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Ulster Town Supervisor James Quigley III has decided not to resign, reversing his previous decision to step down after winning re-election last month. Quigley, who initially announced his resignation just two days after securing his seventh term, cited his commitment to serving the community as the reason for his change of heart.
According to Times Union, Quigley had already taken steps towards retirement, including applying for Medicaid and cashing out his deferred compensation. However, he realized his passion for serving the town of Ulster and decided to remain in office. "I ran to serve. I was elected to serve. I will serve," Quigley stated during a Town Board meeting.
Quigley's resignation letter, which he initially filed as "irrevocable," was deemed ineffective by the New York State Association of Towns, as reported by the Daily Freeman. This allowed him to rescind his resignation and continue his duties as supervisor.
Quigley has a history of announcing resignations and later reversing them. In March 2024, he announced his retirement but later decided to stay after improving his health. His recent decision to remain as supervisor has caused some tension within the town government, with Deputy Supervisor Clayton Van Kleeck expressing surprise at Quigley's return.
Quigley's leadership in Ulster dates back to 2009, and despite occasional conflicts, he remains committed to his role. The town board is now seeking clarification from the state Board of Elections regarding the legal implications of his decision to rescind his resignation.