Organizations Defending Public Access?

[crisco]

Let us know if there's anything we can do to help...
letter writing campain?

Access is a huge issue for me- anywhere really. There's so many great spots I wanna fish- but can't get to!

We pay for a license now- can't we use that as a reason!

[luds]

Yeah, I'm sure there are alot of us here that are interested in this one.

[OnTheRocks]

Was the Council meeting last night? This is the first I've heard of this, not surprising on Block Island. Would be a shame to loose that access point as we have already lost additional access to the SW Point area.

[Soaker]

All, this is and email I got from Bob Moeller - Chair of RISAA Public Access Committee. Please keep him posted about any hearings or updates. His email is listed in the prior posting. Thanks

"Kevin,
Please post for me that Conneymus Road is a CRMC designated Public Right of Way, E4. The Town cannot close the public access without a CRMC hearing and ruling to do so. The Town can control public parking on any of its roads however. We have learned in the past that the Town's residents have more impact than any single organization or outside individual when it comes to things like this. It is important for every Town resident that supports public access to show up at town hearings and voice their opinion to keep the public access open with available parking area. Of course any other citizen, whether a resident or tourist can also voice an opinion. Please keep me posted on this. Thanks.

Bob Moeller"

[GoFish]

Just got an update on the Town Council meeting Wednesday night. (I was working and couldn't be there.) Not good.

By way of background:

In 1987 CRMC deeded a 15' wide public right of way to ensure public access to the water at the end of Cooneymus Road. In past years the access was sufficient for a truck to drive to the beach.

Several years ago Jimmy Lee (CEO of JPMorgan/Chase and one of the 100 wealthiest men in the US) bought and renovated the lifesaving station abutting the right of way. Before the renovations were complete there was a suspicious fire. The renovations were then completed.

The Lees have since "landscaped away" all of the parking at the end of Cooneymus. They have now planted privet in the right of way further blocking access to the water, and preventing an abutting homeowner from accessing a portion of their property from the road. These are the folks that brought the issue to the Town Council. There is still public access to the water but it's shrinking rapidly.

In April the Council heard the case and ruled unanimously that the encroachments must be removed from the right of way. The Lee's lawyered up and asked for and were granted another hearing Wednesday night. (Mr. Lee actually couldn't make it because his helicopter wasn't able to get in.) Their lawyer claimed that the privet hedge was necessary to ensure the Lee's privacy. They offered no legal justification for placing it in a right of way, but promised a continuing legal fight if they didn't get their way. They refused to move the privet back out of the right of way. To my great disappointment all but one member of the Council, #^&#^&#^&#^& Martin, voted to allow the plantings to remain.

My understanding is that Kevin Cute at CRMC is in the loop, and CRMC is the only entity with the legal standing to preserve what's left of or restore the public access. I believe they are reviewing the specifics and considering their options. Anyone who feels strongly about this should probably address their concerns to Kevin. Pursuing the Town is apparently pointless.

Sorry for the bad news, but any help getting CRMC to defend the access would be appreciated.

[DZ]

Thanks for the update Gofish. While the ROW isn't 15 feet wide anymore (I can't ever remember that much room and I've used that ROW since 1987) it is still passable. That's the important part as we still have foot access. Hopefully CRMC will take them to court. First step will be to have CRMC remove the hedges which should be in their right because the ROW is in fact legal. I'll shoot a letter to Kevin Cute and volunteer my services for the hedge removal crew. Keep us up to date.

DZ

[striperswiper75]

Originally Posted by DZ

Thanks for the update Gofish. While the ROW isn't 15 feet wide anymore (I can't ever remember that much room and I've used that ROW since 1987) it is still passable. That's the important part as we still have foot access. Hopefully CRMC will take them to court. First step will be to have CRMC remove the hedges which should be in their right because the ROW is in fact legal. I'll shoot a letter to Kevin Cute and volunteer my services for the hedge removal crew. Keep us up to date.

DZ

I would be more then happy to join you in the hedge removal project. I would say the width of the access is currently about 2 feet, it's the parking at the end of Cooneymus road that is an issue.