By Matt Youngfrau
MONTICELLO — February 6, 2001 -The Sullivan County Legislature held an emergency meeting of their Executive Committee on Thursday, February 1 to discuss the Concord bankruptcy, the Cappelli Associates/Concord Project, and the Park Place negotiations.
The meeting was considered an emergency because, legally, legislators missed the deadline to declare it a special meeting. Chair Rusty Pomeroy told those in attendance that, since the county is working on so many projects, there might be more of these special meetings in the future.
Pomeroy reminded everyone that Concord developer Louis Cappelli had come to the county last month to update the Legislature on the project. Pomeroy said that the Legislature had spoken with representatives from the National Development Council (who have been working out of the county's Planning and Community Development Department for the last 11 months) to look at the documents and provide a report for the Legislature. Pomeroy also noted that he wrote Cappelli and asked for some additional information, which he expects to arrive shortly. Pomeroy estimated that there should be a report made in three or four weeks, and a special meeting will be held to discuss the findings.
Before Pomeroy continued, he told those in attendance that, because the county was in negotiations and legal issues were involved, there were few details he could release. That said, he discussed the Park Place progress by noting that representatives of the giant casino company were in the county on January 30 to meet with the county’s Casino Advisory Committee. While Pomeroy called the negotiations "pretty sensitive," he did say they were progressing.
Pomeroy also noted that, when the casino comes in, traffic will become a major issue. Roads may need to be reconstructed or expanded. He then re-formed the Transportation Task Force and named Legislator Rodney Gaebel as chair. Pomeroy asked Gaebel to choose members for the committee, which would need legislative approval.
The final issue the Legislature discussed was the possible settlement of the Concord bankruptcy. The county was in court January 30, hoping the case would be settled at that time. Judge Hardin asked that all involved try to come to a settlement all could agree to, so at a conference on February 1, he gave all sides 45 days to reach an agreement. If not, they will be back in court.
These topics are expected to be discussed further when Pomeroy delivers his State of the County address on Thursday, February 22, at 7 p.m. at the Government Center in Monticello.