Editor:

 If this letter is successful, it will wing two birds with one stone.

Mayor Soule obviously did not know, before he sent his letter, that condo owners pay the same property taxes as single family home owners at the same rate as established by the South Portland City Council. They are entitled to the same advantages and perks as other property owners. Under Maine condominium statutes the association of owners which governs a condo group are incorporated under not-for-profit corporate laws and file yearly reports with the Maine Secretary of State. It is amazing that Mayor Soule apparently had none of this information. It is even more amazing that Mayor Soule did not take the time to consult with the South Portland Assessor about the issue and thus be saved from flaunting his ignorance. This stuff cannot be made up.

Enter Mr. Norton. His letter is an uncivil attack on a citizen of South Portland who served with distinction on city council, and is one of South Portland’s most visible, knowledgeable and respected citizens. I am certain, given the Mayor’s revealed ignorance, that many people have wondered why on earth they voted for him instead of Ms. De Angelis.

Such vituperation is to be heaped on Ms. De Angelis for doing what many others have done; criticize the footprint of that building?  She did not demean the developers but pointed out that that building simply does not belong in that space. Let us hope that more people can step up to the plate and help with the redevelopment of Knightville now that these developers have done what they wanted to do.

Ms. De Angelis did not put that stinking sewage treatment plant in Knightville.  Neither did she build the bridge. Perhaps Mr. Norton can meet with Mayor Soule and together they can set forth a plan, in cooperation with the Knightville Neighborhood Association, to continue to improve Knightville.

Meanwhile, it would be helpful if Mr. Norton took a dose of his own medicine and stifled himself until he can be more civil. It is not every day that citizens of adjoining communities feel called upon to defend one of South Portland’s best and brightest, Rosemarie De Angelis.        

W.H. Marshall

Cape Elizabeth