Mayor's Message

Everette Hodge Center BHM Display

City of Kingston Black History Month Proclamation

Rondout Neighborhood Center's Black History Week Events

CDBG Survey & Public Meeting

Youth Empowerment & Sustainability Summit

Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show

Dietz Stadium Construction Update

City of Kingston Job Opportunities

Mayor's Message:

Dear Friends -

Kingston's greatest strength is our diversity, and so we celebrate and honor the contributions of Black Americans and Black Kingstonians with Black History Month. There are many wonderful events that do just that throughout the month.

At City Hall, we are celebrating our diverse staff and the many trailblazers that have helped shape our local government and our City. From the first Black Council Member Leonard Van Dyke to the first Black female Director of Parks & Recreation, Lynsey Timbrouck, I want to thank all who have helped us create a more diverse and equitable team, and continue to be leaders and inspire others!

-Steve

Everett Hodge Center Historical Profile Display

Mayor Noble and the Ulster County Clerk visited the Hodge Center today to install a banner to honor the Center's namesake, Everette Hodge himself.

Hodge was born in Tennessee, and after college moved to Newburgh to study as an apprentice mortician. There, he founded a chapter of the NAACP, and served as its President for many years. In 1942, at the age of 31, Hodge enlisted in the Army and served as a Corporal during WWII. After serving in the war, he returned to Newburgh and got a job in the Post Office -- the first black employee at the branch -- and worked there for 28 years. Hodge and his wife moved to Kingston in 1951, bought the property at 21 Franklin St., and turned it into a funeral home. In Kingston, he opened up another branch of the NAACP and served as President for 29 years. He was very community-minded, mentoring students and working in the PTO and other student organizations throughout the years. The Hodge Center, which is now a refuge for young children, is named after this astounding civil rights leader.

The history panel will be on display at the Hodge Center all month.

City of Kingston Black History Month Proclamation

Read Mayor Noble's proclamation 2024 Black History Month below.

Rondout Neighborhood Center Black History Week Events

The Kingston Parks & Recreation Department will host its annual Black History Week with several days of events at the Rondout Neighborhood Center.

Starting on Tuesday, February 20, with a Soul Food Night and celebration of Black Entrepreneurs, a movie night on Wednesday, and a Carnival Night on Thursday. All events are 6-8pm. Everyone is welcome!

CDBG Survey & Public Meeting Next Week

The City of Kingston will hold a public hearing for the City’s 2024-2028 Consolidated Plan and 2024 Annual Action Plan for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program on February 6, 2024, at 6:00pm at City Hall.

The City of Kingston is in the process of preparing the 2024-2028 Consolidated Plan and 2024 Annual Action Plan, to be submitted to HUD on or about May 15, 2024. The City anticipates that its 2024 CDBG Program allocation will be $650,000, but funding has not yet been allocated. 

A survey for public input is also now open. Please take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Kingston2024.

Written comments will be accepted by the Office of Community Development until March 6, 2024. A second public hearing will be held to present the draft plan to the public. Comments on the proposed plan will be considered prior to Common Council adoption.

Youth Empowerment & Sustainability Summit

Attention upper middle school and high school students: Come gather at the Ashokan Center to learn about coalition building and becoming leaders in fighting climate change and other challenges!

The 2024 Youth Empowerment & Sustainability Summit is a three-day immersion into the ways young people can take action and make a difference to change their communities and the world.

Sessions are led by experts in civic engagement regarding the environment, with students discussing their own experiences, and groups working together to develop action plans to build upon so they may enact change in their community. It's also a valuable opportunity to network and make connections!

While enhancing their skillsets, students gain cultural experience and see other perspectives, since attendees come from throughout the Hudson Valley, New York City, and beyond. They also have the opportunity to explore the Ashokan Center and our 385 acres in the Catskill Mountains.

Learn more, including how you can sponsor local students to attend the summit here:https://ashokancenter.org/yess-2024 

Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show

Mayor Noble's weekly radio show is back! "It's the Mayor" airs on Tuesdays at 5pm on Radio Kingston. This week, Mayor Noble spoke with Anthony Dandridge about his new role as the Executive Director at the A.J. Williams-Meyers Library and about Black History Month in Kingston.

Click below to listen to their conversation!

Dietz Stadium Construction Update

The Dietz Stadium renovation project is about 1/3 completed! The project is currently on track with the master schedule.

Mass re-grading at the south end of the field has progressed west and is now heading north toward the back of the grandstand. Rock removal from the site continues. Necessary removal of distressed trees has started at the south end and is progressing north. This will allow for new sustainable green infrastructure to be installed along with over 125 new trees.

Concrete footings and foundation walls have been installed for the new ticket booth, visitor concessions and visitor side storage building. All the new storm water and sewer lines have been installed up to the Joys Lane connection which started this week. Installation of the new water main from Lucas Avenue has begun.

The interior demolition and slab cuts of the grandstand are complete. New footings and foundation walls have been poured in the south end and progressing north. Structural repairs in the grandstand have been made.

City of Kingston Job & Board Opportunities

The City of Kingston has several opportunities available for employment.

Upcoming Civil Service Exams include:

Head Custodian on March 23, 2024

Project Manager on April 13, 2024

The following civil service examinations will be given on a continual recruitment basis. Exams will be given every six months and names will be interfiled on the eligible lists.

Office Assistant

Office Assistant I

Typist

The Police Office Physical Agility Exam is now being offered on a continuous recruitment basis.

Police Officer Physical Agility Examination

More information available at https://kingston-ny.gov/employment.

The City of Kingston has over 25 boards & commissions, and we're always looking for volunteers to serve the community.

Currently there are openings on:

• Zoning Board of Appeals
• Kingston Housing Authority
• Complete Streets Advisory Council
• Conservation Advisory Council

Application at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KingstonBoards.

The Kingston 311 app, website, and phone system allow residents to quickly and easily report issues and submit service requests.

The Kingston 311 app, available for Android & iPhones, is a fast and simple way to connect to City officials in non-emergency situations. Photos can be attached to illustrate service orders.



This system is a valuable resource to submit municipal service requests. Examples include:

• Streetlight replacement
• City signage, including overgrowth blocking traffic signs
• Snow removal, reporting parking violations, and other snow-related issues
• Parks & playground repairs
• Report graffiti or vandalism
• Trail issues

Dial 311 from any phone within City limits to reach us, use the app or visit www.kingston-ny.gov/311/