The Sullivan County, NY I knew in the 1960's and 1970's hasn't lost one bit of its natural beauty. It hasn't been overrun with strip malls or too many megastores, or corporations that pollute the environment. But, we have lost the many thriving hotels, bungalow colonies and sleepaway camps that once contributed largely to the local economy and made the county a vibrant destination -- even if it was largely limited to three or four months a year.
So here we are in 2007. The 1969 Woodstock Nation in Bethel has been replaced with the jewel known as Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, which opens its second season in July. That will mean more people spending time in Sullivan County, even if it is just for an afternoon or evening.
Many residents are also holding their breath, yet again, to see if a full scale casino at Monticello Raceway will come to fruition and others are trying to stop it.
What we do need in Sullivan County is new leadership that can work side by side with the town and village governments to start thinking more strategically about the future, which is already here.
The good news is that Sullivan County now has a year-round economy, thanks to the many entrepreneurs who have set up shop here and others who have bought primary and secondary homes here at a rapid pace in the past five years. But unless this County begins to attract larger companies and firms to do business here year-round, hopes for an real economic revival will be painfully delayed. And that would be a shame since this great county lies just two hours from Manhattan, has affordable and spacious housing, and is nestled in the gorgeous Catskill mountains filled with pristine lakes and the sounds of real nature.
Alan Gerry got Bethel Woods done because he and his daughter, Robyn, had a vision. But one year after its opening and even more years since Bethel Woods first broke ground, what have government officials at all levels done to help attract a major hotel here to support the thousands of concert-goers who came and went last summer because they lacked a place to stay? It's a shame because the concert attendees would have added tremendously to the tax rolls and supported many local businesses.
Wasn't this once a place ("Borscht Belt") that had a few hundred thriving hotels/resorts? Just one substantial hotel would help ensure that those visiting Bethel Woods or Monticello Raceway could actually stay for a night or two and spend their money here.
Developers who are waiting for a casino before committing to a grand scale hotel here are making a mistake. If someone built a luxury hotel here with 1,000 rooms, they would basically have a monopoly and a head start on branding as the only luxury hotel in Sullivan. And they would also be able to attract companies who want to hold a conference here where guests could also enjoy golf, nature, the Raceway and Bethel Woods. In short, a grand, modern hotel would help the County support tourists and also make it easier for larger businesses to choose Sullivan over neighboring counties when deciding to open or relocate.
With Kutshers likely going up for sale as a condominium complex, and all the other large hotels either closed or sold to religious organizations, the time could not be better.
Alan Gerry took a page out of "Field of Dreams" with a "build it and they will come" attitude. It's now time for government officials and developers to step up to the plate to bring a major hotel followed by a few mid-sized companies to the County.
We moved here not long ago because I saw the potential for the area, every town and village I drove through had the veneer of a better time ghosting over the surface of decay and neglect that time and the lack of even the meanest resources needed to maintain appearences has caused. We pay the highest taxes in NY and have the least means to survive.The beauty of this place is astounding and worthy of protection, Our government pays to protect frogs and birds we may never see, where is the protection for our homes and businesses and an entire area that was once an institution in our history? It was the " go to " place for every upper middle class family in the surrounding cities as far away as Boston and washington. Don't people and families deserve as much protection as animals?
Posted by: cheyrl | November 20, 2008 at 11:12 AM