Town’s beauty can be taken for granted Recently, I was reminded of how Cherry Valley appears to those who are not fortunate enough to make their home here and enjoy its beauty everyday – a beauty that becomes easy to take for granted. I was checking out at a store in Albany when a cashier noticed my check address read Cherry Valley. No one was in line behind me and she began recalling when she was young. Her family would take Sunday drives weekly, and she described how their drive often led them to Cherry Valley. She told how they would make their way down scenic Route 20 and wind through the green hills of our town that seemed to roll on forever. I could see how just talking about those memories brought her back to that special place. I wondered to myself if she was aware of the heated debate currently dividing neighbors in Cherry Valley and surrounding townships. I wondered if she would still desire to make her Sunday visits through our hills if wind turbines dominated the landscape. The time has come when we must all step back and ask ourselves what kind of place we wish to shape for future generations. As other small towns across New York State and America sacrifice not only their picturesque landscape, but ultimately their quality of life to money-promising ventures, we must decide what our fortune will be. I believe our true fortune is to live in an area more uniquely beautiful with every passing year. The natural and historical qualities of our area become increasingly rare everyday, and it is our responsibility to preserve this treasure. Cherry Valley has reached a pivotal point and time is essential to these crucial considerations. Please plan to attend the upcoming public moratorium on July 31 at 6 p.m., and tell Cherry Valley officials a moratorium is the right thing for our town. Kate Weaver Cherry Valley
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