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Shouldn’t Be Intimidated

North Haven has a bullying problem. When I publicly commented online about a North Haven Board of Education (BOE) meeting and expressed opposition to crumb rubber fields, I was told the following: To move, to mind my own business, to drink the Kool aid...or call a moving van, to send my kids to private schools, to keep someone’s name out of my mouth unless I know him and can equal his contributions to the town.

I was also told that I must be a stay-at-home mom because I have so much time on my hands (this is not only sexist, but presumptuous), that the reason no one came to the meeting to support crumb rubber was because the BOE assured them those opposed would not be allowed to speak, and that doctors who spoke out against exposing children to crumb rubber were not experts. One was a pediatrician!

Is this the North Haven way?

I sure hope the North Haven BOE doesn’t promise to censor opposing views to parents who are lobbying them. The meetings I attended proved otherwise, but I don’t know what goes on behind closed doors.

Residents who are concerned with crumb rubber fields shouldn’t be intimidated into silence. There’s valid concern about the effects of exposure to children and environment, and the cost to maintain and remove crumb rubber.

Both sides care about the town and the children. I want my children to play on great fields, too, but we must wait for the results of the EPA study, or use a safer infill, like Hamden has. Or fix and maintain grass fields properly. We deserve this consideration. We don’t deserve an acrimonious and intimidating tone that goes along with this very important conversation.

Danielle Morfi

North Haven