By: BetteTani
The Village of Pawling and the Village Green received accolades during a check presentation ceremony held Tuesday, Aug. 9. Presenting a check for $250,000 to the Village of Pawling for the Village Green, Sen. Greg Ball said, “I grew up in Pawling and this is a great place. When the mayor called me and asked for help with the Green I was happy to see what I could do.”
“This is not my money, this is your money, and I want you to know I will be committed to this community for the rest of my life,” he told the approximately 40 in attendance.
Village Mayor Robert Liffland, after thanking the senator for his help, said the Village Green is a welcome addition and something he believes will attract new businesses.
“Recently I talked to someone who is interested in developing the prop- erty next to the Morrison Bldg. Who said he believes the Village Green looks great and will help him with his project,” Liffland said.
“There is also interest in the old Hilderbrand building by someone who is thinking about opening a restaurant. The Green is doing a lot to attract development in the village,” he added.
Arch Smith of The Pawling Com- munity Foundation the entity who raised the funds for the construction the Green said he’d never seen a more generous community.
“Pawling is a great place to live, and the great thing about this project is no taxpayer dollars were spent. It came about from the generosity of the Pawling citizens. This is what makes this country work and this community work,” he said.
The ceremony was held on the newly renovated brick sidewalk in front of the Chamber of Commerce building. Other invited speakers included Town Supervisor David Kelly, Dutchess County Sheriff (Adrian) Butch Anderson, Chamber of Commerce President Peter Cris, County Legislator John Thomes, and Assemblyman Marcus Molinaro.
Nancy Tanner the force behind the Village Green was also on hand and recognized for her vision and deter- mination as were many other individ- uals including former Pawling Village Mayor Earl Slocum. Also in atten- dance were village trustees, town offi- cials, businesses owners and residents. (ARTICLE) [2]
