Editor's note: The following letter to the editor was submitted by Stratford resident Tara Wexler.
I had the opportunity to review the Short Beach Commission minutes in which there was a motion by Maurice McCarthy to increase the fee for out-of-town visitors to use our beach to $15 as in the surrounding towns.
I am all for increasing revenue for the Town that is not at the expense of us taxpayers, but perhaps Mr. McCarthy needs to take a look at the quality of beaches in the surrounding towns. They are resort-like compared to Stratford.
This year is the worst I have ever seen the beaches look. I go to the beach a few times a week and it has only gotten slightly better since May. There is still trash everywhere, the facilities are in disarray, and the skate park and playground are a wreck.
For example: last week I was there with a few friends and their kids. Our kids were picking trash up from the shoreline like it was treasure. Some of their finds included a cereal box and two plastic oil jugs. I do not think that the beach has been raked once this season and there is all types of wood and other natural debris all over that is attracting swarms of flies.
I pay $15 to use Jennings Beach in Fairfield several times a season and it is worth every penny. The beaches are well groomed, the facilities are nice and the playground is amazing.
If we are really looking to charge more in Stratford we need to step it up. Honestly, as the beach in Stratford looks today, I would be embarrassed to bring a friend from the surrounding towns to visit our beach.
Tara Wexler -- Stratford, CT
