Editor:

On July 15, the Scarborough Town Council voted for the free exchange of Depot Street, with access for the public to the beautiful beach in Pine Point to a private business, the Lighthouse Motel for a parking strip owned by the Inn.

 I was present at the public hearing and the hall was filled. Twenty-nine of the 30 speakers at the hearing were against the land swap. I felt the same sentiment with those who opposed the vote. Public land belongs to the people and the town works for the people. Serious consideration and study should be conducted since the situation cannot be reversed once executed. I was really amazed at Chairman Wood’s attitude during the deliberation. He rebutted the rational comments made by the speakers and discredited many of the 350 people who signed the petition to save the public road and beautiful vista of the ocean. The councilors who voted for the swap failed to consider the value of the land and why people opposed the land swap plan. It will defeat the purpose of holding public hearings if the public voice is not being heard. Councilor Roy and Councilor Sullivan indicated that they needed more  information and study of the plan. It is the right thing to do for them to initiate a reconsideration at the next council meeting.

Gaston Lee

Scarborough