Mitch Connor [05/24/2002]

To the editor:Recently the silver-tongued timeshare & real estate tycoon Joe Berry made published statements in local media, informing the masses that people, such as Michele Tucci and myself, who are critical of his plan to solve the valley's traffic woes by slashing a road through Whitaker Woods were misinformed. He is really trying to save the environment by suggesting that this north/south local road extension through Whitaker Woods will prevent the northern portion of the bypass from being built. This flies in the face of what state officials have stated repeatedly: the bypass will be built no matter what! Over and over they have said this, yet Mr. Berry will have you believe otherwise. Many valley residents have been sucked in by his eloquent spin already. No small wonder as he is able to convince unsuspecting vacationers to part with thousands of dollars to buy a week of timeshare for which they will pay hundreds per year in maintenance fees for the rest of their lives. This is not an attempt to criticize his free market right to convince people to buy into this poor investment (resales go for pennies on the dollar), the purpose here is to ask people to consider what will be sacrificed, by allowing themselves to be mesmerized by millionaire developers. One can understand Jac Cuddy's motives. The northern portion of the actual bypass will wreck his backyard view. It may or may not even go onto his property. One can relate as he could literally say "not in my backyard." (though dozens of others are being forced from their homes, with hopes and dreams crushed, for the other phases) What of Joe Berry, Theresa Kennett, etc.? What do they have to gain from robbing people who actually use Whitaker Woods? Proponents correctly state that the northern portion of the bypass will pass through Whitaker Woods in an east to westerly swath north of the power lines. It will be horrible. It all could have been built far to the west of Westside road, but for the special interests on that side of town. That is what the people wanted years ago, but no, it is better to cause all of this mess. The fact remains, the bypass will be built anyway, this is why we must keep the North-South local road out of there.We cannot allow the really accessible part of Whitaker Woods, that is accessible on foot, wheelchair, etc, from the North Conway Village, to be slashed from north to south. If this extension goes through, one will have to go into the woods, then cross the road, and then re-enter the woods - all the while experiencing roaring motorcycle and automobile noise. At present one need only walk a hundred or so feet into those woods and the noise simply fades away to silence. Allow these folks to get their way and Whitaker Woods will be nothing more than a wooded city park, divided through its heart. To better imagine what it will be like, try standing on Main Street some sunny Saturday and close your eyes, listen for a while to the cars and motorcycles - those sounds will forever be a part of your Whitaker Woods experience if Joe Berry and his friends have their way. This "Donald Trump of the Valley" suggests that people like Michele Tucci, me, and countless others are misinformed because we are not willing to sit idly by and watch while they trample on the wishes of the Whitaker Family - people who unselfishly gave Whitaker Woods to this town and its people for recreation, naively believing that they would remain undisturbed. This is their legacy, one which should be respected. Let's hear what you school kids feel, for it is from you and your kids that Whitaker Woods, as you know it, is being taken.