Editor:

It is with dismay that I read yet another story about increased fees for parking at Goose Rocks Beach [“Higher fees, fines intended to deter traffic, Oct. 31].

Thirty-five years ago, I began bringing my baby daughter to Goose Rocks Beach during the summer months. In those days it was free to park there. It was a family beach then, and still is as far as I know. Years later, my son-in-law, on bended knee, proposed to my daughter on this very beach. My French in-laws enjoyed it there, as did many others in our family, French and American alike.

I believe that the residents of Goose Rocks Beach are deliberately trying to control access to the beach, hoping to prevent strangers from using it. I furthermore consider that the selectmen and chief of police have been hijacked into believing, by a few vociferous and selfish residents, that this is a good thing. Far from it, in my opinion. 

People are going to continue to come to Maine and to the beautiful seashore here, whether or not it becomes, in the unfortunate turn of phrase of Chief Bruni, “a circus.” It would be far better to plan intelligently for this eventuality by constructing a parking lot some distance from the beach and providing jitney service to it, for a small fee if necessary. There could also be public toilets at the parking lot and on the beach.

Why should a few angry residents of Goose Rocks make life miserable for people who simply want to visit the seashore with their families?

Bevan Davies

Kennebunk