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Belleayre Backers Board Buses
03/25/2008
Nearly 100 supporters of Belleayre Mt. Ski Center are expected to board two buses Thursday morning for a trip to Albany to meet with legislators on behalf of the beleaguered resort. The bus trip is the third in a series of activities designed to show legislators, media outlets, and others in the region the importance of Belleayre Mt. Ski Center to the Rt. 28 corridor between Ulster and Delaware Counties.
The group will protest budget cuts, changes in expansion plans, and the recent attacks by Hunter and Windham Ski Centers on the state-owned Belleayre. "If they spent half as much time and effort on their ski operations as they do on their real estate endeavors, Belleayre wouldn't be a threat to them," said Coalition Chairman Joe Kelly in recent remarks. Members of the Coalition to Save Belleayre, Partners for Progress, Chambers of Commerce in both Ulster and Delaware Counties and individual members of the Belleayre Region Lodging and Tourism Association will be among those carrying the message to Albany.
Bob Konefal, owner of the Pine Hill Arms and one of the event organizers called on everyone who relies on Belleayre to make a sign and get on the bus. "One county should not be allowed to dictate to the entire state," said Konefal. "The voters of the state got Belleayre Mt. into the ski business and in 1987 they voted to keep it there. We're still waiting for the expansion they promised."
Meetings in Albany have been scheduled with Senator John Bonacic and Assembly Members Kevin Cahill and Clifford Crouch. Anyone interested in riding the bus, or in driving their own cars and joining the group in Albany should call 254-5338 to reserve a seat on the bus. More information on all efforts is available by going to www.supportthecompromise.com.
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