Voters will go to the polls next Tuesday, April 30 to choose a county executive for the remainder of 2019. Democrat and former 19th District congressional hopeful Patrick Ryan will face Ulster County Conservative Party Chairman Jack Hayes, running on the Republican line. The winner of the special election will fill the vacancy left when Mike Hein resigned in February to take a post in the administration of Governor Andrew Cuomo. Another election in November will choose a county executive for a full four-year term.

Two members of Kingston’s Historic Preservation Landmarks Commission have resigned in protest after Mayor Steve Noble decided to replace two fellow commissioners on the volunteer board that oversees preservation efforts in the city.

Ulster County’s next executive could come into office flying into financial headwinds, according to a memo from the county’s budget director. Challenges include: lower-than-expected sales tax revenue, a $1 million shortfall in jail boarding fees and $200,000 in unexpected costs associated with the April 30 special election for county executive.

A shakeup at a city commission charged with maintaining Kingston’s historic character has led to two resignations from other volunteer boards, and accusations that the changes are part of a politically motivated purge to help clear the way for a major building project in Uptown Kingston.