To The Editor:
- Out- of-state plates – always have been here, summer and winter. It’s been that way since the 1960s. Amazing that nobody has noticed that before.
- Restaurants and bars – always have been patronized, summer and winter -- well maybe not stick and mud season, but who wants to go out then anyway?
- Staying forever – perhaps.
- Drug store – if Kinney Drugs was profitable enough they would have reopened.
- Shaw’s – seems pretty well stocked these days. Are you referring to temporary shortages, which incidentally happened nationwide?
- Coffeemaker – many of us don’t drink coffee, but Three Mountain Cafe makes darned good iced tea. Most are willing to stand in line either way. Besides, it helps Paul and Julie’s bottom line.
- Schools – many of us are seniors. Of course our kids don’t attend the schools.
- Changing residency to Vermont – sounds appealing, but haven’t considered it. Now that you mention it. . .
- Roads – yes, the roads suck. They suck in MA, NY, CT and NJ as well. This is what happens when tax dollars don’t go to maintaining (much less improving) the infrastructure.
- Anthony – pennies saved working in a grocery store will not support a retired life in The Valley.
In all seriousness, many if not most of the people who are second-home owners in The Valley have a considerable investment here, both financially and emotionally. We came here not only because of the area’s natural beauty but also its recreational offerings, its local food, its shops and restaurants and its people. We started coming here in 1983. We have made some incredible, long-lasting friendships with people who live in The Valley. Many of us also support local causes, like the MRV Ambulance, the community fund, Global Health Media, Go Fund Me campaigns that pop up to help people most of us don’t even know, and many others. It’s a shame that there is a vocal minority that scorns people from outside of The Valley.
Chris Isles, Chappaqua, NY
and Waitsfield, VT
