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Speenburgh: State and county relationship 'challenging'

Mar 21, 2013 7:42 am
W.T. Eckert reports in The Daily Mail on Greene County Legislature Chairman Wayne Speenburgh's State of the County Address, presented Wed., Mar. 20. Republican Speenburgh of Coxsackie called the address a "picture-in-time outline" intended to give residents an understanding of the issues facing the county. The county's partnership with state government, in Speenburgh's words, continues to be challenging. He was especially critical of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on several points. Speenburgh cited the state's continuing failure to provide mandate relief, the challenge of FEMA red tape and a disconnect between the state Regional Economic Development Councils and the counties as significant issues. The chairman lauded the creation of the county Tourism Advisory Committee, the county's strong finances and the Legislature's ability to work through and solve community issues together. Responding to the chairman's address, Democrat James Van Slyke of New Baltimore agreed with the assessment of the county's financial situation. Van Slyke said the signs of an improved local economy are a welcome change. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.