MONTICELLO — In an effort to get to know the state that he represents as Speaker of the New York State Assembly, Carl Heastie is visiting each county in New York - 62 in all.

Utilizing the knowledge of Assembly representatives, Heastie hopes to learn more about the pride and perils of the Empire State. On Monday, Heastie visited parts of Sullivan and Orange counties with NYS 100th Assembly District Representative Aileen Gunther.

His ambitious itinerary in Sullivan County included stops at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, where he met with local community leaders and took a tour of the venue and amenities; a stroll down Broadway in Monticello, where he was joined by county leaders and village officials for a quick nosh at DeFilippi's Bakery; and finally, before heading to Orange County, an off-road tour with Empire Resort's Charles Degliomini, Assemblywoman Gunther, Town of Thompson Supervisor Bill Rieber and others of the active construction site currently under way at the Montreign Resort and Casino property.

Heastie also checked out where Adelaar, the family entertainment complex, will be located.

Stops in Orange County included a meeting with Middletown Mayor Joe DeStefano for a tour of downtown Middletown and a meeting with Town of Mt. Hope Supervisor Chad Volpe and Town of Wallkill Supervisor Dan Depew.

“Everything I saw today was what your Assembly member wanted me to see - the good and the bad, the positive and the challenges,” explained Heastie. “It's just about the same story in every district - there is still a lot of work to do in New York State.”

While impressed with the slow but steady progress on Broadway in Monticello, Heastie indicated that a good anchor store is what the downtown district needed for a strong revitalization - he had seen it work in other small towns upstate.

“If a major business can come in, it can trigger revitalization of an entire strip,” he explained.

On Joyland Road, the sprawling Montreign construction site was a clear indication that change is coming to Sullivan County. Work on the property has been under way since early 2015, and progress on infrastructure and site preparation are right on schedule, according to Degliomini, Executive Vice President of Government Affairs and Corporate Communications for Empire Resorts.

After checking out a map of the construction site, the group hopped into all-terrain Gator-style vehicles and Heastie, Gunther, Rieber and staff members zipped throughout the construction site, which isn't completely visible from the road. The property is impressive, the work is extensive and there seems little doubt that a casino is coming by 2017.

Heastie admitted that he isn't a big fan of gambling, but he voted in favor of allowing casino gambling in New York State.

“Economically, it was important for many of my colleagues throughout the state, so I supported it,” he admitted.

Degliomini explained that the property will be more than just a casino, and the effect it will have will encompass far more than just Sullivan County.

“Montreign will be hiring regionally and helping to support local economies in at least three counties,” he told Heastie as the group headed toward the Monster Golf Course and future site of Adelaar and other amenities, including the water park complex.

“I want to thank Speaker Heastie for coming to Sullivan County today. I've never had anyone ask to do a tour just to get a flavor and a pulse on the region, and I'm really grateful,” said Gunther.