A month break from the Salem Public Meetings did not resolve the same old issues which returned to the table. Here are a few quick mentions of the meeting. This is not an entire summation.
The Project
Lowe's and Walmart reps repeat this project will have no impact. A storm water system, they say will improve conditions and follow state requirements. However, after questioning from the Salem Planning Board, the drains along Highland Ave will potentially need to be addressed because of the current flooding issues.
The Unions
A few men from the union stood to speak for more jobs. A few members spoke rather cruelly to residents who were there out of concern for their homes. A union man said 'I don't understand why people think the union is uneducated, ignorant and here for short-term jobs.' After the meeting, I asked a union leader why he tells his men who are busy with work to come to these meetings. He said - 'yes there are men who are busy with work... I do not ask them to come.' (We know different. The leaders have been telling the workers to attend the meetings.) I asked, who is paying for all the Lowe's signs, stickers and buttons, in which different unions hold? Reply: 'got it from the printers', blushing as he could not answer. Another person remarked 'Your being used. Do not stand for this project unless they sign a contract with you. Ask them to find another site to build on. This would be the right thing to do."
The Peer Review
An engineer hired by the City of Salem to review drainage studies, spoke many times throughout the hearing on how he has no worries of the project and is confident in the design. In fact he stood to make many statements after a woman who works for the City of Salem (who wears all black) whispered in his ear most of the time on what to say. Excuse me, but is it not the engineer's job to formulate an opinion of his own?
The Board
In the start of the hearing, a board member said "Should we allow photography?" Others on the board said "This is a public hearing, so yes photographs are allowed." (What is there to hide?) I am unsure why many people's hopes of seeing the Salem Planning Board say no to this project, is slim regardless of the concerns by the neighbors. The board has good questions, but "be prepared for this project to pass" everyone is saying... even with the several outstanding issues. Hope is not lost either. There are other agencies making a decision on this project. It is worth going to these meetings, just to make mention of the concerns. A board member said "Call the governor, senator and the state, we're just the Salem Planning Board."
The Nature Advocates and Opponents to the project
Some people spoke of the vernal pools, wildlife, watershed, flooding homes, inadequate storm water pipes on Highland Ave, and bad traffic. One former union member said - 'yes, lets create jobs, but not by raping this land. There are other sites to build on.'
In the crowd was Lynn's Mayor Kennedy, Lynn Councilor Trahant (who spoke for his constituents), Lynn Councilor Daniel Cahill, Lynn Councilor Paul Crowley. I failed to see a Salem or Peabody councilor representing the voices of their concerned residents.
peace
The unions are anti community.
ReplyDeleteI have always been pro-union since childhood. The union hired my father and hence, put clothes on my back and food in my mouth; but at these Board meetings, they seem more like a gang, a mob--just there to intimidate and strong-arm their one goal with absolutely no concern for anyone else or anything else.
ReplyDeleteThe unions are disappointing a lot of people lately. No one deserves to be yelled at for trying to protect their homes, environment and the community.
ReplyDeleteNot like the union has the most intelligent people in the world. Can't argue with ill-logic.
ReplyDeleteI was at the meeting that night and couldn't believe how the union people were acting. Next time I go, I think I'll bring a body guard. Anyway, I don't think the trade union people are not intelligent. To build and construct, you have to have mathematical skills, be precise, literate with plans, etc. That being said, I think the union people at the meetings and those behind the scenes are being ignorant (and rude) IN THIS SITUATION. They seem to lack any understanding or consideration as to what is at stake as it pertains to water quality and protection to wildlife. The trade union people there seem to have the age-old view that "might makes right" and we can and should do whatever we want in our human pursuits with little or no regard as to the well-being of the other life on the earth. When one of the union guys stood up and yelled at the audience, all I could do was shake my head and picture an ignoramus shooting at a herd of buffaloes and leaving the carcasses on the plains, or killing hundreds of nesting birds in order to get feathers (for the plume trade) and then leaving the nestlings there to die of starvation or predation--pure exploitation. And that is what this project is: pure exploitation of land, natural resources and wildlife.
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