SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — They identify as members of the Senior Legislative Action Committee (SLAC)—Lise Kennedy, Star Hesse, Lou Setren, and  Ken Walter—and attend virtually every single legislative meeting. They are the most reliable and consistent presence at the 2024 legislature.

On a good day, Ken jokes he’s the 10th legislator. On a bad day, he worries about the state of the legislature without his close scrutiny. As an example of his work, at the last legislative session of 2024 he reprimanded the body for not uploading a public hearing announcement in time for the public to give informed comments. 

Lou and Lise are former county employees, having worked in corrections and public health respectively. 

Lou commends the legislature when they are doing a good job and condemns them when they fall short. 

Lise brings facts, statistics, records and data to support her dissatisfaction with the legislature’s governance.

Star never misses an opportunity to prepare an expertly crafted public comment that addresses any new concerns and reminds officials of outstanding qualms yet to be resolved. 

Each of them speak on various county issues but collectively spend the most time calling on the legislators to improve treatment and take accountability for “poor” conditions at the county-owned adult Care Center at Sunset Lake. 

After attending basically every legislative meeting in 2024 they each gave a star rating out of five for the Sullivan County Legislature performance in 2024:

“Two stars and that’s generous” —Lise Kennedy 

“As a whole, two stars” —Lou Setren 

“Two stars” —Ken Walter

“Judging by performance and what’s being put out, two stars, but there are people who are on that board who are performing at a five-star level” —Star Hesse

Each gave the same two star rating individually, without talking to the others. 

Until just recently the county-owned adult care center had a one-star rating, out of a five star rating by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). Now, the center has a two-star rating. Both indicate below average quality care. The ratings are posted on the CMS consumer website, www.medicare.gov.