Open Door Policy

In an effort to accomodate the residents of the Town, Supervisor Quigley is making his office as well as himself more accessibe. Saturdays in January Town Hall and the Supervisor's office is open for business.
As well as being on hand to discuss issues with residents, the Town Clerks office will be open at the same time, 9 AM to Noon Jamuary 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th, for anyone wishing to pay their taxes.
It may seem trivial to some but it was a major sticking point with residents during the Woerner Administration, Nick's unwillingness to return phone calls and keep appointments and answer questions as well as respond to the concerns of residents.

YNN at Town Hall

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

We at Ulster Is Your Town Too would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our friends & neighbors the very best of the Holiday Season! It has been an interesting year and we expect next year to be even more interesting.
We would like to thank our loyal readers for keeping with the Holiday Spirit and refraining from base interaction. This blog is dedicated to offering our neighbors a venue for debate and will continue to do so in the new Year.
So, All the Best of the Season, Christmas, New Year, Kwanza, Chanukah, Feliz Navidad, Boun Natale etc., etc. so on and so on ......................Until Next Year!

Looking Ahead!

With a new year just on the horizon and the challenges it will bring we may have to look to one another a little more next year.
Towns, Counties and States will be feeling the economic pinch a little harder as cuts in services and employment continue. With little hope for existing revenue increases, government entities are beginning to look to new areas to tap for funds. These 'New Revenues' may not be tax increases, but make no mistake, they are fees for services for which we are already paying.
The City of New York, lead by the very creative Mayor Bloomberg, (a potential candidate for President in 2012), is the first in New York State's city entities to put forth new taxes disguised as 'Fees for Services Rendered'. In this particular case the City of New York will be charging for such services as automobile fires and accident clean up as well as EMS and Ambulance Services. It was not too long ago such services were considered part of the budget, that is paid for out of the many, many taxes which the city levies on it's residents and businesses as well as sales taxes and additional sin taxes. This is no longer the case and if successful, you can expect municipalities outside of NYC to begin charging for such services.
Mind you there is some legitimacy to Mayor Bloomberg's idea, costs related to non-residents auto accidents on the streets of NYC have thus far been the burden of City Residents, but this law goes further, a sliding scale of fees has been created to charge all accident victims for city services.
These fees will undoubtably be passed along to insurance companies on a no fault basis and then divided among it's customers finding it's way into the annual premiums as higher insurance cost.
The issue at hand is whether or not we allow our elected officials to have unbridled power over our pay checks and let them continue to pick the pockets of their citizenry whenever their excessive spending policy dims their re-election chances.
Don't be fooled by 0% tax levies, pay close attention to the actions of county and city executives as they will be attempting similar methods to raise revenue in difficult economic times.
What's next: Fees for school bus pick-ups, mail deliver charges and winter road maintenence?
Isn't that why we pay taxes in the first place?

Santa Visits The Town of Ulster

As reported on YNN this morning:

The Tree Lighting Ceremony and Santa's 'Coming to Town' was enjoyed by an estimated 300 residents, (although the news segment estimated only 100), Sunday Evening around 6:30 at the new Senior Citizens Center at Town Hall.

Santa made it down to the ceremony courtesy of Ulster Hose #5, after all Santa's Sleigh might be capable of flight but taking off and landing without the benefit of snow makes things a bit iffy!

All the children attending were treated to a visit with Santa, (whose lap began to show some wear as the evening progressed), a complement of candy and stuffed animals seemed to satisfy even the most doubtful in the crowd.

Gift requests complete, hot chocolate and apple cider, donuts and cakes were enjoyed by all.

There is something about Small Town USA & Christmas, it's just a little bit special when friends and neighbors can share the Holiday Spirit without worrying about the PC police and Politics.

The Tree lighted and Santa heading back to the North Pole for some last minute details, it's safe to say:

'Merry Christmas to All & to All a Good Night'

Happy Thanksgiving!

The beginning of the holiday season 'is upon us, Thanksgiving and the feast that is sure to unite friends and family from near and far with food and fond memories is just a day or two away.

Enjoy the day, enjoy the Turkey or Ham, (or both), the candied yams, bean casseroles and punk'n pie and if your like me, FOOTBALL!

For the first time I can remember, the Jets will be sharing turkey with their fans. At 8:20 Thanksgiving night the feast begins, and if all goes well, the Bengals will be eating crow around midnight.

In any event I will be taking the week off, I hope you get to do the same.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your's and above all:


MAY GOD SEE TO ALL YOUR NEEDS
THAT YOU MAY, EVEN FOR A DAY,
FORGET ALL YOU WANT!

Biddy Basketball.... Basketball Done Right

200 plus kids off and running. Turnout was better than last year and better than expected.
At the end of November the youth of our town will begin their regular season. A planned 14 game, (week), schedule culminating in playoffs and a championship.
The coaches have their teams practicing hard and learning well. Defense, Offense and the rules of the game are being taught to boys and girls 6-14 years old. Many of them, having so much fun I doubt they realize what they have learned.
In the midst of budget cuts, election battles and the uncertanity of the economy, it's refreshing to see so many young men and women offer their time and talent to the youth of our town.
Kudos Town of Ulster, it is really all about the kids!

November 11th, Veteran's Day!

If you do nothing else today, thank a veteran for their sacrifice: WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, Desert Storm, (the 1st Iraq War), Bosnia, Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan. Some served because of the Selective Service Act, (the Draft), many more volunteered, all for the freedom and liberty of strangers in far off lands.
American's, at times, tend to take liberty for granted. It's easy to do when you've enjoyed it for your entire life. There were times when freedom was in jeopardy after the Revolutionary War, the Nation was threatened by great Britian, the result: the War of 1812. In this century, WWI & WWII, if not for our military, the American landscape, indeed the landscape of the entire world, would be very different today, maybe even unrecognizable.
The American Military, more so the American Veteran has over our history insured and protected our way of life, although there are some that would detract from their sacrifice, they can do so because of their sacrifice.
They have given up so much, the horrors of war do not end for them when peace is won, the scars they endure, physical as well as psycological, remain with them forever. Most can assimilate into civilian life, many more will struggle with their experience for the rest of their lives. They fought and even died not because they are violent men, they did so often to protect what they valued most, 'freedom, family and country' and more often for strangers they did not know.
Black, white, Red, yellow and Brown, on the battlefield, the color of their skin meant little, their common goal and the color of their blood erased predjudices and fears and united them as the most formidable force the world has ever known.
Thank You, American Veteran, Soldier, Sailor, Flyer and Marine, Thank You!