Margaret Mead said "Never doubt the ability of a small group of thoughtful people to change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

The members of the Copake Comprehensive Plan Committee (CCPC) come from different backgrounds and represent the experience of many different Copake residents. They earned, and deserve, the appreciation of the community, because, simply, they brought us together to envision what we can do to make Copake an amazing town.

The final 50 page report with appendices of several hundred pages, is a culmination of over 90 meetings spread over a span of three years and is now on display at the Town Hall and the Roe Jan Library.

Said of the CCPC: They struggled with issues and found a balancing point between provoking discussions and accomplishing the essentials. They were both practical and visionary. From farmers, to realtors, to young people, they listened to diverse voices and reflected their ideas in a plan with a shared vision.

The members of the Comprehensive Planning Committee are: (Pictured left to right, front row)  Frank Peteroy, Marcia Becker, Jeanne E. Mettler (Chair), Charles Dodson, William F. Kiernan, Jr., (Top Row) Rus Davis, Roberta Roll, Harvey Weber and Dan Hass and Dr. George Beneke (not pictured)

Rus is well known to everyone in town. He has always been involved in the betterment and beautification of Copake Town Center from the Christmas trees to the Memorial Clock and everything in between. He supports our sport teams at Taconic Hills School, runs a successful and vital business in the hamlet, hires local people and maintains an attractive shop. He is involved in community activities, served on the Comprehensive Planning Committee, and has been active in the preservation of the history of Copake.  

Said of Rus: He has been planting the flowers around the clock forever. I feel Rus Davis is a fixture and a feature in our small town of Copake. Rus was instrumental in gearing up the Town Clock for restoration. It shows his support for the community and the community's veterans.  Hugh "Rusty" Davis deserves this award because he demonstrates clear community support and actually has the drive to follow through. He is kind, he is always ready to listen, and he cares about this town and all of us in it.

Jane has lived in Copake Falls all of her life. She uses her time to help others and to protect and promote the natural and historical gifts of Copake, especially in Copake Falls.

As the founding President of Friends of Taconic State Park, Jane helped to create an organization that has gained respect on a state level resulting in the protection of our historical sites that are part of the park.  As a member of the Historical Society, Jane has contributed her time and skills to preserve and educate visitors about the historical richness of our community.

Said of Jane:  Jane has also given of herself personally to individuals who need tax preparation help. She drives people to their medical appointments who would otherwise have no way of getting there. For many years, Jane also served her church by keeping financial records.

Jon has spent years as a part time resident of the Copake Lake and is an active participant in community life.

He took on the enormous project of transforming the Copake Country Club into a vital community asset. He bought the club to save the golf course and the integrity of the lake. He hired locally and kept people working during three years of tough times as he restored and rebuilt.   He uses as many all natural treatments as a golf course can allow and creates jobs in the area for many people. Most importantly, he kept the club public instead of taking private money and converting to an exclusive private club.   He has created a community asset and a public place we can all access and enjoy.

Jon committed to a farm to table restaurant, with a focus on creating community and commerce between local farms and The Greens Restaurant. He also contributes generously to a number of community causes.

Said of Jon: It took perseverance and a vision that few have. He has done all of this hard work for one reason only, because he loves Copake and the lake. Yes, Jon is a businessman but in this matter it is a labor of love that allows so many people to enjoy one of the prettiest places in the world. He creates jobs, beautifies the landscape and uses local resources to better the community.

Roberta Roll

The State of New York has awarded a $121,000 grant for the design work needed to build a five-mile extension of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail north from its current terminus in Copake Falls through the Hamlet of Hillsdale. The Rail Trail is a wonderful recreational resource for hikers, bikers, runners, strollers and, in the winter, snowshoe fans and cross-country skiers. It provides a safe, paved, off-road way to get exercise for kids and adults of all ages.

Extending the trail will provide increased access for Copake residents to the new Roeliff Jansen Community Library, Roeliff Jansen Park and the northern part of Copake.

The recently unveiled Town of Copake Draft Comprehensive Plan supports the further development of the Rail Trail in its efforts to make Copake an attractive community with character as well as encourage a thriving economy.

But the state grant requires a $40,000 match. A group of Copake and Hillsdale residents have joined to form the Copake Hillsdale Rail Trail Alliance to help raise these funds, in collaboration with the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association and the Columbia Land Conservancy. The sooner we raise the funds, the sooner we can hire engineers to create construction drawings that will allow us to go after the substantial funding we will need for construction.

Please send a tax deductible donation to the Copake Hillsdale Rail Trail Alliance, PO Box 305, Hillsdale, NY 12529. Make your check payable to the Columbia Land Conservancy, and in the memo portion of the check write 'Copake Hillsdale Rail Trail'.

If you prefer to donate on-line go to www.clctrust.org and select DONATE. Fill in the amount and then go to 'Designating your gift' and select Copake Hillsdale Rail Trail Fund.

If you are interested in helping please contact Copake chair Nancy Schultz at nschultz@fairpoint.net .