Ulster County Administrator Mike Hein, who is currently the Democratic candidate for the new position of County Executive, unveiled his Ulster County Revitalization Plan at Democratic Headquarters in Kingston on Monday.

"This is pretty heady stuff for a farm kid from Esopus," said Hein after his introduction by New York Congressman Maurice Hinchey, who had said that Hein, "always does what is best for Ulster County," and that the changeover to an executive-style government was a "historic moment."

Hein said that the impending election is like "1776 for us all over again," calling the changeover a revolutionary move that will allow the county to "get it right."

"This is about the future," he said. "We're facing the toughest national times since the stock market crashed…I'm announcing a plan to move Ulster County forward."

His plan calls for an expansion of sustainable economic development with the creation of 1,000 "green collar" jobs, and the investment "in bed tax revenues to enhance tourism and economic development efforts," as well as a "streamlin[ing of] county permitting and approval processes without sacrificing environmental protection."

"It can no longer take five years to get a shovel in the ground in Ulster County," he said, to applause from his gathered supporters.

He also planned to challenge New York's designation of Ulster County as "downstate," forcing the county to compete with Westchester, Long Island, and Manhattan for funding.

"If you ask anyone on the street today, they'll say we're not Downstate New York," he said.

Hein's plan also addresses rising home heating costs through donations he has secured from oil companies and other organizations to help get assistance to those who need it this winter.

"People should not have to choose between heating, eating, and prescription drugs," he said.

Hein also plans to "cut government spending by reducing energy costs," and "streamline government through consolidation and investment technology" and the expansion of "shared municipal services." To that end, he proposed that GPS units be installed on the county's vehicles to "improve safety, scheduling," and allow the county to purchase less vehicles.

While the proposal also called for a sale of excess county properties to improve efficiency, Hein said that he would not sell the Golden Hill healthcare facility, which brought yet another round of applause at Democratic Headquarters. The assertion comes in response to recent reports that the facility was recently recommended for privatization, a proposition that was opposed by Democratic members of the Ulster County Legislature.

After his proposal, Hein answered questions from the media. One such question concerned how he would help the county's jobless citizenry on day one should he be elected to the executive position, with Ellenville cited as one of the areas hit hard by the loss of jobs.

"First and foremost, we have to get our act in order as well," responded Hein. "We have to create spaces that businesses want to come to. It can't be so difficult to actually have a business located. Taking five years, as I mentioned earlier, is unacceptable." Hein spoke about the General Environmental Impact Study (GEIS) process he wants to strengthen in the county so as to streamline the process of bringing new businesses to the county.

"I'm never going to lie to you," he said. "I'm not going to tell anyone in this building, or in this county, that it's going to be easy."

When asked about the ongoing struggles of the flooded victims in the Town of Wawarsing, which many believe are a result of the Department of Environmental Protection's leaking Delaware Aqueduct, Hein was adamant about his support for the residents, and what he would do if elected. He discussed how the executive position would improve county-residents' quality of life by offering a single voice. Right now, he said, with so many people trying to take the DEP to task for the flooding, "it becomes like static to them."

"We need a single person going to the DEP telling them the bottom line, 'we're going to bring suit if you don't take action,'" he said. "That's what it comes down to. I don't rule anything out when it comes to protecting the people of Ulster County.

"I just want to make sure it's clear: I will do anything in my power to protect those people out there. Right now they're being taken advantage of, they're suffering because of the DEP, and that's unacceptable."

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