| By Paul Kuklinski and Valerie Gross
The rainy day on Sunday April 3rd didn’t stop an overflow crowd from attending the first GDC-sponsored Town Hall meeting of 2022 on featuring Ulster County Executive, Pat Ryan and Ulster County Legislature Chair, Tracy Bartels.
 GDC Chair Tom Kruglinski welcomed everyone and reminded those present of the importance this election year, which includes a primary contest on June 28 for our state assembly district (the Gardiner Dems have endorsed Assemblymember Kevin Cahill for reelection). Before GDC Vice Chair Debra Clinton introduced the speakers, she noted their recent accomplishments in office, especially their excellent handling of the pandemic, and also mentioned with pride that they, as well as our new State Supreme Court justice, David Gardin are all Gardiner residents, with our Sheriff, Juan Figueroa, being from close-by Plattekill.
Pat Ryan and Tracy Bartels both spoke briefly before taking questions from the floor for the next two hours, addressings constituents’ concerns on issues ranging from access to healthcare, especially mental health care, election security, affordable housing, traffic safety, school infrastructure, budget allocations, and how the county can address the high cost of gas. 
After the conclusion of the Town Hall meeting several attendees remained to engage the speakers in the ordinary neighborly banter one can expect in a congenial setting such as this was.
After the meeting, about a dozen people stayed to learn more about the Gardiner Dems’ Neighbor to Neighbor (N2N) initiative. If you are interested in getting to know your Democratic neighbors, and engaging their concerns, please contact the GDC for more information, as there are volunteer spots left.
The next Town Hall Meeting will be held on Sunday, June 12 at 2:00 pm. It will feature GDC endorsed candidates for Assembly (Kevin Cahill), State Senate (Michelle Hinchey), and Sheriff (Juan Figueroa). Those interested in attending (at the Gardiner Town Hall) must RSVP to chair@gardinerdemocrats.com with the names of the individuals attending.
You can find the Mid Hudson News article on the event here.
Paul Kuklinski is an Associate Member of the GDC
Valerie Gross is a Friend of the GDC
|
