Sullivan County Enters 2018: Keep Alvarez and Rajsz in Leadership Positions

Sullivan County is entering 2018 with great excitement and anticipation.

After decades of trying – We are Finally! Finally! Finally! Returning into a resort destination mecca as Resorts World Catskills opens.

As 2018 begins – The Sullivan County Legislature will be reorganizing on Thursday at 10 AM – And without any reservation – Luis Alvarez and Nadia Rajsz must stay in top leadership positions.

Luis Alvarez as Chairman and Nadia Rajsz as Vice Chair has delivered a bipartisan coalition working hard for Sullivan County.

For once and for all there has been calm in Sullivan County with a legislature that is working to get things done. The accomplishments of this legislature in two short years is enormous.

Despite all this – As I reported months ago – There is nasty and dirty attempt by some on the legislature to take the reins away from Alvarez – And front and center in this attempted coup is former Legislature Chairman Scott Samuelson.

Samuelson who was a disaster in the leadership position of the former legislature wants a second attempt as chairman.

The backroom fighting has been so dirty that there has even been an attempt by some to smear Alvarez’s Latin heritage and accent by claiming that he doesn’t properly provide the image Sullivan County needs.

The fact is – Luis Alvarez – Does deliver the image Sullivan County needs and wants. He is likable – caring – and listens to everyone.

Alvarez is a dynamically hard-worker that has garnered positive National and Statewide attention for us.

Luis Alvarez speaks and delivers from the heart.

Nadia Rajsz has proven that she is a no nonsense elected official with the honesty, personality, and intelligence to serve Sullivan County well.

It is no secret that we have a lot of problems in Sullivan County.

We are one of the highest taxed, tax exempt, poorest, unhealthiest, and drug addicted counties in New York State.

Under the leadership of Alvarez and Rajsz there has been a diligent and sincere effort to turn things around. And although the job has not been an easy one – The inroads have begun to once again make Sullivan County thrive.

Alvarez has made it his business to visit every municipality in Sullivan County to deliver his County Address and listen to all concerns and needs – No legislature chair has ever done this.

Alvarez told me, “People tell me they’ve rarely seen a legislator this visible in the community. It’s important to me to understand the needs and concerns around Sullivan County, which is why I show up at town and village board meetings and travel throughout the County.”

Alvarez added, “I want to hear what people have to say, and I want them to hear – and see – that it’s not all about me but all about us. That’s my motto – ‘Let’s All Walk Together.’”

I asked Alvarez to list some of the legislature’s accomplishments and goals for 2018 under his and Rajsz’s leadership.

SULLIVAN COUNTY ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2017

• Creation of Addiction Referral Line
• Joining suit against pharmaceutical companies who unscrupulously peddle opioids
• Live broadcasting of monthly full Legislature meetings (archived online for later access, as well)
• Participating in Sullivan 180 health partnership
• Advocating for and supporting EMS/fire volunteers, including EMS Roundtable
• Building new jail and Sheriff’s administration/patrol headquarters
• Quickly and effectively responding to flooding in Livingston Manor
• Increasing staff for Sheriff’s Office and DA’s Office
• Creating Sullivan County Welfare Fraud Task Force
• Renovating and updating Government Center’s heating, ventilation, lighting and sidewalks (not to mention a power wash that restored the building to its original color)
• Working with County Manager Josh Potosek to bring on much-needed new staff, including Deputy County Manager, Deputy DPW Commissioner, Communications Director, and Parks, Recreation and Beautification Director
• Strengthening HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) to the point it has become a Statewide role model
• Simplifying and reducing costs of disposing garbage at transfer stations, including acceptance of credit cards
• Completing a shared services plan as mandated by Governor Cuomo
• Successfully advocating for NYC, NYS, PA, NJ and DE to resurrect and improve critical but lapsed Flexible Flow Management Plan for Delaware River
• Supporting Human Rights Commission, including recognizing locals for Hispanic Heritage Month
• Approving vanpool commuter program and new fixed-route busing
• Increasing funding for Youth Bureau
• Letting veterans use County parks for free
• Instituting a ban on tobacco sales to anyone under 21
• Monthly recognizing a Distinguished Citizen or Citizens for the inspiring good they do
• Strengthening our important relationship with SUNY Sullivan
• Accepting the Charter Review Commission’s final report and holding public forums to consider changes to the County Charter
• Making government more open and welcoming
• Maintaining good relations and communication with County employees
• Regularly communicating with Governor Cuomo’s staff to ensure our needs are understood (Luis)
• Discussing County issues and initiatives every week on Thunder 102 radio (Luis)
• Delivering the State of the County Speech in person to each township (Luis)
• Working with the growing Latino community (Luis speaks fluent Spanish)
• Joining the Board of the National Association of Counties (Luis)
• Maintaining involvement in the Sheriff’s Office’s DARE Program (Luis)

 

SULLIVAN COUNTY GOALS IN 2018

• Pouring $10 million into bridge and road repairs/replacement, plus $6 million for paving
• Increasing funding for local agencies involved in economic development
• New welcome and Adopt-an-Exit signage along Route 17
• Incentivizing cleanup of municipal blight
• Moving us past the bottom-of-the-State rankings in Countywide health and wellness
• Creating a Crisis Stabilization Center for the homeless and others
• Consolidating services as identified in the shared services initiative filed with the state
• Creating a program to financially assist towns and villages in worthy projects
• Partnering in the creation of a new Visitors Center
• Creating a Youth in Business/Government Program with Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce
• Renovating the County Courthouse heating, ventilation, lighting and sidewalks
• Replacing the Adult Care Center parking lot (and renaming the facility)
• Going paperless as much as possible for all documentation
• Planning for 50^th anniversary of Woodstock in 2019

Again, this is no time for change.

Luis Alvarez must remain as Chairman and Nadia Rajsz as Vice Chair.

Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year.

 

Bill Liblick has made a name for himself on National TV Talk Shows where he spouted his outspoken views from the front row. Now he offers you his opinion every week in the “MOUTH THAT ROARS” Column in THE SULLIVAN COUNTY POST.