Letter: Insults, attacks on social media do no good

To the Editor-

I am offended.

A recent post on Facebook indicates that the writer thinks that wealthy people have homes with big lots. Wealth can mean many things. The wealth of knowledge, family, friends, good health, and many other inclusions. Having a big lot can also mean that timing was right. We were able to purchase a piece of land or house when it became available (55 years ago for me). It has nothing to do with money as the writer would have you think.

I am close to my 80th birthday and I’m still working, not living off the income from having an ADU/ACU that intrudes on my neighbors’ homes and property. A city employee posted a comment that said the writer had done her research. I would like to know what research she used. Nothing in the posting used research. Research usually requires numbers and facts. And just what was the research?

The writer should learn how to use facts when making statements about other people. There are many people in my “wealthy” neighborhood who are hardworking individuals and who do their own yard work, housework, and other maintenance types of work. I still do all my own yard work, housework, painting, wallpapering, electric fixes, plumbing fixes, furniture repair, and on and on. And I am not alone. Just yesterday I installed a handheld showerhead in my bathroom.

They don’t know a thing about those they would like to condemn because we’re not falling for what they want. The city employee lives in another community and works in Stevens Point. I think his opinion of anything happening in Stevens Point should be kept to himself, for these reasons: he doesn’t live here, and he has a city govt. job. He has rentals as a handful of government employees who want to push the ADU/ACU proposal through.

Here are some facts. Plan Commissioners Arntsen, Cooper, Hoppe, Haines, and Wiza could not build an ADU/ACU while Rice could. Alders Johnson and Fischler could not since they rent, not own. The following alders could build and have neighbors that could: Morrow, Slowinski, Leek, Kneebone, and Christianson. The other alders that are property owners will not be affected. Is this ethical? Should we have people deciding for others something that will not, and can not affect them in any way?

Where does it say that we have to want what they want? Let them have their rental properties. Build them where present zoning allows. I don’t wish to have my property covered with concrete and buildings. Nor do I wish to see my neighbors have concrete and buildings all over their land. I am not wealthy, but I am rich in knowing how to do many things, and not inflicting my desire to have environmental concerns. I have gardens, trees, bushes, green space, wild space, and everything in between. You don’t have to follow my lead.

There is absolutely no need to have more rentals. In case you haven’t heard, UWSP has had declining enrollment for many years. All the newly built units around town have not been filled, and many more units are in the planning stage.

You have a right to disagree with me, but you do not have a right to try to silence me. To say that all of us should like what you like is merely an attempt to prioritize your feelings and opinions above everyone else. It’s not an argument for you, but a call-to-end discussion. Being offended that you may not get your way isn’t a mark of virtue.

Wagging your fingers at those of us who wish to save our properties from wanton greed is just plain disrespectful.

That is what we get today. You respond with insults and attacks, and that is fundamental because you have not done your homework, lack empathy, historical perspective, and have no inclination or desire to reason.

We have the right to disagree and to fight for our own beliefs.

Ruth Pfiffner
Stevens Point

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