KINGSTON – In January, Allan Wikman was forcibly removed from the Ulster County legislative chambers just prior to the commencement of the organizational meeting and new legislator swearing-in ceremony. After refusing to leave a recently designated no-standing area, Wikman was carried out of the chambers by four sheriff's deputies.

A short-lived candidate for county executive in 2008 and political gadfly, Wikman was arrested during the January session by the Ulster County Sheriff's Office and charged with disorderly conduct. He said he simply asked the sheriff about the law that prohibited his sitting there. "There was nothing disruptive or disorderly about it," he said.

On Tuesday morning, he appeared in Kingston City Court and was offered a deal by Assistant District Attorney Cindy Chavkin — plead guilty to the charges and face a conditional sentence of 15 days in the county jail, which would be suspended unless he commits another crime within one year.

Claiming that he committed no crime because no law exists prohibiting the behavior, Wikman refused the deal.

Wikman, 77, of 295 Broadway, Kingston, said he's been attending meetings for more than 10 years and had always been allowed to freely move around the room. He said that he sits on the windowsill in order to better hear the dialogue during the session. "I need hearing aids and I can't afford them," he said.

Former legislative chair David Donaldson described Wikman's struggle as quixotic and likened it to "fighting windmills." He said that, historically, rather than turn people away, the legislature had permitted attendees to stand in front of the windows, but that recently, several legislators had expressed security concerns.

Donaldson said that Wikman was told during December's session that the area was off-limits and that Wikman complied, but that following the meeting, he sent mass emails about his intent to challenge the new rule during January's organizational meeting.

Newly appointed legislative chair Fred Wadnola ordered Wikman removed from the chambers. Donaldson said that he agreed with the decision. "Many of our long-time legislators were leaving and had speeches prepared — we didn't want such a special night for them to be disrupted over something like this."

Wadnola said there is no need for the legislature to create legislation prohibiting the audience from sitting in the area. "We're just going to block access to the area," he said. "There are plenty of signs posted; he's welcome to sit in the audience but he's got to follow the rules."

For Wikman, the fight for "free access to the window seat" has just begun. He said he's simply standing up for his rights, but added that when he's vindicated, "I'm going to sue their asses for damages."

Wikman is scheduled to reappear on the charges in Kingston City Court on February 16.