fbpx
  • Subscribe & Support
  • Print Edition
    • Get Home Delivery
    • Read ePaper Online
    • Newsstand Locations
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Submit Your Event
    • Customer Support
    • Submit A News Tip
    • Send Letter to the Editor
    • Where’s My Paper?
  • Our Newsletters
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Free HV1 Trial
Hudson Valley One
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s UP
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Subscribe to the What’s UP newsletter
  • Opinion
    • Letters
    • Columns
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Log Out
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s UP
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Subscribe to the What’s UP newsletter
  • Opinion
    • Letters
    • Columns
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Log Out
No Result
View All Result
Hudson Valley One
No Result
View All Result

Newly elected county executive Jen Metzger is ready to lead

by Eleanor Schackne-Martello
December 28, 2022
in Politics & Government
0
Jen Metzger

Preparing to take office as Ulster County government’s chief executive on January 1, Jen Metzger has no average day. It’s been a busy period of time in which she’s been reaching out to a significant number of people involved in county government.

Elected in November, Metzger will succeed acting county executive Johanna Contreras. In the general election, she defeated James Quigley, an experienced Republican town supervisor. She won 55.7 percent of the vote.

Here’s a peek into how she’s been getting ready:

Ever the community activist, Jen Metzger didn’t abandon her other work when she was elected. Just after the election. the New York State Cannabis Control Board, of which she is an appointed member, got busy developing a regulatory framework for the entire industry.

The next county executive has been spending the last few weeks reviewing licensing applications for small farms and farm processors to grow adult-use cannabis. Her last meeting was in mid-December, The rest of the board has been preparing for her absence.

Utilizing a small team in the county executive’s office including Contreras, the two deputy county executives, and a few other advisors, Metzger has been focusing on how her office structure will be organized. There isn’t too much precedent to follow. Ulster County’s charter was adopted in 2006, a short 17 years ago, and there have been only been four county executives, two of whom have been acting.

Metzger has the opportunity to make change.

She will hire a new third deputy county executive after Marc Rider’s resignation. Each deputy county executives has responsibility for overseeing the functioning of various departments. Keeping her campaign focus, Metzger expects to lead Ulster County government’s shift to a greener economy. She sees her third deputy county executive as involved in oversight relevant to that work. The position’s span of control will include the departments of the environment, planning, economic development and tourism, the office of employment, the UCAT bus system, and SUNY Ulster.

Prior to taking office, Metzger will have met with all 26 department heads to discuss priorities and challenges. She plans a regular schedule of meetings with small groups of department heads to talk about intersecting issues. Interdepartmental communication is a top priority, she says.

It doesn’t stop there. Metzger is hoping to meet with every legislator from both parties. With her own experience as a former legislator, she has an understanding of the processes within county government that’ll enable her, she hopes, to get a running start in her new job.

Metzger is preparing to take office by having closely studied the county’s fundamental document, its charter. Respect for the office, its powers and limitations, means so much to her.

It’s easy to lose sight of what you have been elected to do. Jen Metzger is determined not to fall into that trap. Whatever happens will not be due to her lack of forethought.

Tags: members
Join the family! Grab a free month of HV1 from the folks who have brought you substantive local news since 1972. We made it 50 years thanks to support from readers like you. Help us keep real journalism alive.
- Geddy Sveikauskas, Publisher

Eleanor Schackne-Martello

Related Posts

The Hurley primary
Politics & Government

The Hurley primary

June 4, 2025
Words aplenty fly in Woodstock primary
Politics & Government

Words aplenty fly in Woodstock primary

June 4, 2025
Kingston Common Council has second thoughts
Politics & Government

Kingston Common Council has second thoughts

June 3, 2025
Stony Run deal passes, not everyone is celebrating
Politics & Government

Stony Run is treading a rocky road

June 4, 2025
Final results announced in four close primary races
Politics & Government

A preview of the four county legislative primaries and three Kingston alderman races

June 6, 2025
Gotto, Rogers in Democratic primary contest for New Paltz town supervisor
Politics & Government

Gotto, Rogers in Democratic primary contest for New Paltz town supervisor

June 2, 2025
Next Post
Supervisor Fred Costello discusses the challenges and opportunities that await Saugerties in 2023

Supervisor Fred Costello discusses the challenges and opportunities that await Saugerties in 2023

Weather

Kingston, NY
64°
Partly Cloudy
5:19 am8:30 pm EDT
Feels like: 64°F
Wind: 1mph NW
Humidity: 97%
Pressure: 29.81"Hg
UV index: 0
SunMonTue
77°F / 59°F
70°F / 59°F
72°F / 57°F
powered by Weather Atlas

Subscribe

Independent. Local. Substantive. Subscribe now.

×
We've expanded coverage and need your support. Subscribe now for unlimited access -- free article(s) remain for the month.
View Subscription Offers Sign In
  • Subscribe & Support
  • Print Edition
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Contact
  • Our Newsletters
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Free HV1 Trial

© 2022 Ulster Publishing

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s Happening
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Art
    • Books
    • Kids
    • Lifestyle & Wellness
    • Food & Drink
    • Music
    • Nature
    • Stage & Screen
  • Opinions
    • Letters
    • Columns
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Subscribe & Support
  • Contact Us
    • Customer Support
    • Advertise
    • Submit A News Tip
  • Print Edition
    • Read ePaper Online
    • Newsstand Locations
    • Where’s My Paper
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Log In
  • Free HV1 Trial
  • Subscribe to Our Newsletters
    • Hey Kingston
    • New Paltz Times
    • Woodstock Times
    • Week in Review

© 2022 Ulster Publishing