It is impossible that any bulldozer operator would accidentally destroy the Mosher family cemetery, as was stated in the Dec. 6 S-T article, "Historical family burial ground accidentally bulldozed." This cemetery was an obvious feature of the landscape.

The pacifying statements by Ms. Judy Lund, chairwoman of the Dartmouth Historical Commission, indicate that they are too weak and powerless to preserve any of Dartmouth's past. Their meek response to the destruction of the Mosher plot sends a clear message to all developers that there is no need to respect Dartmouth's history.

This weakness was recognized by the developer of the Mosher plot, who slapped the Historical Commission and the anti-monument principles of the old Quakers in the face when the developer made the outrageous offer to erect a monument to replace a traditional Quaker cemetery.

Ms. Lund and Michael Gagne (Dartmouth's executive administrator) need to show some backbone by making a real effort to discipline the developer and his excavation contractor. As a first step, I suggest that Dartmouth pull the current developer's permits. This action will not put the bodies back in the ground, but will financially punish the developer by costing them time and tens of thousands of dollars.

Money is the only language that they will understand. Perhaps then all developers will think twice before making the decision to expediently destroy history for the money to be made by raping an encumbered, small lot for yet another Dartmouth retail store.

Steve Stokowski

Westport