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Sullivan’s voice heard at Pattern’s breakfast INSIDE: Story and Photos by Fred Stabbert lll
President’s Message page 2
ullivan County’s strong S presence did not go unnoticed at last Monday’s Pattern for
Chapin Estates adds two new partners page 5
Progress County Leaders Breakfast at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel. Pattern for Progress President Jonathan Drapkin, who hails from Rock Hill, welcomed the more than 30 Sullivan County business and government leaders who attended the event to a rousing round of applause from the 250 attendees. Heading the list were legislators Scott Samuelson and Cora Edwards as well as County Manager Josh Potosek. And three of the individuals most instrumental in helping Sullivan County win the casino license – Partnership President Marc Baez, Chamber President
Roscoe businesses investing in the future page 8 The housing market is thawing out in Sullivan page 12
Pattern for Progress President and CEO Jonathan Drapkin, left, was the moderator at last Monday’s Leaders Breakfast in Poughkeepsie. From the left are Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro, Ulster Executive Mike Hein, Orange Executive Steve Neuhaus and Sullivan County Legislature Chair Scott Samuelson. Cathy Paty and Visitors Assn. President Roberta Byron Lockwood – also made the trip. Sullivan County’s casino proj-
Big Turnaround Ulster County has certainly had one of the biggest turnarounds during the last decade. “Ulster County had the biggest job loss during the last 10 years of any county in the state,” Drapkin said. “During the last two years, Ulster had the biggest job gain.” Hein said precision manufacturing has helped lead the way, with some companies exporting their projects to such far-off places as Asia. “We have to create a climate where businesses can succeed. We have lowered taxes for three years in a row,” Hein said. Neuhaus agreed, “It’s the leadership inability to get things done [in a timely manner]. We literally have five or six communities which are booming because local leaders are getting things done. “We will see good fortune as long as we get cooperation,” Neuhaus said.
ect is still the buzz across the region. “A casino means a lot for Sullivan County – and the region,”
Neuhaus also said that the casino competition pointed out “the speed to market” Orange County can attain when it needs to. He said that kind of cooperation and effort is needed on every project. “When state funds become available for economic development or infrastructure, you have to have plans ready to go for bridges and roads,” Neuhaus said. Samuelson said, “Sullivan County is so different than these three other counties. We are much more rural and focused on the environment. “But now we can say to the world ‘We are here,’” he said. “The casino project will be a catalyst and support system which will give us the confidence to feel like we can do anything. “We have to rebuild [our infrastructure] and rebuild quickly,” Samuelson said. “We are also looking at workforce development and the tourism market, which will rise.”
Sullivan County legislature chair Scott Samuelson said. “It’s a win-win for the Hudson Valley and the state.” Samuelson said that Montreign Casino, which will be built on the former grounds of the Concord Hotel in Kiamesha Lake, will be an economic catalyst for the entire region as the $1.1 billion building project breaks
Please see PATTERN, page 3B
Chamber plans night of fun at The Sullivan page 14 Jeff Bank promoted Rhonda Decker page 15 MAP out your small business plan page 16 New kitchen available at Cornell Cooperative page 17 Ruby Group builds on page 20
Sullivan County had more than 30 attendees at the Leaders Breakfast in Poughkeepsie last Monday including Partnership President Marc Baez, right, and Partnership board member Gary Silver.