Will Rogers once said “It isn't what we don't know that gives us trouble. It's what we do know that isn't so.”

There seems to be a lot of the information that is being circulated by the opponents of the proposed oyster farm near Seapowet marsh that isn't so.

 According to its opponents, the proposed project will jeopardize access to public water resources along the Sakonnet River and the Seapowet marsh. The fact is that it is sited in front of private property that can only be accessed from public land by crossing the transient tidal currents of Seapowet Creek.

Many times, I have driven down Seapowet Avenue on a clear "beach" day and seen the parking lot for the public beach close to being full. There are often several kayaks in the marsh as well. Each time, I do not recall seeing anyone on the private beach that is in question.

Several people have said that if Little Compton was so intent on having an oyster farm, they should have one in their town. Point of fact—- there already is an oyster farm just a few miles south of Seapowet off Almy Creek and it is a non-issue. It is so unobtrusive, most people don't even know it is there.

 As a final note, there have been several opinions expressed in public that this is not the concern of Little Compton. The public area at Seapowet is state land, not Tiverton's. Both Little Compton and Tiverton are part of House District 71, as well as Senate District 12. It is well within the purview of our Town Council to act as ombudsmen in matters that are of concern within these districts.

Bob Rottmann

Little Compton