Sullivan legislature District One Democratic candidate Scott Samuelson

Posted 10/24/19

 I purchased a weekend home in Sullivan County in 1981 with my husband, Eddie Dudek, both professional entertainers. We obtained a property in White Lake in 1985 and opened Bradstan Country …

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Sullivan legislature District One Democratic candidate Scott Samuelson

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 I purchased a weekend home in Sullivan County in 1981 with my husband, Eddie Dudek, both professional entertainers. We obtained a property in White Lake in 1985 and opened Bradstan Country Hotel in 1991, a B&B and piano bar/cabaret. This was all accomplished completely on our own, no help from government agencies, private granting, or incentives. We have always maintained outside employment to make our lives work so we are completely understanding of the concept of two or more jobs to survive in today’s economy.

I was encouraged to run for the county legislature in 2011. My campaign was focused on the negative economy in Sullivan County, so I advocated for economic development, job creation and property tax stabilization focused primarily in the tourism, agriculture and healthcare sectors as the county had major ties to each but was faltering.

Elected chairman in my first term, I was able to assemble all community economic-development organizations, private business owners and concerned citizens to lobby for a legalized, class-three gaming license in Sullivan County in 2013. We were successful (Resorts World Catskills) and the catalyst for the attraction of further, more diversified economic development was achieved.
For the future we need to continue to work on attracting more diverse business and employment solutions for the county. Identifying more diverse options is imperative for the county to achieve resiliency.

Secondly, I believe the county needs to continue and accelerate our goals toward sustainable energy options so that we can lessen our dependence on fossil fuels.

We also need to focus our energies on more affordable housing options so that people are encouraged to move to the county for the plethora of employment opportunities that currently exist and will hopefully increase.

Due to some of the things that I have been personally involved in and or supported in my two terms in the legislature, Sullivan County is enjoying much more positive outcomes over the last two years.

On a personal note of accomplishment, on September 17 I was installed as president of the New York State Association of Counties. NYSAC is an organization that advocates for the county’s issues with state government, including the legislature and the governor. It is a great honor for me and an exceptional opportunity for the county.
I have been proud to serve my constituents over the last eight years and have done so in a bipartisan manner and often times been considered a voice of experience and reason on the board.

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