A recent letter to the editor (“Support Picture Main Street,” July 30) expressed a view that opposition to Picture Main Street is limited to a (presumably small) “‘echo chamber’ of those who oppose the project.”
I don’t accept that claim, not without some data to back it up. But so what? The truth isn’t a popularity contest. Minorities can be wrong, but they can also be right. And to be clear: anyone saying “Picture Main Street is bad because the majority is against it” is falling into the same trap. It’s a non-argument either way.
So much for the popularity contest, but the wishes of Northampton residents certainly do count for something. In fact, last week, while the city held its “pop in” to show plans of the project, a person held a sign outside saying “Put it on the Ballot.”
Why not put Picture Main Street on the ballot? Let the voters decide, whatever the outcome. If the advocates of Picture Main Street are truly confident opposition is limited to a small “echo chamber,” then they will surely be eager to take up this suggestion.
Arvid Nelson
Northampton