Ulster County News

FROM: ULSTER COUNTY PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

DATE: April 12, 2002  

At the April 11^th session of the Ulster County Legislature, legislators took the first official action towards siting a casino in Ulster County. The Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma will pay the county $15 million a year for seven years if the tribe opens a casino in the Town of Wawarsing. The Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma is a federally recognized Indian Tribe. While bringing economic development and jobs to the County, the Tribe has recognized that such a project will require additional local services.

In other business, legislators passed a resolution making Ulster County the newest member of the Hudson River Greenway. The resolution states that membership will assist Ulster County in developing local planning and projects related to the five criteria contained in the Greenway Act. The five criteria contained in the act include natural and cultural resource protection, regional planning, economic development including tourism, agriculture and urban redevelopment.

In other business, Chairman Ward D. Todd was presented two United Way Awards: Most Improved Award, 2001 and The Top Eleven Contributors, 2001 Campaign by Deborah Marshall of the United Way of Ulster County. These two awards were given on behalf of all the Ulster County Employees.

Chairman Ward D. Todd joined by District No.2 Legislators Linda Bertone and Robert Parete presented a Pride of Ulster County Award to Emily Cole, in recognition and celebration of winning the Regional Spelling Bee for the 4^th consecutive year. District No. 2 Legislators also presented a Pride of Ulster County Award to Brian Perez, in recognition and celebration of being the Section 9 Champion and Number 1 Seed on the New York State High School Ski team. Brian also won the Giant Slalom Title at the New York State championship races and placed third at the 23^rd Annual Eastern National High School Ski Championship races.

Majority Leader Richard Gerentine along with District No. 7 Legislators Daniel Alfonso, Charles Busick, Frank Felicello, Barbara Santoro and Fawn Tantillo presented to Allegra Guarino, a Pride of Ulster County Award in recognition of being selected as this years winner of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy Audio Essay Contest. Allegra was also successful in winning the National Award this past week for her essay. Allegra read the 4-minute essay to the entire legislature at the meeting. The entire legislature and audience was moved to tears.

District No. 7 Legislators also presented to Raymond Leduc, President of the Ulster County Library Association, a Proclamation designating the month of April 2002 as Library Month in Ulster County.

Majority Leader Richard Gerentine along with District No. 6 Legislators William Calabrese, Wayne Harris, William McAfee, Albert Meyer and Glenn Noonan presented to Glenn D. Hoagland, Executive Director of the Mohonk Preserve, a Pride of Ulster County Award in recognition of dedicated and outstanding services to the people of Ulster County through the preservation of the Shawangunk Ridge Ecosystem and historic landscape.

Legislator Alice Tipp, Chairman of the Community Services Committee, presented to Catherine Canzian, Director of Ulster County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), a Proclamation designating the month of April 2002 as Volunteer Month in Ulster County.

District No. 5 Legislators Every, Hathaway and Lomita presented to Ken Oldehoff a Proclamation designating the week of April 21-27, 2002 as Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week in Ulster County.

Legislator David Donaldson, joined by Legislator Alice Tipp, Chairman of the Community Services Committee, presented to Sheldon Zimber, Honorary Member of the Battling Bastards of Bataan, a Proclamation designating the month of April 2002 as Bataan Death March Memorial Month in Ulster County.

Legislator John Naccarato, Chairman of the Criminal Justice/Public Safety Committee presented to Ulster County Sheriff J. Richard Bockelmann and the Corrections Officers of Ulster County a Proclamation designating the week of May 5-11^th, 2002 Corrections Officer Week in Ulster County.