It was about a year ago when we all first read about the lawsuit filed by the few homeowners at a beautiful Maine beach, long open to the public, to effectively privatize Goose Rocks Beach. A few selfish homeowners sued the entire community of Kennebunkport to force the police to enforce no trespass rules on the wide open beaches, all the way to the water line.
We were all aghast, shocked that this could happen to a wonderful community that had long had harmony between owners, visitors, townspeople and tourists, all of whom loved the natural beauty of Maine’s coast, and especially appreciated the community closeness.
While most of the people in the lawsuit against the community do not live here year round, there are still a number of people that should appreciate the community more than the selfish newcomers apparently do–the “I’ve got mine, now you can’t touch it” crowd. However, what these selfish people did not count on was the huge community outpouring against such self-serving, selfish behaviour.
Save-Our-Beaches has held numerous meetings and invited those that filed the suit against the Town, and those who want their kids to enjoy the beach as they and the generations before them have, but most of the destroyers don’t bother. They’d just as soon let their money speak–hire a hired gun lawyer, sue the Town and the community, and who cares about history. It’s all about property values and scare tactics–those filing the suit sent out emails and letters to other homeowners, trying to scare them into joining their expensive suit so they’d have more people to help pay their hired gun. They totally frightened older homeowners with exaggerated claims and shame on them for that. Seriously,be ashamed at what you are party to, and yes, you are painted by the brush of those you share a bad lawsuit with.
Some of the people in the suit have six people a year, a year, sit in front of their house, far away from yards or building. It is clearly all about money and if we let it happen, one more valuable piece of America that generations before of us crafted moves into condominium land.
So thank everyone for fighting selfishness–continue doing it everywhere you see it. And shame on you people in the suit–you could have worked with the political system if you had real issues, but you chose to just throw money at it and show your mean-spiritedness and true colors. Your actions will long be remembered as we defeat this suit.
Do not forget that the State of Maine, the Surfriders Organization nationally, and over 200 families have joined the Town to fight this meanness. We will help the Town win this lawsuit for all of Maine, and for the rights of people everywhere to stroll a beach at sunset, to dig a sandcastle with grandchildren, to walk a romantic night under a full moon. If those people win their suit, they can enforce signage all over the beach, enforce selective segregation in front of their house down to the water line, and effectively change an entire community.
Fight this with us, do not give up, and please continue reading this site for news–in fact, please read the story about our holiday meeting coming December 11. If you disagree with any single word in this post, come to the meeting and speak with us. If this reminds you of the value of fighting selfishness and greed, then come and speak with us. If this gives you strength or courage to speak up to one of these selfish people when your paths cross, great, come tell us about it. Please keep fighting–Save-Our-Beaches will, and we are you.