The first speaker is Ulster County executive Mike Hein. https://ulstercountyalive.com The second speaker is ESRM spokesman Paul LaPierre.. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_State_Railway_Museum Rail-Bike paddle-car attraction launches in Phoenicia A small fleet of motor-assisted, pedal-powered, railroad car contraptions at the Empire State Railway Museum in Phoenicia, were rolled out on Wednesday. The new recreational and tourist attraction brings 30 jobs plus thousands of potential visitors to the Hudson Valley. Ulster County Executive Mike Hein was on hand -- and foot -- to welcome the new business venture, named Rail Explorers. He was joined by county legislators and other local dignitaries, including Shandaken Town supervisor Robert Stanley. All took turns riding on the rolling 4-seated buggies, which have the appearance of a go-cart on steel rims. Local residents and others cheered as the test pilots pulled out of the station, disappearing down the old Ulster & Delaware Railroad line. Memorial Day weekend is sold-out, and over 2,000 reservations are booked, noted company co-owner Mary Joy Lu,. The 8-mile round trip costs $80 for two passengers, or $150 for four. The cars travel south from Phoenicia, towards Mount Pleasant, where train tracks cross Rt. 28. Riders have right-of-way, but are advised to use extreme caution -- and hand brakes -- when crossing the highway. Each car has one designated brake operator -- who must be over 18, and sober. For the return trip, a small electric motor helps push the rigs back uphill against the slight 1.5% grade. “I had to learn what rail bikes were in the beginning,” said Hein. “I didn’t fully understand what they were, but I do now. Not only is it an extraordinary, exciting opportunity for families to get together and have a wholesome outdoor experience, it’s also a draw -- an attraction to the western part of Ulster County, that can be nothing short of game-changing,” Hein said. “We have seen at Hunter Mountain what zip-lining has done. It’s been transformative. This is exactly that kind of change for our community, and I couldn’t be more excited. It’s not just a business. Like a pebble in a pond, there’s a ripple effect, for the entire community, and especially a place just like this Railway Museum,” Hein added. The Empire State Railway Museum, located on Lower High Street, a national historic landmark, was recently restored into a perfect replica of a turn-of-the-century train station, with a gift shop for tourist souvenirs, postcards, books, model trains, etc. The train platform outside hosts the Rail Explorer attraction. A quaint hamlet with restaurants, B&Bs, river tube rentals, and an upstate opera, is within walking distance. Ken Ronk, chairman of the Ulste ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ru8NXEd0h-M

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On Monday, May 21, 2018, the Ulster County Democratic Committee voted overwhelmingly to throw their incumbent three-term Sheriff, Paul Van Blarcum, under the bus. http://midhudsonnews.com/News/2018/May/22/UCDem_conv-22May18.html New Paltz Deputy Town Supervisor Daniel Torres, in a fiery nomination speech, introduced the newcomer candidate, Plattekill resident and retired NYS Trooper, Juan Figueroa. The nomination by Dan Torres begins here at the 5:00 minute mark. You decide if he used race-baiting language and indentity politics, rather than law enforcement qualifications such as supervisory or administrative experience. Meanwhile, the Republican, Conservative, and Independence Parties are all lining up to cross-endorse Sheriff Van Blarcum. And Democratic voters will have the final say who appears on their line in the upcoming primary. http://midhudsonnews.com/News/2018/May/23/VanBlarcum_primary-13May18.html ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74D-Ez1o4Rw

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