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Opinion:  Stewart Airport
Susan M. Baer - Director of Aviation, PANYNJ
(January 4)

When the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s Board of Commissioners approved a $20 million authorization earlier this month for the expansion of Stewart International Airport’s passenger terminal, it was as clear a signal as ever that our agency’s commitment to the airport, our customers and the mid-Hudson Valley has never wavered.

We’ve stayed the course throughout the economic downturn that quickly followed our acquisition of the airport in 2007, and as we begin our fifth year as the airport’s operator, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey remains determined to fulfill Stewart’s potential as a strong regional airport and economic engine for the Hudson Valley. It hasn’t always been easy, as the Great Recession hit regional airports across the country particularly hard, with many losing most or all of their flights. However, at Stewart, our policies and efforts not only allowed us to hold onto existing air service, but to add new flights as well. In the last year or so, Delta and JetBlue added frequencies, and we inaugurated our new temporary U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility with seasonal service to Cancun, Mexico. 

By investing more than $56 million in capital projects and devoting countless hours of staff time to air service and business development, we’ve delivered benefits that ripple far beyond the airport’s borders. Our investments at Stewart since we took control in 2007 have created hundreds of jobs generating millions in total economic activity, with more than half the contracts awarded to local firms. That’s important to us, which is why we’ve hired firms from towns like Newburgh, Maybrook and New Windsor within Orange County, as well as companies in nearby Cutchess, Ulster, Sullivan, Rockland and Westchester counties.

More improvement are on the way. The planned expansion of our passenger terminal over the next three years will separate domestic and international travel operations and add 31,500 square feet of new space.  With completion expected by December 2014, the expanded terminal will enable Stewart to handle more than the current upper limit of 1 million passengers annually – a crucial step for the airport’s future.

This project alone will create 120 jobs paying $8 million in wages and generating $33 million in economic activity for the mid-Hudson Valley.

Outside the terminal, the Port Authority has made extensive infrastructure improvements, including enhanced runway approach lighting and new weather systems that enable carriers, including our Air National Guard partners, to enjoy state-of-the-art operating conditions.

We continue to explore opportunities with domestic and international air carriers regarding additional passenger service at Stewart, and have devoted considerable resources to promoting the airport. The most recent radio campaign, for example, featured more than 1,000 spots about Stewart, and we’ve also used billboards, print and the internet to deliver our message. But the best advertising is from our customers, who through word of mouth continue to popularize our—and their—airport.

I’m pleased to report that when the final numbers are in for 2011, we expect to easily exceed 400,000 passengers for the year, making this our best annual count since 2008.  Cargo results also have been strong, with tonnage totals expected to be up about 30 percent for the year, supported in part by a new daily FedEx flight added in late 2010. The “eight-pound passenger” doesn’t get a lot of attention, but we know cargo will play a key role in Stewart’s economic development.

Stewart plays an important role in our airport system, and its future is limited only by what we cannot imagine for it. We’ve seen glimpses of its great promise for the region, and are confident that its best days are still ahead.  

Susan M. Baer is Director of Aviation for the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, which operates Stewart International Airport, along with John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia and Teterboro airports.  

Opinion:  A year in review
Congresswoman Nan Hayworth (R-19)
(January 4)

“Focus on jobs.” “Make the federal government work better for us.” “Help break the partisan gridlock in Washington.” These are some of the messages I’ve been getting from people all across the Hudson Valley in our 19th Congressional District. When Congress is not in session in Washington I spend my time here, visiting our towns and villages, small businesses and larger manufacturers, senior centers and schools. We’ve held a jobs fair to bring job seekers together with potential employers; I’ve toured local nonprofits caring for our neediest citizens; and I’ve brought together key state and federal agencies to expedite recovery after Hurricane Irene.   

Strengthening our economy and growing jobs is the most pressing issue facing our region and our nation. This year we’ve passed 28 bills in the House of Representatives--with votes from both Republicans and Democrats--aimed at reducing burdens on our businesses, especially small ones, and providing certainty to investors who would like to start new businesses or make existing ones bigger and better.  In June I introduced another bill that can make a difference right here in the Hudson Valley, the PACE Protection Act of 2011. It would allow people who own homes or other properties to make energy-saving retrofits affordably, through a special property tax assessment that is paid over time. It would not add costs for local taxpayers, and it would immediately create jobs in our communities. The PACE Protection Act is gaining support on both sides of the aisle.

I’ve also joined my colleagues in the House to work together with the Senate and the President wherever we can find consensus. For example, President Obama has called for making it easier for businesses to raise capital for expansion, and for reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens. As a member of the House Financial Services Committee, I’ve supported the introduction and passage of legislation to do these helpful things. To help overcome the partisan divide in the House, I’m a cofounder of the Common Ground Caucus, which brings Republican and Democratic Members together to get to know each other outside of our legislative work. I’m also working with Congressman Peter Welch, a Democrat from Vermont, as a co-chair of the Hurricane Irene Coalition, which crosses the aisle to ensure that our counties, and the entire Northeast, receive all of the federal assistance to which they are entitled to recover from last year’s devastating storms. I’m proud to have been the first member of our New York congressional delegation to have asked President Obama—successfully—for full disaster-relief designation for all of our counties in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.

In the face of challenges like natural disasters and man-made pollution, I’ve worked to protect the beauty of our Hudson Valley and to keep our air and water clean in common-sense ways. Last year I received the highest score among our Republican Members of Congress from New York from the League of Conservation Voters. I was also recently recognized by the Sierra Club for my strong voting record in support of clean water. My record on the environment has led observers to recognize me as one of several federal legislators willing to “take the pro-green position during floor and committee votes spanning more than 100 bills and amendments.”

It’s a great privilege to serve our friends and neighbors across the Hudson Valley. I’d appreciate your helping me and our team by letting us know how we can help you or your community. You can contact us, as well as learn more about the issues I’m working on, at http://hayworth.house.gov.  Thanks for joining us to make our Hudson Valley an ever better place to live and work.  

Public Accountability Needed NOW!!!!

On 6/22/10, the title of the THR Editorial was, " Serious questions about Valley View require real answer."  The opening paragraph of that editorial stated, " If not for the veto of Executive Ed Diana in January, Orange County would have an office of public accountability and it would be investigating its first important case- the possible privatization of the county's Valley View nursing home and the role of William Deprospo, chairman of the Orange County Republican Committee,"

The editorial concluded the Orange County legislature needed to call off any action regarding Valley View, including the study( which they have since proceed with and paid $118,000 to CRG) "until they can get a disinterested third party to answer all questions."  Lastly the editorial recommended the legislature reconsider the need for a county watchdog.

This privatization plan has proceeded at lightning speed, with no public accountability and with little to no regard even to the $118,000 CRG Report.

On page 38, CRG summmarized that many they interviewed were convinced the County and the Nursing Home(OAS) "are working tacitly  to help pave the way for the sale of the facility."  This coupled with "OAS having the "right of first refusal" to purchase or lease the facility and/or surrunding property," should be more than the "red flag" necessary to mandate a full investigation.

Instead of voting to defund Valley View on the 14th, ALL Orange County legislators should be voting for the full investigation, that was called for over one year ago! 

Mary Ann McDonough
Otisville
(December 14)

Consolidation proposal by the United States Post Office

I attended a public hearing on December 1, 2011 held in the Village of Montgomery
New York.  I viewed an impressive power point presentation indicating reasons the Postal System should consolidate mail sorting centers.

President Franklin Roosevelt helped this country in difficult economic times by creating jobs. The Federal Government has an obligation to create or at least keep its existing employees in difficult economic times. It would be totally irresponsible for the Federal Government to lay off employees in the current economic times.

Federal agencies are necessary to operate this country. If employees were eliminated from every Federal Agency which did not produce a profit then what agencies would we have?

The above letter was submitted to the United States Postal Service as comments to be considered in the consolidation process.

Gil Piaquadio
Councilman  Town of Newburgh
(December 14)

Keep right

“Keep right except to pass” happens to be New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.  If more people did it, we’d have fewer traffic jams.

Bill Cahill
Parksville
(December 19)

Guidelines

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