To the editor:

Our family moved to the Oread Neighborhood in September 1991. We knew we were the “minority,” competing with a heavy student population. We grew to love the old house we lived in, and appreciate the history, beauty and ambiance of the area.

We had this misguided notion that families and students can coexist, made the gross error of believing that because these people were obtaining a good education from one of the best colleges in the country that they would be reasonably intelligent and respectful of their neighbors. Wrong!

Over the years, there have been countless parties, many out of control, with underage drinking, public urination, fights, property damage and personal threats. Vandalism of vehicles is the latest twist. All of our cars and countless others in the area were damaged within a month, in one fashion or another. What’s next? I shudder to think!

Our children are grown, and moved away. The neighborhood is still beautiful and historic. The parties still go on, but we’ve had enough. Time to say goodbye to what COULD again be a wonderful area, (with better support and guidance by the city and Chancellor Hemenway) infused with all sorts of life from the mix of young and not so young. Time to say goodbye to good neighbors and bad, to the house I’ve grown to love, to the many hours walking through Oread and campus. Too bad all the culprits here don’t have a clue!

Lenette Hamm,

Baldwin