I worry that what we say in South Portland and what we do are two very different things. We say we want more housing, we say we want sustainable and resilient development, we say we need a broader and larger tax base, we say we need housing for teachers, nurses and firefighters, we say we care about climate change – but many rally around a group of people who oppose a project that can provide all of these.

Before any applications were submitted, before any plans were formalized, before our Planning Board began working on the Yard South Neighborhood proposal, a small but vocal group began spreading misinformation and fear.

I’m urging everyone in South Portland to remain open-minded about this new and exciting project, offer constructive criticism when necessary, and welcome this new neighborhood that offers so much to our diverse and ever-changing city.

Linda Boudreau
South Portland