Early in the planning for the Ellenville Journal, what to name the paper was one of the most difficult decisions we had to make. Newspapers are geographic – they are intimately associated with the regions they serve, and the choice of name can make the newspaper seem either limited in scope or over-extended. We decided to include Ellenville in the name of the newspaper because Ellenville is where the newspaper is produced and is, more or less, the geographic center of the area we planned on covering. We recognized that by so naming the newspaper, localities other than Ellenville might not seem to be included, and we would have to demonstrate our relevance to the surrounding communities in other ways.

A more philosophical question that we pondered was the actual geographic scope the newspaper would encompass. Is there an identifiable "region" centered roughly in Ellenville, and if so, how do the different parts of this region relate? We have yet to answer the question, but whatever that region turns out to be, the Town of Mamakating is certainly part of it. For two weeks now we have covered various events there, and are pleased to have a correspondent who will report on all of the Town's local board meetings and hearings.

The issues facing residents of the Town of Mamakating could very well face the Town of Wawarsing and Ellenville shortly. Mamakating is currently dealing with actual and proposed large-scale development, and has to contend with an aggressive industrial development corporation, and an equally effective group of people questioning the projects. The Yukiguni mushroom plant project that is still in the planning stages for Wurtsboro will affect the lives of anyone who lives in the Rondout Valley. Water and air quality, traffic, the visual impact of an 80-foot tall factory, and a host of other issues will all impact us in ways no one can predict.

With the completion of the Kohl's distribution center just 10 miles to the south of us, we can see the results of a typical scenario. Some point to the vast, mostly empty parking lot and ask where are the all of the jobs that were promised for the tax breaks and other incentives that were given? Others see a relatively low-lying and unobtrusive industrial building and remark that the feared noisy truck traffic and congestion on Route 209 has never materialized. However one stands on such development, there is no doubt that questions like these will confront the Town of Wawarsing in the near future. With rumors of Walmart, casinos, and new housing projects getting louder and more credible, the time to understand and prepare for the complex decisions we will have to make as a community is now. To paraphrase an ancient saying from Confucious, we in Wawarsing should, "look to Mamakating, and be wise."

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