County Executive’s Address to Highlight “Making the Connection” Festival of Info, Market Opens at 5 p.m. and Promises to be the Most Enjoyable State of the County Address Ever Presented in Putnam.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MaryEllen Odell
Putnam County Executive
(845) 808- 1001
Date: March 7, 2013
RE: 2013 State of the County Address
County Executive’s Address to Highlight “Making the Connection” Festival of Info,
Market Opens at 5 p.m. and Promises to be the Most Enjoyable State of the County Address Ever Presented in Putnam.
The public is cordially invited to attend as Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell presents her 2013 State of the County address at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 14. The event will be held in the auditorium of the Training & Operations Center located on the Donald B. Smith Campus, 112 Old Route 6, in Carmel.
“We’re changing things up this year,” said Odell. “We want the State of the County address to be something everyone will want to attend and we’re working toward making it as enjoyable as it is informative.”
As part of Odell’s plan to “change things up,” she has added several new components to the State of the County event. This year, the TOPS doors will open at 5 p.m. so visitors can enjoy “Making the Connection,” the theme of this year’s State of the County address, with a variety of County departments and area businesses. The TOPS rotunda will be filled with “Connection” tables and unusual props all of which will highlight achievements and support the number of positive and productive connections being made county-wide.
Among those who will be present at the 5 p.m. showcase will be representatives from several of Putnam’s top restaurants, many of whom are participating in this year’s Hudson Valley Restaurant Week and each offering samples of their delicious fare.
Also participating in the festival-like fun will be Putnam County Tourism Director Libby Pataki, Putnam County Historian Denis Castelli, Putnam County Clerk Dennis Sant, Putnam County Library Association members, Putnam Arts Council and numerous representatives from various county departments and Putnam organizations. Each will be providing information on upcoming events, celebrating recent accomplishments and providing up-to-date information.
“Making the Connection” is more than just a theme for this year’s address,” said Odell. “It’s a direction in which Putnam is moving. We have become a network of connected departments working toward making government more efficient, more accessible and more transparent for the public.”
As examples of “Making the Connection,” Odell will enumerate how Putnam’s first responding units enjoy better coordination and stronger communications. Odell will also introduce her newest staff member, Commissioner of Planning, Development and Public Transportation Anthony Ruggiero and present his vision for a Putnam County Planning Federation.
Solidifying an international cycling connection for Putnam is one of the many tasks Tourism Director Libby Pataki and her staff have accomplished. Furthermore, as Odell will explain, Pataki is “Making the Connection” between Tourism and economic development as she and the Cold Spring Chamber of Commerce prepare for “Pedal into Spring” the May 4 and 5 Flower Festival during which the Putnam Cycling Classic will take place.
Among the many informational topics to be covered in her address, Odell will present an update on the work of Transportation Task Force Chairman Vincent Tamagna whose group is working toward making more connections for Putnam residents as they assess and streamline county-wide transportation services.
Anyone planning to attend what promises to be the most enjoyable State of the County address ever presented in Putnam is asked to RSVP to the County Executive’s office by calling (845) 808-1001.
