Neversink

To the editor:

The meetings of the Sullivan County Legislature are the best show in town. Currently, the bad guys are winning, dominated by the Chairman with his three legislative henchmen, the swing vote, one rebel and three minority legislators. I wished they were all still masked.

The Chairman, as the comedic villain, repeatedly proclaimed his love to the swing vote and giggled with the County Manager until a member of the public asked him to be quiet so that we could hear. His interest in the meetings had obviously diminished after the “wild and crazy guys” of Hatzolah Air finished their presentation on the 26 million dollar facility they would like to build at the Airport, although they may reconsider if they don’t get their 120 year lease. It’s true that the show would be better with a laugh track.

We listened soberly to the County Manager’s plan to spend another $1.2 million dollars of “unrestricted” COVID relief funds on improvements for the college. At the end of the long morning, we watched the Director of Community Services earnestly presenting her restructuring proposal to the newly appointed Chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee, who has consistently supported efforts to undermine, sell, or outsource our health and human services.

Since the start of the pandemic, she said, there’s been a 46.1% increase in helpline calls about mental health emergencies, a 38.4% increase in drug overdoses and a 10-30% increase in violent crime. Nobody wants to apply to be a social worker at Community Services because the salaries are so low. Consequently, the county will award contracts to several out of county agencies.

The swing vote, who also is the full time Commissioner of Planning for Orange County, nodded along (no conflict of interest there!)

Honestly, folks, it’s a must watch. All meetings are recorded live and easy to view through the Sullivan website. Just google “Welcome to Sullivan County!”