I love Farmington, and visit whenever I can. I’ve been noticing quite a few changes. Most notably, the supercenter at Wal-Mart. I really hoped that voters of Farmington would say “thanks, but no thanks.” But I think I understand why they did not.

Still, I hope the fine folks who reside in my precious home away from home know where to draw the line. It seems these days there’s far too much short-sighted development going on under the guise of progress. But progress is only truly progress when the quality of life is taken into consideration. As someone who films the planning board meetings every Monday night for Plymouth, Mass., I know this only too well.

Residential and commercial growth in Plymouth has grown wildly out of control. So out of control, in fact, it pushed me right out of town. I still work in Plymouth, and I still love to go there, but Plympton (similar name, different town) has a Maine-like, rustic quality that’s good for quality living.

The problem with not keeping growth under control is that it’s a seductive Pandora’s box. In Plymouth, big money came in, mowed down beauty and built up problems.

The so-called “progressive” world has nothing to offer. Maine is a great state whose people should be focused on preservation, not what states like Massachusetts call progress. A simple life is richer. Money can’t buy the natural splendor that is the great state of Maine.

David Barr, Plympton, Mass.