GOSHEN—Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus delivered his third State of the County address called “Making a Difference” on March 16 before the County Legislature and a capacity crowd at the Emergency Services Center auditorium. Nadia Allen, executive director of Mental Health Association in Orange County Inc., introduced Neuhaus.
The address highlighted several accomplishments in the past year as well as new policy initiatives. “I am very glad to report that the state of Orange County is stronger than ever and our future looks bright,” Neuhaus said.
The county exec underscored fiscal matters, economic development, improvements in infrastructure, and taking care of residents.
Initiatives
The county reduced spending by $40 million without layoffs. The fund balance, the county’s rainy day fund, is starting to grow. The unemployment rate has dropped from 6.4 percent to 4.5 percent. Sales tax revenues have gone up for the second year in a row.
Economic development centered on commercial development of the closed Camp La Guardia and the Indigot watershed.
The 1000+ acre county-owned Indigot watershed was earmarked for a future reservoir several decades ago.
A memorandum of understanding was signed on stage to applause that provides for Middletown’s pipes and treatment facilities to be used to make water available for economic development along the 17M corridor.
“It’s exciting news for Middletown, Wawayanda, Wallkill—Orange County,” said Middletown Mayor Joseph DeStefano.
Camp La Guardia has been closed down. “It was a good thing that Camp La Guardia closed,” Neuhas said. “It changed the Heritage Trail. Try letting your wives and kids go there when you had the issues going on there back then.”
He said the county purchased development rights and proposals are coming forward to change zoning in Blooming Grove and Chester from agricultural and residential to commercial.
