MONTICELLO – Retiring Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther reflected on her more than 20-year tenure in the State Assembly. Gunther has represented portions of Sullivan and Orange Counties and served as the chairwoman of the State Assembly’s Committee on Mental Health.
Gunther spoke about her accomplishments while in office and what called her to public service from her career in nursing.
”I care about people and giving is what I do,” she said passionately. “Every year we bought coats and shoes and brought them into schools. As someone who grew up in the Bronx and not from a wealthy family, I know what it’s like not to have enough,” she said. “While in Albany, I passed several pieces of legislation where tons of capital money came back to our communities and you can see that money at work throughout the towns and villages here,” she added.
Despite many legislative victories, Gunther said there is still work left to do. She hoped Governor Kathy Hochul, would soon visit Sullivan County to see the problems faced by the rural county firsthand and show interest in securing much-needed funds to address local issues.
”We need housing, we have many people in poverty, and we have among the highest incidences of drug overdoses in the state, and no one has come from the governor’s office,” she said.
When asked about New York City’s congestion pricing program set to go into effect on January 5th, Gunther said was vehemently opposed to the plan because she believes it will hurt county residents.
“To impose an increase in tolls just because you’re going to work and trying to make a living wage is ridiculous,” she said.
Even though her time in office is coming to an end, Gunther said she’s not planning to leave the area or stop working on behalf of the community she has spent two decades serving.
“I will continue working with nonprofits and do whatever else I can because I love the people of Sullivan County.”