letter to the editor

The roundabout decision

Tue, 10/18/2016 - 11:45am

Dear Editor:

What encourages me most about the “roundabout decision” is that this choice hasn’t divided our citizens along predictably conservative/liberal fault lines. I know Trump supporters who don’t want a roundabout; I know Hillary supporters who do. What this means is that a sane decision could possibly get made.

Public land use decisions are mostly made in semi-darkness, with light provided or prevented by people with a money stake in the outcome. This is the case with the slickly financed pro-roundabout campaign. A person with only a passing interest in the matter could be persuaded that well-financed equals widely-supported. It doesn’t — necessarily. Many of us don’t have an obvious money stake in this decision. But that isn’t to say we have no civic stake at all.

I came to Boothbay 17 years ago — from away — because I loved that it wasn’t a flashy town, that in the winter it quieted down, that traffic wasn’t a problem. It was beautiful, safe, friendly and low-impact. I understand that one man’s low-impact is another man or woman’s low-income, and that the winter can be treacherous for people with seasonal employment and restricted incomes and kids to feed and clothe.

What I don’t see from anything I’ve read or listened to about the roundabout is what this seemingly “small” traffic-pattern change will cause to happen in our community? It could be good; but it could be awful. Route 1 is apparently good for business and open for development; but do we want Route 1 here? Take your chance. It’s the danger of changes made in the dark when the dialog is controlled by the highest bidders.

The solution, however, is simple. To turn this initiative down is just to say, prudently: “Wait a minute. We don’t understand the consequences of this decision – and it’s an important decision. We should know.” The town is a very good place without it. A roundabout can be built later if it’s so crucial.

In the meantime, for people who’re in favor of the roundabout, please don’t foist this pig in a poke onto the rest of us against our better judgment. We all of us run this wonderful little town. We all should be careful with it.

Richard Ford

East Boothbay