As new State Senator Mike Martucci assumes office in Albany today for his first full legislative session, he announced that his main office will be in Middletown. His news release also showed that none of his core staffers, at least thus far, are from Sullivan County. That doesn't bode well for residents unless he more than makes up for it by showing up in our County the way that his predecessor, Jen Metzger did. Metzger, of course, also opened an office in Liberty that was operated by Sullivan's Ariceli-Mir Pontier, who was Metzger's constituent services manager for the entire district. Let's hope that in exchange for the enormous political support Martucci received from Sheriff Mike Schiff, Undersheriff Eric Chaboty, local GOP head Gary Maas and other local Republican leaders that the new Senator doesn't forget the County. He can start by early on making appearances here, meeting with County/town/village officials regularly and seeking out grants that help our communities. Since he entered the Senate in the minority party, don't expect much in the way of legislation. However, he can join Democrats by voting in favor of legislation that is good for all Sullivan residents and businesses. As Martucci announced that he is a member of the Senate Committee on Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, it's obvious that he and Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, chair of the Assembly Mental Health Committee, will have some great opportunities to work together on those issues.