Eight months into his first year as senator, James Skoufis finally has a permanent office. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Tuesday evening, officially opening the district office which will be shared with Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson (D-Newburgh).
Skoufis had been occupying the office, used for three decades by former Senator Bill Larkin, but the space, on Little Britain Road in New Windsor, wasn’t convenient for constituents, nor was it actually an office. Skoufis describes it as a ranch house which was not built to be an office.
Back in January, the building at 47 Grand St., in the City of Newburgh, was identified as a more centrally located and convenient space to set up shop.
Previously used by the old Savings and Loan Association, as well as the Eastern Orange County Chamber of Commerce, the historic building required some renovations before it was fit to be occupied. Skoufis said the rehabilitation of the building is part of the revitalization of Grand Street.
“There are some good things happening in the City of Newburgh,” Skoufis said. “I’m proud to have been part of some of those steps forward the past eight months and certainly our presence here is a commitment to being a part of that continued revitalization of the City of Newburgh.”
Not only is the office more centrally located for constituents in Cornwall, New Windsor, Newburgh, and the rest of Eastern Orange County, it’s within walking distance of those who live in the city, and it offers street-side parking.
The other benefit is that taxpayers won’t have to foot the bill for separate district offices. With Jacobson sharing the facility, the costs are consolidated into one location. It also becomes a one-stop shop for constituents who have business with both the assemblyman and senator.
“We’re right across the hall from each other so we can talk about legislation and collaborate on a number of things whether it be bills or state funding,” said Skoufis.
In conjunction with the new facility, Skoufis will continue to use his Haverstraw office to serve constituents in Rockland County.
The Newburgh location will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The senator can be reached by calling 845-567-1270.
