Listen to the people

We have been waiting endlessly for a decision on the I-395 connector study. Four years to be exact. Finally an article appeared in the Dec. 11 edition of the Bangor Daily News saying the review is “nearly done.”

Jay Clement, permit project manager and Army Corps state representative, was quoted as saying: “‘We received quite a bit of public comment to our public notice.

Much of it was in the form of a form letter.’ He added that it was difficult to gauge the sentiment of the public from the form letter.”

The “form letter” Clement mentions compares the two routes and lets the ACOE know that the person signing the letter supports alternative 3EIK-2. Clement didn’t mention that he received hundreds of these letters.

The fact that people signed the letters, and mailed them, speaks volumes.

The alternative that is preferred by Maine Dept. of Transportation and the public is 3EIK-2.

This route could affect 43.2 acres of 10 different waterways and wetlands and would displace only two homes. Alternative 2B-2 could affect 48.3 acres of 21 waterways and wetlands and would displace 22 homes.

We believe this also speaks volumes.

Carol Smith

Vinal Smith

Brewer