May 14, 2007
The Law of Attraction Strikes Again
Goodness, we spent all of our bloggish time yesterday writing a letter to the editor. Unfortunately it was not on the subject of Republican corruption. There are so many scandals from which to choose these days that one needs an illustrated map. No, it was about a smaller issue, but an important one to arbiters of good taste. The following letter has been edited for snide.
I was heartbroken this weekend when I discovered five newly poured footings along the bluffs on the avenue. I fear that more granite monument benches will appear above them shortly. In 2002 the family of Peter Gay, who died on 9/11, erected the first one. That is understandable. However, they seem to have proliferated.I know that the families who have presented these gifts to the citizens of town are doing so out of the goodness of their hearts, as well as to honor loved ones they have lost who undoubtedly enjoyed the magnificent view of the Bay from the bluffs -- as do all of us. Since there are so many who love this vista, I worry that we will have granite benches three deep before the gifting stops
Granite is cold and it is hard. Often rain or dew accumulates on the surface, soaking the sitter in a most unpleasant way. Polished stone with carved inscriptions is more suitable to a cemetery than a beach. None of the designs are in keeping with the historic Victorian architecture of the village which residents have worked so hard to restore.
I plead with those who would give a bench to make it slatted and wooden (teak is low maintenance and sturdy), and to find an appropriate Victorian design . A small brass plaque in honor of their loved one could be attached to the back.
The bluffs were deeded to the town so that they would be forever preserved. This new trend seems to be in direct contradiction to that end. I hope it's not too late.
Sincerely
True, there are those of us who are heartbroken, but there are also those of us who are livid and would like to hire a jackhammer and a crane on the spot, which is what it will take to remove these permanent displays. We predicted that this would happen and have been complaining for years to all the wrong people. Ah, Esther Hicks is probably right about the law of attraction. We might have to lash ourselves to the footings to obstruct construction.
Photo note: A couple of slabs, enhanced by orange traffic cones, and one of the least offensive benches.
