Catskill Mountain Rail Trail
"We have a unique opportunity to create a world-class tourism destination, directly impact public health, and improve the overall quality of life in our region." - Ulster County Executive Michael P. Hein
It is County Executive Hein's vision to develop a public recreational trail from Kingston to and along the Ashokan Reservoir that will link the Hudson River and Walkway over the Hudson to the Catskill Park and create a world-class tourism destination.
Transforming Government
County Executive Hein's leadership has resulted in an unprecedented level of accountability. The Hein administration has identified and then eliminated long standing problems by fixing County departments that were broken for far too long. For example, the County Executive has reorganized the Department of Public Works, the County Health Department, the Probation Department, and the Youth Department. Additionally, there is an unprecedented level of cooperation between the county and the town and village leaders, all designed to eliminate waste, reduce costs and improve the delivery of services to taxpayers throughout Ulster County.
Accomplishments
Since taking office, the County Executive has consolidated county departments, expanded shared services, maintained a strong bond rating, reduced the size of county government and lowered payroll taxes by millions of dollars - while delivering more services than ever before.
Ability to Prioritize
Since the County Executive came into office, he has been able to consistently prioritize the promotion of Ulster County as a four-season destination and dedicate the necessary resources to attracting tourists. In 2009, Ulster County began a highly effective advertising campaign in NYC and developed a state of the art marketing website - www.UlsterCountyAlive.com.
According to figures supplied by the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association, Newburgh-Kingston area hotel and motel occupancy was up 13.4% between January and May 2010 from the same period last year and has continued to rise. Despite the impact of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, from January to September 2011 the bed tax has risen 4.85% over the same period in 2010. This is the highest rate of growth since 2006.
Restructuring Government
Department of Public Works - The Department of Public Works maintains more than 850 miles of County roads and 157 bridges, in addition to caring for dozens of properties. With the previous Legislature-run government, management of this department was lax and nepotism widespread. Under the Charter, the County Executive swiftly took charge of this department: the hiring of relatives and friends ended, processes were streamlined, systems revamped and significant costs cut. In 2010 alone, the DPW budget was decreased by $2.33 million. Six towns entered into new shared services agreements with the County to plow and maintain roads, plow trucks were modified to allow single-man plowing operations and overtime was reduced dramatically.
Health Department - Upon taking office, County Executive Hein set forth an ambitious goal to make Ulster County the healthiest county in New York State. To start, he immediately tackled a severely dysfunctional Health Department. After ending this blatant nepotism in the workplace, the County Executive conducted a nationwide search for the best Public Health Director possible.
Fighting for Taxpayers
The County Executive's leadership has led to an unprecedented level of accountability in County government. The Executive believes that it is the responsibility of government to operate within the means of the people it has been created to serve. In 2010, the County Executive delivered a proposed budget with no tax increase. He streamlined operations and further reduced the county workforce to prevent any increase to the county tax levy. The County Executive made many tough choices and cut spending in numerous departments in order to protect taxpayers from the skyrocketing cost of government.
Stimulus Funding - Under County Executive Hein's leadership, Ulster County was initially awarded over $27 million in stimulus funding. Because the County was diligent in completing engineering and preliminary work needed to utilize those funds and because of the County Executive's aggressive advocacy for funds that were awarded competitively, Ulster County was able to get an additional $8.26 million in stimulus funds. This money was used to repave over 23 miles of Route 28, a critical transportation link for the region and an economic lifeline for the tourism industry.
Golden Hill - The County Executive's forward thinking plan to save Golden Hill is the only way to keep Golden Hill open. By transferring Golden Hill to a Local Development Corporation, which will sell it to a private entity, Ulster County will be able to maintain these much needed nursing home beds and keep jobs in our community.
Growing Jobs and Businesses
Business leaders in Ulster County understand that the County Executive is in their corner. This administration has worked tirelessly to assist businesses throughout the County whether they are start-ups, relocations or expansions. The County Executive believes that County government needs to move at the speed of business in order to grow our local economy.
Help for Local Manufacturers - Ulster County Executive Mike Hein and state and local officials announced recently a plan to keep two Ulster County manufacturers in New York State, retaining over 100 jobs and creating 41 new positions. The deal leverages over $12 million in private sector investment to redevelop a former vacant industrial building in the City of Kingston. Stavo Industries and Wolf-Tec, Inc. are partnering to redevelop 132 Flatbush Avenue in Kingston, New York. The project will subdivide the property formerly occupied by Colony Liquor into two separate lots and two separate manufacturing spaces.
Citing the importance of manufacturing to Ulster County's economy, County Executive Mike Hein created an Ulster County Manufacturing Council, in order to best advocate for Ulster County manufacturers. The Manufacturing Council provides insights and advice on issues such as workforce, access to capital, and business impediments.
Creating a Healthier Ulster County
County Executive Hein is driven to make Ulster County the healthiest county in all of New York. To achieve this goal, County Executive Hein successfully brought about a complete transformation of the Ulster County Department of Health, turning it from a dysfunctional and mismanaged bureaucracy into a model agency that New York State examiners have said is "a model of effective government." The County Executive recruited and appointed a new Public Health Director, Dr. Lamar Hasbrouck, a physician with world-class credentials. The County Executive hosts Healthy Ulster County Week in order to showcase healthful businesses and restaurants in Ulster County and recently launched www.HealthyUlsterCounty.net so that Ulster County residents can easily find healthful options and tips to live healthier lives.
Building a Strong and Sustainable Future
Despite the aftershocks of one of the deepest financial downturns in our nation's history, the County Executive strives to ensure that Ulster County has all of the tools required to maintain a strong and sustainable future. Ulster County was tested again with Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, the worst natural disasters in the county's history. The County Executive coordinated federal, state and local efforts to ensure the quickest recovery possible.
Environmental Protection - Ever since New York City began getting its drinking water from Ulster County, NYC's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) had only considered its own interests when making decisions about the Ashokan Reservoir and the Lower Esopus. Until Ulster County elected Mike Hein as County Executive, it was inconceivable that a local government would take on the DEP in order to protect Ulster County's farmers, private property owners, the environment or the local drinking water. Understanding the importance, and despite NYC's wealth of legal resources, the County Executive has relentlessly pushed NYC to come to the table and treat Ulster County like a partner.
Protecting Ulster County: Hurricane Irene - Hurricane Irene was the worst natural disaster in Ulster County's history. Days before Hurricane Irene hit Ulster County, when it was uncertain whether the hurricane would even reach our area, the County Executive proactively declared a State of Emergency and began coordinating the emergency responses that proved necessary. At the County Executive's direction, County departments planned cooperative response efforts in order to take all necessary actions to ensure the safety of area residents. The County Executive worked tirelessly with other local leaders, first responders and our State and Federal representatives.
During and following Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, the County Executive advocated strongly for FEMA to set up emergency centers throughout the County where business owners and residents affected by the storm could access government assistance.
Maintaining a Solid Financial Position - Since taking office, the County Executive has maintained the County's very strong AA- bond rating, one of the highest ratings Standard & Poor's offers. A strong bond rating is beneficial to Ulster County taxpayers because it reduces the overall borrowing costs associated with standard bond issues. "Even during a national recession, the County Executive's efforts to control taxes and streamline government have allowed Ulster County to maintain this highly beneficial and strong bond rating," said Ulster County Commissioner of Finance Paul Hewitt. According to Standard & Poor's, the AA- bond rating reflects the County's continued solid financial position, strong fund balances, low overall debt profile and manageable capital plan.
Providing Leadership Throughout NYS - Due to his ongoing leadership on issues like mandate reform and property tax relief among his peers, the County Executive Mike Hein was elected to serve as President of the New York State County Executive's Association. The County Executive will be working together with other NYS county leaders to protect taxpayers and provide essential services to people in need.
