Dear Editor:

For several months I have been reading letters concerning the proposed roundabout in Boothbay. Recently, many of the letters have deteriorated from substantive discussion and debate to a far more personal level.

I prefer to return to the pure substance of the argument, which is, should we have a roundabout or not. Many have opined that it is not needed, but based on what evidence or expertise? In this case we have evidence and experts: Maine DOT and the traffic engineers that have been engaged to review the project. Now, some have opined that there is some sort of conspiracy or bias. Those that express this opinion have clearly never dealt with traffic engineers. I have for 21 years now, and wish to offer some perspective.

Traffic engineers spend their careers studying one thing: traffic. They are seasoned experts at dealing with traffic, and most DOTs and municipalities rely on them to provide guidance and recommendations on how to improve a situation. In this case, they have studied the area and determined that the roundabout is the best solution. This set of qualified experts made their recommendation to Maine DOT, which conducted its own review of the situation and subsequently agreed with the experts’ recommendation. Those who cite accidents or the lack thereof as the keystone supporting a counter-argument should be advised that those comprise just one of a plurality of factors considered by traffic engineers. Traffic flow is another prominent factor.

To opine otherwise, without the benefit of years of study and experience in the field, is not addressing the issue with any evidence. We have all had friends or family members who have gone through an illness, but that does not make us doctors.

It saddens me to observe the level of distrust proffered by many who have submitted letters to the Register. Frankly, I fault, in part, the editors for continuing to publish the same voices over and over again. I suggest the editors publish letters from those previously not heard from, rather than continuing to publish those who appear weekly as if they are columnists for the Register.

Fred Levin

Boothbay