Protect the Partrick Wetlands
and our Community
Don't Mock the Petition Larry
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To the Editor:
Larry Weisman unfortunately mocked a public petition to save the Partrick Wetlands at the P&Z Commission hearing last Thursday evening. And in doing so he questioned the intelligence of every Westport resident.
By saying "people will sign whatever is put in front of them" and producing a fake petition he got 100 of his friends to sign, he again showed his contempt for our community by dismissing the diligence and tireless efforts of the neighbors in trying to protect this resource.
Article One of the U.S. Constitution says "Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." All elections begin with petitions as well as referendums. The petition is the basis for public expression in non election years.
The Partrick Wetlands Preservation Fund has educated the town on this issue, far more than Mr. Weisman and ARS Partners have. This has been accomplished through an in depth website (www.savewestport.com), brochures, flyers, signs, articles and letters in the town papers and with public seminars, to the point that people have actually sought out our petitioners to voluntarily sign.
Now that the public is speaking loudly and clearly through a petition to save what the 1997 Town Plan called "open space," Mr. Weisman is looking for a way to silence them. He can't.
Next Thursday May 22nd at 7:30 the P&Z will hold a special public comment night on this very important issue regarding the Partrick Wetlands. Please come and show Mr. Weisman Westport residents can make their own decision, show him you have the intelligence to choose.
Bert Aber
38 Partrick Road
Westport
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