Thank you for providing the news to the Highland Falls and West Point community.

I just returned home to the suburbs of Chicago after another wonderful weekend visiting our cadet at The United States Military Academy. While shopping at Walgreens I saw the headline about development and purchased the paper.

Why would you care about my opinions on development along Main Street? I served as village trustee in River Forest, Illinois for eight years. I heard all the negative input over and over. We need to preserve. Too much “density”? More infrastructure needed. Etc... etc...

All you have to do is walk down Main Street. There is no denying, the street is dying. Right now! Black Knight parents must stay in Newburgh or further and dine miles away. I tried to wash my car and was told the closest car wash was in Newburgh.

Let me be honest. My wife and I love the Highland Falls area as do many Cadet parents.

I encourage you to not only listen to these developers but to nurture their ideas. Build on them. Do everything the government can do to advance this cause before it is too late.

Most of all: Any elected official currently in office that does not see the problem before their eyes and in the interest of preservation chooses to stall or oppose new growth needs to be voted out of office.

Preserve what. Vacant lots? Closed store fronts? Really, we can’t revitalize the Main Street area, we will need more police? If everyone leaves, you won’t need any police.

Just a thought: Drive across the River to Cold Spring and ask why hundreds of people are walking up and down the street, shopping, dining and most of all spending?

It can be done, and you have people that want to try.

How can I help is what I say, and what I hope the community says also. Long Live Highland Falls New York.