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Belleayre Supporters Start New Push for Compromise
06/16/2008
Billboards, bumpers stickers, and lawn signs started appearing this week in support of the expansion of Belleayre Mt. Ski Center and the construction of the Belleayre Resort at Catskill Park. According to Partners for Progress Chairman, Lewis Kolar, the visuals popping up now are part of a greater campaign to push the long-studied Agreement to completion.
"We started last November in preparation for public hearings and scoping sessions on the Agreement in Principle to build these facilities," said Kolar last week, "and we're not going to stop until we see a shovel in the ground." Kolar said that a newsletter outlining reasons for supporting the compromise will hit local mail boxes next week and that a petition drive launched in December will continue on the group's website,
www.supportthecompromise.com
Kolar, along with Coalition to Save Belleayre Chairman Joe Kelly, are spearheading efforts to educate the public on the benefits of the compromise and the importance of having supporters speak out. "With all the fear-mongering going on, it's hard to remember that nearly every major national, state and regional environmental watchdog has signed the agreement to get this built," said Kelly. The longtime Belleayre advocate went on to note that "it has been said that this agreement was negotiated behind closed doors by those who were behind those doors. If there are new any new negotiations we will insist that those advocating for the compromise are also represented. We will make our voices heard. Environmentalism and economic development are not mutually exclusive and, in fact, are mutually desirable."
Carole Chanler, another long time supporter of Belleayre Mt. noted that opponents to the ski center expansion and resort construction have not offered a single alternative that might kick-start the ailing economy. "Anyone who takes a ride down Main Street in Fleischmanns or Pine Hill can immediately see the impacts of the no-build economy we've had here," said Chanler. "When the New York City DEP, the National Resource Defense Council, the New York Public Interest Research Group, and the Riverkeeper, all agree an economic initiative can go forward, you have to wonder who, exactly is trying to stop it and what their motives are."
Local business owner Chuck Perez echoed Chanler's comments. "We hear that the character of our community is endangered," said Perez. But it isn't expansion of Belleayre or a new resort that's creating the danger. It's poverty. We hear that the character of our communities will be changed. Well last year we lost two churches and this year we nearly lost two elementary schools. It's the locals who are endangered."
Perez went on to note that a review of the opponents' petition shows the vast majority of those people against the compromise don't live in Shandaken or Middletown where it will be built. "What do people from California know about the character of our community?"
Paraphrasing a well-known movie, Perez said of the Partners group, "We're mad as heck and we're not going to take it anymore!" Urging people to rally in support of the compromise, Perez said people can pick up signs, pins, bumper stickers or decals at this service station in Big Indian and can go on the group's website for more information.
Contact information for this statement is as follows:
Lewis Kolar - 676-4844 or aip@supportthecompromise.com
Joe Kelly - 254-4074 or djkelly2@optonline.net
Carole Chanler - 254-4657 or CCWESTSIDE@aol.com
Chuck Perez - 254-4000 or cptowman@yahoo.com
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