To the editor:

To the citizens of Westport in response to Mr. Carter Wilkie's letter:

 Boy, this fellow is way off base!  What bee got into his bonnet (trousers)!  Let's really take a look at this…

"Right to Farm" (RTF) language was developed to protect farmers, and addresses key points about nuisance lawsuits, boundary disputes, days/hours of operation, odors, etc., and doesn't really say anything specific about maltreatment of farm animals - which is where we come in as animal activitists.   To use our animal activism as a reason why someone would move livestock from Westport is ridiculous, and smacks more of one trying to avoid accountability by moving to another state.   It has nothing to do with anything we have done to bring the issue of animal abuse to the forefront. 

 I would suggest that the RTF bylaws err on the side of protecting the farmer, while are lacking in holding the farming community accountable to the general public.  Although one could probably interpret from the Westport RTF language that, "...The provisions of this By-law shall not apply whenever an impact results from willful negligence or reckless misconduct in the operation of any such agricultural or farming operation, place, establishment or facility, or any of its appurtenances."  "Willful negligence or reckless misconduct" are certainly behaviors that contribute to animal abuse, and a farmer would not be protected under the RTF bylaw, but that is vague, and as we know, if we can't locate the animals, there is no accountability. 

Mr. Wilkie has skewed the facts to support what cause, I'm not sure, except to thwart efforts of animal activism.  He so misses the point of what is trying to be accomplished.  He fails to acknowledge greater threats to Westport currently ongoing and evident in the farm land being subdivided into lots and sold off for housing and solar field development.  

An animal site registry is not a threat to a Right to Farm.  Nor, should the efforts of our animal activism in any way be seen as non-support of our Westport farming community.  We support our farmers and we support ethical and humane treatment of all animals.  These two goals are not inconsistent with one another, and are, in fact, complimentary.

Susan Rollins

Stop the Insanity Westport