May 9 — To the Editor:

I've recently read three letters about the proposed auditorium at York High School. A letter of support from Gail Berneike was followed by two responses. One was from Jane McClean and one from William Hackett. I'd like to weigh in on the question of whether the citizens of York should help build a new performance space for our community. I believe the voters will decide on May 16.

I should say that I'm grateful to the York schools for caring about my son and inspiring him to learn. He'll graduate from college soon, and I'm in a reflective mood.

I've always wanted to thank the taxpayers of York for helping my son, especially the taxpayers who don't have, maybe never had, a child in the schools. When he went to Coastal Ridge he got off the bus excited about what he was learning and the opportunities he was given to express himself athletically and artistically. He got up early to go to the middle school, eager to pursue his interests, acquiring discipline and learning how to work hard. At the high school he reveled in athletic challenges, academic rigor and musical arts. The auditorium felt under-sized for his band concerts. The sound system was less than ideal. Seats were iffy, and there weren't enough of them.

I couldn't say it any better than Gail Berneike did in her fine letter, how important I believe the performing arts are to a child's, or to anybody's, well-being. Nor can I say any better how important I think it is for a community to provide a well-designed space to accommodate audience and performers.

I understand that money shouldn't be wasted. And I know that a lot of people thought that the old auditorium was an ill-conceived extravagance 38 years ago. The generous people of York said, let's build it. I think their investment has paid off. Ms. McClean's suggestion that another committee be formed and the Police Station be built first, suggests that this is a new initiative. I think good folks have been working toward an auditorium up-grade for a long time, maybe as long as others have been trying to up-grade the police station.

William Hackett's letter is a hatchet-job on the dedicated and big-hearted people who teach our children well. They deserve better. He hurls insults and offers a work-around: large audiences should be accommodated in the gym. In order for the HS band and chorus to perform together they'd have to do it in the Gym?

There's a character who shares Mr. Hackett's fiscal sensitivity in "A Christmas Carol.” That warm-hearted story has been staged in the aged HS auditorium for many years. It's always nice to see Scrooge have a change of heart, embrace Tiny Tim and dip into his savings. I hope the good people or York will do something similar on May 16.

I doubt a new auditorium will help my son, but it might help my neighbor's sons. I hope it does. Let's build it.

Tony Lee,

York, Maine