Concerning the debate over the proposed pier to be constructed on the shore of Lincolnville within a half-mile of the ferry slip, let me start off by stating that I lean neither to the right or to the left. I try to use the middle of road. As for the construction of this pier, I am neither for nor against its erection.

What I am concerned about is that a handful of people will push the town to impose a moratorium and then devise ordinances that can and will affect all landowners in Lincolnville.

At the Special Town Meeting on May 25 we will be asked to vote on a proposed moratorium on pier construction in Lincolnville. Note that May 25 is the meeting where we vote on the school budget, NOT the annual Lincolnville Town Meeting (in June) where we conduct the rest of the town business.

People, don't be fooled by Chicken Little story that “The sky is falling! The sky is falling!” (I’m referring to the dog-and-pony show that took place at the last selectmen's meeting.) Why don't people just cut to the chase and talk about what really motivates them, which is, “I don't want this in my back yard!” If the Army Corps of Engineers and DEP biologists, people who have been trained in these areas, don’t agree with the way I think, let’s fire them or get a ruling to stop this! Again, it’s “not in my backyard”!

So, if we allow this moratorium to pass, what’s next? If I don't like the local lobstermen’s traps being stored in their yards, then I try to get an ordinance passed against that — and whatever else my neighbors have stored on their land. What's going to happen if you want to erect a woodshed made out of slab wood, or maybe a large solar panel array on your tax-paid land. If I don't like it, watch out! 

Let's let the state and federal oversight agencies do their job according to the rules and guidelines they have set forth in front of them. 

Has an unbiased organization carried out a study to see how many periwinkles will move from Lincolnville to Northport if the proposed pier gets built? We need to wake up to these NIMBY groups.

In the 1800s there were multiple piers and wharves up and down the mid-coast area. Oh, my God. Look at all the destruction they caused! 

The NIMBY groups of 1800s fought against them, right? Wrong! Find me some evidence of that! People stayed on their own property and left other people alone. If they didn't like what their neighbors were doing, perhaps they stepped up and made an offer for their neighbors’ land!

So, my message to Lincolnville voters is, think hard about what the long-range outcome might be before you vote on May 25. Just really try hard to use something we don't seem to be breeding these days: common sense.

Be careful how you vote — and most of all, vote! 

My family’s DNA has been in and around Canaan Plantation (Lincolnville’s original name) since the late 1700s. How did we ever survive?

Rosey Gerry lives in Lincolnville