If you’ve been worried about the prospects of a 125-acre rock quarry and asphalt plant coming to Gorham, keep worrying. Soon enough they will be calling our community, “Gorham, the new old Westbrook.”

Town councilors (except for Shonn Moulton and Jane Willet) seem hell bent to make changes to ordinances that pave the way for Shaw Brothers’ success in getting their polluting and noisy industry next to residential homes and neighborhood developments. Arduously developed recommendations of the Gorham Planning Board, particularly about excessive noise standards and hours of plant operation, were basically dismissed as nuisance issues.

After hearing the comments and concerns of involved citizens, as well as planning board recommendations, the town council approved standards that are not protective of noise limits. They also pushed forward an amendment that now allows for 24-hour daily quarry operation. This demonstrates that council members do not truly understand the issues at hand, or that they just don’t care about the residents of this town.

On Nov. 6, please vote. Three current board members are up for re-election. More than ever, this town needs new council members who care about both the vision of Gorham’s future and the voices of its people.

Donna Waterman

Gorham