To the editor:
Thanks to Mayor Carolyn Kirk for hosting the Designated Port Area panel discussion at the Endicott College satellite campus in Gloucester.
The presentations by Mayor Kirk, Salem Mayor Driscoll, former New Bedford Mayor Lang, Chelsea City Manager Jay Ash, and Fall River Economic Development Vice President Ken Fiola were as informative as any layman could hope to hear.
It was difficult to keep notes and listen to the speakers, but efforts those leaders have made in dealing with the "one size fits all" constraints of the Designated Port Area regulations were truly inspirational.
I particularly liked Mayor Lang's approach and the recollections of Mr. Ash of his youth in what he referred to as "Chel-land," living in the city of Chelsea and never knowing it had a waterfront. I have never regarded "Chelland" as a tourist destination, but will definitely make a visit in the fall to see the gazebos being created from old oil storage tanks. Innovative use of old structures is a special interest of mine.
My own neighborhood harbor, not in a DPA by a long shot, has some development issues of its own.
Its informal name could either be Rackport or Rockpark; in 75 years, maybe Sherwood Forest.
ZenaS Seppala
Rockport
