By Matt Youngfrau
WHITE LAKE — July 5, 2002 – New York State Senator John Bonacic, having already secured in April $250,000 in state funding for the fire training facility at the county airport in White Lake, stopped by the airport Monday with two more pieces of good news: further funding, and a Volunteer Recruitment Scholarship Service program.
"I am pleased to partner with Sullivan County," Bonacic remarked. "This is a happy day. This is good news."
With potential projects such as the Bethel performing arts center and the casinos in the area, Bonacic said there was a need to begin building the training facility immediately. The additional $150,000 he announced Monday will help towards that goal.
The Volunteer Recruitment Service Scholarship program allows one member from each department to receive up to $3,400 a year for college. The program is modeled after the National Guard Recruitment plan. The application deadline is August 9.
County officials expressed excitement over Bonacic's announcement. That same day, they were negotiating with the Town of Bethel to purchase the property for the training facility.