Speaker Heastie Continues Annual Statewide Tour with Assemblymember Gunther to Announce $1.7 Million in Assembly Investments in Sullivan and Orange Counties

Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Sullivan and Orange Counties, joining Assemblymember Aileen Gunther to announce $1 million for public safety in Middletown and Wallkill, and $700,000 for Sullivan County Community College’s Health Studies program.

“My statewide tour gives me the opportunity to visit communities across New York, and today I was able to join Assemblymember Gunther and see and hear from members of the community here in Sullivan County and Orange County first hand,” Speaker Heastie said. “The investments we announced today will make critical investments in training the next generation of nurses and health care professionals, improving public safety and providing programs for children and families.”

“I was so happy to announce these Assembly investments with Speaker Heastie today,” Assemblymember Gunther said. “This funding today will help address the varied and important needs in our communities, from improving the Health Studies program at Sullivan County Community College to investing in programming for Middletown students and families to enhancing public safety in Middletown and Wallkill.”

Speaker Heastie and Assemblymember Gunther joined SUNY Sullivan President Jay Quantaince, SUNY Sullivan Director of Nursing Chyrise Taylor, and SUNY Sullivan Board of Trustees Vice Chair and Center for Discovery President Dr. Theresa Hamlin in announcing $700,000 to improve and expand Health Studies programs by updating facilities and improving access to technologies. This will benefit programs for certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), registered nurses (RNs), respiratory care and medical assistants.

The second stop of the day was the Middletown Police Department, where they announced a total of $1 million in Assembly investments for education and community safety. The Middletown Police were awarded $450,000 for the Public Surveillance Camera Program to add 29 new cameras to the security infrastructure. The Town of Wallkill also received $500,000, including $100,000 for body camera cloud service, $290,000 for playground and park upgrades, $75,000 for police department fencing, and $35,000 for speed cameras. The Middletown School District also received $50,000 to help renovate the future site of a Community Co-Lab, which will provide programming for students and families.