I must admit being quite a bit taken aback by the school candidate petition results this week, especially in Pine Bush. Then again, I was also surprised by how little the master planning survey results for the Town of Crawford revealed to me about why there's ended up being so much apathy in what is usually our most enthusiastic school district, especially when it comes to community activities. Yes, the survey showed a general sense of divided attention, as it is in so many aspects of our lives these days. People want development, but not at the expense of the rural community character they cherish. They want more tourism but without the hassles of doing what's needed to attract new lodgings and restaurants. They even want those fine dining establishments over fast food, and yet...

Maybe the meanness of recent elections, lawsuits, or the difficulties of getting petitions together after a long, harsh winter was to blame. Perhaps we've become a people better suited to backseat quarterbacking than active participation. We could simply be too busy for the sort of epic volunteerism that school boards need. Whatever... now we turn our attention to whatever happens next, which is a real question given the changing nature of this district, as expressed in those fears that led to the redistricting petition drive in the first place.

The same patterns seem to have emerged in Ellenville, as well. Could it be that all that anger over teacher salaries and the overall cost of education, stoked by national politics a few short years ago, has finally passed and the economy really IS doing better now. Then again, maybe we need to find ways to get our civic passions rising again. Or at least find ways to invigorate our communities' various societies and groups to really talk about issues on a regular basis, including ways in which they can be effected, and not just complained about.

Politics IS a good thing. Especially when one considers what happens when it is ignored... and thus allowed to be enjoyed, and played, only by those with vested interests in it. On all levels.

Speaking of fine dining... have any of you read the recent reports about how so many Americans are now spending themselves into debt, or at least keeping themselves from saving, by eating out too often? Talk about becoming more European, without the community-building aspects of that continent's restaurant cultures and out-of-the-home lifestyles. Here, the reports say, we've slipped into a "beating out the Joneses" sort of restaurant going that's fed by media, increasingly busy schedules, an over-reliance on processed foods, and a general laziness.

Not that we'd ever suggest not eating in any of the fine establishments that advertise with us, or make our greater Hudson Valley so special. Just that we do so with some sense of care. It's nice to treat ourselves, but how about doing it with greater creativity? Switch out one diner meal for a farmers' market's purchase. Or a shared dinner with friends. Make it all part of an increased social life, and not just a respite from one's kitchen.

Final thoughts for this week? It's starting to seem like the recent Wawarsing town-wide reval's not going to have the huge ripples everyone though a few weeks back. Or at least not until tax bills come out when school starts come September. We feel the pain of those who live in Cragsmoor, or on large properties to the west of 209. We also hear the elation of struggling businesses, whose long years of big challenges seem to have been heard.

We'll be there for grievance day to see what changes. We'll continue to look at how revals have worked out in other towns across the state and nation, especially when they share real elements with our own.

Yet we also, from experience, believe good will come from this hard process. We've gotten through a crucible, reached a new sense of equity, and can avoid slipping so far behind in the future. Which has tended to work wonders for all towns we've covered over the years. It'll mean the community can now face new challenges together, and attract in new residents — including businesses — that need no longer fear being treated differently from the rest of us.

We move on.