LIBERTY — Liberty has drafted a letter of support for a proposed project that could bring the cannabis production industry to town.

As reported in the Demo­­crat earlier this month, Holistic Industries has expressed interest in building a facility to grow and process cannabis.

New York State passed the The Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act (MRTA) last year which legalizes the production, distribution and adult use of marijuana.

Holistic Industries, which currently operates in nine other states, is applying for a New York license from the State Office of Cannabis Management.

On behalf of the town board, Supervisor Frank DeMayo wrote a letter of support for the project addressed to Chris Alexander, Executive Director for the New York State Office of Cannabis Management.

“It is clear to us that Holistic understands the concerns of our community, and the revitalizing impact of the economic and workforce development opportunities that this project brings to our Town cannot be overstated,” Supervisor DeMayo wrote. “... we believe that Holistic’s proposed project would strengthen our community by lowering the Town’s unemployment rate, lowering the Town’s poverty rate, boosting the Town’s median household income, and spurring investment in public works projects that would benefit our Town and the surrounding community. The [Liberty Town Board] unanimously supports this project and is pleased to offer this letter of enthusiastic support for Holistic.”

Park for Parksville?

There could soon be a new park in Parksville. Board members in the Town of Liberty authorized an application for the Sullivan Renaissance Silver Feather award that would help create the Michele Caltabellotta Memorial Park.

Many local residents remember Tom and Michele Caltabellotta as the former owners of the Dead End Cafe in Parksville. Michele passed away in 2011. According to Supervisor DeMayo, Tom Caltabellotta had agreed to donate the property to the Town for a community park in Michele’s memory.

If awarded, the Renaissance Silver Feather grant of $100,000 would go toward the park to be located near the corner of Short and Main Streets. The grant would also go toward some surrounding amenities. The grant would require a 25 percent match from the town for in-kind services.

“It would be very exciting to get. I know there’s always stiff competition for these awards,” DeMayo said. “We’re going to give it our best shot.”

The Town is working with the Parksville Priorities Committee which is made up of local volunteers who are working to revitalize the hamlet.

Get your snowshoes ready

The Sullivan County Rail Trail Alliance is hosting their second annual SnO&W Fun Walk and Run on Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

The event is hosted in cooperation with the Town of Liberty and sponsored by the Rail Trail Alliance as well as Sullivan 180, Sullivan Renaissance, Fortress Bikes and Sullivan County Government.

Sullivan 180 says that participants in this free event will meet at the trail head located at the intersection of Hill and State Streets in Liberty. The approximately three-mile walk or run will take place on the flat terrain along the O&W Rail Trail (1.5 miles in and 1.5 miles back to the starting point).

Refreshments for all participants and their families are offered at the finish line.

Sullivan 180 encourages all types of outdoor activities such as snowshoeing or cross country skiing, but runners and walkers are also encouraged! Fortress Bikes will have snowshoes on hand if needed.

Visit Sullivan 180’s website for more information.