To the editor:

The article ‘Beloved’ vista fate uncertain’ might mark the apex of ridiculousness of Westport’s preservation-obsessed culture.

Whether its preserving decrepit old houses that serve no purpose, or turning smelly swamps into “walking trails” in the name of conservation, some people in town would prefer that we turn the entire area into a museum where land is never used by humans.  Where will this end?

The “iconic lot” on main road is a cowfield!  Stones, grass, cows, and a whole lot of manure, and the town is not short on any of this, especially the last one.

The only thing more hilarious is the idea that this is to be turned into a haven for Westport’s fifth most abundant resource — senior citizens.

For those of us average people who live here, work here, raise kids here, drive our cars here (I’m not talking about the summer millionaires, the rent-a-cow “farmer” tax evaders, or all the retired professors and old hippies) the last thing we need is either more senior villages or Lyme disease trails that nobody uses.

My opinion: If lot is for sale “residential/commercial,”  what they  do need in that end of Westport is another gas station, maybe a larger national chain pharmacy like a CVS, and since the “historic district” would turn their nose up at a Dunkin’ Donuts, how about a Starbucks instead.  Maybe when word gets out that stores like Walgreens routinely have “senior savings day” events with up to 20% off, there’ll be little resistance from the southern end of town.

Get real, people. There are plenty of farms, plenty of cows, but also plenty of humans here that are simply trying to live 21st century lives, go to work, and pay our taxes.  It would be silly to spend taxpayer money to “rescue” this empty lot.  If some rich person wants to buy it and keep it as a beloved cow museum, fine.  The other conservationists can go and buy a ticket to enjoy the “vista” of the decomposing cowpies.  But if the taxpayers are going to foot the bill, better to issue a tax credit to prominent retailers to bring in much-needed services.

J. Medeiros

Westport