Appalled by the town’s actions against artist

To the editor:
    I am appalled at the fact that “the town” has decided to harass this individual. If this is truly a code compliance issue, then Mr. Cardone needs to clean up any trash and remove anything that would, in fact, cause a safety hazard. (And I might ask-who exactly is this a safety hazard to? Someone who is not supposed to be trespassing on the property in the first place?)
    The town has overstepped its authority in telling Mr. Cardone that he can no longer make or display his art on his own property. Mr. Cardone is correct about his constitutional rights. This is very dangerous territory we are going into when certain individuals decide that others no longer are to have these rights.
    There are many artists in this area. Is the town council going to decide who can make what and where it can or can’t be displayed?
    I thought that Houlton was becoming more of a progressive town as opposed to the “Good Ole Bay” mindset.
    Why, all of a sudden, is Mr. Cardone’s artwork a problem as he has been there for the past ten years? Is someone who has some influence in this community planning to move to, or build a structure nearby?
    Many people in this community have “stuff” in their yards, much of which could be considered a “safety hazard”. Have they also received notice from the town? Or perhaps more likely, this is a case of selective enforcement.
    I just hate to see this type of thing happening. This guy keeps to himself and doesn’t bother anyone. And by the way, some of us enjoy seeing the aliens, big foot, Santa Claus, etc. when we drive up Drakes Hill.
Karin (Moulton) Pelletier
Houlton
    Editor’s note: One member of the Town Council and the Town Manager have called last week’s story regarding Cardone’s Drake’s Hill property sensational and misleading. They note that it is not artwork, but a “public health and safety issue” on the premises that they are interested in cleaning up and bringing into conformity with the law.