The Catskill Chronicle

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (March 7, 2013) – Sullivan County Legislative Chairman Scott Samuelson told a sold-out crowd of 340 business and community leaders Monday that if a casino does come to Sullivan County, it would be just apiece in the economic development puzzle. He also noted that the time is right for Sullivan to consider consolidation when it comes to bringing businesses and jobs to the county.

A panel of four county leaders representing the Hudson Valley discussed issues facing their counties and the region at Pattern for Progress’ annual Kick-Off Breakfast March 4 in Poughkeepsie.

It was Samuelson’s first time on the panel at the annual breakfast, a tradition for the past five years. Samuelson was joined by Orange County Executive Edward Diana, Ulster County Executive Michael Hein and Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro. Moderating the discussion were Pattern President and CEO Jonathan Drapkin and Poughkeepsie Journal Community Conversations Editor, John Penney.

“I certainly would like to be able to say Sullivan County will have a casino,” Samuelson said. “But I don’t believe that gaming today is what we thought it was [last time around]. It is absolutely not a panacea. But I do see it as a component to our tourism industry.

“Being the size that we are, the least little economic development or project that comes into our community has a much greater impact,” he said.

Samuelson went on to say the county is in a unique position in regard to economic development because of the predominantly new legislature, the newly opened search for a county manager and the vacancy in the office of the county planning commissioner. Part of that opportunity may now include the idea of consolidation, especially in terms of economic development and economic development services.

“It’s very funny to have this conversation looking at Jonathan Drapkin’s face and because I was chairman of the county Chamber of Commerce when Jonathan was county manager and it was consolidation, consolidation, consolidation. And we fought him tooth and nail from the chamber’s perspective. The time may not have been right at that point but I think we all recognize that the time is right now. The economic atmosphere on the world creates that need for all of us, in all things in our counties, but economic development in particular.”

Pattern for Progress is a not-for-profit policy and planning organization that promotes regional, balanced and sustainable solutions to enhance the growth and vitality of the Hudson Valley. Founded in 1965 by business, academic and civic leaders, and based in Newburgh, NY, Pattern works within the nine-county area that includes Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.