Village presses county
acquiescence to track deal

MONTICELLO, NY — Village of Monticello and local business people are pressing that Sullivan County officials not block a reported agreement that would allow the Cayuga tribe to build a gambling casino at Monticello Raceway.

The deal reportedly is based on a $5 million host-benefits’ agreement similar to one signed by the St. Regis Mohawk tribe before they pulled out to enter a deal with Park Place Entertainment at Kutshers.

The county subsequently forged a $15 million a year deal with the Mohawks and the Stockbridge Munsees. County officials have repeatedly said they will not support any backdoor deals that do not meet the provisions in the two existing pacts.

This would be the third prospective casino deal for the financially troubled raceway. Before the Mohawks, the Oneidas agreed to and later backed away from a deal to build a casino adjoining the raceway grandstands.

Gerry says he’s the luckiest guy

PROVIDENCE, RI — In a speaking engagement last week, Alan Gerry suggested to students at Roger Williams University that he was probably the luckiest guy they would ever look at.

Gerry, a billionaire from the sale of his Cablevision Industries, attributed being in the right place at the right time for his beginnings, but success came from old-fashioned values of working hard, pleasing customers, networking and learning how to get financing.

He said he sold the company that he built from scratch for $2.8 billion, in part because he was tired of doing the same thing every day for 40 years.

He was paid largely in Time Warner stock, which has fallen sharply in value since its merger with AOL. Gerry reportedly was very critical of the merger, saying it had been badly planned.

Nurses to picket at
Catskill Regional Medical Center

HARRIS, NY — Contract negotiations between registered nurses and management at Catskill Regional Medical Center ended abruptly on April 8, when representatives for management walked away from the table, according to a union press release.

As a result, the 129 nurses served notice that they will picket and hand out information about their position from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., on Tuesday, April 22, in front of the hospital on Bushville Road.

The nurses have been negotiating a new contract for the past five months. According to the union, medical center management has refused to listen to their concerns about short staffing and poor working conditions.

The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) represents the nurses; their most recent contract expired on Dec. 31, 2002.

Wieland resigns from planning board

NARROWSBURG, NY — Tusten Planning Board Chair Charles Wieland submitted his resignation from the panel on April 14.

In his letter of resignation, Wieland cited, “circumstances beyond my control,” as the reason for his departure. Beyond that, “it’s between me and the lamp post,” he said on Tuesday.

Wieland had been under fire for publicized remarks characterizing opponents to the Eagle’s Nest subdivision as “against the town,” and for suggesting that he was not “over-cooperating” with them.

Earlier, he sought a position from the board, prompting Supervisor Richard Crandall to say “officials often get in trouble when they speak in front of reporters.”

Wieland had served on the board for 12 years.

Edward Jackson was appointed to replace him.

Bomb hoax in Shohola

WALKER LAKE, PA — A suspicious package tied up emergency services for three and a half hours last Sunday, April 13.

Shohola Township police were called to the Maple Drive entrance of Walker Lake at 10:24 a.m. where a package addressed to President Bush was found lying atop mailboxes.

The Pike County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad was called, but no explosives were found when the parcel was examined.

Police are asking that anyone with information about this incident contact them at 570/559-7359.

Disaster funding distributed

ALBANY, NY — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced last week the obligation of an additional $4.47 million to New York communities and organizations for emergency protective measure taken during severe Christmas and New Year’s storms.

The new money brings the emergency funding to $6.6 million in federal money set aside to assist with storm costs.

Sullivan County was awarded $196,000, including $38,993 for Bethel, $35,949 for Callicoon, $19,960 for Cochecton, $25,968 for Delaware, $8,152 for Forestburgh and $24,884 for Tusten.

Business park acquires occupant

ROCK HILL, NY — Crystal Run Healthcare has become Sullivan County’s first occupant of the Emerald Corporate Park, county officials confirm.

Crystal Run, currently located near Middletown, has purchased 16 acres and will do a phased development of three buildings, beginning this year with a multi-story 72,000 square-foot structure.

When completed, the project is expected to create about 300 new jobs, county planning commissioner Alan Sorensen said.