Dear Editor:

I am shocked and disappointed after reading some of the recent letters to the editor in regards to the Country Club and other similar proposed developments. People have made strong emotional remarks. Sometimes I feel that those remarks have been both based on incorrect information and border on slanderous comments about Mr. Coulombe and the Boothbay town government.

While some seem to state that this is not the vision of Boothbay, do they in fact represent what we should conserve in our region; a hostile, reactive and emotional democratic process?

In the background of this local question is the shutdown in Washington, D.C. and the tumultuous legislative season here in Augusta. Whether democrat or republican, many in our region I have spoken with have condemned the methods of these two higher levels of government.

I've heard and believe that there is a more civilized way to create law and that Boothbay and the region deserves better. However, when given our own chance to debate, some stoop to the same emotional name calling and public salvos to make their point. The people that use these similar methods perhaps should step back and learn from others short comings when it comes to discussing a topic that involves all of us for generations to come. The way I perceive it, we have a real opportunity here that is worthy of intelligent debate and consideration, from all sides.

I challenge Boothbay and the entire region to be better than the state and national political trends. Make solid points, be civil and respectful, get the facts, respect our legislative process and use that same democratic process that has been presented to us on November 5 to determine the real future of the region.

To that end, I would welcome further civil discussion in any forum you choose. Be an example.

Frank Fassett
Boothbay Harbor