To The Editor

May 2008

To the Editor:
 
I am a Board Member of Naples Main Street and have been working with all of the Committee members, citizens and Board Members for over 3 years in conjunction with the MDOT to design and construct a moveable bridge between Brandy Pond and Long Lake. After all of this hard work and giving up time, I am completely amazed that so many people have no idea the impact a fixed bridge will have on the tiny and small space we call our Causeway. 
 
In January, the MDOT, unbeknownst to our committee decided that they had underestimated the cost of an opening bridge by approximately 7 Million Dollars. Yikes! Those of who do or have worked in Corporate America understand that if we build a budget and essentially increase the cost from 11 Million to 18 Million dollars before a project is even started, we would be looking for our pink slip by Friday.  The members of the MDOT were very accommodating throughout this process.  They created a video of the bridge opening, The River Queen passing through and everything was copacetic.  We even went so far as to pick out railings and street lights along the length of the Causeway, from Brandy View Cottages to Sandy’s Flight Deck.  Life was wonderful.  It looked like we were really going to get a face lift and our seriously defunct bridge would be replaced.
 
What happened?  I know I could have had a V-8, but I am quite sure that would not have helped.  The Minnesota Bridge collapse did not help us, but that does not even come close to explaining how professionals can so grossly underestimate the cost of this project.  The Town of Naples was already allotted 11 Million dollars for the Bridge. MDOT is now saying that for a mere 8 Million we can put a lovely fixed bridge in with a 14 foot clearance.  I know that most of us are not engineers, but do any of you realize where the rise will have to start on each side of the bridge in order to accommodate the clearance?  
 
I have done some research on this and although not scientific, it appears that the start of the rise will have to begin well before Brandy View Cabins and extend beyond the current River Queen dock.  What that means is Bay of Naples Condominiums will essentially lose one of their access roads, Bay View Cabins will lose their business (who wants to spend money to stay for a week on a wonderful Maine Lake and be under an underpass?), Dan Allen will lose existing access to his Marina, I have no idea how Dick Dyke will even get to his house, Nancy Hanson may loose the total ambiance of the lighthouse and the River Queen can just say good-bye.  Evergreen Credit Union is tight, may be able to drive in but not out, ERA, hard to say. Does Chris Clement really want to operate his business looking at a bridge rather than our beautiful lake view that the MDOT is willing and able to take from us?
 
As members of this community, is this what you really want to see in order to save a few minutes on the even hours in the summer?  I have been coming here since the 50’s when my Dad flew the seaplanes and it was just a way of life that you timed your movement around.  As far as I am concerned, that is a little inconvenience compared to losing a huge part of our history.  I know there are many opponents of an opening bridge, but I am hoping with everything in my soul that they have not considered the ramifications.  Regardless of how you feel today, a fixed bridge will change our community forever.  There is no turning back once this is decided.  What a shame to close the door on a history that has been ours!
 
I would also like to say something to our non-resident taxpayers.  A closed bridge will have an impact on your property values whether or not you are a waterfront owner and you get no vote.  If you have an opinion about the Bridge, you must contact our Select Board by logging on to the Naples Maine website and going to the Select Board site.
 
The Select Board is asking us to vote on this issue on May 20th.  Without drawings, plans, knowing who will lose their properties or businesses to eminent domain from MDOT, I do not believe that are we fairly prepared as a community or town to even understand the ramifications of this decision.  We are being forced in to this without the proper information.  That is like voting blind, deaf and silly.
 
If you care or have an opinion, please do not be shy now.  This decision will impact our children, grandchildren and on and on and on.
 
Kathy Sweet