Ulster County News

FROM: ULSTER COUNTY PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

DATE: June 11, 2004 

At the June 10, 2004 session of the Ulster County Legislature, Chairman Richard A. Gerentine presented a Proclamation declaring June 11, 2004 as a Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Ronald Reagan as the first order of business. Legislator Joan Feldmann led everyone in singing "God Bless America."

In other legislative business, the legislative body unanimously appointed Arthur J. Smith, III as County Administrator to fill the vacancy formerly occupied by William Darwak. Several legislators praised Mr. Smith for his hard work and dedication through his 23 years with the county. " We are very fortunate to have Arthur as our County Administrator. With all his experience and expertise, he will be a perfect fit for this position and will be an asset to Ulster County," stated Chairman Gerentine.

Legislator Wayne Harris, Chairman of the Economic Development/Education, Tourism & Cultural Affairs Committee, presented a Pride of Ulster County Award to Herbert Hekler, former Director of the Ulster County Planning Department, in recognition of dedicated and outstanding service to the Ulster County Planning Department.

Chairman Gerentine called upon District 1 Legislators Gerald DePew, Susan Cummings, Theresa Hyatt and Joseph Stoeckeler, Jr., along with Charles Mutz, Ulster County Chief Fire Coordinator, to present a Pride of Ulster County Award to David L. Miller, HUD Superintendent of the Eastern Correctional Facility in Napanoch, for his continuous contributions to the residents of Ulster County and especially the emergency services.

Legislator Wayne Harris, Chairman of the Economic Development/Education, Tourism & Cultural Affairs Committee, and District 11 Legislators Elizabeth Alfonso and Charles Busick, along with Peter A. Carofano, Director of Ulster County Tourism, presented a Pride of Ulster County Award to Elisa Pritzker and Dr. Rob Lunski, Co-Founders of HCC-Arts, commemorating their 10^th anniversary as an award winning non-profit multi-arts organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the arts in Ulster County and the surrounding Hudson Valley Region.

The final presentation was made by Legislator Wayne Harris, Chairman of the Economic Development/Education, Tourism & Cultural Affairs Committee, and District 9 Legislators, Richard A. Gerentine, Frank Felicello and William McAfee, along with Peter A. Carofano, Director of Ulster County Tourism, with a Pride of Ulster County Award to Mark Miller, proprietor of Benmarl Winery and the Museum for the Preservation of Illustrative Art, for his outstanding lifetime achievements as a vintner in the wine industry and for his contribution to the arts as a world-renown illustrator.

The next meeting of the Ulster County Legislature will be held on Thursday July 8, 2004, 7:00 P.M. in the Legislative Chambers, sixth floor, Ulster County Office Building, 244 Fair Street, Kingston, New York.