When Eleanor read the results, she smiled for the first time in weeks.
“That should complicate their argument.”
I laughed.
“Good.”
The legal fight attracted attention in the mountain community.
The proposed resort was controversial.
Some residents supported it because of the promised jobs.
Others worried about traffic, watershed damage, and the impact of high-end development on local housing.
A public planning meeting was scheduled.
Eleanor advised me to attend, but to let the documentary evidence and qualified professionals do most of the speaking.
I agreed.
Still, I wanted the community to know why I was resisting.
Not because I opposed prosperity.
Not because I disliked wealthy people.
But because no business had the right to build its future on someone else’s coerced consent.
At the meeting, Richard stood before the planning board wearing an immaculate charcoal suit.
He spoke about economic growth, opportunity, and revitalization.
He displayed architectural renderings of luxury chalets, artificial waterfalls, and a private golf course.
