The South Portlander: Multimedia

Beecher said “you know” six times in 3 minutes. Yes, Maxine, we know. We know that you have lost your paitence with serving the public. We know you are tired of having to “care” or “listen.” We know you don’t really have it in you to run again next year and serve three more years. So, “you know”, we were thinking, “you know” that maybe we would not “you know” vote for you and “you know” give someone better a chance to serve the “you know” best interests of all South Portland residents instead of “you know” a small, vocal, special-interest group. Just wanted YOU to know.

All dog walkers will be required to wear assigned vests on themselves and their dogs with a license number in large white paint affixed on the back and front whenever they enter the beach.  DDTV will be installed on the beach, thats Dog Doo Television, so that all numbers can be easily seen at all times. The dog police will monitor the activity, large speakers will be installed, so that at any time, a missed pooh can be called out.  “Number 15 please clean up or risk summons.” We could also broadcast the day’s activity on channel 2, so that those with a dog fecal obsession can keep tabs as well.

Hey if CCTV is good enough for the streets of England then DDTV should be fine for Willard Beach.

You know, the idea about the videos is an excellent one, but it’s already happening! Little did all of us know as we walk our dogs on Willard Beach we are constantly being videotaped, photographed and the number of people, dogs and poops are being measured. We have three Big Brothers Big Dan, Big Steve and Big John. I have seen all of them taking beautiful pictures of me, my pooch and my pooches poo. I have seen them bring their photos to City Council Meetings and present them to the concerned public.

We know what the deal is, Maxine Beecher says she is “open to amendments to this ordinance”, but really? How is it you amend something that is all or nothing? Besides the whole thing should be thrown out “just to irritate” her as she was considering methods to “irritate” other people. How bizarre! Does anyone want to start a betting pool to see if she gets anyone to commit political suicide by seconding her motion to present this stupid ordinance? I don’t think many of us would necessarily win from the pool because we would all bet the same way. We will see Monday at Council Meeting.

Why not let the voters decide?  Dogs on the beach, yes or no.  That way the city’s residents have the final say, not various dog beach folks from surrounding cities and towns!

Shame on Councilor Beecher for trying to get her ordinance passed before the election! Clearly she is pushing the agenda of a small, vocal group and trying to beat the clock fearing the incoming councilors are less impressionable than the current councilors. This is a stunt that will surely resonate next year when she tries to run for re-election. I guarantee December of next year, she will lose her seat and be back to hairdressing.

The Council is completely missing the point if it responds to JUST the issue of Willard Beach--it demonstrates reactive behavior, rather than proactive. The issue is bigger than the beach--it is about public access to ALL our parks and walkways. Former Councilor De Angelis has said this over and over and over--is no one listening? To respond to JUST the beach is to negate the needs of other residents in other parts of the city. C’mon Councilors--think big!

I am upset to find a councilor who was not at the task force meeting perpetuating a myth.  According to the “official” minutes, this is what is written: Wondering how “unsanitary” the dog droppings are and whether it would be acceptable to play in such environments, the Doctor answered, “Actually, yes � exposure would help develop immunity.” He was not
advocating it, but that it is a personal choice.
Dr. Howell in no way says that children should play in feces, he was asked about the environment, not asked if children should handle and play in feces.  Even the savewillardbeach website points to the CDC and others stating that the risks are rare and unlikely.  Everyone agrees that the feces should be picked up.  It is best for everyone.
The fact that the house prices and taxes were posted in the report further show that there is a small interest group who believes they pay more, therefore they should be able to have a bigger say, take this line from the savewillardbeach website :The group felt very strongly that this would kind of reset the beach from being called and used as a dog beach and in the future we may be able to reintroduce dogs onto the beach in the off season in hopes it would remain locals using it.
COME ON!  This clearly shows they are not concerned with health and safety as much as they are claiming… if it was truly a concern, why allow dogs back?  only the local dogs are disease free and do not pose a risk to local children?  but dogs outside a certain radius do?  where is that link to proof?  the fact that they are not trying to save children in the CITY is further proof.  If this is such a health risk and concern then why not look at the city as a whole?  Because they are only concerned with what they want.  Ask the folks off Broadway who’s homes were built before 295 was put in how they feel… perhaps the highway should be removed so they can open windows and be outside without risking mental health and hearing loss.
Dogs or no dogs, what is next?????  Reset the beach to only people who live within 4 city blocks and are year round residents?? charge “outsiders” to use the beach… slowly allow others to use it but try to keep it sopo taxpayers????