To the editor:

I am concerned about Mr. Anthony: He is actually the one whose myopia is of concern.

If being myopic means “a lack of foresight or discernment : a narrow view of something” — Merriam-Webster Dictionary — then Mr. Anthony’s vision is right on target.

After months of research, meetings upon meetings of various kinds, petitions, public outcry — how can he say that the opponents of the Villages at Grant’s Trail have a narrow view? We actually have looked 360 degrees at the proposals, the substitute bills, the plans, etc.

The problem the opponents have is that the developer’s view is very narrow focused with a huge lack of foresight for the community, street traffic and housing choices.

John Campisi’s constituents have unanimously voiced their concerns about how much they don’t like what’s going on with the development. Not one person in his district stood up at any meeting to say that they liked it or even tolerated it. But did he broaden his focus and even meet their requests halfway? No — the project in every succeeding substitute bill became more and more tightly focused on what the developers wanted and not what the surrounding community wanted.

As for the irony of Grantwood Village “and some nearby residents” — read: people in Campisi’s district — suing the county and the County Council, how about the irony of the chairman as well as another respected councilman donating money to help fund the opponents’ lawsuit? Or the irony of Affton Athletics Association’s board making a sizable donation as well?

Seems to me everyone in the community was willing to accept a development that had a broader focus. Chairman Kurt Odenwald and Councilman Skip Mange agreed with the community. Unfortunately, Mr. Campisi was not only hard of seeing, but hard of hearing for these ideas.

Perhaps your glasses need fine tuning as well.

Elise Vandover

Grantwood Village