In an interview published by The Day July 30, retired Coast Guard Adm. Robert Papp expressed concern that “negativity expressed by readers of The Day” about the location selected for the proposed National Coast Guard Museum is raising doubts in the minds of potential donors about the community’s commitment.

The Day has printed a number of letters to the editor, and the occasional guest commentary, from critics of the selected waterfront location, most arguing instead for placing the museum in the Fort Trumbull area. On its Opinion pages, in print and online, The Day provides a forum for a variety of views. That won’t change to help an organization get donations.

Papp, however, makes a valid argument that “revisiting the issue as to whether the museum should be at the waterfront or at Fort Trumbull … is a waste of time and effort at this point.”

The Coast Guard has made its choice. It is a choice that our editorial board has consistently supported. The site closely ties the museum to the water, appropriate given the Coast Guard’s mission. Construction there will also serve as a catalyst for continued redevelopment of the city’s downtown.

While people can disagree about the decision on the location, the decision has been made. At this point, if the community wants to see the Coast Guard Museum in New London, it should unify in support of the project. Rather than finding reasons to object to the location behind Union Station, efforts would now be better spent making recommendations on how to make the selected location work best.

All that being said, it would be a stretch to blame a few naysayers for the slow pace of fundraising up to this point. Papp, who made the planning for a national museum a top priority when he was commandant of the Coast Guard, said the museum association is retooling its efforts to raise money. Commitments for private donations are approaching $10 million for the estimated $100 million project.

The group expects to soon make announcements about major corporate donations, Papp said. Such support is critical for any project of this magnitude. And a targeted effort to solicit donations from Coast Guard officers is now getting started, he said.

Papp remains committed to the effort. So must this community.

The Day editorial board meets with political, business and community leaders to formulate editorial viewpoints. It is composed of President and Publisher Timothy Dwyer, Executive Editor Izaskun E. Larraneta, Owen Poole, copy editor, and Lisa McGinley, retired deputy managing editor. The board operates independently from The Day newsroom.