People often view the glass as being half full or half empty depending if they observe a particular situation with optimism or pessimism. Although the glass theory may be sort of a litmus test to determine situations seen by different people,things in Sullivan County are so bad we could soon be left without the glass.

The outgoing Sullivan County legislature voted last week not to approve the budget proposed by County Manager David Fanslau. For some the vote was based on principals,while for others it was spite work. I am told certain outgoing legislators said they would have voted for the budget if certain legislators did,that did not happen,hence the nay vote.

In all honestly,the budget did not even deserve a vote. County reserves have been raided,while fiduciary responsibilities and proper management have been overshadowed by a need to appease certain individuals. There are just so many times one can blame state mandates for our fiscal problems.

The preliminary budget should have been released before November so there could have been ample time for discussion and possible changes. When I criticized the time frame,Fanslau alleged partisan politics and banned this column from being viewed on county computers.

County Treasurer Ira Cohen,an often vocal critic of Fanslau’s and our outgoing legislature,discussed last week’s vote with me. Cohen said the preliminary budget should have been prepared with one goal in mind,“fiscal integrity and soundness. Instead,the manager’s budget message proclaimed that it was fiscally unsound,but was the best he could do in light of the legislature’s directive not to override the tax cap.”

Cohen,who seldom was asked for any input,claimed the legislature “squandered its opportunity to modify the preliminary budget by also failing to leave itself any options but to balance the 2012 budget by exhausting most,if not all of the county’s general fund balance. They failed to meet regularly or engage in any meaningful dialogue in order to propose and agree upon a fiscally responsible budget.”

“Their failure to adopt a final budget,leaving us with the manager’s admittedly unsound budget,is a sad,but fitting swan song for this inane and inept legislative body,and will put both the county taxpayers and their newly elected representatives in grave danger of financial disaster.”

The sad reality is that a select group of people,in a very powerful inner circle,have been doing very well while the rest of Sullivan County has been suffering. These people are now squandering for cover,because they know things are changing and open accountable government is on the way. Naturally they will do everything they can to prevent change,and argue there should be no change just for the sake of change.

A new legislature consisting of professional,not political,pristine leadership will be seated in January,and we can likely expect to see some bold moves within the first several weeks that will positively shake things up in Sullivan County.
Obviously,results do not happen overnight,but I am certain our newly elected members of the legislature are already going through our budget with a fine tooth comb and are coming up with a plan of action. Hopefully,we will still have some water in that glass so we can stay afloat until that happens.

As mentioned last week,Sullivan County has literally no resources for unwanted dogs and cats. According to Town of Liberty Constable and Dog Control Officer Joanne Gerow we painfully have no substantial facility to house animals involved in seizure,cruelty,and abandonment. Joanne wants to change all that with the creation of a Humane Society in Sullivan County,but she needs help.

Thanks to a plan designed by Joanne four years ago,a contract was developed between the Town of Liberty and Sullivan County to allow her to assist with and house dogs that are the victims of cruelty and abandonment seized by the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department. She does this for dogs with an old tractor trailer that BOCES turned into a kennel,but it is not enough.

Although her main servicing area is the Town and Village of Liberty,Joanne has also serviced other towns and villages in emergencies. “I always try to help people,even outside my responsibilities. I have taken in animals for people and even housed them in my home.”

“There are so many Sullivan County residents that love animals,so many people that would be willing to give time,money,etc. Without organization or a plan,there is no direction. I can only do so much. If we were united,with a game plan,things would fall into place more easily.”

Former Town of Liberty Supervisor Frank DeMayo labeled Joanne Gerow “one of the finest public servants” he worked with.

DeMayo told me,“Her concern and knowledge for the care of animals,and her willingness to help at all times is testimony in her dedication to the animals and residents of Sullivan County. I wish I had another term in office to help her realize her vision for more efficient and humane facilities for the countywide care of animals in need. I strongly suggest that government officials pay attention to her because she has a heartfelt passion for the proper care of animals and she really knows her stuff.”

Many of the horror stories Joanne tells involving cruelty to animals is mind blowing. Equally disturbing is the lack of concern coming from many governmental officials as to the need do something about it and our stray animal population.

Stressing the need of a Human Society in Sullivan County,Joanne noted that although the Middletown Humane Society is contracted to take municipality dogs after the mandatory New York State holding period,they have no room for our adoptable dogs because they have gone non kill.

“The sad reality is that there are not enough homes for all stray dogs and cats. There has to be a triage when it comes to addressing these animals and hard choices must be made. It is certainly a travesty for healthy adoptable dogs to die,while risky,aggressive dogs are sitting for months at these facilities.”

Those who would like to assist Joanne in her drive to create a Sullivan County Humane Society can contact her through her website libertyforpets.com. Next week the remarkable changes at the SPCA.

Everyone has their own definition of thanksgiving. For some it is a time when family and friends gather and share warmth and love,others gear up for shopping frenzies,while still others plan their weekend watching football and sitting on the couch.

Thanksgiving has always been a time when we remember people in need and try to make lives better by sharing warm meals.

For me,Thanksgiving has always been a time of reflection,a time to take stock and evaluate what I have to be thankful for. This year has been one of the most difficult trying times in my life. The horrific sexual assault and tragic passing of my developmentally disabled sister Paula has forever changed my life. During this thanksgiving season,I am grateful and thankful for all those people who continually are there for me during this difficult time. They literally keep me going.

I am tremendously thankful to Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther for her efforts to keep Paula’s name alive by introducing legislation named after her mandating surveillance cameras be placed outside of all state run group homes and day programs. I pray “Paula’s Law” is signed into law in 2012 to protect our most vulnerable.

I am thankful and grateful for Sullivan County residents and their strong resolve and desire to always help those in need. When a disaster occurs we always unite as one big family.

We are fortunate to have so many dedicated people who volunteer their services for us. Our firefighters,ambulance workers,and members of civic and religious organizations continually go above and beyond their call of duty.

We must be thankful to all the members of our law enforcement community and those in the military who constantly risk their lives for us. These people have a spirit in them that words cannot express.

Although I am often critical of many of our elected officials and their approach to running our government,I am equally grateful for all they do for us. I am thankful that our electorate proves time and time again that they will not allow party affiliation to be their determining factor in electing candidates. Hopefully everyone will unite to work for a better and more prosperous Sullivan County.

Unfortunately,the holidays are not a joyous of time of year for many people. There are those who have no one to celebrate with,and they tend to become sad and lonely. Depression is known to occur more frequently,as the days get shorter and it becomes colder. We must be thankful to all of the charitable organizations that are there for those in need.

The holiday season is a time we should embrace all of our fellow human beings no matter their race,creed,color,sexual orientation,or economic status Let’s be thankful for what we have,and share the joy with those around us.

Kiki,Dudley,and now George and Gracie are thankful for their loving home. They asked me to remind everyone to please leave out an extra bowl of food for that stray cat. And,if anyone would like to adopt a new cat,I know several strays that would love to be in a warm indoor home for the holidays.

Let’s all keep the spirit of thanksgiving alive all year long.

This past Tuesday we all had the opportunity to express our freedom of democracy by voting for the candidates of our choice. On Friday we must all take time out to honor and pay tribute to all those brave men and woman who fought long hard to give us that democracy. If it were not for our veterans,life as we know it in the United States would be far different.
Veteran’s Day began as Armistice Day a celebration of the termination of World War I on November 11,1918. President Eisenhower renamed it Veterans Day in 1954 realizing those who brought the end to war were more deserving of accolades than the end of war itself.

Sullivan County does everything feasible to assist these brave men and women who are our veterans.

The Sullivan County Veterans Service Agency provides entitlement information and advocacy assistance to military personnel,to military veterans,and their dependents in matters related to federal,state and local benefits. They are not part of the Department of Veterans Affairs,but instead are a county agency dedicated to serving veterans and their families. They are knowledgeable on the huge array of programs,benefits and services that are available to all veterans.

John Crotty,Director of the Veterans Service Agency,spoke with me about Veteran’s Day and what it means to him. “For the love of country,family,and faith members of this nation,some not even citizens,swore an oath to defend and bear true faith to a concept of life defined by the Constitution of the United States. This is a profound act that few people outside of military service are ever called upon to perform.”

Crotty added,“A price came with this pledge including drastically altered lifestyles,separation from family and home,hardships,and sometimes worse. This commitment and the memories of service did not end when they took off their uniforms. Veterans are still standing up to be counted and have contributed much to their communities. The oath does not fade with time.”

In Sullivan County there are many events that will pay tribute to our veterans including,a Veterans’ Day Service at 10:30 AM at the Sullivan County Government Center in Monticello.

Al Etkin will be the Master of Ceremonies,sponsored by the American Legion,Jewish War Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Keynote Speaker will be Sanders Matthews,President of the Buffalo Soldiers Association of West Point.

There will also be a Veterans Day Ceremony in Roscoe at 9 AM at the Roscoe Fire Department,and in Liberty 10:30 AM at the Clarence Hoyt VFW Post 9217 will be observing Veterans Day at the Liberty Elks Lodge 1545 at 21 John Street and their Keynote Speaker will be Town Judge Brian Rourke.

In Wurtsboro there will be a ceremony at 11 AM in Veterans Park,Sponsored by American Legion Post 1266 and guest speaker will be County Court Judge Frank LaBuda. Sergeant Andrew C. Brucher will be conducting a service on at 11 AM,at the Veterans Park in Kauneonga Lake.

On Saturday,the Annual Veteran’s Day Parade,Sponsored by The Woodbourne Fire Company will begin at 1 PM.

Please come out and show your support of our Veterans.

Catskill Regional Medical Center (CRMC) can officially boast the rebirth of our hospital as Phase One of the Emergency Room (ER) project is now complete.

Thanks to new and invigorated leadership,gone are the days of bad health care and poor management.

Remarkably the landmark $6 million ER project was made possible without costing the hospital any money.

State Senator John Bonacic secured almost $2.5 million in state funding for the construction and equipment;Alan Gerry and The Gerry Foundation contributed almost $2.5 million;Congressman Maurice Hinchey secured $300,000 and the Rural Health Access Grant enabled $200,000 for equipment. Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther was also instrumental in the project.

Once completed in February,the entire ER will be twice as large,with eight fast-track rooms for rapid assessment and treatment of minor injuries,and 16 dedicated treatment rooms for care of serious injuries. The expansion and reconfiguration will ease patient flow and help reduce patient wait times,in addition to improving patient comfort,privacy and amenities.

The newly expanded ER provides Sullivan County with enhanced patient environment,including on-site security and private treatment rooms with flat-screen LCD TVs,new technology for diagnostic testing and advanced emergency care,wireless bedside monitoring increasing patient comfort,and a private consultation room for families dealing with grief or an emergency situation.

Discussing how important it is that we have a well functioning ER,Bonacic told me,“Throughout one’s life,if you live in Sullivan County,in times of crisis,you will need quality emergency care. Chances are you or someone you know will find yourself at CRMC’s emergency room at some point in your life. Alan Gerry and I put together the new ER at CRMC simply because it was needed.”

Praising Gerry,Bonacic added,“I wish I had an Alan and Sandra Gerry in every County I represent,because with people willing to make private donations to match or surpass public funds,you can raise the quality of life for all people in the region. Now,CRMC is stronger. It’s relationship with Orange Regional has strengthened both facilities,and people can receive high quality emergency care,in modern emergency rooms across both Sullivan and Orange Counties (Orange has a new hospital with a new ER which Alan and Sandra Gerry also helped make happen). It is a win for the people,and what public service is all about.”

Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther,a former nurse at CRMC,noted,“After more than three decades it was time that the ER was expanded. Having worked at the hospital for many years and seeing the cramped conditions in the ER,I know this expansion will only improve patient care and efficiency. I congratulate the board of directors and all the staff who have worked to make this a reality.”

Gerald Skoda,chairman of CRMC’s Board of Directors called the ER’s completion “an exciting time. I applaud the hospital and everyone who has been working together to advance patient care for our community.”

CRMC’s spokesman JP McGuirk said the newly expanded ER will “ease patient flow and help reduce wait times,ultimately enhancing the level of service the hospital provides to meet the community’s needs.”

May none of us ever require the services of the new ER,but it is good to know it is there.