To: The Catskill Chronicle – February 12, 2011
Dear Editor:
It was wonderful to see the packed-and-then-some parking lot, as I drove up to the firehouse, where the Monticello Community Meeting was about to begin, Sunday afternoon, February 13.
Having never been inside the beautiful, new Monticello Firehouse, and having never attended an event sponsored by Sullivan Renaissance, before, I was highly impressed by both, as well as by the enthusiasm expressed by members of the audience, area residents who’d come to listen and contribute, as a first step toward helping make Monticello/Sullivan County a better place to live, work, and/or raise a family.
Toward that end, realizing that not everyone who may have wanted to, had been able to attend, I’m presenting my ideas, here, hoping they might provide a basis from which other thoughts might spring, and eventual projects might materialize.
I suggest that:
1 – Community vegetable gardens – flowers, of course, could be included, also – be established in various locations around Monticello/Sullivan County, e.g., at our schools, SCCC, housing developments, summer camps. Ideally, composting projects would be established at these locations, too, in conjunction with the gardens.
My agricultural background has taught me that one of the best ways for individuals to boost their self esteem is to help them learn ways to be at least somewhat self-sufficient. Growing vegetables from seed furthermore teaches people about the challenges involved in food production, and that the effort one invests in a project largely determines the size of one’s harvest later on.
2 – Especially for the benefit of our young people, world class athletes, e.g., Michael Jordan, be scheduled to discuss the discipline, hard work, attention to a clean lifestyle, and ongoing athletic training it takes to become a champion and continue as such, year after year. My feeling is that our young people, all across Sullivan County need positive role models. They likewise need to break the habit of spending endless hours every day/every night in sedentary pursuits, e.g., tweeting, surfing the Internet, instant messaging, etc.
3 – A village walking club(s) be formed to help people of all ages who need the motivation afforded by a group to get going on a basic fitness program and burn fat.
4 – A storefront in Monticello be devoted to developing a museum dedicated to the history of the Village. Such a project – too bad the world famous Kaplan’s Delicatessen sign was junked, some years ago, rather than stored safely away – would prove attractive to local residents, as well as to seasonal tourists. Material about individuals born in Monticello, who then went on to noteworthy achievements of various kinds could comprise a section of the display.
In regard to the retail projects proposed for the former Apollo Plaza Mall site, I favor Mr. Kaplan’s, rather than Mr. Resnick’s, since the Monticello area already boasts three supermarkets. I furthermore feel that Mr. Kaplan’s plan would more directly benefit Sullivan County residents, compared to Mr. Resnick’s.
Susan Kross Kross Consultative Health & Fitness Services – Make health your wealth™
155 Steam Hollow Road Dairyland, NY 12428
