A definition of unease is the obvious lack of ease, and this, as it has happened so often in recent months, continues to permeate the atmosphere of Scarborough. Development is the first cousin of progress. How such is accomplished and how its many variations impact on established society often clouds the air.

Remember how the Great American Neighborhood development was crunched by the voters, despite the promise of state dollars to alleviate the resulting increase in onsite traffic? The potential uprooting of established neighborhoods turned the tide because of the unease this created – proving once again that trampling with hearth and home stirs the coals of opposition.

More recently, a planned public park in the Black Point Road area has come under fire for the same reason – creation of unease from the affected neighbors. Beyond that, a planned 54-unit condominium off the Black Point Road, with an entry there and an exit through Hannaford Drive to Route 1, will include six residential buildings as well as a pair of commercial structures.

At the recent meeting concerning development of this newest condo, the plot plan was exhibited and questions answered from the surprisingly small group in attendance. The added traffic looming for busy Black Point Road was acknowledged without solution.

There was no obvious support for the proposal, and the single utterance of objection was almost unheard and lost in the barrage of words flowing between the developers and those at the meeting. Prior to the session, all abutting property owners were advised of the proposed construction by certified mail, as required by law, yet attendance was spotty at best. Of those we spoke with concerning the meeting, most felt it “wouldn’t do any good anyway.” Perhaps not. My crystal ball hasn’t offered solutions or comments for years. But apathy is often silent acquiescence.

There were a couple of interesting points at the meeting. When one person inquired why the project was planned in that particular area, the developer’s trite answer was simply that they owned the land. If that one didn’t put the cork in the bottle, another comment that resulting traffic congestion was “the town’s problem” summed up the thrust of the gathering.

Traffic on the Black Point Road continues to increase to and from the Oak Hill area, especially since Route 1 becomes more and more of a congested strip. Egress from such as Eastern Road has become more difficult and dangerous as time goes on.

There’s often an insular, or detached, attitude created by election to public office. Sneaky as a rabbit punch, it’s inherited rather than created by persons in public authority. This phenomenon manifested itself most recently in the flareup between Scarborough’s town council and school board. This was, pure and simple, a case of caring people perhaps forgetting for a brief time that their first obligation was to the people who elected them, and not a reflection on their ability to serve their office. Confrontation remains a better alternative than apathy.

Your neighborhood is a treasured environment often taken for granted as long as the street is maintained, plowed in the winter and traffic is local and sensible. Throw in friends made over the years, kids in the back yard plus an ongoing sense of belonging and you have what life is all about – without realizing how nice it is. When encroaching development, in the name of progress, crowds your placid avenue, or you no longer know the neighbors around you while drivers tear down your street as a commuting shortcut, you have a right to shelve apathy.

In our area, along the tax-enriched coast, development is a byword of progress and apathy is not an option, despite its barriers.

Remember the age-old tale of the little boy searching through the pile of hay, looking for the pony?

Comes back to haunt us, doesn’t it?