Greenhead Greenhorn

I don't mean to suggest reporters these days are a bunch of sissies, but today's article in the Daily News reminds me that, when I wrote my first greenhead story in 1993, Editor Cal Killeen ordered me to head out Plum Island, interview a few folks, and allow myself to get bit.

I still remember watching the little bastard take a chomp.

I'd link to the article but, of course, we didn't have the Internet back then. Good thing too, it ran with a rather cheesy photo of me smacking imaginary bugs with my reporter's notebook.

Actually, those were good days.

Great Meeting

Just a quick note to thank everyone who came to Saturday's session at the Firehouse. The ideas were flowing; the minds open. Quite an invigorating experience.

Things that Confuse - So Called Consenus

The debate over whether to develop the open parcels of NRA land into a park or a park with some commercial structures is worthwhile land use discussion. But one of the contentions of those supporting the development of a park is the notion that the public on three different occasions indicated they preferred the former over the latter.

Yes, there were three separate surveys: 1987, 2000 and 2006. Let's look at them.

1987 - With the specter of urban renewal and the series of ill conceived projects that had been selected for the waterfront, voters - in an unbinding referendum on the ballot - did overwhelmingly favor park over development of any kind. Point conceded. But this polling took place 25 years ago. If people's opinions haven't changed over that time, the people certainly have. I'd say the majority of people in Newburyport didn't even live here.

2000 - This is actually the only time residents - in a questionnaire submitted in the census - were asked to choose between parks, park and commercial development or all commercial development. From the Daily News:

Close to 8,000 surveys were mailed, and 4,011 were returned, then-NRA Chairman Mary Lou Supple said.
Of those, 49 percent of respondents wanted a "park only" on the property. About 37 percent wanted "park and commercial" use, and 8 percent said "commercial only."
In a separate mailing to business, 43 percent of 162 respondents wanted "park and commercial" use, 42 percent said "park only," and 15 percent said "commercial only."

Forty-nine percent wanted park only. Not a majority. Certainly not a clear majority. Meanwhile 45% (37%+8%) indicated they wanted some level of development on the water.

So the vote went down 49% in favor of park to 45% accepting some level of development. Seems split down the middle.

2006 - Finally, this survey need not even apply. It merely asked if residents wanted a park or parking lot. No mention of development. Again, from the Daily News:

Results show that 398 people supported entirely parking on the lot, 1,756 support an expanded park with up to 200 parking spaces, and 1,389 support a park with up to 100 parking spaces. About 400 surveys contained no response.

Yes, the park did win out. But the census cited the park as costing $1.5 million, the least expensive of the three options which no doubt added to the appeal. Ultimately, the NRA's pursuit of building a park revealed it actually would cost upwards of $5 million to build the park.

In conclusion, the only survey to support the park proponents claims is 1987. I graduated high school in 1987. Believe me, people change. Believe what you will about the fate of the waterfront, just please don't accept the claims of popular support without considering these facts.

Things that Confuse - Historical Claims

Using the cut out piece of card board test and a Google Map (above) the two NRA lots and Market Landing Park cover roughly the same geographic area as almost the entire downtown, with the boundaries being Merrimack, Green, Pleasant and Center.

Therefore, if we were to turn all of the NRA Lots into park or paved parking lot, our geographic downtown would actually be more than half park and parking lot if you include the Green Street lot.

More than half of the downtown would be parking lot and park.

I just don't see how that's historical.....or good for the downtown.

You ARE They

Or as the kids might say, UR THEY.

Just an FYI, if YOU happen to be one of those folks who say, THEY really need to do something with the dirt parking lots along the water than this is your time.

The City of Newburyport and the Newburyport Redevelopment Authority are working together (and with the State) to craft a vision of the two lots, with the hopes of expanding our existing park and connecting our historic downtown to the waterfront.

If you agree something needs to be done with those lots, you've gotta get involved. Schedules are tight, I know. But the next few weeks and months will be critical if we're going to do something down there.

Please don't sit tight and assume your voice is being heard.

Here's a link to my letter to the editor in today's Daily News.

If you read this blog regularly you know where I stand. All or nothing approaches never work. We need to compromise.

Now let's hear where you stand, this Saturday at 10 am at the Firehouse. The NRA will have a presentation by urban planner Union Studios. A casual Q&A session will follow during a walk on the water.

Please attend Saturday, speak up, and set aside some times for future meetings. It's pretty important.

Globe Article

Nice write up on the intentions of Port Pride. Includes a reference to this blog, which is always very nice.

Important Stuff

O'CONNOR IVES CAMPAIGN KICKOFF FUNDRAISER
Saturday, June 9 at 7 p.m.
Newburyport Art Association
65 Water Street

Join the O'Connor Ives Committee at the Newburyport Art Association, 65 Water Street for the official launch of the campaign to elect Kathleen O'Connor Ives to the State Senate for the First Essex District. Enjoy food by Oregano Pizzeria & Ristorante, great art, and music by Michael Pellecchia & Dave Blakeslee. All are welcome. Contributions to the O'Connor Ives Committee are gratefully appreciated.

For event details visit: http://www.voteforives.com/events

For more information or to RSVP, contact the campaign at: info@voteforives.com | 978-462-0678 | www.voteforives.com

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Nominations are open!
The fourth annual Yankee Homecoming Youth Community Service Award will be presented to a high school senior and a high school junior who either lives in, attends school in, or volunteers in Newburyport; demonstrating a strong commitment to public service, volunteerism and dedication to a cause. One winner from each grade level (11 and 12) will receive a $250 savings bond award and a $50 Newburyport Chamber of Commerce Gift Certificate in recognition of their contribution to the community. The award winners will be introduced during the Opening Ceremonies of Yankee Homecoming on Olde Fashion Sunday, July 29, 2012. Award winners will be recognized throughout Yankee Homecomingfestivities.

Deadlines
The nomination period begins May 22, 2012.
All nominations are due June 14, 2012.

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Newburyport has been chosen as a Solarize City by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC).  Under the Solarize program, home and small business owners can contract to have a solar photovoltaic (PV) energy system installed at their home and/or business through September 30.  The more that participate, the lower the cost for everyone.  It's a tremendous deal, one likely not to be repeated anytime soon.  So if someone has ever thought about "going solar," the Solarize program may be their best opportunity.

June 12, 7 pm, City Hall: Solar 101 is the kickoff meeting where representatives of the local Solarize volunteer organization and MassCEC will explain how solar energy works, the various financial incentives that make solar PV more affordable than ever, and how Massachusetts is driving toward higher adoption of solar PV for a better environment, to create local jobs, and to help residents save energy dollars.  This meeting will not be a sales pitch, but an informational session to discuss how the program works, and will inform attendees how to proceed if they're still interested and if their property is a good candidate.

More information about the program can be found at www.SolarizeNewburyport.com and at www.SolarizeMass.com/Newburyport.  More info about Solar 101 can be found at http://bit.ly/solarflyer  Interested residents can send an email to SolarizeNewburyport@gmail.com indicating their interest so they don't miss out on information as it becomes available.

I'm Sorry

I had every intention to go to the Custom House tonight to hear the commander of the USS Constitution speak on the ship's historic role in the war of 1812. Sounds like a DYNAMITE event.

But my best bud called this morning to offer me a ticket to see a more current war - Celts vs. Heat.

This may not top the exhilaration of watching the Celts win on Tuesday night with the rest of the Port Pride revelers, but I'll manage to have a good time.

But you should totally go to the Custom House.

Holy Smokes

The Atrium mall at Chestnut Hill, built and sold by our city's principal property owner New England Development a long time ago, has been sold for a mere $50 million. It'll be converted into medial offices, according to the Boston Herald.

Very distant connection to Port, I know. But I found it interesting.

Newburyport Native ...

gone wild.

Don't worry. It's clean. Just a Boston Herald Article.

A New Day Dawning?

Earlier this week I was quite confident the debt exclusions questions would pass, at least for the two directed at funding the building projects at the Nock and Bresnahan. I wasn't as sure if enough voters wanted to build a Senior Center, but that ultimately did pass as well  with healthy but hardly overwhelming degree.

But I'm a firm believer in jinxes so I shut my mouth.

Now, with the most excellent results in hand, I can write this post with confidence. The Port Pride Community effort was, without a doubt, one of the better run political operations I'd seen. The group was passionate, very well organized, methodical and took nothing for granted even up until the closing minutes when they rallied the troops to make the final rounds of phone calls to voters who had been identified as likely yes votes.

How did it work out. The Daily News reports that 44 percent of voters turned out for a special election. This saddens me to say, but that's an astounding turn out in this day an age. Last November's election - in which we reelected Mayor Holaday, approved a charter, and elected the current council - only drew 29% of the voters.

The election prior to that pitted then Candidate Holaday against challenger James Shanley, a clash of two spirited and well-run campaigns. And that drew only 37%.  (See more details in my Newburyport Today column.)

As I said, astounding.

Even prior to knowing the success of the effort, I'd planned to write a column imploring the organizers of Port Pride to keep at it to avoid the temptation to disband and to melt back into our suburban wilderness of soccer games and school meetings. No doubt, those things are vital to our families and our community. But Newburyport will be stronger and better if the people who made last night possible keep on their political pilot lights and maintain a strong interest in community.

Then, at last night's celebration at David's Tavern, I realized such a post wasn't necessary. The Port Pride folks get it. They know what they've created, and, most important, they've tasted success.

I'll resist the urge to tap into hyperbole. I won't offer up predictions of "seismic shifts" and other potential overstatements, but I'm feeling quite confident that this town won't be exactly the same again.

And that's a great, great thing.

Port Pride, Indeed.

Go Vote!

Egads

I dreamt last night that I forgot to vote in the city's June 5 election. It was horrible. Please don't relieve my imaginary horror.

(I actually did. Honest.)

The Daily News offers a few comprehensive articles.