Unfortunatley, this has become typical…

This story in yesterday’s Daily News is absolutely despicable. I was very happy to hear that they halted the construction, but i’m a bit concerned that there might not be any fines levied. Granted the damage, for the most part is done, but there must be some kind of consequence for such a flagrant act. I would hope that the building inspector or the planning board, or whoever ultimately makes the decision, would pull the owners special permit and not allow a second home to be built on the lot. Since the original house is more or less entirely gutted, it would be reasonable to allow the owners to fully renovate or restore it, at this point there is preserving it, but to allow them to flaunt the rules set forth, which they agreed to, and face little or no consequence would be inexcusable. Residents are sick of developers getting away with murder in this town, and are especially sick of seeing someone buy up an old home, and suddenly cram another house or two onto its lot. I hope the city shows some back bone and does what is right here. It reminds me, unfortunately, of a similar case on Low Street, the homes that were built on the corner of Zabriskie Dr. There was historical home there, which the developers agreed to preserve as part of their building permit, and instead they tore it down with no notification to the city. There was plenty of outrage and the city did nothing, allowing them to continue construction on the two new homes. What is the point of requiring permits if they can be openly ignored and the project can continue as planned. What incentive do developers have to follow the rules and preserve a home if they can tear it down and build 2 homes and only receive a slap on the wrist or a minimal fine? It would be a better cost benefit for them to pay the fine and sell 2 brand new homes on a lot, than to restore a historic home along with one new home. Again, i hope the city comes through on this, or else Newburyport is in serious trouble.

Riverfest – The day after

Thank god that’s over, its like the fireworks times 10, all for a bunch of bands that aren’t even good. Anyway, guess which parking lot was full to capacity despite the lack of snow? Thats right, the Kent St. parking lot was so full in fact, that cars were parking on the grass, not to mention that Washington St. itself was lined with cars. Ed Cameron had better hope tourists don’t discover there is a parking lot there, seems people aren’t opposed to walking a mile to get downtown.

Very dissapointing…

The council vote 8-3 to redesignate Cushing Park for a senior center. Frankly I’m shocked that 8 councilors could ignore the feelings of an entire neighborhood. While there is some hope in the decision (they can still chose another site if one arises, etc) it doesn’t look good for the folks around Cushing Park. With 5 years to raise the required funds, I wonder if the council would change their mind when they see fewer seniors in Newburyport in 2013 than there are now? Who knows, but again, for everyone in that neighborhood, I’m sure the council didn’t mean to disenfranchise you…

More Senior Center fun…

I’ve been batting around the whole concept of the senior center all day, weighing pro’s and con’s and trying to think of what to write, but as I sit down to my computer, the City Council is in discussions about the site, and so whatever I write here will be to late to change anyone’s mind. I will say this, if the council decides to push ahead with the plan to re-designate the park, move the emergency parking, and build a senior center, I would hope that the people in that neighborhood have a vote in it. Let them decide what is best for their neighborhood, rather than forcing it down their throats. After all, it will directly affect them, more than any other neighborhood.

I still feel there are better alternatives, and why has no one mentioned the small community center at Horton Terrace? Can’t that be expanded?

Senior Center

Just a quick thought, as I am heading out the door, more to come later…

It was mentioned that the Kelly School is being looked at for a Youth Services building, wouldn’t it be perhaps a better idea to use the already existing Kelly School for a Senior Center, and build a new addition to one of the schools (middle school most likely) to house the Youth Center? Seems like a no brainer, especially since kids who want to use the skatepark, or have afterschool activites at the middle school wouldn’t have to travel to get to the Youth Service center, and the Seniors would be close to the Y and downtown…seems like a win-win to me. Not to mention there are no legal hurdles to this plan.

Quick thoughts on Newbury’s Little River Development

I know this is mainly a Newburyport blog, but I couldn’t help but throw my support behind Matt Kozazcki and other Newbury residents that oppose the development along Rt. 1. In a advertisement bought by Kozazcki in the Daily News, he laid out why a YES vote on the proposed development would be a bad idea and I have to say I agree with him. As Newburyporters, we’ve seen what these developments can do to your town, and the promise of increase tax revenues is never fulfilled. In fact its a joke. Don’t ruin Newbury for the sake of tax dollars, its like a dog chasing its tail, and you’ll never catch up to whatever proposed benefits the development promises. How fortunate that the town of Newbury has allowed the voters to decide the fate of this project, if only Newburyport could exercise a similar right in projects such as Waterside West. Don’t let Newbury go the way of Newburyport, protect what you have now, before its too late, because once the door is open to development, there is no stopping it.

CHAMPIONS!!!

Congrats to the celts for last nights amazing blowout. What a game, what a season. Couldn’t be happier for Paul Pierce. Also, 3 local boys will be bringing home championship rings, so it makes the win even sweeter.

Lets get to work on #18!

A-Framed

Quick thought on the A-Frame debate, which i personally think is a waste of the city’s time. If the city is willing to allow private businesses to use public property to set up outdoor dining areas, then they really have no right to prohibit private businesses from setting up whatever kind of sign they want on public property. Frankly I don’t see why we would allow a private business to use public property to provide outdoor seating, but the precedent is set…

Celtics 1, Lakers 0.

Guess who was sitting behind the Lakers bench at Thursday nights NBA Finals game?…Stephen Karp.

There will be Karp…

Yikes, I can’t believe I haven’t posted anything in nearly a month, I’ve been busy, but I didn’t think I was that busy. I suppose its been kinda slow around these parts the last few weeks as well, and in my spare time I had the opportunity to watch “There Will Be Blood” last night. First of all, it was an excellent film, and Daniel Day Lewis certainly earned his Oscar. But, following close on the heels of Mr. Karp’s announcement that he plans to aggressively pursue a hotel on the waterfront, I found one particular scene in the film quite ominous. For those of you who have scene the movie, I would venture to guess when you saw the scene of Mr. Plainview (Lewis) speaking to the citizens of Little Boston about his plans for their small town, you couldn’t help but draw a natural comparison between a fictional oilman and a living breathing land developer. I scoured the Internet for a video of that particular scene, but couldn’t find one, however, I did find a trailer which uses much of the dialogue from that scene, so it should give you a taste. Have a look and for anyone that has seen the film, what were your thoughts when compared to our own situation here in Newburyport?

“Plainview: [pitching his company to the people of Little Boston] Ladies and gentlemen? Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you so much for visiting with us this evening. Now, I’ve traveled across half our state to be here and to see about this land. Now, I daresay some of you might have heard some of the more extravagant rumors about what my plans are; I just thought you’d like to hear it from me. This is the face. There’s no great mystery. I’m an oilman, ladies and gentlemen. I have numerous concerns spread across this state. I have many wells flowing at many thousand barrels per day. I like to think of myself as an oilman. As an oilman, I hope that you’ll forgive just good old fashioned plain-speaking. Now, this work that we do is very much a family enterprise- I work side by side with my wonderful son, H.W.- I think one or two of you might have met him already. And I encourage my men to bring their families, as well. Of course it makes for an ever so much more rewarding life for them. Family means children. Children means education. So wherever we set up camp, education is a necessity, and we’re just so happy to take care of that. So let’s build a wonderful school in Little Boston. These children are the future that we strive for and so they should have the very best of things. Now something else, and please don’t be insulted if I speak about this – bread. Let’s talk about bread. Now to my mind, its an abomination to consider that any man, woman or child in this magnificent country of ours should have to look upon a loaf of bread as a luxury. We’re going to dig water wells here. Water wells means irrigation, irrigation means cultivation. We’re going to raise crops here where before it just simply was impossible. You’re going to have more grain than you’ll know what to do with. Bread will be coming right out of your ears, ma’am. New roads. Agriculture. Employment, education. These are just a few of the things we can offer you, and I assure you ladies and gentlemen, that if we do find oil here, and I think there’s a very good chance that we will, this community of yours will not only survive, it will flourish.”

seems eerily familiar to me…