Widening public outrage over the conduct of two Cherry Valley town board members leaves them just one option: resignation. In voting against the people’s will on wind turbines, Fabian Bressett and Jim Johnson created enormous distrust of their personal motives and, sadly, the trustworthiness of local government. Even citizens silent in the controversy over wind turbines – people usually uninterested in politics – are outraged that Mr. Bressett and Mr. Johnson so blatantly rejected overwhelming citizen sentiment in voting, July 31, against a 12-month moratorium on industrial development in the town. Faith in local government is being eroded seriously by two – just two – men who so clearly voted in favor of outsider profit-seeking strangers who own a turbine company and against the interests of their own friends and neighbors. Public servants in a democracy must do the will of the people, and anything – or anybody – threatening that fundamental reality is a threat to all of us. Mr. Bressett and Mr. Johnson should resign, then stand for reelection and thus submit to a public referendum on their policies, motives and conduct. But for now, they must get out of the way or the town of Cherry Valley will be torn apart. Conrad C. Fink Cherry Valley
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