CATSKILL - The Daily Freeman and Daily Mail each have stories this morning about last night's Catskill Town Board meeting, where one of the highlights seems to have been a request from Heart of Catskill Association Executive Director Linda Overbaugh that the town restore its portion of a joint funding agreement among the promotion group, the village, and the town that the town cut off in the current year's budget.
Association chairman Angelo Ruggiero asked that funding be returned to the $8,000 level last paid by the town in 2008. The town contributed $8,000 annually from 2001 through 2008, dropping the contribution to $7,000 in 2009 and eliminating participation altogether this year. Councilman Robert Antonelli, R, led opposition to the funding based on the fact that HOCA raises money each year from its Cat'n Around Catskill art promotion that it then donates to local not-for-profits and participating artists. a

HOCA, which also identified itself as the Catskill Chamber of Commerce, was formed in 1993 for promotion of local businesses, the marketing of vacant buildings, and the attraction of tourism to the town.

By meeting's end, it was agreed that the organization would return with complete accounts of its annual expenditures, as well as all income, and then revisit the funding request.

For the full story, click HERE.