My family and I have been residents of Madison for more than 80 years as summer renters and as permanent residents. I well remember Charlie Tweed, World War I flying ace, landing his sea plane at Sea View Beach to give onlookers a ride along the shore. Madison has grown up a great deal since those days, but has always maintained its beautiful country town status, particularly along the Sound.

Recently, Madison and the environment were threatened by a developer who was planning to build 127 luxury homes onto the old Griswold Airport site, encroaching on the Hammonasset State Park and the rare salt marsh that is essential to reproductive sites for many species of the sea and birdlife. Fresh water runoff from the development would severely damage the salt marsh and encourage the growth of phragmites, which stifles all wildlife.

Fortunately, Trust for Public Land contracted with the developer to purchase the airport land and turn it over to the citizens of Madison for open space. A number of concerned and generous individuals have pledged a down payment, leaving $8 million to be raised through a bond issue for this purchase. The voting referendum on

Jan. 26 needs everyone to vote "Yes" for this last in our lifetime opportunity to help save this

special part of our environment.

Charlie Tweed's ghost will be thanking us.

Robert F. Schumann

Madison