Dear Editor:

I was extremely disappointed with the Wiscasset Selectmen’s failure to grant a business license to Amistad for their Commonspace Program. Their inability to cast a decisive vote, and kicking the can down the road for a “Cooling off Period” with a subtle request to “Find another location,” was biased at best! There have been several public meetings with neighbors to discuss the programs Amistad is bringing to Lincoln County. The NIMBY residents opposing this program have spelled  the same lines of unfounded, speculative threats it will expose them to. I would rather they do some research into Amistad’s other programs and examine their track record in those towns. If there were any issues, it would support their cause instead of relying on fear mongering and repetitive rants of “the sky is falling,” a common tactic of the progressives’ approach to defeat through hypothetical and unfounded rants of fear.

My other concern with the the Selectmen’s lack of action is how easily they grant liquor licenses, and soon will do the same for cannabis shops, yet back off from a license for an operation that only exists because of issues caused by these two types of businesses. The Wiscasset area has suffered the loss of many residents as a result of addiction, one as recently as last week on Birch Point Road, right after the board’s non-vote. Could that loss, and others, have been avoided if the Commonspace Program was in place and available? Sadly, I guess we will never know.

I hope many of my fellow Wiscasset residents will join me to encourage Brian Townsend and Amistad to continue their application process. Show your support by attending the Sept. 19 Selectmen’s meeting at 6 p.m. Thank you.

Don Davis

Wiscasset