Correcting misunderstandings

To the editor: We were delighted with the coverage your newspapers gave our exciting Orange County Land Trust tour last week, and happy to be able to share with your readers some details about property protected in southern Orange County. Founded in 1993, our Land Trust has worked tirelessly with willing landowners to preserve as many landmark properties as possible throughout Orange County, safeguarding the beautiful vistas and healthy air and water so critical to our quality of life. We would, however, like to correct two misunderstandings that appeared in your article. Monroe Racetrack was sold to the Village of Monroe by the owner, Georgina Dupcak, in order to realize Mayor Mancuso’s dream of a village park on that property. Before selling the land to the Village, Ms. Dupcak entered into a conservation agreement with the Land Trust that ensures that no significant building can be done on the land and that it will be kept open and made accessible to the public. Also, several people have called in horror at their misunderstanding that the Land Trust would be interested in selling the Arrow Park property for development. This could not be farther from the truth. The Land Trust is purchasing that land specifically in order to ensure it will remain pristine. Again, thank you for your otherwise excellent article. Yours truly, John Gebhards Executive Director Orange County Land Trust