I am appalled at Sid Becnel’s response to Katherine Williams’ Oct. 4 letter. Anyone who has a mother or grandmother fortunate enough to have lived past the age of 80 knows the joy they have recalling the years when they were able to be more active and had their loved ones with them. We should respect and learn from their recollections. Instead, Becnel goes so far as to check the validity of Mrs. Williams’ memories by researching articles published in 1932 and mockingly reporting his findings to us. I would rather read what Becnel terms "gossipy picayunes" than the Independent’s recent article about Becnel, an ex-priest who publicizes that he left the priesthood for personal reasons and declares himself a hero for donating his paintings to his former seminary. I would rather read about what the historic Aeromarine property sold for in 1932 than see ads reading "apartment/room for rent" in residences located in once beautiful single-family houses that Becnel has altered to fit as many tenants as possible for his financial gain.
What I find most curious is a line in Becnel’s closing paragraph: "We want beautiful waterfronts, tree-lined streets and friendly neighbors." This is coming from a man who built an addition on the back of his house that blocks his neighbor’s view of the waterfront; a man who complained to the Borough Council about a resident planting a tree in a borough park; and a man who has ordered or sued at least 12 of his neighbors to move fences with slight encroachments on his garden property. It is ironic that many of these encroachments may have existed in 1932, but in those days, people probably did not alienate their neighbors in order to plant a couple of mums. We are all entitled to our opinions, Mr. Becnel. Unfortunately, you think yours are so important that in order to express them you felt the need to dismiss Mrs. Williams’ precious memories. Please Mr. Becnel, stop upsetting our seniors and start practicing what you preach.
Cathy Graham
Keyport

