Atzrott, left, speaking with other business and civic leaders

NEWBURGH - Only one day after concerned Newburgh residents marched on City Hall calling on State Government for an economic bailout the city’s business leaders convened Thursday morning at the West Shore Station in Newburgh to collectively discuss strategies for saving the city from its financial crisis before it’s too late.

According to CEO of St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital Allan Atzrott, “we want the state to step in and allow a control board, and people with a business vision, to assist the city with its rehabilitation.”

Atzrott said the city is in a deplorable state, is going nowhere quickly, and the answer cannot continue to be tax increase after tax increase.

 “As the largest employers in the region we felt the time was right to affect change,” he said, “and so we’re looking at improving housing, codes, cops, and compliance.”

He explained that addressing housing and law enforcement are two top priorities because, “you don’t need grocery stores and small businesses if nobody lives here.”

He noted that fixing Newburgh’s problems is not just about making it through the economic recession; instead it’s about developing new strategies that will create positive long-term results for the city and its residents.