Widespread “bravo” to many for the lead story in the May edition of the Harpswell Anchor. First of all, to J.W. Oliver for writing from a neutral perspective, something lost in journalism these days. Next to Al LeGrow, who took responsibility for the committee’s outcome on the Harpswell Comprehensive Plan with the promise to go back to the drawing board until they get it right. And finally, to everyone cited in the article who publicly stood up to express their opposition.
It would appear from Mr. Oliver’s writing that the committee did what committees often do: fall into “committee think.” It would be interesting to hear if the hired consultant expressed to the task force members the importance of getting out of the committee room and into the community and among the people who would be most affected by their work. This was one of the chief complaints among those who raised objections. Unlike the past and current Harpswell demographic, the next generation coming into our community is not likely to go on the town website, go to Town Meeting, or even read the Harpswell Anchor to stay informed. Harpswell needs to figure a new way to reach them.
Most of the discussion centered on affordable housing and the tacit tentacles that come with it. Affordable housing has become a catchphrase that means different things to different people and typically devolves into an emotional idea, one that always comes with a sliding scale depending on who is doing the talking.
Any discussion of the “affordability” subject needs to be tied to local opportunity; transportation availability; desired community aesthetics; existing state, county and town assets; and the inherent ability to garner widespread community support for the project. I question whether the Harpswell Comprehensive Task Force is ready to tackle those tentacles.
Scott Ruppert, Harpswell Neck and St. Augustine, Florida
