Radio Chatskill

Sullivan County Human Rights Commissioner Ramone Wilson says tenant-landlord tensions continue as some residents at the Evergreen Housing complex in Monticello allege years of agency mismanagement and harassment.

Radio Catskill's Kimberly Izar spoke with Wilson who shared the latest on the issue.

The Sullivan County NAACP will be holding its annual Juneteenth festival in Hanoffee Park. The free event will take place from noon to 4pm featuring live music, vendors, keynote speakers, and fun activities for kids. 

Juneteenth is a celebration marking the day the Union troops finally reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas to deliver the news of their freedom. Juneteenth occurred two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was officially signed into law. The day is now recognized as a federal holiday. 

“[This holiday] is a reminder to me of why I continue to do what I do,” said Star Torbert, the Chairwoman of Sullivan County’s NAACP. 

The Sullivan County NAACP’s annual festival grows larger with each passing year, highlighting the work of many Black leaders and artists in the county. In addition to live music performances and speeches, there will be a live artist painting throughout the day. 

For decades, housing and public health advocates have tried to build a homeless shelter in Sullivan County – but where it will go has been a heated debate for years.

Last April, the county legislature came close to approving a location but failed to agree on a location and project scope.

Then, New York state’s funding for the gateway housing project closed before legislators could reach an agreement. The state has now re-opened the housing funding program, but Sullivan County says they’re still not ready to apply.

Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke with Sullivan County Legislator and Health and Human Services Committee Chair Cat Scott about what’s the hold up and what’s next for emergency housing in the county.