MONTICELLO – As the state prepares for some regional reopening starting today, Friday, May 15th, Sullivan County officials provided an update on whether the county will be ready to meet the governor’s standards for reopening, with a specific focus on the annual influx of summer residents.
During a Facebook livestream on Thursday, officials addressed the concerns about the large community of people who come to Sullivan from New York City every summer. These are particularly Orthodox Jewish communities, many of whom own properties and operate camps in the summer.
With New York City being a hotbed of COVID 19 cases, Sullivan County Legislative Vice Chairman Michael Brooks said they are considering sending a letter to Governor Cuomo asking for the summer camps to be shut down this season.
“We are not looking to send a letter to the Governor, specifically about this because we, as well as other counties, have similar concerns talking about this constantly,” said Brooks. “Right now that decision is in the Governor’s hands and we will to wait to hear because a lot of counties have been asking for direction and that is what we are doing,” he said.
As far as rental properties, they are and will be open for summer visitors. Sullivan Sheriff Michael Schiff said there are no grounds for enforcement to keep people from occupying properties they own or rent.
Officials said they believe some of the complaints were grounded in anti-Semitism, which they unanimously voiced to be abhorrent and discouraged any complaints, or reports, based on such prejudice.
As far as phase 1 for regional reopening, manufacturing, and construction, Sullivan isn’t ready for May 15th; however, Brooks said they are in daily contact with the governor and the situation could change any day.
