A standing room only crowd Saturday, February 13 might have been heard cheering and clapping all the way to the oceanfront as they listened to guest speakers and one another, with stories, anecdotes and recollections from as far back as WWII. If the homeowners suing the Town of Kennebunkport for the right to deny access to any members of the public they choose didn’t feel any pressure from the community prior to the Save-Our-Beaches open meeting at the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust building (many thanks, KCT!), they certainly should now!
The nearly two hour meeting consisted of a historical recap of the events that have set this community at odds with one another. Mic Harris, Chair of Save-Our-Beaches was the moderator, and was joined by a panel of experts either involved in the suit or with expertise and knowledge about the historical aspects that predate this lawsuit. The recap was aided by an excellent summary of the dry sand, wet sand (intertidal) elements that will likely be at the heart of this judgement, which appears now to be settling in for a long, drawn out battle between a very small group of property owners, most of whom are not residents, and a growing number of locals and visitors who are growing increasingly frustrated by both the threat of this litigation and the mounting costs.
Alex Lachiato, a local resident that feels strongly enough about this to enter the suit on the side of the town, showed a binder with over three inches of documents already filed in this case, eliciting groans and boos from the over one hundred attendees of this meeting who are passionately interested in the outcome of this litigation. Richard Driver, another resident, who provided the excellent summary with a simple drawing of the zones of contention on the beach, also joined the suit himself on the side of the town.
Driver also warned the 25, (who have thus far remained relatively anonymous, even though their names are listed in the lawsuit linked on this website as well as the Town of Kennebunkport’s site, www.preserveourbeaches.org), to be careful what they wish for.
Speaking to the enthusiastic crowd illustrating his points on an easel, Driver pointed out a scenario that could happen should this lawsuit prevail on the side of the small number of oceanfront owners.
”Hypothetically, Owner A decides to celebrate with a beer after the lawsuit is found in favor of he and the other 24 oceanfront owners. He walks down in front of his house, and wants to go over to Owner C’s house to celebrate. Owner B, also involved in the suit, stops Owner A. “Hold on there, bub. You’re on my beach. You need my permission to cross.”
“But we’re on the same side! We won!”
“Doesn’t matter. You can’t cross my property without my permission, and I’m not in the mood today. Walk through the water or swim over.”
The story was greeted with cheers, and set the tone for a fast paced, lively meeting. After the historical recap, which consisted of the recap of the demands first made by the then 23 homeowners that the Town would either comply with in their entirety or the lawsuit would be enjoined, which smacks of strong armed tactics to many, the Mission Statement and Vision for Save-Our-Beaches, found on this website, were read. By the way, for any of you that don’t think this is serious and threatens you and your family’s enjoyment of the beach, here is a direct quote of the signage suggested by the 23 that the town place on both sides of every single path to the beach–we quote:
“PUBLIC WAY TO THE WATER, PRIVATE BEACH ON BOTH SIDES OF PUBLIC WAY. INTERTIDAL AREAS ON EITHER SIDE OPEN FOR NAVIGATION AND FISHING ONLY, NO PUBLIC FACILITIES”
The panel then identified themselves to the group and provided a brief summary of their involvement and perspective. The Northern New England Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, http://www.surfrider.org/nne/ was represented by Sean Sullivan, and spoke about why their local, and their national/International Organization, had intervened on the side of the Town of Kennebunkport, as has the State of Maine. This respected organization is bringing legal resources and expertise to bear, and is a much valued addition to the community that wants continued recreational access, and was very well received by the group.
Next up was Chief Joeseph Bruni, who stole the show with his common sense, no nonsense summary of the beach situation. Channel 13 was filming, and Chief Bruni appeared at six and eleven last night, summarizing that Goose Rocks Beach has not faced the alleged rowdiness historically that the 25 continue to indicate drives their decision to cost the Town and taxpayers money that could be better utilized. Save-Our-Beaches plans another follow up meeting, Saturday, March 13 to address other claims by the lawsuit filers, which are equally exaggerated and which, by the way, they have been unwilling to speak publicly or privately with anyone on addressing, as evidenced by last Wednesday’s court appointed Settlement conference. While the town and five defendants came equipped to offer solutions to publically stated issues that the group’s spokesmen had brought up in print, it became clear that the group had no interest at this time in listening to any of those proposed solutions.
The Town of Kennebunkport had a representative at the table, Mike Weston, Selectman, who urged ALL residents to attend the Saturday, June 12 public meeting to vote on funds to continue this fight. As the speakers and audience commented, this issue affects all of Maine, Kennebunkport and York County beaches, and not just this one lovely beach.
Next came a very informative segment where the various committees of Save-Our-Beaches shared their recent efforts, along with upcoming plans. This group has worked long hours to help the greater public have an insight into this lawsuit, and consists of volunteers from the community that have a common interest is seeing Goose Rocks Beach continue to be available to residents and visitors for recreation.
Finally, the real fun began, with questions, comments and advice from the diverse crowd. Annabelle Ricci, whose family has long enjoyed Goose Rocks Beach, recollected walking with World War II soldiers patrolling the shores. Another attendee asked how Barbara and George Bush, who often strolled the beach in past years, with Millie and Secret Service in tow, would feel about asking permission along the walk.
All in all, this was a very positive meeting about a very negative event. Recapping cannot do justice to the boisterous spirit of the well informed crowd, who offered legal suggestions, moral support and great questions to the panel and one another. To capture the full spirit of the meeting is impossible, and I urge you to attend the next meeting. Thanks to Winks for providing coffee, and to the extremely kind offer of more space in the upcoming months at the Goose Rocks Dairy. There were offers of possible concerts and fund raisers, and certainly Save-Our-Beaches plans to offer a wide variety of ways that the public can show their support in this vital battle.
In fact, the end of the meeting set the stage for the next meeting. A growing number of people want to join the suit, to protect their access that their families and homes have enjoyed for 20, 40, 60 years or more. Save-Our-Beaches will offer legal options for those that would like to know how to join this suit, or how to protect their historical rights to recreate on Goose Rocks Beach. And make no mistake–if this suit wins, you’ll want to know how to protect your historical rights, if any, at other beaches. Don’t let your kids or grandkids ask you what happened two years from now, and why didn’t anyone stop it, without doing what you can. We appreciate the nearly 200 donors, and 400 Facebook members (save-our-beaches.org), and urge you to get motivated if you have not already. At the very least, please comment, right now, and tell your friend about this website and our next meeting.
You can help, through contributions and your attendence and participation at events like this one in the months ahead. If you know any of the 25, let them know how you feel. Filing a lawsuit is not an abstract excercise–it is a lawsuit against people like the 100 plus at this meeting, young and old, and not just filing some legal document against an entity like a Town. We will have much more on this next meeting on our website, which essentially will examine the proponents of this lawsuit, their rationale and how this has to become as real to them as it is to us.
Thank you for keeping us all abreast of the “events”, as they unfold. You are all doing an amazing job and I applaud your efforts.
Thank you for the great summary!
Denise and I are the new kids on the block so to say; we’ve only owned a cottage on Edgewood Avenue for 15 years. We,my grown children and granddaughters love Goose Rocks Beach;searching for shells, sand dollars, walking the beach,etc. We cannot imagine this beach being taken away from us by the 22 Plaintiffs. Why are they or their attorneys not attending the meeting to hear 99%of the people who own at GRB; many of whom go back ,via their families, 100 years. Why won’t they listen to proposels? My wife3 and I depend on rental income in order to support the town taxes, and the expenses we incur to keep our property very presentable to all of our neighbors. We cannot afford to paticipate in the law suit, but we want to to be members. Our phone number is (603)569-3809. I am retired, and would very much like to attend the next meeting. Thank you, Paul and Denise Doran
I have been coming to Goose Rocks Beach for over fifty years (yes, my
entire life!), missing only two summers 1960 (when my youngest sister
Lisa was born) and 1982 (when my son Matthew was born). However this is not really where my story begins at Goose Rocks. My family (my great grandfather Horne) originally built the cottage at 250 Kings Highway on 2
deeded lots (one on each side of Kings Highway) … yes, until my Father
passed away; my Mother decided to sell the cottage, I was a member of
the “beachfront owners”. That is how I can confidently state without
equivocation that no one ever sought permission from my family, nor was it
ever “expected” anyone request to use any portion of our beach property.
I can also state, again without equivocation, having walked the entire
length of the beach many times each year growing up, to explore one of
the “islands” (Timber, Strawberry, Goose Rocks), swim (or later ski) in
the slightly warmer tidal river waters, or just “go for a walk on the
beach” with dog, family, or friends, I was never approached by anyone
requesting or requiring permission to use any portion of the Goose Rocks
Beach.
My first summer personally at Goose Rocks Beach was 1956, at our family
home. With the only exception of 1960, I spent every summer of my youth
here, taking swimming, tennis, and eventually sailing lessons from the
GRBA. Playing with friends in the tidal pools, exploring the islands,
searching for shells and sand dollars are a few of my fondest memories from
early childhood. I remember the movies at the Community House, dodgeball
inside when it rained and lessons were cancelled, cookouts on the beach,
tennis tournaments, sailing races, etc. Eventually in the early 70’s, I
applied for and was accepted by then GRBA President, Henry Schlegel, as the
Youth Director/Tennis Instructor for GRBA (talk about a great summer
job!).
Finally, in 1978, I married my GRB sweetheart (now for 30+ years) who’s
family (Wilson and Lynde) also summered and later lived here, (our marriage
was practically “pre-ordained”!). While I will let her share her story and
love of “the beach” in her time, I must include as part of my story, my
immediate family (Lynda, Stacey Matt, and Sarah) have, during the last 32
years (or since their births) always been able to walk, sunbath,
generally recreate anywhere on Goose Rock s Beach we chose (both Eastern and
Western ends of the beach) without seeking any individual permission. In
2003, Lynda and I decided it time to buy “our retirement home” at Goose
Rocks, and thus once again, “the Parrotts” had a home there. In Spring,
2008, we sold our home in Indiana and moved to GRB permanently!
Also in 2004, we were blessed with our first grandchild, Morgan.
Although I have yet to convince her to ride in one of my boats moored at
Goose Rocks, for the past three years of her brief life, she has loved
playing in the sand, building castles, jumping waves, playing with
relatives and making new friends on the sands of Goose Rocks. If only
everyone with history at “the beach” could recall this joy and what it
meant to each of us “long-timers” growing up.
I personally know some of the 25 beach front homeowners who have brought
this lawsuit. We have talked about some of the issues they have, most of
which could be easily resolved through common sense, courtesy and respect.
I refuse to believe these friends and relatives want to exclude me and my
family from “the beach”, yet this is exactly what their spokesperson,
Robert Almeder stated in his and Jack Flemming’s Letter to the Editor of
the Portland Herald on October 30 “If the town will agree with these
conditions, then the owners w ill consider seriously an agreement
permitting the general public to walk the beach from end to end at any
time.”. Obvious by omission is any reference to allowing family
recreation, sun bathing, etc.
This attitude was apparently repeated during the mediation held the first
week in February, as, with the Judge present, no common ground could be
found by the five people representing the 25 beachfront owners and the
town and others who have attached themselves to the suit. My hope is this
“un-negotiable” view is not shared by my friends and family members who are
on the beachfront owners side of this lawsuit, and they will eventually
stand up for what they know is right and fair for all parties on both
sides. However, with the contrary facts and statements to date, I must,
with every fiber of my being, fight this effort to privatize GRB, and
will at every opportunity, for both my immediate family and extended
family, exercise our legal and historic prescriptive rights both given and
received over the year s (never confronting as a beachfront owner until
1984, nor as a “beach user” since 1984) to enjoy the beach at Goose
Rocks. There are a few things in life worth believing in and fighting
for, and the unfettered access & enjoyment of GRB for generations to come
is one such “thing”.
Skip’s story resonates on so many levels. The sadness of friends and relatives on opposite sides of this fight. (Can all of the ocean front owners be that oblivious to stories like Skips?) The passion of a grandfather who will not, who cannot stand by and watch this lawsuit threaten Morgan, and Morgan’s children (I am rushing things a bit!).
Skip nails it when he points to the spokesmen for the litigants who speak grudgingly about perhaps allowing walking if all their demands were met. Skip is correct when he mentions that there was no mention of recreation in the compromise hearing–not open for discussion.
Finally, Skip hits the nail on the head when he speaks about neither giving permsission as a beachfront owner, nor asking for or being given permission as a beachgoer. There are perhaps a few people who enjoy trying to intimidate beachgoers as some form of making themselves feel important, but otherwise people have not asked or been given permission, at least among my circle of friends and family.
Thank you, Skip, for a heartfelt recap of the important elements. Please, as you read these comments, put your own thoughts down–just type and submit, and we’ll get you up with Skip and others who tell it like it was, and hopefully will continue to be, for Morgan’s sake.
Thank you for the great summary!
Denise and I are the new kids on the block so to say; we’ve only owned a cottage on Edgewood Avenue for 15 years. We,my grown children and granddaughters love Goose Rocks Beach;searching for shells, sand dollars, walking the beach,etc. We cannot imagine this beach being taken away from us by the 22 Plaintiffs. Why are they or their attorneys not attending the meeting to hear 99%of the people who own at GRB; many of whom go back ,via their families, 100 years. Why won’t they listen to proposels? My wife and I depend on rental income in order to support the town taxes, and the expenses we incur to keep our property very presentable to all of our neighbors. I am retired, and would very much like to attend the next meeting. Thank you, Paul and Denise Doran
Thank you for the great summary!
Skip’s story resonates on so many levels. The sadness of friends and relatives on opposite sides of this fight. (Can all of the ocean front owners be that oblivious to stories like Skips?) The passion of a grandfather who will not, who cannot stand by and watch this lawsuit threaten Morgan, and Morgan’s children (I am rushing things a bit!).
Skip nails it when he points to the spokesmen for the litigants who speak grudgingly about perhaps allowing walking if all their demands were met. Skip is correct when he mentions that there was no mention of recreation in the compromise hearing–not open for discussion.
Finally, Skip hits the nail on the head when he speaks about neither giving permsission as a beachfront owner, nor asking for or being given permission as a beachgoer. There are perhaps a few people who enjoy trying to intimidate beachgoers as some form of making themselves feel important, but otherwise people have not asked or been given permission, at least among my circle of friends and family.
Thank you, Skip, for a heartfelt recap of the important elements. Please, as you read these comments, put your own thoughts down–just type and submit, and we’ll get you up with Skip and others who tell it like it was, and hopefully will continue to be, for Morgan’s sake.
Thank you for keeping us all abreast of the “events”, as they unfold. You are all doing an amazing job and I applaud your efforts.