This is no place for equestrian center

As an active member of the community and consumer of all the Forest Preserve District in Lake County has to offer, I do not support the Olympic equestrian center in Lakewood Forest Preserve.

I moved to Lake County because of the open space. I supported the referendums for money for open space, to help preserve open space with my tax dollars so animals displaced by overdevelopment would have a place to go, and country girls at heart, like myself, would be able to escape the bumper-to-bumper mall traffic to a quiet space of a rural environment.

Development happens. It is the manner in which we as human beings implement said development that affects the environment adversely. There are many green solutions to issues surrounding development, but they are costly in dollars. What many fail to realize is that the cost is much dearer than dollars and cents, but in a way of life that is lost to concrete and McMansions.

The only people who can effect change are those who are willing to be unpopular to do so. I urge all to become unpopular, to step out of the comfort zone afforded to most of us by remaining quiet and remember this: We have not inherited the Earth from our forefathers; we are borrowing it from our children. And I, for one, want to share it with my grandchildren.

The Olympics used to be the greatest achievement an amateur athlete could reach. I remember my awe of such a thing as a child and some incredulity I have now as an adult at the awesome achievement of such athletes. I suppose it has been naivete that has let me keep such awe in my mind, for now I see that the focus is not on the great athletic achievements of the unpaid athletes, but the almighty dollar and what can be gained by hosting the Olympics.

Shame on you, Lake County Forest Preserve, for not preserving the altruism of the Olympic Spirit within your own borders instead of forsaking same as a modern-day Judas and taking instead, your own equivalent of 30 pieces of silver in the form of an equestrian center.

Holly Donaghy

Vernon Hills