Monticello homeless shelter is “dead on arrival” say some county legislators

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L-R in back: Sager, Kurlander, Thompson Supervisor Bill Rieber, Resnick

MONTICELLO – There was little support for a homeless shelter in the Village of Monticello during a lengthy discussion by members of the Sullivan County Legislation on a possible county homeless shelter just off the west end of the village’s central business corridor.
“Monticello is the welfare capital of the Catskills,” said attorney and businessman Steve Kurlander.  “It’s got to stop.”
Another businessman, Dan Resnick, agreed.
“When you drive up Broadway, it’s scary,” Resnick said.  “It’s just dirty windows and dirty buildings.”
The businesspeople had the full support of Village Manager David Sager, a former county legislator.
“We’re trying to reinvigorate and redefine Broadway and how to be a proud county seat, and when I sat in your seat, I always said that, despite the fact that I represented the western end of the county, as goes Monticello, so goes Sullivan County, and you can’t do this to us right now,”  Sager said.
Little argument came from county legislators who generally didn’t like the idea, either. 
Republican Alan Sorenson, whose district includes Monticello, said the whole thing is happening backward.  He said the first step should have been getting a sense of the community.  
“It’s pretty obvious there is no community support for a shelter at this location in Pelton Street, so I don’t know why we’re exploring it further.”
Sorenson claimed that would have shown little support for a shelter in the village.

Pelton Street structures proposed for the shelter

Acting Health and Family Services Commissioner Joseph Todora defended the proposal, saying it would provide a safe and ”structured” setting where people, who would be there temporarily, would get the help they need that that point of time. 
“Not just putting people in hotels or unsupervised settings, but that we’re helping people go from homeless to homeowner.”
Todora said as of yesterday, there are 39 homeless people the county is officially aware of.  That includes seven children. 
Three shelters are planned, with the other two in the Liberty area.
Todora said Town of Liberty officials will support one of the shelters at the county social services complex in the town.
Legislature Chairman Scott Samuelson said the discussion is very early and despite reports and rumors he claims are circulating, nothing has been decided on. 




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