Last night at Kingston Common Council Caucus, two resolutions Alderman Brad Will sponsored and shepherded through the Laws & Rules Committee were approved without opposition by the eight Aldermen present:
Resolution #186 of 2015 to 'Ban The Box' will effectively reduce the chance of recidivism for rehabilitated individuals and provide them with a fair chance / 2nd chance at employment to support their families. This Committee Report was motioned by W4 Alderman Nina Dawson (D) and seconded by W9 Alderman Debbie Brown (R). I want to thank all the residents and citizens of Kingston (Barb Stemke, Cassandra Burke, Odell Winfield and many others) and beyond for their strong support and perseverance on this important issue. As a result of your hard work - and once details are worked out with our Civil Service Commission - Kingston will join Newburgh, New York City, Rochester, and Buffalo in the State as leaders in banning the box.
Thank you for working together to Ban the Box in Kingston.
Barbara Stemke