Doherty and Samuelson face off

Posted 10/16/19

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — Candidates in local political races gathered at the Narrowsburg Union on October 13 to address a crowd of about 80 people. Each candidate gave a five-minute presentation …

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Doherty and Samuelson face off

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SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — Candidates in local political races gathered at the Narrowsburg Union on October 13 to address a crowd of about 80 people. Each candidate gave a five-minute presentation about why he or she should be elected to serve, and there was no direct debate.

Among those who presented were Democrat Scott Samuelson, the county legislator currently in the district one seat, and challenger Republican Rob Doherty, who will also run on the Independence and Conservative lines.

Samuelson, who was chair of the legislature in his first term, highlighted his role in working to help the county to gain a casino.

“As chairman in 2013, I was able to assemble all community economic development partners, private businesses and concerned citizens to lobby for a legalized class-three gaming license for Sullivan County, and we were successful,” he said. “Resorts World Catskills became the catalyst for the attraction for further, more diversified economic development that is needed,”

He also focused on his efforts regarding sustainable energy.

“I believe we need to continue and accelerate our goals toward sustainable energy options. In my two terms, Sullivan County has become a bronze-level Climate Smart Community that I actively supported. I was instrumental in bringing the first two-megawatt solar array at SUNY Sullivan and then supported a second at the county’s social services campus in Liberty.”

When Doherty took the podium he said that the casino alone is not enough.

“The new casino alone has shown that it cannot be the sole economic engine and savior for Sullivan County. It’s critical to explore the great potential for renewable energy sources, and ecotourism in the Delaware Valley.”

He also spotlighted the Eldred Compressor Station and the new Eldred Preserve, which will feature the Bradstan Boutique Hotel owned and operated by Samuelson when it opens next year.

“The controversial compressor station on Route 55 in the Town of Highland, the questionable impact study that allowed it to happen and the Sullivan County IDA’s handout of tax abatements to the Eldred Preserve’s project next door are not good examples of government,” Doherty said. “How do you explain to the restaurants that have been there for years in Tusten, Highland and Bethel, that the new Eldred Preserve can pay their chefs, cooks, maintenance workers and other employees better because they have more cash on hand because they benefit from some tax breaks?”

The election is on November 5.

Scott Samuelson, Rob Doherty, Sullivan County Legislature

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