DUE TO PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY CONCERNS, THERE WILL BE
NO PUBLIC COMMENT AT THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION
ON TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020 

Chairman Donaldson encourages the public to email written public comment to the
Clerk of the Legislature at vfab[at]co.ulster.ny[dot]us in lieu of addressing
 the County Legislature in person at next Tuesday’s meeting.

Kingston, NY—David Donaldson, Chairman of the Ulster County Legislature, announced today, in response to the public health threat posed by the Coronavirus (COVID-19), that no public comment will be allowed during the Tuesday, March 17 Legislative Session.

The Legislature encourages citizens who plan to speak before the legislative body at the March 17 meeting to submit written comment in lieu of appearing in person to address the legislative body.

Written public comment can be emailed to Victoria Fabella, Clerk of the Legislature, at vfab[at]co.ulster.ny[dot]us Comment forwarded by email will be shared with all legislative members and will become part of the public record.

Issues of heightened concern to many Ulster residents, the memorializing resolution to oppose the construction of a new fossil-fuel powered Danskammer power plant, and the home rule bed tax increase, are not expected to be included on the March 17 Legislative Session agenda and will likely be heard in April. In addition, Majority and Minority Leaders’ addresses will also take place in April.

Chairman Donaldson states, “The County Legislature works hard to ensure that your county government is transparent and accessible. We encourage the public to join the meeting remotely and watch the live-stream of the March 17 Legislative Session at https://livestream.com/accounts/1512750/events/1824203.”

“We as a county are fortunate that County Executive Pat Ryan has been out front on this issue,” states Chairman Donaldson. “The Executive’s reliance on Commissioner of Health Carol Smith and his active partnership with experts in the health field is highly reassuring. The legislative body stands shoulder-to-shoulder with him and his team.”

“It is important that county operations continue and that projects stay on track while we take a proactive approach to public health and safety,” states Minority Leader Ken Ronk. “I think that Chairman Donaldson and Executive Ryan are both doing a good job and I agree with the decisions they are making as this situation evolves.”

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