Great Opportunity....and Photo Op

This is fantastic idea. Extending the board walk under Route 1 all the way to Cashman is one of those, "Gee I really wish they'd" kind of things that just doesn't seem to happen.

Yet, the Daily News reports this morning that we're at least being considered for a state grant that could help the effort along. Think about the possibility of walking a full mile-plus along our mighty Merrimack, starting at the Towle building and ending on the East Lot (and who knows, maybe someday all the way to Joppa.)

Combine that with the new/improved trail extending from the train station to Merrimack Street and you've got a one-of-a-kind attraction. Hell, you could actually see folks taking the train from points south just to have take a long, uninterrupted walk or bike ride.

This is enormous. (Admittedly, these aren't unique thoughts as the story reports.)

It also presented an great opportunity for our local pols and pol-wannabes as well.

From the News article:

Michael's Harborside yesterday as [John] Moak, [Lt. Gov. Timothy] Murray and [State Rep.] Mike Costello praised the work of those who helped with the rail trail. Costello and Moak touted Newburyport as deserving of continued funding to extend the project.

The crowd included Sheriff Frank Cousins; Michael's Harborside owner Chuck Lagasse; Ann Ormond, president of the Chamber of Commerce; and City Councilor James Shanley. Geordie Vining, the city's senior project manager, also attended and was praised by Moak and Costello for his work on the trail.

The event also seemed to serve as a mini-campaign stop heading into the last weekend of campaigning for some locals seeking public office: Bruce Vogel, the Ward 5 incumbent; at-large council candidate Donna Holaday; mayoral candidate Jim Stiles; and Ed Cameron, who is seeking the Ward 4 council seat, all attended the event.

It's nice those folks got visibility. But the biggest winner of them all is the guy with the big, color photo on the front-page of today's Daily News. If the city does get the $450,000 discussed, it'd be a big two-fer day for John Moak.

The cynical side of me would like to check the Lt. Gov's calendar to see if he made any similar stops along the way. (UPDATE: A mole tells me Murray made similar stops up and down the Merrimack Valley.)

Anyway, this would be a wonderful thing for the city. So here's hoping it happens.