I swore I would write about something other than Progress this week. Yet, here I am. Subjecting myself – and our readers – to more of my thoughts on the topic. But there is, I assure you, both rhyme and reason to my actions.

Last night, as I perused the day’s edition of The Evening Sun, I stumbled upon a short brief on the State page concerning a plant closure in St. Lawrence County. 100 people will be out of work by July as a result of the decision by the yogurt manufacturer’s owners to shutter the facility.

I have never been to North Lawrence, but I think all of us in Chenango County can sympathize with the plight these people now face. We, too, have had our share of plant closures and companies pulling out. I won’t enumerate them, because I’m sure there’s already a list scrolling through your mind, as there is mine.

There have been other near misses as well. Which is why, as I read about this dairy plant’s closure, all I could think was, “there but for the grace of God.”