COOKS FALLS, NY AND ROSCOE, NY — There are many issues and events related to our life and well-being in Roscoe and Cooks Falls worth sharing with you.

Driving along the Beaverkill between Cooks Falls and Roscoe, up Route 206 toward Downsville, or further along highway 17, you will have surely paused to assure yourself you are living in a beautiful part of the country, forgetting during these final autumn weeks the winter hardships awaiting us. 

Predictions of a dull fall-color season were false. To me, the array of color across the hills and along the roads is as dazzling as I remember it in past years.

There’s still time to enjoy the extended Roscoe Riverside Park. More open space for sitting or strolling is available after further clearing by the local Workforce Development Team. 

On a recent walk along the river there, I counted five large picnic tables, several birdhouses and many flat stone benches. Only the limited parking area could discourage visitors as might want to stroll there.

NY SENATE ELECTIONS I’ve been moving through the district to meet and follow the progress of a new Democratic candidate running for New York State Senate. Our State Senate District is now 51; it was formerly 42. It includes Delaware, Sullivan and parts of Broome and Orange counties.

Eric Ball is the promising Democratic candidate who could offer dynamism and genuine civic commitment to the state senate, and return our district into Democratic hands. Find out more about Eric on his home page, https://www.ericballforsenate.com/. It offers a good summary of his policy platforms. And read reports of recent debates and interviews in local papers.

Born and raised in Walton, NY, and a graduate of SUNY Oneonta, Eric Ball is a former CSEA union member. He managed small and agricultural businesses in Walton, and serves on the Walton Board of Trustees. To also learn more about him and his differences with Oberacker, scan through his “Policy Differences for Ulster County.docx.pdf”.

As for our New York Assembly District 100 (it includes Sullivan but not Delaware County), Aileen Gunther is the popular, experienced incumbent Democratic candidate. She’s being challenged by Lisa LaBue this year.

Delaware County is in New York State Assembly District 122, which since 2020 has been represented by Republican Joe Angelino. He’s on the November 8 ballot unopposed.

The campaign of Josh Riley for U.S. Congressional seat 19 (formerly represented by Delgado) seems to be moving along smoothly. Learn more about him at https://joshrileyforcongress.com/home/.

Riley comes from four generations of New Yorkers residing in Endicott, NY.  

All elections are important. They are our right. They are the basis of our democracy. Local reps care directly about us, and we should expect to meet them in our towns and our institutions. State elections and Albany policies probably have a greater impact on our daily lives than the federal elections.  

PRESS. To keep us abreast of the coming election and the school merger, we are fortunate to have three local newspapers offering good coverage. The River Reporter and the Sullivan County Democrat, which regularly follow regional politico-economic issues, are now augmented by an increasingly civic-minded Manor Ink . MI is a monthly out of Livingston Manor. Adding the Walton Reporter to these three local news sources, residents and businesses can learn a lot about our community, the elected people who run our towns, seasonal celebrations, history and future trends.

Have you noticed that the River Reporter and Manor Ink carry many more investigative-style articles? Their reporters are to be commended.

These articles and reports are especially important with the many new (and sometimes questionable) proposals for economic development projects that would affect the tempo of life in this part of the Catskills, and doubtless place increased demands on existing infrastructure. How heartening to see many more residents attending local council meetings to monitor the corporate proposals. Residents are speaking up to protect their values and comment on what their elected officials are doing, or should do.

It is a pity that fear of exploitation from outside and the arrival of strangers in our villages is the stimulus for locals to become politically active. But that’s common everywhere, isn’t it?

This is your precious—and often your only—home. Keep yourself updated and make a difference!

Now to a few erstwhile social happenings: 

Next week offers some Halloween events in addition to piles of orange pumpkins in all sizes for sale at nearby farms

Sunday, October 30—Parksville is hosting a Halloween parade.

Cooks Falls’ rather mysterious Red Rose Motel and Tavern will open its doors on Sunday, October 30 at 4 p.m. for its Howl-o-ween special. The announcement notes the party will benefit Catskill Animal Rescue.

For more spooks, visit the Roscoe O and W Railway Museum on Monday, October 31. From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., they invite you to join a Spooktacular afternoon there.

Cooks Falls Fire Department seems to be more active in the past few months. A pancake breakfast is planned for early November there. 

The once-sluggish main street of Roscoe, Stewart Avenue, is busier, welcoming visitors with several new shops and eateries. The former bank building, under construction for more than two years, finally reopened as The Spotted Cow Café and Grill (closed Tuesday and Wednesday). Its prices may seem normal to out-of-town weekend visitors. They’ll find the café’s interior design reminiscent of New York City cafes. 

We’re more likely to find locals whom we know enjoying the menus of Joey B (closed Monday) and Kasos Greek Restaurant (closed Wednesday). Both appear to be very popular.

This newsletter was prepared as a volunteer civic exercise by Delaware County, NY resident BNimri Aziz.