According to the wording of the proposed law, which was co-sponsored by legislators Joe Maloney of Saugerties and Ken Ronk of Shawangunk, the bill’s intent is to “assist in avoiding any conflicts of interest, division of loyalty, and/or appearances of impropriety.” Currently, the only county employee who would be affected by this action is Dan Torres, the assistant deputy county executive, who also serves on the New Paltz Town Board. As such, Resolution 374 has been termed by many as the “Dan Torres Law.”

On a sunny Monday morning in Uptown Kingston, Michelle Hinchey officially launched her campaign for state Senate, flanked by a Who’s Who of local Democratic elected officials, and standing in the same spot where her father — a legend in local politics — launched his political career 47 years earlier.