By Nathan Mayberg
MONTICELLO — April 21, 2006 – As the Villa Roma prepares to recover from the terrible tragedy which befell it last week and awaits insurance reimbursement, help is already on the way from the Sullivan County Government.
Sullivan County Industrial Development Agency Chairman and County Legislator Sam Wohl is leading the effort to help the hotel through the disaster-impact tax abatement program the agency established in 1998.
The program has already assisted Arthur Glick’s Truck Sales following the fire there several years ago, along with last year’s flooding of the Holiday Mountain Ski Chalet – owned by the son of Villa Roma owner Marty Passante.
Wohl said, “The program provides essential tax incentives to businesses that have been hurt and are looking to rebuild in Sullivan County. In light of their recent fire, we at the IDA will do everything in our power, in conjunction with the Sullivan County Legislature, to bring the Villa Roma back to life.”
The program lasts 16 years and provides 100 percent county real estate tax abatement in the first year, followed by a ten percent decrease each sequential year.