The Sperry Lane Disaster

What is right or wrong is relative but could generally be simplified in two ways. Technical and moral.

The technical right is what the courts of law say it is, while the moral right is what our conscience and humanity dictates.

Much as the Planning & Zoning Board is guided by rules and law, the fact remains; it is not a court of law.

Indeed it is an indisputable fact that its fundamental task is to serve the greater interest of the people of East Haven.

There is nothing ambiguous even complex about the Sperry Lane issue it will decide on, in its October 2 meeting, for regardless how one measure or dissect it, the benefit of one, could never and must never eclipse the benefit of the many.

In short, approving the petition will result in an outcome that will detrimentally impact many lives of our fellow citizens and permanently.

The board must not let that happen.

Its allegiance must first and last be to the greater interest of the community.

Not only to those who can and have spoken out; but more particularly to our youth whose lives are just now taking shape and more especially, to the children who will one day, walk upon this soil, we call East Haven.

To the degree that the testing of gold by fire could be used as a metaphor in the circumstance the Planning & Zoning Board members finds itself in, gaining the admiration and respect of the community is a rare opportunity that should not be ignored.

But perhaps more significantly, fate has given each of its members a unique opportunity to serve the greater good in the way that would be remembered, much longer than our mortality.

I think they should take advantage of it for fate may not offer it again.

Oni Sioson