Sullivan County Business Edge Spring 2017 by Sullivan County Democrat/Catskill-Delaware Publications

S P R I N G

Montreign’s army of workers turning their attention inward Story and Photo by Dan Hust

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INSIDE: President’s Message 4E Delaware River Solar ready to break ground 6E SUNY Sullivan betting on new careers 12E FisherMears continues award-winning service 16E Sullivan Chamber ready for busy 2017 18E Area law firms expand services through collaboration 20E Real Estate Looking for a busy spring 21E SCVA Legislative Breakfast highlights tourism issues 22E

While the Montreign Resort Casino’s 18-story hotel is fast becoming a landmark visible for miles around, the 90,000-square-foot casino at its base will also be a major attraction when the facility opens in March 2019. The numbered map at right shows 1. The Casino Resort and Entertainment Center 2. Golf Course and 3. The Family Resort Hotel

y the time you read this, the Montreign Resort Casino will be fully enclosed, with interior work ongoing in earnest. “They’re just about done with the curtain wall,” Empire Resorts Executive Vice President Charlie Degliomini confirmed on March 6, referring to the striking bluegreen glass encompassing the 18-story hotel tower near Monticello – already the tallest building in the Sullivan/Orange/Ulster region. “Everything is on time. We have no delays,” he added with pride – and a palpable sense of happiness, as Empire’s

gaming license from New York State mandates the casino be open this time next year. “It’s a testament to the amazing work by our construction managers and all the union labor on that job,” Degliomini added. Close to 500 workers are on site every day, and that will soon double so as to ensure a five-star level of luxury throughout the 1.5 million-square-foot resort. “The level of finish of the drywall,” Degliomini offered by way of example, “is the highest standard you can get.” The entranceway off Route 17’s Exit 106

is already in operation, and landscaping will kick into high gear when the weather warms. That’s also when contractors will start building the Entertainment Village adjacent to the casino, featuring retail stores, a Vegas-style nightclub and two restaurants contained within a six-story hotel, whose 150-160 rooms will be a smaller, less expensive alternative to the 332 in the tower. It’s a switch from the original

Please see MONTREIGN, page 5E

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Opportunity is burgeoning in Sullivan County To the People: Sound a little too optimistic? What’s wrong with that? For far too long the attitude in Sullivan County has been what we could not do rather than what we could do. Decades of blaming the town, the village, the county, the state, the schools, the governor and even the president for all of the ills that we have had to deal with engulfed our communities. In certain pockets it still does. This pervasive attitude had become the norm. Though many groups – like the Partnership, Chamber, Renaissance, Visitors Association, IDA and local special interests – work persistently to change attitudes through a variety of strategic initiatives, overcoming the enormity of the challenge seemed to provide neutral results in many cases. Now, with just one year until the slated opening of the Montreign Resort

Destination Casino, the opening of the Veria Wellness Center, AMD and other projects working through the approval stages, opportunity for employment and reasonable wages is getting a significant boost. The time for blame is over and we must tackle the very insurmountable challenges that have plagued our communities for too long. Many have begun just that. And it is starting to show already. One of the best things a colleague told me when visiting the county from abroad, was how he could see and feel an attitude shift in the area. From his experience at a convenience store, a local eatery, and at Catskill Regional Medical Center, where he was visiting a family member, he felt the difference. To his surprise, his experience was extremely positive on Sullivan County. Now that has to become the norm.

SPRING, 2017

We can replicate that experience, over and over again and we will. We are what we think ourselves to be. For me, we are fast becoming the place for investment, business opportunities, and job growth. When growing up here I experienced a Sullivan County that CEO/President Marc Baez was active, and vibrant with many opportunities for work, entertainment and living. We can make that happen again. Let’s build upon the good things that are happening and seize the day. We cannot dismiss those businesses that held on and worked through the tough years. To paraphrase Alan Gerry when commenting on the impact Bethel Woods has made to Sullivan County, he and all of the other businesses owners that invested and kept their employees working surely “kept the lights on….” Institutions like the Center for Discovery, Catskill Regional, Crystal Run, New Hope and others grew their facilities, playing a critical role in offering

good paying jobs with fair benefits to several thousand Sullivan County employees. Our wholesale distributors, car dealerships, varied retail establishments and small businesses also remained attentive to their operations and the needs of our communities. Now we must capitalize on and work to grow the new opportunities before us. We must double down on infrastructure investment, shovel ready site development, key corridor improvements, community beautification efforts educating our existing and future employees and think as big as we can in order to keep our momentum going for years to come. We are on the cusp of an extraordinary turnaround in Sullivan County. We will keep working to make sure it happens. Sincerely,

Marc Baez President, Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development

Published by Catskill Delaware Publications, Inc.

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MONTREIGN, from front page

New programs at SUNY Sullivan geared toward casino SUNY Sullivan offers new courses and programs designed for employment in the resort casino industry

plans to site a pedestrian mall and multiplex at that location. “We think it will give a lot more flexibility for our guests,” explained Degliomini. That hotel will open after the casino but before the indoor waterpark just up Chalet Road. In fact, for between $15 and $20 million, the road will be relocated this year for better access to that facility, which is part of the overall Adelaar resort which Montreign will inhabit. To be built by the same group behind Aquatopia in the Poconos – the largest indoor waterpark on the east coast – the waterpark lodge is

scheduled to open in 2019. The redesigned 18 holes of the famous Monster Golf Course should also open in that year – and the name will stay the same, honoring the course’s proud legacy when it was one of the pre-eminent offerings of the now-demolished Concord Resort Hotel in Kiamesha Lake. “We think that brand is very wellknown,” affirmed Degliomini. Want to see the progress? Visit montreign.com/construction-cam for the latest views and a stunning time-lapse video from groundbreaking to full buildout.

By Jay Quaintance, Interim President of SUNY Sullivan

s the county, as well as the midHudson region, has been working to ready itself for the March 2018 opening of the new resort casino, SUNY Sullivan has been developing and refining classes and programs designed to provide people with the various skillsets and competencies necessary to work in the industry. The college recently offered the first three-credit class toward a 15-credit casino-related certificate program. Casino Surveillance and Security was an express class, offered totally online, as is the entire Casino Operations certificate. This summer, SUNY Sullivan will offer two additional classes toward fulfillment of the certificate. Introduction to Casino Operations begins May 24 and ends June 29, and Gaming

Industry begins July 5 and ends August 10. The remainder of classes to round out the certificate will be presented this fall, and the Casino Surveillance and Security class will be repeated. The certificate provides students insight into various career pathways within the casino industry. SUNY Sullivan, in alignment with our educational and workforce partners, recognize that residents have a vast range of educational and employment experience. Over the coming weeks and months, you’ll hear announcements focused on additional opportunities and events that the college is either spearheading or partnering on, to provide people a host of options, almost a roadmap if you will, leading to either further education or a job at Montreign.

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Montreign’s smaller hotel will also enclose two restaurants with outdoor dining terraces, a Las Vegas-style nightclub and over 7,000 square feet of shopping.

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happen to think of this as farming,” said Callicoon homeowner Richard Winter of his latest business venture in rural energy and sustainable agriculture. “Farming the sun.” Ten years ago, Winter went looking for a place in the mountains, easily accessible to hiking and outdoor activities. The then-CEO of a privately held bond investing company who isn’t, he said, “a Hamptons type,” was captivated by a custom home with an expansive view of the Delaware River into Pennsylvania, high above the hamlet of Callicoon. There, Winter discovered beekeeping. “Next thing I know I’ve got 500 grassfed beef walking around,” Winter said. Fast forward. Today, Winter operates five cattle farms in two counties – Sullivan and Otsego – and has built a supply chain, under the Chaljeri Meats brand, from farm to butch-

er shop. Along the way Winter forged relationships with the farming community and local townships. Also capturing his attention: the surge in demand for commercial solar installations – a market heavily subsidized by New York State that aims to have 50 percent of the State’s electricity generated by renewable energy sources by 2030. Adept at leveraging lucrative business opportunities, Winter formed Delaware River Solar (DRS) in 2015. The New York-based company develops, builds and manages Community Solar projects that pump electricity into the local utility grid. Subscribers to a solar project benefit from credits and discounts on their electric utility bill without footing any upfront costs, installation, equipment or maintenance fees. A typical DRS Community Solar project is built on 1012 acres of open land and can power 300 to 400 residential homes and busi-

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The company has endeavored to address concerns over protecting the view shed raised by residents of Baer Road near Route 97, pictured. The company re-engineered plans three times, relocating the arrays further up WILLOW BAUM PHOTO the hill.

nesses for one year. Green Light in the Town of Delaware The first Delaware River Solar array on track to be operational in Sullivan

County – known as The Baer Road Project – earned unanimous approval in the Town of Delaware in February. Located on Winter’s private land, the Baer Road array spans 10 acres, utilizing

roughly 8,000 panels. An inverter to convert DC power to AC current to feed the grid sits in the middle of the array, thereby minimizing neighbors’ concerns of noise during sunrise to sunset operating

hours. Up and running, the array will generate 2 megawatts. Delaware River Solar has endeavored to address myriad issues raised by residents, from potential negative health impacts to lowered property values. To get the go-ahead, Delaware River Solar responded to view-shed concerns voiced by Baer Road neighbors. In the end the company re-engineered initial plans – three times. The company also committed to plant indigenous species of a vegetative buffer, if needed, to protect the view from neighboring homes and Route 97; limit construction work hours; bury new transmission lines, if needed; use no herbicides or pesticides on grass near the panels; and use only water or “green” products to clean the panels. “A couple of residents at Town meetings brought Rich’s character into question,” said Town of Delaware Supervisor Edward Sykes. “His actions have proven

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continued from page 7E

the opposite.” “The Planning Board asked a lot of Rich and he complied,” said Sykes. “He does what he says he will. We’ve found Delaware River Solar to be a fine company, responsive and sensitive to residents.” Reports from two independent engineering firms – one hired by the company; a second by the Town – also helped advance approval of the first project. Residents want to be confident DRS is “solar, done right,” said Cindy Menges, a long-time resident of western Sullivan who manages customer acquisition and marketing in Sullivan and Delaware counties for the company. Baer Road construction is slated for April, with mid- to late summer estimated for power production. DRS is actively developing 40 projects statewide – all in the NYSEG service area except one. In Sullivan County, DRS has approached about 50 landowners and signed 25 to lease or purchase suitable sites with a flat, southerly exposure. The company bolsters odds of getting a “yes” by offering significantly more per acre over the going price of farmland. Roughly 70 percent of sites are leased; 30 percent are purchased. In Sullivan County, the towns of Bethel, Cochecton, Delaware, Fremont, Fallsburg, Liberty, Thompson and Tusten – several in moratoria – are eval-

Cindy Menges, a long-time resident of Sullivan county who manages customer acquisition and marketing for Delaware River Solar, indicates the area where a vegetative buffer of indigenous plant species would be cultivated, if needed, to protect the view from neighboring homes and Route 97. Panels will be eight-feet tall, the height of the red stake that also marks a borWILLOW BAUM PHOTO der for the installation coming this Spring. uating DRS project impacts on zoning, taxes, permitting and residents’ concerns. IDA’s Tax Abatement Application Fast Tracks Development In December, the Sullivan County

Industrial Development Agency approved a policy making commercial solar arrays eligible for tax abatements from the IDA, provided towns and villages demonstrate support. As reported in the Sullivan County

Democrat, the uniform application “offers sales tax abatements on all purchases related to creating and equipping such projects, mortgage tax abatements, and a 20-year graduated PILOT

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original condition are being set aside, upfront. “We should buy in, become customers and save money for constituents,” said Baez. Baez gives kudos to the Town of Fallsburg that moved quickly and efficiently through a process to approve the solar installation at SUNY Sullivan. In terms of job creation, solar and wind industries each create new jobs 12 times faster than the rest of the U.S economy, according to Environmental Defense Fund's (EDF) Climate Corps data. Solar jobs are local by nature, and cannot be outsourced. Delaware River Solar estimates that for every 10 to 15 projects operational in the county, roughly ten employees will manage customer service, sales and marketing and maintenance over a 20-year lifespan. During the three- to four-month construction phase, the company estimates hiring up to 35 workers per single project. Although some needs that require specialized solar PV experience may be sourced out of region, local contractors are expected to fulfill trench, backfill and road construction as well as survey and electrician needs. “Our whole model is local,” said Winter. “We’ll use as many local contractors as possible for each project.”

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“We’re not talking about a smelting plant or a tire shredding facility, solar is aluminum steel, PVC, all good stuff,” said Marc Baez, President & CEO of the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development. “Large-scale solar gives institutions and corporations a level of predictability of their energy costs, ” said Marc Baez, speaking “not from ideology, but from strictly an economic development perspective.” Skyrocketing costs of gas and oil, wreak havoc on cash flow. “Besides being a cheaper, good-for-theenvironment source of energy, renewables reduce variability, making them good for the bottom line,” said Baez. Incorporating solar to power all or a portion of a facility is a bonus to attracting new businesses to the county said Baez. “New Jersey and Connecticut have really embraced renewables and have attracted several thousand-foot fulfillment centers, in part, due to a cost predictability model.” Baez, who has had direct involvement developing many solar projects, is of the opinion that the towns may be “over-analyzing” commercial solar. “There is little downside,” he said. Even if a 20-year lease term expires and a provider doesn’t renew, monies to restore land to its

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continued from page 8E (Payments In Lieu Of Taxes) based on the gross revenue or array generation capacity (whichever is greater). PILOT payments will be divided among host townships, villages and school districts in proportion to their tax rates.” Under state law, commercial arrays could remain tax-exempt. The county PILOT program contributes to the tax base of town’s that would not otherwise receive tax revenue, and provides a clear and standard tax incentive to promote renewable energy development. Delaware River Solar is using and adapting the uniform application developed with the Sullivan County IDA elsewhere

in New York State, to fast-track municipal project approval. “We are looking to pay the PILOT in every town,” said Winter of benefits to taxpayers. Saving on utility bills means more dollars stay in the pockets of residents for a multiplier effect in the local economy. What can other businesses learn from Delaware River Solar’s path to get the goahead on its first project in Sullivan? “Introducing a new project as broadly and as early as possible,” advises Winter. Education takes time. “We’re finding across the state that as long as there is understanding of why we’re here and what we’re doing, 90% of people are eventually on board.”

Getting in on community solar No need for equipment. No upfront fees. No installation or maintenance costs. Immediate savings. If the benefits of community solar sound “too good to be true” skepticism happens to be a universal obstacle to early adoption of solar. That and pesky telemarketers promising to slash utility bills in half that leave residents skittish, wondering if the company on the other end of the line is trustworthy. “Solar is new to a lot of people,” said Winter even though commercial solar has been widely deployed in the U.S. since the 1970’s and ‘80s. “It requires some education.” At Farmers Markets, Rotary Clubs, Fire Departments, Senior Citizen organizations and other community gathering places, Delaware River Solar talks with residents about the benefits of community solar, on the way to enlist the requisite 300 to 400 residents and businesses each project can power for one year. “We’re delivering the message in such a way that those who want to know about solar, do,” said Delaware River Solar CEO Rich Winter. While utility bill savings will be immediate for individual subscribers once a solar array is operational, data on savings to the community will be available no sooner than a year after production. For now the company is relying heavily on encouraging early registrants who value intrinsic benefits, to educate and influence their friends. Word of mouth marketing is a proven cost-effective strategy since, according to data and measurement company Nielsen, 92% of consumers believe recommendations from friends and family over all forms of advertising. Waitlisted residents are also eligible and financially incented to enlist friends: receiving a $25 Visa gift card for each NYSEG account they refer that registers. Each eligible new sign-up saves 25% off their NYSEG electric rate on their first year of service. No obligation is required from wait list registrants beyond basic contact information and surrendering digits of your NYSEG account number. Once a solar project is up and running, registrants receive estimated cost savings. At that point, one may opt to lock in a discount on today’s rates for a one-year, five-year or ten-year term. The presumption and pace NYSEG rates rise will determine the value of long-term savings. Find out more or sign up for the wait list or referral introductory offer at delawareriversolar.com or by calling 845.397.0134.

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SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

Getting ‘A-Quaintanced’ with Sullivan Higher Education W

hen news that SUNY Sullivan President Karin Hilgerson would vacate her post reached New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office last spring, the community college received the kind of phone call the NYS Assistant Secretary of Education would place to any institution at such a crossroads. A call about the future. How does SUNY Sullivan envision preparing students and the community for unprecedented opportunity Sullivan County hadn’t experienced in decades? • Construction of the $1.3 billion Montreign gambling resort was well underway near Monticello. • Catskill Regional Medical Center green lighted plans for an Urgent/Primary Care facility on Route 42. • The $90 million Veria Lifestyle Wellness Resort project had broken ground just off Anawana Lake Road. • Workforce Development and the NYS Department of Labor were co-hosting the first mid-winter Job Fair in almost a decade. Dialogue with SUNY Sullivan Trustees intrigued then-NYS Assistant Secretary of Education Jay Quaintance. So much so, he decided to vie for the role himself. Responsible for shaping and implementing Statewide P-12 and Higher Education budget and policy decisions since September 2014, Quaintance missed being on campus. He missed being directly involved with day-to-day operations as he had been in his early career in New York’s Capital district and his home state of New Mexico. “I was eager to apply what I had learned,” he said, “to take a college with a great history to the next level, in a community that’s moving to the next level.” Rethinking Community College “The role of community colleges in a community and educational context is being rethought,” said Quaintance. “We are strengthening traditional college, lifelong learning and workforce development educational pathways.” Community colleges are, in many cases, “the first and last stop for postsecondary education.” Students interested in going straight into the workforce may pursue a certificate or associate level degree. SUNY Sullivan convenes an advisory committee

of local employers twice yearly to help shape curriculum to ensure coursework prepares students with necessary skills for employment. Case in point: Representatives from all levels of Catskill-Regional Medical Center, The Center for Discovery, Orange Regional Medical Center, Sullivan County Adult Care Center and a half dozen more health care industry partners inform the nursing program to include clinical rotations, patient interaction, experience with equipment on which to be trained. For students pursuing a Bachelor’s

degree, community college is a transfer institution. SUNY Sullivan’s ties to individual colleges and SUNY system schools ensure students can transfer with full junior status upon completing an associate’s degree. At the high school level, SUNY Sullivan has bolstered partnerships with Sullivan School District guidance counselors to forge educational pathways for students, and encourage enrollment or dual enrollment. High school students can access college-level coursework while completing high school. Quaintance commends Sullivan County

schools on boosting high school completion rates and rising GPAs. “It used to be enough that finishing high school would get you a job,” he said. “Students must recognize rigorous coursework, taking as much math and science as you can help ensure a seamless transition to college or the workplace as possible.” For the community, the college is also a place to enjoy broadcasts of The Metropolitan Opera performing live from Lincoln Center. A place to tool along a new bike path (project underway) that extends Hurleyville cycling trails on campus. A place to go fly a kite with roughly 200 community members on Kite Day, traditionally held May 5th. SUNY Sullivan: Building a Qualified Workforce As the only college of higher education in Sullivan County, SUNY Sullivan is one of two key training partners of the County’s Center for Workforce Development. “Together with BOCES Adult Education, the college provides paths for people who may be at the low-end of the education scale,” said Workforce Development Center Director Laura Quigley. “Residents may start at BOCES

Clockwise from left: The American Cuisine class gets to critique its work during a Thursday morning class. The class specializes in Regional Americana, and that class was focused on Louisiana. The Nursing Class takes the vital signs of a “patient” during a recent class exercise. Working on the patient are, from the left: Maria Simonova, Erica Ferber, Audrey Costello, Beth Laymon, and Connie Ruiz. SUNY Sullivan Interim President Jay Quaintance talks with Dean of Community Outreach, Cindy Bennedum-Kashan during a recent planning session. Karissa Newkirk, left, and Alyssa Diaz do homework for their Police Operations class in the SUNY Sullivan computer lab.

and then flow to the college level.” The college is expanding initiatives in hospitality and healthcare, two industries where Sullivan’s long-standing reputation intersect with in-county economic growth. SUNY Sullivan is working closely with the Center for Workforce Development, the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development and

local business to create a hospitality industrytraining institute, and career pathways. A Casino Operations Surveillance Course launched in March will be offered as part of two different certificate tracks, and a casinorelated associate degree will launch this fall. SUNY Sullivan is developing curriculum.

continued on page 14E

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Story by Willow Baum Photography by Fred Stabbert lll

Start-Up NY Forum Slated for April “As casino and wellness jobs come, we’ll eventually see a shift from employee to employers,” said Jay Quaintance, interim President, SUNY Sullivan. “We’re not just about training people for these new enterprises but also retraining people to spin off new businesses, move into backfill positions and attract new businesses altogether.” This April SUNY Sullivan will convene interested new and new to New York businesses at a START-UP NY forum. The program aims to help qualified businesses start, expand or relocate operations to a tax-free zone in New York State, such as post-secondary institutions like SUNY Sullivan. Business leaders and new businesses looking to expand in Sullivan County will hear from State Officials including the Sullivan County Industrial Development Agency, Sullivan County Partnership, Empire State Development and SUNY to share learnings in other areas of the state.

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SPRING 2017

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Getting ‘A-Quaintanced’ with Sullivan Higher Education W

continued on page 14E

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Story by Willow Baum Photography by Fred Stabbert lll

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continued from page 13E

Minding the Business of SUNY Sullivan As interim President of SUNY Sullivan, Jay Quaintance must ensure the institution ranked eighth amongst 121 twoyear colleges in New York State, stays a competitive business. After reaching record levels during the recession, since 2011, community college enrollment has decreased approximately 13% across the 30 colleges within SUNY. This year SUNY Sullivan is among the few exceptions. “Enrollment has held relatively steady – a good thing in terms of relieving stress on staff and revenue,” said Quaintance. Founded in 1963 with a first freshman class of 72 students, enrollment has grown to 1,612 students today. County residents comprise 70 - 75%. Historically, community college enrollment follows an inverse pattern to employment. Job losses during the 2007 - 2010 economic downturn, explains Quaintance, spurred people to “become more competitive, seek new skills, change careers or complete a degree.” As the economy improves, people seize opportunities in the workplace. Steady or declining enrollment creates a marketing challenge. Expanding Workforce Development and BOCES partnerships help spread the word, within and beyond the

county, about post-secondary degree and certificate programs, community learning and professional development. High school students, who access college-level coursework while completing high school, are introduced early to a college track at SUNY Sullivan. Similarly, a Summer Youth Employment program, funded by New York State through the Office of Workforce Development, exposes economically disadvantaged high schoolers to the college. Over six weeks of working on campus -- whether grooming trails or tending to the community garden -- high schoolers are educated on the benefits of community college. “Students who may think they lack the ability or affordability to go on to higher education, discover they can go,” said Quigley. Quaintance cites multiple studies: “A post-secondary degree or certificate not only improves one’s initial employment opportunities, folks who hold those degrees tend to hold higher quality jobs longer, earn considerably more money more consistently over their working life and are more often immune from fluctuations.”

As interim President of SUNY Sullivan, Jay Quaintance must ensure the institution ranked eighth amongst 121 two-year colleges in New York State, stays a competitive business. After reaching record levels during the recession, since 2011, community college enrollment has decreased approximately 13% across the 30 colleges within SUNY. This year SUNY Sullivan is among the few exceptions. “Enrollment has held relatively steady – a good thing in terms of relieving stress on staff and revenue,” said Quaintance. Founded in 1963 with a first freshman class of 72 students, enrollment has grown to 1,612 students today. County residents comprise 70 - 75%. Historically, community college enrollment follows an inverse pattern to employment. Job losses during the 2007 - 2010 economic downturn, explains Quaintance, spurred people to “become more competitive, seek new skills, change careers or complete a degree.” As the economy improves, people seize opportunities in the workplace. Steady or declining enrollment creates a marketing challenge. Expanding Workforce Development and BOCES partnerships help spread the word, within and beyond the county, about post-secondary degree and certificate programs, community learning and professional development. High school students, who access college-level coursework while completing high school, are introduced early to a college track at SUNY Sullivan. Similarly, a Summer Youth Employment program, funded by New York State through the Office of Workforce Development,

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Workforce Development provides a snapshot of population and business needs, and provides financial support for training. “I knew Jay before he came to SUNY Sullivan,” said Quigley. “I’m very excited someone who knows how to link skills training is here.” The Montreign project estimates scaling up, by early 2019, to 2,200 employees across the resort casino, hotel, shops, restaurants, nightclub, indoor water park and golf course. By contrast, the booming bygone era of the western Catskills saw the Concord Resort Hotel employ 1,000 culinary professionals in the kitchen alone. Montreign’s web site calls for applicants in Administration, Customer Service, Finance & Accounting, Food & Beverage, Hotel Services, Housekeeping, Human Resources & Training, Information Technology, Marketing, Operations and Security. “Customer service and hospitality skills are important to every business,” said Quaintance. He cites the film tax credit as an incentive to attract new industries to the county. “People are more optimistic now than even when I first arrived here,” Quaintance said. There’s a sense of Yeah, we’re ready for this.”

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FisherMears continues award-winning service F

isherMears Associates, LLC, a boutique marketing communications company in Liberty, recently received two American Graphic Design Awards (AGDA) for their work on the Bethel Woods 10th Anniversary Edition of its Annual Report, and the 2016 Travel Guide for the Sullivan County Visitors Association. In 2015, they received AGDA awards for their work on the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts Annual Report, and the Jordan Scholars Coffee Table Book created for Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn. The firm has also been recognized by Medical Marketing & Media, The New York Governor’s Tourism Conference, and the Cable & Telecommunications Association. Now in its 22nd year,

Karen Fisher FisherMears Associates creates high-end marketing communications for business in financial services, tourism, healthcare, non-profit, high-end real estate, cable tele-

vision entertainment, and others throughout the Catskills, Hudson Valley and New York Metro areas. Karen Fisher and Anne Dubrovsky own and operate the company, which Karen co-founded in 1995 after 12 years as a copywriter and creative manager for Alan Gerry’s Cablevision Industries. There, she managed the conceptual development of advertising and collateral materials with annual budgets upwards of $2 million and led market segmentation direct mail campaigns with response rates of up to 12% and retention rates of better than 90%. As president at FisherMears Associates, Karen is responsible for business development. Her true love is creative concept and copy development. Karen and her partner Anne

emphasize a team approach that produces results. One of their best successes was developing branding and advertising campaigns that helped generate over $40 million in sales for The Chapin Estate, a gated residential preserve in Bethel. Anne, who serves as vice president of the company, began her career when she joined FisherMears Associates in 1997 as a part-time graphic designer. She was quickly promoted to Art Director in 2001 and in 2005, became Karen’s partner. Anne shares the responsibility with Karen for new business development. Her real gift and talent lies in her visual communications skills. She complements Karen’s skills serving as the guiding force that brings the duo’s creativity to life

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tions channels including direct mail, TV, websites, radio, collateral brochures, outdoor, social media and others. Karen and Anne are active in the business community as members of the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development, Pattern for Progress, The Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce, The Sullivan County Visitors Association, and Sullivan Pride. Karen is the board Chair of the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development and of The Boys & Girls Clubs in Orange and Sullivan County. She is a leader for Weight Watchers International. Outside their business lives, Karen is an avid tennis player and sports enthusiast and Anne is an accomplished and award-winning equestrian rider.

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Chamber continues to move ahead Story and photo by Fred Stabbert lll ullivan County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Cathy Paty is more excited than ever. Not only is Sullivan County witnessing two of its largest building projects in its history – Montreign Casino and Veria Healthy Lifestyle – nearing completion, but the attitude across Sullivan County is trending positive. “It’s an incredible feeling of pride which people are feeling,” Paty said. “Our First Friday Breakfast [in January] had 90 people attend and it has stayed consistant the last two months. “We are very excited about that,” she said. “We want to carry that momentum forward.” And one of the ways which the chamber is looking to the future is by working on a new Strategic Plan. “Our board wants to make sure we are addressing the needs [of our business community],” Paty said.

And with 475 members, Paty said membership is very steady and “we have a great retention rate.” One of the services the Chamber is providing is publishing a new Chamber Relocation Guide, which is due out this month. The guide will highlight all 15 townships, all the public and private schools as well as business listings, attrations, tourism information and a

Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Cathy Paty, center, recently attended the Sullivan County Visitors Assn. Legislative Breakfast at Bernie’s in Rock Hill. Talking with her after the breakfast were Sullivan County BOCES Director of Communications Donna Hemmer, left, and Sullivan County Board of Realtors President Lynne Freda, of Freda Real Estate in Callicoon.

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membership list. Hollywood, a major “The next five fundraiser planned years is going to be for Saturday, April very critical [for 22 Sullivan County’s The event will be future],” she said. held at the “We need everyone Monticello Motor working in unison to Club and guests can market our county dress up as their as a whole. The favorite actor or Sullivan County icon. Visitors Assn. (SCVA) “I’m going as a has been excellent singing star,” Paty [in marketing said. “I’m going to Sullivan County] but be ‘the vivacious that message needs Cathy Paty.’” to be carried All kidding aside, through by businessPaty is a renowned Relocation Guide cover es and government.” singer who might One way the chamber is helping is even belt out a few tunes, given the by co-sponsoring a Hospitality Training right coaxing. course with the SCVA and BOCES. “It’s going to be a lot of fun with “We need businesses to embrace hosentertainment by Party Master,” she pitality and we are having a kickoff on said. “There will be photo opportuniApril 25 at Bernie’s to launch our ties, table games, dancing and delinewly-branded hospitality course,” she cious hors d’ouevres and dinner. said. Tickets are $80 per person or $150 Another event on the Chamber’s calper couple and are still available by endar is Channel Your Inner calling 791-4200.

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Blustein, Shapiro, Rich & Barone, LLP Joins Forces with Richard A. Stoloff PLLC to Expand Legal Services H

udson Valley law firm Blustein, Shapiro, Rich & Barone, LLP (BSR&B) and Sullivan County Catskills law firm Richard A. Stoloff PLLC – both Investors in the Sullivan County Partnership – have announced an Of Counsel relationship in which they will provide services to each other, bringing together two of the area’s most reputable law firms. The new affiliation will allow both firms to better serve the needs of their clients. Blustein, Shapiro, Rich & Barone, LLP clients will benefit from a convenient location in Monticello to meet with the firm’s attorneys. The long-time clients of Richard A. Stoloff PLLC will now have access to an

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By Lynne Freda, President Sullivan County Board of Realtors

The median state sales price jumped more than 8.5% from 2016, and inventory shrank 19% from the year earlier. Locally, in Sullivan County, closed sales were up 12.7% in January 2017 from the same period last year. The median sales price dropped, though, from $132,500 to $125,000. There were less homes for sale, down 13% from 2016-- that’s our traditional beginning of the year inventory shortage. So for buyers, sellers, and Realtors, hope really does spring eternal. Hope that the nicer weather allows more homes to be listed, that more buyers will come out, and that interest rates will stay moderately low. All that translates to a thriving housing market, which helps boost local, state and national economies. Economic benefits from the sale of a home extend well beyond the closing table to include the many purchases made by new homeowners including appliances, hardware, home furnishings, movers, and contractors. These purchases also generate much-needed tax revenue. If you’re looking to buy or sell your home, make sure to use a Realtor™ for the transaction. The Sullivan County Board of Realtors is located in Monticello and can be reached at (845) 794-2735.

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Sullivan County Realtors look to a busy spring ope springs eternal... and spring brings eternal hope—at least in the Real Estate business! The heart of the winter season is not always kind to the housing market. Unpredictable weather can cause people looking to cancel showings; sellers can be reticent to list their homes due to people tracking ice and snow into their residences; many second homes are “winterized,” meaning water and heat are turned off, so the house can be colder inside than out— not exactly inviting to buyers. Many homeowners want to wait until spring to list their houses, so they show better in photos and in person— eg: windows can be open in the nicer weather, not so many boots and mittens to clutter the house, snow tracked in won’t leave puddles, etc. That being said, the first few months of the year can be very busy for agents, as many buyers put their year-end bonuses into buying houses. Couple that sales fever with a lack of listings due to reticent sellers, and inventory becomes low this time of year. You can’t sell your home if it isn’t listed, so there really is no “bad” time to put your house on the market. Looking at the latest housing market report for New York State, January 2017 sales data shows a 4% increase in closed sales from the year before.

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Legislative breakfast highlights tourism initiative “P

rofit is not a dirty word,” New York State Senator John Bonacic told the more than 75 members of the Sullivan County tourism community at a recent breakfast meeting in Rock Hill. “You’ve waited a long time for this [the uptick in tourism],” he said. “Now we have to stress buy local – it’s very big, it’s very important.” And while Sen. Bonacic was preaching to the proverbial choir, his words were echoed serveral times throughout the morning. The breakfast, which was hosted by Bernie’s Holiday Restaurant in Rock Hill, was co-sponsored by the Sullivan County Visitors Assn. and its sister organizations in Ulster, Greene and Delaware counties as well as the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Assn. In fact, Mark Dorr, president of the NYS Hospitality and Tourism Assn., was on hand to offer a glimpse into what his group is doing in 2017 to make tourism more productive state-wide. AirBnBs was a major topic of concern and Dorr said state politicians are working to enact legislative to “level the playing field.” Besides Occupancy Tax Issues, Dorr said the other challenges with regulating AirBnBs was insurance, sales tax collections – all of the taxes. “Why be a business?” Dorr queried, if your competitors don’t have to pay the same taxes as you. “It’s a complicated issue that doesn’t have an easy solution,” he said. Jennifer Grimes of Red Cottage, Inc., an AirBnB website in Grahamsville, said,

Story and photos by Fred Stabbert lll

Mark Dorr, president of the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Assn., addresses the Legislative Breakfast. Seated are New York State Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and Ulster County Tourism Director Rick Remsnyder.

“We are a vacation rental company. We have rentals in five counties and are fostering tourism in these areas. We are aware of what people are looking for.” Grimes said Another cause for concern among tourism employers was the raising of the minimum wage in New York State, which would effect employers in a variety of ways. “I’m afraid kids are going to lose out,” Rick Lander, owner of Lander’s River Trips said. A large summer employer which offers summer jobs to over a 100 people during the peak season, Lander said raising

Elected officials came to the Legislative Breakfast to learn about the issues relating to tourism. From the left are Bethel Supervisor Dan Sturm, Legislator Joe Perrello, County Manager Josh Potosek, and Legislators Terri Ward, Ira Steingart, Scott Samuelson and Luis Alvarez.

The four local tourism agencies from Sullivan, Delaware, Ulster and Greene counties uveiled a regional tourism map which highlights the top tourist attractions in each county. From the left are Greene County Director Warren Hart, Greene County Marketing Manager Heather D. Bagshaw, Sullivan County Visitors Assn. (SCVA) President and CEO Roberta Byron-Lockwood, NYS Hospitality & Tourism Assn. President Mark Dorr, Ulster County Director Rick Remsnyder and Villa Roma’s General Manager Paul Carlucci, who is co-chair of the SCVA board.

the minimum wage would tip the scales toward hiring older, more experienced empoyees. Randy Resnick, owner of Bernie’s Restaurant and many other Sullivan County businesses, agreed. “The problem we have is it [the proposed wage hike] is not a fair scale,” Resnick said. “It’s not fair that a new employee will earn the same wage as a person with experience. There should be a disparity in wages.” Resnick went on to explain that new employees should earn less because they are getting valuable on-the-jobtraining which will make them more

valuable in the future. He said the future of any industry lies in training young employees the ropes of a business so they can take over. But he cautioned that employers – especially in the tourism industry – would be less likely to invest in young, inexperienced help and pay them the same wages as a much more experienced employee. Bethel Supervisor Dan Sturm said, “The future starts with Sullivan County. “Bethel has the cleanest roads in the county,” he said. “We make sure we look as good as we possibly can. We want people to come back.”

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