Poll Update

Only four more days to vote on the Lobbyist poll. Reminder, he'll be at City Hall tonight meeting with, hopefully, a handful of councilors.

As for results thus far, I'm not completely surprised. I didn't expect the larger number of respondents to be dead set against the idea, but I suppose I should have.

Keep voting.

And now a word from our sponsor

Kate Yeomans, who interned at the Daily News back in The Day and has one of the best nautical-themed names ever, agreed to buy me a large coffee at Plum Island roasters if I ran a plug for her new venture.

I couldn't, in good conscience, run the entire press release. But here's a sampling.

BOAT CAMP Inc., a new nonprofit marine education program based in Newburyport, MA, is accepting registration for spring and summer. After 19 years with Coastal Discoveries, Rob and Kate Yeomans formed BOAT CAMP Inc. last fall in order to expand and diversify marine education offered in the community.

And the Web site for Boat Camp.

I am now a paid blogger. Don't tell the IRS.

In all seriousness, programs like this and Coastal Discoveries are yet another reason I love living in this city. Good stuff. (Now I just have to convince her to waive the eight-year-old age minimum and take The Boy out for a few longish vogages this summer.)

A little inside tidbit on Newburyport Posts

When I have nothing to write I'll comment on the poll. Watch for it.

Lack of Interest in Lobbyist?

The Daily News has an item today indicating that only a handful of Councilors have agreed to attend tomorrow's meeting with Howard Marlowe, the lobbyist (or consultant if you prefer), the fellow some Plum Islanders would like to hire to help restore Plum Island's jetty and beaches.

It's unclear what's keeping the majority of councilors away. But Ward 6 Councilor Tom O'Brien didn't mince words.

"I'm not going to waste my time going to a meeting to talk about hiring a lobbyist," O'Brien said. "If we have $18,000, we've got better things to do with it than that."

The meeting apparently will go on at 7 p.m. tomorrow on the second floor of City Hall.

We'll see.
There's also a few letters on this subject worth giving a read.

Karp is Coming!

I initially chuckled at the headline screaming across the top of the Daily News announcing that Steve Karp would make a public appearance in Port.

I then realized I've spent the past six months complaining that he needs to do such a thing so I should stop being a jerk and just be grateful.

So this is me being grateful.

...

Okay, enough of that.

In Stephen Tait's article, John Moak said the details of the visit haven't been worked out yet. (By the way, it might have been wise political move on Karp's part to let Moak announce the visit.) I'll take the uncertainty as an open invitation to opine on what I'd like to see happen.

First, Mr. Karp should plan on spending the day, maybe even the weekend. But a day should do it.

Since he has no real plans to present I don't see the need for a wide open meeting at City Hall or the fire house. In fact, I'd suggest that such a meeting might invite some posturing and grandstanding that might be couter productive. (I'm happy to hear he's coming up without a plan. At least it gives the appearance that local opinion will matter, and it very well may.)

Instead, he should have two or three gatherings at Michael's, the Black Cow and 10 Center Street. The public should be welcome to all of them, but different groups could be invited to different venues so Karp and the team get a chance to personally interact with groups like the Chamber, SEED, Waterfront Trust, the Newburyport Mother's Club, the Daily News' folks, humble bloggers, and certainly the Buy Local folks. I'm sure there are other groups I'm missing.

The more I think about it, I'm not sure a day will do it. Two might be better so he can spend a weekend (I offer up my sofa bed) or, and this is crazy, make more than one drive up to Newburyport.

Bottom line, I hope these meeting will invite some real face-to-face time with the folks who will be most impacted by what he plans to do along our Riverfront.

Still, it's a nice gesture. So I'm back to being grateful

Sun Worship

Well, worship might be strong. But here's a nice write up on David Hall's efforts at the Tannery.

New Poll

Look to the right. Got a new poll on whether or not the city should kick in money to hire a lobbyist to help repair Plum Island's beaches.

I tried to represent four main views. If you have other comments to add, post a comment to this link.

One vote per person unless someone wants to visit the site from differnet computers. Or you can haul your computer to your home, office, Plum Island Roasters, Nutcracker and the Library if you'd like to vote multiple times.

For the record, I haven't voted yet but I'm leaning toward, Yes. I fear we don't have a choice.

I intentionally left off any answer suggesting this is Plum Island's problem. I don't think that's a reasonable position. But tell me if you disagree.

Here's some background. Victor Tine has written many more articles on this subject as well. This is just one. UPDATE: Check out this direct plea in today's Daily News.

Newbury to commit thousands to 'Sand-a Claus'

By Victor Tine
Staff writer

NEWBURY - Selectmen will ask the Finance Committee for $10,000 to fund part of a Washington lobbyist's fee in hopes of convincing Congress to put up the money to replenish Plum Island beach.

A group of island homeowners put up $4,000 and is asking Newbury and Newburyport for $18,000 each to pay for the services of Marlowe & Co., a Washington lobbying firm that specializes in beach restoration projects.

Selectmen voted on Tuesday night to approve the town's share for the current fiscal year, which runs through June 30. The rest of Newbury's contribution would be allocated to the next fiscal year and would likely need Town Meeting approval, according to Town Counsel Anthony Penski.

Newburyport Mayor John Moak is expected to hold a meeting on Jan. 31 to discuss whether the city will also join the lobbying effort, according to Robert Connors of Annapolis Way, a member of the island homeowners' group.

Marlowe & Co. is headed by Howard Marlowe, who has been dubbed "Sand-a Claus" by the national newspaper USA Today for his ability to deliver beach replenishment funding to his clients.

"This is his specialty," said Selectman Joseph Story. "I think there's an awful lot of merit to getting someone who knows which hoops to jump through and which hoops not to jump through."

Selectmen Chairman Vincent Russo agreed.

"I think this a worthwhile investment," he said.

The beach between the south jetty at the northern tip of the island and what is known as Plum Island Center or Center Island has been badly eroded in recent years, notably by a nor'easter in April. The jetty itself is in disrepair and is channeling water in a corrosive pattern toward the beach.

"We have a sick jetty, creating a sick beach, that is owned by the federal government," Connors said.

The Merrimack River boating channel between the island and Salisbury Beach has not been dredged since 1999 and is filling with sand that could be used to replenish the beach.

For his $40,000 fee, Marlowe's task will be to persuade Congress to appropriate the estimated $3 million to $5 million needed to dredge the channel and deposit the sand directly onto the beach.

Southern Boulevard resident Lois Smith, a member of the Plum Island Beach Committee, mentioned a meeting held last Friday among federal, state and local officials to begin the planning and implementation of beach nourishment programs on a regional basis.

She asked if it would be worthwhile to pursue that path rather than hiring a lobbyist and raised the possibility that Marlowe might not be successful.

"Does he give the (town's) money back if he doesn't deliver the (federal) money?" she asked.

Russo and Story, who both attended last Friday's meeting, cited differences between the two approaches.

"This is a short-term thing. That's a long-term thing," Story said. "If we don't do the short-term thing, we'll never get to the long-term thing."

Russo, a physician, compared the beach to a patient. He said the dredging project was like stabilizing the patient in the ambulance and the regional approach was the surgery performed later in the hospital.

Plum Island Boulevard resident Alba Gouldthorpe, whose house sustained severe flooding damage last April, stressed that Newburyport needs to be brought on board for the project. She said if the island were breached at Plum Island Center, the Newburyport section of the island would be cut off.

"You've got to let them know. If we lose, they lose," she told selectmen.

Connors said there are 450 houses in the Newburyport section that are reachable only by going through Newbury. He also said that 150 of the 750 houses in the Newbury section are owned by Newburyport residents.

He said that putting up Newbury's share of the fee would show Newburyport the depth of the town's commitment.

"Newbury is going to lead by example. We're all in this together," he said. "I honestly believe we don't have any choice. We have to make this work."

Best Directions Ever

In my real job, I've visited a lot of Web sites before physically visiting the actual companies they represent, and iMarc's are by far the best driving directions I've come upon.

Nicely done.

City looks at Windmills

This little item about the Cape Winds project generated significant comment so the planning board clearly is onto something by drafting regulations regarding turbines and other green energy.

Not that they needed validation from a blog.

State Street Reversal

Interesting proposal floated in the Daily News today--reversing the direction of traffic on State Street so it runs toward Market Square instead of away. The change would--in Stephen Tait's words--create a "more logical entrance into downtown Newburyport."

Additionally, the new traffic flow would guide more cars to parking at the East NRA lot. Not a bad idea but as far as I know we're still not sure that's going to be parking.

But I do see a benefit. The upper end of State Street from the Library down to Pleasant Street would suddenly become a vital part of the downtown rather than a stump to the current State Street/Pleasant Street triangle. This shift would make those locations much more desirable.

All in all the idea certainly warrants study, which the city is doing.

Good to hear it.

More, More Trouble in Westwood

Some Canton-area business have filed a lawsuit against the Westwood project that New England Development is part of, a nice bookend to the suit filed by neighbors.

Good Dredge Talk

In the comments section of The Sand Guy.

No Way WSJ

Rupert Murdoch apparently will NOT follow the Daily News' lead and make the Wall Street Journal's Web site free. (WSJ subscribers have to pay an additional $49 for access to the Web site.)

Sand-a-Claus is coming to town

Mayor Moak is lining up a meeting with City Councilors and Howard Marlowe, the lobbyist a group of Plum Islanders would like to hire. Details in the News.

Moak hasn't committed to the idea yet, but he's rightfully giving it a fair hearing. Obviously this will be open to the public so stop by if you're interested.

Regarding my knocks on John Tierney, here's an excerpt from Victor Tine's article:

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. John Tierney said he is meeting with officials of the Army Corps of Engineers this week to discuss projects in his district and the Plum Island work is "at the very top" of his priority list.

The Salem Democrat secured $654,000 for the channel dredging in the current federal fiscal year, and Tierney said he would try to obtain an estimated $800,000 more in the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. The cost of dredging the channel between Plum Island and Salisbury Beach, and then pumping the dredged sand directly onto the beach, has been estimated at $1.4 million.

So he's working hard at it with some degree of success. Still, something about hiring a lobbyist sticks in my craw. But, according to Victor's article, it's been done before.

Marlowe's 23-year-old firm, Marlowe & Company, represents more than 40 governmental entities in 12 states and has had particular success in obtaining congressional "earmarks" for beach replenishment programs, earning Marlowe the nickname "Sand-a-Claus."

A group of Plum Island homeowners raised the idea in recent weeks of retaining Marlowe's services. They have put up $4,000 of their own money and are trying to get both Newburyport and Newbury to appropriate the other $36,000 to make up the $40,000 fee.

One of the homeowners, Newbury selectmen Chairman Vincent Russo, has said on several occasions that he has been trying to work on beach replenishment through the area's congressional delegation for three years without success.

I'd be a lot more comfortable with the idea if the fee were contingent upon success. Should be an interesting meeting if it happens.

The Sand Guy

Good editorial today by the Daily News about the lobbyist--aka Sand-a-Claus--that Newbury and Newburyport may hire to get some serious and necessary help for Plum Island's eroding beach.

The News, not surprisingly, came out against the idea. After I glanced the headline I initially dismissed it as merely another expression of the News' conservative editorial stance on, well, everything.

But then I did what any interested citizen should do: I read it.

And the editorial raises a good point. Why the hell are we considering paying someone to lobby for us when we've elected so-called representatives in government to do the job? Doesn't this seem unnecessary?

From the editorial:

The argument in favor of hiring the firm, whose president, Howard Marlowe, spoke last week to a group at the Plum Island Taxpayers and Associates Hall and to the Newbury Finance Committee, is pretty well summed up by Newbury Selectman Joseph Story. "This is his specialty," Story said. "There's an awful lot of merit to getting someone who knows which hoops to jump through and which hoops not to jump through."

Yes, there is. But isn't that what the region's congressional delegation is for? Aren't actual legislators, like Sixth District Congressman John Tierney along with Sens. John Kerry and Ted Kennedy, supposed to be more familiar with legislative "hoops" than a lobbyist? Isn't that one of the reasons they were elected - to represent the interests of their constituents?

This is an excellent point, and it's one that John Tierney and other politicians shouldn't be missing. I can think of no bigger blot on a Congressman's record than having constituents who may lose their homes feeling that they have to hire a lobbyist to get help from their own government. (No doubt, our elected politications would take much of the credit if/when the necessary aid does arrive.)

Initially, I thought this might just be the price of doing business. Perhaps it is, but now I also see it as a case of double-dipping. We're not only paying the representatives, but now we're going to pay folks to communicate our needs to representatives.

Let me be clear. I do see the wisdom of the idea. I recognize the need and I do believe that Plum Island is a vital part of both Newbury and Newburyport. This isn't their problem. It's our problem.

I also recognize the lobbyist, Howard Marlowe of Marlowe & Co., gets results. They're on his Web site. So if he's successful he'll have earned his money. (I have to admit, though, a vision of The Music Man's Professor Harold Hill's "Trouble in River City" flashed into my head as I read the account of his visit to Plum Island.)

But the idea of taking $30,000 to $40,000 away from Newbury and Newburyport to pay for a service we should already be getting bugs me. And, if we decide it's necessary, than that's a troubling statement about our representation.

Can we have one too?

Mr. Karp could do far worse than opening one of these downtown. Ideally, the store would offer predominantly locally grown foods.

Isn't it Ironic

The real word provided an complete contrast to our discussion about the questionable characters who have been honored by the city.

I'm speaking, of course, of the city's dedicating the new school to Ed Molin. I think I only met Ed once or twice so we weren't pals. But I can't recall anyone uttering a bad word about him. The only criticism I've heard is how dogged he could be if he wanted you to volunteer.

The stories of him bringing books and reading to school kids are quite touching. I got a second-hand account of his final visit to the school when he was too ill to read. The children read to him instead.

I'm told there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

Good move by the school department on this one.

Oh, and I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that Jean Foley Doyle's book contains a harrowing World War II story by Ed, who was part of the force invading Okinawa.

Honestly

Is this really worthy of New York?

This reeks of Midwest humor. I'd expect this from St. Louis or, perhaps, Green Bay.

The explanation.

I'm embarrassed for New York. These must be hard times.

Bossy on Chain Stores

It's fair to say Andrew "Bossy" Gillis wouldn't think much of today's downtown. At the very least he'd be more than a little perterbed that urban renewal ripped down his gas station in Market Square.

But he might be inclined to stand and fight for the proposed chain store ban that supposedly would save our downtown. Jean Foley Doyle's book pulled this out of The Liberator, Bossy's second newspaper and a far less famous relation than The Asbestos.

"Stupor Stores" are the latest things in sweat shops ... all erection of "Stupor Stores" by "Chain-Gang Corporations" have ever meant to any community are elimination of jobs, ruination of the neighborhood and creation of a price-jacking monopoly.

I don't know which Supermarket he was decrying. Around the same time--the 1940s--John Marquand cut the ribbon on a new A&P Supermarket at 88 State Street, which puts it near the library. Imagine, a chain store downtown.

His comments surely resonated with folks but did the miss the mark? I'm willing to accept jobs were eliminated when the many neighborhood markets closed. It's reasonable to assume the supermarkets--like chain or big box stores--require fewer employees per square foot than smaller ones.

But were the neighborhoods ruined? He might think so and perhaps some long-time Newburyporters would agree. Reading Life in Newburyport: 1900-1950 really does demonstrate a time when the South End, North End and downtown were invidual and vital communities. That exists to some extent today but not to the degree spelled out in the book. As I pass through neighborhoods I try to imagine which homes might have been The Corner Stores of the time, the centers of commerce for each street and neighborhood.

However, I can't say the neighborhoods that I walk through each morning to work are ruined. To my eyes they're quite special. I still shake my head some days in disbelief that I live here.

As for the price-jacking monopoly, whose to say? They are largely the only game in town. But you can find options if you look hard enough and, perhaps, spend a bit more for quality. I'm a Tendercrop guy. Folks in Amesbury might explore Vermette's (which I was pleased to see is still around even after the arrival of Stop & Shop.)

So maybe Bossy was wrong on this one. But the excerpt is a Grade A example of why I'm enjoying the book. History does indeed repeat itself.

It also teaches us something. Too often we equate the ownership of our commercial enterprises with being the "heart and soul" of our community. The former should be considered a part of the latter, but only part. We can be a rich, robust community whether or not there's a Gap downtown, an A&P on State Street or a Market Basket on Storey Ave.

Free, the Daily News

Interesting email from the Daily News. My first response was, "Smart move, finally." Then I remembered I'm a subscriber and I did enjoy being special (although most of the fresh content already was free anyway.)

But this is the way papers are moving online. The Times went free and the Wall Street Journal will if it hasn't already.

Can't wait to see what happens. I'll likely keep my subscription because I like getting the paper in the morning.

The online media presentations are worth checking out, by the way. Good stuff.

Overall, I still find the web site is still clunky. It could use some freshening up. It'd be nice to have some individual town pages as well.

And where is the blog!!

Dear Subscriber:

I have great news -- news guaranteed to increase your access to the very best in local information and advertising North of Boston. And for free!

Beginning February 1, access to NewburyportNews.com will be free and unrestricted -- and all content will be available to everyone on the Internet. You'll no longer need to log on to the Plus Edition and you'll still receive complete access to our local news coverage every day. In addition, you'll continue to have complete access to all printed obituaries.

We've made big improvements during 2007 to enhance your experience on our websites. These improvements include:

. An entire multimedia section to redefine your experience with local news. The section contains an entire library of video, audio and photographic slideshows.

. Our new breaking news section, located at the top of the home page, provides
you with important information about local events as they occur.

. In September, we launched the groundbreaking RallyNorth.net, a website dedicated exclusively to covering high school sports that is already a huge hit with students and sports enthusiasts who want the best in local game coverage, stats, and stories North of Boston.

. You can now purchase high-quality reprints of photos that appear on any RALLYNORTH web page. It's like having an entire professional photography staff working just for you.

. We significantly upgraded website services to provide you with the best access to shopping information North of Boston. We expanded and simplified our Classified Connection website and introduced WheelsNorth.com --North of Boston's largest new and used car website.

And we have great plans lined up for 2008 -- including the addition of the nation's leading obituary and remembrance website, Legacy.com, to our site.

Our goal is to be the premier online destination for local news and information North of Boston -- for everyone. We're working hard to accomplish that every day.

We encourage your feedback. We get some of our best ideas from you, our online readers. Please send your e-mail suggestions to feedback@eagletribune.com.


Sincerely,



Al Getler,
Group Publisher

One of the Things I've learned from...

Life in Newburyport 1900-1950.

Bossy Gillis was sort of a jerk.

I knew he was combatitive. Afterall, he's most famous for punching elderly (or very senior) Mayor Cashman in the mush. I also understand how the populist sentiment swept him into office several times. Frankly, sounds like the city needed it.

The book also presents a softer side (and more complete picture) Gillis. But overall, the guy comes off as well...a jerk in most cases. In one particular instance, a talk at City Hall just prior to the U.S. entry into World War II he demonstrated an ugly streak (one that's refuted later in the book.)

No real surprise there, I know. I just find it funny that we named our biggest monument, a bridge, after him.

But I suppose the Gillis bridge is a fitting book end to the Lord Timothy Dexter Industrial Park. By John Marquand's account in Timothy Dexter Revisited, Dexter was a brilliant (or lucky) business man with a healthy and extremely eccentric ego (not to mention a weakness for liquor and women.)

I thought he was actually a Lord until I read the book. The title was largely sarcastic by my reading.

While every interested Newburyporter should read Marquand's book, every Newburyport home should have a copy of Jean Foley Doyle's in their bookcase.

At the very least you'll get a chuckle while driving through the industrial park or over the Gillis bridge. We need to come up with a fitting name for the rail trail that will connect the two.

Yet another reason to love this city. We honor our characters, even the flawed ones.

p.s. After I wrote this I see Time Magazine beat me to it by 80 years or so. Classic stuff. Mary Eaton made a slightly more recent connection. I need to hunt down this biography next.

Chico's and other things I've been wrong about

Today's Daily News reports that Chico's is indeed coming.

Construction on the building should begin within the week and the store likely will open in the spring.

This contradicts the far more speculative piece the News posted on Thursday, causing me to further speculate why Chico's may not be coming including the company's weakened financial state.

Sooooo, just ignore that last item.

Other things I was not so right about:

I oversimplified the stance of those city councilors who were opposed to having an override last spring. Yes, the cost of the election was discussed. But there were other factors at play including a breakdown of communications between the school committee and City Council. Those problems have been addressed if not rectified. Plus, it turns out the city ultimately did pay the costs after the school's offered to do so (although ultimately it's all the same dough, right?

In one of my many chain store missives I suggested the Little River project could be a real threat to downtown businesses. Well, I think the scope of the project is considerably less than I thought at the time of writing. From what I have heard so far it sounds like an interesting project. I leave it up to the city to decide whether or not providing the water/sewer service is a good diea.

I'm sure there are more. Come on, don't be shy.

Shots Heard Round The Waterfront

Has the war over Waterside West begun? Massive wars often have seemingly minor starts. Lexington-Concord certainly didn't amount to much in size, but we know the results.

Similarly, the recent scrap over the Karp & Co.'s request to add 24 boat slips doesn't seem like much. But it could be the start of an uncivil war over the development of the Waterfront. I'm hoping this dispute will prove to Property owners Steve Karp that the current one-way line of communication isn't cutting it.

First, the dispute as told by the Daily News' Stephen Tait:

City Councilor Larry McCavitt last night blasted a plan to reconfigure a riverfront marina and add 24 boat slips to the Merrimack River, calling the application incomplete and the plan an "incremental" development of the land dubbed Waterfront West.

But despite the Ward 1 councilor's objections, the Harbor Commission voted unanimously to approve the proposal, which was presented by Butch Frangipane, marina manager for Stephen Karp, the billionaire developer who is looking to develop Waterfront West, an 8-acre plot of land between the Black Cow Restaurant and the Route 1 bridge.

The plan calls for reconfiguring the Hilton marina, near the Black Cow, and adding another series of floating docks perpendicular to the enclosed deck of the Black Cow.

McCavitt argued that Frangipane's application did not follow the rules set by the Harbor Commission, by not showing the entire property, by not showing where parking spaces for the slips' users would go and by not showing the area affected by Chapter 91, the state law that monitors development near waterways.

A particular sticking point for McCavitt, who is not part of the commission but was there speaking against the proposal, was the parking required to be provided by the marina for the slips. He said there is no indication of where that parking is or if it could be provided...

New docks will jut out into the river 240 feet from the back of the Black Cow. The present docks - which extend 380 feet into the Merrimack River and include 46 slips - are directly to the west of the Black Cow.

Half of the 24 new slips will be for larger boats, in the 40-to-45-foot range. The fueling station along the river at Hilton's will also be removed.

Now, I know squat about boats or docks, but the idea made sense to me when I first read about it a few months back. To be honest I enjoy the marina even though I don't have a boat. I like staring at the boats in the summer. I enjoy watching the boats get pulled off and on the water each Fall and Spring. This area seems like the only genuine part of the working waterfront left.

Still, I found myself mentally cheering for McCavitt as I read Stephen's article. The opposition initially surprised me, but as I read I thought McCavitt made some good points. Frankly, I was glad to read someone was asking questions to ensure the application got a proper vetting. This isn't intended as a knock against the city in general or the harbor commission but these were the first critical comments I can recall reading.

Not everyone agrees. A friend wrote to suggest McCavitt is "stirring up unnecessary trouble." Indeed the article about the meeting led to the writing of at least three letters published in the News and/or the Current. Here, here, and here . Like me, none of the authors opposed the idea, but they complained about the apparent lack of oversight.

As my friend points out, there's plenty of room for 28.8 cars (1.2 per slip) once the boats are in the water. At one time the deep seat boat used up 50 to 75 spaces, by my friend's account, so there's plenty of room for 28.8. Plus, there's the environmental benefit of removing the fuel dock from the river, lessening the risk of a spill. So there's really no downside to the plans.

But that isn't really the point.

To be honest I'm still a little unclear on the whole mess. McCavitt says the applicant must account for the new parking in it plans. Butch Frangipane and Chuck Lagasse say they don't. One letter writer says he found copies of documents supporting two positions.

I see more wisdom in McCavitt's stance. Every element of a project this large--including parking--should be accounted for in the plans. I'm just not sure what the city actually requires, but enough of this speculation.

Here's a fact. While I read the article I found myself appreciating McCavitt's stance at the meeting. I'm also somewhat sympathetic to the letter-writers (although I thought use of the word "sinister" is a bit much.) Afterall, we've had no words, ideas or thoughts put forth from Karp & Co. other than "the plan is coming" and "you're gonna love it."

Well, that stance isn't working. It'd be nice to get a dialogue going so locals at least feel empowered. Otherwise, every single move should undergo as intense scrutiny as the marina plans.

My friend wisely asks, "At what point do all of these fears of the unknown become unnecessary--and counter productive--hysteria?"

I don't know the answer to that. But if this continues we're going to find out if this meeting is a single skirmish or the beginning of a much larger fight.

Aggression or Recession?

I missed the little interesting tidbit in yesterday's "Around the Town" item in the Daily News (more on a later post)about Chico's.

Apparently, Chico's may not be coming. The company pulled Newburyport off its Web site and the infamous Monster ad can't be found anywhere.

So, are they pulling out? Looks like it although the Daily News couldn't get either of the interested parties to talk about it.

The item did suggest that perhaps Chico's management shifted gears when faced with the local opposition, as meager as it was.

Oh, I doubt it.

The more likely culprit? Chico's is hurting. Its stock--which traded at $25-plus in the summer--now is at $7.

And the company expects to report its first quarterly loss in 11 years.

It isn't alone. This whole "Missy" segment--women over 35 (I bet you all love that name)--is hurting.

Yikes

Yikes.

Community Newspaper Holdings owns the Daily News but not the Miami Herald, which considered the idea.

No real Newburyport connection here. Just a journalism thing.

The City Council Show-Results!

Although I was a little disappointed no one picked up the gauntlet I so weakly tossed down earlier this week, our new Council President James Shanley checked in to say he's working on the audio problem.

Excellent news. Thanks.

Stay tuned. Newburyport Posts will be holding a fund-raiser to cover the costs of purchasing and installing the buzzers and piano.

More Trouble in Westwood

Actually it's the same trouble, just written by the Globe instead of the Patriot Ledger.

Again, I do think Karp's partner is being a little cavalier here. I now see why.

Jay Doherty, president of Cabot, Cabot & Forbes, stressed that the lawsuit would not halt the development's construction. He said the developers will take advantage of changes to state law, made during the Romney administration, which allow developers to continue with a project while an appeal of a local board's decision is pending in court.

While the developers run the risk of spending money on a project for which the court may ultimately nullify a local board's approval, Doherty said the court rarely overturns a local board's decision. And this project, he noted, underwent thorough review by the Planning Board and also received several approvals to changes in zoning by Town Meeting to allow for its construction

I'm not necessarily a fan of these suits, particularly as they're used more often as a bludgeon by angry abutters to a reasonable project.

I was on the other end of this type of suit while I served on the Sutton planning board. In one case, a group of residents sued to nullify the board's approval of a Home Depot distribution center.

Say what you want about Home Depot (I hate it), the center would have been located off a highway in an industrial park. The board crossed every T and dotted every I, yet the abutters sued anyway.

Home Depot didn't feel like waiting around two-plus years until a land court judge ruled in the Planning Board's favor. (Note, I wasn't on the board during the decision. But I was there when the judgment came down.)

Now before we get all wrapped up in the notion that chain stores don't care. In a second case, a group of neighbors sued over the Planning Board's approval of a locally-owned landscaping business. The business met every bit of zoning. There were some complications but the process was open and fair and frankly the project would have cleaned up an existing environmental hazard.

Still, the business owner walked instead of trying to fight a suit.

New England Development & Co. clearly isn't going to walk away from the Westwood project. But boy it will be interesting to watch if a land court judge finds in the plaintiff's favor.

Bonus point: The Globe article is written by Daily News alumnus James "Jamie" Vaznis.

Did I miss a local report on this?

From the Globe.

NEWBURYPORT
$12M LOAN TO UPGRADE WASTE-WATER PLANT - The city will be eligible for a low-interest loan to fund upgrades to its waste-water treatment plant. Governor Deval Patrick's office announced last week that the state will offer financing, with 2 percent interest, to 99 communities across the state to help upgrade or replace aging waste-water and water-supply infrastructure. Newburyport was authorized for a $12 million loan to improve its waste-water plant, which has been described by officials as being on its last legs. Former City Councilor Erford Fowler cited the aging plant and its need for costly repairs last spring as one reason he opposed a tax increase to fund the city's schools. Newburyport must now file a loan application and receive approval from the state's Department of Environmental Protection to obtain the funding. - Kay Lazar

Good news, no? I believe the fix up was supposed to cost $20 million-plus?

I know this means we're just eligible to apply. But at least it's a start.

Trouble in Westwood

Seems some residents filed suit to delay New England Development's ambitious project in Westwood.

The fellow representing the developers is pretty cavalier about the suit, but I wouldn't be so sure.

I don't think the suit will kill the project, but these things take time to get resolved.

Said it before,

and I'll say it again. I'm willing to bet a cup of coffee that Karp & Co. present no significant plans for the Waterside West site this year.

I just don't see how any plans can go forward with a soft real estate market locally, relatively weak consumer confidence and a retail development tailing off nationally. (Did anyone notice that 3BR "luxury" condo selling for $399,000 in the Daily News?)

A reader kindly directed us to this recent article in the Jan. 9 Wall Street Journal, "Housing Drop Saps Retail Landlords' Strength."

The gist:

Sparked by the housing boom across the country, shopping-center and mall developers have gone on a tear in recent years, delivering millions of square feet of new space in Phoenix, San Antonio, Cleveland, Tampa, Fla., and numerous other markets. Since 2005, developers in the U.S. have produced more retail space than office space, rental apartments, warehouse space or any other commercial real estate category.

But just as that new space is hitting the market, demand is declining. Mounting home foreclosures have sapped the strength of previously hot markets like Phoenix and California's Inland Empire near Los Angeles, leaving retail-property owners with rising vacancies and slower leasing rates for new space. And anemic sales gains in the just-completed holiday season fell short even of the retail industry's tepid preseason forecast.

For those of you concerned about chain stores willing to take losses on local stores to preserve a hold or monopoly on the larger market, this article suggests that isn't necessarily a case.

Analysts expect that more bankruptcies and liquidations of second-tier retailers are likely this year. Some retailers, such as Talbots Inc., are closing weak stores. Projected retail demand will justify only 43% of the new space delivered this year and last, predicts market-research firm Property & Portfolio Research Inc.

Note, I have NO idea how our local Talbots is going. Well, I hope.

More from the article:

Retail development is "basically at a three-year high," says Steven Marks, chief of research on real estate investment trusts at Fitch Ratings Inc. "And that three-year high is at a point in the economic cycle where it's probably not the best time to be developing right now."

If consumer spending falls off much more, the retail-property market faces a bloodbath, some say. "In a recessionary scenario, retail gets killed, absolutely killed," says Suzanne Mulvee, senior economist at Property & Portfolio Research.

If the market holds steady, current trends will still translate into varying degrees of stress for owners of retail property. Most of the country's largest malls are owned by huge public companies that are financially equipped to survive a downturn, but the stocks of many of them are trading near their 52-week lows.

And smaller owners that bought or developed property at the top of the market expecting high occupancy and high rents may face problems with their lenders. Some are already scrapping or delaying projects that are scheduled to be delivered this year.

If you're skimming, take a moment to reread the last graph. For those keeping track at home, Karp bought the bulk of his Port properties in 2005, the top of the market.

Perhaps I'm wrong, but a cup of coffee says I'm not.

Happy 200

This is the 200th item on Newburyport Posts. Thanks again for reading.

Regarding the need for an economic development director, laid out in Stephen Tait's article here, does anyone think this should be a regional, rather than community effort.

I understand that we can't share in the benefits, a new business to Amesbury won't help Newburyport's revenue and visa versa. But there has to be a benefit to taking a regional approach about this. If this entire corner of Mass. is vital and attractive to industry, then I think Amesbury, Salisbury and Newburyport all will benefit.

Can we each kick in money for a full-time person? Or does it need to be done by each community.

I favor the former.

The Last Item Caught My Eye

I thought Karp had revealed his plans finally.

Seriously, how about some windmills on the waterfront?

The City Council Show

So last night I plopped down on the couch and turned on the local cable network to watch the New Council in action.

Ten minutes later or so, something went kablooey. Couldn't watch the rest of the meeting.

I surfed until I hit a documentary "Television Pioneers." (God, what will it take for me to crack open a damn book. I'm embarrassed.) Anyway, I learned all about how Johnny Carson and Company changed late-night TV. It was a bit over-the-top. These guys didn't exactly cure polio.

Well, I woke up this morning with these two titillating TV experiences swirling around my head.

Here are the painful result.

Top 10 Ways to Improve the City Council Broadcast

10) Better Audio. Not really a joke here, but I can't hear anyone.

9) Councilors must race to ring buzzers to get recognized by the President.

8) Establish a panel of ex-City Councilors for pre-game and post-game discussion filled with yucks and hijinx.

7) Council President Needs Musical Sidekick. Perhaps City Clerk Richard Jones could play the piano?

6) Spice up the new seat selection process by placing an idol under one of the chairs. Holder of the idol is immune from next municipal election.

5) Did I mention the audio.

4) Oprah.

3) Three Words: Wheel of Override.

2) Hire better writers.

And the number one way to improve the Council Broadcasts

1) I leave this one to our clever commenters.

The Poll

I've been away for a few days hence no blogging. But I'm back.

Well, the poll results were interesting. I never would have pegged Restructure City Govt. as the second most pressing issue facing the Council. To James Shanley's point, it's an issue the council can actually address directly, unlike the schools, but I would put senior center or Karp higher on the list.

I voted for schools. Shanley asked what details folks like me had in mind when we voted for schools since they aren't under the council's purview. Well, here's what I was thinking.

First, it'd be nice to find some money to address the pressing issues facing the schools. I recognize this is a mean feat at this time in the city. I also recognize the mayor is the one with access to the books.

So, if it isn't in the council's power to find a financial remedy, I'd ask that city councillors go as far as they can to encourage two things. First, civility between those seeking the override and those opposing it. I'm not casting aspersions upon either side in last year's election.

To do this I'd hope the council gets engaged earlier in the decision-making process facing the school committee, with the goal being that override request is anticipated or even expected long before the actual paperwork is filed.

I suspect the mechanisms are in place for this to happen.

Second, I was disappointed the early discussion about last year's override centered around the cost of the election.

I couldn't believe this. The schools--the single largest and most visible department in the city--faced a fiscal emergency, and the early debate centered upon the timing of their cry for help.

I know the City Council isn't a rubber stamp, but the voters had every right to a direct voice on this particular issue, yea or nay. And I still maintain that any progress and cooperation we're seeing on school issues today wouldn't exist if the council opted not to hold the election over a $17,000 price tag.

It was money well spent in my mind (and if I recall correctly the schools actually paid the bill.)

Poll Closes on Friday

But don't wait to vote. The sun could explode any day now.

A Familiar Conversation from Far Away

College Pal Chris--the reformed Starbuck hater--is Salem native, but he's a bona fide LA resident, Hollywood actually.

It's there he came along another little gem. Swap out Larchmont Boulevard and Albert Mizrahi for Newburyport and Steve Karp.

Further proof that we're not the only ones having this very conversation. Thanks Chris.

Oh, and he'd like you all to know he really, really likes Chunky's cinema pub.

Inauguration

I missed it, including the Mayor's speech. I'm told cable was there. Anyone know when it might be broadcast?

Facebook

A little bit about me, I'm one of those people who fiercely resists adopting new technology--or any service made possible by new technology--until I've used my friends and families as guinea pigs.

PCs, DVD, DVR, Cellphones, the Internet. I'm always the last person I know (not counting my parents) to decide a new product or services is worth my time/money.

Hell, people have been blogging for years. Yet I just started this thing a few months ago (moving to Newburyport helped.)

So, a significant sample of my friends finally--and individually--shamed me into joining Facebook. I must admit, it's pretty cool. Not going to change the world, but it's fun and I've managed to reconnect with some old friends.

Why should you care? My brother--one of those first-adopter types--noted there wasn't a Newburyport group on facebook. He suggested I should start one. So I did. Right now we're a small group, just a me and a friend.

So if you are a Facebook person and live/care about Newburyport feel free to join.

I recognize this form of connection isn't as warm as leaning over the fence to chat up the neighbor.

But it's better than a kick in the head. That I can promise.

Hmmm,

Gotta admit, I'm surprised restructuring city government is in second place. Keep the votes coming.

I considered--but then decided against--including "Sun becomes Red Giant" as one of the choices. It's generating a spirited conversation below so I guess that shows yet again that my ears aren't attuned to the Newburyport Street.

Specifics Please

Thanks to those who have participated in the poll so far. Just a reminder, if you're picking other taking a second or two to explain what the other might be. Comment to this post or the earlier "New Year, New Poll" item.

Just a two word explainer--sidewalks, drug-sniffing dogs--will do it.

Friendly Neighborhood Index

Ed Cameron's recent post on his blog coupled with today's Daily News story about snow covered sidewalks led me to create a new way to measure the spirit of neighborhoods.

In his post, Ed hits upon a very common--and I suppose--very real concern about the diminishing community spirit of Newburyport. Please read the post.

(Note: I happen to think that this is a societal, rather than local issue, and that Newburyport is better off than most.)

Then, today's Daily News reports that the city isn't issuing tickets to people who aren't shoveling their sidewalks.

There is a connection.

It seems to me the most overt and obvious thing one neighbor can do for another is shovel the sidewalk in the front of their own house.

Sometimes, a person has no choice. The sidewalk may be sole path to outside world. But some folks like me are blessed to have a driveway, so we could get by with minimal shoveling until the snow melts.

So I say any neighbor who talks the time to scrape their sidewalks clean is a good neighbor.

Conversely, some folks can't get out to shovel because of kids, injury or just old age. So there sidewalks go unshoveled.

In those circumstances, I think the neighborly onus falls upon those people who live the left, right and across the street. After a few unshoveled snow storms, they clearly can recognize this person might need some help and to help out as much as possible, even if it's just shoveling a shovel-wide path.

Therefore, a neighborhood with clean sidewalks shows that the residents either care enough about the neighborhood kids to clear their own sidewalk. Or it demonstrates that this neighborhood is one that watches out for its own and takes action when a neighbor needs a hand.

For the sake of full disclosure, I'm fortunate enough to have a generous neighbor with a mammoth snow blower. I think it's actually a converted 18-wheeler. He consistently clears every sidewalk (and sometimes driveway) he can find. Can't thank him enough.

What's the point of this diatribe? It's a real shame if we have to count on the city to write tickets to get our sidewalks clear. This is one area where neighbors and neighborhoods can really help themselves.

Community spirit has got to start somewhere. This seems like as good a place as any.

I'll get off the soap box now.

New Year, New Poll

For once I'll shut up and let the voters do the talking. I'll give my two cents once the poll has closed.

Chain Store Talk--The Conclusion

I know I never did finish my ranting over the proposed chain store ordinance/ban. So here are the final points I'd like to address.

Chains can pay higher rents. An influx of chains will increase rents throughout the city and push independents out.

I'd say this is true. But the larger premise is business in downtown would be better so the independents could afford to keep up.

This is where the ordinance bugs me a bit. It seems to creep into a pseudo rent control/subsidy arrangement.

To me this smacks of over regulation.

•Independents give back more to the community in various charitable ways. A perfect example is our three local banks who contribute heavily to the community.

I'm not entirely sure this is true. I know one of the Maine report supposedly addressed this but the figures presented were a bit misleading.

The report stated that locals donated $4,000 per million dollars of sales while Wal-Mart donated $1,000 per million dollars per sales. But if the Big Box stores--which once again we should point out will never be placed in the zone the ordinance designates for protection--make more money than the locals, don't they contribute more to charity?

As for the banks, our banks are extraordinarily charitable. But it's my understanding at least some of it is compulsory. Investing in the community is part of the cost of business of being a bank.

Someone please correct me on this last point if I'm wrong or provide more detail if you can.

•Tourists come here for our waterfront and our specialty shops and restaurants. If they want to shop at chain stores, they can go to their local indoor mall. Why drive to Newburyport?

This is a bit Yogi Berra-ish to me. This suggests no one will shop in Newburyport if we have chain stores. Well, then why would the chain stores come here?

And if they do come here and business drops off then logic dictates they'll leave. That in turn would open space back up for independents.

I honestly don't think any chain is going to carry a losing store just to keep the Newburyport market locked up. We're not that big.

•Chains have the corporate backing to heavily advertise and offer hefty discounts that independents cannot afford – again pushing them out.

And independents have the ability to be nimble and provide goods and services that chains don't carry. Peek into the Dragon's Nest sometime. I defy you to find most of that merchandise in a Toys-R-US or Target.

•And yes, chains will change the character of Newburyport, just as aluminum siding would on a house in the middle of Fruit Street.

I disagree.

First, what character are we trying to protect? I'm told that prior to urban renewal you could find Woolworth's, Kresge's and JJ Newberry's on Pleasant Street. All were chain stores.

It's seems ironic that we're bent on protecting the character that was artificially created by the renewal of the downtown. Yet that may not be as historic as we think.

Anyway, if we want to preserve the character and look of our downtown. I think there are better ways of doing it.

Number one on my list would be a far-ranging historic district, something with teeth that really directed what types of buildings could be built in the downtown, and how they should look.

Then, I'm willing to let the buildings owners figure out who gets to run the stories. Those chains that do choose to do business downtown will understand this isn't Danvers, Newington or Kittery.

Starbucks' Real Impact?

A college friend came up for a visit on Friday night.

We had a few minutes to keill before heading over to Haverhill to catch the 9 p.m. showing of "I Am Legend" at Chunky's. (Movie was all right. Venue is great.) So I have him the quick car tour of downtown.

He had some very nice things to say about our fair downtown, but the one business that caught his eye was our very prominent Starbucks.

My friend, Chris, isn't the biggest Starbucks fan. He once resented all that it represented: highly paid professionals who tossed aside Big Ones from his beloved Dunkin Donuts' for a more expensive, sometimes more acidic blend. His opposition has softened a bit over the years.

But he was wondering how Starbucks ended up in Newburyport and how the locals reacted to having such a despised chain in town.

I explained that Starbucks created a bit of a furor when it came to town 10 years ago and the resentment hasn't entirely gone away since some folks in town wanted the city to ban other chains from opening shops in town.

I then added that I don't think Starbucks hurt the local coffee scene at all. In fact, I feel there are more places serving good coffee today than there were a decade ago. I can't credit Starbuck's with injecting this city with a love of good coffee. That would have developed anyway. We're just that kind of town.

The conversation led Chris to email this article from Slate. I thought I'd share it with the class.

Clearly, the same theory can't be applied to all chain stores. But it's something to think about.