Day: September 5, 2009

Posted on Cape Ann Online By User flutterby

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

This was posted on online message board Cape Ann Online by a message board poster named flutterby.  I asked flutterby for permission to reprint it here because I thought it made a lot of sense.

I only wanted to jump in and say that, although I was in fact born at AGH, as were my dad, both his parents, and my son, and am descended from Gloucester fishermen back to before the Cut was made, I welcome mixed use changes to the harbor (except condos, which create enclaves and block access) and consider my background as a native to be my heritage and an element of my viewpoint, but not a claim to superiority in determining what we should do as a city for our future. For that, we need everyone who is here now, coming together for pragmatic planning to build solutions that serve us all.

I oppose the idea that only commercial fishing and its interests belong on the harbor. Fishing should not dominate by law what it no longer dominates in fact. I doubt very much that my schooner forebears are rolling over in their graves to hear that, either, because I know that at least one of them predicted what is happening to fishing right now, for one very good reason: the arrival of the gasoline engine. That invention alone, applied to fishing, has created much opportunity for wealth and success for a finite number of generations, including whole families of immigrants who came to Gloucester after it was invented. But, as my great-grandfather predicted, it was at the same time the death knell of the industry, because it meant that the fish would be depleted eventually and that bigger boats, bigger engines, bigger and better technology would “be the ruination of the fleet.”

My dad, at 80, tears up these days on every ride around the back shore for what has changed and what is gone. I myself wish I could have seen Gloucester Harbor crowded with masts and sails. Most of us now living never knew that harbor, but we know something came along to replace it, as unimaginable as that must have been to other generations.

But we are not a museum in need of preservation and restoration. We are a limp-along community with mounting threats to our very existence, in need of island-wide resuscitation and emergency care. Just take, for example, this latest crisis with the water. How long do you think it will take the corporate folks at Gorton’s to reassess their Gloucester location, at the loss of $7000 per day, and a system of water quality that is probably in need of a bazillion-dollar overhaul of pipes before we are assured of this not happening again?

I am not immune to the reflexes of “NO!” I am naturally suspicious of anybody who comes at our harbor with a profit motive. In fact, I’m a classist, I freely admit it, who reviles the rich for their ability to make all this theirs with a signature, or to buy an oil of my great-grandfather on his schooner but dismiss today’s working mariner with a turned back. But I’ve had to get over my reflexes and look past my gut reactions. There are responsible, pragmatic, wise ways to develop and allow growth without killing the spirit or the heritage of our harbor; to acknowledge what is past about the fishing industry without holding ourselves hostage to it.

I was moved at Tuesday’s meeting by those few speakers who dared to get up to the podium and point out the naked emperor in the room. In fact, to mix a metaphor, we’re arguing decor while the ice berg looms to starboard. I vote we work to relax the DPA and put this harbor to a wider variety of uses.

Latest Water Emergency Update

Posted on by Sharon

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Water Update, September 4th, 6:00 p.m. Last update by: tohanley on 09/04/2009 17:57:31 GMT (Read: 236)

BOIL WATER ORDER STILL IN EFFECT

OUTDOOR WATER BAN LIFTED
Read More
WATER UPDATE: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH, 12 NOON Last update by: cpantano on 09/04/2009 12:16:43 GMT (Read: 218)

BOIL WATER ORDER STILL IN EFFECT

OUTDOOR WATER BAN LIFTED:

We have a sufficient quantity of water in Bond Hill storage and the water level is continuing to rise. People are encouraged to resume their outdoor water use as this will help draw chlorine into the water system.  If at any time the situation unexpectedly changes, the outdoor water ban could be reinstated. Although we expect to stop receiving water from our neighbors, we intend to leave the temporary lines in place should we need to resume.
Read More
WATER UPDATE SEPTEMBER 3RD 6:00 PM Last update by: tohanley on 09/03/2009 17:59:14 GMT (Read: 338)

PLEASE NOTE – CHANGE OF VENUE FOR MEETING

The Mayor will be holding an information meeting regarding the water situation on Tuesday, September 8th at 5:00 pm at the ROSE BAKER SENIOR CENTER. All are invited to attend.
Read More
WATER UPDATE, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2009: 12 NOON Last update by: thqt07 on 09/03/2009 14:32:08 GMT (Read: 458)
The Mayor will be holding an information meeting regarding the water situation on Tuesday, September 8th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Rose Baker Senior Center. All are invited to attend.
Read More
WATER UPDATE: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Last update by: cpantano on 09/03/2009 12:52:20 GMT (Read: 1987)
Frequently asked questions regarding the water situation.
Read More

Kat Valentine Posts Painter Schedules For Schooner Festival Weekend

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

From Kat Valentine-

Thursday, September 03, 2009

Schooner Festival This Weekend

The annual Schooner Festival is this weekend and the artists of the North Shore Arts Association will be out painting them. Below are a selection of some of my favorite schooner paintings by area artists and the schedule for the NSAA Schooner Festival Wet Paint Event.

The schedule for painters and where they will be painting is on my blog at: http://parlezmoiblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/schooner-festival-this-weekend.html

Feel free to copy it here, Joe.

Gloucester Water Ban Update

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Posted by: tohanley on 09/04/2009 17:57:31
Updated by: tohanley on 09/04/2009 17:57:31
Expires: 01/01/2014 00:00:00
Water Update, September 4th, 6:00 p.m.
BOIL WATER ORDER STILL IN EFFECT

OUTDOOR WATER BAN LIFTED

We have a sufficient quantity of water in Bond Hill storage and the water level is continuing to rise. People are encouraged to resume their outdoor water use as this will help draw chlorine into the water system.  If at any time the situation unexpectedly changes, the outdoor water ban could be reinstated. Although we expect to stop receiving water from our neighbors, we intend to leave the temporary lines in place should we need to resume.

WATER TESTING:

We are waiting for Thursdays results. As we disconnect from receiving water from our neighbors, we may experience a slight increase in coliform hits as the water system readjusts itself.

FIRE HYDRANT FLUSHING:

Fire hydrant flushing will continue tonight starting at 9:00 pm.

DEP/EPA UPDATE:

The DEP continues to report that the system is responding positively to the actions we have taken to date.

A Microbiologist from the Office of Ecosystem Protection, EPA, toured the water sites yesterday.

CHLORINE BOOSTER PUMP STATIONS:

We currently have 7 Chlorine Booster Pump Station in operation throughout the city. Some of theses sites will change to boost areas that have low chlorine residuals.

Please note that you may have increased chlorine smell from the water in some areas of the city.

ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS AND AFTER ACTION REPORT:

Once the situation has stabilized, independent experts from outside the city with the full input and cooperation of the DEP, will gather the information and attempt to ascertain the root cause of the increased coliform in the water system.

We will also have an independent contractor, again from outside the city, perform an after action report to evaluate the response of the city as well as the independent contractors.

PUBLIC INFORMATION:

Please note, updates for this weekend will be published once a day in the early evening.

The Mayor will be holding an information meeting regarding the water situation on Tuesday, September 8th at 5:00 pm at the Rose Baker Senior Center. All are invited to attend.

Mayor Kirk’s latest interview with Rick Moore is available at  http://www.moorestuffonline.com.. The interview taped September 2nd with Cape Ann T.V. is now available on the city web site, and on Ch. 67 at 6:00, 10:00 and 2:00 am & pm.

The CODE RED system is being updated. If you know of any friends and neighbors who do not have access to the internet, please help them out and register them at the City of Gloucester web site, http://www.ci.gloucester.ma.us.  (Click on CODE RED )

LOCAL BUSINESS:

All of this weekend’s events are proceeding as planned.

In recognition of the efforts of our local merchants to remain open during this difficult event, please continue to support local businesses. All restaurants and coffee shops are open. Cape Pond Ice is producing ice in their off site facility and distributing it to local customers. Again, please support your local businesses.

The boil water order is still in effect while we attempt to resolve this matter.

For more information, please contact:

Public Information Officer

Deputy Chief Miles Schlichte

mschlichte@gloucester-ma.gov

Rick At Cape Seafoods Wears Protective Glasses To Guard From Salt In His Eyes

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

When operating the herring salting machine Rick Libro wears these protective glasses.   The salt sprays everywhere and it coats everything.

Rick At Cape Seafoods Wears Protective Glasses To Guard From Salt In His Eyes, originally uploaded by captjoe06.


Dennis Poirier Paints Schooners

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

From Paul Friontiero-

Hi Joey Here’s a picture I told you I’d send and some info;

Dennis Poirier http://www.dennispoirierstudio.com/ Caleb Stone and Tom Nicholas (pictured) were out painting the Schooners today for The Northshore Arts Assoc. “Schooner Festival Paintout” There will be a lot of Great Cape Ann Artist’s out Painting all weekend during the Festival. At the end of the weekend there will be an Exhibition and Sale of these Paintings. For more info go to; http://www.northshoreartsassoc.org/

Thanks Joey!