Zimet: "up in the air"

NEW PALTZ – Ulster County Legislator Susan Zimet and former county executive candidate said Monday she is not sure of her political future. She announced to a Democratic Party brunch Sunday that she would not continue her county executive run, an announcement that stunned everyone in room.  She had announced her bid for the newly created position just two weeks ago.

She told MidHudsonNews.com on Monday that when her current legislative term expires at the end of next year, she doesn’t know at this moment if she will seek re-election.

 “My goal in time is spent trying to make meaningful reform,” she said. “One of my greatest accomplishments is the law I got passed in the State of New York protecting our veterans when they return so they will get the proper testing and treatment for radioactive materials when they come and I will put myself in a role where I can make a difference, get things done and have an impact, and whatever role that is, that is where I will be going.”

Zimet said she will continue to push her property tax reform agenda, “other political ideologies that I would like to pursue” and other personal projects.

As for her county legislature post, “I will serve out my term as county legislator and we will see what the future holds.”

Zimet, a former New Paltz town supervisor, lost a bid against Republican State Senator John Bonacic a year-and-a-half ago and she said she is being lobbied by some to challenge him again this fall. Right now her focus will be to push for real property tax reform. “Where I go from there, everything is up in the air.”