Financial challenge in Port Jervis

ANYA TIKKA
Posted 8/21/12

PORT JERVIS, NY — At the Port Jervis Common Council September 28 meeting, finance problems came up several times. Finance Committee Chair Frank Bell reported the committee is trying to find ways to …

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Financial challenge in Port Jervis

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PORT JERVIS, NY — At the Port Jervis Common Council September 28 meeting, finance problems came up several times. Finance Committee Chair Frank Bell reported the committee is trying to find ways to increase revenue, because “the cash flow is poor. There are problem areas with cash flow. It’s not favorable.”

Carl Hendrick, the Community Development Agency (CDA) liaison, spoke further about the city’s cash-flow problems, saying CDA Director Valerie Maginsky is considering taking on consulting work to add $15,000 income per year, a topic that was discussed in the CDA meeting.

Code and legislative liaison Stan Siegel added in his report that the committee is trying to allow wholesale businesses in the downtown business area along with other businesses, and that their next meeting is on October 12, and will be open to everyone.

Robert Ritchie, the liaison of the Port Jervis Industrial Development Agency reported that the previously arranged special meeting with Future Home Technology/Excel Homes, which builds custom modular houses, took place on September 21. He and other city representatives took a tour of the facility and found it to be clean and the business owners ready to cooperate.

“Unfortunately, there are no projects. That was a breach of the [payment-in-lieu-of-taxes] agreement, that’s why we went on the tour,” Ritchie explained. “They’re hoping to get some projects, and if they do, they’ll get 30 to 60 days to get the materials. At the time [of the tour] I asked the manager how many people are working there right now, and he said zero. The last major project the company had was in January 2015, and then they had a couple of minor projects that lasted until May 2015.”

He continued, “When we walked through the plant, there was a project board. The last entry on the board was August 2015.”

On another topic, several council members praised the successful Fall Foliage Festival held the previous day, which was reportedly the busiest in 23 years. Event organizer Laura Meyer also commented that she was happy to see progress in the city finally, crediting the “If you see something, say something” campaign.

She said, “Thank you DPW for helping me with Fall Foliage Festival, and police, fire police, city, and tourism board. We had a great day, with estimated 15,000 people in attendance. Thank you everyone for coming and for your help.”

Councilmembers Robert Ritchie and Kevin Cunningham also congratulated the success of the festival. Cunningham said, “They did a great job. Congratulations. Thank you to the tourism board and the community who came together. It was an opportunity to see things we don’t normally see come together. There are many organizations in our community that had fundraisers. It was a wonderful day.”

Councilmember Stan Siegel spoke about the heroin and opium information meeting that took place October 1 at Port Jervis High School cafeteria. He said, “Heroin and opiates are something we all need to get educated in. There was another event downtown recently—I attend them all because opiates change often, and it’s a big deal for Port Jervis.”

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