Hines Ousts Bonelli as County Legislature Chair

GOSHEN – By a majority of votes, Kevin Hines of Cornwall defeated Katie Bonelli of Blooming Grove to become chairman of the Orange County Legislature in the new year. Both Hines and Bonelli are Republicans.

Bonelli held the post for the last several years, however Hines put forth a challenge and defeated her with the help of members of the Democratic party.

Legislator Janet Sutherland (R-District 2) in nominating Hines for chairman, spoke of his long history of public service which began at age 16, when he became a volunteer firefighter. “Those years of serving his community clearly prepared Kevin for his legislative run almost 16 years ago,” she said. She continued listing the many committees he has sat on and chaired over the years, along with other character traits she felt would make him a good chairman of the legislature.

Democrat Genesis Ramos of Newburgh (D-District 6) spoke of divisive leadership in the county legislature. “Today marks a significant change in the Orange County Legislature as we transition from politically motivated and divisive leadership to one I hope will promote greater collaboration and transparency and community driven decision making,” Ramos said.

“All 21 of us are elected to represent the best interest of our individual districts, but ultimately we represent Orange County as a whole. Every decision we make impacts our constituents across the county and it has been painful for me to witness how we have missed critical opportunities and endured a culture of gaslighting, politically driven decision making and division since I began my term in 2022,” she said. “This culture has been subtle but has profoundly impacted this legislative body.”

Ramos concluded that, “the time has come for the rein of fear to end,” as she spoke of the false narrative to discredit her and her colleagues during the Star CIO investigation and its impacts on not only her, but the financial cost to the taxpayers.

Hines, upon accepting the chairmanship position said he has been “putting out fires” since he was 16, and that he expects to be putting out some fires in the legislature while the members continue to tackle the issues at hand.

“To fix the bridges, the roads, job creation, economic development, all the things we are so proud of here in Orange County,” Hines said. “And now we have an affordable work housing task force here in the legislature because that has to go hand in hand with the economic development.”

“Kevin is a fair man and will listen to you and work with anyone to make the Legislature and Orange County better,” added Legislator Laurie Tautel, a Democrat. “Anything you tried to introduce with (Bonelli) was systematically dismantled or shot down. She lacked true leadership and the ability to work cohesively to benefit everyone. Kevin is respected by his peers and I’m elated that he is the new Chairperson.”

Hines is a four-term Legislator and will not seek re-election in November. He said that his position as Chairman has not changed his plans. Hines, known as a steady hand, said one of his main priorities moving the County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) projects forward while ensuring that the County is in a better place than when he took office.

“I think we have already accomplished that, but I want to continue that progress for taxpayers,” Hines said. “I’m not going to be nasty and I want to bring the Legislature back together. I will treat everyone with respect regardless of their political party and where they live. I was voted in bi-partisanly, which I am proud of and everyone will be treated fairly. I will listen to everyone’s ideas.”

County Executive Neuhaus stated, “I want to congratulate the Legislative Chairman, Kevin Hines and Majority Leader, Leigh Benton on their new roles. I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Katie Bonelli and Tom Faggione for their hard work and all that they accomplished in 2024.

“I am proud of the relationship I have with the Orange County Legislature. We work closely together for the residents of Orange County as evidenced by the Legislature unanimously passing my last six budgets. I look forward to continuing to build on our success with Chairman Hines and Majority Leader Benton and the rest of the Legislature in 2025.”