Dear Editor:

On Saturday, February 26, I attended the meeting at the "old stump dump" on Bethke Road . This is the Eric Auer proposed location to get much-needed recreational fields in play. I am not sure of my position on this proposal. I went with a hopefully open mind to give Mr. Auer et al the opportunity to present the information they have gathered.

I am not writing to advocate this field or to "stump" against it. I don't believe I have enough information to make a valid decision. I had hoped to learn something by attending the meeting. Sadly, little information was put forth due to the fact that Mr. Auer was not allowed to give a presentation.

I am writing this, rather, to support the effort of Mr. Auer to do something. There were approximately sixty people at this open-air meeting. It was soon apparent that the majority live in the immediate vicinity of the proposed field. It was also made evident that they oppose this proposal in any form. A presentation turned into a protest.

Unfortunately, no argument was deemed too absurd to oppose this well-intentioned plan. Mr. Auer and his associates, who have worked to make something positive happen, were treated rudely, disrespectfully, and, at times, with open hostility. While I understand their passion I deplore their lack of consideration. I respectfully ask that as this process unfolds, civil discourse rule out. Mr. Auer's honest efforts to conciliate an issue that has divided our town should at least be accorded the courtesy of listening to him. I only heard one side of the issue that day. Decibels won out over discourse. Passion is no excuse for bad manners.

I would like to point out to the opponents of this field that no matter where or in what configuration playing fields are put they will always be in someone's back yard. That argument is simply insufficient. If I could have my way no remaining piece of open land in Killingworth would ever be disturbed or developed. Better yet, let's roll back the clock ten years to what we used to be. I don't think I will get my way. As a final note, I might add that my back yard is the town of Killingworth .

Ray Celmer
March 5, 2005