The Catskill Chronicle

CLARYVILLE, NY (June 17, 2012) – Catskill Mountainkeeper will be the beneficiary of an intimate afternoon supper at Neversink Farm in Claryville, NY. 

Tour the farm while sampling cuisine and non-alcoholic beverages sourced from the Catskills – all prepared by Chef Patrick Connolly. 

There will be food stations by the river, the cut flower field, the barn, the pasture, and the vegetable field. 

For the kids there will be friendly chickens and donkeys to pet. 

The afternoon’s event is sponsored by Main St. Farm and will feature food and beverages that have been sourced from some of the region’s finest producers. 

All proceeds go to support the Agricultural Program of Catskill Mountainkeeper.

The Afternoon Supper will be held on Saturday June 30 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Neversink Farm in Claryville, NY. Space is limited, so early ticket purchase is highly recommended.

For a description of the event’s food preparation, and to purchase tickets, click here.

For more information, and for directions to Neversink Farm, click here or call Catskill Mountainkeeper at 845-482-5400 or Neversink Farm at 845- 985-2519.

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HUDSON VALLEY, NY (June 16, 2012) – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced $35.6 million in grants to five hospitals and nursing homes in the Mid-Hudson region, continuing efforts to transform the state’s health care system to improve patient care, reduce costs, and ensure that all New Yorkers have access to quality treatment.

The grants are made available through New York State’s Health Care Efficiency and Affordability Law (HEAL NY). Statewide, the $301.1 million in HEAL NY grants will help 40 hospitals and nursing homes across the state improve primary and community-based care, eliminate excess bed capacity, and reduce over-reliance on inpatient care in hospitals and nursing homes.

"As a result of the hard work of the Medicaid Redesign Team and our actions to transform the state’s health care system, we have already taken important steps toward reducing costs and improving care for patients," Governor Cuomo said. "These grants to hospitals and nursing homes in the Mid-Hudson region will help our health care facilities deliver better quality care in a more efficient and cost effective manner so all New Yorkers have access to the best care possible when it is needed."

The awards are allocated through the New York State Department of Health (DOH) and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) and are part of nearly $3 billion in funding that has been invested in health care reform through 20 separate HEAL NY phases over the past seven years.
The grants announced today will help implement recommendations from Governor Cuomo’s Medicaid Redesign Team, including enabling health care facilities to deliver more efficient, higher quality care through restructuring, merging, and realigning operations.

Additionally, the awards will help develop collaborative projects among health care providers and will support capital projects, such as the conversion of hospital inpatient space to outpatient and ambulatory care and inpatient nursing home capacity to other less-restrictive forms of long-term care.

DOH received a diverse group of applications from throughout the state. Additional funding will be made available in future rounds to support additional projects including efforts to help develop a high-quality, financially secure and sustainable health system in Brooklyn.

Senator John Bonacic said: "These smart investments in healthcare will increase the quality of patient care. I am very pleased in particular with the funding awarded to Catskill Regional Medical Center. I appreciate the tremendous work of that hospital’s staff and board in the successful revitalization of the hospital."

Assembly Member Aileen Gunther said, "This funding provides a windfall for Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris, which is receiving $12.6 million, and Sullivan County Adult Care Center in Liberty, which will receive over $1.1 million. The health care providers of the Hudson Valley have weathered disaster and I am pleased to see them receiving these new resources to help deliver exceptional care and update their operations."

Following is a list of HEAL NY awards for the Mid-Hudson region:

Catskill Regional Medical Center $12,600,000
Field Home-Holy Comforter $8,000,000
Sullivan County Adult Care Center $ 1,130,000
Sound Shore Medical Center of Westchester $11,900,000
St. Francis Hospital and Health Centers $ 2,053,042

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County Thanks Dedicated Officials, Staff for Efforts on HEAL Grant

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY – County Manager David Fanslau would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the dedicated County Legislators and employees, both former and current, responsible for the development of the County’s successful HEAL Grant application. It was announced today that the New York State Department of Health has awarded Sullivan County $1.1 million for improvements to the County nursing home located in Liberty.

“Thanks to the efforts of our Legislators and staff, the County will receive much needed funding to improve the efficiency of our Adult Care Center, and provide higher quality care to its residents,” said Fanslau.

The development of Sullivan County’s HEAL Grant application was a collaborative effort between Legislators and several County departments. Legislator Kathy LaBuda and former Legislator Ron Hiatt provided unwavering support for the grant initiative. Members of the current Legislature, which took office in January of this year, followed through with the efforts initiated by LaBuda and Hiatt.

A special thank you goes to James Galligan (former Administrator of the Adult Care Center), Catherine Rauschendorfer (current Administrator of the Adult Care Center) and their staff; Commissioner Robert Meyer of the Division of Public Works and his staff; and Arthur Hussey and Victoria Goddard of Grants Administration, who worked countless hours in coordinating and packaging the final application. It must also be noted that the efforts of Priscilla Bassett and the Senior Legislative Action Committee (SLAC) were instrumental in the County’s success, and the County extends its sincerest appreciation to this organization.

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WASHINGTON DC — Following up on a report in “The New York Times” that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s administration is pursuing a plan that would permit hydraulic fracturing in parts of New York, Congressman Maurice Hinchey today urged the governor to take a series of 10 steps before even considering the possibility of any natural gas drilling in the state. The congressman praised the governor for his thoughtfulness on the issue, but said that more steps need to be taken to adequately protect the environment and public health from the risks of the controversial gas extraction process that involves pumping toxic chemicals deep into the ground.

"I commend you for the deliberate and thoughtful way in which you have proceeded with shale gas drilling in New York," Hinchey wrote in a letter sent today to Cuomo. "It is clear that you want to make sure people’s water supplies are protected and I applaud the fact that you and your administration have not stood in the way of local communities that have passed hydraulic fracturing bans. However, despite the very hard work of, and sincere efforts by, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to update New York’s rules covering high-volume hydraulic fracturing, serious gaps remain."

Among Hinchey’s recommendations to the governor are: a cumulative impact analysis of the impact hydraulic fracturing would have in the state; a full assessment of public health risks; a comprehensive wastewater treatment plan; a rule to create further distance between potential drilling sites and water supplies; a prohibition on the use of toxic chemicals in all fracking fluids; a rule mandating public disclosure of all chemicals used at each well site before drilling commences; a dramatic increase in New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) resources and staffing to oversee potential drilling; a complete ban on land spreading of fracking waste fluids; alignment of DEC’s gas drilling permit rules with the requirements of secondary lending institutions covering oil and gas activity on mortgaged properties; and waiting for the result of the ongoing EPA study of hydraulic fracturing that the congressman initiated.

Earlier this year, Hinchey urged Cuomo to withdraw the state’s revised draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (dSGEIS) on high-volume horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus Shale and other areas of New York State.  Hinchey said at the time that the current form of the dSGEIS failed to address many of his concerns with the initial draft and also does not account for new information that has been discovered about the environmental, public health and economic risks associated with the natural gas drilling activity.

"We only have one chance to get this right, which is why we must take every possible step to protect the environment, public water supplies, and the overall health of residents from the dangers of hydraulic fracturing," Hinchey said. "Governor Cuomo has taken some positive steps forward to protect communities from fracking, but much more needs to be done before any consideration should be given to issuing permits for drilling."

Hinchey is a leader in Congress of the effort to protect drinking water and the environment from the risks of hydraulic fracturing. He is a co-author of the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals (FRAC) Act, which would mandate public disclosure of chemicals used in fracking fluid and close a loophole from the 2005 Bush-Cheney energy bill in order to allow the EPA to regulate fracking activities under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The congressman, who is a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment, also authored the appropriations language that led to the current EPA study on the risks that hydraulic fracturing poses to drinking water supplies.

(Carol Montana, photo)

MONTICELLO, NY (June 14, 2012) – Eight Monticello High School seniors and their families were guests of honor at the Monticello Kiwanis Scholarship Dinner that was recently held at the Blue Horizon Diner.

A total of $9,000 was awarded in scholarships.

The recipients are (from l-r) in photo: Paulina Pavese, Rebecca Martinek, McKenzie Greene, Laurie Schoonmaker, Jessica Nesin, Taylor Santos, Dayanara Torres and Rachelle Walker.

In addition, the Kiwanis Club of Monticello was this year’s winner of the Red Cross Blood Drive Competition beating out the Elks, Rotary and the Monticello Fire Department. Each participating organization made a donation which was given to the winner. The Kiwanis Club chose to distribute their prize by making a  $200 donation to each of the following agencies: The Eugene Nesin Cultural Center (group photo at right), the Monticello Elementary School EPIC Parenting Program, The Literacy Center and the Hudson Valley Food Bank.

For more information about the Kiwanis Club of Monticello, call Lori Benjamin at 794-7050.

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY (June 14, 2012) – Members of the Sullivan County branch of the grassroots organization MoveOn are introducing a draft resolution at the Sullivan County Legislature’s public session on Thursday, June 21 at 2:00 p.m.

The session will take place at the Sullivan County Government Center on North Street in Monticello.

MoveOn Sullivan is joining with citizens nationwide who are mobilizing to nullify the 2010 US Supreme Court decision known as "Citizens United."

MoveOn feels that this decision has resulted in unlimited, anonymous funding to political campaigns and they believe this it is a dire threat to our democracy.

In a number of states, counties and municipalities, resolutions have been introduced to garner support for a constitutional remedy to overturn Citizens United.

MoveOn Sullivan’s members encourage the public to join them in presenting their resolution to the Sullivan County Legislature.

For more information call 845-292-4895

Story and photos by Carol Montana

ELDRED, NY (June 13, 2012) –  The top 4 percent of Sullivan County’s high school seniors were honored at the 27th Annual Academic Achievement Dinner held on June 11 at Eldred Preserve Restaurant.

Hosted and coordinated by Sullivan County BOCES, the dinner was also attended by school district superintendents, principals, and in some cases, board of education presidents.

BOCES Superintendent Larry Thomas played emcee introducing each school district superintendent, as well as guest speaker, Frederick H. Kuriger, CEO of Catskill Regional Medical Center.

Kuriger (photo right) spoke about his background, and what the world was like in 1970, the year of his high school graduation. 

Following his talk, the students were called up to the podium where they told the audience of their post-graduation plans. Most mentioned colleges, but some spoke of military academies. They then were presented with a thesaurus, courtesy of The Times Herald-Record.

Accompanying the thesaurus was a scroll on which was printed a poem called “The Man Who Thinks He Can” by Walter D. Wintle, which Thomas (photo left) read at the conclusion of the program.

Students honored were: Eldred: Christine Donnelly, Brian Hazen, Erika Bowring; Fallsburg: Aaron Schmitt, Morgan Vegliante, Nicolle Freeman; Liberty: Katherin Heinle, Sydney Goldstein, Peter Koval, James Dapp, Vincent Webbe; Livingston Manor: Maggi Calo, Nina Zheng; Monticello: Erica Cncors, Kaitlyn Fisher, Dan Braunstein, Kristen Druse, Harry Lin, Emily Morey, Jessica Nesin, Jennifer Giza, Stefanie Vieira, Rasheeda McRae; Roscoe: Samanta Molinari, Courtney Banks; Sullivan West: Rebecca Corcillo, Jeff Yeung, Shawn Bailey, EJ Franskevicz, Kristina Sumfleth; and Tri-Valley: Heidi Furman, Olivia Rehm, Julia Spriggens, Gregory Swarthout.

Tribute was also paid to Sullivan West Superintendent, Dr. Kenneth Hilton, who is retiring at the end of the current school year.

To see more photos, or to purchase prints from the 27th Annual Academic Achievement Dinner, visit The Catskill Chronicle on Zenfolio.

MONTICELLO, NY (June 10, 2012) – Monticello Senior Citizens were guests of honor once again at the 5th Annual Alice Kreiter Senior Citizen Prom on Saturday, June 9.

This year’s theme was “Red, White & Blue Star Spangled Stomp,” and emcee Eric Bressi, a.k.a. Elvis’ Lost Brother kept the party hopping and stomping throughout, including a tribute to all the veterans present at tje party.

Guests feasted on an all-American meal of chicken, cheeseburgers, hotdogs, potato salad, cole slaw and ice tea, finishing with a dessert of apple pie and ice cream, all catered and lovingly prepared by a crew from Monticello Meat Market.

The food was cheerfully served by children from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sullivan County: Ashley Campbell, EllenRose Duffy, Sara Sorensen, Robert Rodriquez, Khristonya Mills, Ariana Irelan, Erin Duffy, Sofia Marty, Justin Moore and Kaylynn Champagne, under the watchful eyes of leaders Barbi Neumann-Marty and Lisa Moore.

After dinner, the crowd chose their Prom Queen and King: Lee and Gerry Beckerman, and the children chose their Princess and Prince: Khristonya Mills and Robert Rodriguez.

At the end of the evening, Kathy Kreiter (the honoree’s daughter) thanked a multitude of people included the entire planning committee, the students and the sponsors. 

Below are some photos from the event. To see more photos or to purchase prints from the 5th Annual Alice Kreiter Senior Citizen Prom Honors Monticello’s Seniors, visit The Catskill Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY (June 10, 2012) – The cloudy, slightly wet weather was perfect for the fishy goings on at the 9th Annual Trout Parade in Livingston Manor on Saturday, June 9.

Pre-parade pleasures included performances by the Americana band Little Sparrow, balloon animals by Dr. Professor Balloon-a-kiss, face painting by Miss Sunshine the Clown, belly dancing by Ahleana and stilt-walking by Brett Keyser and Tannis Kowalchuk of NACL Theatre.

Then a little after 1:00 p.m., the fish came  marching down Main Street, led by Grand Marshalls and Sturgeon Generals Dr. Don Simkin and Ellen Singer.

Following were a long line of antique and classic cars, several marching bands including The Mountaintones, floats of all kinds, and many, many more fishy folk and flora.

After the parade, there was more music, a rain barrel auction, and food galore from the many vendors along Main Street, who were also selling books, candles, art, jewelry and more.

The 2012 Trout Parade was produced by the Catskill Art Society in partnership with the Livingston Manor Chamber of Commerce and with support from businesses and individuals from around the community. Proceeds from the parade benefit the Arts and Music Programs at the Livingston Manor Central School and Catskill Art Society.

Following are just a few photos from the parade.

To see more photos or to purchase prints from 2012 Trout Parade Brings Out Fishy Critters of All Kinds, visit The Catskill Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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FALLSBURG, NY (June 9, 2012) – The Fallsburg Alumni Association has announced that its Eighth Annual All-Class Reunion and Buffet Luncheon will be celebrated on Saturday, July 21 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The planning committee in the photo are (l-r): Stuart Wizwer, Ceil Cohen, Eileen Kalter, Renee Kates, Ilene Wizwer, Bonnie Blanchard and Robert Longo.

At the luncheon, three Fallsburg Central School graduates will be presented with Fallsburg Alumni Association (FAA) scholarships. They are Kafifa Javed (daughter of Mirza Shabbir of Woodbourne), Shorouk Abobussien (daughter of Tawfik Abohussien & Etemad Shehata of Woodridge) and Kristene Haas (daughter of Joseph & Dawn Haas of Woodbourne).

Also, the FAA will present the Sheryl Kalter Memorial Scholarship to Lindsay Malman (daughter of Robin Malman of Mountaindale). Additionally, a retired teacher/staff and a community member are chosen to be recognized at this event.

This reunion will take place in the Fallsburg High School, 115 Brickman Road, Fallsburg, NY. The luncheon price is $10 per person. Reservations are suggested. Checks made out to Fallsburg Alumni Association may be mailed to FAA, Fallsburg High School, PO Box 124, Fallsburg, NY 12733 or e-mail ekalter@hvc.rr.com or call 845 434-5371. 

The FAA is hopefully anticipating donations to the scholarship fund (“in memory of” or “in honor of”) in any amount.

ROCK HILL, NY (June 8, 2012) – Runners and ramblers from throughout the Hudson Valley will support a great cause during the 20th Annual Rhulen Rock Hill Run & Ramble (R4) on June 16 in Rock Hill. The 5K walk/run will continue to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of America, the R4 Patient Fund, Catskill Regional Medical Center, and other worthy charities.

The event has raised more than $1,000,000 dollars for national and local charities and is one of the longest running road races in the Hudson Valley and Catskills.

“The Rhulen Run & Ramble is a traditional Father’s Day-weekend event that raises people’s awareness of blood-related cancers, and although the event is lots of fun, and focuses on health and wellness, we must remember why we do it — to save lives” said Suzanne Rhulen Loughlin, Race Director and daughter of the race’s honoree, the late Walter Rhulen.

“This year has been a sad one for the R4. We lost several friends near and dear to us—Josh Depew, Tammy Reichenbaugh and Erik Rosen. In their names, we will continue to raise funds to support the research needed to develop cures for blood related cancers and make a difference in the lives of patients.”

The R4 also hosts a bone marrow drive, which began in 2008 when it was learned that 21-year-old Monticello resident Jared Carlew needed a transplant. Sadly, Carlew died before a transplant could be arranged, which happens to many patients because of the lack of available donors.

Last year almost 900 runners and walkers participated in the Rhulen Rock Hill Run & Ramble. This year’s R4 Patient Fund recipient will be Brian Scott, age 50, from Jeffersonville. Brian was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma just before Christmas 2011. He is currently undergoing treatment with Crystal Run Healthcare and Catskill Regional Medical Center. Brian, a single father, resides with his three children, Nicholas, Christopher and Brittney, in Jeffersonville, NY. Funds are raised for the Patient Fund through the sale of raffles. The raffle sales will be used to help Brian offset the costs of medical treatment and expenses. To buy raffle tickets or help sell tickets, please call Resa at 845.794. 3600.

The race begins at 9:00 a.m. at the Frontier Insurance Building on Lake Louise Marie Road in Rock Hill and loop around scenic Lake Louise Marie. On-site registration starts at 7:00 a.m., but race officials are encouraging participants to pre-register by visiting the official race website at www.rockhillrun.com. Pre-registration fee for the Run & Ramble, before June 8, is $22. After June 7th the registration cost is $25. Registration for children 10 and under is $10. T-shirts are guaranteed to the first 900 registrants.

For more information, contact Race Director Suzanne Rhulen Loughlin at 845.796.9811 or log onto: www.rockhillrun.com.

LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY (June 7, 2012) – The premier edition of “Manor Ink,” a new newspaper based at the Livingston Manor Free Library and run by young people, is just off the press and is  available throughout town this week.

The print edition of Manor Ink was timed for release in advance of this Saturday’s Trout Parade and is part of a multi-media news project hosted by the library.

Manor Ink also appears on the web at www.manorink.com and on social media at http://www.facebook.com/LivingstonManorInk.

The 8-page, all-color newspaper was planned and written by kids and young adults in and around Livingston Manor who have been meeting at the library since March.

A group of adult mentors, including library director Peggy Johansen, noted local designer Carolyn Bivins and journalist Barbara Gref has been meeting and advising the news operation. Ms. Gref runs a nonprofit, the Community Reporting Alliance, which is dedicated to promoting local news. The nonprofit has partnered with the library to help produce the print and digital news.

Local mom and substitute teacher Jamie Helper has also been helping to shepherd the project. Ms. Helper approached the library board in late 2011 because she felt the town’s young people needed an outlet for expression and because she knew the town needed news and information. Livingston Manor’s community newspaper and the school’s high school newspaper are no longer in publication.

Not only is “Manor Ink” helping to fill that news void, it is also providing a voice for young people.

In the photo at right, Manor Ink staffers Gem Helper (left) and Britney Young, plan the first issue at headquarters, which is upstairs at the Livingston Manor Free Library.

“Manor Ink is an important newspaper because it’s from the point of view of kids and young adults in Livingston Manor,” said Tyler Young, 17, who is one of the Manor Ink editors. Tyler said all young people are welcome to join. The general age group is 12 to 21 years old, but younger members have already taken part.

“Manor Ink is off and running,” said Peggy Johansen, director of the Livingston Manor Free Library. “With continued hard work, it will be the newspaper of Livingston Manor, a community that has a clear identity, a strong history, and citizens who care about community affairs.”

So far, about 16 young people have been involved in writing stories, taking photos, recording videos, building the website, setting up the Facebook page, selling ads and planning fundraisers like the April 7 car wash and a donations-taking newsstand at the Trout Parade.

Ms. Helper said she is “extremely proud and amazed” at how far Manor Ink has come in just a short time. “A town newspaper seemed like a perfect vehicle to potentially engage a wide range of personalities and talents and provide an outlet for young adults with immediate, measurable results and impact. I wanted the kids to have a tool to empower themselves and reveal their worth to the community.”

Copies of the premier issue are available at no cost at the Livingston Manor Free Library, 92 Main Street in Livingston Manor, and at numerous other locations on Main Street.

And even though the first issue of the paper was free, Manor Ink reporter Ariel Mears (photo left) couldn’t stop people from giving her donations.

Further distribution of the inaugural issue will take place during the 9^th Annual Trout Parade this Saturday, June 9, at 1:00 p.m. Visit their booth, near the Plunk Shop, 39 Main Street.

Inquiries may be made through our Facebook page or at manorink@yahoo.com

LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY (June 5, 2012) – “Finding New Hope Community for her son Jeremy was like a miracle,” says Marianne Goldman, newly appointed Chair of the NHC Foundation and Vice Chair of New Hope Community Board of Directors.

Marianne was very familiar with the Catskills, having grown up in Ellenville as Marianne Ladenheim. After living in Dallas, Texas, where Jeremy was born with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Goldman relocated a few years ago to northern New Jersey.

The highest priority in relocating was to find a good place for Jeremy to live as independently as possible. When she met Dan Berkowitz, Former Executive Director, at New Hope in Sullivan County and toured the grounds, she knew she had found the right place. Soon Jeremy moved into one of the homes located on the Loch Sheldrake campus.

Less than a year into her association with NHC, Berkowicz suggested to Goldman that she would be a great asset to the organization as a member of the Board of Directors. Marianne accepted the challenge. Goldman has also worked as a member of the NHC Foundation for the last five years prior to and up until her recent appointment as Chair.

Established in 1989, the NHC Foundation’s purpose is to raise funds and develop relationships that will enhance the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Story and photos by Carol Montana

MONTICELLO, NY (June 4, 2012) – Community Unity of Sullivan County combined forces on June 3 with several other organizations to raise funds for the Sullivan County Federation for the Homeless.

Community Unity is a coalition of RISE (Rape Intervention Services and Education), The Federation of the Homeless, The Recovery Center, and the D.R.E.A.M Tank.

Taking place at Mr. Willy’s restaurant in Monticello, another event earlier in the day hosted by WSUL/WVOS featured a family fun day with a bounce house, slide, carnival games, cotton candy and
raffles every twenty minutes.

Beginning at 7:00 p.m. Thunder 102 brought its Brad Paisley Virtual Reality Food Drive and the Texaco Country Showdown to the event. Admission was a non-perishable food item, while other funds were raised with gift-basket raffle tickets.

The Texaco Country Showdown is a national 30-year-old contest open to performers “who have not performed on a record listed in  the national record charts of Billboard, Radio and Records, or The Gavin Report within eighteen months preceding local competition.” Each act pays a $20.00 entry fee “and all contestants must begin their competition by performing at showdowns produced by participating country music radio stations.”

The local contest, sponsored by radio station Thunder 102, featured six performers: Anna Rose Mongiello – a 19 year old, who sang an original song called “All of You”; Lucky House, consisting of Joe Dibisceglie and Dianne Webber who sang “White Liar”; Kaylah, a 13 year old who sang an original song entitled “Anthony”; Vice President of the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce Cathy Paty who sang “Broken Wing”; 14 year old Jennifer Grace who sang the original song “ Redneck Prince Charming”; and 12 year old Mikke Zip who sang “Johnny & June.”

A uniform judging system employed by all judges for the Texaco Country Showdown ensures fairness. This year’s judges were: “Big John” Davis, lead singer of Iron Cowboy, Gabrielle Scott – Marketing Manager from Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Jonathan Fox – River Reporter columnist, and Marcum Stewart and Andrea Villarreal of the country music group Acklen Park.

In between the songs, contestants were interviewed by Thunder 102 radio personality Michelle Semerano.

When all the tabulations had been made, Cathy Paty was declared the winner of the local Texaco Country Showdown. Paty now goes onto a state final at the Brotherhood Winery in Washingtonville on August 25, 2012. First runner-up was Mikki Zip and second runner-up was Lucky House.

The Brad Paisley Virtual Reality Food Drive is part of the performer’s current  tour, where select venues will be collecting food for local food banks with one lucky person winning a meet and greet with Paisley.

Following the Showdown were performances by last year’s winner Jason Casterlin, and rounding out the evening was Acklen Park.

Community Unity’s Raise the Roof Campaign is raising funds to rehabilitate the building that houses the Federation for the Homeless. Built in the 1950s as the Jewish Community Center, the building is showing its age, with certain parts of it, quite literally, crumbling. It is in desperate need of a new roof, structural and electrical repairs.

This event was only one of several held each year to benefit the Federation for the Homeless. An annual Food Raiser is held in January to raise funds to assist the Federation in its mission. To find out more, call the Federation at 845-794-2604.

To see more photos or to purchase prints from Raising the Roof with the 2012 Texaco Country Showdown, visit The Catskill Chronicle on Zenfolio.

LIBERTY, NY (June 3, 2012) – The Sullivan County Pregnancy Support Center, located at 155 North Main Street in Liberty is launching “Project: Life Support” to encourage families, individuals or churches to take action to support needy mothers, children and babies that are assisted by the Support Center.

“Most of the clients who visit the center are mothers of young children and babies, and pregnant mothers, who are in need of material items to provide proper clothing and hygiene for their children,” said Kathy Lounsbury, Executive Director of the pregnancy support center which opened in August 2004 in downtown Liberty. “We have a tremendous need for various items to provide the help that our clients need, including Size 4 and 5 diapers, pull ups, boy’s clothing up to size 2T, baby wipes, baby bottles, pacifiers, diaper bags, strollers, high chairs, pac and plays, baby carriers, bathing supplies, boy’s shoes up to size 3, or money.”

A rally for Project: Life Support will be held on Saturday, June 9 at the Liberty Free Methodist Church at 2535 Route 52 (Chestnut Street) at 7:00 p.m.

Items can be placed in baby cribs in the lobby. The rally will include an evening of hymn singing, special music and refreshments. Additional information can be obtained on the Facebook page for Sullivan County Pregnancy Support Center.

For additional information or questions, please call the center at 845-292-2224 or Kathy Lounsbury at 845-985-2923.

MONTICELLO, NY (May 31, 2012) – Community Unity kicks off its Raise The Roof Campaign on Sunday, June 3 at Mr. Willy’s Restaurant in Monticello.

From 2:00 to 6:30 p.m. Rock the Roof with WSUL and WVOS in a family fun day
featuring a bounce house, slide, carnival games, cotton candy and
raffles every twenty minutes.  

Admission of $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 5 through 12 and under 5 is free. The admission fee gets the family fun day activities plus a barbecue lunch of either a hot dog or hamburger.

Starting at 7:00 p.m. there will be Thunder on the Roof as Thunder 102 brings its Brad Paisley Food Drive to Mr. Willy’s.

A donation of a non-perishable food item gets you entry into the Texaco Country Showdown and a performance by Nashville recording artists, Acklen Park.

While the music plays, Community Unity presents a Pig Roast and Chicken Barbecue. Presale tickets for the Pig Roast and Chicken Barbecue are $18 for adults and $13 for children 5-12. Tickets at the door are $22 for adults and $15 for children 5-12. For tickets and further information call Claire at 845-557-3642 or Steve at 845-583-4808.

At both events Community Unity will be selling commemorative bricks that will be part of a Master Gardener project beautifying the Federation grounds. Bricks are $40 for a 4 x 8-inch brick and $50
for an 8 x 8-inch brick. Each brick includes three lines of type, perfect for recognizing someone in your life.

Community Unity’s Raise the Roof Campaign is raising funds to rehabilitate the building that houses the Federation for the Homeless. Built in the 1950s as the Jewish Community Center, the building is
showing its age, with certain parts of it, quite literally, crumbling. It is in desperate need of a new roof, structural and electrical repairs.

Additionally, The DREAM Tank is moving into the upstairs area of the Federation and funds are needed to repair the area and make it a safe space for teen doers and dreamers.

The Federation served over 113,000 meals inn 2011 and the DREAM Tank has earned kudos for its work in providing a safe place for teens to avoid bullying, drugs and gangs.

Help Raise the Roof on June 3,

NEVERSINK, NY (May 29, 2012) – The New York City DEP officially opened the Neversink Reservoir to canoes, kayaks and sailboats on Friday May 25.

The Neversink Reservoir will be open now for boaters to enjoy from today through Columbus Day Weekend.

At an opening ceremony, held at Chandlers Cove, DEP personnel, dignitaries from Sullivan County and towns, Catskill Watershed Corporation representatives and residents applauded the new regulations that allow the use of the Neversink Reservoir and the surrounding area for recreational use.

President of the Sullivan County Visitors Association, Roberta Byron-Lockwood said, “Sullivan County has looked forward to the opening of the Neversink, a valuable asset to add to our many green, eco-friendly attributes that SCVA promotes to the visitors coming to Sullivan County. It will be an economic boost to the tourism industry and businesses around the reservoir.”

Upgraded access points at Chandlers Cove and Kramers Cove located on the western side of the Neversink along Aden Road are shown on a beautiful brochure printed by the Catskill Watershed Corporation. The brochure details the permit requirements, regulations, types of boats permitted, launch sites and boat rental and steam cleaning businesses located near the reservoir.

For more information or to request a Neversink Recreational Boating Program brochure on this new recreational opportunity, call the Sullivan County Visitors Association at 1-800-882-2287 or go to www.nyc.gov/dep, or click on this link for the brochure: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/pdf/recreation/Neversink_Boating_Brochure.pdf

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NEW YORK STATE (May 29, 2012) – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver today announced an agreement to pass legislation that will better protect New Yorkers from intrusive telemarketing tactics.

The legislation would prohibit all telemarketers doing business in New York from delivering prerecorded messages by telephone call to customers without express consent from the recipient.

The Governor’s legislation would also give authority to the Department of State to ban telemarketing companies that violate New York’s telemarketing laws from doing business in New York State.

"More and more New Yorkers are receiving unwanted phone calls from telemarketing companies, causing an unwanted and unnecessary disturbance," Governor Cuomo said. "This legislation is designed to ensure that telemarketers only target individuals who have chosen to receive promotional messages, and New York consumers and phone owners are no longer subject to harassing and annoying marketing offers."

Currently, telemarketers licensed outside of New York are able to harass New York consumers, pay a negligible fine, and continue to do business in the state. Under the Governor’s proposal, all telemarketers doing business in New York will be required to register with the Department of State which will have the authority to revoke or suspend the registration of companies that do not comply with state law. In addition, violation of the telemarketing law could result in additional fines and misdemeanor charges.

At present, only 22 telemarketers are registered in New York. In contrast, in nearby states that require registration of out-of-state telemarketers calling into the state, the numbers are much higher. 557 telemarketers are registered in New Jersey, 213 are registered in Pennsylvania, and 333 are registered in Vermont.

In 2000, New York enacted the Do Not Call laws to protect consumers from unwanted and abusive telemarketing calls. The law permits consumers to place their telephone numbers on a central registry to reduce the number of unsolicited telemarketing calls they receive. New Yorkers have registered over 13 million phone numbers on the Do-Not-Call registry. From 2009 to the present, the Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection has received nearly 5,000 Do Not Call complaints and inquires; in just the first quarter of 2012, the FTC received 61,705 Do Not Call complaints from New Yorkers. New Yorkers who wish to place their numbers on the Do Not Call registry can visit: https://www.donotcall.gov/

Chuck Bell, Programs Director for Consumers Union, said, "The legislation introduced today by Governor Cuomo is a big win for New York consumers. We have all experienced unwanted telemarketing and this bill ensures that New Yorkers have a means of putting an end to these calls. We commend the Governor for taking the lead and putting New York on the forefront of protecting consumers from unsolicited marketing tactics."

The legislation would take effect 90 days after it becomes law.

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SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY (May 29, 2012) – The National Weather Service In Binghamton Has Issued A * Severe Thunderstorm Warning For… Eastern Sullivan County In Central New York… * Until 600 PM EDT. * At 526 PM EDT…National Weather Service Doppler Radar Indicated A Severe Thunderstorm Capable Of Producing Quarter Size Hail…And Damaging Winds In Excess Of 60 Mph.  This Storm Was Located Near Monticello…And Moving Northeast At 30 Mph. * The Severe Thunderstorm Will Be Near… Thompsonville…Kiamesha…Rock Hill And Hurleyville By 536 PM EDT… South Fallsburg And 6 Miles Southeast Of Loch Sheldrake By 540 PM EDT… Fallsburg By 542 PM EDT… Woodridge And Woodbourne By 546 PM EDT… When You Can Do So Safely…Please Report Hail…Or Damaging Winds To The National Weather Service By Calling Toll Free At 1-877-633-6772 …Or By Email At Bgm.Stormreport@Noaa.Gov.

If You Are In The Path Of This Storm…Seek Shelter Indoors And Stay Away From Windows!

Issued By:  NWS Binghamton (South Central New York and Northeastern Pennsylvania)
Affected Jurisdictions:  Sullivan County

The National Weather Service In Binghamton Has Issued A * Severe Thunderstorm Warning For… Northern Sullivan County In Central New York… * Until 430 PM EDT. * At 327 PM EDT…National Weather Service Doppler Radar Indicated A Severe Thunderstorm Capable Of Producing Quarter Size Hail…And Damaging Winds In Excess Of 60 Mph. 

This Storm Was Located Near Parksville…And Moving Northeast At 25 Mph. * The Severe Thunderstorm Will Be Near… 7 Miles Northwest Of Grahamsville By 344 PM EDT… Willowemoc By 346 PM EDT… When You Can Do So Safely…Please Report Hail…Or Damaging Winds To The National Weather Service By Calling Toll Free At 1-877-633-6772 …Or By Email At Bgm.Stormreport@Noaa.Gov.

If You Are In The Path Of This Storm…Seek Shelter Indoors And Stay Away From Windows!

Photos by Carol Montana

LIBERTY, NY (May 28, 2012) – Veterans and cub scouts, county, town and village officials, fire trucks, antique cars and even the winner of the First Annual Liberty Soap Box Derby Race.

The Memorial Day Parade has become a tradition in Liberty, NY. Here are photos from the 2012 parade.

View Full Album

To see more photos or to purchase prints from the 2012 Liberty Memorial Day Parade, visit The Catskill Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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Photos by Stephen Lavelle

LIBERTY, NY (May 27, 2012) – We are all familiar with the phrase ”Baseball, hotdogs and apple pie” as it describes a slice of Americana. Add to that phrase “an annual soap box derby,” and you have Americana in Liberty, NY on Memorial Day Weekend 2012.

Just over 30 cars took part in the First Annual Soap Box Derby on Liberty, NY’s Main Street today.

The event was sponsored by the Sullivan County Soap Box Derby Committee and the Greater Liberty Chamber of Commerce, and involved many volunteers and sponsors who purchased the cars.

The winner, Ryan Parsons, will participate in the Nationals Soap Box Derby race in Akron, OH.

Here are just a few photos from the race:

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SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY (May 26, 2012) – The Catskill Chronicle would like to wish its readers a Happy Memorial Day Weekend.

Be safe in whatever you do, and please, don’t forget to thank a veteran.

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LIBERTY, NY (May 25, 2012) – Sullivan County Legislators Cindy Kurpil Gieger, Cora Edwards and Kitty Vetter are teaming up in a bipartisan effort to reach the public with an important message on Taxes and Mandate Reform.

“With the present state of our economy and our residents struggling as never before with the ever increasing tax burden, it is important that public officials join together to educate the public. The harsh reality is that more than 93% of Sullivan County’s property tax levy is consumed to pay the bills for nine mandated services that our state fails to fund. This has created an unfair burden on our county taxpayers.

“On Thursday May 31 at 6:30 p.m. the public is invited to the Liberty Lapolt Senior Center on Liberty’s Main Street to come and learn what they can do to help fight these state mandates. Learn how you can become involved to help ease the tax burden in our own municipalities.”

Cindy Gieger, District 5 Legislator says “ Public participation is essential as we work together to find solutions to ease the burden on our taxpayers.”

The forum is free and light refreshments will be provided.

For information call Legislator Gieger at 845-701-0708.

GRAHAMSVILLE, NY (May 23, 2012) – To help celebrate NYS Museum Week – May 31 to June 6 –the Time and the Valleys Museum is hosting a special program “Old Time Remedies from Your Kitchen Cabinet” on Sunday, June 3 at 2:00 p.m.

Betty Shaver will talk about the many items kept in an early 19th Century kitchen, including plants, herbs and tonics used to help heal, take pain away and to make life easier.

Attendees are invited to bring their old-time remedies and memories to share. The program is free with Museum admission. Please call 845-985-7700 for more information.

All Museum visitors will receive a special gift during New York State Museum Week.

Current Museum exhibitions are: “The Impact of Water on the Life and Growth of the Valleys,” a history of the watershed areas from geological times to the 1930s, “NYC’s Water Supply System and the Rondout and Neversink Watersheds,” and the temporary exhibition, “The Family Farm: 1920 to 1950.” The Museum also has a Museum Shop stocked with local history publications, locally made crafts, toys and gifts (open during Museum hours), and a local history research center open Thursday and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The museum is located on Route 55 in Grahamsville, and is open Thursday to Sunday, Noon to 4 :00 p.m. Admission is $2 adults, $1 children, and children under 6 and members are free.

Group tours of children and adults are available by appointment.

LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY (May 23, 2012) – On Saturday, May 26, Joan Wulff and the 2012-13 newly elected Trustees of the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum will ceremoniously put the shovel in the ground to include the Wulff Gallery into the new addition to the center. 

The Wulff Gallery will include the Joan Wulff historical collection and that of the great American sportsman, the late Lee Wulff .

The Wulff Gallery will surround the top floor of the planned addition to the Paul Dahlie Education building. The interior of the gallery will be a multi-flex area made up of a library, conference area and unique exhibit area that can be transformed into a meeting room. It is anticipated that the meeting room will accommodate up to 90 seats in a matter of moments and will be a great addition to the Western Sullivan County area. It will also be available for local needs.

Immediately following the ceremony, Joan will sign her latest book “Joan Wulff’s New Fly-Casting Techniques.”

HURLEYVILLE, NY (May 22, 2012) – The Hurleyville School House, home of the Sullivan County Museum, will celebrate its centennial on Saturday, June 16, 2012 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

The event will feature school memorabilia at the Sullivan County Museum, 265 Main Street in Hurleyville, NY.

The school house was built in 1912 to serve as a grammar school.

The building was later expanded to include the high-school grades and the gymnasium was added in 1929-30.

The last graduating class was in 1945 and had only three students.

Until 1967, the building continued to be used as an elementary school.

The Hurleyville Fire Department became the next owners and in 1971, the building was acquired by Sullivan County.

An elevator was added to the  front of the building in 1990 -91.

In addition to housing the Sullivan County Museum, and the Sullivan County Historical Society Archives, the building is also the headquarters for the Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop and the Frederick A. Cook Society.

If you have memorabilia or stories connected with the building you are invited to share them by contacting the Sullivan County Historical Society at 845-434-8044 or http://sullivancountyhistory.org/.

Story and photos by Carol Montana

MONTICELLO, NY (May 21, 2012) – Opening with a salute to our Armed Forces members, the 7th Annual Thunderbash, produced by Bold Gold Media and Thunder 102 Radio at Monticello Casino & Raceway, proceeded to once again “wow” audience members who turned out to see and hear Nashville recording artists and local favorites, all while raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the YMCA of Sullivan County’s Strong Kids Program.

The event was also sponsored by the Town of Thompson and Concord Associates.

Owner of Bold Gold Media, Vince Benedetto, along with Town of Thompson Supervisor Tony Cellini, welcomed the audience, introduced some “returning heroes,” members of the

Armed Forces and presented the color guard.

After a rousing version of the “Star Spangled Banner” sung by Dan Braunstein, the Eldred High School Key Elements performed, astounding the audience with their a cappella renditions.

And the evening was just getting started.

Act after act performed on the Rolling V stage, including Amber Hayes, Darren Warren, Sherry Lynn, David Bradley, David Adam Byrnes, Tommy Steele, Iron Cowboy and Sullivan County stars Somerville featuring Alyssa Startup.

A new feature this year were screens on each side of the stage that featured not only live video of the onstage performers, but also live tweets sent by audience members.

In between performances, audience members hung out in the upper level above the grandstand where they were greeted by vendors and organizations such as ND Pro Media, Achieve Nursing Home and Rehab, Sullivan County BOCES and others.

Milling around the upper level, you could find local celebrities like Sullivan County Sheriff Mike Schiff and River Reporter columnist Jonathan Fox and his constant companion Dharma “the Wonderdog” (who usually gets most of the attention) hanging around with Miss Teen Sullivan County and Mrs.  Sullivan County. And Forestburgh Playhouse’s Producing Director Norman Duttweiler was there also and later appeared onstage during one of the breaks to announce that Thunder 102’s own Paul Ciliberto of the “Cilberto and Friends” morning show is going to play a part in Forestburgh’s production of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” which will run from July 10 – 22, 2012.

Also in between acts, Thunder 102 midday DJ Jason Dole, and Mike Sakell, host of Sakell in the Afternoon, encouraged audience members to download the Radio Bold app on their phones, and register for a chance to win a trip to Nashville that same night.

Admission was free as it always is for Thunderbash, but audience members were asked to make a donation to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the YMCA of Sullivan County’s Strong Kids Program.

Just before the featured performer, it was announced that nearly $3000 had been raised for the two organizations.

And then the “world-famous Thunder 102 t-shirt toss was held.” The hosts of “Ciliberto and Friends,” Paul Ciliberto and Michelle Semerano invited “friends of their morning show,” who included Catskill Chronicle editor Carol Montana, up onstage to toss Thunder 102 t-shirts to an anxious audience. Other “tossers” included “Mr. Nashville” Billy Block, Gary Samboy of M&M Auto Group, the aforementioned River Reporter columnist Jonathan Fox and Dharma (who did not actually toss a t-shirt herself), Jim Boxberger of Monticello Farm Home & Garden, and other local “celebrities.”

After that, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived with the introduction of Ira Dean, former member of the country trio Trick Pony.

Below are some additional photos of performances from the 7th Annual Thunderbash, and following those are links to even more photos.

Additional sponsors of Thunderbash included M & M Auto Group, Bethel Woods Center For The Arts, Crystal Run Healthcare and Big V Tours.

To see more photos or to purchase prints from Music, Patriotism, Community Celebrated at 7th Annual Thunderbash, visit The Catskill Chronicle on Zenfolio.

NEW YORK STATE (May 20, 2012) – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced yesterday that "Buckle Up New York," a 14-day statewide campaign aimed to crack down on drivers and their passengers who do not wear seatbelts, will be launched by the New York State Police on Monday, May 21 and continue through Sunday, June 3.

"The evidence is clear – seatbelts save lives," Governor Cuomo said. "New York State has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to enforcing this life-saving rule. It only takes a few seconds to fasten a seatbelt or to secure a child’s safety seat, and this campaign encourages all New Yorkers to take a moment to buckle up and save a life."

During the 14-day campaign, the State Police will join approximately 400 local law enforcement units from across New York to focus on enforcing the state’s seatbelt law.

New York State’s seatbelt law is a primary law, meaning a police officer may stop you simply because you are not wearing your seatbelt. Front seat passengers 16 and older may be fined up to $50 if they do not wear their seatbelt. Drivers may be fined up to $100 for each passenger under the age of 16 who is not properly restrained in their vehicles. The driver will also receive three violation points on his or her Department of Motor Vehicles record.

State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico said, "The threat of injury and death in car crashes increases significantly when motorists and passengers do not wear their seat belts. For the next two weeks, troopers, deputies and police officers statewide will be conducting checkpoints to ensure that motorists and passengers are obeying the seatbelt laws. Our message is very clear: it’s click it or ticket – seatbelts save lives."

Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Barbara J. Fiala said, "Buckling up is the easiest way to prevent injuries and fatalities should your vehicle become involved in a crash. Yet, we know too many motorists are still not wearing their seat belts. Motorists need to remember to buckle up every trip, every time."

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee funds Buckle Up New York campaigns through a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The grant enables the State Police to focus patrol resources on violations of the state’s seatbelt law and supplements conventional traffic safety and enforcement efforts. The State Police have operated Buckle Up New York campaigns for the past eight years with two enforcement periods each year. The State Police issued 19,636 seatbelt related tickets to motorists during the initiative in May 2011. In 2011 overall, 306,693 tickets, including 80,697 by State Police, were issued to motorists who violated the state seatbelt law.

Additional driver safety tips and information are available on the Thruway Authority’s website at http://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/safety/drivingsafety.html and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee website at http://www.safeny.ny.gov/.

NEW YORK STATE (May 20, 2012) – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced yesterday that "Buckle Up New York," a 14-day statewide campaign aimed to crack down on drivers and their passengers who do not wear seatbelts, will be launched by the New York State Police on Monday, May 21 and continue through Sunday, June 3.

"The evidence is clear – seatbelts save lives," Governor Cuomo said. "New York State has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to enforcing this life-saving rule. It only takes a few seconds to fasten a seatbelt or to secure a child’s safety seat, and this campaign encourages all New Yorkers to take a moment to buckle up and save a life."

During the 14-day campaign, the State Police will join approximately 400 local law enforcement units from across New York to focus on enforcing the state’s seatbelt law.

New York State’s seatbelt law is a primary law, meaning a police officer may stop you simply because you are not wearing your seatbelt. Front seat passengers 16 and older may be fined up to $50 if they do not wear their seatbelt. Drivers may be fined up to $100 for each passenger under the age of 16 who is not properly restrained in their vehicles. The driver will also receive three violation points on his or her Department of Motor Vehicles record.

State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico said, "The threat of injury and death in car crashes increases significantly when motorists and passengers do not wear their seat belts. For the next two weeks, troopers, deputies and police officers statewide will be conducting checkpoints to ensure that motorists and passengers are obeying the seatbelt laws. Our message is very clear: it’s click it or ticket – seatbelts save lives."

Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Barbara J. Fiala said, "Buckling up is the easiest way to prevent injuries and fatalities should your vehicle become involved in a crash. Yet, we know too many motorists are still not wearing their seat belts. Motorists need to remember to buckle up every trip, every time."

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee funds Buckle Up New York campaigns through a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The grant enables the State Police to focus patrol resources on violations of the state’s seatbelt law and supplements conventional traffic safety and enforcement efforts. The State Police have operated Buckle Up New York campaigns for the past eight years with two enforcement periods each year. The State Police issued 19,636 seatbelt related tickets to motorists during the initiative in May 2011. In 2011 overall, 306,693 tickets, including 80,697 by State Police, were issued to motorists who violated the state seatbelt law.

Additional driver safety tips and information are available on the Thruway Authority’s website at http://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/safety/drivingsafety.html and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee website at http://www.safeny.ny.gov/.

BETHEL, NY (May 17, 2012) – Scott B. Samuelson, Chairman of the Sullivan County Legislature, delivered his first State of the County Address tonight at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.

“I chose this venue for my first State of the County Address for a few reasons. First of all because it is located in District 1, the district I was elected to represent. Secondly, with this being the first, it is my hope to take our message around the county over the next couple of years to highlight other special places in our community as there are so many, and finally because in 1997 this property began as a dream and now reflects all that is possible. This facility symbolizes the very best of Sullivan County, and has set a standard by which future sustainable economic growth can and should be measured,” said Samuelson.

Click here for the full version of the 2012 State of the County Address.