| May 18th,2012 By Bill Liblick Tonight Scott Samuelson will be delivering his first State of the County address as chairman of our legislature. It will be interesting to hear his take on the problems we are facing and his approach to turning things around in Sullivan County. Our new legislators have been hard at work since taking office in January. They clearly have been learning a lot about county government in a very short period of time. Although the new legislature is not moving as quickly as many of us had hoped they would have,nonetheless they are making some major strides over our previous administration. While the atmosphere at the government center is less tense,and County Manager David Fanslau appears to be more diligent,our problems are not easing. A major property tax hike appears to be looming on our doorsteps. Proper planning and vision is vital if we are going to succeed as a county government. And,legislator Gene Benson,head of the strategic planning sub-committee knows that. Benson and his committee have the hard task of setting targets and goals of all county departments through the year 2014,with the objective of formulating an accurate accountable budget. “We are asking all of the commissioners,department heads and elected officials to describe their programs,services and functions. Along with this,we are asking them to prioritize all of their services,” Benson told me. Every department is operating at the core. It will be the job of all department heads,the county manager,and the legislature to figure a way to run our county government more effectively and efficiently. Perhaps a realigning of departments is necessary. Without a doubt State and Federal mandates will play an important role in our strategic planning. Mandates are crushing Sullivan County because we are filled with so much poverty and so many people are utilizing social services. The State of New York is one of only two states in the nation that requires counties to send locally generated tax dollars to the State for the Medicaid programs. Sullivan County sends approximately $20 million to Albany just for the Medicaid program alone,and then there are other mandates. Legislator Kitty Vetter is asking all residents to write letters to elected state officials asking them to put an end to unfair mandates. Sample letters can be found on the Sullivan County website. Benson said an important aspect of his committee will be to investigate actual mandated services including the actual levels of services required by the county and staffing needed to cover mandates. “We are going to look into which programs can be streamlined and in the process make them more cost effective.” Benson added,“I would like to think that once we hear the recommendations made by commissioners and department heads,we will be able to formulate a solid plan to get Sullivan County functioning in a positive way for all the citizens who depend on us to provide vital services to them.” According to Benson the process will be a learning experience for all involved. ‘It is of the utmost importance that the legislature understands what direction we must go in to better run the business of our county.” Time will tell if they take us in the right direction. May 11th,2012 By Bill Liblick Often it takes the combined voice of average everyday citizens marching and speaking out to get a vitally important message pounded into the brains of those it needs to be pounded into. It is no secret that violent crime in Sullivan County has surged to uncontrollable levels. Gang violence,shootings,and even murder have become a way of life. Tomorrow,Saturday May 12th,the message will be loud and clear as people from all walks of life gather to “Stop the Violence!” and “Stop the Hate!” in a peaceful march in Monticello,sponsored by “My Angel Foundation.” Organizers Tishanna McCullough,Caridad Olmo,and Rashonda Williams know all too well about the pain that violence brings. All three lost their brothers to murder. They formed the “My Angel Foundation” as a resource for area youth. I an effort to get the “Stop the Violence” message out,they decided to hold the march. “The Village of Monticello has had an outburst of violence. The Monticello Police have worked very hard to keep our community safe,but it is also time for our community to step in and take our streets back. We will do whatever it takes to make our voices heard and protect the children of the future. No child should have to grow up in a community that is plagued with gangs,drugs,and violence,” organizer Tishanna McCullough told me. Discussing the “My Angel Foundation,” she added,“We are committed to helping our youth become positive and successful citizens of their communities. We promote education,abstinence from drugs and alcohol,positive alternatives to gang activity and prevention of gun violence. It is our intent to provide a fun,yet safe and structured environment where children are encouraged to learn,play,share thoughts,and cultivate talents” District Attorney Jim Farrell told me he will be participating in the rally tomorrow to show his support as the community marches against violence. “As District Attorney,I realize,first hand,the pain and trauma violence in the community has caused and I will continue to fight to protect everyone in our community. However,the police and my office cannot do it alone,we need the support,help and engagement of everyone.” Farrell added,“The violence needs to stop and stop now,before another life is ruined or cut short. But rest assured,I will do everything in my power to make sure that those who engage in violence will be removed from the community so they cannot hurt others.” Community activist and leader Sandra Oxford will also be taking an active role in the march. “The process of collectively healing our community requires us to confront violence together.” The always outspoken Oxford added,“We live in a violent society. Violence comes in many forms,and violence knows no class,racial,economic or geographic boundaries. I admire the efforts of these family members to move beyond their own personal pain and loss to use their tragedy as a vehicle to uplift others.” Without a doubt we must all promote nonviolent living. As Oxford puts it,“Building community rooted in trust,cooperation,and respect for all is possible. A voluntary movement that that leads to empowering people to live nonviolent lives,based on respecting and caring for ourselves and others is a fitting direction for all of us to march toward.” The march to “Stop the Violence” will begin at 5 PM at DeHoyas Park in Monticello. Many guest speakers are expected. For further information call the “My Angel Foundation” at 845-798-7637. May 4th,2012 By Bill Liblick Protecting our most vulnerable should be a given in every civilized society,shamefully such has not been the case in New York. We have a long history of neglect and abuse when it comes to the developmentally disabled. Even further deplorable is how difficult it is to convince lawmakers to approve changes that would safeguard and deter crimes against our most vulnerable. As many of you know,my 62 year-old sister Paula was brutally raped and assaulted in her group home. The crime was not reported until days later when Paula was brought to the bathroom in her day program and black and blue marks were discovered on her thighs along with blood stains on her diaper. Last year Paula became deathly ill. It was eventually discovered she had a foreign parasite that is transmitted through sexual intercourse. Paula passed away last April due to even further neglect. Five employees in her now closed group home were eventually fired. The animal who raped Paula is walking our streets and probably will never be caught. If there were simple surveillance cameras outside of Paula’s group home,the attack could have been prevented,or at the very least,the rapist’s face would have been captured on camera. Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther upon learning of my sister’s rape,and my plea that cameras be installed outside of state run facilities to protect our most vulnerable,introduced legislation mandating such cameras. State Senator David Carlucci who represents Rockland County immediately sponsored the bill known as “Paula’s Law” in the Senate.
Although “Paula’s Law” has a great deal of bipartisan support,the battle for its passage
has been uphill to say the least. I have spent the last year lobbying every elected state official to support “Paula’s Law.” Senator John Bonacic has turned down repeated requests to sign on to “Paula’s Law.” He did tell me however if the legislation ever reaches the senate floor he would vote for it. Senator William Larkin from neighboring Orange County is a co- sponsor.
Last Wednesday a press conference was held in Albany to further push for passage of “Paula’s Law.” Although it was emotional and difficult,I knew it had to be done. At the press conference,I met Michael Carey who has spent years pushing for legislation to protect our most vulnerable. Michael’s son Jonathan was killed in a State run facility by an employee. Michael introduced me to the Albany Press corps to garner publicity for “Paula’s Law.” We spent a great deal of time with the Daily News,New York Times,and Associated Press. We also met with various elected officials,and Deputy Secretary of Health James Introne. “Paula’s Law” sits in the Mental Health Committee of the Assembly,where it has the support of Chairman Felix Ortiz. Staff members believe the bill will reach the Assembly floor this session,but it could be stalled by the Ways and Means committee.
Each group home has a budget,and at the very least,monies can be taken from those funds to pay for safety of its residents.
As for privacy concerns,cameras would be placed in public places. It is outrageous there is money available to place surveillance cameras everywhere except when it comes to protecting our most innocent and loving members of society
.
I will not give up until “Paula’s Law” becomes a reality. What a great legacy Paula would be leaving knowing that she helped others live a safe and secure life. April 27th,2012 By Bill Liblick Maurice Hinchey has been one of the most respectable and honorable members of the House of Representatives. Hinchey was always true to his word and never forgot the people who got him elected. Unlike other politicians,Maurice Hinchey was no phony. That is why it is especially difficult to accept the fact that come next year he will be gone from elective office. Hinchey’s recent announcement that he will not seek re-election is understandable after such a distinguished career,but his retirement will be a significant loss to Sullivan County. During his two decades in Congress,Hinchey has been one of the most accessible public servants working tirelessly and endlessly for his constituents. I spent a great deal of time speaking to staff and researching Hinchey’s record. I must admit I was amazed that one man could accomplish so much for so many people. His record of achievement for Sullivan County,New York State and our great nation is monumental. Hinchey fought for seniors needing help with Social Security,veterans seeking assistance with their benefits,and families facing endless paperwork for passport,visa and immigration issues. A champion for local economic development,Hinchey pioneered opportunities to improve the Hudson Valley’s economy. Hinchey established Sullivan County as a REAP Zone,resulting in millions of dollars in federal assistance for economic development and infrastructure projects. Hinchey worked intensely with the late Senator Patrick Moynihan to designate Route 17 as I-86,authorizing significant federal funding for the roadway’s upgrade. Once the highway is converted into an Interstate,Sullivan County will once again be placed on the national map,and the opportunity will be there for us to reap. As a leading member of the Appropriations Committee,Hinchey delivered critical funding to CRMC,health clinics,the Center for Discovery,Sullivan County Community College,Bethel Woods,and drinking water and sewer projects in many local townships. Whether it was new lighting for Monticello’s Broadway or replacement of an aging mobile dental clinic for children,Hinchey listened and responded to the needs of Sullivan County. Every Sullivan County resident knew they could call on his offices when they needed help. When small businesses,farms and families had issues with federal agencies,Hinchey was relentless in fighting for them. Who can forget all the politicians that took the spotlight when we had extensive flood damage in Sullivan County? When all the cameras left,it was Hinchey that stuck by our residents and local communities as they struggled through FEMA applications,delayed reimbursements,and flood mitigation efforts. Hinchey regularly sponsored grant workshops to help fire departments obtain grants and fought to preserve our rural post offices. Hinchey was never afraid to take hard stands on tough issues. From his courageous opposition to the Iraq War to his vocal battle for stronger gas drilling regulations,he displayed a backbone that is becoming all too rare in public service. While it is uncertain who will represent Sullivan County in Congress next year,whoever follows in Hinchey’s footsteps will indeed have very large shoes to fill. In the meantime,we can all be thankful we still have Maurice Hinchey working and actively speaking out for us for the next several months. April 20th,2012 By Bill Liblick We may be one of the poorest counties,but when a tragedy strikes we are the richest. The resolve of our people continually amazes me. I have said it time and time again,the people of Sullivan County are some of the most caring and dedicated people.
Although The Grandview might be gone forever,what lives on is a legacy of people who professionally came together in a tragic time of need. Thank God no one was killed or severely injured in the rapidly spreading inferno. Thank God for our unsung heroes who are always there for us. Our brave volunteer firefighters and rescue workers are truly our heroes.
Firefighter Barry Hoovis,who was on the scene delivering water to those fighting the blaze said,“We all worked as a team. Everyone knew their roles.” Public Safety Commissioner Richard Martinkovic and his staff must be praised for their quick on the spot coordinating efforts. The professionalism and compassion of law enforcement and all of the responders was astonishing. I visited the makeshift shelter at SCCC,and saw firsthand the hard working Red Cross volunteers comforting Grandview residents. Those in need were given food,shelter,emergency kits,and were assisted in filling out reports. David Seigerman,Director of Public Safety at SCCC said,“We are a community college,the community needs us,and we are all here to step up for the community.” Grandview residents I spoke with were shocked and in disbelief. Shivers ran up my spine as they told me their tragic stories. “I lost everything,” a woman cried to me. “It’s all so sad. There was no other place like the Grandview,” said Rachel Belag who learned of the fire while at dinner.
Belag said she did not know where she will eventually live or if any of her possessions will ever be recovered. Phyllis and Bert Haitmann said fire alarms going off at the Grandview were a way of life. They were angry with Town of Fallsburg officials and held them responsible for granting occupancy permits if they “knew it was a disaster waiting to happen.” Others were outraged recently paid property taxes would not be returned. Legislature Chairman Scott Samuelson,who was at the fire said,“Absolutely everyone was spot on in their response and the results were amazing. Things could have gone so differently. There are so many people and so many organizations that I could single out for their tireless commitment and accomplishment in making the best of a very bad situation,but for fear of leaving someone out I can only say how proud I am that I live among such incredible people.” Samuelson added,“It was like watching a well oiled machine,as if everyone worked together in this situation every day. It was a seamless display of caring,efficiency,and immediacy. I am proud to call Sullivan County my home and want to personally thank each and every responder.” Legislator Cora Edwards,who heads Public Safety,noted “as we shift from rescue mode to helping people put their lives back together,we want to acknowledge the strong community links that help us move from one day to the next at this very critical time.” There will be theories as to why and how this fire started. Could it have been prevented? Should anyone be held accountable? All that will come later. For now,we all have to thank God the outcome was not as severe as it could have been. April 12th,2012 By Bill Liblick Study after study and the results are all the same. Sullivan County is one of the unhealthiest counties in New York State. In fact,only the Bronx is beneath us. None of us should be surprised with the findings of the University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The rankings of both studies were based on factors such as quality and access to health care,health behaviors such as smoking and alcohol,and economic factors such as education and income. Regrettably,Sullivan County excels in all of the above. There is a direct correlation between poverty,unemployment,and access to health care. We don’t need a study to tell us what we can all see before our very eyes. Sullivan County is indeed on the critical list. It is amazing how we have gone from one of the most thriving regions in New York State to one of the most depressed. Sullivan County has an epidemic when it comes to poverty,drug abuse,and obesity. Our quality of life stinks,and anyone who doesn’t see it has blinders on. According to the New York State Health Department,obesity and overweight are currently the second leading preventable cause of death in the United States and can soon overtake tobacco as the leading cause of death. Although we are enriched with all “Mother Nature” has to offer,we are an extremely depressed county. When people are depressed they eat,when they are even further depressed,they eat junk food. The New York State Health Department states that “failing to win the battle against obesity will mean premature death and disability for an increasingly large segment of New York residents. Without strong action to reverse the obesity epidemic,for the first time in our history children may face a shorter lifespan than their parents.” Sullivan County schools has some of the most overweight and obese children in the state. Why is that? We live in an agricultural community where healthy food is plentiful and we have fresh air and lots of opportunities for kids to get exercise. What is wrong with this picture? What is happening with our local support of the Farm to School efforts? Why are we not supporting this when our farmers are struggling to make ends meet and need a market to sell to? Despite all the efforts of our public health department,CRMC and other organizations trying to promote health,prevention and healthy lifestyles,the end results are still horrific and appalling. Perhaps there is not enough investment in public health education and prevention. Our health department’s budget has been cut to the bone for years,and there is literally no staff to do the work. I understand our county is not immune to the influence of the real world,but there is no excuse why Sullivan County is doing so poorly. If we continue on the same path,it won’t be too long until we surpass the Bronx,and we hold the title as the unhealthiest county. Our new legislative body must tackle these demoralizing unhealthy statistics and come up with a plan of action. I understand Cindy Gieger,chair of the Health and Family Services Committee,wants to do just that. Perhaps a public summit focusing on this disturbing data with our school superintendents,health care providers,and other concerned individuals can go a long way in finding some productive solutions. Until something positive happens,we all deserve a Bronx cheer! April 5th,2012 By Bill Liblick They told us they were going to bring us a big box chain and a lot more to the site of the former Apollo Plaza. They told us they were going to deliver much needed sales tax revenue. They even told us they had the deal all done. The new legislature worked hard to approve the proposal that was filled with controversy left by the old legislature. But,what our new legislature did not know was that their efforts were a waste of time. Last week the deal came to a quick ending as the developers mysteriously pulled out of the deal. Cynics claimed all along that Chancellor-Livingston’s Michael Kaplan and Henry Zabatta did not have a deal to bring us a department store,but their proposal seemed too good for anyone to pass up. Both Kaplan and Zabatta are credible developers and middlemen with proven track records. They were the original people who brought us the Motor Club,and they know how to work the political system and IDA to get what they want and need. With the Concord project appearing to move full steam ahead,one would have thought a major big box chain would have really wanted to jump on the bandwagon. But,sources close to the deal said such was not the case,so Kaplan and Zabatta had no alternative but to bailout. Also gone is the controversial plan to build a YMCA at the former site of the Jerry Lewis Cinemas. Critics like former County Legislator David Sager questioned why the YMCA was even offered the property. There were accusations of wrongdoings because Thompson Supervisor Tony Cellini’s wife Linda works for the YMCA and State Senator John Bonacic. It was Bonacic who helped to secure a grant for the YMCA. The legislature now needs to decide once again what it will do with the Apollo property. Legislator Ira Steingart,who heads the IDA and Economic and Development Committee,has publicly indicated he favors it going to developer Butch Resnick who made a previous proposal to construct a supermarket,retail shops and a truck stop on the site. Resnick is a very credible developer,and does what he says he will. He recently renovated and opened Bernie’s Holiday Mountain Restaurant,and has purchased the Lodge in Rock Hill. Despite all this,Steingart is jumping the gun. The process must be opened up to all developers interested in the site. At the end of the day,I am sure Resnick will win the bid,because of his credibility and connections. The one good thing that came out of the Apollo fiasco was how the new legislature approached the project. Legislators Cindy Gieger and Cora Edwards must be applauded for their outspokenness. An amendment to the Apollo resolution submitted by Edwards specifically stated that proceeds of the sale or lease be safeguarded in an account to pay off the bond debt still owed on the property through 2018. This is something the previous legislature never even thought of. Edwards told me,“Under the present circumstances,we are being given an opportunity to look at the properties from a fresh point of view,rather than just playing the hand we were dealt from the previous legislature. It is important that any future transaction protects the interests of Sullivan County taxpayers and our public assets.” Perhaps they will bring back Waldbaum’s and White’s Department Store. March 30th,2012 By Bill Liblick Gordon Jenkins won reelection as Village of Monticello Mayor,and you know what,he deserved to win. Jenkins understands grassroots politics and he knows how to win elections. Many of his critics,as vocal as they are,do not know the first thing about politics. Over the years,whether being my friend and foe,I have always admired Jenkins political drive,passion,and ability to organize his core base. He learned a lot about running political campaigns from Roy Innis founder of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). Jenkins has always been considered a political outsider and not by his own doing. When he first ran for elective office he was shunned by the Democratic Party machine and was forced to organize and run on his own G Man line. Since then,Jenkins changed his political registration from Democrat to Republican and now back to Democrat. Critics can argue all they want that the results were not a true accounting of the electorate due to low voter turnout. The outcome speaks for itself. One does not have to be a Sunday morning quarterback or rocket scientist to realize that those who opposed Jenkins could not grasp Political Science 101. In order to have beaten Jenkins,all parties should have agreed to run one candidate. If they wanted to split the black vote,and win that way,they could have run a person of color with another candidate. Sadly,that is how people win elections,utilizing the old divide and conquer theory. It has been used against and in favor of every ethnic,minority,and non minority group in the past. Perhaps Jenkins won reelection because he has been doing a good job as Mayor,and it is actually his panache that provokes us.
Jenkins says what he feels and does as he pleases. He is clearly afraid of no one. I wonder if Jenkins were white if so many people would be so angry with him? Why is it ok for other elected officials to act like bosses,powerbrokers,and deal makers? Why is it ok for them to cater to certain groups and it is not ok for Jenkins? Unlike many other elected officials,we can all agree that Jenkins is no phony. Not only do we know where he stands on issues,but he is loyal to those who support him. My criticism of Jenkins has been extensive and is no secret. But,that does not negate the fact that perhaps Jenkins means well and wants to do that right thing. Despite the flaws we might see in him,Jenkins has a solid record of delivering for Monticello. To his credit,he has been working hard to restore Broadway,is overhauling Village Hall,and has kept taxes down. When a Torah was stolen from a local synagogue he was the first to condemn it and the first to celebrate its return. After winning reelection,the first words uttered out of his mouth was that he wanted to unite and work together with everyone. I believe he is sincere and I fully support his new efforts. I am glad that Carmen Rue won reelection as a trustee. She has been a consistent outspoken advocate for all the people,and has proven she can work well with Jenkins despite their many disagreements. Rue like Jenkins understands grassroots politics and how to win elections. Perhaps she could have won as Mayor.
Yes,Mayor Jenkins,you got the last laugh. March 23rd,2012 By Bill Liblick I know we have heard it for over 30 years,but this time we might actually get a casino. All parties involved in the new Concord project have deep pockets and New York is moving closer towards legalized gaming. The push is on like never before as we play catch up to other states. The plans revealed for the Concord are spectacular. How can we not support this ambitious undertaking by Empire Properties Trust and Empire Resorts? The Concord will have it all. You name it,and they say it will be there. A racetrack,hotel,convention center,waterpark,ice skating rink,shopping mall,restaurants,movie theatres,world class golfing,RV Park,entertainment,residential communities,and yes,a casino. The news is so exciting that Louis Cappelli has filed a $1.5 billion dollar lawsuit to stop it from happening because he says the developers conspired against him. To someone like Cappelli,Empires plans are nothing new,because when he first introduced his proposals to us over a decade ago they included something very similar. For Cappelli,after sinking millions upon millions the timing was wrong,for the Empires the timing is just right.
Empire Properties obtained the land because Cappelli defaulted on payments. Empire Properties are well respected developers of movie theatres,shopping malls,entertainment complexes,and charter schools. Empire Resorts is a far different company today than it was a few short years ago. Its major shareholder is one of the largest gaming and resort companies in the world. Genting opened the successful Aqueduct racino last year,and has Governor Andrew Cuomo’s backing to bring a massive convention center and legalized casino gaming there. It still remains uncertain if Cuomo supports legalized gaming in Sullivan County,or if the Empire developers will even win a casino license. Even though they appear to be on the fast track,Empire says casino approval would not be a factor in developing the Concord. Other gaming developers are expected to jump in if legalization becomes a reality. Developers who lost out on the Aqueduct project already want to open a casino at the Nevele,and upstate developer David Flaum,who has been trying unsuccessfully for years to enter into the casino gaming market,is talking about opening a hotel and convention center at his Shawanga property in Wurtsboro. The Hard Rock Casino group is also scouting the area. The Stockbridge Munsee’s are still talking casino,as are the Seneca’s. Noting can prevent them from applying for casino licenses if legalization becomes a reality. Don’t forget,Empire Resorts led the charge in preventing the Stockbridge project from being approved last year,and they are still very angry. The Villa Roma should not be the forgotten stepchild. At the very least,they should be allowed to operate slot machines.
All of our eggs must not be placed in the Concord basket. Holiday Mountain has been trying for years to construct a waterpark and that is where such an amusement should open. There are also a lot of unanswered questions. What will happen to Monticello Raceway? Will it be developed or become another eyesore? A four year college would be ideal for the location. What impact will Cappelli’s lawsuit have? Will it delay the project? Perhaps,instead of lawsuits,Cappelli should concentrate on developing Grossinger’s. Hopefully the Concord project will spark a great deal of development and competition. Thank you to Tony Cellini for your resilience. Please just happen already. March 16th,2012 By Bill Liblick As I mentioned last week,the Center for Discovery (CFD) bond refinancing project actively brought the Sullivan County Funding Corporation (SCFC) to life. The Industrial Development Agency (IDA) could not have done this bonding because civic facility bonding ended for IDAs in 2008. IDAs can only bond industrial and commercial projects. Local Development Corporations (LDC) such as the SCFC has authority to issue bonds for broader purposes including civic facilities such as CFD. The refinancing project saved CFD millions in interest. If not for SCFC the refinancing of IDA bonds would not have occurred. Critics question why annual funds from the Millennium project are now in SCFC hands. My research finds the very purpose for which LDCs are organized is to run loan programs such as the Millennium,so it makes more sense to have it run by the LDC.
Both the IDA and SCFC have ultimate goals of economic development and job creation. Combined they can offer a broader range of benefits. Both can provide certain tax abatements to qualifying projects,although LDCs cannot provide real estate tax abatements. One cynic of the IDA told me he felt board members were too lax and participated in favoritism. “They don’t even open their mouths at meetings. One or two people cannot be allowed to run the entire show. All transactions must be fully explained. We need to know who is being paid consulting fees.” It appears the IDA is working with our new legislature towards better communication and full disclosure on projects.
Legislator Cindy Gieger an outspoken critic of the IDA told me the formation of the SCFC was not the problem,but accountability was. “We need to make sure they hold to the same requirements of transparency,disclosure,and ethics as others.” Gieger said she has not been happy with the way the IDA has conducted business in the past. She pointed to a recent resolution regarding the Apollo Plaza that was tabled by the legislature. “We were the last to know and it cannot continue like this.” Gieger,as many others have,question how the YMCA was offered property to construct a facility at the Apollo location. Personally,I cannot understand why it would even matter. The YMCA is one of the most reputable organizations,and if a site is not approved,thousands in grant dollars obtained by State Senator John Bonacic will be lost. So what if Tony Cellini is the Thompson Supervisor and his wife Linda works for the YMCA and Bonacic. A new YMCA will benefit all of Sullivan County and of course be a great place for “Village People” to go to and have a good time. Legislator Ira Steingart who is chairman of the IDA,SCFC and the legislature’s Economic and Development Committee told me,“IDAs and LDCs are important tools in attracting economic development. They are often misunderstood. As Chairman I want to make sure the public has a better understanding of the process,the benefits and how hard the Boards work to bring development that is beneficial. Part of my responsibility is to keep my fellow Legislators informed and involved.” The bottom line is if Sullivan County is going to effectively compete for new jobs and new investment we need to have an even playing field with a full tool box. I hope these columns helped to explain the misunderstood IDA and SCFC. |
