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Greenway merger opposed
By Andrew Amelinckx
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
COLUMBIA COUNTY — The town of Greenport has added its voice to that of other communities opposed to Gov. David Paterson’s proposed merging of the Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council and Conservancy into the Department of State. The move by Paterson is an attempt to streamline state government.
Area legislators, including New York Assemblyman Marc Molinaro, R,C,I-Red Hook, are adamantly opposed to the merger.
“It’s a bad decision,” said Molinaro.
The assemblyman said he and others were continuing to speak with the governor about the issue, as well as rallying support from other legislators and local governments.
The Hudson River Valley Greenway is an agency created to “facilitate the development of a voluntary regional strategy for preserving scenic, natural, historic, cultural and recreational resources” according to its Web site. The agency also encourages compatible economic development in the 13-county region.
Twenty-four communities in Columbia County and 31 in Dutchess County participate in the program, receiving technical assistance and funding for local land use planning projects. It was created in 1991 under legislation authored by state Sen. Steve Saland, R,C,I-Poughkeepsie. The act created two organizations — the Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council and the Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley.
The Greenway Communities Council — a state agency — works with local and county governments in local land use planning.
The Greenway Conservancy — a public benefit corporation — works with local governments and others in building and maintaining the Hudson River Valley Trail system, promoting the Hudson River Valley as a tourism destination and assisting in preserving agriculture.
Molinaro said that there have been significant success stories through the program, from economic development to environmental stewardship. “It’s a phenomenal tool,” he said.
Among the important contributions of the Greenway, said Molinaro, has been to build trust between local government, businesses and the state.
Matthew Anderson, press liaison for the state Division of the Budget, said the state is looking at a $15.4 billion deficit.
“The state is facing extremely difficult fiscal times,” he said. “We have to consolidate our efforts in every area of our operations.”
According to Anderson the “seamless” merger won’t affect the day-to-day operations of the Hudson Valley Greenway.
Molinaro said that he “stands firm” with the governor on budget cutting, but believes the Hudson Valley Greenway is one program that should not be cut, considering what could happen if the merger takes place.
Molinaro said that the merger could jeopardize $600,000 in federal aid for the management of the Hudson Valley’s National Heritage Area, which is overseen by the Greenway Conservancy. He said the federal government prefers that the Heritage Areas are overseen by non-governmental agencies.
Anderson said that they didn’t believe any federal funds were in jeopardy, but if funds were lost they would “make the appropriate adjustments” to keep the program in place.
Molinaro has said that the budget savings of less than $100,000, based on the loss of federal aid and re-assignment of Greenway staff, is outweighed by the success of the program.
The assemblyman said that the Greenway has been a model for the sharing of services by communities and other cost saving measures that represents exactly what the state needs.
Molinaro said he would continue to seek the support of area communities.
Paterson has until Jan. 15 to change his mind on the proposed merger, according to Molinaro. The assemblyman hoped area leaders would make their voices heard.
The Greenport Town Board unanimously voted to pass a resolution Wednesday asking that the merger not take place. The board had received a letter from the assemblyman asking for their support.
Town Supervisor John Rutkey, speaking at the meeting held at the Greenport Town Hall, said the board wanted to both support the program as well as Molinaro.
If Paterson doesn’t change his mind, said Molinaro, he would work to ensure that the legislature restores the program.
To reach reporter Andrew Amelinckx please call 518-828-1616, ext. 2267, or e-mail aamelinckx@registerstar.com.
COLUMBIA COUNTY — The town of Greenport has added its voice to that of other communities opposed to Gov. David Paterson’s proposed merging of the Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council and Conservancy into the Department of State. The move by Paterson is an attempt to streamline state government.
Area legislators, including New York Assemblyman Marc Molinaro, R,C,I-Red Hook, are adamantly opposed to the merger.
“It’s a bad decision,” said Molinaro.
The assemblyman said he and others were continuing to speak with the governor about the issue, as well as rallying support from other legislators and local governments.
The Hudson River Valley Greenway is an agency created to “facilitate the development of a voluntary regional strategy for preserving scenic, natural, historic, cultural and recreational resources” according to its Web site. The agency also encourages compatible economic development in the 13-county region.
Twenty-four communities in Columbia County and 31 in Dutchess County participate in the program, receiving technical assistance and funding for local land use planning projects. It was created in 1991 under legislation authored by state Sen. Steve Saland, R,C,I-Poughkeepsie. The act created two organizations — the Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council and the Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley.
The Greenway Communities Council — a state agency — works with local and county governments in local land use planning.
The Greenway Conservancy — a public benefit corporation — works with local governments and others in building and maintaining the Hudson River Valley Trail system, promoting the Hudson River Valley as a tourism destination and assisting in preserving agriculture.
Molinaro said that there have been significant success stories through the program, from economic development to environmental stewardship. “It’s a phenomenal tool,” he said.
Among the important contributions of the Greenway, said Molinaro, has been to build trust between local government, businesses and the state.
Matthew Anderson, press liaison for the state Division of the Budget, said the state is looking at a $15.4 billion deficit.
“The state is facing extremely difficult fiscal times,” he said. “We have to consolidate our efforts in every area of our operations.”
According to Anderson the “seamless” merger won’t affect the day-to-day operations of the Hudson Valley Greenway.
Molinaro said that he “stands firm” with the governor on budget cutting, but believes the Hudson Valley Greenway is one program that should not be cut, considering what could happen if the merger takes place.
Molinaro said that the merger could jeopardize $600,000 in federal aid for the management of the Hudson Valley’s National Heritage Area, which is overseen by the Greenway Conservancy. He said the federal government prefers that the Heritage Areas are overseen by non-governmental agencies.
Anderson said that they didn’t believe any federal funds were in jeopardy, but if funds were lost they would “make the appropriate adjustments” to keep the program in place.
Molinaro has said that the budget savings of less than $100,000, based on the loss of federal aid and re-assignment of Greenway staff, is outweighed by the success of the program.
The assemblyman said that the Greenway has been a model for the sharing of services by communities and other cost saving measures that represents exactly what the state needs.
Molinaro said he would continue to seek the support of area communities.
Paterson has until Jan. 15 to change his mind on the proposed merger, according to Molinaro. The assemblyman hoped area leaders would make their voices heard.
The Greenport Town Board unanimously voted to pass a resolution Wednesday asking that the merger not take place. The board had received a letter from the assemblyman asking for their support.
Town Supervisor John Rutkey, speaking at the meeting held at the Greenport Town Hall, said the board wanted to both support the program as well as Molinaro.
If Paterson doesn’t change his mind, said Molinaro, he would work to ensure that the legislature restores the program.
To reach reporter Andrew Amelinckx please call 518-828-1616, ext. 2267, or e-mail aamelinckx@registerstar.com.
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