Noted environmentalist/author Lauren Steven encourages Planning Board to ask "hard questions" of Deep

Subject: To the Editor:

Date: Sun, 3 Apr 2016 14:46:50 -0400

From: Lauren Stevens 

To: Bill Everhart

Those favoring a zoning change to permit an inn and accessories on the Waubeeka Golf Links in Williamstown bridled at the scrutiny the Planning Board gave the project. They might want to look farther north on Rte. 7, where a defunct race track sits. I can remember the beauty of the Pownal Valley, billed as "The Gateway to Vermont," before the construction of what is euphemistically called Green Mountain Park. Originally designed for horse racing, later used by greyhounds, occasionally for concerts and now by a few model airplane enthusiasts, the decrepit stables and kennels have fortunately been replaced by solar panels, but the huge, vacant grandstand remains an unproductive eyesore.

Waubeeka guards the "Gateway to Williamstown," attractive in ways similar to the Pownal Valley. A small inn might be just the thing, but I'm glad the town's Planning Board has asked harder questions about scale and viability than did Pownal or Vermont, apparently, before the construction of Green Mountain Park.

Lauren R. Stevens

Williamstown