2025 Mar 25 Katie (K) by Maria (M)
M: The first question is a fun one: what do you love about Rosendale?
K: I really love the way that the community works together. I feel like it’s a unique town in this area, in the way that there’s so many different groups and associations, festivals, and ways that people just pull together and do things together. The theater is such a great example, right?, but also the library: we have an amazing friends group, we have a board of trustees, and then other groups that meet here at the library, and so I feel like it’s a really vibrant town that way in terms of the way that people are able to connect.
M: Why do you like that, why is that important to you?
K: I think it’s essential for people – it’s kind of what gives our lives meaning is how we connect to other people, and often we’re connecting around something that’s important to us, like supporting the arts through the theater, or supporting all of the things that the library provides, or recreation, whatever it is. It’s all of these ways that we are helping each other and also doing something that we’re passionate about. I think it’s just a healthy way to be in the world
M: If you have any concerns for Rosendale or things that you think need protection or a little bit of help, what would those things be?
K: The environment and land always need protection and help. The Wallkill Valley Land Trust does a really great job, I think, with their stewardship of the Joppenbergh Mountain and the rail trail and then Mohonk Preserve has some space here too, and I would like to see the creek protected better. I’m not sure exactly what that would entail, but nature needs to be protected in every way possible. In terms of other threats, it’s important that the government of the town really work with the taxpayers and the citizens, the police, fire, all of that, highway department, they really need to have their finger on the pulse of what everybody wants and to be trusted partners. That’s an important thing to pay attention to as well
M: And the last question: what are your ideas for Rosendale? What would you like to see happen or make happen?
K: I would like to see the Main Street be more walkable, more traffic calming would be helpful. I would like to see the shops and store fronts opening up in a way that is thoughtful and reflective of the community here. I love all of the thrift shops, but we have lots of thrift shops, but we’re not getting variety. We have two tattoo parlors right and so we’re attracting certain things and somehow not others. I’m happy that we have some new eating establishments, I’m concerned about things getting unaffordable for local residents, and so I would like to see Main Street really attracting a good variety of businesses that are affordable for the people who live here and work in this area .
M: Why is that important for our community and for you?
K: Well it helps us to be able to shop and eat here and not have to go elsewhere for that, and it helps support people who are in business here to have businesses that are relevant to this place. I think having a nice hotel is great, and that brings money in, and it’s fine, but I think a lot of the communities up here end up really going after those transient dollars of visitors and not really paying as much attention to the people who are right here.
M: What other ideas do you foresee for the library?
K: I hope that the library will continue to be a valued resource for the community. Libraries have been under some attack in the sort of culture wars that have been going on lately, and I think that’s very unfortunate. Libraries are a nonpartisan space that reflect a community’s aspirations for learning, and for connection, and for anything that the community feels is important. Physically I hope that we can expand. The space that we have is beautiful and it’s not sufficient for what we’re doing, and we will be able to serve the community quite a bit better by expanding our facility.
M: Is there anything else that you’d like to share on our community?
K: I do I feel really grateful to be in this position. I’ve been a library director in two other Ulster County communities, and I really feel that Rosendale is special in terms of the connectedness of people, and the way that people are willing to step up and help out, and so I really just hope that that will continue to flourish, and that will Rosendale will continue to attract people like.
M: Super! Great, thanks!
