On the issues... Mike Stock addresses the issues facing Ulster County. 

On the Ulster County jail
“Elected officials at all levels of government often inherit difficult problems not of their making, with the responsibility to work hard and resolve them This was my particular burden when I was elected to head the majority in the county legislature. The jail was severely over budget and seriously behind schedule when I was sworn in. I immediately made this a priority issue, applied leadership to rally my colleagues into action and am pleased to report progress in bringing costs into line and activating construction.”

On casinos in Ulster County
" I presented a stand in opposition to casinos at the Saugerties Casino Informational Meeting and offered a resolution at the Ulster County Legislature floor strongly opposing any casino anywhere in Ulster county."

Van Dale Bridge Fabrication Garage
 Even some of my strongest supporters took issue with my position on the Van Dale Garage Project , until it was vindicated by another public works official.
Independently, commissioner of highways and bridges Dave Sheeley in a press report stated:

Sheeley said the county bridge fabrication shop that opened up in West Hurley proved to be the county's saving grace after the flood, because it allowed crews to make bridge components that could normally take several months to order and have delivered in a matter of days, shortening the turnaround time of post storm repairs."
" We've been able, actually, in some places to take half a bridge deck off, and in the meantime at Van Dale, we're actually building new bridge beams for that half." he said. " So, we can run the traffic on one side, replace those beamms, divert traffic to the new side, and complete the bridge."
Daily Freeman excerpt


Large Parcel Controversy
This issue pits school taxpayers in one town ( Olive) against those in neighboring towns (Woodstock and Shandanken)
"Large Parcel" refers to sizeable acreage as a basis for equitable tax rates, Olive residents know that the reservoir in their district places, in their view, an unfair burden and therefore
a) they understand the issue fully
b) they muster support to rally against this measure and
c) have been able to prevail
Regrettably people in other towns do not sufficiently understand what is at stake and either do not turn out to vote or don't know how to vote in their interest.
I therefore am dedicated to make this issue clear and to rally support to maintain "large parcel" as a fair and financially equitable basis for taxation.

(Large parcel information)

Budget Reform...








 


Mike surveys the damage of April's devastating flood in Ulster County
On the Future...

Mike Stock, a life-long resident of the region, has been dealing effectively with issues affecting environmental protection, real estate values, local taxes, public safety and the quality of life for many years. Voters can be confident that he will apply the same long hours and dedicated focus to a second term on the County Legislature as he has in his first term as Legislator and as he did with distinction on Woodstock's Town Board and Planning Board. They can be equally assured that he will apply the same temperament he has demonstrated in the conduct of the people's business and the even-handed approach he has given to employees as a business leader to the needs and opportunities in Ulster County

1. Financial Accountability.

As a small business owner Mike knows the value of good accounting and financial responsibility.

Mike proposes requirements that department heads report monthly their expenditures and it's relationship to the budget. This will help insure departments are getting what they need instead of spending what they have.

2. Reduce Taxes

There are several key solutions to eliminate over- taxing in a community.
Mike believes in keeping the books open.

Joint purchase in common commodities with surrounding towns and villages to provide discounts for essential goods.

Encouraging competitive bidding on large town expenditures.

Monitoring fees from development and keeping them in line with actual cost so that taxpayers are not penalized for private profit. Making sure that the fees are collected.

3. Promote responsible businesses

We all know that the prosperity of a town is critically hinged on providing jobs for the community. Mike is committed to helping Ulster County grow but not at the expense of the health of it's residents.

We can't expect responsible businesses to be interested in moving into an industrial zoned area without appropriate infra-structure. At present the Town has been unable to procure the funding for essential services such as water and sewer. Mike feels that with the pressure of the additional population and the diminishing job market this issue needs a high priority status. Because there exists a mixture of business and private homes, the project must be affordable.

Mike will encourage new responsible businesses to come to Ulster County
As a former member and chair of the Woodstock Town Board Mike ...

Mike wants businesses that "mitigate, not litigate". Businesses should be prepared to follow the law. The County must enforce these laws so that people's hard earned tax dollars are not spent paying lawyers for unnecessary litigation..

4. End Partisan Politics.

Over the past two years, Ulster County has seen tremendous growth but as result of partisan politics and petty bickering the town has lost substantial ground in keeping up with the timely and responsible decisions that must be made.