Dear Editor:

This letter is in response to the front page article in the March 12 edition that dealt with the Congregational Church's building plans. A statement by the building committee chairman Bob Hilscher that was quoted in the article has compelled us to write.

Referring to the Perkins family who reside next door to the church, he said, "This is a simple building permit being obstructed by a squeaky abutting neighbor that is jumping up and down and getting everyone's attention."

We know, respect and admire the Perkins family and that cheap, arrogant and glib remark is so far off base it cries out for a rebuttal and apology by the author.

Some of the complications that are described in the permitting process, relative to the church's building plans, seem to be the result of some office holders being away or having a conflict of interest, plus unfilled vacancies on the planning board and the board of appeals.

Perhaps the system would work better if Mr. Hilscher was vacated from his position as chairman of the building committee.

Bob and Audrey Kelly

Boothbay Harbor