Letters to the editor - Jan. 14, 2011
To the editor:
I would like to publicly thank Judith Roy, chairman of the Scarborough Town Council, for the way she handled the Jan. 5 public hearing on parking at Higgins Beach.
The measures she took to restrain the continued unsubstantiated villification of the Surfrider Foundation as well as the sweeping accusations against Maine’s reputable surf community were noticed and very much appreciated.
It showed the concerted effort the council as a whole is making to sift through the prejudice of a small group of people to uncover the valid elements of this seasonally based parking issue.
Janice Parente
Surfrider Foundation
Reader wants to preserve parking at Higgins
To the editor:
I moved to Maine from northern California four years ago. When I found Higgins Beach, I found home. It is probably my favorite place in Maine – it’s dear to my heart.
I am against the proposal to ban on-street parking at Higgins Beach during the off-season. I use Higgins Beach year-round for surfing, walking and meditating and I enjoy the ability to park next to the water during the off-season. I am also an American Sign Language interpreter and work in Maine. As a Maine taxpayer, I help pay for the maintenance of public beaches such as Higgins Beach and public roads that access it.
Please make the parking rules consistent with all other Maine beaches and allow for parking during the off-season. Concerns over safety have arisen. But data shows there is no safety issue in regards to parking. Those who use the beach are ultra-cautious of other cars and pedestrians. Emergency vehicles have access. Having police enforce off-season parking rules is a waste of resources. People just want to enjoy the beach.
The vast majority of the public disagrees with it. It is my sincere hope the Town Council will vote to preserve historic public access to Higgins Beach, revise the current parking ordinance to be consistent with other Scarborough beach communities and protect the rights of all Maine residents who use Higgins Beach during the off-season and pay for its upkeep. Higgins Beach is good for the soul of Maine. Please don’t take that away.
Sarah Hill
South Portland
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