Together Again, and Stronger than Ever in Haines Falls

By Greg Madden

HAINES FALLS — Following the first ever “Stronger Together” session, held five months ago in May of 2025, forum organizers wondered how might these gatherings be continually received and more importantly attended.

The first session showed a strong local interest in exploring measures to strengthen our community, but several attendees wondered just how this event could go from an open discussion setting to a take action platform? Talk, as we know, is cheap and how long would attendance remain high and committed if there were no results from these gatherings.

Over the summer, organizers worked on a process for maximum performance that translated into tangible results. After reviewing and processing the feedback from the first session, this time launched a different group dynamic for the second "Stronger Together.”

This method, or process, is called “The Un-conference.” This productive platform has evolved over time getting its genesis from Harrison Owen’s “Open Space Technology” pioneered in the 1980’s . With this format attendees create their own program. It’s very simple, effective and puts proper focus on needed and important issues therefore taking the boring out of large gatherings. It creates workspaces for accomplishment.

Barbara Swanson of Twilight Park facilitated and later commented, “We used a protocol called “open space,” which is a way of letting the people in the room create the discussion topics. This guarantees that there will be robust conversations that interest the people who attend. At our recent event on October 18th, topics such as housing, life skills classes, creating senior and youth centers, addiction recovery, creating better community communication, and food security were discussed in small groups. Conversations were exciting and plans were made for further work. That is the magic of “open space,” it works every time.”

And it did, and very successfully. The overall theme of “Stronger Together” is to make our region of the planet better and it is accomplished with “your agenda” that you bring to the event and not just a preset programmed agenda. Favored topics are the ones that get activated. Your ideas.

Attendees presented passionate topics that filled five tables of 10 or more participants. In some cases, topics were combined to strengthen those who felt there was synergy in those proposals.

The Mountaintop, and other surrounding communities, joined together for a second time showing that there is a momentum and appetite for improvement and expansion in our region to build stronger communities, even in remote locales, and at the grass roots level.

Those who attended shared a unified willingness to roll up their sleeves and help get more done, instead of waiting for others to get it done, putting community first, above all else. Folks these days are tired of waiting for others to do the work. They are willing to join ranks with town leaders and extend to them the energy they need to get things accomplished here in our region.

First time attendee, Sasha Smith of Elka Park in Hunter remarked, “It was a great pleasure to see our community come together with specific suggestions that could benefit the mountaintop. The well run brainstorming session that ensued was made productive by the presence of the local officials and led to several actionable initiatives.”

Town of Hunter Supervisor Sean Mahoney, who has attended both Stronger Together gatherings said, “It was great to join the ‘Stronger Together’ team once again to collaborate with leaders from across our mountaintop communities. The discussions and shared ideas from this group continue to be instrumental as we work toward shaping a stronger, more connected future for the Town and the entire region. Efforts like this remind us that when we bring our resources, knowledge, and perspectives together, we can truly make our mountaintop stronger together.”

Mayor of Tannersville, Dr. Lee McGunnigle, has also attended both sessions and shared, “Stronger Together was a perfect format to spotlight some of the challenges that our mountain top considers important. Sean Mahoney and I have formally put forth strong initiatives to address these issues. The Village of Tannersville downtown revitalization $10 million investment planted the seed for affordable housing which is underway with fifty-six (56) units under construction. The Intermunicipal comprehensive plan will put to paper the Future Vision Of The Villages and the Town of Hunter. I urge every resident to share their feelings and their thoughts in this formal process. I am dedicated to implementing solutions to many of the initiatives addressed at this conference and it will be accomplished only through the collaboration of our community.”

Marc Czermerys, Chairperson-Town of Hunter Planning Board and Chairperson-Joint Comprehensive Plan Committee, Town of Hunter, Village of Hunter, Village of Tannersville stated, “It was a great pleasure to once again gather with the “Stronger Together” team as we look to bring together leaders from across the mountaintop to find ways to better our community. As we move forward into the process of updating the Comprehensive Plans for the Town of Hunter and the Villages of Hunter and Tannersville, the insights that this group can bring to the table will be invaluable. Their knowledge across the spectrums of community needs including housing, community resourcing, workforce training, and the general complications of living in a rural and mountainous location all are items that should and will be considered as we create a new guiding plan for us to use as a basis of area growth. I look forward to the continued work as we all try to help our mountaintop be truly Stronger Together.”

Attendees put aside their personal feelings and choices beautifully to work as one energy for the common good for all, on causes they all agree to pursue.

“There was a remarkable spirit of generosity among those present, people were thinking not of themselves but of the well-being of the entire community,” said Jonathan Gross of Maplecrest.

Judy Rodgers of Haines Falls added, “So much momentum in so many directions! Food insecurity, senior center, a place for youth and great music. Let’s do it again soon.”

All, and all communities, are welcome and to stay up on the latest information and progress on these initiatives, please follow “Stronger Together” on Facebook, by listening to WRIP 97.9 FM or online at www.StrongerTogetherMTNTop.com .

Your ideas, help and skills make this community “Stronger Together.”