How dare the City Council vote (April 7) not to have a public hearing when 1,232 citizens have put their name on the line to have a voice? And why was Jason Snyder, the driving force behind this petition/citizen’s initiative, not made aware that this was being taken up by the council, and Vincent Veroneau (CEO of J.B. Brown) apparently was, as he was present and possibly lawyered up? This certainly has the smell and appearance of a back-room deal, but hopefully just an honest oversight on the part of the invitation committee, or maybe it “got lost in the mail.”

What is this city coming to? Mr. Snyder may not have been able to see his vision for Westbrook become a reality, but at least he had an ambitious dream for Westbrook to become a destination. The untimely demise of his financial backer, Arthur Emil, and the economic downturn were certainly and hugely unfortunate. And now, we will be forced to settle with a quick fix, the city becoming just a Biddeford north.

My fear is that we’ll end up with a few houses, Market Basket, Costco and Days Inn if J. B. Brown goes along with their plans. This is only my speculation, and I certainly hope that I’m wrong, but only time will tell. I also fear that because Mr. Veroneau does not reside in this city, this may adversely affect his ability to choose what would be the optimal outcome for the future look of Westbrook – it will be what is best for the bottom line of J. B. Brown.

It seems like a poorly sprawled-out plan and certainly not the highest and best use for such an important gateway property. At least with Stroudwater Place, we knew precisely what to expect. I can’t for the life of me understand why someone that is employed by Hannaford would potentially want a direct competitor in literally their back yard (yes, Mr. Rairdon), a real estate agent who should have the ability to foresee a development which would greatly enhance a property, certainly assure it be put it to its “highest and best use,” as opposed to one that will only marginally have the look of new housing and big box (yes, Mr. Chau), and you, Mike (Foley), who still is very young and will hold a potential stake in this city for years to come, could vote the way you did.

Do we not want something that would bring a sense of community and draw people to a destination? I’m just baffled and stunned. I can truly understand why people in town would rather see the land remain at its present use, as opposed to what it may become if J. B. Brown is allowed to avoid being taken to task by the zoning change that the council approved for Mr. Snyder. I believe Mr. Veroneau stated in an earlier American Journal story that, if need be, he would abide by the present zoning on the property. Why all of the sudden the change in heart? My only hope is that they put (Bill) Baker in sole charge of site approval as he is the only one in this city that seems to have any forward vision for the city of Westbrook, and will at the very least try and put a Band-Aid on something that will be just short of a development eyesore along the Westbrook Arterial.

The council may have been able to dismiss and stifle the voices of 1,232 citizens, but it is certainly my hope that they do not take away the right of a citizen petition to force this to a referendum vote in June. Everyone whose signature is on this petition, including my own, all of your friends, and anyone that remotely cares about the future look of our great city, must be reminded to get out and vote in June to make absolutely sure this current zoning stays in place and is not allowed to be changed by the likes of a hasty developer and a council that is looking for a quick fix. Please think about the long-term ramifications this will have on Westbrook. Take all the time necessary, and get the best possible outcome for the hard-working taxpayers of our city. Don’t get me wrong, I would certainly opt for a Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Cheesecake Factory and farmers market (at least we knew what we were getting). As opposed to the unknown, I, too, pick the grazing Herefords over what may likely happen.

Judy O’Hara

Westbrook