Letter to the Editor – Charlestown Patriot Bridge

Two Sidesto Every Story

To the Editor,

What happened to the premise that there aretwo sides to every story? I wish yourreporter did some more investigation regarding the Peace Park, aka: the TotLot, on Mt Vernon Street. I am 85 yearsold and have lived here 65 years, raised my children here, and was a communityactivist all my life. Years ago my neighbors and I appealed to the PortAuthority, who at the time owned the land at the corner of our street.

We got permission to turn the land into aTot Lot. We received no funding and rancake sales and dances in the parish hall to raise the funds. The men of the neighborhood built a woodenfence in the park to protect the children.For years this was used as a Tot Lot for children to play. Improvements were made from time to time asyounger mothers got involved (chain linked fence, benches, trees, trashcontainers, etc.). This was not an abandoned piece of property. The currentcontroversy is unfortunate, it came about when the people working on the lotwere questioned by the residents, and became enraged. It seems to me when anytype of construction takes place abutters are notified. I have been notified several times ofconstruction in my neighborhood, there was nothing to that effect in this case. I am sure this ugly situation could havebeen avoided. To name one person fordestroying this park with no evidence, just hearsay, is terribly unfair. I feel for the pain of the relatives of thesepeople who tragically died. Also for themany people who their actions have effected.There are many innocent victims in this war on drugs. Are we ready to name one more?

PS: If going forward the committee of thepeace park want my help, I am ready to assist.

Mary Hayes

Charlestown

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Letter to the Editor - Charlestown Patriot Bridge