To the Editor:

On the way home to Altamont from Albany recently, I took Route 85 by way of Slingerlands. It was another hot, sunny day. I looked out at the centuries-old fields that had been cut. They looked great, trimmed at last.

The farmers were no doubt relieved as they could finally bring in the hay. They were happy and I was happy for them as well. Then, as I approached Voorheesville, I thought of the now-vacant Smith’s Tavern, forlorn and standing alone in a deserted 24/7 empty parking lot. How depressing!

This weary traveler decided to stop by the Legion hall after a long nerve-racking day. I had not been there in years. I just wanted to relax, have a cold beer, and chill for awhile as my car’s air-conditioner no longer works.

After standing at the rear delivery door for a bit, I decided on another door and was finally invited in. There were a couple local folks there as well. I asked them about my friend Tony G. who for years worked at Smith’s tavern and had recruited me to join the American Legion.  I also thought about my favorite waitress of so long ago.

On the mention of Smitty’s, a young gal said she had collected 900 signatures opposed to the Stewart’s purchase. Voorheesville has only about 3,000 residents. After accounting for and subtracting the children, to achieve that number of signatures is a daunting achievement. I was impressed.

The Stewart’s corporation, a “family business,” has become a corporate behemoth with 330 stores. It seems to me for them the world is not enough.

My advice for Stewart’s is to be happy with the stores you have. Don’t be greedy. Don’t over expand. Dismantle the Death star. Listen to those 900 folks. Sell your interests in the building next to the Mobil station. Find a young restaurateur. Sell the property at a substantial loss so there can be a viable restaurant there once again. You can afford the loss 10 times over.  Voorheesville cannot.

Voorheesville just isn’t Voorheesville without Smitty’s.

Ed Cowley

Altamont