Death by a thousand cuts

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To the Editor:

There is a relentless but seemingly fatal movement being foisted upon our entire community by a tiny minority of myopic, greedy, and selfish neighbors bent upon destroying an essential Island resource, in a classic example of death by a thousand cuts.

This is a truly regional issue that our regional authorities have neither the mechanism, the will, nor the authority to address. There is but one gravel pit on the Island, but one concrete plant on the Island, but one asphalt plant on the Island (June 14, “Asphalt plant faces shutdown order in ZBA hearing”).

Co-located near the Blinker, this industrial necessity for our economic viability operates in just about the most equitable, efficient, and environmentally sound manner possible, given the limited options offered on our cloistered speck of earth. Every one of us benefits significantly by their existence each time we use the roads, improve our property, or otherwise maintain the infrastructure that keeps our economy alive.

Inevitably, if current trends continue, that economy will be burdened to the breaking point for the most economically vulnerable, as a direct result of the actions of these unneighborly neighbors. These folks bought their property cheaper than the rest of us, because of their proximity to this operation. They built full in that knowledge. And now, regardless of the rationalizations they employ to cloak the facts underlying the economic gain they stand to realize, they choose to make battle with the one who was once their de facto benefactor.

Unfettered, they may win. And win they shall on the backs of the other 99 percent of Islanders who thus lose a battle they may not even be aware of. The financial effect will affect all, and heavily. There is nothing to stop them but public disapprobation as they reach into our collective pockets for their selfish gain. But then again, shame is nothing to the caitiff.

James A. Glavin

DECA

Aquinnah