Since this letter is precipitated by the ongoing contretemps concerning the Family Y's application to build a new facility at Mahackeno, let me begin by saying that I, for one, do not have a bottom line point of view about the issue. There are clearly technical matters involved, including but not limited to waste disposal and traffic patterns, that I have not studied closely since I am not called upon to render a judgment about these things. But the nature of the "debate" thus far has raised a concern in me about how we make decisions in this town that I have harbored for a long time, and that I think are illustrated by the current controversy.

There are issues that come up periodically that arouse the strong feelings of a relatively small number of people. What percentage of the overall population they represent is anyone's guess; usually most people do not have strong opinions one way or the other about such matters. It may be that this small group of people get mobilized because they are directly affected (the "not in my back yard" syndrome), or it may be for another reason entirely. But for whatever reason, this group begins fighting tooth and nail, and they succeed in obstructing forward movement, sometimes just for a period of time and sometimes permanently. Other examples that come to mind include the development of the Compo Marina (which eventually was accomplished) and the placement of lights on our high school football field (which has yet to happen). I think we need to be concerned about the inordinate influence that vocal minorities have on our town's business.

Of course it is crucially important that due process be followed. In the case of the Family Y's application, that includes not only the judgments of the relevant boards and commissions, but also the review by the RTM which is part of the modus operandi of our town government. But there comes a time when due process has run its course. I realize we have not yet arrived at that point in the current debate. When we get there, I am not confident that the vocal minority (whichever side "loses") will back off. This is the point at which political courage is required. If the Family Y receives all the necessary approvals, I believe that the essence of what needs to be said is the following: "We have adhered to the requirements of due process and we are now going to proceed. If you choose to move, that is your prerogative; if you choose to sue, that is your prerogative. But we are moving forward." If its application is denied at any point in the process, then the Mahackeno plans need to be dropped and an alternative site needs to be found.

If we are not able to proceed in this fashion, with regard to the Family Y's application or any other controversial matter with which we may be confronted in the future, I believe we will be allowing a relatively small group of people to have inordinate influence over what we choose to do or not do. In my view, it is not in our town's best interest to capitulate to this kind of pressure.

Harold Bernard

Westport, Connecticut