Challenges. solutions.

Setting goals for growth and vitality... achieving results through focus and influence.

Pat tern for Progress

2012 PROGRESS REPORT

Hudson Valley

suCCess is a journey best traveled together.

To achieve it, we must first understand the goal, then carefully devise a plan and implement it.

PHoto By: FRAnk TkAc, couRTesy oF Mohonk PReseRve.

Pattern for Progress is the regions longstanding public policy organization bringing independent focus and influence to issues, ideas and actions that affect the growth and vitality of the Hudson Valley, such as: Municipal collaboration and local government efficiency Affordable and workforce housing Revitalization of urban areas Land-use policy Transportation and other infrastructure issues Regional leadership training

To our friends in the Hudson Valley: Thanks to input and support from an energized member base, the mission of Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress is expanding. Connected to the Hudson Valleys most influential leaders, Pattern is shaping important programs and policies today that will affect all of us tomorrow. Pattern for Progress was established in 1965, and has earned recognition as an agent of change. We are politically independent, have a passionate staff and an engaged board with a breadth and depth of business experience that enables our organization to proactively move the Hudson Valley forward and improve the quality of life for all of its citizens. We achieve results through a unique approach: set tHe target: Bringing together business, nonprofit, academic and civic leaders from across nine counties to address issues ranging from housing infrastructure and transportation to leaner government, reducing taxes, regulatory reform and much more. ConduCt researCH: Investigating, analyzing and generating ideas surrounding those issues on behalf of a wide range of stakeholders and clients. DeTeRMIne The TooLs AnD ResouRces neeDeD: Pattern transforms policy into outcome through the use of tools that include advocacy, training, education and other forms of outreach, to create a Pattern for Change that is achievable, while at the same time, safeguarding the resources, assets, and qualities our region treasures most. TRAveL WITh oTheRs: As a regional not-for-profit organization, Pattern has never sought to do this alone. In fact, we place a higher premium on our successes being achieved through collaboration and partnerships. It is our belief that sharing credit leads to more durable and beneficial change. While Pattern takes the lead on many issues facing the Valley, we also provide important data and technical assistance to other regional advocates and community-based organizations. eXeCute: In 2011, we recorded many outstanding accomplishments for their impact on the economy, the environment, and the well being of the Hudson Valley. We encourage you to learn more about our accomplishments through the eyes of some of the beneficiaries and our member partners in this report. In these difficult and challenging times, Pattern is proud to be the Hudson Valleys longstanding independent public policy, planning and advocacy organization and an aggressive force in assisting the region to build a foundation that is strong, functional and vibrant.

John Rath, Chairman - Board of Directors

Jonathan Drapkin, President & CEO

IsnT IT TIMe you JoIn PATTeRn?

W W W.PAT T eRn - F oR- P RogRes s.o Rg 845.565.4900
By joining and participating in Pattern you will not only be supporting an independent organization committed to policy that impacts the entire Hudson Valley region, but you will connect with the regions influential leaders and help us drive programs and policies today that will affect all of us tomorrow.

Patterns regional approach of spirit and collaboration is what our counties and municipalities need during these trying economic times. By working together we can share ideas, experience, and expertise. Orange County Executive Edward Diana

RALLyIng The RegIon

COLUMBIA

sTRATegIc PARTneRs
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT agenCies CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE ACADEMIC INSTITuTIONS NOT-FOR-PROFITS

GREENE

WoRkIng WITh The sTATe

ULSTER
Pat tern for Progress
Hudson Valley

SULLIVAN

Enhancing the quality of life to enable balanced growth

DUTCHESS

PUTNAM

goveRnMenT eFFIcIency & shAReD seRvIces

ORANGE

TRAnsPoRTATIon & InFRAsTRucTuRe

WESTCHESTER ROCKLAND

housIng AnD LAnD use ReFoRM

Pattern served on the Governors Mid Hudson Regional Economic Development Council, co-chairing the strategies committee to garner $67 million in grants for projects throughout the Hudson Valley. Your participation helped underscore the unique partnerships and innovative ideas that will drive our new approach
Governor Andrew Cuomo letter to Pattern

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
RALLyIng The RegIon
Reliable information must be presented in a persuasive form and forum to influence policymakers in the public and private sectors. Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress achieves this in print and electronic newsletters, briefing papers, fact sheets on key regional indicators and a new interactive website. Pattern has also become a reliable source for Hudson Valley media and editorial boards seeking informed commentary on issues of regional importance. Thousands of people take advantage of public education opportunities provided by Pattern each year. In addition to annual conferences dedicated to specific audiences, such as local government officials and housing advocates, Pattern hosts a full calendar of prestigious gatherings that attract business, government, nonprofit and academic leaders. AnnuAL AWARDs RecePTIon More than 500 Hudson Valley leaders join us to honor select achievements of our neighbors and to hear keynote speakers on topics of state or national stature. PResIDenTs DAy BReAkFAsT This event with the county executives and legislative leaders from seven counties quickly reaches a 350-seat capacity. Thats why Pattern chose to hold two breakfasts in 2012, allowing more time for the audiences to ask questions of their elected leaders. neWs TRAckeR WeBsITe Our updated website keeps Pattern members abreast of regional events. A news tracker on shared services, consolidation and other innovations has allowed visitors to stay informed on the topics that drive Pattern. Pattern on tHe road Pattern is frequently invited to be a keynote speaker or panelist to share its unique vision of regionalism as a potential solution to the Hudson Valleys problems. These efforts rally the region around Patterns mission of enhancing the vitality of the Hudson Valley. Probably no single effort showed Patterns unique approach more than its fight against the MTA payroll tax. Pattern quickly teamed with chambers of commerce and economic development agencies to oppose the tax. We suggested 15 ways to balance the fairness gap, testified at public hearings, produced position papers and arranged for Jay Walder, then the new MTA chairman, to meet with Hudson Valley leaders at three forums. In February 2009, Pattern represented the upstate voice at an Albany hearing where we called the payroll tax one tax too many. (The New York Times) The collaboration paid off. In December 2011, state lawmakers eliminated the tax for nearly 290,000 small businesses in the Hudson Valley. Opposition to the tax created a template for regional teamwork, and it contributed to the formation of the Hudson Valley Regional Coalition of chambers and economic development organizations. Through this entity Patterns latest collaborative effort is providing grant-writing training to organizations and individuals to enhance their ability to bring millions of dollars in funding to the Hudson Valley. keePIng The TALenT heRe Stopping the regions brain drain was identified early in Patterns strategic planning in 2007. The Pattern Fellows Program, launched in 2007, encourages mid-career leaders from the public and private sectors to design the regions future. Our program focuses on unique projects, with members of each class tackling an assigned task within the Pattern strategic plan, while listening to the regions best and brightest thinkers. To date, the program has graduated more than 100 Fellows that are actively engaged in their communities and in Pattern. LeveRAgIng skILLs FoR A coMPeTITIve eDge Pattern began a program for directed research in 2009. The program has allowed Pattern to use a combination of data, research and information on best practices to provide constructive suggestions that assist the region on myriad levels. Most recently, Pattern helped The Solar Energy Consortium (TSEC) develop a sustainable organizational structure and seek a strategic alliance with an academic institution. Other projects of regional significance include a recycling initiative and potential learning center sponsored by Hudson Baylor.

Patterns unique, unbiased, unfiltered capacity to address some of the regions most challenging problems made them the perfect choice for guiding TSEC through the process of finding an academic partner to collaborate with on the development of a regional Center for Advanced Global Manufacturing.
Carl Meyer, President & CEO of TSEC coLLABoRATIng WITh RegIonAL AnD sTATe PARTneRs Pattern has consistently been called on to represent the Hudson Valley on regional and statewide commissions that include: The governors Mid hudson valley Regional economic Development council The governors commission on Local government efficiency and competitiveness The MTAs Blue Ribbon commission on sustainability The state Decs commission on seQRA reform The Port Authoritys citizens Advisory committee for stewart Airport The new york state homes and community Renewal Advisory committee

The efforts to repeal the MTA payroll tax represent the best of how Pattern teams with other organizations to get results. Great research from Pattern and steadfast advocacy from the chambers of commerce provided a powerful collaboration on behalf of the residents of the Hudson Valley.
Dr. John A. DAmbrosio, Ed.D., President of Orange County Chamber of Commerce

Collaborating with Pattern has been good for the region and for Westchester. By working together we can find the right balance for strategies to improve our quality of life. Dr. Marsha Gordon, President & CEO-The Business Council of Westchester

housIng & LAnD use

A thriving Hudson Valley needs affordable and workforce housing for its residents. Thats why Pattern for Progress has continued to drive the regional housing conversation. Our initiatives began in 2007 with creation of a regional housing committee and five annual housing conferences that showcased housing as a regional priority. Pattern has also testified at public hearings on important housing projects. Our leadership assisted in approval of several affordable and workforce housing developments, including Pendell Commons in Poughkeepsie, Woodstock Commons in Woodstock, and Hudson Landing in Kingston.

BuILDIng A neTWoRk FoR BeTTeR TRAnsPoRTATIon AnD InFRAsTRucTuRe

For more than 40 years, Pattern for Progress has helped establish a sound course for the future of Stewart Airport as a regional facility. Today, under management of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, more than $20 million have been committed to the airport. Patterns earliest vision of Stewart as a regional economic engine is beginning to materialize. From airport runways to rail and roads, Pattern has developed expertise, partnerships and networks of influence in the fields of public transportation and planning. While we continue to sit on Stewarts Citizens Advisory Committee, Pattern also consults or teams with others on projects as diverse as the replacement of the Tappan Zee Bridge, bus rapid transit, the West-of-Hudson Rail Study, The Newburgh Area Transportation and Land Use Study, and several other transit-oriented development projects throughout the valley. Pattern has also encouraged the Hudson Valley to think about transportation and infrastructure from a regional perspective. At the Hudson Valley Regional Economic Summit in Rockland County, we highlighted the challenges posed by a system of highways, bridges, railroads and airports that are controlled by dozens of disparate organizations. Pattern proposed a regional transportation consortium that would set the agenda for issues that included: Moving toward a solution for the Tappan Zee Bridge Maximizing connections to stewart Airport by bus and train Increasing the use of transit-oriented development for smart growth Increasing voting power for the regions representatives on the MTA board creating a hudson valley strategy to triage transportation funding Pattern continued to provide support for many of these positions in the recently created regional strategy within the Governors Economic Development Council.

I would like to thank Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress for all your work over the last 45 years addressing the needs of, and the issues faced by, businesses and residents throughout the Hudson Valley. Your work has helped NYS Homes and Community Renewal in our mission to build strong communities, provide affordable housing and create economic opportunities for the people of New York State.
Commissioner Darryl Towns, NYS Homes and Community Renewal

Weve also stressed the importance of housing to our state partners. In housing discussion briefs, Pattern used extensive data to analyze current housing issues. Its position on the Mid Hudson Valley Regional Economic Development Council helped Pattern inform council members about the importance of housing, and ensure housing was included in the councils strategic plan. Pattern also holds a commitment to balancing development and the environment. We believe that fairness and predictability must be restored to the land use approval process if the Hudson Valley wants to grow. Thats why Pattern worked on regulatory reform of SEQRA through a commission that we co-chaired with the regional director of the state DEC and Scenic Hudson. Through that collaboration, we advanced our goal of thorough environmental reviews that produce faster results. The DECs chief counsel acknowledged Pattern as the driving force that led to this effort of making SEQRA more user-friendly, more efficient and less costly.

Pattern for Progress has regionalized so many important discussions, including housing and community development. Their leadership on the issue of housing during the recent housing boom and bust has been paramount.
Kevin OConnor, Executive Director-Rural Ulster Preservation Corp.

Pattern for Progress has been an incredible asset to Ulster County. Their experience and expertise have contributed greatly to our continuing effort to deliver quality services and protect taxpayers. Ulster County Executive Mike Hein

LeADIng eFFoRTs FoR shAReD seRvIces AnD LeAneR LocAL goveRnMenTs

Pattern for Progress continues to unify the Hudson Valley to solve some of its most daunting challenges. That includes reaching across political borders to encourage intergovernmental collaborations that save taxpayer dollars while streamlining the delivery of crucial services.

Pattern for tHe future

Pattern for Progress is a tremendous asset for the Hudson Valley and a great example for all of New York State on building partnerships for sustainable and successful communities.
Thomas DiNapoli, New York State Comptroller Pattern for Progress always has its eyes on the future for our organization and to enhance the quality of life in the Hudson Valley. We plan to continue our legacy as a resource for governments and organizations throughout the region by expanding our focus to new issues and activities. To do this in the coming years, Pattern will: LAunch The cenTeR FoR housIng soLuTIons The Center will prioritize research on affordable and workforce housing, convene stakeholders through our Hudson Valley Housing Task Force, and share timely information in a series of publications. AnALyZe FooD PoLIcy Pattern will research the local food system in the Hudson Valley to determine the need for infrastructure to help our regions farms bring their products to market. Pattern will also partner with local governments and others to identify ways that institutions can procure more locally grown food. TARgeT k-12 eDucATIon The education system is a critical ingredient in the Hudson Valleys quality of life, while also representing the largest portion of residents property taxes. We will focus on the potential for shared services and, where possible, consolidation to achieve efficiencies. Pattern will continue its review of the challenges that plague our K-12 system to find innovative solutions. TRAck DeMogRAPhIc chAnge The Hudson Valleys population is aging. At the same time, the population of school-aged children is declining. To help the region plan for these changes, Pattern will track demographic shifts and research policies to address them, such as adaptive reuse for schools and creating a blueprint to document the challenges and opportunities of an aging population. PRAcTIce WhAT We PReAch In January 2012, Pattern for Progress became the managing entity of the Hudson Valley Regional Council (HVRC), which is comprised of county-appointed representatives. To practice what we preach, Pattern is sharing space with HVRC to save on the cost of staff, space and equipment. Both groups answer to independent boards of directors.

Pattern led a ground-breaking Ulster County study on intergovernmental collaboration across the countys 25 municipalities, which yielded cost-savings ideas on highways, justice courts and economic development. Implementation of the highway plan began last winter, with six towns participating in a shared-services approach to snow plowing. Government leaders in Dutchess County asked Pattern to find avenues for collaboration among its 30 towns, cities and villages. The study found that municipal leaders were especially interested in the cooperative purchase of health insurance and energy, and had a willingness to examine a shared approach to assessment. Pattern has encouraged counties to seek regional solutions for their overcrowded and outdated jails. A series of studies by Pattern and the Center for Regional Research, Education and Outreach (CRREO) at SUNY New Paltz, found that counties could save money by sharing or consolidating several jail services, such as medical facilities and transportation. The studies also noted that Sullivan County could use excess space in neighboring jails to potentially alleviate the need for a new $80 million jail. The jail studies arose from a committee organized by Pattern, which included Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Sullivan and Ulster counties. The City of Newburghs new charter, which passed a referendum in 2011, was also crafted through the partnership between Pattern, CREEO and the citys consultant Lester Steinman. The charter revision set up a new ward system that will provide more equitable representation for city residents. Pattern has encouraged more dialogue about government efficiency by hosting an annual conference on topics of interest to local officials. The conference, typically attended by some 250 government leaders, has tackled topics such as SEQRA reform, energy efficiency, the benefits and pitfalls of a four-day work week, and the 2 percent tax cap. Testimony and editorials on many of the regions controversial issues from suggesting that counties needed to leave the nursing home business, to reforming the administration of K-12 education.

Long before it was fashionable, Central Hudson Chairman Lee Sillin envisioned in Pattern for Progress an opportunity to chart a blueprint for sustainable development. A half century later, Pattern is still devoted to protecting and promoting the Valley that Lee Sillin loved, not for ourselves but for our children.
James P. Laurito, President of Central Hudson

BOARD OF DIREC TORS

john rath Chairman - board of directors td bank Larry Wolinsky First Vice Chairman jacobowitz & gubits Michael Quinn Second Vice Chairman rhinebeck savings bank Mike Turturro Treasurer vanacore, debenedictus, digovanni & Weddell suzanne rhulen loughlin secretary Firestorm Solutions Glenn Hoagland Executive Committee Member Mohonk Preserve Donna Johnson-Klonsky Executive Committee Member dj Consulting service, inc. Phil Dropkin Executive Committee Member The Gerry Foundation elmore alexander Marist College scott batulis Orange Regional Medical Center Peter Bienstock shawangunk valley Conservancy deborah bogdanski Frontier Communications Paul Calogerakis KeyBank Corporate Banking Kevin dahill NORMET tim dean Marshall & Sterling Insurance l. todd diorio hudson valley building Construction trade Council richard donatuti JP Morgan Chase Patrick Doulin Provident Bank William helmer helmer-Cronin Construction julie Krieger M&T Bank james laurito Central hudson David MacFarland Immediate Past Chair Father Kevin Mackin Mount Saint Mary College Carl Meyer the solar energy Consortium andrea reynolds Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley bill richards suny orange barry rothfeld Poughkeepsie Journal alan seidman Construction Contractors association of the hudson valley james jimmy smith advance testing Co., inc. Ralph Tragale The Port Authority of NY & NJ ray Watroba IBM arthur e. Weintraub Board Member Emeritus Jonathan Drapkin President & CEO Robin DeGroat Executive Assistant to the President Joseph Czajka Vice President for Research & grants administration Adam Bosch Vice President for Research & external Communications Sarah Brannen Vice President for Research & Policy

Pat tern for Progress

Hudson Valley

3 WA S H I N G TO N C E N T E R

N E W B U R G H , N Y 12550

845.565.4900 | PAT T E R N - F O R - P R O G R E S S . O R G

This document was made posssible by a grant from NYSEG and through the generous support of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.