Dear editor:

I never thought that when I asked NOTL residents to “ask why” when debating property rights I’d be afraid of the answers given.

I never thought I’d see quasi-xenophobic views such as, “You can build what you want somewhere else.”

I did, however, foresee people being open with their justifications for violating our inalienable rights.

No, despite one letter writer’s suggestion, rights are indeed absolute. The fact the Charter tramples on our rights does not negate the fact that we have them. They are simply being violated.

No, despite another writer’s argument, the majority, the ones who “want the town’s heritage to be protected,” are indeed violating the rights of the smallest minority – the individual – when they use the government to coerce individuals, telling them how they can and cannot use their own property.

“A ‘right’ is a moral principle defining and sanctioning a man’s freedom of action in a social context,” according to Ayn Rand, and the role of government is to protect our rights, not carry out the tyranny of the majority.

That said, I still appreciate the fact people want to protect the town’s history. All I’m asking is that people not violate rights when trying to protect that history. By all means, please do “fight to keep (NOTL) this way” but if you want to protect the town’s history:

Convince residents to maintain “how this town’s architecture looks” with words, not government coercion.

Set up a trust fund and raise money to purchase those “original residential properties and streetscapes” so they can be maintained.

And donate money to the local museum or Fort George.

Just don’t use government coercion to stop development.

Alexander Evans
NOTL