To the editor:

Last week the Kennebunk Post ran a detailed story on the complex issue facing the Town of Kennebunkport around continued public access at Goose Rocks Beach, and the focus now shifting to the legal battle (“Set to square off over beach,” page 1).

The reporter did a great job with a number of details, but I need to correct a statement that was ascribed to me around the concept of “unascertained persons” that are part of the lawsuit a small number of homeowners have brought against the town and those unascertained persons.

The homeowners seeking to deny public access to folks that have used the beach for 100 years did not just sue the town of Kennebunkport. They included “all unascertained persons” in the suit, essentially appearing to try and forestall any claims beachgoers over the years have established by 20 or more years of unfettered access. I do not believe “unascertained persons” just refers to folks in the Kennebunkport area.

Save-Our-Beaches and others believe that naming “unascertained persons” was a very broad stroke by the legal team behind this costly lawsuit, and puts anyone from anywhere who has enjoyed Goose Rocks Beach over the years right in the middle of the fray. We believe this “unascertained persons” refers to visitors from all over the United States, and other countries as well.

I believe the phrase “unascertained persons” to encompass a huge group, not just limited to people in town, but families from all over, which is certainly a shame as we all saw this weekend how wonderful the beaches are on a summer day.

Mic Harris

Kennebunkport