But today's follow up to the private meeting between Developer Steve Karp and the City Council didn't exactly help clear the air. First, the Daily News got in touch with Ward 4 Councilor Ed Cameron (Friend and neighbor) and he told them he's not coming to the private meet-and-greet as well. I disagree with Ed's assertion that the meeting doesn't violate the open meeting law, but I agree with his overall point to Stephen Tait.
Ward 4 Councilor Ed Cameron said he also will not attend the session, arguing a private meeting does not send the right message to the public.
He also said he doesn't see the point in meeting with Karp and New England Development if the councilors cannot ask the development team questions about its intentions.
"I just don't think it is a good use of time for council," he said. "I don't see the need for a social gathering. I'm not looking to make friends. I'm looking to do the city's business. This sort of private reception is not going to give people confidence about the process."
He's right.
What's going to go further erode that confidence is John Moak's condemnation of Larry McCavitt as a "bully." I don't know Larry McCavitt. I met him only once about 10 years ago. But as an observer of the scene I don't see a vigilant--or even over vigilant--councilor as a bully. I see him or her as doing their job. Frankly, I'm not that worried about Steve Karp getting bullied. He can handle himself.
Looking beyond the name calling, the mayor's comments demonstrate that he and I have a different interpretation on the role of government in this matter.
Moak said McCavitt's opposition is little more than a bullying tactic to get his way.
"He is a bully," Moak said. "He tries to use his interpretation of the law to bully people into things he wants them to do."
The mayor said McCavitt uses his tactics "constantly" in situations ranging from economic development to planning issues. But Moak said "when it comes to (Karp and waterfront-related) issues, it is so obvious."
Moak said McCavitt uses government and laws to press people into compliance.
"I don't care what it is: Larry McCavitt likes to try to bully people into being fearful," he said. "The world isn't all about government. The world is about making a living and having government as part of it. Government is not the only thing that drives our existence."
In John Moak's defense, what's particularly sticking in my craw is the paraphrasing of his belief that McCavitt "uses government and laws to press people into compliance." But the direct quotes from the mayor seem wholly consistent with paraphrased point.
Well, I certainly hope McCavitt uses government and laws to press people into compliance." That's the entire point of government isn't it?
I'm all for people making a living as long as our government officials ensure that the will of the people--as represented in the bylaws and zoning written and approved by our representatives--is enforced. No doubt, John Moak feels the same way. I suspect he'd like to retract or rephrase those comments.
Perhaps Larry McCavitt does have a particular issue with Steve Karp. It's more likely he's got heightened concern about anyone looking to build along the water. I don't know but I don't really care. As long as he's working with the laws I don't really have too much of an issue.
The irony of course is the private meeting was supposed to work toward ironing out potential personal conflicts. But the effort connect names with faces has done nothing to improve that relationship.
And it has also created a controversy and a fight when one wasn't really necessary.
Still, I'm looking forward to a productive meeting tomorrow night. Let's keep things positive. I don't really blame Karp for any of this unless he's insisting on this private meeting.
1 comment:
That Larry McCavitt is making an issue--and that the local press is giving him the platform--over the proposed changes at Hilton's is ridiculous!
It is a very simple plan, conservative, and in the best interest of the public because the reconfigured marina will be a much nicer place to visit. Are people thinking the whole marina would be locked and off-limits to pedestrians? That you would have no opportunity to gaze out at the boats on your walk between the coffee shop and the Black Cow? Aren't the businesses inside the Hilton's building dedicated to serving the public in some way? Why wouldn't a spruced up marina be of public benefit? Give me a break.
And all of this over 24 new boat slips, when there are hundreds of boats in the river? This is not a mega-marina-expansion, folks.
Sure, Steve Karp can hold his own, but what good is McCavitt doing for the patrons--likely local residents and their friends, or out-of-town boaters who drop money in town--who would like one of those slips, patrons who would put those pretty boats there for the rest of us to look at (and see featured on Newburyport postcards, calendars and chamber marketing materials)?
Surely Mr. Mccavitt has better use of his time than getting in the way of a plan to tastefully improve the waterfront.
But that doesn't seem to be the case. Tom, please do some homework for us and tell us why McCavitt is grinding an ax over nothing at our public expense.
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