Regardless of the fondness for the water tower felt by all the petition signatories who want to save it, the story of the tower, at least the current chapter, should be allowed to end.

The town of Cary has shown remarkable stewardship in initially erecting the water tower for the benefit of the community and in its maintenance over the years. Being civic-minded and concerned for the safety of would-be vandals, the town assumed responsibility for the annual repainting of the tower to honor local graduates.

It seems that the tower is nearing the end of its serviceable life. Rather than continuing to allocate increasing amounts of funding to an aging structure, let’s allow the town to perform the duties on which we all depend. A newer, safer, more efficient, more economic structure seems to be a more fiscally responsible and appropriate use of town tax revenues.

The story of the tower should be allowed to transition into a new book, a sequel to the original story. Perhaps, when the tower is dismantled, the town of Cary would be generous enough to donate a cut, painted portion from the current tower for incorporation into a new monument honoring graduates. The new monument might be erected in a town park or along a greenway.

The story doesn’t have to end but this chapter is coming to a close.

R.A. Carroll

Cary