I’ve lived in Camden-Rockport since 1981 and have owned a home in Rockport since 1987; I’ve been deeply invested, one way or another, in the people of this area and the communities themselves, through supporting local education, businesses, and nonprofits.  I’m writing as a concerned citizen who is speaking out about decisions that seem to be patterns of governance that do not benefit the people in Rockport: these are decisions that do not protect the rights of private property owners and the public. 

A couple years ago, when someone poisoned trees on a neighbor’s property in Camden so as to improve their own water view, Camden took all necessary steps to hold the culprit liable. In fact, the story made national headline news.

Shortly thereafter, a somewhat similar occurrence took place in TWO Rockport locations, but Rockport did little to nothing to stand up for the property owners’ rights and rectify the situation. The message you sent is that one can behave in such a manner in Rockport with impunity. 

The above were both examples concerning disputes involving private property owners. Now I’m reading of the controversy regarding the public Rock Road Pathway, and frankly I’m astounded that the Town of Rockport seems ready and willing to give up all rights to what I see as this historical right-of-way. Small, yes. Seemingly insignificant to most, probably. Yet again I am seeing Rockport Town Leadership cave rather than do their job of taking the situation seriously and protecting the public land rights of its citizens and preserving them for the future. 

A few years ago, the Town of Camden was reminded that there were several right-of-ways that existed for people to access the harbor, and these points were not readily known as they were not marked on maps, nor were there any indications at the sites themselves. Since then, this has been rectified and people have been able to enjoy what essentially had been set aside and preserved for their use over 100 years ago. There are, again, parallels between what Camden has done correctly and what Rockport is facing. 

I am urging the Select Board members to support and enforce the private and public property rights of Rockport citizens and in this instance to keep and preserve the part of this pathway that the Town of Rockport has had jurisdiction over for a very long time.

Mary Orear lives in Rockport