Growing up in a family with six siblings, you tend to learn patience at an early age. Being patient, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, means “bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint,” or “not hasty or impetuous.”

We’re finding that many people are not being patient regarding the proposed development on the east side of Boothbay Harbor, offered by Paul Coulombe. Yes, people have every right to express their opinions on the subject, but let’s not turn against one another over it.

Ordinance changes take time. There is history behind previous ordinance decisions and a lot of discussion must take place before final decisions are made to change that history. The town, the developer and the townspeople need to be patient with this plan.

We need to get to a point where all parties come to some sort of agreement. Yes, we know that not everyone will agree, but a decision like this will and should take time.

Another step in the decision-making on this proposal will come on Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Boothbay Harbor Municipal Building. Let’s be civil and patient. Express your opinions calmly and without turning against one another.