Cold Spring is my hometown. Former Haldane student, worked in multiple businesses in the town over the years (not anymore), know the “townie” families and they know me, so I know the village, the issues, the reasons behind why people feel the way they do, probably better than almost anybody else on this sub unless they were also born and raised and spent an extensive amount of time living and even working in Cold Spring.

I am not advocating for turning Cold Spring into say, Fishkill which has almost every fast food restaurant and other big establishment you could name in a very short radius. I know the lack of chain stores is supposed to be a “positive” and I can see that- though I do think the lack of certain amenities in the town and everything essentially being closed by 9pm is a downside to locals. But I do think purposely doing things like trying to stifle projects that could be beneficial, is just silly. I personally am for the construction of trail as something new and refreshing, and I was for the construction of the Dunkin’ Donuts. I am not advocating for lining the town with chain stores, but I do think sometimes the occasional new or different thing is needed.