The Catskill Chronicle

Carol Montana photo

MONTICELLO, NY (February 2, 2011) – Residents, business owners and anyone with an interest in Monticello’s future are invited by Sullivan Renaissance to hear an update about the positive work happening in Monticello. 

The community meeting will be held on Sunday, February 13 at 2:00 p.m. in the Monticello Fire House on Richardson Avenue in Monticello.

The primary purpose of the February 13 meeting is to update the community on the work being done, share ideas about future projects, and present opportunities for volunteering.

Sullivan Renaissance has spent the last decade supporting hundreds of projects throughout Sullivan County, many of which have been in the Village of Monticello, the county seat. For the last year Renaissance staff has been working closely with village officials, business owners, students and other partners on several new initiatives designed to improve Monticello.

“Now is the time Sullivan Renaissance would like to encourage residents to come together, share their ideas and participate in specific beautification efforts in Monticello to further compliment efforts already being realized” said Sandra Gerry, who chairs Sullivan Renaissance. “Spring will be here soon and we need to be ready to start planning and planting!”

Copies of the NYSDOT landscaping plans for Broadway will be on display, along with renderings of the decorative street lamps that are slated for installation beginning in the spring.

“We are happy to be partnering with Sullivan Renaissance on installation of the street lights,” said Mayor Gordon Jenkins, “The village trustees have also been working on many positive things in the village and we are looking forward to an opportunity to tell residents about our work.”

In addition to updates by Sullivan Renaissance and village officials, representatives from other groups will also report on their activities.  This will include: an outline of plans to market Broadway and organize events in the coming year from the newly-formed Monticello Business Association; and a unique perspective offered by Monticello High School students who participated in the Monticello Youth Summit in October.

Refreshments will be served. For more information contact Sullivan Renaissance at 845-295-2445.  Sullivan Renaissance is a beautification and community development program principally funded by the Gerry Foundation.

This just in…

Individuals wishing to attend the Sullivan Renaissance Winter Conference and Expo on Saturday, February 26 can register and sign up for workshops directly on-line.  Go to www.sullivanrenaissance.org and click on the Sullivan Renaissance Rooster at the top of the page. 

This year’s conference will focus on “The Value and Benefits of Community Beautification to Economic Development” featuring an address by Dr. Peter Tarlow, an international specialist in tourism.  The conference features exhibits and workshops on garden design, trees for public places, community gardens, recruiting volunteers, cultivating leaders, partnering with young people and economic development.  It will also outline the new 2011 Sullivan Renaissance grant program and have applications available.

In addition to the keynote address, Dr. Tarlow will present a workshop on “Making the Most of Your Assets.”  He has lectured throughout the world on current and future trends in the tourism industry, rural tourism, economic development, the gaming industry and issues of crime and terrorism.  All workshop space is limited to the first registrants.

The conference is located at CVI Building in Ferndale.  It begins at 8:00 a.m. with breakfast and registration.  The program starts at 9:00 a.m. and runs to 1:00 p.m.  Everyone is welcome.  There is no registration fee for this conference.

Those unable to register on-line should call the Sullivan Renaissance office at 845-295-2445 to obtain a form.  Completed forms may be faxed to 845-295-2746; scanned and emailed to sgonzalez@sullivanrenaissance.org; or mailed to Sullivan Renaissance, c/o Gerry Foundation, PO Box 311, Liberty, NY 12754.

Sullivan Renaissance is a beautification and community development program principally funded by the Gerry Foundation.  For more information, call 845-295-2445.