ROCKPORT — Even long-distance inquiries receive a response from selectmen within two weeks. Just ask Rich McClear, a native of Sitka, Alaska.
McClear, an employee of the U.S. Agency for International Development, was on assignment training budding journalists in Prishtina, Kosovo, last week when he decided to send an e-mail to Rockport's Board of Selectmen regarding the filming of Disney/Touchstone Pictures' "The Proposal."
In the tongue-in-cheek e-mail, McClear expressed curiosity as to how Rockporters felt about Hollywood transforming their town into an Alaskan seaside city — complete with totem poles.
"Apparently your town is masquerading as my town," McClear wrote to the selectmen. "I feel like the victim of identity theft. I am curious if you feel likewise violated, having your town's identity changed into my town's identity. Just curious about reactions in Rockport, Ma."
That was Wednesday.
Yesterday, Town Administrator Michael Racicot responded via e-mail, thanking McClear for his message and sending along Rockport's best wishes.
"I am sure you understand that it was not decided by the Board to stand in for Sitka, Alaska," Racicot wrote. "This is Hollywood magic at work, and the producers made the decision. From all accounts, Sitka is a lovely community and I hope someday to visit your town."
Producer Todd Lieberman said the tax incentives offered by the state made Rockport attractive, and eventually creative reasons help solidify the town as the best place to set up shop.
McClear could not be reached by press time yesterday, but Racicot said the exchanges that have blossomed between the communities as a result of the filming have been positive.
"I thought (the e-mail) was fun; I appreciate his civic pride in his town," Racicot said yesterday. "But I wanted him to know we're proud of Rockport and would've rather been identified (in the movie) as Rockport, rather than as Sitka."
Selectman Armand Aparo had not yet seen McClear's e-mail yesterday, but said the town was happy to host the film crew earlier this month.
"There's been an overwhelming positive response from the movie," Aparo said. "Folks were happy to see Sandra Bullock and the other actors at work, and especially what goes on behind the scenes.
"It couldn't have been better timing," he said. "There is not a lot of summer congestion. Clearly, it was a boon to downtown businesses; it's financially good for the town."
Aparo said the town would welcome anyone wishing to make the cross-continent trip from Sitka, Alaska. Aparo said similar situations have happened before — like when the mayor of Rockport, Texas, visited Cape Ann to see his community's Massachusetts counterpart.
Rockport and Sitka do have some notable similarities. Both municipalities are located on an island, their economies depend heavily on the tourism and fishing industries, both have plans in the works for $17 million entertainment venues — and both even boast an area known as Halibut Point.
McClear is not the only one interested in Rockport's reaction to the filming. Dozens of residents are speaking out about the movie on Sitka's local online forum, Sitka's Voice. Even Sitka public radio station, KCAW, contacted the Times, as well as Rockport Chamber of Commerce Manager Peter Webber yesterday, expressing interest in learning about Rockport and the its residents' reactions to watching Rockport masquerade as Sitka for a few days.
The movie, starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, is expected to hit theaters late next year and tells the story of a high-powered publishing executive (Bullock) trying to avoid deportation to her native Canada after her visa expires by persuading her assistant (Reynolds) to marry her.
The film company agreed to pay Rockport $7,000 in exchange for seven days of filming along Bearskin Neck and in other various downtown locations.
Jonathan L'Ecuyer can be reached at jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com.
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
