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Sullivan’s future

State Of The County Address

MONTICELLO —In his 2002 State of the County address on February 19, Sullivan County Legislature Chairman Raymond “Rusty” Pomeroy (D-3) outlined a new initiative that will tackle a wide range of youth community risk factors, from teen substance abuse to teen pregnancy. To combat these critical concerns, Pomeroy called for a countywide youth summit to take place this spring that will include every entity in Sullivan County that is involved with youth-related issues.

Pomeroy said the costs of creating new, or bolstering existing, teen programs today will be far less than the costs to Sullivan County should these issues be ignored.

Following recognition of the sadness caused by the September 11th terrorist attacks and the loss and pain of a number of local families, the chairman singled out Jeffersonville’s Tim Mullally as a county resident who responded during New York City’s time of need. Mullally provided vehicles used by rescue personnel in the months after the World Trade Center tragedy.

In his remarks, Pomeroy stressed security, planned growth and economic revitalization. To better protect residents, as well as fire fighters and emergency caregivers, he proposed a new, state-of-the-art live burn training facility. He called for a new local law that would require cellular operators to route 911 calls directly to the 911 Emergency Center. Pomeroy called on Sullivan County Sheriff Dan Hogue to report to the legislature on government center security improvements.

Pomeroy noted recent events that promise to change the face of the county. He cited the coming of casinos, the Kohl’s Distribution Center and the Bethel performing arts center, and he acknowledged the strain those projects will put on available housing. To that end, Pomeroy called for an effort to create an incentive program to encourage the development of affordable middle-income housing and a new local law creating a partial tax abatement for first-time homebuyers of newly-constructed homes.

He called for a rededication to addressing the projected need for mass transportation. “We must commit to the notion that public transportation in a rural county is not a luxury item, but an economic necessity,” he said. “It is time for the legislature to move forward in this important area.”

While he lauded the record-breaking agreements which have been hammered out between the county and Indian tribes hoping to operate casino gaming in the county, Pomeroy pledged to be ever vigilant in regard to the impacts of casinos. In order to examine options with respect to the receipt of payments from casinos, and recommend a methodology by which impacted entities can apply for and receive payments for qualifying impacts, Pomeroy said he will soon propose a new legislative sub-committee on casino gaming revenue disbursement.

Other topics included: the creation of the Joint Economic Team, which unites all people responsible for promoting economic development in the county; no increase in county taxes in the current budget, bi-partisan cooperation on redistricting of legislative districts; the county unemployment rate drop from 5.2 in 2000 to 5.0 in 2001; and an improved bond rating for the second straight year.

Pomeroy recognized that the county’s burgeoning economic upturn includes serious issues, but he vowed that the legislature and the county government stand ready for the task ahead.