Newcomers to become the majority in midcoast region
Saw this on the Boston.Com site.
Huh, why doesn't this surprise me. Although I'm a newcomer and transplant, I certainly relate more with native Mainahs than this group, the over educated, over wealthy, the "quality of life" people.
These are the ones giving transplants a bad name.
They are the ones who move from the city and look down on the locals. The ones who buy homes next to a railroad track and then complain that the trains "spew out diesel fumes hurting the quality of air," while at the same time driving their own diesel volvos or whatnot.
They are the ones that buy property adjacent to conservation easements, and then take chainsaw in hand and cut down every tree that is blocking their "quality of view" from their home, violating the shoreland zoning rules, trespassing, and then say, "Oh, it was only a couple of small saplings."
They are the ones who successfully mount a campaign against Wal-Mart, because it "will impact their quality of life." Well, what about the working person's quality of life??? I have to shop at Cant-afford (Hannaford) with their high prices (it's all organic, you see) because I don't have a nearby Wal-Mart supercenter. And Reny's, who sells more Chinese imported junk than Wal-Mart (but used that in the campaign).
They are the ones responsible for buying up the oceanfront land and blocking access to traditional use, leaving Maine with only 20 miles (half of which is privately owned) of its 3,000 mile coastline for access to traditional use, as it "will interfere with their quality of life."
Okay, rant ended for today.
2 comments:
Hi,
I believe you are a bit too harsh on the newcomers. My wife and I have pumped nearly 30K into the local Portland economy with the renovation of our house which we purchased last Sept. Add this to the money spent on meals, furnishings, gas and other utilities et al and I can safely say there is a big smile on the face of the native Maine businesses. Our spending is replicated by practically all of the newcomers who have come to Maine. Finally, I have found the people of Maine that we have met do not share your point of view and have welcomed us with open arms.
Steve,
Thanks for your comment. I too am a transplant, but oone that considers myself more aligned with the native Mainer. Especially when most of the transplants besides myself that I've met have the attitude that Mainers don't know anything, they're dumb, and not too very "edjacated." I find that far from the truth, and maybe that's why I've fit in so much better. Intelligence is not necesarily measured by college degrees.
I would venture to say most of the people of Maine you have met have been transplants also, just going by the numbers. Not too many natives can afford to live in Portland anymore. Heck, for where I live, not too many can afford it either. We were fortunate to get our land before prices shot sky high.
I wish you success, and welcome to Maine. It really is a good place to live. Most of the time.
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