Like many of those who live in our community, we spend much time and money commuting great distances to either work, doctor appointments or shopping for basic necessities. We have come to accept certain tradeoffs living in such a rural area. We rely upon personal transportation to get us to those destinations. We pay our taxes to local, county and state governments, with the expectation that services for health, safety and protection will be provided. It is with those expectations and the lack of government attention to follow through that we write this opinion piece.

Case in point is the current state of disrepair of New York State Route 97. Any of us who have traveled on this roadway from Narrowsburg south to the Orange County line can agree that it is in a dilapidated condition and in need of substantial repair; it has been neglected for some time. We think, and perhaps you also agree, that repairs are desperately needed, with crumbling shoulders, long stretches of deep missing pavement and widening cracks. Such conditions are not in the nature of the “quick-fix” patching (or band-aid) approach that has been used in the past; rather a complete resurfacing is called for. This has not been done for nearly two decades. One could also mention the need for the trimming of trees and removal of those that dangerously hang over the roadway.

With this, we reached out to the offices of local government officials, Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and Sen. John J. Bonacic, to assist us regarding these concerns. They forwarded them to New York State Department of Transportation (DOT). Both offices agreed that State Route 97 is in need of substantial repairs and are hearing the same from other constituents.

We then directly contacted DOT Section 9 Supervisor Jack Williams’ office, and again openly expressed our concerns. All agree that more needs to be done and are aware of the problems. Yet nothing of substance is done to correct the substantial dilapidated conditions. However, it is noteworthy that following our conversation with DOT an electric sign was placed at the Sullivan/Orange County line warning drivers of “rough roads next 20 miles.” This is not what the taxpayers of this area deserve. To that end, we need safe and navigable roads to travel upon and ones that don’t damage our vehicles in the process. As this is one of the most basic services government provides, we deserve better.

Much time, effort and money over the years has been spent trying to attract development, businesses and visitors to our area. As we have much to offer in our communities, the arts, entertainment, and recreation to the natural beauty of the Delaware River Valley. We have made investments in signage indicating “scenic byways” and advertising trying to cultivate these aspirations. Yet one has to ask “would you want to visit an area where the roadways are in such poor condition or prefer to go elsewhere?” Our infrastructure and main thoroughfare, Route 97, is in need of substantial repairs; and we deserve better.

We are asking our local leaders, those mentioned above and on the town level, to collectively reach out and call for immediate corrective measures be to taken.

You may wish to contact them yourself as we did—see information below.

[Lance Brodmerkel and Charlie Hoffman are residents of Narrowsburg, NY.]