In old-fashioned parlance, Ulster County legislative candidates Tom Corcoran and Gina Hansut are shoe-ins. They’re both unopposed for their seats on the countywide body. 

 

Both are relative newcomers to their posts. Corcoran was first elected in 2019, Hansut in 2021. And they both bring deep municipal experience to their legislative roles.  Hansut’s seat on the legislature follows in the footsteps of her father, who held a post on the Ulster County legislature for 26 years, and her mother, who served for six.

 

Ulster County legislator Tom Corcoran is running for reelection with Republican, Conservative and Independent endorsements. In addition to his role on the legislature, Corcoran has served for 21 years as the Town of Marlborough’s code enforcement officer, as a building and fire inspector, and as a zoning officer. He is also a high school football and baseball coach for the Marlboro Central School District. He holds bachelor’s degrees from SUNY New Paltz in business administration and athletic coaching, as well as an associate degree in accounting from Dutchess Community College. He and his wife Colleen are the parents of a son and daughter and have one granddaughter.

 

I’ve been an Ulster County legislator for four years. My background includes my involvement in local government for 21 years, particularly my current job responsibilities with the Town of Marlborough. Through my role I’m also involved in construction and safety in the community: I bring to the role extensive education and training in New York State Building and Fire Codes. Before I began my job with the Town, I was a successful business owner for 25 years.

 

My priorities are to continue our town’s agricultural productivity, to promote our great agricultural tourism sector, and to promote responsible growth in our community.

 

I want to offer my continued service and financial support for our community. This year I brought $500,000 in grant money from Ulster County for the Town of Marlborough water and sewer project. I also obtained an additional $100,000 in grant funding for our parks and another $100,000 for the town’s solar project.

 

Two issues that are very important to me are the high cost of housing that Ulster County now faces, and the lack of bus transportation on Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT). Transit services no longer exist in the Town of Marlborough.

 

My top priority is to serve our community. I do this in my employment with the town every day and I also do this through my 23 years of volunteer work with both Marlboro Youth Football and Cheerleading and Marlboro Youth Baseball and Softball. To me there is nothing more important than family and community.

 

Gina E Hansut, 60, is seeking reelection as a Republican to the Ulster County Legislature. She is a lifelong town resident and holds an associate degree in applied science from Dutchess Community College. Hansut recently retired after 20 years of service in the Marlboro Central School District’s special-education department. She is widowed with two adult children (a son and daughter) and three grandchildren.

 

I chose to run two years ago because I truly enjoy helping people and wanted to make a difference. I was elected shortly after my husband, Paul, passed away. I have embraced the role, and it has been very good to me, to help others.

 

My top concerns for the county are safety, housing, mental health and substance abuse issues, veterans and seniors. I chair the Law Enforcement and Public Safety Committee, a role I don’t take lightly and take very seriously. In my opinion, public safety is the number-one priority of government. I stand with our law enforcement, fire departments and all emergency response personnel.  Our veterans deserve our strongest support, and I have also worked to bring Veterans Court to our County.

 

I have been an advocate for our new 911 Center, for which we will break ground in the spring. It was long overdue in this county. I also recently sponsored my first Law, Local Law No. 7, which was passed in August. It created a Domestic Partnership Registry in Ulster County and will be a positive change for many residents.

 

We also just passed a resolution to adopt the Think Differently initiative. This program is now in nearly 100 communities and counties across the state and country. I was one of the cosponsors and it will make our county one that is inclusive for all people with disabilities.

 

What I would like to accomplish is seeing the new government operations center through, ease the housing crisis, continue to support the programs that we offer for those afflicted with addictions. I am very proud of what our county has done so far. The planned opening of our Crisis Stabilization Center will be such an asset to our residents, and will provide more help for our county.

 

I serve on many boards, one of which is Ulster County Community Action. I became a board member a few days before I found out it would be closing in Highland. I immediately worked with the organization, and we have been able to hold a monthly pop-up food distribution site to help needy families in both Highland and surrounding communities as well. Ulster County Community Action is a huge asset to our county, and I’m proud to work with this organization.

 

I also serve on the New York State Association of Counties’ Standing Committee for Public Safety and the State Woman’s Leadership Council. I enjoy learning and am always willing to expand my knowledge of government roles.

 

I work with both sides of the aisle for the betterment of our constituents. If it is a good idea, I will support it. I am visible in the community and am always available to help people. I have said that I work on everything from passports to potholes. I represent parts of the Towns of Lloyd and Marlborough but feel I represent all 182,000 Ulster County residents. I am always available, and I look forward to my second term and continuing to make a difference.