The My View piece that reflects on issues that have come and gone over the author’s 25 years of living in The Valley mentions memories of controversies that have played out locally but points out that “even in conflict The Valley gets along.”
And that is key. It is unlikely that everyone is going to agree on hot topic issues such as making condoms available at Harwood or having a bar in the basement of The Pitcher Inn or solar panels or shopping locally, etc.
What is likely—as demonstrated by the Letters/My Views in this issue (and in every issue)—is that people are going to take the time to express their views in writing on the topic and put their thoughts out for the rest of the community to read.
That matters. It is important that people care enough to take the time to go beyond kibitzing with their neighbors and friends at the coffee shop or country store about local issues. It is critical to the discourse and critical to helping people decide where they stand on an issue that people take the time to write letters and opinion pieces for publication in the local paper.
And back to the getting along part . . . that is perhaps the most relevant statement. Getting along is extremely important in a community as small as the Mad River Valley. Harboring a grudge or nursing anger against someone, some decision, some business or some entity is useful for about five minutes.
After that it becomes impractical as one meets that person (or a person involved in the decision or business or entity) over and over again in town, at the Farmers’ Market, at the store, at the vet’s office, at the doctor’s office, at an art exhibit, in the lift line, as a first responder to your car accident, or a firefighter responding to a chimney fire, etc.
It is indicative of a lively engaged community of people who care about each other and care about what goes on here that so many people take the time to write and ultimately, to figure out how to get along.
Keep those cards and letters coming.
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