Since we first reported that the Ulster County Department of Social Services (DSS) was considering a move to the newly christened Ellenville Government Center, much has been made of the possible pros and cons such a move will create. But beyond all of that stands something that looms much larger, much darker in terms of the way Ulster County treats its poorer communities.

Currently Ulster County policy is to fund its DSS program by charging half of a program's cost back to the community where the DSS client lives. The end result of such a policy is that it penalizes communities in the county that are home to poorer residents. While other counties disperse the expense of social services throughout their entire citizenry, Ulster County has employed what amounts to a 'poor tax'.

This singling out of poorer communities by the Ulster County Legislature is unconscionable and ultimately places these areas in a vicious circle that is difficult to escape. How can a place like Wawarsing, that has been hit so hard by wave after wave of layoffs, hope to recover when those that are without jobs are being taxed higher because they don't have jobs?

Perhaps this is not an issue in the more affluent parts of Ulster County. Fine. But when the issue is poverty and it is felt most acutely the town of Wawarsing or the city of Kingston, that problem cannot be solved at a local level. Small municipalities need assistance in dealing with their problems, not punitive measures for their population demographics. It is high time that Ulster County views the residents of Ellenville, Kingston, Saugerties etc. as residents and taxpayers of Ulster County.

To accept the status quo is to allow the legislature to keep its boot on the necks of poorer communities while residents of wealthier districts enjoy preferential treatment for being wealthy, glaring smugly as communities that struggle to succeed are faced with a Herculean task of surviving, much less growing. And for those that say that each local community should “do for itself” and “bootstrap it” - we say that is a hard task when someone keeps stealing your laces.

It often happens that, in the fight to achieve something small, the curtain is pulled and a real problem, a real injustice comes to light. Wawarsing and Ellenville officials should band together with like-minded municipalities and make their concerns heard and they need to have the support of their constituents to give their demands some heft.

We ask that readers, particularly at this time of year, consider the needs of those who struggle year round to survive, contact your newly-elected county legislators and tell them what you think. You can start by calling the Ulster County Office Building at 845-340-3900.

COMMENTS about this article (11)