Do your research on Oscar Plotkin
Dear Independent,
Oscar Plotkin (a.k.a. Berkshire Development) has given the people of York a lot to consider with his "What if" proposal for the development of York Beach. It's obvious that his company reads the local papers whereas the proposal miraculously contains a police station, fire house, hockey rink, public pool, music venue and of course, workforce housing. A majority of our issues will be solved!
First to consider is the credibility of the proposal. Mr. Plotkin indicates that his "What if" proposal will make York Beach a year-round destination. How will Berkshire Development accomplish something that has never been achieved in any other beach town on the Northeast coast? - and by Northeast coast, I mean at least down to Virginia Beach, where the winter cold weather is nowhere near that in York Beach. Having stayed on Virginia Beach for a week in January 2007, I can tell you that worldwide hotel chains, shops and restaurants are all closed. The few open businesses offered significant discounts to attract people. Good for me, however, in spite of a major metropolitan area nearby, Virginia Beach was devoid of consumers in the winter. Yet Virginia Beach has a business district many times the size of York Beach, current or proposed.
Another thing to consider is the proposal contents.
First might be the size - expanding the business area by a possible 200 acres from the approximately 40 acres currently. Second, York already approved a hockey rink and pool. In fact, we gave them free land on Bog Road. No construction has begun because the economics does not support these facilities. They are extremely expensive to run and can fail easily. York citizens should anticipate the economics being a significant factor in attracting investors for these facilities, which means something else would be built in its place.
The proposal also contains projects for land that Mr. Plotkin does not own; a large Ferris wheel, the public pool and a carousel in the Ellis Park parking lot - perhaps consuming Ellis Park also. How would these projects fair when the front-loader has to push sand back onto Short Sands after a winter storm?
Third might be the promise of workforce housing. This is low- or moderate-income housing adjacent to the area containing the luxury spa; something you will probably not see anywhere else - and unlikely in York Beach.
Last might be the change in how you get to the beach. The Short Sands (Ellis) parking lot will be gone, so imagine your family loaded down with the cooler, umbrella, beach chairs, towels, blanket, and assorted beach toys riding the light rail system to somewhere near the beach and then hauling them the rest of the way. What fun! It is unlikely I would ever bring my family to Short Sands beach again.
Last thing to consider might be the developer. Information is readily available on the internet. If you had reviewed the projects on the Berkshire Development website over the last couple of years, it would indicate that they specialize in renovating defunct shopping centers or building big-box stores - projects extremely unlike the "what if" proposal and raise the question of their intentions.
A Google search of Berkshire Development and New Bedford, Mass., will indicate that in January 2007 Berkshire Development forfeited approximately $1 million dollars by failing to attend the closing with the city on the sale of Fairhaven Mills (no prior notification to the city). It was reported that Senior Vice President Tim Traynor of Berkshire Development stated that the last minute pullout was due to the city's change in position in favor of preserving the historical 100-year-old Fairhaven Mills. A Google search of Oscar Plotkin and Taos, New Mexico, will yield an October 2007 lawsuit by Evelyn Valerio alleging unscrupulous land acquisition.
These things do not predict how Oscar Plotkin (a.k.a. Berkshire Development) will proceed with "what if" for York Beach; however, York citizens should spend the time to educate themselves and use some common sense when looking at this proposal.
Wayne Martin
York
Keep watching MTA
Dear Independent,
Recently the representatives of Maine sat down with Mr. Jay Clement of the Army Corps of Engineers to have him explain where the process of a new toll booth in York is.
Mr. Clement had to be used as a conduit for said information because it is so hard to get the Maine Turnpike Authority to give this information.
This is letter is somewhat redundant and repetitious and the information somewhat old, but serves a purpose in that the same problem with the MTA still exists.
Things have changed - less traffic and less revenue to the MTA and DOT, but planning goes on, so because we're all affected, we still need to know what those plans are.
We need to keep diligent as the plans have not been cancelled, if at all delayed!
Jim Clifford
York
What is the truth?
Dear Independent,
Paul Violette, executive director of the MTA, has stated that all options are on the table for the York Toll Plaza replacement, but his own people say otherwise. Harlan Goodwin, his fellow MTA board member and chairman of the York Toll Plaza project, has ruled out full electronic tolling. So has the MTA's engineering firm, HNTB. Who are we to believe? The MTA has a dubious record of misleading us. It appears that the best option is not being seriously considered.
Full electronic tolling is the safest, least expensive and most efficient option. The cost of installing this technology is a fraction of the proposed $40 million [toll relocation] expenditure and the operating costs will decrease dramatically. Everyone who uses the Maine Turnpike will benefit from the lower costs of turnpike operations. Of course, safety will be enhanced with no barriers in the road or the inevitable weaving that occurs going in and out of toll collection areas. Furthermore, the current location could be utilized. Finally, the MTA could celebrate the removal of the old toll plaza that seems to trouble them emotionally.
Up to this moment in time, it appears that the MTA board has rejected full electronic tolling. It does not understand the significance of the savings or the safety for its customers. It is high time that the MTA board be required to measure up and look at the long term well being of the turnpike.
Marshall Jarvis
York Harbor
Clean the beach
Dear Independent,
Cape Neddick Beach is very gross and I think it should be treated. For example, at low tide, the water smells like sewage and the water is black and brown.
Please help this beach. It is too disgusting for us to go there. I have a baby brother and I don't want him to get sick.
I enjoyed the beach. Now I wish my brother can enjoy it just as much as I did, but it is too polluted.
I wish someone would do something.
Mason Noble, 10
Cape Neddick
Just say no
Dear Independent,
Please say no to the tollbooth relocation! Why would the Maine Turnpike Authority want to move and expand the tollbooth for $40 million plus to a new location and destroy more wetland, vernal pools and biodiversity of land, to expose the York Water District property and the livelihood of fishermen all the way to Perkins Cove, where they store their catch until sale?
When the MTA installed the present toll plaza, they stripped the topsoil off the land surrounding it - about 26 acres plus - which was typical of those times. This, in turn, created the wetlands. The topsoils were needed to absorb the rain, snow melt and runoff; the under soil, being clay and ledge, just cannot absorb the rain, snow melt and runoff, creating the 26-acre wetland area.
To create this monster for the sake of four-to-six weekends a year, when traffic is backed up sometimes from the Hampton tolls to the Maine tolls from the south and from the north - Fridays and Sundays - for about four or five hours.
Why not give up the EZ-Pass and go with cashless tolling as is done in other areas of this country and Canada? Reassign the toll-takers to collecting photos of car license plates and sending bills. The owners of vehicles will pay the bill in a specified time or a fine would be added. It sure would eliminate a great deal of expense. You just upgrade the present location.
Spending this kind of money in this economy is unwise, especially when people are struggling to fuel their vehicles, home heating, putting food on the table and paying bills that are rising beyond our control, while the dollar is shrinking.
Please stop and think again.
Respectfully,
Ann and Roger Stirk
York
No personal agenda
Dear Independent,
This is a letter to clear up some recent statements made at the July 24 Planning Board meeting about Joe Lipton. I cannot speak for him, however, I know what is important to Joe. The allegations that he is concerned only for the welfare of his business are incorrect.
I know Joe wishes success for ALL of York Beach, including Blue Sky Restaurant. He wants fairness and equality for ALL of York Beach businesses, including Blue Sky Restaurant. He has always stated that Blue Sky is great for York Beach! There is no jealousy involved. There is no competition between Inn on the Blues and Blue Sky. They both have their place in York Beach. We actually frequent Blue Sky with our family, friends and employees. We have directed several people there who were thrown off because we are Inn on the BLUES and they are BLUE Sky, names similar enough for some customer confusion.
Yes, Joe is a savvy and honest business OWNER. He knows the ordinances, zoning and codes backwards and forwards. He knows them because, of course, he wants his business to be a success; he knows them because fair and equal treatment for ALL businesses in York Beach is an issue he takes very seriously. I'm restating this point because I want people to know how committed Joe is to the progress and success of York Beach.
Most people in town know Joe, or know of him, but I'm the quieter and less outspoken of the pair; the wife and supporter. I was concerned enough by the unprofessional and unwarranted statements made toward Joe and his perceived "personal agenda" at the meeting to write this letter in his professional defense.
Thank you to those who have expressed their support this week for Joe and his commitment to York Beach regarding these unjust accusations. The Inn on the Blues appreciates all of the local support.
Sincerely,
Michelle Friar
York Beach
No love for Amore
Dear Independent,
My family has been vacationing on Moody Beach for 20-plus years. We love to visit local restaurants while we're there, and we're always asking for recommendations. Amore Breakfast came highly recommended to my family for a great vacation breakfast spot. Last week, we decided to check it out. The food was fantastic, our waitress was very sweet and the other patrons were extremely friendly. However, the front door greeter (who I later found out was the owner) was rude and borderline condescending to us. We went early one weekday morning - myself, my one-year-old daughter and my mother. It was supposed to be a nice girls' morning out. Maybe it was the pouring rain, or maybe it was our casual attire (sweatpants and Dixie Chicks t-shirt for me) or our rain-soaked hair. Maybe it was the fact that I looked like a single, teenage mother... when in fact I'm 30, happily married to my college sweetheart and hold an MBA. No matter the reason, the owner put us in the back hall to wait and walked by numerous times without so much as grinning at my waving, smiling daughter. When I asked if they have a highchair, she said no and asked, "Do you own a stroller?" (Let me clarify: she did not say, "Do you have a stroller?" but rather "Do you OWN a stroller?") I could have said "Yes, my Maclaren is in my Volvo outside." But, I never imagined that brand-dropping was important this early morning! The bottom line is that we left with a sour taste in our mouths - not from the food, but from the lack of hospitality and respect. When my uncle, an Ogunquit resident who recommends Amore to all his family and friends, called the following morning to voice his concerns to the owner, she was upset to receive his feedback. She was SO upset that she decided to dial him back after their conversation ended to say - "Do me a favor and don't send your white trash family back here again" before slamming the phone in his ear.
Hmmm. Does that sound like Amore to you?
Respectfully yours,
Lori Scanlon
Boston, Mass.
Thanks and well done
Dear Independent,
Recently some friends "from away" were visiting York. As we drove around they remarked on the beauty of our "triangles" full of beautiful flowers, so well planted, each in its own particular way, each one cheery and welcoming.
And the flags on Route 1-A that stir our patriotic spirits with so many of our citizens on foreign shores fighting for peace.
They were so delighted they wanted me to pass along their "thanks" and "well done." I do that with my sincere congratulations to all who have contributed time, energy and beauty for everyone's enjoyment.
Congratulations, we all thank you.
Cynthia H. Raymond
York
Firefighters deserve praise
Dear Independent,
I get sick and tired of hearing about the firefighters, nurses and teachers having to live out of town when it comes to the topic of "Affordable Workforce Housing." Someone should get the facts straight before they make a statement that includes the permanent and volunteer firefighters of York.
The first I heard about this was the words of Executive Director Patricia Martine of York Housing Authority - now everyone mentions it when speaking of workforce housing.
The permanent firefighters work a 24-hour shift. There are three men at the Village and three men at the Beach. These six men all grew up in the town of York and all became volunteer firefighters at one department or the other. They grew up in town, grew with the town and know the town. As far as I know, all six permanent men own their own homes and their homes are all in the town of York.
The volunteer firefighters all live in the town, but they may work out of town or out of state. We hear about volunteers at the chamber, schools, library and York Hospital, but never about the firefighters of York who put their lives on the line to save your life and property in all kinds of weather, all hours of the day and night.
You cannot say out of sight, out of mind or out of sound.
Anna J. Woodward
York
Contemplating beauty
Dear Independent,
Instead of spending time wondering what magnate Oscar Plotkin is eventually going to do at York Beach, or speculating on the possible actions of town officials and the ultimate deciders - the York voters, let us instead contemplate imperishable beauty - the music of Puccini as exemplified in the opera, "La Boheme."
Of course it's the story of a man and a woman, Rodolfo and Mimi. He writes bad poetry in a Parisian garret while she makes artificial flowers and tries very hard to avoid starvation. Only when they discover one another and fall in love do they make any sense, or do they matter.
The sheer tender beauty of Puccini's songs illuminates their love: they are doomed together, and yet it is only when they are together, burning as lovers do, that they truly live.
And the composer who bequeathed us these glorious melodies - as if to summon our tears on cue - let us summon further tears and offer prayers to his shadow: he died in 1924 in agony, suffocating, a victim of oral cancer.
But for our everlasting joy he gave us Mimi and Rodolfo. Enjoy their plaintive tale. And then meet "Madame Butterfly." Great art is eternal. Mere events are evanescent.
Warren Le Mon
York
