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Number of supporters tops 1,000
01/27/2008
Partners for Progress Has More Than 1,000 Supporters
On-line and paper petitions gaining momentum.
Partners for Progress had a good week last week! The coalition of individuals, organizations and businesses supporting the Agreement in Principle for a major expansion of Belleayre Mt. Ski Center and the construction of the Belleayre Resort adjoining it, announced that it is making great strides in efforts to help project proponents be heard.
In a high profile event, the Coalition for Belleayre’s 22nd. annual Snowball at Belleayre Mt. Ski Center Saturday evening, Judith Enck, Deputy Secretary for the Environment, accepted “The Spirit of the Catskills” award on behalf of Governor Eliot Spitzer and reviewed with the more than 200 in attendance, the many reasons why the compromise is good for the region. The group also noted that in less than two weeks, an on-line petition supporting the compromise has garnered more than 834 signatures and paper versions of the document bring the total to well over 1,000.
“It is really good to start seeing positive comments about this project after all the negatives we’ve heard,” said Partner for Progress Chairman, Lewis E. Kolar. “We were happy with this compromise in September and the more we hear, the better it sounds.” Noting that his group formed to provide a platform that compromise supporters could use to make their voices heard, Kolar added that Deputy Secretary Enck’s comments in accepting the award for Spitzer were “right on target in addressing lingering concerns.” We have always said environmentalism and economic development need not be mutually exclusive and Ms. Enck,’s comments reflected that view, Kolar said.
“We can have economic stability and environmental protection, at the same time. In part, in this changing economy, economic development and environmental sustainability are mutually reinforcing goals that will enhance the state’s competitiveness,” Enck told an audience that applauded her warmly. Enck also noted that Governor Spitzer wants “……environmental protection and sustainable economic growth.” She said “We can have clean water and good jobs. We can protect open space while growing the innovation economy. We can revitalize Upstate; providing economic security for our families while also vigorously protecting our natural resources.”
To loud cheers, Enck went on to note that “These are not either or propositions. These goals are the cornerstone of the Spitzer Administration and they are reflected in the Governor’s recent State of the State Address and his proposed executive budget.” With an audience full of supporters, Enck, added “Smart business leaders get it. Financial lenders get it. The environmental community has been articulating it for decades.
And for the most part – the general public embraces it.”
In lauding Deputy Secretary Enck’s remarks, Chairman Kolar added “the 834 people who have signed an on-line petition supporting this agreement also get it, as do the hundreds who have signed paper petitions, and the signatories to the document itself” Kolar said “She reminded us all that it’s only 273 acres of development. And that it can never be more than that as per the agreement.” Kolar also pointed out that there will be “450 full-time jobs, with 100+ having avg. salaries of $51,000 and 300+ with hourly wages of $12.50, all with comprehensive benefits packages.”
“These jobs are very real,” said Kolar “and will dramatically improve the quality of life for those who must earn a living in the Catskill region.” Kolar also noted that during the construction phase, the resort will require approximately 250 workers at any given time, giving local lodging, restaurant and shopping establishments a much needed boost to their businesses. “In many ways,” said Kolar, this project will take us back to where we were in the mid-1960s before the Grand Hotel was razed. We’ll get back the hotel and golf course that were there – and the expansion of Belleyare Mt. includes the restoration of the once popular Highmount Ski Center ski trails that have been closed for nearly two decades now.”
Kolar also said that among the many, many benefits of this project, none will be more important to local taxpayers than the real estate taxes to be generated for our schools and municipalities. While the jobs to be created are very important, increasing the tax base is the most critical economic development activity needed in this region.
Kolar said the Partners for Progress group understands why some local people are afraid of the resort, but believes that the environmental reviews prior to the announcement and now underway will more than adequately address all outstanding concerns. “We aren’t here to try to convince people who don’t want to share in the benefits this project will bring,” said Kolar. “Rather, our goal is to be certain that accurate information about the project is readily available and to let government officials know that there is a very strong base of support for this compromise.”
More information on the Partners for Progress is available at their website, supportthecompromise.org. Those who want to sign a petition in support of the compromise may do so at www.petitiononline.com/SayYes08/petition.html.
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