In letters to the editors of local papers, several people including Tom Murphy, our former state representative, have omitted the most important fact about the Park Street School controversy: the people of Kennebunk voted to retain ownership of the school in June of 2006. This written, nonbinding referendum tallied 1,485 for keeping the school and 805 against, a margin of 680.

In a subsequent vote, the people of Kennebunk voted against spending $2.7 million to renovate the building. This vote was 796 in favor of the expenditure and 1,014 against, a margin of 218. Voters did not want to spend that much money, but that did not mean we wanted to sell the property. It was time to go back to the drawing board and find a less expensive way to improve the building.

Selectmen subsequently entered into a contract to sell the property, while citizens who wanted to uphold the original referendum vote went back to the drawing board. They priced out the cost of bringing the building up to code without unnecessary improvements. Thus the petition to spend $1.4 million to renovate the building, so that it can be used by the community.

We are experiencing hard times right now. But still, we must think about the long run, not make mistakes we will later regret. The Park Street School land alone is worth a great deal, especially since it is located very close to our downtown, Parsons field, and town services. We may never have another opportunity to acquire such a property close to the heart of town for community use.

Do come to the town meeting on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 9 a.m. at the KHS gym, and listen to the whole story before you decide.

Vicki Adams

Kennebunk