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Village Historian Urges Profound Care in Waterfront Decisions
I in no way oppose constructive, discriminate housing, yet I find disturbance in accepting and adjusting to the current building boom in Cold Spring village. Such, I believe, has reached, and gone beyond, a pinnacle of saturation. A thousand times more depressing is that such activity potentially threatens the very existence of Cold Spring’s waterfront region as we see it today.
In having chosen residency in Cold Spring 40 years ago, I’ve naturally fallen heir to the waterfront roots that gave birth
to this village. The process of living here has seen these roots take hold of me, and me them. In essence, I’ve become a part of the earth of Cold Spring – an intimate tie to the fabric that holds together the spirit and promise of this so fair village. To witness my waterfront roots being "bulldozed" and made forever oblivious, is something that could well take the remainder of my life forgiving.
Spirituality is the centerpiece of our waterfront region: not as an unknown, misunderstood, or mysteriously shrouded entity, but simply in her foreverness of placid historical serenity. She exudes an uncanny magnetism to remind, and actually show us, where our village was born. She affords us daily strength and hope through the gloriousness of the creation that lovingly embraces her presence with such bountiful raiment.
Digging into the soul of our village heritage at our waterfront would pose a gross sacrilege that I would plead to all village leaders and their boards not to allow happening. A judgment concerning waterfront housing may turn out to be the most significant decision our leaders and boards will ever have to make as public servants. I respectfully request them doing so with a sense of profound care that will reflect the preservation of the integrity of heritage and tradition that to this very day characterizes the life story of Cold Spring.
The above remarks are those of this contributor, and do not necessarily reflect the ideas and opinions of the other appointed or elected Cold Spring Village officials.
Don H. MacDonald
Historian
Village of Cold Spring
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