Press Releases


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 30, 2008	CONTACT: Chris Ferrero, VP External Affairs (845) 565-4900 • cferrero@pfprogress.org or Jonathan Drapkin, President/CEO (845) 565-4900 • jdrapkin@pfprogress.org

Pattern For Progress Forms Intergovernmental Committee
To Continue Hudson Valley Dialogue On Government Efficiency

Regional Committee will Explore Commission’s Recommendations

Newburgh – In concert with the report released today by the Governor’s Commission on Local Government Efficiency and Competitiveness, Pattern for Progress has announced the formation of a Hudson Valley based committee to continue work on the report’s 76 recommendations to rein in costs.

“The ideas in the report are meant to involve larger numbers of people in the debate, and to spur action,” said Pattern’s president and CEO Jonathan Drapkin, who was a member of the Commission. “We know that to be successful in their implementation we need to commit effort at the local level.”

Orange County Executive Edward Diana will serve as chair of Pattern’s committee. “Independent of the Commission’s report, I support the effort to find ways to make government more efficient,” he said. “We have been working on this in Orange County, and I welcome the opportunity to broaden the discussion in the region.”

Gerald Benjamin, also a member of the Governor’s Commission, will serve as advisor to the committee. Benjamin is director of the new SUNY New Paltz Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach, and author of a large body of research on government restructuring. “The issues raised in the commission’s report are of critical importance if we are finally to move towards a more rational way of delivering government services,” he said. “We are eager to team with Pattern for Progress as a way to move to an action agenda.”

The new committee will convene its first meeting in late May. Pattern for Progress and SUNY New Paltz will issue an annual progress report on measures taken by local government in the Hudson Valley to improve services delivery, whether it is shared services or consolidation of services. In addition, Pattern will sponsor a fall event to continue to share ideas and resources on a regional level.

Joining the committee in its review of the Commission’s recommendations and the search for new concepts are Jonathan Rouis, chair of the Sullivan County Legislature and Sullivan County’s Council of Governments; John Tully, deputy county executive of Putnam County; Jon Wagner, Town of LaGrange supervisor and head of the Dutchess County Association of Town Supervisors; Jon Valk; Town of Shawangunk supervisor and chair of the Ulster County Association of Town Supervisors; John Ward, Town of Wallkill supervisor and chair of the Orange County Association of Town Supervisors; Stefan Neuhaus, Town of Chester supervisor; Joan Pagones, Town of Fishkill supervisor; Ira Cohen, Sullivan County treasurer; and Michael Hein, Ulster County administrator. Others wishing to participate should contact Pattern for Progress at (845) 565-4900.

Pattern for Progress is a not-for-profit policy, planning, advocacy and research organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the quality of life for Hudson Valley residents through regional solutions. Founded in 1965 by business, academic and civic leaders, and based in Newburgh, NY, Pattern serves nine counties: Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 18, 2008

CONTACT: Chris Ferrero, VP External Affairs
or Jonathan Drapkin, President/CEO
(845) 565-4900

Pattern for Progress Launches Transportation Study

Drapkin Unveils Draft of Priorities at Hudson Valley Economic Summit

NEWBURGH – As opening speaker at the third Hudson Valley Regional Economic Summit, Jonathan Drapkin, president and CEO of Pattern for Progress today articulated an updated set of transportation priorities for the Hudson Valley region as a prelude to releasing a full study later this spring.

The Summit is an annual seven-county effort to explore local, national and global economic issues as a region. This year the event focused on transportation and was held at SUNY Rockland Community College in Suffern. In addition to Drapkin as opening speaker, the event featured as keynote speaker former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater, and speakers and panelists including NYS Commissioner of Transportation Astrid Glynn, MTA Metro-North Railroad President Peter Cannito and Executive Director of the NYS Thruway Authority Michael Fleischer.

“This was an ideal forum to begin the dialogue on a regional approach to transportation issues,” said Drapkin. “For weeks we’ve collaborated with the experts and consultants to update the data and draft the priority issues, and now it’s time to engage others around the nine-county Hudson Valley region to help finalize the study and then create the path from recommendations to action.”

Among the fifteen priorities laid out in his address are the creation of a regional transportation consortium, increased use of transit-oriented development (TOD’s), advocacy for various transportation funding and financing sources, and strategies for the Tappan Zee Bridge and Stewart Airport.

Drapkin referred to the potential conflict for limited dollars that can result from multiple plans offered by different transportation agencies across the nine counties Pattern serves. He said,

“It is critical that we bring together the leaders in transportation policy from across the region to agree on a set of priorities that puts the Hudson Valley first.”

###

A Draft of Priorities:

Transportation in the Valley

1. Create Regional Transportation Consortium

2. Move Toward Solution to the Tappan Zee Bridge, including Potential Capacity for Multi-Modal

3. Maximize Connections to Stewart by Bus & Train - both within Region and from Metro Area

4. Increase use of Transit Oriented Development (TOD's), including use as Catalyst for Smart-Growth/

Economic Development

5. Unite Hudson Valley to Move Up Ladder for Priority Attention in Albany

6. Insure the Hudson Valley's "Fare" Share

7. Increase Voting Power for Region's Representatives on MTA Board

8. Create Hudson Valley Development Strategy to "Triage" Transportation Funding

9. Develop Program for Infrastructure Investment to Help Rebuild Municipalities, Big and Small

10. Advocate for Federal Support for DOT's $150B Investment Program

11. Explore Alternate Forms of Financing

12. The Transit Wish List

13. Analyze Potential for Increased Ferry Usage in the Valley

14. Influence Consumer Behavior to Begin Solving Transportation Issues

15. Create Ways to Retain More of the 200,000 Commuters Going to NYC, NJ and CT

PATTERN FOR PROGRESS

Draft Presented at Hudson Valley Regional Economic Summit

SUNY Rockland Community College

March 18, 2008


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FEBRUARY 6, 2008	CONTACT: Chris Ferrero, VP External Affairs or Jonathan Drapkin, President/CEO (845) 565-4900

MTA and Pattern for Progress Heads

Announce Plans for Hudson Valley

Lee Sander Pledges Stewart Access, Announces Port Jervis Line Extension

NEWBURGH – Every year Hudson Valley business, government and nonprofit leaders attend Pattern for Progress’ President’s Day Breakfast to hear Pattern’s work plan for the coming year, as well as a keynote speaker who can share strategic perspectives on the Hudson Valley.

This year’s event, which took place today at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel and Conference Center, broke Pattern’s record with 360 attendees. The guest speaker was Elliot “Lee” Sander, CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), of which Metro-North Railroad is the fastest growing component.

Sander announced that the MTA has begun work with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to provide better access to Stewart Airport, and that they were together commencing the DEIS (Draft Environmental Impact Study) to examine options for linking Stewart with local and regional destinations. He also announced the extension of the Port Jervis line to connect with Stewart.

“I was excited to hear his announcement,” said Mary Ann Crotty, transportation consultant and Director of Research for Transportation and Infrastructure for Pattern for Progress. “Though we’ve been expecting to hear plans for the MTA and Port Authority to provide access to Stewart, this represents the first really specific move in that direction.”

In his presentation of Pattern’s 2008 work plan, President and CEO Jonathan Drapkin summarized eight areas of work that “most impact the quality of life in the Hudson Valley”. In addition to Affordable and Workforce Housing, Transportation, Local Government Service Delivery, and Regional Training of Leaders, he added three new areas for Pattern’s future plans: Healthcare, Education and the promotion of Regional Centers of Growth. He said all of these initiatives would help Pattern build a “Hudson Valley Plan”.

“Each year the need to bring together the Hudson Valley’s people and organizations to define this region and its goals grows larger,” said Drapkin. “We will be there to help achieve this consensus.”


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JANUARY 31, 2008	CONTACT: Chris Ferrero, VP External Affairs or Jonathan Drapkin, President/CEO (845) 565-4900

MacFarland is New Board Chairman
at Pattern for Progress

NEWBURGH – David S. MacFarland, President and CEO of Riverside Bank, has been elected Chairman of the Board of Directors at Pattern for Progress. He replaces Carl Meyer, President and CEO of Central Hudson, who finished a two-year term in December.

“While we will certainly miss the steady hand with which Carl Meyer led Pattern into a new era of growth, we welcome Dave MacFarland’s unique energy and enthusiasm as we tackle ever-bigger challenges,” said Pattern President and CEO Jonathan Drapkin.

MacFarland has headed Riverside Bank since 2000. Before that, he was Executive Vice President of Corporate Banking for Premier National Bank, and Regional President - Hudson Valley for Fleet Bank. He is a graduate of Rutgers University’s Stonier Graduate School of Banking.

MacFarland currently serves on more than two dozen community boards and committees, and has chaired many charitable and civic projects in the region. He has served as chairman of the Stewart Regional Alliance since 1990, is chairman of the Orange County IDA, and is a past chairman of the board of trustees of St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital. He has served on Pattern’s board since 1988.

NEWBURGH – In an effort to underscore a critical need in the Hudson Valley, severalhousing groups within the region have joined in a statement of support for the Governor’sproposed $400 million Housing Fund.

While individually these groups have for many years successfully addressed housingneeds in the Valley, in the past year they have been working as a regional coalition withcounty governments and many other organizations, facilitated by Pattern for Progress, toimprove housing within the Hudson Valley.

“The group sees the governor’s proposal as a unique opportunity to aid residents throughoutthe Valley who have been acutely hit by the increase in housing prices during a periodwhen salaries have not kept pace,” said Kim Jacobs, executive director of CommunityCapital Resources, a not-for-profit community development lender that provides loancapital to affordable development throughout the Hudson Valley.

Pattern for Progress, a regional policy and planning organization that serves nine countiesin the Hudson Valley, pointed out that efforts to address housing are a critical precursor topaving the way to meet other needs in the Valley. “If we are to attract businesses andretain our young adults, building middle class housing is a critical component. Pattern’sHousing Committee looks forward to working with New York State to help design howbest to use these funds in the Valley,” said Jonathan Drapkin, president and CEO.

“The need for affordable housing is greater than ever here in the Valley,” said KevinO’Connor, Executive Director of Rural Ulster Preservation Company. “While the State hasalways provided help to the Valley, this proposal, which would create the largest-eversingle infusion of funds for housing state-wide, would provide an opportunity to help folksthat we previously have been unable to help.

”Private-sector housing leadership has also joined in embracing the Governor’s proposal.Larry Regan, President of Regan Development Corporation, who has been successfullybuilding affordable senior and family housing throughout the Valley, said, “This proposalsuggests the Governor places a priority on housing. We have worked with state officialsand State Sen. Bonacic to address needs within the Valley, and we look forward to sittingdown with state officials to help fashion new initiatives.”

Gail Webster, Executive Director of Hudson River Housing said, “With this new source ofstate funding we have a chance to provide housing for moderate income residents of thisregion that we have not been able to serve in the past. The value of such a programwould resonate across the country.

Sadie McKeown, President of the Community Preservation Corporation, added, “We havenever had this kind of funding made available statewide. Our needs are great, both here inthe Hudson Valley as well as the rest of the state.

Pattern for Progress created the 18-member Regional Housing Committee in 2007 to helpaddress the Valley’s housing issues at a regional level, and with the Committee’s helpintroduced a bimonthly housing e-bulletin to update municipal and housing officials onregional trends and resources. In June Pattern will host its second annual “Housing theHudson Valley” conference.

Pattern for Progress is a not-for-profit policy, planning, advocacy and research organizationdedicated to preserving and enhancing the quality of life for Hudson Valley residentsthrough regional solutions. Founded in 1965 by business, academic and civic leaders, andbased in Newburgh, NY, Pattern serves nine counties: Columbia, Dutchess, Greene,Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.

Organizations or businesses wishing to support Pattern for Progress’ work on housingissues in the Hudson Valley should call 845-565-4900, or e-mail: jdrapkin@pfprogress.org.

NEWBURGH – Almost five hundred Hudson Valley leaders welcomed Port Authority ofNew York and New Jersey Executive Director Anthony Shorris after his first day of work ashead of Stewart Airport last night at Pattern for Progress’ annual Awards Reception.

Shorris capped his first day by announcing the Port Authority will use the airport toresearch emissions reduction for the aviation industry, which accounts for 2% of theworld’s emissions today and double that in a few years, but which only serves 5% ofworld population. He said the goal is to make Stewart the world’s first carbon-negativeairport.

Announcing Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as their research partner in residence atStewart, Shorris forecast a 20% emissions reduction by 2009 and a 50% reduction by2012.

“From the Port Authority's assumption of the lease at Stewart Airport, to the smallestorganization that we honor tonight, Pattern looks to support those who provide regionalleadership,” said Jonathan Drapkin, President and CEO. “Our mandate to improve thequality of life can only be accomplished if that mission is embraced by others. We salutethose who have joined us tonight for it is through their efforts that the Hudson Valley willdevelop into the region that we all hope it can become," he said.

The reception featured the presentation of Pattern’s annual awards to seven organizationsand one individual for their cross-regional efforts to improve the quality of life in theHudson Valley. Recipients were:

Economic Development -- Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (acceptedby President and CEO Anthony Campagiorni)

Regional Achievement –Columbia-Greene Community College (accepted by President James Campion) ColumbiaCounty Chamber of Commerce (accepted by President David Colby)Greene County Chamber of Commerce (accepted by Executive Director Tracy MacNally)United Way of Greene and Columbia Counties (accepted by Tammy Parker, Chair, CommunityInvestment)

Quality of Life –Rural Ulster Preservation Corporation (accepted by Executive Director Kevin O’Connor) Community Preservation Corporation (accepted by Vice President Doug Olcott)

Sponsors for the event included Riverside Bank, Advance Testing Company, LeylandAlliance, Westage Companies, All Bright Electric, Con Edison, Frontier Communications,JMC Marketing Communications & PR, Laborers Local 17, M&T Bank, N&S Supply,Orange Regional Medical Center, Ulster Savings Bank, HealthQuest and Hudson ValleyMagazine. Rhinebeck Savings Bank is 2008 calendar sponsor.

Pattern for Progress is a not-for-profit policy, planning, advocacy and research organizationdedicated to preserving and enhancing the quality of life for Hudson Valley residentsthrough regional solutions. Founded in 1965 by business, academic and civic leaders, andbased in Newburgh, NY, Pattern serves nine counties: Columbia, Dutchess, Greene,Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester. For more information contactPattern for Progress at 845-565-4900, or online at www.pattern-for-progress.org.