{"id":2072832,"date":"2023-10-19T10:15:04","date_gmt":"2023-10-19T14:15:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/retiring-warwick-supervisor-michael-sweeton-reflects-on-his-2-crowning-achievements\/"},"modified":"2023-10-19T10:19:53","modified_gmt":"2023-10-19T14:19:53","slug":"retiring-warwick-supervisor-michael-sweeton-reflects-on-his-2-crowning-achievements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/retiring-warwick-supervisor-michael-sweeton-reflects-on-his-2-crowning-achievements\/","title":{"rendered":"Warwick Supervisor Michael Sweeton reflects on his two major accomplishments as he retires."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fretiring-warwick-supervisor-michael-sweeton-reflects-on-his-2-crowning-achievements%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2072832&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><div data-post-content=\"true\" class=\"post_content\" id=\"post_content\">\n<p>Michael Sweeton reflects on his 22-year tenure as the leader of Orange County&#8217;s largest \u200ctown, \u2064highlighting\u200b his significant contributions to land preservation and economic development.<\/p>\n<p>Under Sweeton&#8217;s leadership, \u200cWarwick&#8217;s farmland preservation program has successfully \u200bprotected \u20634,500 acres of productive soil from development, making\u200d it\u200b one of the largest land preservation\u200b efforts \u2062in New \u200bYork \u2064State. \u2062The \u2063town&#8217;s \u200bfarming sector\u200d continues to thrive.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h2>Related Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>\n        <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/orange-county-executive-steve-neuhaus-proposes-923-million-budget-for-2024-post-5499661?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/p>\n<h3>Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus \u2064Proposes $923 \u200cMillion Budget for 2024<\/h3>\n<p>        <\/a><\/p>\n<p>9\/27\/2023<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n        <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/middletown-lecture-sheds-light-on-hamas-sympathizing-attitudes-on-us-campuses-5511875?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/p>\n<h3>Middletown Lecture Sheds Light on Hamas-Sympathizing Attitudes on US Campuses<\/h3>\n<p>        <\/a><\/p>\n<p>10\/17\/2023<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>In an interview with The Epoch Times, Sweeton expressed \u200bsatisfaction in preserving the town&#8217;s\u2063 landscape for future generations while promoting responsible\u200b development. He also highlighted his success in transforming a former \u2062state prison campus into Warwick&#8217;s first industrial park, a rare achievement compared to other vacant prisons.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>His accomplishments can be attributed \u200cto a \u200bforward-looking mindset, \u2064the support of fellow\u2064 residents\u200c and the town board, and a strong sense of civic responsibility. Sweeton emphasized the importance of compromise and a focus \u2062on the end goal rather than personal \u2062credit.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>Land Preservation: From\u2062 Bond to Tax<\/h2>\n<p>Sweeton&#8217;s journey\u2062 began in 2001 when he ran for Warwick supervisor. At that time, the town \u2063faced \u2063challenges in its preservation movement. However, with the introduction\u2063 of purchasing development rights and the adoption of cluster zoning, farmers gradually warmed up\u200c to\u200c the idea.<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-figure\">\n<figure style=\"width:600px\" class=\"aligncenter\"><figcaption>A \u2064farm for sale in Warwick, \u2064N.Y., \u200con Oct. 13, 2023. \u2063(Cara Ding\/The \u200bEpoch Times)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>To sustain the preservation \u200beffort, the town board implemented a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/chicago-mayor-channels-ultra-violent-scarface-intros-first-we-get-the-money-plan-to-finally-destroy-city\/\" title=\"Chicago Mayor introduces new plan to revitalize the city and address its challenges.\">real estate\u2063 transfer tax<\/a>, which proved \u200bsuccessful in generating revenue for land preservation purposes. The community\u200c preservation fund\u200d has amassed $16 million, allowing \u2064the preservation of thousands of acres of farmland and open\u2062 space.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>The town&#8217;s funds were further leveraged\u2063 through state and federal grants, significantly increasing their purchasing power. The\u2062 preservation efforts are set to continue until 2050.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>Redeveloping an \u200bOld State Prison<\/h2>\n<p>When Sweeton learned about the closure of \u2064Mid-Orange Correctional\u2062 Facility, he saw an opportunity to repurpose\u2063 the\u200b 730-acre property. \u200cDespite the challenges\u2062 associated \u200bwith\u200b redeveloping prisons, Sweeton \u2062and the town\u2064 board \u2062decided to purchase the property from the state.<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-figure\">\n<figure style=\"width:600px\" class=\"aligncenter\"><figcaption>A site being developed at the Warwick Valley Office \u200cand Technology Corporate Park in Warwick, N.Y., on March 12, 2023. (Cara Ding\/The Epoch Times)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Through negotiations and collaborations with \u200blocal entrepreneurs \u2062and \u2062the Orange County Industrial Development Agency, the former prison site was transformed into Warwick&#8217;s first business park. \u200cDespite \u200bsetbacks\u2062 caused by COVID-19, \u2063the park is now fully sold and in\u200b various stages of development.<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-figure\">\n<figure style=\"width:600px\" class=\"aligncenter\"><figcaption>Drowned Lands farm brewery at\u2063 the former\u200d Mid-Orange Correctional Facility\u2063 site in Warwick, N.Y., on March 12, 2023. \u200c(Cara Ding\/The Epoch Times)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The successful redevelopment of \u200cthe prison site has not \u200conly\u200d revitalized the \u2064local economy but also created job opportunities for the community.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> \u2062 How did \u2064the conversion of\u2062 the farmland preservation program \u2064from a bond-funded model to\u200d a property tax-based model\u2062 impact Warwick&#8217;s \u200bland preservation efforts?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Nov. \u20632, 2007. (Spencer Platt\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.theepochtimes.com\/assets\/uploads\/2023\/11\/17\/Warwick-NY-farm-600x400.jpg\" alt=\"Warwick, New York farm\" \/><\/p>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<p>In 2003, Sweeton proposed a $3 \u200dmillion bond\u2062 to fund the\u200d preservation of farmland. The bond\u200d was passed in\u2063 a townwide referendum,\u2062 marking the beginning of Warwick&#8217;s successful land preservation program. \u200dThis initiative enabled the town to purchase development rights from farmers, ensuring that their land \u200bremains agricultural and cannot be developed for other purposes.<\/p>\n<p>As the program gained\u2063 momentum, Sweeton realized the need for \u200ba more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fischer-bill-would-impose-1000-fee-on-evs-to-replace-gas-tax-for-highway-trust-fund\/\" title=\"Fischer proposes ,000 fee on EVs to fund Highway Trust Fund, replacing gas tax.\">sustainable funding source<\/a>. In 2014, he spearheaded the conversion \u2063of the farmland preservation program from a \u2063bond-funded model to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/retiring-warwick-supervisor-michael-sweeton-reflects-on-his-2-crowning-achievements\/\" title=\"Warwick Supervisor Michael Sweeton reflects on his two major accomplishments as he retires.\">property \u200btax-based model<\/a>.\u2063 This transition allowed for a consistent \u2063and stable \u2063revenue stream to support land preservation efforts.<\/p>\n<h2>Economic Development: Transforming a\u2064 Former Prison<\/h2>\n<p>Another significant achievement under Sweeton&#8217;s leadership is\u2062 the transformation of a former state prison campus into Warwick&#8217;s first industrial park. This endeavor required careful planning, collaboration with state agencies, and leveraging available\u200d resources.<\/p>\n<p>With\u200c the closure\u2064 of Mid-Orange \u2064Correctional Facility, Sweeton saw an opportunity to repurpose the\u2062 vacant land and attract businesses to the town. After several years of negotiations and due diligence, the Warwick Valley Office and Technology Corporate Park became a reality in 2016.<\/p>\n<p>The industrial park now\u200d houses a variety of businesses, \u2063<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-gop-launches-inquiry-into-biden-atf-gun-sales-rule-universal-gun-registry\/\" title=\"House Republicans have initiated an investigation into Biden's ATF rule on gun sales, citing concerns over a potential 'universal gun registry.'\">providing employment \u200copportunities<\/a> and driving economic \u2062growth in the region. Sweeton&#8217;s innovative approach and determination turned a vacant prison into a vibrant \u2062hub of economic activity.<\/p>\n<h2>A Forward-Looking Mindset and Civic Responsibility<\/h2>\n<p>Sweeton attributes his achievements to a forward-looking mindset, where he anticipated the town&#8217;s\u200d future needs and acted accordingly. Rather than \u2063focusing on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/inside-the-gop-plan-to-oppose-bidens-iran-deal\/\" title=\"Inside the GOP Plan to Oppose Biden\u2019s Iran Deal\">short-term solutions<\/a>, he \u200cprioritized sustainable strategies that would benefit Warwick in the long run.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, Sweeton emphasized the importance \u200dof civic responsibility and collaboration. He recognized the role of the community and town board in supporting his initiatives, \u200das well as the need for compromise and \u200cshared goals.<\/p>\n<p>While Sweeton&#8217;s tenure as Warwick&#8217;s leader comes to an end, his legacy in land preservation and economic development will continue\u200d to shape the town&#8217;s\u2063 future. His dedication and \u200daccomplishments serve as a testament to effective leadership and a commitment to a thriving community.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As Michael Sweeton reflected on his 22-year tenure leading Orange County&#8217;s largest town, he highlighted his significant impact on land preservation and economic growth. Warwick&#8217;s successful farmland preservation program, initially funded by bonds, has safeguarded 4,500 acres of productive land and evolved into a self-sustaining fund.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":417,"featured_media":2072833,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2072832","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2072832","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/417"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2072832"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2072832\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2072833"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2072832"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2072832"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2072832"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}