Cunningham is confident

By DAVID HULSE

MONTICELLO, NY — Chris Cunningham marked the beginning of his second year as the chair of the Sullivan County Legislature with a progress report and reassurances that the legislature was moving ahead with new programs and policies while maintaining the best interests of all of Sullivan’s residents.

Cunningham, the panel’s senior Democrat, assumed the chair following the quadrennial elections of 2003, as his party once again regained a majority. That majority had been lost when legislators Leni Binder and former Legislator Bob Kunis switched to the Republican Party following the resignation of former Chairman Raymond “Rusty” Pomeroy. Binder assumed the chair and a new Republican majority then named Republican Greg Goldstein to fill Democrat Pomeroy’s seat.

The changes prompted partisan bad feelings on the panel and Cunningham came to the chair last year calling for open-door policy in government and restoration of the public’s confidence in their elected officials. Last year’s “State of the County” address also called for a number of new initiatives in county government and Cunningham’s February 17, remarks were devoted to reporting on those initiatives.

Initiatives and accomplishments

Last year’s address included a strong endorsement for the county’s ongoing 2020 comprehensive planning effort and Cunningham reiterated that message last week, endorsing the work and “dynamic energy” of Planning and Community Development Commissioner Dr. William Pammer.

The new plan, he said, will provide for an “ongoing dialogue” to build consensus as Sullivan builds and grows. “We cannot fear change, but rather, we must embrace it and draw energy from it. Sullivan 2020 will enable us to do just that,” he said.

Beyond that dialogue, Cunningham did not reference last year’s call to create an intergovernmental task force to examine ways to streamline government and avoid duplication of services.

Other measures have moved ahead. Cunningham called for “implementation of a comprehensive public transportation program,” in Sullivan County last year.

Last week, he reported that “we have a consultant on board who is mapping out a new county transportation program,” while the Department of Public Works is overseeing construction of a new bus facility near the Sullivan County International Airport.

Last year, Cunningham said, “One of our biggest challenges involves providing decent affordable housing.” Last week he announced that “a Housing Task Force has been established that is working on fresh, inventive ways for Sullivan County to foster the development and maintenance of affordable housing for all the citizens of our county.”

Last year, Cunningham also called for “a new consumer affairs initiative that will provide information and advocacy to all of our citizens who need it,” and last week he reported that the county has entered into a program with the Cornell Cooperative Extension that will focus on consumer education and “create a consumer hotline with a qualified professional on the line.”

Another new initiative last year was a proposal for a human rights commission and Cunningham reported success in the recent passage of a local law forming that human rights commission.

A citizens advisory council that would work with the legislature was another of last year’s initiatives and Cunningham said Thursday that the legislature is “moving ahead” with plans for that council.

The economic picture

Cunningham spoke of a mixed economic situation last year. While noting some improvements, he raised concerns about tax-exempt properties, which “place an undue burden” on all taxpayers. “We cannot tolerate further erosion of our real property tax base. Reform of the real property tax system must happen in Albany—not here.”

He reported increased sales, property and mortgage tax rates in last year’s address.

Last week, he spoke about a booming second home market. “Mortgage tax collections were $3.2 million, up more than a $1 million from 2003. I expect that sales of new and existing homes will continue at a rapid pace as word continues to spread about the hospitality and quality of life that are unique to Sullivan County.”

He reported sales tax revenues at historic highs, with last year providing $29 million and a fourth consecutive year of increased revenues.

With Crystal Run Healthcare as its anchor, he reported that the Emerald Corporate Park in Rock Hill is now attracting new interest from other possible tenants.

The state’s Empire Zone program, which was in danger of dissolution last year, has survived and Cunningham reported that over the past year, 37 new applicants have been accepted into the program, making a total of over 100 businesses, which have created 1,000 new jobs.

Other issues

Cunningham devoted a good deal of attention to the county’s efforts in public safety. He noted that ground will be broken in Bethel this spring for the county fire training center.

Speaking to last year’s flooding he said that Dick Martinkovic, serving in the newly created office of commissioner of public safety, is working with local officials “from all corners of the county to address long-standing deficiencies in the identification, evaluation and mitigation of potential flooding problems before they occur.”

He also spoke at some length of the county landfill, noting operational improvements and reporting that Sullivan has received a positive decision from the state Department of Environmental Conservation that will allow construction of cell six in the Monticello facility.

However, opponents still remain adamant about the long-term phase two proposal to continue operations and Cunningham said the county “will continue our planning process of evaluating solid waste alternatives in the event that we need to make a sea of change in our solid waste program.”

As he did last year, Cunningham devoted relatively little time to the issue of casino gambling, noting once more that the legislature remains in support of the gambling as an economic development tool and that as chair “I will continue to represent the will of the majority.”

In concluding remarks he said, “We continue to have every right to be hopeful about the future. It is bright and full of promise. We are meeting every challenge and achieving the goals we set for ourselves. … I pledge to you all the undying effort and unyielding fortitude of this legislature to continue on the course it has charted. It is a course leading to a better life for all of us and those who come after.”