(Monticello) — The Sullivan County Legislature has scheduled a Special Meeting Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 6:00 PM in the Hearing Room of the Sullivan County Government Center in Monticello.  The purpose of the meeting will be a discussion of the current status of the Sullivan County Jail, and the need to construct a new facility.  The meeting is open to the public, and the Chairman of the New York State Commission of Correction will attend to discuss the Commission's position relative to the Sullivan County Jail.

"We are very thankful that the chairman has accepted our invitation to come to Sullivan County and address the legislature and the residents on the Commission"s perspective as it relates to our current and future Jail  situation,” said Legislature Chairman Jonathan F. Rouis.

Thomas A. Beilein was appointed Chairman of the Commission of Correction by Governor Paterson and unanimously confirmed by the New York State Senate on Aug. 8, 2008. Chairman Beilein holds the distinction of being the only former sheriff in the history of the Commission to serve as chair. His experience as the Niagara County Sheriff from 1994 to 2008 - which includes running a jail with an average daily population of 450 – is unique in the annals of Commission history.

Sullivan County Sheriff Michael Schiff, Undersheriff Eric Chaboty, and Jail Administrator Hal Smith will attend the meeting to offer a view of the operational issues involved with the County Jail.

County Manager David P. Fanslau, M.G.A., ICMA-CM,  and Deputy County Manager/Commissioner of the Division of Management and Budget Joshua A. Potosek, M.B.A.,  will present the fiscal impacts related to the current Jail, and the projected fiscal impacts related to constructing a new facility, and the projected fiscal impacts of not constructing a new facility.  Robert A. Meyer, P.E., Commissioner of the Division of Public Works, will present a report of the structural and engineering issues of the current County Jail.

NYSCOC Chairman Beilein will answer questions related to the Sullivan County Jail, and Public Comment will be taken.  To make the meeting most productive, the public is encouraged to email questions for Chairman Beilein to jailquestion@co.sullivan.ny.us .  All questions will be forwarded to Chairman Beilein’s staff in advance of the meeting for his review and preparation.  During the meeting, post cards will be supplied for written questions to be submitted at the start of the meeting.

The citizenry of Sullivan County is also encouraged to submit public comment that will be archived in the records of the Sullivan County Legislature and transmitted to the New York State Commission of Correction and the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office.  Public Comment may be emailed to jailcomment@co.sullivan.ny.us.  Also, written comments may be submitted to the Clerk of the Sullivan County Legislature, 100 North Street, Monticello, NY 12701, and also hand delivered at the meeting.  There will also be an opportunity for public comment during the meeting.

The meeting will be recorded on audio tape that will be posted on the County website (co.sullivan.ny.us ) following the conclusion of the meeting.

For more information about this press release, please contact David Fanslau, County Manager, at 845-807-0450.

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