Visioning: the future is now

As the New Year begins I’d very much like to thank The River Reporter for allowing me the opportunity to offer my humble opinions and insights into what we, here in the western part of Sullivan County and particularly in the Town of Cochecton, may want to consider as we prepare for the future. The well-worn phrase that “the future is now” is truly so, for if we do not have plans and common goals in place, we shall find ourselves constantly re-acting to events rather than guiding them.

We must take a regional approach to our planning process. By region, I mean the area of Sullivan County generally bordering the Delaware River. Our goals in the western part of Sullivan County may not be the same goals as the Towns of Fallsburg or Thompson, or the villages of Liberty or Mamakating.

While many in that part of the county appear to look forward to pending casinos, we, in the “west,” will surely feel the impact but not necessarily the benefits. Anyone who drives Route 17B daily already experiences the traffic and how quickly it backs up behind a slow-moving vehicle. What will we face with workers and visitors commuting to a casino through our area?

The recent designation of Route 97 as the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway offers its own cache of challenges although we can work to make positive outcomes.

Citizens in Sullivan County and particularly the Town of Cochecton must take a moment and reflect on what they like about our area—our environment. Is it the beautiful undisturbed tree-lined ridge along the Delaware River, the river itself, the open vistas along County Route 114, the inviting Lake Huntington or a community “feel” about Cochecton Center? All of these areas will be threatened by future growth.

While we all realize that growth is inevitable, and in most cases desirable, we must have a strong plan to integrate growth within our shared visions. The creep of encroachment is not readily felt, yet.

We should look carefully at proposed new developments with an aim toward preserving as much open space as possible. Can we encourage developers to design projects with a sense of “community” about them and in so doing leave open spaces for all to enjoy?

We can easily learn from our neighboring Orange County communities who are wrestling with how to preserve the fast-dwindling open spaces; a lure that brought many people to the area in the first place

Numerous studies have shown that residential development in itself does not pay its way. Commercial development should be encouraged. However, the aim must be to promote a desire in business people to be a part of this community and to support and enhance the greater goals.

To have an area or extended community that we are all proud of requires involvement by many citizens. Residents must be willing to give up some of their precious free time to become “engaged” in the planning process. I would encourage everyone to elect their officials carefully, encourage them to develop bold ideas and provide them with positive direction.

Make a commitment to attend a town board meeting and or planning board meeting, listen carefully and provide thoughtful input. We can accomplish a great deal if all of us work together in the process of community development.

Larry H. Richardson
Town of Cochecton Councilman
Cochecton, N.Y.

[Editor’s note: In an ongoing series to explore and create a common vision for the Upper Delaware River corridor, The River Reporter welcomes comments on the future of the river valley. If you would like to be considered for inclusion in this column, send your comments of 500 words or less to editor@riverreporter.com.]