Business Edge Spring 2020 by Sullivan County Democrat/Catskill-Delaware Publications

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Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development uSullivan County Industrial Development Agency uSullivan County Chamber of Commerce uSullivan Catskills Visitors AssociationuSullivan County Democrat

Businesses continue looking for employees as Sullivan County employment stays strong

To the people: Our window of opportunity is now page 2E 2020 and beyond: Tourism in the Catskills page 4E

BY FRED STABBERT III

oo many jobs – not enough employees. “It’s a problem we always said we wanted,” Laura Quigley, Director of the Center for Workforce Development in Monticello said last week. Quigley said the comparison of the last decade – from 2010 - 2019 – shows a dramatic picture of economic growth. “In 2010 the average unemployment rate for the year was 8.9 percent,”

INSIDE:

Good time to sell your property page 8E

DEMOCRAT FILE PHOTOS BY AUTUMN SCHANIL

Robert Green, right, of Robert Green Chevrolet in Monticello, interviewed candidates during a recent Sullivan County Job Fair.

The Sullivan County Job Fair 2020 will be held at the Kartrite Water Park in Monticello on May 5. Event organizers said a "private" entrance will lead job fair attendees right into the meeting room.

Quigley said. “And in 2019 the average unemployment rate was 3.7 percent. “Since 2010 the total labor force has increased by 8.8 percent – or 3,000 people from 34,000 to 37,000 – and the number of unemployed people has decreased by 50 percent – from 3,200 to 1,600,” she said. These numbers have shifted the Center for Workforce Development’s focus from the employees to the employers as more businesses are searching for qualified help. “All the work the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development has done in the past several years has happily given us this problem,” Quigley said of the workforce shortage. “Our focus shifts with the economy,” she said. Job fairs a must To that end Workforce Development has started mini job fairs one Saturday a month at the Ethelbert B. Crawford Pub-

Please see JOBS, page 3E

Looking to buy your first home? page 9E Tectonic looks to help Sullivan County move forward page 10E IDA update on payments to county, towns and schools page 12E Sullivan County Chamber is a good neighbor page 14E Minding our business page 16E Bethel Woods makes list of top amphitheaters page 18E

BUSINESS EDGE

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

MARCH 2020

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Our window of opportunity is now

advantage of it have the best chance to succeed. Today, the local economic development world is changing rapidly. Areas that were once traditionally viewed as business friendly and seemingly exhibited an almost endless pipeline of new CEO/President Marc Baez projects year after year, are now facing a backlash of anti-development sentiment, with many engaging in moratoriums halting new projects altogether. This has created a window of opportunity we must capitalize on if we are to continue our resurgence and diversify our economy in a balanced and sustainable way. A prudent mix of tourism, light industry, construction, agribusiness, retail and professional services can be achieved if we act now. To that end the Sullivan County economic development team has been working toward the development of shovel-ready locations to attract diverse commerce. We must complete this process as soon as possible to be ready for what is now organically occurring.

To the People: While we are in the midst of a remarkable continuation of our economic resurgence, with record unemployment and job numbers, there remains much work to be done. We cannot be complacent when circumstances surrounding us provide much opportunity. Thomas Edison stated, “We shall have no better conditions in the future if we are satisfied with all those which we have at present.” Attracting new investment and jobs, particularly in New York State – one of the most difficult places to do so – is extremely challenging. It becomes that much more challenging when the resources you work with are limiting even the slightest bit compared to other areas competing for the same investment. However, when the landscape changes and a window of opportunity emerges, those who strike first and take

There has been significant interest from developers since our last edition signaling a change in the mindset of developers. What once was a bridge too far is more acceptable given the current development climate elsewhere. The marketplace is like water, it will find the path of least resistance to invest in its future. In order for those communities still struggling in Sullivan County to survive and grow, we must attract tax ratables and commerce that will make a positive impact on the ever-increasing costs to provide the most basic of services to those areas. While the challenge is difficult we will continue to press on to achieve our goals because our window of opportunity is now. Sincerely,

Marc Baez President, Sullivan County Partnership

Published by Catskill-Delaware Publications, Inc.

196 Bridgeville Road, Suite 7 Monticello, New York PO Box 405 • Mongaup Valley, NY 12762 845-791-4200 • Fax 845-791-4220

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Sullivan Visitors Association Association SullivanCatskills County Visitor’s 100 Sullivan Ave. • Ferndale, NY 12734 845-747-4449 • Fax 845-747-4468 www.scva.net

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Publisher: Fred Stabbert III Designer: Rosalie Mycka Advertising Director: Liz Tucker Assistant Advertising Director: Barbara Matos Advertising Representatives: Susan Panella Advertising Coordinator: Lillian Ferber Production Associates: Elizabeth Finnegan, Nyssa Calkin, Petra Duffy, Katey Dnistrian, Jessica Roda Business Manager: Sue Owens Distribution: Anthony Bertholf, Phil Grisafe

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SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

MARCH, 2020

JOBS: Employers need help Continued from front page lic Library in Monticello as well as planning the Sullivan County Job Fair 2020 for Tuesday, May 5 from 11:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at the Kartrite Indoor Water Park in Monticello. “We are expecting upwards of 50 to 60 businesses at that job fair,” Quigley said. Targeted recruitment In response to businesses’ needs, Quigley said her office began mini-job fair on Saturdays for a handful of employers. “The idea was to offer targeted on-site recruitment,” she said. “The mini-job fair in February was a big success with 5 employers being able to interview 45 potential employees.” And given that the mini-job fairs are on Saturday, Quigley said candidates who already have jobs can apply. Future outlook Quigley praised the Sullivan County Partnership President and CEO Marc Baez for its efforts to diversify the local economy. “Marc has been helping Sullivan County to build a strong economy by attracting light manufacturing to the area,” Quigley said. Sullivan County’s economy was traditionally built on healthcare, tourism and the trades and Quigley feels that further diversification is important. “We need to secure a foundation of diversity in our job offerings to help us weather the economic trends,” she said. “Workforce has no boundaries and the workforce will go where the jobs are,” she said. “We are currently partnering with the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce to attract workforce from outside the area to come live here.” “It’s a problem we always said we wanted,” Quigley said of the job growth and low unemployment.

Hundreds of prospective candidates flocked to last year's Sullivan County Job Fair.

Sullivan County Job Fair 2020

WHEN; Tuesday, May 5 WHERE: Kartrite Resort & Indoor Water Park, Monticello TIME: 11: a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

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SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

MARCH 2020

2020 and beyond: Tourism in the Sullivan Catskills T

he Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association (SCVA) is the official legislative Destination Management Organization for Sullivan County. The organization works with a wide variety of local, regional, state, national and international partners to strategically increase visitation and visitor spending that will create economic growth and stability in Sullivan County. This grants the SCVA the responsibility to move forward and tactically plan for the County’s tourism future. As we enter a new decade, the SCVA intends to achieve the county’s continued economic progression. For this to happen, the SCVA is accessing the County’s history, present and future environments to create a well thought out strategy for success. Past The Sullivan Catskills was once the premier travel destination in New York State. It has a long, rich history of tourism and hospitality. From the 1920s to the mid-1960s, the County was home to over 500 resorts and hotels; more than

1,000 rooming houses; and 5,000 bungalows… a total room count of more than 10,000! In 1965, things dramatically changed. Resorts and businesses could not keep up with new tourism trends. Lack of adequate planning caused over 3 decades of economic decline. Today Since 2017, the Sullivan Catskills has encountered an economic renaissance. New 4-5-star resorts, inns and bed & breakfasts have emerged along with exceptional farm-to-table restaurants, new attractions and a budding arts and cultural scene. Communities are revitalizing their main streets and working with small businesses, forming unique destination centers while preserving their local character and charm. These new developments are establishing a sense of place that is uniquely the Sullivan Catskills. These new experiences have elevated the Sullivan Catskills to one of the most sought-after destinations in the world, as noted by Lonely Planet and Fodor’s

Travel in 2019 and Harper’s Bazaar in 2020. “Our numbers say it all! Once again, the Sullivan Catskills has become the premier place to be!” Roberta ByronLockwood, President/CEO of the SCVA, said. “The Sullivan Catskills 2018 Oxford Study numbers indicated that tourism

generated $515 million in traveler spending (the highest in over a decade) resulting in 14.5 percent increase in traveler spending from 2017-2018. The largest increase in New York State ( see chart a).” To further elaborate on the growth: • Tourism brought in $34 million in local sales tax – creating up to a 35 to 1 Return on Investment (ROI). For every dollar spent by the SCVA marketing initiatives, the County received up to $35 in return, which was the highest growth of local sales tax (12.5 percent increase) in New York State (see chart b). • If it was not for tourism, each taxpaying household would have to pay an additional $2,238 annually. This is almost a 50 percent increase since 2012 (see chart c). The SCVA staff has, firsthand, witnessed growth within its organization. • Membership increased from 210 in 2017 to 520 today – a 138 percent increase (see chart d) • website users increased 510 percent since 2008 (see chart e). • social following (Facebook, Twitter

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BUSINESS EDGE

Future The global tourism market is ever changing with new trends and environmental instability which impacts travel patterns. The SCVA’s approach has always been cutting edge and innovative, setting the stage for the successful growth it has witnessed in the last five years. Therefore the SCVA will set the stage for the next decade, by creating flexible

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and Instagram) grew from 25K in 2018 to 51K in 2019 – a 104 percent increase (chart f). • E-News subscribers grew as well. Subscribers more than tripled since May of 2018 from 7,843 to 26,403 in Dec. 2019 (see chart g).

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SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

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strategies to take our County to new heights of development and economic viability despite unpredictabilities. The SCVA will do this by:

• Moving its headquarters to 15 81822

Sullivan Avenue, Liberty, which will serve as a new hospitality and information hub for tourism businesses and visitors. • Focus on bringing social media influencers who will showcase Sullivan Catskills businesses, attractions and experiences. • Pursue co-op advertisements for

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member businesses who want to expand their market reach at a substantial savings. • Attract new markets through advanced TV, digital, billboard advertisement. • Adding ten more Doves to the successful Dove Trail. • Hiring a renowned destination management consultant to work with community tourism partners to conduct a feasibility study and create a strategic plan that will be a roadmap for the Sullivan Catskills continued success. “I am proud to lead the Sullivan Catskills tourism industry into the next

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“I strongly believe this is our formula for continued success and growth. I look forward to working with our stakeholders to explore our strategies for the years to come,” she said. For more information on the SCVA and its initiatives as well as how to become a member, contact Roberta Byron-Lockwood at 845-7474449, rbl@scva.net.

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decade,” commented Byron-Lockwood. It takes a passionate community, solid partnerships and committed member businesses to make this happen.

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

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SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

MARCH 2020

Increased sales, decreased listings makes it a good time to sell your property BY JENNIE WALIGROSKI PRESIDENT SULLIVAN COUNTY BOARD OF REALTORS

hile we are still amid winter, the weather has been very mild this year, some even stating we haven’t had a winter in the Northeast. And, thankfully, Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow this year, indicating an early spring! 2020 is shaping up to be a great year in Real Estate. Realtors are busy, busy, busy working with their respective clients/customers and landlords/tenants.

With the coming of spring on Thursday, March 19, the nice weather will bring visitors as well as our residents out to enjoy Sullivan County. This is also a great time to take advantage of the numerous Open Houses in our area. Although closed sales and pending sales were up from January 2019 to January 2020, new listings are down 2.9 percent over the same period. If

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ips for Protecting Your Personal Information Online will be presented by Library Director Peggy Johansen at the Mamakating Library on Saturday, March 21, from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. Have you been concerned about how your personal information is used in the digital world? This class will look briefly at this and other questions, such as: What’s the big deal about cookies? Do you really need to

change your passwords? What can you do to protect yourself from those who may want to use your personal data to annoy you with ads or downright harm you? Learn about safe use of email and online accounts, encryption, safe browsing options and more. To register, call the Mamakating Library at (845) 888-8004 or go to mamakatinglibrary.org. The library is located at 128 Sullivan Street in Wurtsboro.

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SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

MARCH, 2020

Looking to buy your first home? We may be able to help!

ullivan County has been awarded $442,500 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the New York State Office of Community Renewal (OCR) to assist low- to moderate-income households in purchasing their first homes. Assistance will be provided in the form of grants to eligible prospective buyers for down payments, closing costs or home improvements. Grants will be up to $25,000, depending on the buyer’s needs. The Sullivan County Division of Planning will be working with RUPCO Inc. to administer the program. RUPCO has extensive experience in implementing first-time homebuyer programs. The County is hosting an informational session on Tuesday, March 31 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Government Center’s Hearing Room, 100 North Street, Monticello to provide details on eligibility and qualifying for the program. Households interested in purchasing a home in Sullivan and Homebuyer Professionals such as lenders and Realtors are encouraged to attend. RUPCO will provide information on additional resources for first-time homebuyers, including other grant programs and low-interest-rate mortgage options. For information on RUPCO programs or to apply for the program, go to www.rupco.org under the Homeownership Center tab. For those interested in attending, please call RUPCO at (845) 331-9860 to register. Those already in the process of purchasing a home, and who meet the household income limits, should also contact RUPCO at the number listed above.

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‘Practical solutions, exceptional service’

Tectonic strives to help Sullivan County move forward The original site of Woodstock, Tectonic provided construction inspection and material testing services in connection with development of the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, Sullivan County, NY.

Tectonic provided site design services for the Marriott Residence Inn Extended Stay Hotel in the neighboring Town of Wallkill, Orange County, NY. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

By Fred Stabbert lll

ith more than 500 professionals representing the civil, structural, geotechnical and environmental engineering fields, Tectonic is uniquely qualified to accomplish projects varying in size, scope and complexity. That is exactly what they have been involved with in Sullivan County –

ranging from the $650,000,000 Resorts World Catskills project to the Callicoon Train Station, which is utilizing $250,000 in grants to revitalize an historic building in the middle of the hamlet. Peter T. Sutherland, P.E., P.G., is a Senior Vice President and Corporate Director of Environmental Services at Tectonic. He is excited about the company’s

In support of the County Division of Planning’s site development initiatives, Tectonic provided environmental services for the NY Main Street Program / Monticello Broadway revitalization in Monticello, Sullivan County, NY.

increasing presence in Sullivan County, which has also included a county-wide Brownfield assessment and Broadway, Monticello revitalization project during the past several years. “Our involvement with the [Sullivan County] Partnership and County [government] gives us a lot of contact with municipalities and businesses,” Sutherland said. “The Partnership is really a driving force [for economic growth in Sullivan County]. “Partnership CEO Marc Baez does a great job advocating for the growth of the county, he is very effective,” Sutherland said. To keep abreast of the many happenings in Sullivan County, Tectonic employee Kelsey Hornicek recently ran for a spot on the Partnership Board of Directors. Having been elected, the Callicoon native is now a family face at many Partnership meetings and functions across the county. “Employees from our company are now attending many events within the county,” Sutherland said. Although the company is headquartered in eastern Orange County, Sutherland said he has a strong commitment to Sullivan County, where he has spent time in the cool waters of the Willowemoc with a flyrod. “It feels like home,” Sutherland, who resides in western Ulster County, said.

grant by NYMS in Monticello. The goal of NYMS is to stimulate reinvestment to establish and sustain the downtown Monticello neighborhood for housing and mixed-use establishments. Peter Sutherland Properties on Broadway will be undergoing rehabilitation to create retail spaces on the ground floors and apartments in their second and third floors or facade work.

Working with county government Jill Weyer, Deputy Commissioner of the Sullivan County Dept. of Planning, said, “Our department has been working with Tectonic on the Countywide Brownfield Assessment Grant. “It’s going well, we have several projects where we have completed a Phase 1 assessment and are moving to Phase 2,” Weyer said. “They [Tectonic] are responsive to our needs.” Weyer said the grant is designed to address 10 perceived contaminated areas across the county and either debunk the myth that they were contaminated or identify if they were contaminated with “A, B or C” and how to remediate the site. Monticello Manor, the former hospital in Monticello, is one such site which Tectonic has been testing, having completed both Phase 1 and Phase 2 environmental reviews. Broadway, Monticello Tectonic is also providing environmental services for the Monticello Broadway Revitalization Initiative on behalf of the owners of three properties preliminarily selected for funding under the New York State Main Street (NYMS) program. The County of Sullivan is the local program administrator of the $300,000

Resorts World

Tectonic is presently providing environmental services to support the County’s Division of Planning in connection with federal grant funds they obtained to identify and assess Brownfield sites for reuse and redevelopment in Sullivan County, focusing on the urban centers of Monticello, Liberty and South Fallsburg, NY

Tectonic involvement with Resorts World Catskills Hotel & Casino included providing Special Inspection Materials Testing Services in accordance with Chapter 17 of the 2010 New York State Building Code. Tectonic’s testing included inspections of: • Cast-in concrete • Soil (backfills & subgrades) • Structural steel framing • Reinforced masonry, and • Spray-applied fireproofing The more than $650,000 project is

located at the site of the former Concord Resort Hotel in Kiamesha Lake and includes an 18-story hotel and entertainment complex featuring 80,000 sq. ft of casino with 391 luxury rooms, multiple restaurants and meeting and convention space.

Poised for growth Tectonic is an award-winning firm, which has grown from 298 employees in 2007 to 519 employees in 2019. This amazing growth is attributed to their ability to diversify their professional offerings which has earned them a reputation for its technical knowledge, rigorous standards and fresh approach as design engineers and construction consultants. One such area that fueled that growth was wireless communication. “We grew very quickly in the wireless construction and material testing,” Sutherland said. “We aw a real void and we filled it. “A lot of people in our profession love what they do,” he said. “It’s something new every day and although you may work on similar project they all have their unique challenges. “It really satisfying to finish a project and something tangible,” he said. Just like the projects they have done in Sullivan County.

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‘Practical solutions, exceptional service’

Tectonic provided site design services for the Marriott Residence Inn Extended Stay Hotel in the neighboring Town of Wallkill, Orange County, NY. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

By Fred Stabbert lll

Resorts World

BUSINESS EDGE

ince its establishment in 1970, the County of Sullivan Industrial Development Agency (IDA) has worked to foster job and recreational opportunities and economically sound commerce and industry in Sullivan County. We do this by providing financial incentives to eligible companies seeking to locate and expand here in our community. Real property tax abatements are perhaps the best-known form of IDA assistance. When a company undertakes a new construction project or expands its existing facility, the assessed value of the property increases, and the taxes go up. If the company applies and is approved for an IDA real property tax abatement, the company and the IDA enter into a Payment in Lieu of Taxation (PILOT) agreement, and the property is removed from the tax rolls.

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

MARCH 2020

2020 IDA Payments to Sullivan County, its Towns, Villages and Schools JENNIFER M. FLAD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COUNTY OF SULLIVAN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

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Under the PILOT agreement, the new tax obligation resulting from the increased assessment is phased in over a number of years – generally between fifteen and twenty. During this time, the company makes annual PILOT payments to the IDA, and the IDA distributes 100 percent of those payments to the County, School District, Town, and Village if applicable. Importantly, the IDA does not abate the taxes on the pre-construction assessed value of the property. A company’s PILOT payment includes the value of pre-construction taxes, as well as a portion of the new taxes based on the post-construction assessed value. The PILOT payment increases over time, so that near the end of the PILOT term the company’s payment approaches the full amount of taxes that would otherwise be due.

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The County of Sullivan, Town of Thompson and Monticello Central School District have received more than $5 million in Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) combined from Resorts World Casino since it opened in 2016.

After the end of the PILOT term, the property is returned to the tax rolls and the company pays full taxes. By providing tax incentives during the startup and expansion phase, the IDA helps companies to improve their cash flow during this critical time of growth. The incentives decrease as the companies become established, and after a specified number of years IDA assistance is terminated. So far in 2020 the IDA has collected PILOT payments from 54 projects – totaling almost $7,000,000 – and has distributed these funds to the taxing jurisdictions. There are thirty-four jurisdictions located partly or entirely within the County, including every town, village, and school district. Of these, thirtytwo are home to at least one IDA

project and have received 2020 PILOT monies. While the breakdown of each project’s PILOT payment varies based on municipal tax rates, often the school district receives more than one-half of the total PILOT payment. For 2020, we have distributed over $4,000,000 to Sullivan County’s school districts. The number of IDA projects and the value of PILOT payments have grown steadily over the years, with a significant spike since 2017, when we administered 44 PILOT projects and distributed approximately $4.5 million in total PILOT payments. We look forward to Sullivan County’s continued economic growth, and to our continued role in supporting businesses while increasing tax revenues and expanding the local tax base.

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The Sullivan County Chamber is a good neighbor in our communities BY JAIME SCHMEISER PRESIDENT & CEO SULLIVAN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

the community. Additionally, our chamber also provides funds or helps raise funds for local charitable organizations, educational scholarships and projects in the community. Bringing retail businesses into the community and supporting existing businesses provides a greater tax base to support municipal functionality and community improvements. Having a diverse group of businesses also provides resources for residents who then do not have to travel long distances for their needs. Healthy business environments support prospering communities. Our chamber often coordinates and sponsors community events. This gives businesses two-fold opportunity to be

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOST

The Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its Passport to Paradise fundraiser on April 18at the Kartrite Resort and Indoor Waterpark in Monticello. Book your tickets at 791-4200.

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ften assumed a business support organization only, the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce is a good neighbor in all communities in Sullivan County and the region! The Chamber of Commerce does have one certain common denominator with our fellow chambers, and that is to encourage and promote local business. While individuals who are residents in our community may be aware of the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce, they probably think the chamberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts go mostly to the business community. Truly, all things the Chamber does for local businesses has a residual effect on residents in and visitors to

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their own personal time to participate in Chamber activities. Why do they do this? They do this because they care deeply about their community and supporting local business and residential needs. The Sullivan County Chamber is a mechanism to advance business and community continuity and improvements. All members have the same goal and that is to make things better, not only on a personal and business level, but on a community level. The Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce is the members who are your neighbors in your community. They have invested in their community by locating their business here and then further committed their investment by being a part of the Chamber of Commerce to do good things for a great reason – to support our community!

involved with their community and to highlight and promote their business. These same events allow our communities safe and enjoyable environments where they can gather and participate in activities, while also taking notice of businesses who help bring these events to them. Business owners and employees have an opportunity to interact with residents and visitors in a relaxed environment and they benefit by the fact that familiarity encourages loyalty to local businesses. Consumers trust and feel more connected to local businesses who are committed to a Chamber of Commerce and who actively participate in and sponsor community events. Most chambers like ours have minimal paid staff and require some budget for operating expenses. Beyond that, chamber functions are primarily managed by chamber members. Active chamber members, who are the backbone of Chamber operations, are volunteer business owners and managers who donate their time, or their employees to be a moving force to accomplish Chamber goals. Some members are employees who donate

You can help support the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce continue to be a good neighbor in our communities by attending our Annual Fundraiser Passport to Paradise on April 18 at the Kartrite Resort and Indoor Water Park. For more information visit our web site at www.catskills.com or by calling 845-791-4200. And, if you own a business in the county, please consider joining the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce, “Your Partner for Success” and good neighbor!

Get your passport stamped on April 18 when the Sullivan County Chamber hosts its Passport to Paradise event.

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SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

MARCH 2020

MINDING OUR BUSINESS

Greater Hudson Valley Health System announces new Chief Information Officer

he Greater Hudson Valley Health System (GHVHS), comprised of Orange Regional Medical Center, Catskill Regional Medical Center, Orange Regional Medical Group, Catskill Regional Medical Group, and Orange Regional Medical Center Foundation, is pleased to announce the appointment of Craig Filippini as Chief Information Officer. In his new role, Mr. Filippini is responsible for the oversight of Information Technology, Communications, Health Information Management and Biomedical

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Craig Filippini

Engineering for the Greater Hudson Valley Health System and for the continued advancement of technology for Catskill Regional Medical Center, Orange Regional Medical Center and the Greater Hudson

It’s tax protection time

oming up fast is the one time of the year that you can question your real property taxes by having your real property tax assessment reviewed. That review should be done to make sure that you are not paying more than your fair share. If you have not filed what is called a “grievance” by the third Tuesday in May, 2020, you lose your chance for another year to test whether the real property tax assessment that determines your taxes should be modified. The amount of real property taxes imposed on a property affect how much that property is worth in the market place. The larger the tax bill, the less the property is

Valley Health System Medical Group. Mr. Filippini was previously Associate Chief Information Officer at GHVHS. He was responsible for the Communications and combined Information Technology (infrastructure, financial, and clinical) teams and served as a member of the IT Innovation and Technology committees. Mr. Filippini joined the organization in 2016 as Administrator of Information Technology. Mr. Filippini was responsible for the Information Technology Technical teams and the Communications depart-

ment. He earned both his Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and his Masters of Business Administration degree from Mount Saint Mary College. Mr. Filippini holds numerous certifications including IT Enterprise Administrator from Microsoft, and IT Service Management. Before joining GHVHS, he was the Vice President and Chief Information Officer at SRSsoft, a national Electronic Health Record company. To learn more about GHVHS, visit www.ormc.org/about-us/ghvhs.

BY GERALD N. JACOBOWITZ, ESQ., OF COUNSEL AT JACOBOWITZ AND GUBITS, LLP

worth. It is no great honor to pay more in real property taxes than is fair and equitable. The assessor is obligated to value your property at the fair market value based on recognized standards of measurement. That valuation should be fair and equitable in relation to the values of other similar properties. The valuation should not be excessive or unequal. The valuation of income-producing property, such as residential real estate, shopping centers, and industrial buildings, should be arrived at by a proper analysis of the capitalized value based on your income and expense and/or comparable market data.

There must be a fair and even-handed determination of value. Your property should not be one that has been singled out to be reassessed that is not part of an overall reassessment plan. We can help you make the CONTRIBUTED PHOTO initial review with relatively Gerald N. few items of information. If Jacobowitz, Esq. you send over the last real property tax bill you received we can access most everything that is needed for this initial scan. There may be certain questions generated by that review.

Managing Engineer Jeff Martirano joins Barton & Loguidice’s Somers Office

arton & Loguidice (B&L) announces Jeff Martirano, P.E., has joined the Solid Waste Practice Area as Managing Engineer in the firm’s Somers office. A current resident of Sandy Hook, CT, Martirano received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics from Syracuse University in Syracuse. He has experience in the field of solid waste, recycling, and materials management. Martirano has been responsible for planning, design and construction administration, and operational optimization of solid waste management

projects. His primary technical expertise is associated with the operations of mass burn combustion (waste-toenergy) facilities. He has also been involved in severCONTRIBUTED PHOTO al large scale Jeff Martirano, P.E. master planning projects involving materials recovery facility, and transfer station facility condition assessments, capital refurbishment/improvement cost estima-

tion, alternative disposal analysis, and alternative conversion technology studies. In addition to his technical roles, Martirano provided client service leadership for clients throughout the Northeast. In this role he has been responsible for ensuring that clients receive exceptional service. Martirano is a registered Professional Engineer (P.E.). He is an active member of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) where he holds the following distinctions: Vice President of the NYS Chapter, Young Professionals

Representative for Waste-to-Energy Technical Division, and member of the Young Professionals Steering Committee for SWANA National. Martirano is also the chairman of the Solid Waste Committee for the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC-NE). Barton & Loguidice, D.P.C., is an engineering, planning, environmental, and landscape architecture firm with 300 employees working from offices in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey. For more information, visit bartonandloguidice.com.

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Bethel Woods ranked #13 on Pollstar Magazine’s list of the Top 100 Amphitheaters in the World B

ethel Woods’ Season of brought opportunities to local Song & Celebration – highTeaching Artists to reach over lighting the impact of the greatest 1,800 students from throughout the region interested in art, science, festival of all time during its 50th and innovation. anniversary year – delivered It is important to note that the unique and memorable experisuccess of these programs and ences for those who journeyed to events are contingent on the parthe historic site throughout 2019. ticipation of volunteers. In 2019, This year, the 501(c)3 nonprofit 286 volunteers contributed nearly cultural arts center exceeded the 20,500 hours of service to the three million visitor milestone organization. since its opening in 2006. A season of engaging and sucPollstar Magazine’s list of the cessful festivals brought tourists to Top 100 Worldwide Amphitheaters Bethel Woods to enjoy the bounty for 2019, released last month, and beauty of Sullivan County and ranked Bethel Woods Center for the region. Overall festival attenthe Arts at #13 – the highest rankdance grew 14% over the previous ing for the Center yet. Over the year. With over 24,000 attendees, course of the Pavilion season, Sundays in the fall brought famiBethel Woods welcomed over lies to the Harvest Festival to enjoy 220,000 guests to 23 Pavilion a farmers market, live music, and shows. Highlights included sets by hands-on experiential arts and comedian Adam Sandler and percrafts. The Craft: Beer, Spirits & formances by Chris Stapleton, Food Festival, The Wine Festival, Dave Matthews Band, and more. and Holiday Market gave guests Bethel Woods also welcomed CONTRIBUTED PHOTO | KEVIN FERGUSON the opportunity to shop, drink, Mountain Jam – one of the celebrate, and eat local on the Northeast’s largest rock n’ roll music Fireworks over the historic Woodstock festival field in celebration of the 50th Anniversary. spectacular Bethel Woods grounds festivals – for its first year at its new its doors to almost 60,000 visitors Pairing and Fundraising Dinner, featuring With the dust settling on the Center’s home. throughout the year. The 2019 Special an evening of wines and fine dining with biggest year to date, Eric Frances, Bethel To commemorate the 50th anniversary, Exhibit “We Are Golden” was met with a live and silent auction. All proceeds are Woods’ newly-appointed Chief Executive Bethel Woods hosted a variety of special much praise and acclaim for its focus on utilized by the Center to curate museum Officer stated, “This is the beginning of programming for those attending the festival and careful curation, receivand creative programming while preservthe next chapter of our story - we will Anniversary Weekend (Friday, August ing the 2019 Award for Excellence from ing the historic site. continue to offer programming for our 16th – Sunday, August 18th). The weekthe Greater Hudson Valley Heritage Specifically designed to explore the community; we will strive to bring the end included performances by Arlo Network. The exhibit compared the impact and inspiration of the 1960s as best, most memorable performances to Guthrie, Ringo Starr, Santana, and John desires of the youth of 1969 to those of part of the year-long celebration of the stage; and without a doubt, we will Fogerty, plus a free screening of the today and featured a large collection of Woodstock’s Golden Anniversary, Bethel ensure guests leave feeling inspired by Warner Bros. Academy Award-winning authentic Woodstock artifacts such as Woods hosted the Vibrations series, arts, music, and the history of what hapdocumentary, Woodstock: The Director's instruments, clothing, equipment, art, bringing together change makers, artists, pened here in 1969.” Frances, who has Cut. Over Anniversary Weekend, 45,000 and photography. and influencers to inspire thinking and been with the center for nearly 14 years guests also enjoyed a multitude of other Additionally, The Museum made awaken purpose. Events included Deep added, “We aspire to create shared expefestivities, including two additional stages immense strides in preservation efforts Field – a sold-out screening of Grammyriences that will be lasting memories for of live music highlighting local talent, with the opening of the Bindy Bazaar winning composer Eric Whitacre’s piece the next 50 years.” craft vendors, art making activities, and Trails, which now allows guests to of music of the same name, plus a panel Looking ahead, new programming and games. explore the historic marketplace of the discussion with NASA astronauts and sciinitiatives for the year include: More than 3,500 guests enjoyed intiWoodstock festival. Renowned textile entists to discuss space exploration as a • Museum Memberships designed to mate, indoor shows at the Event Gallery artist Carol Hummel’s large-scale installascientific venture as well as an artistic enhance the guests’ experience. throughout the year, including highlytion highlights the art, craft, and sense of one. • An Augmented Reality Tour providanticipated performances from joy embodied by the Bindy Bazaar and The Museum Education and Creative ing the opportunity to see and hear the Woodstock greats Sha Na Na, John the festival itself. Programs department successfully executhistoric site like never before. Sebastian, and Graham Nash. A select As a growing nonprofit organization, ed 325 programs, serving over 21,000 • The first-ever spring beverage festinumber of these Event Gallery performfundraising remains critical to Bethel attendees. Participant ages ranged from val, The Big Sip, on Saturday, May 23rd. ances were enhanced by pre-show farmWoods’ mission. In 2019, the Anniversary one month to 98 years. Offerings includ• On August 22nd, Spartan Race – the to-table dinners. The family-style, multiPaver Campaign allowed philanthropists ed P.L.A.Y. Music and Theater, which largest obstacle race and endurance course meals featured delicious recipes and fans to make their mark on the hiswelcomed 75 students for eight weeks of brand in the world. using locally-sourced ingredients that toric site by purchasing a brick paver, music, theater, and dance in celebration For more information and a complete guests enjoyed in the Market Sheds overetched with a personal message. The of 1969 and the journey to Woodstock. list of upcoming events, visit looking the historic festival field. year also saw the eighth annual Wine The Bethel Woods on Main program www.bethelwoodscenter.org. The Museum at Bethel Woods opened

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Spring is Coming!

Great Ideas to Help Your Business Grow! REAL ESTATE

TOURISM

home c ou n t r y PRICELESS

A Sullivan County Democrat publication APRIL, 2019

in the

Catskills Take One Free

C O N F I D E N T I A L

SPRING 2019

Volume 18 Number 8

welcome to spring Voted

Best Real Estate Guide in New York State

Home in the Country Ad Deadline: April 1 Publication Date: April 10

Catskills Confidential Edition

Bethel Destination Guide

Ad Deadline: April 15 Publication Date: May 15

Ad Deadline: May 1 Publication Date: May 15

HEALTH

BUSINESS PRICELESS

H E A L T H&W E L L N E S S

Young Professionals

SULLIVAN COUNTYJob Fair 2019

TAKE ONE FREE

Tuesday, April 16 • Noon - 4 pm The Sullivan Rock Hill Drive, Rock Hill Hosted by: Center for Workforce Development and the NYS Department of Labor

‘FEATURING 21 UP AND COMERS IN OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY’

A special section of the S U L L I VA N C O U N T Y

Celebrating 128 Years Serving Sullivan County Section J Callicoon, New York April 2019

A Special Section of the

Sullivan County Democrat,

July 2019

Health & Fitness Ad Deadline: May 8 Publication Date: May 19

A special section of the

Sullivan County Job Fair 2020 Ad Deadline: April 8 Publication Date: April 17

‘Keeping Sullivan County Businesses in touch with customers for 130 years.’

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

April 26, 2019 • Section Y • Callicoon, NY

Young Professionals Ad Deadline: April 15 Publication Date: April 24

Call 845-887-5200 to place your ad today!

Spring 2020 House Ad

MARCH, 2020

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