In the past couple of weeks, we've had some great contributions to the forum.  Some of the issues that existed when I started Hudson Valley Voices remain; the status of Camp LaGuardia is uncertain, the threat of suburban sprawl and congested traffic looms, and the largest local paper in the Orange/Sullivan/Ulster area allowed the circus atmosphere of its opinion forum to linger on. That was, at least until they shut  it down rather than to put the effort into monitoring the posts.

Add to the above the "sweeping changes" that are proposed by a new administration, unemployment levels that we haven't seen in 25 years, and a growing dissatisfaction with the power of government.  Let's not forget all of the other new local issues, and the lightning fast speed that we can communicate electronically and mobilize forces to rally for what we believe is right. Heck, a "community organizer" got himself elected president, and "tea party" movements are appearing across the country!