Kudos to Mayor Bridge Littleton our Town Council, and to the Mayors and Councils of all of Loudoun's towns for all their hard work in an effort to reshape Loudoun County's latest draft of its new Comprehensive Plan.

Littleton, in his former roles as Council Member and candidate, and now as Mayor, has long insisted that we not only pay attention to the drafting of the new plan but become actively involved in shaping it.

Happily, he is not alone. The Mayors and Town Councils of Purcellville, Leesburg, Round Hill, Hillsboro, Hamilton, and Middleburg, have formally united in COLT, the new Coalition of Loudoun Towns. ALL have not only expressed "concern" with "the expanded and unconstrained development" both allow and promoted in the current draft of the plan, but they have also combined to suggest thoughtful alternative approaches to growth.

Local organizations have become involved. Individuals and their friends are showing up to speak at official County functions and to elected officials and County staff.

Keeping the west the west not only benefits the west, but it also benefits the entire county and all those surrounding us.

Indeed, one of the things that makes the east such an attractive place to live is . . . the undeveloped west.

Let's help everyone (not to mention the health of the planet) by telling that story to our friends in the east . . . and help reshape the Loudoun County Comprehensive Plan.