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No axe to grind

 Leslie Berliner is barking up the wrong tree when she impugns me in her recently published letter about "the doggone big deal" at Coindre Hall. Her letter poses several questions about me that I would like to answer for the record.

First, I am not "pushing" a ban on dogs at Coindre Hall. I did suggest at a recent park trustees' meeting that as an extreme solution to the problem of off-leash dogs we could ban them entirely if dog owners continue to defy park personnel and regulations, a somewhat Swiftian modest proposal.

Dogs are welcome at Coindre Hall – on leash. The site is not designated as a natural borders off-leash dog park. Dog owners who use the park are well aware of the situation yet many continue to disregard the leash requirement and have little regard for the neighboring homeowners. As a park trustee, it is my concern that parks rules and regulations be observed and enforced. That is the only and "real" reason for my modest proposal of a ban on dogs.

Leslie asks who my supporters are. There is no nefarious plot here. I have no supporters whom I am aware of. I am 75 years old and have been a park trustee for almost half of those years and have been known locally as an environmentalist and advocate for open space preservation and parks for even longer. I have served on many town boards and committees over the years, have written numerous articles, columns, and letters on environmental issues, and have taught natural history to children and adults. I have no anti-dog ax to grind. I hope my supporters would be all law-abiding citizens who have a bone to pick with dog owners. ATV riders, vandals, and others who abuse our parks and disregard the rights of others.

Leslie, that's the doggone big deal.

Alex McKay

Northport

January 28, 2010

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