Some improvement, but when? And, this?

0

To the Editor:

Richard Knabel’s letter, “Roundabout is ill-advised, unwanted,” in the December 8 MV Times, misquotes what I had written in a commentary in the November 25 issue of the MV Gazette. According to Mr. Knabel, I had said that the roundabout “…doesn’t have to be built now, or possibly ever.”

What I actually said was “…some improvements will be required. Depending on economic and other conditions, it may be 5, 10 or 15 years before delays become much more frequent and backups reach intolerable levels. There is no question, however, that there will be a need for some improvement in the future.”

This distortion of my words misrepresents my professional opinion, which I have maintained consistently, regarding the need for some action.

The focus of my commentary was that the project does not warrant the very strong feelings and personal accusations that it has engendered. It will not be the end of the world if the roundabout is not built right away, nor will it be the end of the world if it is built. I had hoped that my piece might lessen the vitriolic personal attacks. After reading the recent letters and editorials, it is apparent that I have not been successful.

Dan Greenbaum

Chilmark