I can understand the disappointment and bitterness that compelled the Holstein family to cancel the use of their property to host the September Mystic Eats Food Festival. In cancelling, the family cited the "venomous vocal minority" that led to the withdrawal of their development plans for the Seaport Marine site. However, their decision hurt Mystic businesses and residents as a whole, not just the vocal minority. It hurt the volunteers who have been working hard over the last year for this festival, and it hurts business in general and the food insecure population who would have benefitted by donations to the Giving Garden at Coogan farm. It also immediately slammed the door on parking for the Knights of Columbus and other charitable organizations on their property.

The event was less than a month away and the family could have got their message across by having the event go forward next month but not in the future, if that was their wish. The extremely short notice smacks of petty vindictiveness, retaliation and hate against the whole town, not just the vocal minority who vehemently opposed their project. That type of vitriol is not working in Congress and I suspect it will not work in Mystic either.

Marshall Chiaraluce

Mystic