To the Editor,

 

In late September, President Obama described questionable federal healthcare policy as ‘violence against the truth.’ With sincere apologies, I’ll paraphrase him today by saying that, in my opinion, current trends toward large-scale Woodbridge development constitute violence against the history, present culture, and future of this town.

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I denounce ceaseless efforts by town officials who think their plan to carve, pave, and otherwise manipulate the Country Club of Woodbridge (CCW) is better or best. They repeatedly ignore its unique, natural splendor, its current recreational opportunities, and the irreplaceable wildlife habitat it provides.

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They insist that a decision to exploit it for retail, institutional, or other high-traffic, high-density use, or for an expansive housing project — even though that’s exactly what town residents overwhelmingly rejected when they voted to buy the parcel in 2009 — would serve the town’s best interests.

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I think those likely to be most pleased about housing units on that property are local realtors with new inventory to promote.

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Paradoxically, in Woodbridge, it’s the Democrats who are hell-bent on dismantling this open space, so now I’m conflicted. I’ve been a loyal Democrat since 1974 in large part because it was always the party of open space preservation, natural resource protection, and strict environmental standards.

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All things being equal, I’d switch and vote Republican, but for the past ten years the Republican party has been given to a repugnant, despicable set of non-standards that erode this republic more each day, so I don’t want to dignify that or associate myself with those who do.

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I’m convinced Washington Republicans would pave the CCW in a heartbeat; similarly, I’m convinced so would Woodbridge Democrats. The Woodbridge Republican hybrid ticket seems to want to preserve it, so I’ll have to consider the concept of principle over party, with loyalty to ideals rather than affiliation.

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— Laurence Grotheer, a resident who spent four years on the Board of Finance, five years on the Board of Selectmen, and was Chair of the Woodbridge Democratic Town Committee twice, for several years each time. He is no longer a WDTC member.