The Catskill Chronicle

Given by Sullivan County Legislature Chairman Scott B. Samuelson on Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. at the Sullivan County Government Center in Monticello, NY

Good evening, and welcome to our 2013 State of the County Address. I would like to begin tonight by recognizing my fellow Legislators: Vice Chairman Gene Benson, Majority Leader Kathleen LaBuda, Minority Leader Alan Sorensen, District Three Legislator Kitty Vetter, District Four Legislator Jonathan Rouis, District Five Legislator Cindy Kurpil Gieger, District Six Legislator Cora Edwards and District Eight Legislator Ira Steingart. I would also like to recognize Acting County Manager Joshua Potosek.

I would like to offer a special thank you to the representatives of the Wurtsboro American Legion Post #1266, Mamakating VFW Post #4947, the Monticello American Legion #73 and the Liberty American Legion #109 for providing the color guard this evening and the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office for their ceremonial guard this evening.

The County ended 2012 with encouraging news. Sullivan County sales tax revenues had come in more than one million dollars greater than what had been anticipated in the 2012 operating budget. This and other cost saving measures that were implemented resulted in growth in the County’s fund balance. This year end result puts the County on the right path to achieving financial stability. While we welcomed this news, it was tempered by the fact that the County’s unemployment rate in January 2013 was above 11% and our property owners are struggling more and more every year to pay their tax bills. We must find a means to alleviate that burden. Make no mistake, we will continue to seek means of streamlining County operations and generate savings wherever possible, however, the only real option we have to provide substantial and lasting relief is to identify and solicit new revenue generating opportunities.

Events that occurred earlier this week at Catskill Regional Medical Center, and our sympathies go out to all those affected, only serve to highlight the fact that we need to remain focused on the creation of quality private sector job opportunities for our residents, and this legislature has an obligation to deliver results. We must diversify our portfolio of businesses and jobs; balance our quality-of-life and standard-of-living, while protecting the many cherished assets throughout our County.

Sustainable economic development must be the number one priority of the Sullivan County Legislature if we are to continue to survive and ultimately thrive as a County. The former Economic Development Corporation was created by my colleague Jonathan Rouis to bring our economic entities under one roof and foster collaboration among the agencies. While the EDC was stalled, an informal gathering of private sector members was maintained to continue relevant discussions of how to move forward once our plans and goals for economic development have been identified and implemented.

Moving forward, the goal of bringing all economic development entities under one roof in an environment that fosters cooperation and communication is now taking shape. After some initial discussions and potentially located at the site of the Apollo Plaza an Economic Development One Stop would bring our Visitors Association, Partnership for Economic Development, Chamber of Commerce, Workforce Development, and Industrial Development Agency together, in tandem with our county planning department. They will work toward a common goal, sharing knowledge and resources and collectively welcoming business into the County. This will help develop the economic future of Sullivan County and strengthen our position in the Mid-Hudson Region. Coupled with a Visitor Center at the site Apollo Plaza location, the One Stop would serve as a welcome center for those visiting Sullivan County for both business and pleasure, with easy on and off access at the base of the Apollo project entry.

As you may be aware, the site of the former Apollo Plaza was utilized this spring as a location for the filming of the movie “Jamie Marks is Dead.” We should encourage and welcome the film industry into our County, and the Legislature was more than happy to grant permission for this group to film scenes for their movie on the East Broadway property. However, the site’s selection by the producers to be featured in a quasi-horror film is a testament to the eyesore that this Sullivan County icon has become. through the efforts of the Resnick Group in co-operation with the Legislature and Sullivan County Funding Corporation, we are eagerly anticipating the start of a new chapter for the property, the creation of an attractive viable shopping hub and sales tax generator at the very crossroads and gateway of Sullivan County,.

Plans for the redevelopment of the Concord property continue to move forward. This project is expected to provide twelve hundred (1,200) construction jobs, and at full build-out one thousand (1,000) permanent jobs. Beyond that, it brings the hope of much more to come, and represents the vast untapped potential of Sullivan County. A project of this magnitude can provide the catalyst needed for the redevelopment of our Main Streets that will have people on them all year round. It will feed and be fed by our existing tourism attractions, such as Bethel Woods, the Monticello Motor Club, the Delaware River, the Scenic Byway, our growing restaurant industry, and our arts and entertainment centers. The redevelopment of the Concord property is not a silver bullet to cure all that ails Sullivan County, but rather it provides a much needed boost toward economic growth.

The Legislature and the Industrial Development Agency are finishing up the process of reviewing the uniform policies of the IDA to determine what revisions, if any, are necessary to protect our municipalities while still encouraging economic development. IDA staff, including Chairman Ira Steingart, has been meeting with representatives of our towns, villages and the public to gain insight and feedback on how the IDA can better assist our local officials and the people they represent. It is imperative that we provide for a business environment that is attractive to newcomers and encourages retention and expansion for our existing businesses. The retention of existing businesses and employers is a foundation that must be supported in any successful economic development model.

In 2012, we were thrilled to learn that as part of the $92.8 million awarded to the Mid-Hudson Region through Governor Cuomo’s NY Works for Business initiative, Sullivan County’s largest employer, the Center for Discovery, will receive $2.5 million for the development of the Regional Children’s Assessment Center. This will expand the Center’s capabilities through the creation of an assessment center and integrated specialty hospital for children within the autism spectrum, with severe developmental disabilities and medical complexities. The Center for Discovery is already a respected world class organization and the addition of this new unit will only add to a glowing reputation.

The Center is not the only world class facility planning to expand in Sullivan County. It was recently announced that Bethel Woods Center for the Arts will be adding a Conservatory to their repertoire. This facility will provide a space to hold cultural workshops and bring music and the arts into the lives of our residents, beginning with our youth. Expanding as well is the Monticello Motor Club who has announced a planned expansion of their world class facility in the Town of Thompson. These entities provide clear examples of how a business can not merely succeed, but thrive in Sullivan County.

A skilled and educated workforce is needed to support any future growth in our local industries. We must encourage extensive and ongoing communication between our educational entities that will foster creative ways to maximize our potential. Our local educational partners must be engaged to keep our youth here at home as jobs are created. The eight school districts of Sullivan County, BOCES, Sullivan County Community College, and Cornell Cooperative Extension are our educational partners who will all play a vital role in the development of our workforce.

SCCC has welcomed a new President, Dr. Karin Hilgersom. Dr. Hilgersom has taken the reins from interim president Dr. Murabito, who did a remarkable job guiding the college through a time of great change. I am personally impressed with the wisdom and enthusiasm that Dr. Hilgersom brings to her post with the college, and combined with a College Board that is truly working for their students I have complete confidence that SUNY Sullivan has a bright future to look forward to.

Cornell Cooperative Extension has also welcomed a new Executive Director, Greg Sandor. Greg brings with him a plethora of ideas, a willingness to partner and be a part of solutions, and the energy required to be effective. At the urging of Greg, some county legislators recently participated in a trip to the main campus to see firsthand some of Cornell’s exciting initiatives. With a mission that emphasizes consumer education and assistance to local farms, Cornell Cooperative Extension remains a vital partner of Sullivan County.

Agriculture in Sullivan County continues to play a key role in our economy, as well as continuing the quality-of-life we have grown accustomed to. Successful agribusinesses help preserve the open space and farmlands our communities are known for and our residents expect. In trying to capitalize on our long history of agriculture, the County has dedicated resources to explore and encourage the development of a regional food hub. We also continue to push forward with projects aimed at making our local farms more profitable, such as the red meat processing facility and a dairy processing plant. These facilities will provide a local opportunity for Sullivan County farmers to add value to their products, and keep the long standing tradition of farming going strong for generations to come.

The Legislature must ensure that our infrastructure meets the needs of a growing economy and tax base if we wish to see real progress in our County. Our highways are in need of significant repairs and we intend to address this situation. Recently, we agreed to bond for $3.5 million which will be utilized for repair and paving projects on our County highways. Not only are these projects necessary to support our economy, they are also necessary to ensure our residents and visitors having an adequate system of roads for safe travel.

In 2012 we faced a natural disaster of epic proportions when Super Storm Sandy hit the northeast and devastated our communities. I would like to recognize the efforts of all those involved in the recovery efforts in the days and weeks following Super Storm Sandy. Richard Martinkovic, Commissioner of Public Safety, did an extraordinary job in coordinating the efforts of our emergency responders from our Emergency Operations Center. With the unwavering support of Public Works Committee Chair, Kathy LaBuda, Ed McAndrew, Deputy Commissioner of Public Works, has played a crucial role in leading his division for the past several months and should be commended for his work and the work of his staff during the post Sandy recovery, as they cut and removed debris from the roadways and restored access to residences and businesses. I would also like to recognize our Sheriff, Sheriff’s Department and all local law enforcement agencies for keeping us safe and secure in this trying time. It is efforts such as these that give us the confidence needed to face and overcome adversity, regardless of the extent of the obstacles we may be confronted with.

During that historic event, communication amongst our emergency responders was critical to ensure our residents were getting the necessary assistance that they required. Our Public Safety Radio Infrastructure is in dire need of improvements, and recognizing the necessity of this project, through the efforts of Public Safety Chair, Cora Edwards, the Legislature has voted to bond for the funds needed to move forward with a system upgrade that will have the capacity to be the solution for the next few decades. Enabling law enforcement to communicate directly with our firemen, EMTs and other emergency responders will improve our ability to respond during future events.

In addition to repairs and upgrades to our existing infrastructure, it is imperative that we seek avenues to provide modern amenities to those living, working, and vacationing in Sullivan County. Broadband is a resource to which access must be expanded if we are to be competitive in the 21^st century. More and more, broadband is becoming less of a luxury and more of a necessity for businesses, for education, and for everyday life. This Legislature will continue to seek cost effective means of expanding broadband infrastructure to our constituents with the hopes that everyone has an opportunity to be connected and competitive. Legislator Kitty Vetter never misses an opportunity to draw attention to this issue whenever the occasion may arise and is working diligently with various governmental agencies and fellow legislators to bring this issue to fruition.

The Sullivan County Division of Planning and Environmental Management will play a central role in many of the initiatives that I have mentioned tonight. As you may be aware, the Legislature is currently taking a hard look at how the Planning department will be structured in the wake of the departure of our Planning Commissioner. Make no mistake – the Planning staff, though small, is comprised of quality professionals who have worked tirelessly to improve our community, whether it be through technical assistance or acquiring grant funding for special projects. We have great expectations and greater confidence in Planning’s ability to rise to whatever challenges they may encounter as we move forward. Legislator Alan Sorensen, as a planner himself, has been and will continue to be instrumental in moving this department forward in a way that best serves the needs of our economic development goals.

The Division of Planning was not the only office to experience significant changes in the past year. The County Manager’s Office is currently being guided by Deputy County Manager Joshua Potosek after a very tumultuous start to 2013. Josh has exceeded all expectations of this legislature and has our respect for the professional manner in which he has handled himself. We hope to have a permanent appointment to the position of County Manager in the near future.

The Division of Health and Family Services has a new Commissioner. Randy Parker came to us from Ohio, but has ties to New York State having previously worked for our neighbor to the north, Delaware County. Working with Health and Family Services Chair, Cindy Gieger, Mr. Parker has sought effective means to reduce waste, fraud and abuse including the development of a new Fraud Investigation Team. The FIT joins staff of Family Services with law enforcement agencies and resources to root out those that abuse a system designed to help our most needy. Sullivan County will never turn its back on those in need of assistance, but we refuse to let those that take advantage of the system go unchecked.

The men and women that make up our County workforce come to work, each and every day, prepared to provide the quality services that our residents and visitors have come to expect. My colleagues and I share a sense of pride at their dedication to serve, educate and protect Sullivan County residents. Negotiations have commenced with the various unions which represent our employees, and we are encouraged by the results to date. The Police Benevolent Association, representing the sworn officers of our Sheriff’s Department, has already come to an agreement with the County that recognizes the value of our employees while acknowledging that the community is still recovering from the global economic crisis. With cooperation and respect and a little insight from Vice Chairman Gene Benson, I am confident that we will be able to come to similarly amicable agreements with the other unions and their representatives.

In the coming months this legislature will be faced with many difficult decisions. Our departments have already begun the task of preparing data and requests to be incorporated into the 2014 Operating Budget, and department heads are confronting what many could only describe as impossible choices. However, we must stay positive! This weekend, Memorial Day Weekend, is the unofficial beginning of the 2013 summer season in the Sullivan County Catskills. With high hopes, some hard work, and a little cooperation from the weather, let us look forward to great success this summer. Let us welcome our visitors with a positive attitude, warm smiles, open arms, and the hospitality that has made this County famous.

God Bless America, and God Bless Sullivan County. Thank you.