I am a farmer in the town of Lyme. My wife and I are here not because this is a waterfront "resort" area but because it is home.

Imagine my surprise when a perfect agribusiness fit for this rural agricultural area was not welcomed with open arms by the town of Lyme Planning Board, Zoning Board and Town Council. I am referring to Morris Hatchery which just opened for business in the industrial park. Many folks don't realize that Ed Morris, owner of Morris Hatchery, purchased a farm in the town of Lyme with the express purpose of expanding his international enterprise to our area, close to the Canadian border. He spent several hundred thousand dollars to purchase the property and have plans and designs prepared, etc.

Unfortunately, Mr. Morris, who has several hatcheries throughout the nation, was faced with so many obstacles and ridiculous demands, that he built his $5 million, high-tech building in the industrial park instead of the town of Lyme. Local officials will try to tell you that he decided to move his business because of the tax breaks and incentives that he could receive by locating in the industrial park, but anyone who takes the time and interest to talk to Mr. Morris or his business mangers will tell you about his experience with this town government, which even wanted to tell him which way his building should face on his property.

There are some good people in our local government who have lived here a long time as we have and who genuinely want to do the right things for the people of this town. Unfortunately there are many involved in our local politics who appear to have more interest in power and control and feeding their oversized egos rather than seeing the big picture for this town. We need industry here, not just a waterfront community. Morris Hatchery would have brought many high-paying, high-tech jobs as well as probably some low-tech jobs, which are nothing to sneeze at either.

Right now the town of Lyme has an opportunity to choose growth and industry in the form of a wind farm which would be huge boost to our local economy, allow farm land to remain for farm use and provide several high-paying jobs.

We and many others consider this our town, and we aim to take it back. If this sounds good to you, please join us and show our town officials that we will not give up without a fight. Let them find some other town to bully.

Chuck Munk

Three Mile Bay