News

The catastrophic impact of flooding in Delaware County has resulted in significant public and private property damage. Delaware County was declared a federal disaster area each year between 2004 and 2007. Each declared event has cost millions of dollars to both public and private infrastructure and has left many residents homeless.

A change in eligibility requirements for the Catskill Watershed Corporation’s Septic Rehabilitation and Replacement Program means that nearly 900 additional homeowners may be eligible to participate. Letters have been mailed to some 880 people whose properties are within 200 feet of a watercourse in the latest extension of the program eligibility distance. The voluntary program has widened progressively, from 50 to 100 to 150 feet, and now to 200 feet from a watercourse. Properties within 500 feet of a reservoir stem are also targeted.

The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development and the Erpf Gallery invite the public to attend the opening reception of Carol Field, artist and educator, at The Catskill Center Erpf Gallery on Main Street in Arkville on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Carol’s new work, long scrolls on canvases, paintings, drawings, a screen depicting images of the Ashokan Reservoir and a table with a long drawing using pen and brush on rice paper are renderings of the essential characters of the riparian zone, the area where the land and the stream interface.

The third annual Car Show to benefit the Mountainside Residential Care Center’s Resident “Sunshine Fund”will be held on Sunday, Oct.12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Mountainside Parking Lot. The event will feature music by a DJ, refreshments, prize drawings and entertainment by Joe “Elvis” Borelli. There will awards presented to the owners of the Top 10 Cars, plus the Residents’ Choice Award.

The Delaware & Ulster Railroad in Arkville is hosting the 29th annual Belleayre Fall Festival on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 11 and 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Attractions include over three dozen craft, art, and specialty vendors including Rusty Dorr Originals, Alta Log Homes, Sensational Sweets, Tea Thyme Herb and Fruit Farm, and Chicken Hill Farm Homemade Soaps.

The Bronx Opera Company will give its annual Fall Concert in the unique surroundings of Frost Valley YMCA’s Forstmann Castle on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. Both shows are open to the public. The cost for the local community is $10 per person, and it is recommended that visitors arrive early, as seating is limited. Doors will open at 7:15 p.m.

DEC spokesman refuses $ comments but gives overview of operational plans
By Jay Braman Jr.
At press time yesterday the Catskill Mountain News was working to confirm reports that beleaguered Belleayre Mountain Ski Center has had its budget issues resolved and will be fully operational during the upcoming ski season.
“We’ll make an announcement soon,” was all Belleayre Spokesman Yancy Roy had to say Tuesday.

By Matthew J. Perry
After a month of watching giant financial companies crumple in a Wall Street train wreck that becomes more brutal by the day, residents of Main Street are nervous. But local, commercial banks are intent on soothing frayed nerves and still looking for business, provided that prospective customers have sound credit and assets.

By Julia Green
The Middletown Town Board has secured over $1.1 in grant funds and approximately $800,000 in low-interest loan money to offset the nearly $2 million price tag attached to necessary upgrades to the Arkville Water System.
The board will outline its financial plan and additional information at a public information meeting to be held on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. at the town hall.

By Matthew J. Perry
On Monday evening, Kirsten E. Gillibrand, Congresswoman of New York’s 20th district, voted against a bill that would have approved a bailout package for the nation’s financial sector. The bill failed to pass in the House of Representatives by a vote of 228-205.
Gillibrand released the following statement to explain her vote: “While I am fully aware of the seriousness of the financial problems in the market, I do not believe the bill Congress voted on today was the right approach. The bill has insufficient oversight and protections and does not address the root causes of the crisis or the poor economy."