Letters to the Editor

A divide in the neighborhood

I feel compelled to comment on Brian O’Mahoney’s presentation of his petition and accompanying map. I do not dispute that the majority of the households approached by Brian signed his petition. He’s a good guy and cares about his neighborhood.

But the wording of the petition is an affront to those who support the trail. To say if one opposes the path you are a neighbor and if you support it you’re a special interest group is inappropriate and has significantly divided the neighborhood.

The petition and accompanying map have several other limitations that misrepresent the feelings in the neighborhood:

• People signed who are not residents of the neighborhood.

• At least one house that was not contacted was identified as opposed.

• In divided households the entire house was identified as opposed.

• At least one vacant house was identified as opposed.

• Many people have reported that they didn’t read the petition and were told to sign if they had any concerns about the bike path. Everyone has some concerns about the bike path and are looking to the DCR to study and address these concerns.

• There are houses that refused to sign that are shown in opposition or not at all.

When this process started I had hopes that we could have a rational discussion of issues and opportunities, identify potential impacts and explore whether they could be eliminated or mitigated, and work as a neighborhood to consider this opportunity. I was quite wrong. Opponents of the trail connection at Capen Street immediately went the political route to have the project derailed without reasonable public debate. This tactic has divided the neighborhood and may cost us this chance for a tremendous opportunity.

Peter Jackson
Capen Street, Milton