Two-lane nightmare

Could I ask you to put yourself in this picture for a few moments and really enjoy it? You and I are at work and can simply walk out the back door of our building into a treasure trove of nature any time we want to. Just outside the door is a babbling brook and woodland that are alive with the sounds of nature.

In the past 3 1/2 years that we have worked here we have seen deer, beaver, groundhogs, moles, chipmunks, squirrels, geese, ducks and so many beautiful birds, it is hard to imagine it being gone. We even had a lynx relax across the stream several times during spring and fall – what a wonderful getaway from the daily stress of life. Where is this incredible place? If I said “across the street from the Bangor Mall,” would you believe me?

I lived on Stillwater Avenue for 34 years and worked here three and a half. During that time it has grown from a farming community into a two-lane nightmare. If you live on the lower end of the avenue and want to go to the mall, you have a better chance of seeing Elvis than getting across the street and heading in the right direction.

Growth for our community is needed. It provides jobs to feed our families and well-being for all of us. Overgrowth, however, is not. As in your neglected garden, too many weeds can choke it to death. Please ask our city leaders to stop and think about letting Wal-Mart build on Stillwater Avenue. Surely there are other options that can be explored in our community. Am I selfish? Yes. I want my “paradise” at work to continue forever; can you say you wouldn’t? Janice Lynch Bangor