Letter: Join cause and unite (Printed Dec. 31, 2009)
To the editor:
Reading the letter “Loss of conservative voice will hurt Scarborough” (Scarborough Leader, Dec. 25, 2009, page 5), I am reminded of Mr. Messer’s letter last July in which he lectured the people about our town manager-council form of government, which “empowered seven councilors to make decisions on behalf of the community as a whole...” He stated some Pine Point residents “don’t seem to understand… this is the political process.” Thank goodness for the voting booth where true democracy happens. That, Mr. Messer, is the political process. Calling voters “short-sighted” as you did says it all.
Last year’s election was a referendum on how government works in Scarborough. And it was symbolized very clearly by the absurdity of permanently closing Pine Point’s finest beach access road and view and virtually giving it away, in my view, to the Lighthouse motel/condo owners. The deeds were exchanged on Dec. 22. What a nice gift. But the people will not rest and allow this scandal to end just because our road is roped off now. When legal minds other than the town attorney’s claim the transaction and process are clearly illegal, then let the legal challenges begin. A black cloud will linger over that land for a long time. We will get it back for the people of Scarborough, Maine, and our visitors from away.
There is a new effort in Scarborough to unite as citizens and work to hold elected officials accountable. Anyone can join the cause. Please join this effort by e-mailing scarboroughmaine@live.com. You will be added to a growing list of people who love Scarborough and who want to help create better government.
Arlene Hurd
Old Orchard Beach
Reading the letter “Loss of conservative voice will hurt Scarborough” (Scarborough Leader, Dec. 25, 2009, page 5), I am reminded of Mr. Messer’s letter last July in which he lectured the people about our town manager-council form of government, which “empowered seven councilors to make decisions on behalf of the community as a whole...” He stated some Pine Point residents “don’t seem to understand… this is the political process.” Thank goodness for the voting booth where true democracy happens. That, Mr. Messer, is the political process. Calling voters “short-sighted” as you did says it all.
Last year’s election was a referendum on how government works in Scarborough. And it was symbolized very clearly by the absurdity of permanently closing Pine Point’s finest beach access road and view and virtually giving it away, in my view, to the Lighthouse motel/condo owners. The deeds were exchanged on Dec. 22. What a nice gift. But the people will not rest and allow this scandal to end just because our road is roped off now. When legal minds other than the town attorney’s claim the transaction and process are clearly illegal, then let the legal challenges begin. A black cloud will linger over that land for a long time. We will get it back for the people of Scarborough, Maine, and our visitors from away.
There is a new effort in Scarborough to unite as citizens and work to hold elected officials accountable. Anyone can join the cause. Please join this effort by e-mailing scarboroughmaine@live.com. You will be added to a growing list of people who love Scarborough and who want to help create better government.
Arlene Hurd
Old Orchard Beach
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