The Peru Gazette

John Ryan Editor: Allison Hulbert Bruce asked that the Peru Gazette publish the letter that follows. It’s related to my story March 30th story titled, The changing Bear Swamp Rd.

I would like to take a moment to respond to the comments raised by John Ryan’s recent article in the Peru Gazette regarding the clearing of lands bordering Bear Swamp Road and the Little AuSable River Trail in Peru.

Last week I was walking the trail and was shocked to round a corner and suddenly have a site line straight to Bear Swamp Road. I took some photos and posted them to social media, expressing my dismay. I did not know who owned the land and I would not have sought to find out.

The landowner, Neil Hamilton, saw my post and reached out to me. As I’m sure he will attest, my first words to him were that I felt like a hypocrite for being so upset when I feel as strongly as I do that a property owner has the right to do as they please with their own land. I grew up in Elizabethtown where the APA looms large over landowners within the blue line.

Neil was graciously willing to meet with Adele Douglas and I to discuss the situation, because there was still quite a bit of land slated to be cleared in the area. In Mr. Ryan’s article he mentions my role as a member of the Peru Planning Board. I would like to be clear that I did not speak to Neil in my capacity as a Planning Board member. I spoke to him as a community member and neighbor about my personal love for the trail. I explained that I see firsthand how much use and enjoyment the people in Peru and the surrounding communities gain from it. For people like myself who live within the village, the trail offers a safe and quiet escape from noise and traffic. Adele and I asked if Neil would consider leaving a bit more of a buffer of trees along the trail to help keep the wooded nature of the trail intact, and he agreed wholeheartedly to do so. Thankfully he understands and values the trail’s place within our community.

I was strongly advised against speaking with Neil about this because it would open me up to the type of backlash and negativity as are found in the comments to Mr. Ryan’s article. However, I felt compelled to at least make the request for his consideration. Hopefully the people who know me, Neil, and Adele personally, know that we are all just trying to work together to find a mutually beneficial solution. The needs of businesses, property owners, and community members can all be considered if we put our heads together in collaboration.

Sincerely,

Allison Hulbert-Bruce

Editor’s Note: I do not know Allison Hulbert Bruce well, but like Adele Douglas, I know she cares deeply for Peru and its welfare. Both Allison and Adele have donated many hours of their time and talent to our community. Anyone who knows Neil Hamilton knows that he deeply loves his hometown and its people. I applaud Neil for investing in Peru and working for its future growth and well-being. He is stepping forward at a time when Peru needs business investment and tax base growth. Best wishes to Allison, Adele, and Neil as you work to make Peru an even better place to live and work.