To the Editor:
A handful of Cape Poge landowners have deployed a strategy of hindrance in a desperate attempt to deny public access to a public beach. What started as meandering rants during town committee meetings eventually ramped up to the construction of a gate on a right of way, and has sadly devolved into a mortifying public nuisance.
As defined by common law, a public nuisance is “actionable interference with public rights.” The deliberate and belligerent efforts of these Cape Poge beach obstructionists has resulted in the temporary inability of the public to access public beaches. These beaches represent 35 percent of the total public beach frontage of our entire Island! The manipulative contrivances of these access deniers have been coordinated to confound and confuse our Island community, with a goal of deterring and delaying public access. Their efforts seek to drain the resolve of our beachgoing citizens and visitors.
This group of recalcitrant obstructionists is now seeking to appeal the recent state-mandated order to restore access to these beaches. Their justification for meddling with these state-mandated orders is as opaque as early morning fog on Chappy. This vexatious litigation is recognized for what it is: Their true objective is to establish a private sanctuary for their exclusive use, where the public will not be welcomed. Their compensation to the town in this shameful scheme? Exactly zero dollars (and zero sense).
We don’t all have to agree with the law, but the law must be honored, and it will be enforced. Bald-faced land grabs are not welcome on this Island. The public is speaking loudly on this issue, and evidence of public opinion is abundant: “Free Cape Poge” signage has proliferated, and newly elected town officials have been voted into office with a mandate to restore public access. The public beaches of Chappy have been held hostage for three years now! Three years of cherished family memories on these serene beaches have been denied. Our citizens are demanding final and permanent resolution to these unseemly stalling tactics. It is time to strike a conciliatory tone, and to accept the outcome of this exhaustively vetted process. It is time to obey the laws of this state and the will of the people. At long last, it is time to move on from this embarrassing episode of egregious entitlement. Supreme Court Justice Brandeis was correct: Sunlight is the best disinfectant.
Rich Thompson
Edgartown
