[Year-Round Housing Committee] Comments

[Cade Brown]

I have gone over the surveys and I think they do a good job of
collecting information on the current housing on the island, and
that's what a survey is for.  I also share Amy's concerns and I think
Mark makes a good point that we need to raise awareness of housing on
the island.  For those who have it there is no concern nor exposure to
the issues, so there is no reason for favorable answers on a survey.
But I also don't think you want to push the issue in the survey
itself, that it should be (and feel) neutral and for information only.

I definitely think there should be another meeting (though I might not
be able to attend next Wednesday night) to discuss things further.
It's easier to discuss matters face to face, rather than in the linear
fashion of emails.  And, I think one thing that should be discussed is
whether YRHC should hinge on the town accepting the results of the
comprehensive plan.  It might (and that is a might, not a fact) cut
off State funding, but there are other means.  To be frank, there is a
reason I (and most of the other 200 year-round residents) put up with
the cold winters, CBL schedule, expensive gas and cost of living, lack
of social entertainment, and that's because we are passionate about
our island.  I want to raise my children in the LI School.  I want
them to grow up next to Will and Amy's twins.  I want to volunteer as
much of my time as possible to help this community thrive.  And I'll
be damned if I'm going to give up on Long Island because some can't
see that there need to be young working families on the island to keep
it sustained during the cold months.

The first 13 years of the Town of Long Island marked a period of the
island gaining its feet and its independence.  A lot of time and money
was spent forming its government and infrastructure.  The debt to
Portland is paid off, and a decent infrastructure is in place.  I
think it's time that Long Island stops spending on itself, and starts
investing on itself.  By that I mean more support for its school, its
rec department, year round housing, assisted living, finding a way to
bring more jobs to the island and young people to fill those jobs.

Where will Long Island be in 10 years? 15? 20?  I know that the
average age of the Fire Department is 40, the average age of the EMTs
is 50.  Is there a town employee under the age of 40?  I can only
think of my wife.  Those are some scary thoughts to me.

Anyway, if the outlook is bad after the surveys we shouldn't give up.
We should press forward in other ways.  Habitat for Humanity works by
volunteers helping building affordable homes, and those who receive
have to participate in building future homes.  The state-funded YRHC
is planning on starting of with one efficient home to be rented out.
With enough help and hard work the same could be accomplished free of
state-funding.  And, as with the current plan, see where it goes from
there.

That's all I have for now.  And, Alden, can you add my wife's email to
this list.  She won't be able to attend any meetings, but I'm sure she
is interested and might have some input as well. lillystar3 at aol.com