What brought you to New Paltz?
I fell in love with the rural nature of Vermont when I attended law school. All my life I had been a city dweller. After law school I missed the country, having a vegetable garden. After many years practicing law in New York City, I wanted to move to the country. New Paltz was so country-like with beautiful mountains and hiking trails. New Paltz was the growth quarter of the Hudson Valley. Anyone porting culture or business went through New Paltz.
What were your earliest impressions of the town when you arrived here in 1984?
It was a diverse tolerant, compassionate community, with a college that provided opportunities of intellectual stimulation and growth. I met my wife here. I was introduced to Vicki, also a practicing lawyer here. We began by sharing office space. We got married before we even merged our law practice. Then we merged and Kossover Law practice was created.
What contributions have you made to our community?
I’m actually pretty proud of coaching youth soccer for many years. Our law firm also sponsored multiple soccer teams and little league teams in New Paltz. “Stop Walmart ” was a cause I supported. I represented Jason West in his groundbreaking action in support of gay marriage when he was criminally charged.
Was representing Jason West a high point of your career in New Paltz?
It was criminal justice activism which helps everyone everywhere. I was sitting at my desk working, we heard rumors that Mayor West was going to perform same sex marriages, illegal at the time. My wife attended the marriages, came back and said, “You have to get out from behind your desk, walk up to village hall and see what is happening in our community.” What I witnessed was monumental, a real civil rights moment. People who had been discriminated against for so many years were being vindicated. As an attorney, this resonated with me, definitely civil rights. These people were being seen publicly for who they were, maybe for the first time in their lives. I was so inspired. I said to my wife, “I feel like coming out and I’m not even gay!” For that amazing moment, we were the center of the universe, right here in New Paltz.
If you left here tomorrow, what would you miss?
Home, with a capital H. This is my home. All my memories of family are here. The beauty of this region. I love all the spiritual congregations. I respect and love and appreciate the synagogue and the churches, all doing beautiful work. I would miss the comfort of my home, the views, the ridge and the tower. I would miss my garden. I have invested so much labor and love into my flowers. My wife and I love hiking, especially the trail past Duck Pond, along the top of the ridge, where we are rewarded with beautiful views. Vicki and I were married outside here. So many memories. So much to love.
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