New Kingston GOP chair looks to push party’s reset button
Kingston Republicans have a new leader who will take on the task of reviving the party’s flagging fortunes in an increasingly Democrat-dominated city.
All posts by Jesse J. Smith
A new 508-acre Hudson River park for Kingston?
A proposal by Gov. Andrew Cuomo would create a new state park on a rugged patch of land along the Hudson River straddling the City of Kingston-Town of Ulster border. But whether the proposed 508-acre park becomes a reality depends on voters’ approval in November of a $3 billion bond intended to preserve and restore natural resources, fight climate change and boost New York’s tourist economy.
In Ulster, DA, sheriff, state lawmaker all in favor of changes to new bail law
Just two weeks after it went into effect, state lawmakers are weighing changes to New York’s historic bail reform law, which effectively ended bail in most cases. The main change cited was the need to give judges discretion to require bail when the defendant was deemed to be dangerous.
Kingston moving ahead on rent, police reform initiatives
Major construction along the Broadway corridor, more civilian oversight of city police and new laws to fight rising rents are part of Kingston’s 2020 agenda, according to Mayor Steve Noble and leaders of the Common Council.
Here comes (the other) judge – Rounds, Sullivan’s Farrell to swap jobs temporarily
A newly minted county court judge will soon preside in Ulster County Court, but not — for now at least — the one voters elected in November.
DA Clegg to focus on getting help for opioid addicts, clearing backlog of cases
“Law enforcement is on the front line of the opioid epidemic,” said Clegg. “So we are going to be part of the solution.”
Retiring Ulster County Judge Don Williams reflects on 40 years in law enforcement
Despite his reputation for toughness, Williams has also worked to make his vision of punishment — followed by redemption and reform — manifest in efforts to assist addicts and help the formerly incarcerated reintegrate into society. As he prepared to step down from the bench at year’s end, Williams sat down with Ulster Publishing for the first time since his election as county court judge to talk about his 40-year career in Ulster County’s criminal justice system.
City of Kingston projects get just shy of $7 million from Albany in one week
Just a day after announcing it will receive $2.2 million in state money to help with water and wastewater projects, the City of Kingston got more welcome news from Albany on Thursday, Dec. 19 — various projects won more than $4.7 million in grants under the New York’s Consolidated Funding Application program.
Democratic senate candidate Jeff Collins folds tent, joins Hinchey campaign
Woodstocker Jeff Collins announced last week that he would end his bid for the state Senate’s 46th District seat and throw his support behind fellow Democrat Michelle Hinchey. Collins’ withdrawal and incumbent state Sen. George Amedore’s announcement earlier this month that he would not seek a fourth term leaves Hinchey, for now, the sole announced candidate in the race.
Kingstonian ruling means shorter – but not certain – path to approval
The Kingstonian — a proposed mixed-use development in the heart of Kingston’s Stockade District — cleared a significant hurdle this week when the city’s planning board ruled Monday, Dec. 16 that developers had adequately addressed in their paperwork the project’s potential negative environmental impacts.
