Following Decades Of Dedicated Public Service Her Retirement Will Be Effective May 31, 2018
Kingston, N.Y. – County Executive Mike Hein announces that after a career that spans 41 years of public service, and having served the last 9 years as the Ulster County Attorney, Beatrice Havranek has announced her intentions to retire and begin a new chapter in her life that will allow more time with her loving, supportive and recently-retired husband, Bill. Ms. Havranek’s illustrious career includes seven terms as the Town of Rosendale Supervisor, Minority Counsel to the Ulster County Legislature, First Assistant County Attorney, Deputy County Executive and most recently as the County Attorney since 2009, becoming the first woman to serve in that capacity in Ulster County’s history. She was instrumental in both the creation and implementation of the Ulster County Charter and Administrative Code that has transformed County Government and created the position of County Executive, dramatically increasing transparency, accountability and fundamental reforms for the residents of Ulster County.
“Bea has not only been an incredible voice for democracy and all the residents of Ulster County; her knowledge and wisdom have helped improve decision making that has transformed County Government,” said Ulster County Executive Mike Hein. “Her insightful work on the Charter and Administrative Code will positively impact future generations, even though many may never fully realize just how important her tireless contributions have been. In addition to having enormous respect for her professional skills and shared commitment to our citizens, I am profoundly honored to call her my friend. And, though there is no way to fully replace an individual of this magnitude, the citizens of Ulster County are fortunate to have a gifted and experienced attorney who has worked closely with Bea on countless major issues; that is why I am pleased to appoint Mark Longtoe, Esq. to serve as Ulster County’s next County Attorney.”
“Working with County Executive Hein as the County Attorney has been the most exciting time in my legal career,” said County Attorney Bea Havranek. “Over the last nine years I have been privileged to be part of the most innovative, ground-breaking and progressive county administration in the State of New York. We have tackled complex issues, re-shaped an entire government to better serve the people; and, I know we are poised to accomplish so much more. My only regret is that I will not have the opportunity to be part of the amazing things that are yet to come with this administration. My husband and I have reached a point in our lives where we are blessed to have an opportunity to spend more time with each other in retirement, and more time with our entire wonderful family. I look forward to remaining engaged as a proud Democrat and to continue sharing my experience with Mark Longtoe whom I believe is the absolute perfect choice to succeed me in the role of County Attorney. It gives me great comfort to know that this critical job will be in great hands and the citizens of Ulster County will be well served by Mark and the extraordinary team that the County Executive has assembled as well as a legal team that is simply second to none,” added Bea Havranek.
“Once again, I want to thank County Executive Hein for his faith by appointing me to serve as the County Attorney for so many years. His commitment to good government, bringing meaningful solutions to critical social issues, and his guiding principle of integrity-based leadership has been an inspiration to me personally. I wish I could properly convey how special it is to be part of an administration which embodies everything we dreamed of when our citizens, the Legislature and the original drafters of our County Charter envisioned the best possible results from this new form of government,” continued Bea Havranek.
“Though I am retiring, I also look forward to remaining engaged and would like to thank everyone who I have had the privilege to work with, beginning with the Executive staff, my incredible staff, the Legislature, and everyone in County Government; but most of all, I would like to say a special thank you to my loving husband Bill, as we look forward to the next adventure,” concluded Bea Havranek.
Pursuant to the Ulster County Charter, the County Attorney is appointed by the County Executive. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Mark Longtoe served as an Ulster County Assistant District Attorney, Ulster County Assistant Public Defender, a private attorney with a wide-ranging practice in Saugerties, and an Assistant Deputy County Executive.
