Curb Appeal Or Community?

To the Editor:

I’m writing in response to the letter “Main Street Property Owners...” (October14) where Tine Hoffmeister asks, “What is happening to Main Street?”

I would like to ask what is happening to Newtown when we have reduced ourselves to publicly critiquing our neighbor’s houses? Have we become so shallow that we are judging people by the appearance of their property? There is a good possibility that these residents have lived here for many years, possibly many generations. Have we become more concerned with curb appeal than the warm, friendly community for which Newtown is noted?

Main Street does characterize Newtown, a diverse town where people choose to live in vintage houses in various conditions and their children play with toys in their yards. So when Ms Hoffmeister says that “We cannot allow it to look like this!” please don’t assume that “we” means all Newtowners.

Diane G. Lawrence

6 Kale Davis Road, Sandy Hook                             October 19, 2005