Rockland Industries

On the anniversary of the July 28 Town Meeting, I thought that it was incredibly encouraging that many people from both sides of the casino debate turned out to support the effort to clean up the Rockland Industries site. It was not that long ago that there was not even the ability for both camps to be in the same room, let alone agree on the color of that room.

All clearly is not lost in Middleborough, as the common issues (not just the casino issue), seem to be remaining important to all. I saw many anti-casino people populating the audience at the meeting, sitting within arm's reach of many pro-casino people. All seemed riveted on the information regarding the Tier 1 hazardous waste site located on Plymouth street. All seemed to have the same goal--quick clean-up.

While I certainly can appreciate how the casino issue divided our town (and the role I played in that division), it is heartening that at least some of those involved on both sides have the ability to put the general town issues to the front, while setting aside other differences.

Thank you to both sides and the strides I hope we can make in the future on all the OTHER issues that face this Town.