Voting yes on Crebilly referendum a win for open space

Both of us are elected officials: One the State House of Representative covering Westtown Township; the other one of three Westtown Township Supervisors. Until a few months ago, we had not met. But we came together in our private citizen capacities, along with hundreds of other volunteers, to work for a successful Open Space Referendum vote Nov. 8. Here’s why:

One of us—like so many of you—has been struck time and time again by the sheer majesty of Crebilly while driving by its perimeter. The other had the good fortune to experience, up front and personal, Crebilly’s incredible beauty…and exquisite silence. Amidst the relentless cacophony of traffic and maddening congestion, Crebilly will offer the residents of our community a respite like no other right here in our own back yard — an immersion into the peaceful, exquisite, and safe outdoor beauty that exemplifies Chester County.

Unfortunately, a small handful of residents launched a politically charged and divisive misinformation campaign to try to get us to vote no on Tuesday, even though saving open space has always had strong bipartisan support in the 36 Chester County municipalities that have already passed such measures.

Beyond the facts that saving Crebilly will be less expensive for taxpayers, assure a better quality of life, boost property values, clean our air and water, minimize run off, be a much-needed refuge for animal and plant life, provide us all with the joy and health benefits of passive recreation, and preserve a piece of America’s extraordinary history, a successful referendum will be our legacy. It will be a testament to what the generations that follow will tell their own children forever: What foresight. What courage of conviction. What compassion. What caring stewardship of this community’s iconic centerpiece. This is so much better than just one more massive development.

Only a yes vote can save this treasure. The choice is ours.