Potential Rockport Legislation

[nusspli]

What is SCUBA cleanup, exactly?

"the trouble is, there's just too many of them."

Makes up sounds like a bunch of animals.

I think some of these people need to realize that the growth in the number of divers at a particular site is directly proportional to the growth in the number of resident-only parking signs and private beaches.

Exactly!!

 

[large_diver]

I can understand the position of the OGB-area residents. If you owned a million dollar house on the water and the beach you use had 50+ divers on it during high summer weekends....I don't think you would be very happy either. The vast majority of us are polite and leave the beach as we found it....but anytime you have that many people on the beach, there is going to be at least some impact, whether it be crowding or a few stray pieces of trash. To some crankier residents, even one piece of trash gives them reason to complain. I'm not saying I agree with them...it's just helpful to put yourself in their shoes for a moment.

At the same time, dive shops and instructors need to make a living....

Perhaps something like an OGB "clean-up day" could help improve diver-resident relations...? Pick up trash, clean the beach, plant some flowers.....?

 

[nusspli]

Perhaps something like an OGB "clean-up day" could help improve diver-resident relations...? Pick up trash, clean the beach, plant some flowers.....?

.. and walk their dogs, clean their houses, mow their lawns...

But, seriously a 'diver sponsered' clean up day is a good idea instead of putting additional money into people's pocket that might not be really used to clean up the beaches.

 

[Danny D]

It is not the 50+ divers leaving all the trash behind. We all are very over cautious of this and do more to clean up then anyone other group of beach goers! Did the Locals ever think that maybe the fly by night beach goers might be the ones leaving the trash....now why would they leave trash...i always see a group of 20 year olds (my age group) picking up trash (hahah in our dreams)

Like said earlier in this thread, we the divers are the ones that invest the money into these communities! I'm down at Cape Anne every weekend in the summer Renting hotel rooms, goeing to their Resturants, having my girlfriend buy stuff (with my card). I pick up trash i see in the water and on the shore and I know alot of us all do that. All just to dive for about 3 hours total a day.

The Locals are the ones that benefit off our business and I am happy to give it to them. Reading this thread now has me looking at them differently. To think that even 50+ divers at OGB at one time causes the damage compared to the 500 plus sunbathers there at the same time is irrational !

Sorry if what I have wrote does not make sence. I just started thinking about this topic and it has me really erked right at this moment. Anyways Dive on everyone !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jchaplain]

I can understand the position of the OGB-area residents. QUOTE]
They have million dollar houses so they think they can push people off public property is what it boils down to. I have zero sympathy. They bought an ocean beach house and now they don't want to share the beach...tough titty!
This is the same fight that has been going on for hundreds of years over beach rights. I bought a house on a busy street...so now can I block the road?
I know you were just trying to give another perspective, but don't give in to that train of thought for one minute or we all give up our rights to the rich fatass would be beach owners if they had their way.

 

[large_diver]

50 divers on OGB at the same time is offensive to anyone, rich homeowner or not. It's a small beach. I don't think it's about sharing the beach, it's about having the beach taken over by huge groups. Most residents I meet at OGB are friendly -- I take time to talk to their them and kids about what I've seen, water temp., etc.

In a conflict like this, it helps to understand the mindset of the opposition...whether you agree with their mindset or not. Ignoring their persepctive and saying "fu$k the rich fatcats" won't get you anywhere.

 

[matt_unique]

The five selectmen are Charles H. Clark, who is the chairman, Roxanne F. Tieri, Joanne N. Wile, Nicola A. Barletta, and Jonathan T. Weaver.

The snail mail address is Selectmen's Office, 34 Broadway, Rockport, MA 01966.

The email address is selectmen@town.rockport.ma.us

We would be better poised to weigh in if we could address specific issue's. Do you know if meeting minutes may be available? I think something like this requires everyone's attention and effort.

Thanks

--Matt

 

[jchaplain]

Ignoring their persepctive and saying "fu$k the rich fatcats" won't get you anywhere.

I agree, it is better to try to get along, of course. But on the other hand I'm saying that they have no "right" more than we have to use the beach even though some of them think they do because they own a home on the beach. In the case that they are trying to push that they have more rights than divers, thats when I say no way!
They can try to get along with us too! Many do I'm sure.
Most people living on a beach are going to be the type of people who enjoy the ocean just like we do, so we should be able to get along with a little effort. Sorry if I sounded quite so inflammatory, I just think it's important to stand ground sometimes too!
John C.

 

[PeaceDog]

large_, I agree that you catch a whole lot more flies with honey. I also am one of those divers who has been constantly harassed there over the years. I have a feeling it's a few locals spoiling it for everyone. You can never park exactly the distance a lot of these folks want you to from their precious yards, and I even had one guy threaten to call the cops because I took off my wetsuit next to my car, and although I had a bathing suit on underneath, he yelled, "There's no nudity allowed in Rockport!"

The thing that I think a lot of folks don't realize is that it starts with a rediculous fee for instructors, then it's a rediculous fee for divemasters to lead shore dives there. It's never gonna be enough for these poeple - they've made it as difficult as possible for parking, and I just feel this new fee system is opening the door to a load of other unreasonable requirements and restrictions. Christ, I could probably sell heroin to the junkie fishermen and get fined less.

 

[large_diver]

Peace and all,

I agree -- no easy answers. Lots of stories out there about cars being keyed by residents, cones trying to prevent you from parking in front of their houses, etc., etc., etc. No doubt this is caused by a select few local bozos.

On the diver side -- the vast majority of us are good diving citizens....of course there are exceptions on our side as well.

Kiling them with kindness (along the lines of my clean-up idea) is my general approach, but the folks at the extreme end won't be swayed by this and will keep complaining.

Ugh.

-Chris