How could we go from being so encouraged by our Town Council to being disappointed – overnight? This week our terrific town of Easton was set to test a promising concept of creating a “people’s promenade “ on one short block on Washington Street. It would help save our restaurants on that block. It would get more diners and visitors outside where it is safer from the virus. It might enhance the entertainment draw of our downtown for residents and visitors. Maybe add even more value. How could we know without trying it?
So how did most of our Council let one deep-pockets bully intimidate them at the last minute? His threatening and self-serving stance doesn’t even belong in the word “community “. And he opened the floodgates for the skeptics, cynics, and luddites to pile on. Many of whom were formally on board.
We are better than this or at least we were. If we allow the testing of one small, promising idea to scare us, we are doomed to stagnation like other decaying towns in America where “time stands still”.
Johnny O’Brien
Easton
Margot Miller says
I agree with Mr O’Brien about the council caving to a bully who invests in our town to cater to his family and friends, not because he loves Easton, in my opinion. On the other hand I think the Washington Street idea does disadvantage restaurants and other businesses in the adjacent street. I think a pedestrian zone could work for Washington, Goldsborough, Dover from Harrison to West , and Federal streets with ample parking near by. I think the Safeway lot could be developed as underground public parking with stores on the ground floor and condos for three floors above, with balconies for each apartment. I would move in there in a heart beat if I had my own outdoor space .
Alan Boisvert says
I totally agree with Mr. O’Brien. More then just Washington street should be closed permanently
to traffic. Countless times I have sat downtown in peace just to be alarmed by a noisy/smelly truck
with no exhaust or a loud motorcycle vying for attention. It’ really ruins the moment and charm of
downtown. Easton has so much potential but obviously needs new and visionary leadership if it’s
to be viable in the years ahead.