I've hesitated writing this letter to The Sentinel for a variety of reasons, but some of the comments made by the candidates and reported recently in the D&C just didn't sit well with me, and frankly, I think it's time the residents heard another point of view.

   Because I am married to a past planning board member of 10 years (as well as chair) I recognize that there may be some individuals who feel I'm sending this letter on his prodding. I am not. The reason I have not spoken up sooner is for this very reason, but after reading today's comments, I cannot sit silently any more. The residents of the town need to know more, and because I was fortunate to read studies and other publications that were available to my husband as a planning board member, I have educated myself over the years on these issues. I believe it will be clear as to why.

       As a child, I grew up in the farmlands of Long Island. Yes, farmlands.  I also saw their slow and steady demise, until now you can hardly imaginem Long Island ever being filled with farms.

      One of the many reasons my family and I gravi-tated to Mendon is for many of the reasons I chose to leave LI, those being open space, a desire to have controlled and smart development, and the beautiful and expansive views we enjoy as residents.

      As I read the candidates' remarks about town planning, one of the things thatstrikes me is some people's desire to prey on residents' fears. I have spoken with a number of residents who think that large lot zoning helps to preserve open space; please let all of us know how. Check out the facts. I have personally read a number of studies that do not sup-port five acre zoning. If large lot zoning is indeed effective, I should think there would be an abundance of information to support that view. If there is, let's get it out on the table.

     I'd certainly like to know if I have drawn thewrong conclusions, but I'd like to base that on facts—where is it recommended and .where has it worked? I'd also like to steer clear of the Town of  Mendon Comprehensive Plan survey results-as an individual who worked in the market research field

for many years, I can cite numerous problems with drawing potentially erroneous conclusions from the data.. Because I was so concerned about the use of that information, I did attend the information meeting conducted by the town to explain some of the results. I was among only a handful of other residents. This worries me.

  I recently learned that the rationale for Mendon'scurrent five acre zoning had to do with the need forseptic systems and fresh water to be adequately sepa- rated from one another, so houses could not be builton smaller lots. With improvements in septic systemsand the addition of public water, the need to maintain this type of distance in housing for health and safety purposes no longer exists in most areas. How manyof Mendon's residents are aware of this fact?

          As residents, do we really want candidates who have their own agendas, and who are using fear and lack of information as a tactic to gain election? I think we should demand that these very candidates  give us facts, help us make informed and educated decisions about the way our town is developed andgoverned. Once these wheels are put into motion, it may be too late to change their impact.  Land is a limited commodity, and once it is gone, or developed we don't get it back.

         Do we realize that larger lot zoning eats up openspace faster than any other type of zoning, that thecost for towns to deliver services is usually vastlyincreased, and that there are some very progressiveand visually appealing ways for us to balance the need for the town to move forward and develop some of its expanse of land without losing the rural character that attracted many of us to Mendon in the first place?

        I have no political party affiliation and no personal agenda for making these statements. I believe that when residents of the town are given the facts, in an objective and open way, they will make sound,'educated decisions that will be in everyone's best interest.  Isn't this what we want in our elected officials as well?