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Clayton Van Kleeck, a Town Board member in Ulster, resigned on Thursday (January 1) during the town's annual reorganization meeting. Van Kleeck cited ongoing instability and leadership concerns as reasons for his departure, specifically criticizing Supervisor James Quigley. Van Kleeck's resignation comes after Quigley announced his own resignation in November, only to reverse the decision in December, causing frustration among board members. Van Kleeck, who had served on the board since 2019 and was re-elected in 2023, expressed disappointment in Quigley's inconsistent leadership.
According to the Daily Freeman, Van Kleeck stated, "The decision for Jim (Quigley) to serve as supervisor was made by the electorate. He chose to reject that decision, then later reversed that rejection." Quigley expressed disappointment over Van Kleeck's resignation, acknowledging him as a valuable resource.
The tension between Van Kleeck and Quigley has been ongoing since March 2024, when Quigley announced plans to step down, which would have allowed Van Kleeck to step into the role of supervisor. However, Quigley reversed his decision, leading to strained relations. Van Kleeck's resignation was unexpected for some, including Town Clerk Suzanne Reavy, who remarked, "That was not on my bingo card."
The ongoing leadership disputes have raised concerns among other board members. Councilmember Maryann DeGroodt expressed worry about the town's stability, stating, "We will be turning to the Board of Elections to make sure that we are not putting our town in jeopardy." The Hudson Valley One reported that Quigley's previous resignation attempts and subsequent reversals have been a recurring theme throughout his tenure.