Monticello, NY – Sullivan County Human Rights Commission Executive Director Ari Mir-Pontier has resigned to assume a new role as NYS Senator Jen Metzger’s Constituent Services Manager.
“We so much appreciate all that Ari has accomplished in her 16 months with us, and we warmly wish her nothing but success, knowing she will still be fighting for the rights of everyone,” noted Commission Chair Judy Balaban.
“I am sad to see her go, as I enjoyed working with Ari on a range of human rights issues,” said Legislature Chair Luis Alvarez. “She brought a lot to that office and has raised the visibility of the Commission.”
Mir-Pontier is a dedicated professional with a breadth of community relations and outreach experience. As the Commission’s Executive Director, she helped create an anti-bullying initiative in local schools and, via a press conference and community outreach, brought public recognition to the Holodomor, the forced starvation of millions of Ukrainians in the 20th century.
Many remember her as the multicultural program manager for the Sullivan Renaissance beautification and community development program. She will remain in the human rights arena via the MBK Program’s Family and Community Engagement Council, among other endeavors.
“I’ve learned a great deal and met some incredible people. I am grateful to both the Commission and the Legislature for placing their faith in me, and I encourage them to find a successor as soon as possible. This is an important role in the community,” Mir-Pontier remarked. “In the meantime, I look forward to continuing to do what I love: helping the people of Sullivan County.”
Once Metzger’s team opens an office in Liberty, Mir-Pontier will be primarily located in Sullivan County, helping constituents across the district with their needs, listening to their concerns and ideas (she is fluent in both English and Spanish), and representing the Senator in the community.
The Sullivan County Commission on Human Rights is dedicated to fostering mutual respect and understanding for the rights of all persons in Sullivan County. Meetings, open to the public, are held on the second Thursday of each month in the Legislative Meeting Room of the Sullivan County Government Center, 100 North Street, Monticello. For more information, call 845-807-0189 or visit www.facebook.com/SCNYHRC.