To the editor:
I truly believe the majority of this community does not support the DPA (Designated Port Area). However, due to pressure from a few, our city leaders historically sweep waterfront contentions to one side.
Phil Cusumano recognized a waterfront pain-point, did his homework and offered a pragmatic solution. He recognized the lack of transient slips necessary to facilitate local and non-local boaters to share what those on-shore enjoy. Subsequently, he thought outside the box and courageously spoke up.
As history has demonstrated, he was about to walk the plank. However, the vast majority rose to his side.
Without displacing one commercial vessel, he provided a solution to an issue pushed aside for decades. For example, at three community assemblies, the majority of inspired commercial waterfront landowners and fishermen surprisingly stepped to the mic, and publicly supported Mr. Cusumano.
We need to stop listening to the few who ask the waterfront committees to preserve the past while we wait for Mercury to turn retrograde? Making pragmatic changes to Gloucester's DPA will take leadership and participation, launched by someone thinking outside the box.
This administration is not the problem. Without throwing anyone under the bus, the mayor took a horrible 40-year scourge — the I-4, C-2 property — and turned it around. Moreover, she recently fought to add two redevelopment seats to the Waterways Board.
That said, the City Council is fearful to take the rein. They will discuss and reflect while waiting for Mercury to do its thing. It will take grassroots leadership from men and women with spirit, knowledge and deep-rooted logic. Iconic waterfront figures doing their homework, stepping to the mic, and proposing practical solutions the majority is awaiting to accept.
Protecting this harbor consists not in combating change, but in striving to work together to build a strong infrastructure.
BOB ALVES
Gloucester
