Kelder introduced the teams and their coaches. Supervisor Quigley thew out the 1st pitch in the style of a Yogi Berra rather than a Nolan Ryan, (it wasn't quite a strike, but he did reach the plate), and after a chuckle from the crowd a resounding 'Play Ball' was welcomed by all.
The First game, between the Yankees and Astros, was decided by a 2-1 score. Well played and well pitched, both teams looked like future major leaguers as they played hearts out. The result, the still undefeated Astro's took 1st Place by beating the Yankees, the only other undefeated team in the division. A rematch is scheduled for later in the season.
It was really nice to see so many friends and neighbors in attendence and even more pleasant as the politics of past administrations played no part in the festivities.
Once again, KUDOS to the Town of Ulster Recreation Department, Jeff, Chris and Eric did a fine job!
We are awaiting pictures from the league Photogropher and will be sure to add a photo link to th blog as soon as we get them.

Mike Hein: Yesterday's Hero-Tomorrows Villain!

February 2011, County Executive Mike Hein reported victory in his battle to curtail turbid water dumping into the Lower Esopus by NYC Dept of Environmental Protection. While the news is received as positive, (the water quality of the Lower Esopus's chocolate brown and full of sediment and impurities as a direct result of the dumping), the situation that now exists is more alarming. Ashokan Reservoir levels have been at 100% since the NYC DEP stopped releasing excess water, with the return of warm weather and spring thaw, the excess water run off into the Lower Esopus has and will continue to cause flooding along it's length. This weekend will tell the tale, heavy rain and snow combined with an above average spring thaw will certainly complicate an already serious situation. With no further water releases planned by the NYC DEP, water levels will surge above flood levels. Will residents think of Executive Hein as hero or villain?

Biddy Basketball Championship

Just in time for the beginning of the Ulster Little League Baseball, the Ulster Biddy Basketball season ended at Miller Middle School tonight. The final game (league championship), between Binnewater & Adam's Fairacre Farms went down to the wire. With less than a minute to play and Binnewater ahead by 2 points 60-58 and both teams in bonus 1 and 1's, it was enough for the hard playing Adam's team to force fouls shots. Binnewater, led by Tyler Robinson was up to the task as he made all but one of his free throws to widen the gap to 5 points by games end. Congratulations to Binnewater and Coach Robinson with but one loss on the season, (a loss to Adams). All the coaches and players are to be congratulated for a successful season.

Open Forum, Your Questions Answered..............

With the Local Election Cycle on the horizon, Ulster is Your Town Too is opening the comment section of this blog up for questions, suggestions and grievances town residents might have for our current Board members and Town Supervisor Jim Quigley.
While it is true that Supervisor Quigley has made himself available to residents at Town Hall during business hours as well as weekends and evenings at his office and at coffee clutches around town, there remain many residents who have not had the opportunity to discuss issues regarding Town policy.

Friends and Neighbors, for the next 28 days the floor is yours, we are confident your issues will be addressed, with one caveat, 'Please keep it clean'!

Recreation Dept...Another Town Success Story!

I realize that the Posts have been few and far between, that's a good thing. With not much going on locally..........politically speaking anyway, there is not much to report out of the ordinary.

The mining operation in Eddyville was handled by the administration efficiently and to the satifaction of town residents, the Open House Saturdays was so well utilized that Supervisor Quigley continues to make himself available for the convenience of the residents.

All in all, the Biddy Basketball league is winding down, playoffs begin March 22nd, Kudos to Jeff Hayner and Eric Kitchen, (all the coaches and kids included), they did a great job making the Recreation Department the success it has become. Saturday was the last sign up for T of U Little League, tryouts are this Wed. March 9th, good luck to all the boys and girls, I'm sure the season will produce a few future High School All Stars.

With the snow finally melting Spring 2011 can't be far behind, just a few short weeks and the planting season will be in full swing.