Editorial Excess

[The Westport News published the following

from Amy Ancel on Friday, March 28, 2008]

When I ran for RTM in District 3, I made no secret of my opposition to the Y's plan to develop Camp Mahackeno. This project will have a huge impact on traffic, property values and quality of life in District 3. Many people in my district are worried. They feel powerless against an organization like the Y. They believe that their legitimate concerns have been dismissed by Town Hall. Probably not everybody in my district feels this way, but enough do, and they elected me. They knew that I would be a passionate advocate on their behalf for what I believe is best for my district and the town.

Mr. Rowlands' claim that, by expressing our views on the most important land use issue in this town for generations, I and others are promoting a "personal agenda" is somewhat ironic, given that Mr. Rowlands did not say a word when a longtime member of the Y Board of Trustees resigned from the board so she could cast the deciding vote in the RTM that upheld the Conservation Commission's decision. And, honestly, it would make life far easier for me, personally, to fall in line behind our leading town officials and opinion makers and sit out the Mahackeno battle on the sidelines, or hide behind the meaningless mantra of "it's their property, so they can do what they want with it." I don't like being called a "small vocal minority" or being attacked in editorials. But were I to remain silent, I would not be representing my constituents.

That is what they elected me to do.

Amy Ancel

RTM District 3

Westport, Connecticut