I am a big believer about trying not to complain about things that I have not been involved in the process of, or have been part of before final decisions are being made. I, and my husband, love our city of Northampton in which we were both born, grew up, and lived our entire lives. I do not mind change — my husband not so much.

With that said, it has been more and more difficult for me to defend some of the perceived optics that are being presented within our city’s borders, and beyond. Let me be clear; I am not a proponent of having another car dealership on King Street. With that said, I found myself quite disturbed by the recent article in the Gazette concerning illegal parking on the lot at the property on King Street that was bought by Carla Cosenzi and who owns owns many existing dealerships on King Street [“City says illegal car lot must go,” Sept. 14]. I would have thought at that time Cosenzi’s company bought the property, it would be quite obvious that she would want it for another dealership of some kind, and that parcel that she bought would allow many cars to reside there. I understand that that nearby residents are having a hard time dealing with noise from some beeping horns. That, to me, seems an easy fix. But illegal to park cars there? Really? I did read that she must present a plan that the city will accept (operative word “accept”) after the zoning was changed in May, and after she bought the property. In the meantime, I’m assuming she is paying taxes on said property? Again, excuse me for not having all the facts so take my “opinion” with a grain of salt.

Joanne Mackiewicz

Northampton