Saturday, March 14, 2020 Ulster County and Sullivan County - Update on Closings/Cancellations/Postponements
Sullivan County Manager Orders
Schools Closed Through April 3
Monticello, NY – With cases of COVID-19 (2019 Novel Coronavirus) in every county surrounding Sullivan, County Manager Joshua Potosek, in consultation with BOCES District Superintendent Robert Dufour, is instructing all eight public school districts in the County to close for the next three weeks, through April 3.
This order applies to the following districts: Eldred, Fallsburg, Liberty, Livingston Manor, Monticello, Roscoe, Sullivan West and Tri-Valley. (The four other districts which serve portions of Sullivan County - Ellenville, Pine Bush, Port Jervis and Minisink Valley - have already been closed by their respective county and school leaders.)
"This was a difficult decision to make, considering how disruptive this closure may be to children's education, including my own," Potosek remarked. "But given the circumstances - including the fact that virtually every school district surrounding Sullivan County has already closed for at least two weeks - this is the most prudent choice. We cannot allow coronavirus to rapidly spread through the classrooms and hallways of our schools. That promises to be far more disruptive than a controlled closure."
"I have been in daily contact with the seven superintendents of our eight component school districts, and we are in agreement this is the right decision at the right time," Dr. Dufour commented. "In fact, we have been preparing for this probability, including the possibility of distance learning alternatives. I ask all students, parents and district supporters to be patient with us and to work with us as we continue to respond proactively to the coronavirus threat."
"This is a crucial step, and the County Manager's order to close schools will allow districts to avoid any penalties from not meeting the State's minimum 180-school-days rule," explained Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther. "The districts themselves will be in touch with families about steps moving forward, including who to contact with questions."
Note that while Potosek's order is statutorily limited to five days, he intends to renew it for three weeks, ensuring local schools remain closed through April 3.
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Amid COVID-19 Pandemic, Governor Cuomo Signs Executive Order Temporarily Modifying Election Procedures to Reduce Spread of Coronavirus
Reduces Number of Petition Signatures to 30% of the Statutory Threshold; Petition Period Will End at 5PM on Tuesday 3/17
Extends Deadline to Apply to Vote Absentee for Queens Borough President special election on March 24
In an effort to keep New Yorkers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed an executive order temporarily modifying election procedures to help reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The executive order suspends the candidate petitioning process — effective 5PM on Tuesday — for the June primaries for Congressional, State Senate, State Assembly and Judicial races.
The executive order also modifies the signature requirements for ballot access; candidates will only need to collect 30 percent of the statutory threshold. For Congress, candidates would need 375 signatures rather than 1,250. For State Senate, candidates would need 300 signatures rather than 1,000. For Assembly, candidates would only need 150 signatures rather than 500.
The executive order also modifies deadlines and procedures to better allow New Yorkers to vote absentee for the Queens Borough President special election on March 24. It extends the current deadline to register to vote absentee to March 23, the day before the special election. Absentee votes must be postmarked or delivered in person up until the day of the election on March 24.
"Public health experts have been clear that one of the most common ways to communicate COVID-19 is through direct person to person contact, and we are doing everything in our immediate power to reduce unnecessary interactions," Governor Cuomo said. "This executive order modifies the election process in a way that both protects public health and ensures the democratic process remains healthy and strong regardless of the ongoing pandemic."
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Village of Monticello - All Poll Workers, Village Residents, and Voters
The Village of Monticello Voting Poll Locations have changed for the Wednesday, March 18th, 2020 Election. Voters in Districts 7 & 8 will now cast your vote at the Ted Stroebele Recreation Center located at 10 Jefferson Street along with Districts 6, 9 & 10. The polls will be open from 12:00noon until 9:00pm. Please make note of this important change.
Thank you. Janine Gandy-McKinney Village Clerk
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Olive Free Library Update on Cancellations of Programs and Hours of Service
During uncertain times it is our instinct to gather to discuss and comfort each other, which has made the decision to cancel programs and reduce our hours of service especially hard. This decision was not made lightly. I am hopeful we will be able to resume normal hours at the end of March, but I've learned that this is a rapidly evolving situation and nothing can be predicted.
We will continue to check email and phone messages, please feel free to reach out if you have questions or concerns.
Thank you for your patience and understanding!
Chrissy Lawlor
Library Director
director@olivefreelibrary.
ST. MARK'S UM CHURCH 68 Church St, Napanoch, NY 12458 - Yard and Clothing Sale TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR TWO WEEKS - We are sorry for any inconvenience and hope to reopen April 3
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March 13, 2020 Announcements
Ulster Executive Pat Ryan and Commissioner of Health,Dr. Carol Smith Announce New Developments Related to COVID-19
County Executive Ryan Directs Schoolsin Ulster County to Close for 14-Days
County Executive Ryan to Hold Tele-TownHall, Sunday at 2:00 p.m. for Residents
ÒInconsultation with the Health Department and the Ulster County Health and SafetyAdvisory Task Force, and out of an abundance of caution, I am directing theclosure of all schools in Ulster County for 14 days, starting on Monday. As a parent, I know this will impact families in ourcommunity, and understand the sacrifice this will entail, but I am confident weare making the right decision. We are working closely with school officials andcommunity leaders to develop plans at the school district-level to helpalleviate the stresses and hardships this will place on our CountyÕsfamilies. Based on what we currently know about the spread of COVID-19,we believe that acting decisively now will significantly reduce the impact onour community and help protect our most vulnerable neighborsÓ - UlsterCounty Executive Pat Ryan.
Schoolsuperintendents and officials will implement this order as appropriate in eachdistrict, and provide additional guidance to their school communities in thecoming hours and days. Schools will be closed for instruction, after-school andextracurricular events, and public events, but superintendents may directessential staff to report as needed.
ÒTheseare challenging times. All of the Ulster County school superintendents supportthis action by County Executive Ryan. We all have the same goal which is toprotect the health and safety of the over 22,000 students and the thousands ofteachers, administrators and support staff who work in our schools everydayÓ -Chuck Khoury, District Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer, Ulster BOCES.
ÒThisis an important action that will protect the health and safety of the residentsof Ulster County. This decision was not made lightly and we know that it willhave real world impacts to many, but it is the decision that needs to be madeto stop the continued spread of COVID-19. I applaud the County Executive fortaking direct and swift action. I want to again stress that residents shouldcontinue to exercise caution, but that this is not a cause for panic. Forphysicians, school districts, and those who feel they may be exposed or areexperiencing symptoms, call our new COVID-19 hotline at 845-443-8888 or visitour website ulstercountyny.gov/Coronavirus for more informationÓ - Commissionerof Health Dr. Carol Smith.
Inaddition to working closely with school superintendents and officials, UlsterCounty is in close coordination with neighboring Dutchess County and OrangeCounty leadership.
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Sullivan County Manager Declares State of Emergency
Monticello, NY – While Sullivan County currently continues to have no confirmed cases of COVID-19 (2019 Novel Coronavirus), County Manager Joshua Potosek announced today that County government operations will be altered significantly for the time being.
ÒConsidering the State's ongoing efforts to contain coronavirus – which has now been confirmed in all the counties which surround Sullivan – it's timely and prudent for Sullivan County government to protect both its employees and the public, without inconveniencing either more than necessary,Ó Potosek stated. ÒThus I am declaring a State of Emergency in Sullivan County and initiating a series of measures to preserve service delivery and health & welfare.Ó
Minimal Staffing at Many Offices
Effective Monday, March 16, County government offices will be staffed as lightly as possible, some with only one employee, so as to minimize the chances of coronavirus exposure and transmission. Certain facilities, like the Care Center and DMV, will continue to be fully staffed in order to provide necessary services to the public. But even in those locations, restrictions will be in place (see below).
ÒI encourage citizens to call our offices to seek services whenever possible – and to only do so when absolutely necessary, considering the few staff who will be available to answer phones,Ó Potosek urged. ÒIf it can wait a week or two, let it wait.Ó
The majority of County employees will continue to work during normal hours, however, as provisions have been made to give them access to their digital workspaces from home.
Care Center Closed to Visitors
Except for families of loved ones receiving end-of-life care, visitation to the Care Center at Sunset Lake in Liberty is suspended indefinitely. This is to protect the County's most vulnerable residents from coronavirus, which can be lethal for older adults.
ÒMy own wife is a resident of the Care Center, so this news was devastating to me,Ó District 6 Legislator Luis Alvarez remarked. ÒBut I understand why it is being done, and like many other families, I am enduring this very painful sacrifice for the welfare of those we care for at the Center.Ó
DMV Serving Only Sullivan County Residents
Starting Monday, March 16, all MV-44 transactions at the Sullivan County Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office will be conducted for Sullivan County residents only, so as to limit the potential spread of coronavirus. This includes applications for and renewals of all driver's licenses (Standard, Enhanced and Real ID), learner's permits, non-driver's license ID cards, conditional or restricted licenses, and reciprocity. (DMV's previous camera breakdown has been repaired, so full services have been restored.)
In addition, the Sullivan County Clerk's Office will process passports only for Sullivan County residents. The Clerk's Office also strongly encourages e-recording of documents.
Congregant Meal Sites Closed
All County-served senior nutrition sites have been closed indefinitely in order to limit potential exposures to senior citizens, who are most at risk from coronavirus. Meals on Wheels deliveries will continue, however, and officials are working on further efforts to meet the nutritional needs of residents.
County Events Cancelled
The Sullivan County Sheriff's Office's Victim Impact Panel scheduled for Tuesday, March 17 in the Government Center's Hearing Room has been rescheduled for Tuesday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m.
The Sullivan County Career Center's March Hiring Event on March 25 and the Monticello Library Hiring Event on April 4 have both been cancelled.
Emergency Operations Center Opened
At Potosek's direction, the Sullivan County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has been opened in White Lake, and provisions are being made to fully staff it as the need arises.
ÒWe have been and will continue to be working closely with our local towns and villages, their police departments and State health authorities to address any impacts of coronavirus as they come our way,Ó Potosek explained. ÒWhile I can't assure that we won't have any cases of the virus in our County, I CAN assure that we are taking the steps necessary to fulfill our obligation to protect and promote the health and welfare of all our citizens.Ó
Updates and further details, including how to protect yourself against coronavirus, can be found at www.sullivanny.us/departments/publichealth/coronavirus
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Ulster County & Sullivan County
Postponements ¥ Cancellations ¥ Change of Venue – as of 3/13/2020
¥ CANCELLED - SULLIVAN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FIRST FRIDAY BREAKFAST FOR APRIL 3, 2020.
¥ POSTPONED -CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF ORANGE, SULLIVAN, AND ULSTER ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF CHARITY AND CARITAS AWARDS DINNER HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2020.
Time and the Valleys Museum, Grahamsville, NY - Meet the Artists Reception WOW: Water on Water Catalogue on Sunday, March 29 at the Time and the Valleys Museum HAS BEEN CANCELLED.
Village of Monticello - All Poll Workers, Village Residents, and Voters - The Village of Monticello Voting Poll Locations have changed for the Wednesday, March 18th, 2020 Election. Voters in Districts 7 & 8 will now cast your vote at the Ted Stroebele Recreation Center located at 10 Jefferson Street along with Districts 6, 9 & 10. The polls will be open from 12:00noon until 9:00pm. Please make note of this important change.
Janine Gandy-McKinney, Village Clerk
Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center As a Community Center, we are first and foremost committed to the health and well-being of our community and all communities. After careful consideration and being informed by the CDC and World Health Organization current guidelines, we have made the right decision to suspend Center programming through to March 31st and postpone the 2020 Gala until we are confident it is safe for all to attend. We do so out of an abundance of caution for the entire community.
Please check our website for updates or call the Center (Monday-Friday 9:30am-5pm) at 845-331-5300.
Wishing you the best of health,
The Staff and Board of The Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center
ASK (Art Society of Kingston) - ¥ We had a number of wonderful events planned for this weekend. Due to recommendations from Ulster County and in consultation with the artists, we are cancelling all events this weekend. We are working with the artists to reschedule and will let you know when we are able to present these fine performances!
While the majority of ticket sales go to the artists, ASK relies on revenue from our events to maintain our programming, staff and building. If you would like to join ASK to support the arts, your help during this difficult time for artists and venues is very appreciated. Use the "JOIN US" link above to become a member today!
¥ CANCELLED-The Catskill Mountain Gamelan The Catskill Mountain Gamelan presents a concert of Indonesian music, with guest artists Ageng Yustisiani Putri, a Sundanese classical dancer, and her husband Edward Garcia (drummer), who is recently returned from a music fellowship studying in West Java. Together with the Catskill Mountain Gamelan, they will be performing Indonesian classical dance, including tari topeng (masked dance) and song, featuring female singers and dancers. A gamelan is a West Javanese percussion ensemble, decoratively designed and made of bronze hanging and potted gongs and metallophones. Led by Dr. Dorcinda Knauth, an ethnomusicologist specializing in Indonesian music, the group consists of talented musicians, composers and dancers from the Hudson Valley.
¥ CANCELLED- Bard Music Festival and The Orchestra Now present: French Impressions Nadia Boulanger and Her World Bard Music Festival and The Orchestra Now present: French Impressions Nadia Boulanger and Her World has been cancelled. A new date for this event will be announced at a later time. We apologize for any inconvenience.
¥ CANCELLED-Sketch Laughs! w/ Crime Alley Sketch Laughs! with Crime Alley this Saturday night has been cancelled. A new date for this event will be announced at a later time. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Woodstock School of Art
Dear students, instructors and patrons,
In the interest of public health and safety, the Woodstock School of Art offices, studios, and gallery will be closed from Sunday, March 16th through Tuesday, March 31st. The school staff will be available to intermittently respond to emails.
Please follow our Facebook page & check our website for more updates over the next few weeks.
For students that have paid for classes and workshops during the time period we are closed (March 16 - 31, 2020), we have a few options:
á Weekly classes: a credit will be issued for you to continue your classes when the school reopens.
á Workshops: we will be sending an email to students with a reschedule date.
If the options above do not work for you, then we will issue a full refund or please consider donating a portion of the tuition to the school. Any donations received will help fund our efforts to keep the school in good fiscal health during these uncertain times. Please contact the registrar with your desire to reschedule, receive a refund or make a donation at: registrar@woodstockschoolofart.org
We are closely monitoring the evolving situation on behalf of the artist community and continue to follow the lead of the State and Federal government and health experts.
Sincerely, Nina Doyle, Executive Director of Woodstock School of Art
Maple Fest at Ashokan
Maple Fest is one of our favorite annual events, so it is with deep regrets that we must cancel for public safety reasons. Beginning at 5pm today, gatherings of 500 people or more are banned in NY state. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep our community informed.
Sunday, March 22 our Ashokan staff will host a "Maple Fest Live" streaming hour on our FaceBook page. We know it's not as good as gathering in person, but we invite you to tune in for a little lighthearted fun in this otherwise challenging time.
3/13/2020
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