Sam Bari's account of the recent Harbor Management Commission meeting in the Aug. 16 issue of the Jamestown Press presents a false impression of my involvement in the controversy that has developed over Head's Beach that must be corrected.

The June 21 issue of the Jamestown Press stated that Michael De Angeli, of the harbor commission, was drafting a letter to the Town Council recommending Head's Beach as "...the only mooring area with potential for development." Subsequent to the June 21 article, in conversation with Gary Girard, the Planning Commission chairman, he and I discussed the need to inform the harbor commission of existing restrictions to the Head's Beach deed that, in fact, precluded any usage at Head's Beach beyond "swimming and bathing."

At the July 11 meeting of the harbor commission, as the Planning Commission liaison and at the behest of chairman Gary Gi rard, I reported that although I was absent from their June 4 meeting, it had come to the Planning Commission's attention that at their prior meeting the harbor commission had engaged in some discussion about the possibility of additional moorings, and related need for a pump-out, at Head's Beach. I reported to the harbor commission that there is a "Master Sub-Division" deed on file with the town that states that residents of the Shores have complete access to lots one through eight for "swimming and bathing purposes only." I told the commission that the deed could be found in the Jamestown Registry, Book 51, page 357.

The purpose of providing this information was to assist the harbor commission in their discussions relating to Head's Beach that appeared to include possibilities for development, as quoted in the June 21 issue of the Press, that were expressly forbidden by the terms of the Shores deed. At the following Planning Commission meeting on July 18, I reported that the harbor commission had discussed the possibility of additional moorings and a pump-out at Head's Beach and that I had attended their July 11 meeting and informed them of the restrictions within the Shores deed.

It should now be completely clear that at no time did I report that the harbor commission wanted to add moorings and a pumpout. Rather, in my official role as liaison to the harbor commission I was reacting to discussions that had been held. Unfortunately, my communications with the Harbor Commission have been inaccurately reported and mischaracterized as spreading misinformation. I did not initiate the discussion, I responded to it.

As for my sporadic attendance to harbor commission meetings: several months ago I told Chairman Girard, that due to my other volunteer commitments to the town, both as an active EMT in the Jamestown Emergency Medical Service, and as member of the Planning Commission, I would like to step down as liaison to the harbor commission. At that time Mr. Girard asked me to stay on in that role, assured me that my attendance at every meeting was not required, and stated that I only needed to address the harbor commission on issues as they arose. Apparently, either Mr. Girard did not remember this conversation when asked about my attendance by Mr. Bari, or Mr. Bari chose not to report it. Regardless, it is not necessary for Mr. Girard to "… talk to Ventrone about his poor attendance record." That conversation was held months ago and was initiated by me. If Mr. Girard now feels that the liaison must attend every harbor commission meeting, I will happily step down as I have previously requested.

Since moving to Jamestown in 2000, I have demonstrated a deep and abiding interest and concern for the well-being of both the citizens of Jamestown and for preserving the precious and endangered character of this community and I defy anyone to question my service and commitment. It is deeply troubling, and I never would have thought it possible, to find that I am now under attack for presenting facts to the harbor commission. I will, of course, continue to volunteer in this community as I profoundly care for the ineffable quality that makes Jamestown such a special place. Unfortunately, I am now painfully aware that sincerity does not immunize me from petty politics.

Richard Ventrone

Member, Harbor Management Commission