Dear C.I.A. members,
I have carefully read the proposal for a bike path as well as the letters that have been sent recently to the C.I.A. membership. The question of a bike path has been an active issue on Chappy for over 20 years as many of our membership is well aware. I think one of the reasons that the question of whether or not to construct a mixed use paved path is that we, the residents of Chappy, have not had the opportunity to study the path realistically and completely to see if indeed the issues that are raised by those who oppose the path could be resolved and/or satisfied. In addition, since we have never had an engineering study performed, we do not have a clear and accurate assessment of the real impact the path would make on the Chappaquiddick landscape. 

I believe we would all like to see a conclusion to the discussion that would reflect as far as possible a consensus decision that could satisfy as much a possible the concerns of those who support as well as those who do not support a path. Therefore, it seems to me that the time has arrived for us to conduct the study, review the results, and engage in our discussion with the benefit of concrete visible facts rather than the supposition that the path will necessarily have the detrimental effects on the island that those who oppose the path suggest will happen. At the same time, if it is concluded that the natural beauty of Chappy will be irrevocably destroyed by a path, then perhaps a plan could be proposed that will satisfy those who feel that a path would improve the safety and quality of life for residents of Chappy as well as those who visit the island.

The benefits of having the results of an engineering study would be that we can have a discussion based on facts rather than opinion; we would be able to better assess the environmental impact of a path; we would have clearer idea of its cost; all residents of Chappy whose property is adjacent to the path would be able to determine the impact the path would have on their property. This gives us common ground for a discussion from which we could arrive at a decision that might be acceptable to us all. After all, I believe this is the spirit of community participation which we all support.

Respectfully,
Karen Stephens