It was distressing to read that a person moved into an old neighborhood on Tantummaheag Road, Old Lyme, and has decided he does not like the fact that the property borders a right of way to a public landing on the Connecticut River, “Homeowner sees signs of ‘war’ at Tantummaheag Landing,” (Jan. 7).

Why do people like him willingly buy property that they can see is next to a public landing, and expect to be able to eliminate a public right of way? People like him are continually driving small towns to court, disregarding the costs to the town, disregarding the animosity they create and generally ruining a 250-year-old arrangement that benefits everyone.

The ego involved is representative of an appallingly unattractive generation of people who are unconcerned with the greater good of their new neighborhood. If they were not happy with the public landing next door, then why did they buy the property? The sad truth is that this person will probably move on within 10 years, after having ruined a beautiful part of the world, potentially divided a community and cost the town untold hours of work and money.

Polly Timken

Key Largo, Florida