The recent announcement of the affiliation between Garnet Health and Montefiore Health System is a tremendous benefit for the Town of Thompson and Sullivan County as a whole. The health and wellness of my constituents here in the Town of Thompson has always been a top priority of mine and that of the board, as evidenced by our collaborations with Sullivan 180 and our large investment in our parks. 

I am very excited to state that in my conversation with Jerry Dunleavy, CEO of Garnet Health Medical Center - Catskills, one of the key components of the deal was a commitment by Montefiore to both maintain and improve their presence in the two Thompson locations in Harris and Monticello and the Callicoon hospital. 

With widespread cuts in our federal budget, rural health care services have been threatened, and the very real threat of the closure of our main hospitals in Harris and Callicoon has us very concerned. Most recently, I was with Sen. Schumer and Assemblywoman Paula Kay addressing this very issue. We will continue to monitor this affiliation and support it in any way possible. 

Sullivan County has one of the poorest health ratings in NYS and the Town of Thompson has supported many efforts to improve these standings. This affiliation will go a long way toward preventing a giant step backward and, no doubt, save lives. I look forward to forging a similar relationship with Montefiore as I have had for years with Garnet to ensure that the residents of the Town of Thompson, as well as all of Sullivan County, have access to top-quality health care here at home. 

On behalf of the Town of Thompson, we extend a warm welcome to Montefiore Health System. 

William J. Rieber, Jr.

Supervisor, Town of Thompson

Monticello, NY