The proposed train layover and maintenance facility has caused some harsh feelings and letters from both the people not wanting the facility in the planned location as well as the people who do want this facility.

I have read, observed and listened to arguments from both groups and I must say this entire issue has brought some very vicious behavior for anyone to observe. This is very sad.

Brunswick is a very traffic congested community. Obviously there has been very poor planning over the years. There are some people who feel there is much room remaining in Brunswick to develop. They will talk about tax dollars, bringing in new businesses and all the usual reasons that people use while referencing development. Humans need the natural environment, nature does not need humans.

Let’s remember all the various forms of pollution and toxins created by development. Too much concrete and asphalt change water run- off. More toxins go into rivers, streams, perhaps into water tables and wells. Our unclean air becomes more polluted by increasing traffic of all kinds. There are numerous environmental problems associated with development as usual. However, a serious problem frequently overlooked is how all of this ugliness effects the human psyche. Humans need to see and be among the beauty of the natural environment. Humans cannot live like caged rats looking through metal bars. And change cannot always be referred to as progress.

I think it is time for people to understand they have more in common than they have differences. I think we need to discover how we, together can transcend the past and present socio-economic-political disaster we attempt to deal with unsuccessfully. We cannot continue to forge ahead blindly and call it progress. Whatever is done in Brunswick needs to be done with the entire community of people and the Natural environment given a priority for now and the future. This needs to be defined by a consensus of a very broad range of people.

Joe Ciarrocca
Brunswick