Ken Ronk, Chairman of the Ulster County Legislature set the tone for bipartisanship and is exploring innovative options to make Ulster County Government better representative of all of the people, instead of a party or particular group of Legislators.  Ronk, who was elected Chairman on January 6, announced committee assignments today, well ahead of the January 26th deadline. “The sooner we have functioning committees, the sooner this Legislature can begin its important work to benefit the taxpayers of Ulster County.”

Ronk appointed two Democrats as Committee Chairmen and, for the first time, two of the standing committees have more minority members than majority members.  “I appointed Committee Chairman based on knowledge and know-how, regardless of any political affiliation,” Ronk said, and explained that he weighed heavily on the recommendations of Majority Leader Mary Beth Maio and Minority Leader Hector Rodriguez for the remainder of committee assignments.

2016 will see the newly created Government Efficiency and Review Committee chaired by John Parete.    “It is my hope and intention for this committee to work to identify policies and laws that may be obsolete or no longer best serving the people of Ulster County.”

Ronk pointed to the efforts of past Legislative Chairman John Parete.  “John introduced several important ideas and even though we didn’t always agree on his initiatives, he was always thinking about new and innovative ways to serve our constituents. This new committee is a way to reexamine issues, and a vigorous debate can only benefit the people we are all sworn to serve and protect.”

Ronk also lauded the experience and expertise of fellow Legislator Thomas “TJ” Briggs.  “TJ and I have a good working relationship and I am pleased to have him at the helm of this important committee.”

“I am fortunate to be Chair of the Legislature at a time when we have so many outstanding individuals serving,” Ronk said, “and I am looking past party lines to insure we get the best from both sides of the aisle.”

2016 STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE ULSTER COUNTY LEGISLATURE (with Tentative Schedules)

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TOURISM, HOUSING, PLANNING & TRANSIT

To set legislative policy and review contracts for all aspects of Economic Development, Tourism, and Planning. Responsible for issues pertaining to:  Ulster County Industrial Development Agency, Ulster County Planning Department, Revolving Loan Fund Committee, Shovel Ready Committee, Office of Economic Development, Employment and Training, Public Transportation, Technology and the Department of Information Services.  To foster relations with the County and local Chambers of Commerce.  (Tentatively scheduled to meet the first Tuesday of the Month.)

• James Maloney - Chairman
• Ronald G. Lapp, Jr.
• Herbert Litts, III
• Mary Beth Maio
• Hector Rodriguez – Deputy Chairman
• Jennifer Schwartz Berky
• James Delaune

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT 

To set policy and review contracts pertaining to the Department of the Environment, Environmental Management Council, Fish and Wildlife Management Board, Forest Practice Board, and Soil and Water Conservation District, including the protection of water ways and the County’s recycling efforts.  To set policy and review contracts pertaining to but not limited to the activities of the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency. (Tentatively scheduled to meet the first Wednesday of the Month.)

• Richard Parete - Chairman
• Ronald G. Lapp, Jr.
• Mary Wawro
• Tracey Bartels – Deputy Chairman
• Jonathan Heppner

GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY AND REVIEW 

To set policy and review contracts pertaining to the Office of Accountability, Compliance and Efficiency, and the Ulster County Comptroller.  To review past enactments including local laws and policies of the Legislature for efficacy, impact on county residents, and the presence or non-presence of enforcement.  To act as a liaison to Town, City and Village governments.  To further be responsible for promoting efficiency and reform in County government by examining and developing alternative guidelines and policies for Ulster County.  (Tentatively scheduled to meet the third Monday of the Month.)

• John Parete - Chairman
• Manna Jo Greene
• Peter Loughran
• Carl Belfiglio – Deputy Chairman
• Richard Parete 

LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY

To set policy and review contracts pertaining to the following County Departments:      Ulster County Sheriff and the Law Enforcement Center, Probation, Emergency Communications/Emergency Management, Arson Task Force, Traffic Safety, Fire Coordinator, STOP DWI, District Attorney, Consumer Fraud Bureau, Safety and Public Defender.  (Tentatively scheduled to meet the first Tuesday of the Month.)

• Thomas “TJ” Briggs - Chairman 
• Hector Rodriguez
• Ronald G. Lapp, Jr. – Deputy Chairman
• Dean Fabiano
• Mary Beth Maio

LAWS AND RULES, GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES

To set policy and review contracts pertaining to the following County Departments:  Board of Elections, County Attorney, Weights and Measures, Human Rights and Insurance. To oversee Legislative policy and revisions the Legislature wants to see implemented in the Ulster County Charter and the Administrative Code. To review and maintain the Rules of the Legislature and to review and approve all local laws for legal sufficiency only, unless Laws and Rules, Governmental Services is the committee of original jurisdiction.  To approve all late resolutions, considering lateness and content prior to submittal to the full Legislature.  To approve resolutions required to be referred to it under the Rules of the Legislature. (Tentatively scheduled to meet the third Monday of the Month.)

• Kevin Roberts - Chairman
• Carl Belfiglio
• Richard Parete
• David Donaldson – Deputy Chairman
• Hector Rodriguez

LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES 

To set policy and review contracts pertaining and related to the following:  Arts, Ulster County Community College, Historian, Libraries, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Community Action, Office for the Aging, Youth Bureau, and Veterans Affairs.  (Tentatively scheduled to meet the first Wednesday of the Month.)

• Mary Wawro - Chairman
• Craig Lopez
• David Donaldson – Deputy Chairman 
• Jennifer Schwartz Berky
• James Delaune 

PUBLIC HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES 

To set policy for and review contracts pertaining to the following County Departments:  Health, Mental Health, and Social Services.  (Tentatively scheduled to meet the first Monday of the Month.)

• Craig Lopez - Chairman
• Carl Belfiglio
• Kevin Roberts
• Chris Allen – Deputy Chairman
• Jonathan Heppner      

PUBLIC WORKS AND CAPITAL PROJECTS

To set policy for and review contracts pertaining to the following County Departments:  Public Works (including Parks, Highways, and Buildings and Grounds), Transportation and Capital Projects. (Tentatively scheduled to meet the first Thursday of the Month.)

• Dean Fabiano - Chairman
• Herbert Litts, III
• James Maloney
• Peter Loughran – Deputy Chairman
• Manna Jo Greene

WAYS AND MEANS

To recommend the Legislature’s position on all budgetary and financial matters of the County.  To review contracts pertaining to the following departments:  County Clerk, Finance, Personnel, Purchasing, and Real Property Tax Services.  To approve all resolutions with financial impacts to the County, excluding those financial impacts limited solely to legislative advertising expenses. (Tentatively scheduled to meet the second and third Tuesdays of the Month.)

• Richard Gerentine - Chairman
• Carl Belfiglio
• Mary Beth Maio
• James Maloney
• Thomas “TJ” Briggs – Deputy Chairman
• Chris Allen
• Tracey Bartels 

If you have any questions regarding this information, please do not hesitate to contact the Legislative office at:  (845) 340-3900 or via email (chairman[at]co.ulster.ny[dot]us).