Today, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) joined Supervisor Jim Monaghan, County Executive Ed Day, first responders, and small business owners in Stony Point to call on Governor Kathy Hochul and state agencies to address the severe disruptions caused by the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) project. The press conference drew participation from local leaders, small business owners, and residents of Stony Point.
In a letter dated September 18th, Congressman Lawler called on the governor to immediately end the overlapping work, reschedule either O&R or CHPE’s projects, provide direct financial assistance to impacted small businesses, and implement stronger oversight and accountability to prevent similar crises in the future.
“Over the last few months, we’ve watched the state-approved Champlain Hudson Power Express project engage in a level of construction that has wreaked havoc in our community. Anyone with common sense knows you don’t shut down a main thoroughfare and tell residents and small businesses to figure it out. Yet that’s exactly what we’ve seen. If you talk to the business owners along 9W, they’ll tell you they’re losing 50 to 75 percent of their sales. Family shops that have served the community for decades are hanging by a thread. CHPE’s so-called small business fund, about $150,000, doesn’t even begin to cover the damage. It’s not relief. It’s an insult,” said Congressman Lawler.
“We’ve all witnessed the devastation this project has caused to our small business owners and Stony Point residents. Simply put, this project has been nothing but a nightmare. We’ve been continually misled from the very beginning. Just take a look behind us. This bridge was supposed to reopen two months ago, and it still hasn’t. This project has affected all of North Rockland, but the most devastating impact has been right here in Stony Point,” said Supervisor Jim Monaghan.
“We’re seeing the same losses here because when businesses close and people aren’t selling their goods, revenues drop at every level of government. This is a countywide issue that must be addressed. I’ll make it simple: I’m asking, and, frankly, demanding that the governor follow through on the expectations and plan of action laid out by the congressman earlier… This project is a direct result of the state’s failure to plan for that loss of power. The need that Indian Point once met is what’s driving this project, and that responsibility lies squarely with the state and with CHPE,” said County Executive Ed Day.
Congressman Lawler called on state officials to establish a small business relief program and improve communication and project oversight to protect residents and first responders.
