The headline on the front page of the Dec. 7 Portland Press Herald (“Funds sought to fight oil pipeline’s suit“) illuminates the untenable situation that South Portland finds itself in. Yet more importantly, it illustrates the consequences of an ill-conceived and badly researched ordinance.

The expense meter is rapidly zeroing in on a million dollars and the first trial is months away. In the unlikely event that the summary judgment motions are agreeable to both parties, the city’s legal bills will escalate dramatically as the appellate process grinds on, and despite what you hear from the Protect South Portland folks, our tax exposure increases every day.

So how does Protect South Portland respond? By appealing to citizens all over Maine and elsewhere to help bail out the city and preserve its legacy of standing up to Portland Pipe Line Corp. while portraying this epic battle as Maine’s version of David and Goliath.

Nice story, but the real world doesn’t generally work that way. Reasonable adults usually sit down, negotiate a compromise and settle their differences. I’m mindful that holding on to one’s principles regardless of compelling arguments to the contrary is something that we do, but to solicit funding for this misadventure during the holiday season reaches new levels of absurdity and bad judgment.

Instead, perhaps we can think about those among us who truly need our charity and try to make their lives a little more joyous this year. Happy holidays to all.

Charles McNutt

South Portland