The following is in response to Victoria Leibfried’s letter that was published in the May 30 edition of the Bulletin.

I’m a lifelong resident of Highway 108 in Lynn. We dearly love our community, with its charm, scenery and rural feel. We enjoy the relative serene nature of our home and land around us.

I understand you left the Iron Range area of Minnesota with one of the world’s largest open pit mines and a” bike” path along that mine. I understand you had flat areas that are miles long and could commute to work by bike.

You made the choice to leave there. We made the choice to stay here. Now you want to change this place to suit what you envision is better.

You are welcome to come and spend the day in my driveway and count the bicycles that go by. You will see very few, if any.

Do you want the DOT to straighten out our lovely curves so they look more like Minnesota? Do you want people’s places of work, worship, homes and doctors all paved over so you can ride a bike?

It will only take a year or two to complete and a mere $19 million.

Why not utilize lovely and already equipped Harmon Field? Or stroll through our towns that have updated their sidewalks?

Do you really want to ride a bike to Food Lion and haul groceries back? Maybe you want to ride your bike to Tryon Theatre to see a movie or eat at one of the delicious restaurants. Do you really want to ride your bike to work?

While exercise is wonderful and biking is a fantastic activity, 108 is not the best choice of place. We have many beautiful roads and paths to explore in the county.

This area is home for many people who are not traveling to Tryon or Columbus for exercise. It’s a destination spot for tourists looking for quaintness and charm, not bicycle paths or a three/four-lane highway.

This 3-mile stretch of the proposed area is filled with historic properties, small businesses, health care providers, churches, and longtime businesses which stand to lose far more than dirt and trees.

We want to maintain our identity. We don’t want to be swallowed up and made into another cookie cutter town.

Hilda Pleasants,

Lynn