John Franklin’s March 9 op-ed commentary on BACORD’s (Bangor Area Citizens Organized for Responsible Development) supposed conspiracy to devalue and control local land was unfortunately full of inaccuracies, distortions and divisive personal attacks. Perhaps some additional information could help to clarify some of the questions involved in the debates over the proposed super Wal-Mart development, and the growing interest in preserving the ecologically important and unique Penjajawoc Marsh area. We think that it is important to encourage cooperative and thoughtful dialogue on these issues, not to engage in mudslinging.

BACORD’s overall mission is to encourage responsible and sustainable development that reflects the needs and interests of the community as a whole, while preserving important natural resources. This goal directly reflects the high values placed on preserving natural resources among Bangor residents who were surveyed as part of the city’s Comprehensive Plan. We also seek to encourage creative, public involvement in planning and development efforts. At the present time, BACORD is working to prevent the construction of a massive superstore complex by an out-of-state developer which would have a wide range of negative ecological and community impacts. We are also interested in exploring the potential of ecologically responsible alternatives for the Penjajawoc Marsh area which would benefit the community economically and otherwise.

There is no conspiracy on the part of BACORD to devalue or “steal” the land surrounding the marsh, however. As others may also point out, BACORD had nothing to do with the new proposed zoning and setback changes now being considered by the city council. These originated with changes in the state’s Department of Environmental Protection shoreline regulations, and the city’s Planning Division has had to respond to these new regulations by initiating these proposed changes.

BACORD’s members are primarily residents and tax-paying citizens of Bangor. Our group includes Bangor landowners, working people, families, several small business owners, and people who are struggling to make a living like everyone else. Like the rest of our community, some of us are Bangor natives and Maine natives, and some are not. Most of us are not devoted bird watchers, but we are concerned about the prospect of seeing a unique ecological area destroyed by bulldozers and paved over for an unnecessary superstore which could well be abandoned in another few years, just like the empty HQ big box a little further down the road.

BACORD members and supporters also care about issues like increased traffic, threats to local businesses, and other negative community impacts likely to result from a new super Wal-Mart on Stillwater Avenue. Many of us live on streets adjacent to the Stillwater Avenue area which would be transformed, for the worse, by a massive superstore development which would dump thousands of additional cars into our neighborhoods. The developer’s new revised plans for the proposed superstore do not resolve any of the community impact issues. And even with the new 250 foot setback, wildlife experts still believe there would be substantial damage to endangered and threatened species in the Penjajawoc, a number of whom use the upland field area as part of their habitat.

BACORD’s members support responsible development and “smart growth” that will preserve the autonomy, heritage, and needs of local communities, rather than having planning decisions dictated by big outside corporations. We do not have any quarrel with the Rudnicki family or other local private landowners in this area. Our primary concern right now is with Widewaters, the big out-of-state developer from Dewitt, N.Y., who purchased the plot of land they want to build on from the Rudnicki family back in October, for $2.3 million.

BACORD’s proposals for exploring the nature preserve idea have always assumed that the landowners who chose to participate would be fairly compensated. Part of this exploration would include a search for private funding from a range of sources. As we said in our Feb. 22 letter (signed by eight BACORD members who are also Bangor residents) to the landowners along the Penjajawoc marsh and stream, we think that participation in a nature preserve area by local landowners should be totally voluntary. No landowner should have access to their land forced upon them, but we do believe that it is reasonable for landowners to respect state and federal laws (and Maine values) protecting endangered and threatened species of wildlife.

We hope that future discussions of these questions will take place with mutual respect for each other’s positions, rather than trying to discredit people you disagree with through personal attacks. These will only serve to distract us from the real underlying issues. BACORD encourages all interested citizens to attend the Planning Board’s public hearing on the Widewaters/Wal-Mart proposal, currently scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 20 at the William S. Cohen School on Garland Street in Bangor. For more information about BACORD, or to offer support, people may call 947-0607, 947-0637, or 945-6147.

This commentary was signed by the following BACORD members, among the many members who are citizens of Bangor: Valerie J. Carter, Suzanne Kelly, Hope Brogunier, Tom Nahorniak, Christina Diebold and Bill Carlin.