By Matt Youngfrau
MONTICELLO — March 19, 2002 – In the annual State of the County Address last February, Sullivan County Legislature Chair Rusty Pomeroy announced the formation of the Committee on Casino Impacts Mitigation. The committee would develop ways to disburse the money the county would receive once the casinos are operational.
The resolution to form the committee was discussed at the Executive Committee meeting on Thursday, March 14, where Pomeroy announced its creation. The voting members on the committee will be Legislators Bob Kunis (Chair), Kathleen LaBuda (Vice-Chair), Rodney Gaebel, Jonathan Rouis, and Jim Carnell Jr. Non-voting members include County Manager Dan Briggs, County Attorney Ira Cohen, Commissioner of Financial Management Richard LaCondré, and County Auditor Brian McCabe.
"The goal is not to sit down with every entity – at least, not now," Pomeroy stated. "We will look at creating a mechanism to get and distribute the money."
Pomeroy went on to say that the committee would work like any other legislative sub-committee: they would make recommendations and resolutions that would go before the full board. It was not determined when the committee would meet, but the board was leaning toward the afternoon of the first Thursday of the month. The resolution still has to be passed by the full Legislature this Thursday.