BETHEL –– New investment, renovations and an increase in fuel sales are just a few reasons why there’s optimism regarding the future of Sullivan County International Airport, located in the Town of Bethel. 

Public Works Commissioner Ed McAndrew, in his report to legislators on Thursday, noted that a helicopter charter service, Air Charter Express, was looking for office space and to possibly base at the County Airport.

“Anytime we can bring business to the airport, it makes us more visible to other entities,” said McAndrew. “The more people that come here, the more fuel we can sell, and we generate the need for more hangars.”

District 7 Legislator Joe Perrello asked McAndrew if he could provide the latest fuel sales at the Airport. 

Earlier this year, the Democrat reported that fuel sales at the Airport were almost $400,000 in 2021. However, through August, they’d already surpassed last year’s totals, and were around $546,377.

Personnel matters

On Thursday, the County confirmed reports that Public Safety Commissioner Tom Farney has resigned. His resignation was effective Monday, November 28.

County Manager Josh Potosek is currently in charge of the Division of Public Safety, supported by the existing staff. As it is a personnel matter, the County said it cannot provide details as to why Farney resigned.

On an unrelated subject, the County confirmed on Friday that Public Health Director Nancy McGraw was on administrative leave. 

When asked why, Sullivan County Director of Communications Dan Hust said they had no details or a statement to provide, as it is a personnel matter. The Democrat also reached out to McGraw who said she had no comment at this time.

Hust said that Deputy Public Health Director Karen Holden is currently overseeing Public Health operations.

County Executive 

Back in 2017, after meeting regularly for about two years, the Sullivan County Charter Review Commission voted 9-1 to recommend the adoption of a county executive form of government. 

The Charter Review Commission is composed of “qualified county electors” chosen by the County Legislature and representing various segments of the community. They are appointed at least once every 10 years to review and propose revisions to the County’s Charter, if required. 

The Commission serves in an advisory capacity and does not have the authority to make changes, as that power rests with the Legislature or, in the event of a referendum, with the people of the County.

Therefore, even though a recommendation was made to switch to a county executive form of government, the Legislature did not act on it at the time.

On Thursday, at the start of the Planning Committee meeting, which he chairs, Minority Leader Ira Steingart revisited the topic.

“A lot of people have come to me recently [with] the issue of making a change to the charter in regard to a county executive,” said Steingart. “I don’t think we should discuss it today, but I think at some point, the legislature should discuss it to see if there’s any interest. So, I just wanted to bring that to everybody’s attention.”