July 21, 2020

Saraid Gonzalez:
Is there anything else that you would say are some challanges that we are experiencing?

Sen. Jen Metzger:
Sullivan County is experiencing many of the same problems that other counties throughout the state are experiencing in terms of the hit that they economy has taken. But, in some ways, it’s been even harder for Sullivan because of its heavy dependence on tourism, on the tourism industry. And of course that industry was particularly hard hit in this pandemic. A lot of people are out of work and my office has helped something like somewhere around 1700 constituents, in getting their unemployment insurance benefits during this time. And so that’s been huge. We passed a package of bills. The state legislature passed a package of bills that were COVID related to address some of the needs that we’re seeing, not just in Sullivan, but across the state. We passed, I’m very happy to report, we passed my bill, which would expand the the definition of “telehealth services” to include audio services only. In other words, if you could get the services of your doctor by phone. You don’t have to do it, over a computer, which is really important. Going back to what we were talking about earlier with lack of broadband access, if you don’t have that, you’re not going to have the option to safely see your doctor, so that bill was passed and signed into law, and that will provide affordable access by Sullivan County residents to healthcare services via telehealth. We also passed a bill to help renters. It creates, it actually, allocates a hundred million dollars of federal Care Act funding to a voucher program that would provide vouchers to landlords on behalf of renters, who are having a hard time, who are struggling to pay their rent because of a COVID related hardship. We passed a bill that provides mortgage relief for homeowners that have mortgages with state banks or state regulated mortgage companies. We passed legislation that prohibits utilities from shutting off people’s electricity, gas, water, any of their utilities, because, if they’re having a hard time paying their bills during this time. We’re also pushing really hard to get, a realistic federal package of relief because, as you’ve read in the papers, the County governments, the local government, state government: we’re all facing, major shortfalls in revenues because of the impact of the pandemic on the economy. It’s really important that we get that fiscal relief from the federal government so that we can maintain vital services and programs during this time.

Saraid Gonzalez:
Since Sullivan County is predominantly a tourist area, how have you seen businesses adapt during this pandemic, and what do you see for us here in Sullivan County in the future?

Sen. Jen Metzger:
First of all, the good news is Sullivan County, enters phase four of the’ four phases’ of reopening. So we’re in our final phase of reopening, which is great news! And that phase four includes indoor and outdoor arts and entertainment, lower risk which is museums and that kind of thing as well as higher education. We have seen businesses adapting. This coming weekend, I’m actually going to be going to the opening night at the Forestberg Playhouse.. “Forestberg Under The Stars 2020”. They’ve had to modify, obviously they’ve had some modified their usual programming, but they are doing a wonderful outdoor concert series this summer. And, you know, we’ve seen restaurants doing a lot of innovation too. Expanding. One thing that we often do have in Sullivan County into the Catskills is more open space unlike the City and elsewhere where outdoor dining is not as much of an option, but we’re seeing a lot of creative uses of space: adjacent yards or parking areas are being used for expanded dining. You’ve got, of course take out orders continue. Catskill Provisions now offers like the brunch boxes. So everyone’s coming up with these creative ways to open and to operate under the current circumstances. I do think that we’re seeing a lot more people. I think we’re going to continue to see a lot more people wanting to travel to the area in search of fresh air and in search of outdoor activities, especially from downstate: they want to be where it’s healthy and they want to engage in healthy activities.

Sen. Jen Metzger:
And I think this is one of the greatest things that we have to offer in the Catskills, in the Hudson Valley is, outdoor recreational opportunities. I do see us coming back, and coming back stronger. And I know that organizations like the Chamber of Commerce and Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association, with their branding of “Catskills Confidence”, really working, not only to attract people to Sullivan, but also to make sure they help businesses open safely, because what’s really key in all of this is that we continue to follow the health and safety protocols. We want to keep moving forward. We don’t want to go backwards like what we’re seeing in other States in the country right now. We’ve been very careful in New York and that has paid off. I’m excited. I’m very excited for us to be reopening and, the economy doing so in a safe manner.

Saraid Gonzalez:
That’s the best way to reach out to you for more information if folks wanted to reach out?

Sen. Jen Metzger:
The best way to reach me is my office in Liberty, on North Main. You can contact us at (845) 292-0215, or you can email me at metzger@NYsenate.gov.

Saraid Gonzalez:
Thank you so much, Senator. It was a pleasure interviewing you and, thank you for all of your efforts on behalf of Sullivan County.

Sen. Jen Metzger:
Thank you all. Thanks to Sullivan 180 and truly there’s just so much good work being done across Sullivan County, especially in this time.