Gone are the days when people would challenge government. Now, 1 percent of the people run to government to solve nearly anything. Look at what happened to Congress Square or lower Bayside. Take the latest Munjoy Hill controversy: “Historical” or “hysterical”? I say, “hysterical,” and about 1 percent of the population caused the panic.

Here is a brief summary and some background:

• A couple years ago, a couple dozen folks wanted to stop the efforts to rehab the Portland Co. because their views were negatively affected. They were called “Save the Soul of Portland” and rightfully lost that battle thanks to a referendum that was put before the entire city.

• Many of those same folks took over the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization and are now pushing for the creation of a historic district, which traditionally affects home prices, forces lower-income people out, curbs the independence of homeowners and decreases diversity.

Why? About 1 percent (that number again) of all buildings on the Hill were knocked down, according to a city audit, and replaced by more modern single-family homes and multi-unit buildings. Yes, that’s it. I guess the soul of the Hill is disappearing now. Relatedly, many structures that were demolished were not salvageable.

One percent of Hillers cried to the City Council and they put a six-month moratorium on demolitions on the Hill. This crushed many homeowners who were trying to sell or remodel. Shameful.

Funny enough, some of the most vocal proponents of this movement live in new condos built where older homes stood a few years ago. You can’t make this stuff up. Like you, I see many older homes lovingly restored on this Hill, including mine. The government did not make us do it, either.

Looks like we are headed to another referendum, neighbors. Thanks, Soul of Portland people, for wasting our time again on selfish, subjective matters.

Carle Henry

Portland

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