Small-town politics is alive, but not so well in the town of Poland.

The planning board was given a third chance at a public hearing on Jan. 22 to vote its conscience and do its job as a planning board. Instead the members continue to act on behalf of an individual interest and a disregard for the voice of many. It would appear that they choose to correct errors in permits by proposing change of land use for a sensitive area of Poland on Route 11, within the watershed of Tripp Lake.

In a supportive vote to try to change land use, members of the planning board are clearly disregarding a natural resource critical to the future of the town, as well as recommendations from committees set out to provide feedback on preferred development areas for the town.

I think the voters of the town of Poland will choose to see through the politics favoring one over many at town meeting this spring and will vote against Article B-2: Change to the Poland Comprehensive Land Use Code.

Jacqueline Misenheimer,

Poland