"As we now move towards the anticipated assumption of the Governorship by Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul, we express our very best wishes to someone who has been an active friend and partner for the last several years. She is eminently prepared to assume the responsibilities of Governor. Indeed, she may in fact be the most prepared person for the Governorship ever, considering her leadership for seven years now of the Regional Economic Development Councils, giving her direct knowledge of each region's characteristics, challenges and opportunities along with an established working relationship with each region's leaders.
"This includes the North Country where I had the pleasure of working alongside Kathy for four years as Co-Chair of the North Country REDC, enjoying her direct engagement in such varied advances as major broadband extensions, support for our growing transportation equipment cluster, the major modernization of ORDA's sports facilities and many other regional projects and initiatives.
"Importantly, no one has ever come to the office of New York Governor with such a direct understanding and appreciation of the importance of New York's northern border and our economic partnership with Canada.
"We look forward to continuing to work with Kathy Hochul in new and impactful ways on behalf of the North Country economy going forward. All best wishes to her.
Onward and upward!"
Garry Douglas
President/CEO