Editor:

I am writing concerning the closing of the end of the Pine Point Road, right at the beach, also known as Depot Street, in front of the Lighthouse Motel. I spoke at the town council’s July 15 public hearing but certainly did not feel I was “heard” by some members of the council. If citizens watch this meeting online on the town’s Web site or on TV they may be as shocked as we were by the comments made by the chairman and two other councilors who rejected and even discredited public comments. Those comments made me feel there really is no purpose in having public hearings. When 30 people gather the courage to speak against a proposal, those citizens’ words ought to mean something. For councilors to suggest people only go to hearings because they represent one side of the issue is simply wrong. 

My view is there would be an equal number of people speaking in favor of a plan if that was the sentiment of the community. Where were all the people Ahlquist claimed supported this plan? It’s easy to say people won’t “come out... because they will be criticized,” Mr. Ahlquist. But doesn’t your common sense lead you to the same conclusion about those who came and spoke against it? Aren’t they subject to criticism? Guess what; they were, and it was you and Mr. Babine and Mr. Wood who did the criticism. You made up your minds in June and stated so and it’s on tape. That was before the public had a chance to speak about the plan. But at least councilors Roy and Sullivan expressed honest reservations about it and have a chance to be fix this. Hopefully the four who had reservations will vote to overturn the last vote.

Dianne McLellan

Scarborough