Each December, our staff takes a look through 52 weeks, 104 editions of the Sullivan County Democrat, in an effort to provide readers with a recap of the year’s biggest events.

So how does one describe 2021 in a nutshell? It was a year filled with some frustration as the pandemic lingered on, but it was also one of resilience, as businesses reopened, albeit not without challenges, ribbons were cut and the local economy has bounced back.

It was also a year of continuing discussions on certain items, as well as historic achievements and/or events. While there are certainly too many events and stories to reflect on, here are some of the year’s biggest topics …

A pandemic continues

The COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020 continued to drag on throughout 2021. Ever since the first case of the COVID-19 virus was detected in Sullivan County in March of 2020, public health officials have waged a campaign to promote face masks, handwashing, social distancing and vaccinations.

Throughout the pandemic we have witnessed the extraordinary dedication of local healthcare workers and community volunteers. We’ve also seen the deep political and partisan divisions in reaction to state masking mandates and vaccine requirements.

Sullivan County is ending the year with the highest number of positive cases ever reported since the start of the pandemic - 758 as of presstime on Wednesday morning. At least 103 people have lost their lives in Sullivan County since the start of the pandemic. Over 1,500 are in quarantine and at least 20 people are currently hospitalized.

Back in late June, when the number of COVID-19 deaths were in the low 70s, community members and public officials held a vigil at the Government Center in Monticello to recognize the loss experienced by families throughout the county.

Throughout the first half of this school year our local districts have struggled to remain open while keeping students and staff safe. Many districts have had to pivot between remote instruction and in-person classes as virus cases increase or decrease from week to week.

In September, Governor Hochul carried through with a vaccine mandate for all healthcare workers throughout the state. The move was criticized by some elected state officials as executive overreach and has led to staffing shortages in some healthcare facilities. Gov. Hochul approved the deployment of medically-trained National Guard members to assist local health and medical systems, including the Care Center at Sunset Lake in Liberty.

According to state data, at least 61 percent of New Yorkers are fully vaccinated as of the end of 2021.

Economic Development

Despite a slew of economic challenges caused by the pandemic in 2020, the Sullivan County economy came back in a big way in 2021. In recent months, Sullivan County has led the region in year-over-year private sector job growth, with November representing a 4.4 percent increase from that time in 2020.

Tourism and hospitality has long been the area’s ‘bread and butter’ so to speak and that portfolio got stronger with the opening of the Eldred Preserve. On a separate note, the announcement of funding to further the local rail trails and ultimately connect them will continue to attract outdoor enthusiasts to the region.

The economic development portfolio, as a whole, continues to become more diversified. One area of growth continues to be solar, with many projects getting off the ground this year. The most notable is in Bethel on Peter Hofstee’s property. The ribbon was cut on the 6.1 megawatt solar array, the single largest community solar project in the Mid-Hudson region, in July.

Another project that has garnered significant attention is The Center for Discovery’s (TCFD) Children’s Specialty Hospital, which is currently under construction in Rock Hill. It was announced in March that TCFD was the recipient of a $35 million dollar low interest loan from the Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the project. Local officials/elected representatives were on hand in July for an official groundbreaking. TCFD hopes to complete construction on the hospital by the end of next year or Spring 2023.

In addition to the aforementioned projects, there are several currently being discussed at planning and zoning boards in towns and villages across the county. One of the more notable projects is the planned @Woods corporate retreats in the Town of Bethel, which received conditional approval back in October. So there’s a lot to keep an eye on as far as economic development in 2022.

Delaware River Projects

In the attempts to preserve the Delaware River, home to much wildlife that helps define the beauty of the Catskill region, U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19) was joined by local officials and river conservation advocates in April to announce an initiative designed to protect and restore the Upper Delaware River in New York and Pennsylvania.

Together they formed the Delaware River Watershed Congressional Caucus, which was set to be co-chaired by Pennsylvania Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA). The goal of the caucus was to create policy and funding initiatives that benefit the Delaware River Watershed.

The river also received a “historic victory” this year, as the Delaware River Basin Commission permanently banned high volume hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in late February after years of struggling between the natural gas industry and environmental activists.

This achievement affected the four states that house the watershed, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. All four state governors voted to approve of the ban, protecting the watershed.

Despite natural gas proponents claiming that fracking is an economic booster which would provide good business for the region, the ban was instated much to the delight of groups and individuals who worked to stop fracking within the Delaware River Basin over the last 11 years.

Care Center Debate

While the Sullivan County Legislature discussed many topics in 2021, the Care Center at Sunset Lake remained one of the most significant. The year began with legislators and the public listening to presentations from the three finalists in the running to operate the nursing home. Ultimately, the legislature chose Infinite Care, a Brooklyn-based operator of 18 nursing facilities in New York State and Florida, in February.

Following months of discussions, the County and Infinite Care inked a 20-year agreement in September, concluding a process that began in the summer of 2020.

The tax exemption on the property came off once ownership was transferred from the County to the Sunset Lake Local Development Corporation (LDC). The LDC paid a $226,000 school tax bill on the property in September. The County has since stated that Infinite Care would reimburse them for the taxes paid.

In November, a county delegation including Legislative Chairman Rob Doherty and County Attorney Michael McGuire, attended a Town of Liberty Board of Assessment Review meeting to discuss the tax status of the Care Center. Following that meeting, the Town of Liberty issued a letter to County Legislators and other public officials detailing what it called, “the inappropriate and unprofessional actions of certain county employees,” at the meeting. Those allegations have been “vehemently” denied. However, several legislators have since expressed support for an independent, third-party investigation into the alleged events.

So … while operation of the Care Center has moved onto its next chapter, the tax status of the property remains something to watch entering 2022.

Capitol Riot

The first anniversary of the storming of the United States Capitol Building on January 6, 2021 is approaching, and with it brings memories of the nation’s ongoing struggles and a former Narrowsburg resident’s imprisonment.

Edward Jacob Lang, 26, was indicted on 11 counts of participating in the storming of the US Capitol, in which prosecutors allege civil disorder, assaulting a police officer with a dangerous weapon and an act of physical violence.

Lang pleaded not guilty to these counts. He has been incarcerated in a Washington D.C. jail since last January.

Lang, son of former Town of Tusten Councilmember Ned Lang, has claimed mistreatment in prison and says that his human rights have being violated. This included his alleged restricted access to communications and technology to review evidence.

To these claims, the United States Justice Department stated that Lang was a “danger to the community and flight risk,” and that Lang had access to a computer provided by the jail to review evidence.

Lang was originally arrested on January 16, 2021, and later indicted on January 29. He was denied bail release in September.

According to reporter Scott Macfarlane of NBC4 Washington Lang rejected a plea deal from the United States Justice Department in early December that would of included an estimated 6-7 years of jail time.

Lang’s case is expected to go to trial.

A new governor

This year was a watershed moment for New York State government with the resignation of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the ascension of Governor Kathy Hochul.

Cuomo had occupied the governor’s mansion for more than a decade before pressure to resign rapidly built in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal and a cover up of COVID-19 data related to deaths in state run nursing homes. Cuomo, who a year earlier had earned national praise and an Emmy for his virtual press conferences addressing the pandemic, resigned in disgrace after losing most of his support in the state legislature.

Buffalo native Kathy Hochul assumed office on August 24, making history as the first female governor of New York.

Now we’re entering the 2022 election year and there are other Democrats with gubernatorial aspirations vying for their party’s nomination. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Congressman Tom Suozzi of New York 3rd Congressional District have already announced their candidacies. Many expect former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to throw his hat in the ring as well.

After New York Attorney General Letitia James’ announced early in December that she would suspend her campaign for governor, many in the Democratic party seem confident in Hochul’s chances to secure the nomination and win a full term in her own right come November.

Meanwhile Republicans in New York are mobilizing to retake the governor’s mansion in 2022. Three-term congressman Lee Zeldin, who represents New York’s 1st Congressional District on Long Island, announced his campaign in April and was recently the keynote speaker at the Sullivan County Republican Committee’s annual dinner in October.

Other Republican contenders include former Westchester County executive Rob Astorino, Lewis County Sheriff Mike Carpinelli and Andrew Guinliani, son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.