By CHRIS CONROY

BETHEL - Transportation has always been an issue in rural Sullivan County. In the Town of Bethel, there are still many who have difficulty getting out.

At the October 12 Bethel board meeting, town resident Margaret King recounted her conversations with residents of the new senior housing facility in Kauneonga Lake. King had recently visited the new set of apartments in an effort to straighten out postal confusion that occurred when she began receiving mail for a resident with the same name.

"Some of those people haven't been to church since they moved in," King said. "That's just a shame."

According to King, residents are interested in going out at times when the normal senior transportation does not run. "Is there anything that can be done? They're bored," she told the board.

Bethel Supervisor Alan Scott pointed out that the senior housing is a privately run facility, so many issues must be dealt with by residents and management. He also said that many churches will try to set up personal transportation between parishioners with cars and those without.

He also suggested that perhaps King could help the residents organize. "You've been very active in the Bethel senior community," he said.

"Everything happens for a reason," King said. She plans on going back to the housing facility soon.

At the meeting the board also set budget work sessions for October 19 and 23 at 7:30 p.m.