I write this letter as the author of the dedication to Chick Wilder that appears on the plaque by the main entrance to “Wonderful Willard.” Since I’ve seen these words quoted in the recent Sentry, I thought it might be useful to clarify them a bit, especially since I’m in a unique position to do so.

Those of us fortunate to have known Chick Wilder can attest that he was an extraordinary human being who seemingly liked everyone he met. To claim he was anti-dog or anti-dog people would be a classic example of “wrenching from context,” a term which refers to removing a quotation from the situation in which it was uttered in order to manipulate it, to misinterpret it for purposes contrary to the writer’s or speaker’s intent.

It’s important to remember that Chick was a lifeguard and that his hours at the beach were roughly 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., summer months only.  During that time he consistently reminded people of the various rules posted around the bathhouse, which included no football as well as no dogs during busy summer days. When I wrote, “leave your dogs at home,” I was then as I am now a resident of the Willard Beach neighborhood who owns a dog. It was then and is now a common sense notion not to bring your dog when the beach is full of sunbathers and swimmers.

Also, there were always people from out of town who would arrive at the beach with dogs, discover the dogs weren’t allowed during those hours and then sometimes leave their dogs in their vehicles. Occasionally Chick would take out his legendary bullhorn to remind the careless of unattended pets in parked cars.

Unlike Gary Crosby, Chick wasn’t trying to “save Willard Beach” for its wealthiest residents. Indeed, Chick was always suspicious that those who planted dune grass were trying to take away public space and extend private property. I’m sure Chick, were he still with us, would support the planting of dune grass to help preserve the beach he loved so well, but I think he’d be wary of “environmentalists” who want the dune grass to create a 50 yard buffer between their houses and regular users of the beach.

As a 22 year resident of the Willard Beach neighborhood, I have taken dogs, children, and grandchildren to the beach. I have swum countless miles and scooped my share of dog poop. I have felt fortunate to live near a vibrant public place such as Willard, which has allowed me to meet a wide variety of wonderful people.  No one was more wonderful than Chick Wilder, who taught me as much about the meaning of “community” as anyone I’ve ever met.

If you want to “save Willard Beach,” don’t fall for the pseudo-libertarian rhetoric of the Gary Crosby movement. Don’t sign petitions to keep good people who own pets away from my neighborhood. Don’t take the “Wonderful” out of Willard.

Kevin Sweeney

South Portland