Letters

As a member of the North Haven Parks and Trails Association, I feel Stephen Kotz’s article “Squabbling in North Haven Over Park Work” [27east.com, June 7] presented an incomplete picture of the voices expressed on this issue.

Mr. Kotz expounded upon interviews he held with Mayor Chris Fiore and three opposing forces, Susan Reed, Jim Vos and Trustee Terie Diat. Perspectives from his other interviewees, including members of the North Haven government, were excluded.

Several citizens spoke in support of the village at the May 17 Board of Trustees meeting, when Susan Reed so outwardly lambasted the mayor and the trustees.

Ms. Reed had previously spoken against our newly adopted heritage tree protection code. She called it an “onerous and unreasonable code change.” At that same public hearing, she put Mayor Fiore on the defense with false rumor accusations. Ms. Diat fought the tree protection code, being the only trustee to oppose the amendment.

Ms. Diat spearheaded the placement of a 150-foot cell tower in the middle of the sensitive wetlands of the Stockfarm Preserve, to the uproar of residents.

So, I certainly question the motives of Susan Reed and Terie Diat, their unswerving attacks upon Mayor Fiore, and their harsh opposition to carving an inviting path for visitors on the Lovelady Park.

Years ago, children skated upon Cilli Pond — it was wide open. In the past 30 years, doomed a wasteland, it has been bombarded by invasive species and entanglements of dead wood that could easily catch fire.

Terie Diat adduces private resident standards for wetlands should also apply to the village. They are complying and creating a park for the people. How does the public benefit from tick-infested brambles? Many citizens are ecstatic with the progress of the park. They had no idea there was a hidden gem in the very, very rough.

The village waited 14 months for Department of Environmental Conservation officials to contact them should a violation exist at Lovelady Park. No word, no intervention from the DEC.

There has always been a voting committee in place for the park. There is no blatant “frantic” or “chaotic” movement on Mayor Fiore’s part, as Susan Reed claims. Mayor Fiore doesn’t even have a vote on the park’s planning committee.

I assure the public our organization is developing a master plan for 9.6 acres of the Lovelady Park acquisition, subject to Board of Trustees approval. That plan will be highly visible to residents, and we value all input.

When we resume work on the park, we shall proceed, as before, with responsibility and sensitivity, while providing a safe, captivating and accessible park.

May we please stop feeding into the muddle and get back to the business of parks and trails?

Camille Petrillo

Secretary

North Haven Parks and Trails Association