The controversy surrounding the development of land to the north of Stillwater Avenue, adjacent to the Bangor Mall, has received a great deal of attention over the past few months. The debate has taken many turns. It all started out as forthright opposition to the siting of a Wal-Mart Supercenter in that location. The opposition has changed their tactics over the past few months.

Seeing that they were fighting a losing battle, they have resorted to dirty tactics. When things started to go bad for them, they decided to play the “critical wildlife habitat” card. And I must say, they are playing it quite well for they have an enthusiastic following.

The group calls themselves BACORD, Bangor Area Citizens Organized for Responsible Development. Please note the keyword “area” in the organization’s name. This should give you a clue that many of their following are not actually citizens of Bangor. Knowing the demographics of this organization might be very illuminating. It was readily apparent at the Feb. 27 City Council Workshop that the BACORD supporters were not at the top of the hierarchy of those who were allowed to take the microphone that night. The council allowed speakers in the following order: landowners affected by the proposal, citizens of Bangor and lastly, all others. Most of the BACORD supporters fell into the all others category.

The press has given BACORD plenty of coverage. I think we have heard enough from them. I am writing to point out a few things that are not being mentioned in the news media.

It is important to note that in all of this debate, we hear nothing about the people who own the land. BACORD and the news media have succeeded in making this a faceless issue. This is part of the strategy, of course. They do not want anyone to realize that this issue also affects regular folks, neighbors to us all.

When BACORD talks about the critical wildlife habitat of the Penjajawoc Marsh, they are really just talking about the entire Rudnicki family farm. That’s right, the Rudnicki family owns a large part of the “threatened” area. BACORD and the birders want to take over the entire farm. It was clear on Feb. 27 that the proposed wildlife sanctuary must include all of the marsh and all of the surrounding fields. Ron Joseph, the wildlife biologist for the activists, made it perfectly clear. He considers all of the upland area surrounding the marsh to be critical wildlife habitat. They are not just talking about wetlands anymore. So where do we draw the line? Let’s have a look at this from the landowner’s perspective.

The family has farmed this land for at least two generations. Then developments start popping up all around them. In time, developers start approaching them to purchase their land. Soon, it becomes readily apparent that selling portions of their property makes good sense. The land has much higher value as commercial property.

One day, a family of beavers moves in and dams the stream (the Penjajawoc) flowing through their hay field. The beaver dam floods many acres of fields, so the Rudnicki’s allow a trapper to come and try to catch the critters. Beavers being beavers, it proves to be too difficult a task. They are just too plentiful and persistent. So the Rudnicki’s decided to let the beavers have their way for a time.

Years go by and the dammed up area becomes a haven for all manner of plant and animal life. Nature enthusiasts, hunters, birders and biologists frequently approach the family for permission to trespass in order to pursue their passions. The Rudnicki’s are happy to share their land with others. The Rudnicki’s are unaware that their generosity will one day cause them great trouble.

Now, in 2001, the Rudnicki’s find that their generosity is wholly unappreciated. Many of the people who were given access to the Rudnicki land are now trying to take that same land away from them. The BACORD people and the proponents of the wildlife sanctuary seem to think that they are within their rights to do this. The first objective in their plan of attack is to devalue the land by having it rezoned as a City of Bangor Resource Protection Area. Once that is accomplished, the land will no longer have any commercial value. The cash value of the land will plummet. I suspect that BACORD’s second objective, if there is one, is to subsequently acquire the land at a reduced price. Since it will be zoned as a resource protected area, its appraised value will be far below that of a viable commercial property. Once the land is acquired and becomes a wildlife sanctuary, I suspect that the project will end. BACORD and the birders will have what they want, a conveniently located outdoor area for relieving their dogs and good subject matter for conversation and self-aggrandizement at dinner parties.

As a community, we should stand up and fight for the rights of the Rudnicki family and give the BACORD crowd a good kick in the pants. The Rudnicki’s are our neighbors, good people who have lived on this land for generations. They have been good stewards of the land. They have been generous in sharing it with others. Their reward for such generosity should not be a stab in the back. We should not begrudge them for being the owners of valuable, developable land. If BACORD and the bird watchers want to preserve the land and control its uses, then they should be made to pay the full, commercial value price for its acquisition. If the Penjajawoc Marsh and surrounding uplands are truly a “priceless diamond,” then I say pay the jeweler’s price. This back-door change strategy is for the birds.

I am not a Rudnicki. I am not even sure any of them would recognize me. I am, however, one of the fortunate who have been given permission to use their land for recreational purposes. I appreciate their kindness and generosity. This injustice, if carried out, will impact those of us who rely on the generosity of others for access to land which is not ours. The future of permissive use is at stake. When landowners share with us, we should not punish them by trying to steal their land away.

This underhanded attempt to control the use of another’s land is wrong. BACORD can dress it up any way they like to make it presentable to the public, but underneath it all is a stench like no other. Maine has a long-standing tradition of landowners willing to share their land with others. Let’s not undermine that tradition by giving the landowners a reason to say “no” the next time you come knocking on their door. The BACORD group does not represent the people of Maine nor its traditions. It’s time they packed up and left town.

Sure, the BACORD members have a right to voice their opinion, but let’s not allow this highly organized, well-spoken and vocal minority to pretend that they speak for us all.

This is an issue that strikes close to everyone’s home. Are we going to allow this group to change the face of Maine? Are we going to create Resource Protection Zones each time a beaver builds a dam in someone’s backyard? This is not about preserving a convenient recreational opportunity at the expense of the owner. People of Maine, don’t buy into it.

John E. Franklin lives in Bangor.