To the Editor:

I would like to comment on a few points from your May 19 article concerning the use of the land at Granite Avenue and Hilltop Street.Issue one: The comment by the lady from Lenoxdale Avenue about not being given "accurate, timely information by the Reporter and the Cedar Grove Civic Association". The article points out that the Reporter printed maps depicting the proposed plans on two (2) occasions. These proposed plans were put forth after three public hearings that are required by law to get input on the use of the land.

The Civic Association devoted an entire meeting, and portions of several others to discussion of possible uses. Ellie Spring and Bob Boushell attended countless meetings of The Greenway Council. They gave updates both in the monthly newsletter and at meetings. After the third public meeting at the McKeon Post, Plan A and Plan B were put forth as Proposed Plans. There was no loud outcry for or against either plan. Further public input was invited.

Perhaps the lady would like to add to John O'Toole's duties. He could rent a horse and ride through the neighborhood with daily updates of events. Perhaps she would prefer to have Schlager's Towing on the site? Both the Association and John faced a possible lawsuit because of their "timely" action to help prevent that sale.

Issue two deals with a difference in perspective. It shows how well-meaning people can differ in how they view the same situation. The article stated that in recent months Cedar Grove and elected officials had "muscled outside institutions into backing down from their intentions."

The first situation involved Sovereign Bank and how Cedar Grove "united with the Pope's Hill Civic Association to "swat" a Sovereign Bank plan to sell its vacated sites." What the article fails to state is that the bank originally agreed to take input from both Associations in return for support in building a new bank. However, they started to make plans on their own. John O'Toole and Phil Carver organized the neighborhood, enlisted the support of elected officials, and "muscled" Sovereign into backing down and allowing the community to have input on how the land is used.

A second situation involves a house on Chelmsford Street. The article states how Cedar Grove "forced Bay Cove Human Services to abandon its hopes to purchase a Chelmsford St. home and convert it into a residential facility for mentally challenged adult men." If I had just arrived from Mars and read this I would probably think "these people were narrow minded and selfish." There are a few more facts to the story.

Bay Cove does some great work with young people and the mentally challenged. However, at the Cedar Grove meeting they gave a perfect lesson on how NOT to win friends and influence people. They were honest and "up front" but also narrow minded and a bit condescending. They opened the meeting by stating the sale was a done deal, and there was nothing people could do about it. They would become good neighbors after they moved into the home. Things got no better when it was revealed that they paid $640,000 (of taxpayer's money) for the home, and that part of the conversion involved the removal of a built-in bar and a jacuzzi.

Confidentiality forbids revealing the nature of a patient's illness. To his credit, the representative acknowledged there was a chance former sex offenders could be housed there. Bingo! On a congested street where the national product is kids, the "narrow minded" parents went nuts. The level of the offender doesn't matter. When parents hear the term "sex offender" they tend to get very selfish about their kids.

To top the evening off, one presenter was from Easton, and another from Wellesley. How many residential facilities are located in either of those towns? So once again neighbors enlisted the help of elected officials and "muscled" an outside agency into backing down.

I must comment on the official who said "It's such an empowered neighborhood." I certainly hope so! If we cannot seek the support of our elected officials, then why did we elect them? If uniting with Pope's Hill Civic Association gives us more clout, imagine the clout people would have if all of Dorchester united to discuss zoning or preservation of historical sites.

Finally, I would like to commend the Reporter for providing information to the community on a wide number of issues. I may not always agree, but I can be certain they try to present all sides of an issue. Information leads to knowledge, and when a community has knowledge it becomes empowered.

Ray Donahoe, vice president

Cedar Grove Civic Association