KINGSTON, N.Y. — Longtime Ulster County Clerk Nina Postupack said Tuesday that she retiring, effective Aug. 22.
Her husband, Duane Postupack, said Tuesday afternoon that the county clerk was retiring before the end of her term due to an illness.
Postupack’s tenure is “distinguished by her dedication to public service, preservation of Ulster County’s rich history, and a deep commitment to community outreach,” according to a statement.
Deputy County Clerk Taylor Bruck said that he is next in line to become acting county clerk on Aug. 22.
Gov. Kathy Hochul could call for a special election to fill the position, but if not, Bruck would serve in that position from Aug. 22 through 2025.
Under that scenario, there would be an election in November 2025, and whoever wins would serve a four-year term, Bruck said.
“Nina’s tenure as Ulster County Clerk has been nothing short of transformative,” Bruck said in a statement. “Her unwavering dedication to public service has made our Ulster County DMV one of the most efficient in the state. Her passion for historic preservation rescued the Matthewis Persen House, establishing it as a cornerstone museum and cultural heritage center for our community.”
“Her innovative community outreach initiatives, like teaching packets for kids, have educated thousands of local students about our history,”Bruck added. “Nina has truly set a gold standard for public service, and as her deputy, I have had the privilege to witness her tireless efforts firsthand.”
Postupack began her career in the Ulster County Clerk’s Office in 1979, quickly rising through the ranks. By 1982, she was appointed deputy county clerk, and in 1990, she became chief deputy county clerk. In 2006, Postupack made history as the first woman elected as Ulster County Clerk. “Over the years, she has transformed the Clerk’s Office into a beacon of public service, marked by transparency, accessibility, and historical preservation,” the announcement said.
Throughout her tenure, Postupack spearheaded numerous initiatives that brought county services closer to the community, the statement said.
She introduced “Passport Nights” at town halls, making it easier for residents to apply for passports. Her efforts also extended to “Mobile Government” participation with other county departments, “ensuring that essential services were accessible to those unable to visit the county office in person,” the statement said.
“Recognizing the need for greater convenience, she implemented extended hours at the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) and conducted presentations to educate seniors about the services available to them,” the statement said.
Postupack’s passion for history led to the creation of an archival exhibit space in the Ulster County Office Building, showcasing the county’s past. She also oversaw the completion of the digitization of land record indexes, an achievement that ensures these records are preserved and easily accessible to the public.
Additionally, the archives staff under her leadership provided local history presentations to community groups, schools and heritage organizations, furthering public knowledge and appreciation of Ulster County’s cultural heritage, the statement said.
Postupack has been an active member of the community, serving on numerous boards and committees, including the Hudson River Maritime Museum, the Ulster County Boys and Girls Club, and the Ulster County Italian American Foundation.
She has earned numerous accolades, including the Roger W. Mabie Award, the Martha Washington Woman of History Award, and the Clement I. Angstrom Distinguished Citizen Award.
“It has been an honor to serve the people of Ulster County for the past 45 years,” Postupack said in a statement. “I am grateful for the support of my colleagues, the residents, and my family throughout my career. I know that the Clerk’s Office is in capable hands and will continue to serve the community with the same dedication and integrity.”
Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger, a Democrat, said that Postupack, a Republican, stood tall in the job of public service.
“Nina Postupack is one of the most selfless people I know, and the very embodiment of what a public servant should be — professional, fair, compassionate, responsive, and committed to the highest standard of service for the people of Ulster County,” Metzger said in a statement. “She has fostered a culture in the Clerk’s Office in which every person is treated with dignity, respect, and kindness, and she has helped a countless number of people over her many years of service. I have enjoyed every moment of working with Nina, and will miss her greatly.”
U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan, D-Gardiner, who is a former Ulster County Executive, said in a statement that, “Nina is a true public servant who has dedicated her life to serving the residents of Ulster County.”
Ulster County Comptroller March Gallagherpraised Postupack.
“Clerk Postupack has been a mentor for me as a new elected official,”Gallagher said in a statement. “She has modernized and streamlined the County Clerk’s Office on everything from implementing electronic records, to mobile DMV, to implementing Green Light, to more efficient office procedures. In addition to all that, Clerk Postupack has taken her role as the steward of Ulster County’s history and records dating back to the 1600s with seriousness and care that help us all to better understand our community’s tremendous role in the birth of the United States of America and all the growing pains that came with that.”
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