Charade: “an absurd pretense intended to create a pleasant or respectable appearance.”

That is the best way I can describe last week’s Falmouth Town Council-Long-Range Planning Advisory Committee public forum. It was painfully obvious that the intent was to divide those wishing to address the panels directly and neutralize the criticism they so richly deserved to hear. I object that the opinions I expressed to my small group never even made it to the “readout.” I object to so little time for so many people. I object to the condescending tone taken by the facilitator. I object that 200 of my neighbors were treated like children. I object that the council and LPAC didn’t have the spine to face us and hear our concerns.

Last year a petition was presented, signed by 869 residents. We demanded the town rescind the July 2016 council decision that created high-density residential zoning. A simple statement made by an overwhelming number of constituents. Yet the town’s RA zoning district is in the crosshairs and we do not appreciate the clumsy attempts at social engineering. Officials are deep in a hole and they still keep digging.

Just stop.

Ron Dearth
Falmouth