Respecting The Rights Of Others

To the Editor:

At the Newtown Legislative Council’s public hearing last Wednesday on ATV rules, a variety of opinions were presented by adults and youngsters on the proposed ordinance. Some people talked about rights; others talked about responsibilities. Both, of course, are necessary ingredients in a democratic way of life.

Newtown is not proposing to deny the right to own an ATV or the right to operate it on one’s private property. But it must be understood that with the right of ownership comes the obligation to operate the vehicles lawfully and responsibly. Every citizen has the right to expect a reasonably quality of life, especially in an affluent area like Newtown. This quality of life is why we move here. Newtown is a wonderful residential community — not a city with large commercial or industrial areas. Nor are we a rural or remote area with large tracts of mostly uninhabited land. We are a group of neighborhoods knitted together to form a town in which many of us take considerable pride. The beauty of Newtown is living in a quiet neighborhood where neighbors exercise their own rights while respecting the rights of others. Privacy and a reasonable degree of tranquility are two of these precious rights.

In our neighborhood we not only have the problem of roaring ATV engines (mostly dirt bikes on evenings and weekends), but also the annoying sounds of constantly barking dogs (left outside for long periods of time) and the unnerving sound of high-caliber gunfire when a neighbor engages in target practice on his property. No one wants to have to complain to a neighbor or to call the authorities about enforcing ordinances. We just want to live peacefully together and enjoy life — with tolerance for the necessary or occasional annoyances.

In a residential town like Newtown our parks and public lands should only be used for passive recreation, not for active recreation by noise-emitting and destructive motorized vehicles. People wanting such active recreation should seek it in more suitable locales where it is not intrusive to others.

Neighbors, take a moment to think about the noise emitted from your property and put yourself in your neighbors’ shoes, then simply and honestly answer one question: in pursuing your own rights, are you and your family members being reasonable and responsible in respecting the rights of others?

Sincerely,

Joe & Jackie Kelly

103 Taunton Hill Road, Newtown                            August 20, 2004