The other day I had the misfortune of having to use the restroom at Laite Beach.  I was revolted and nauseated over the condition of the place.  The door didn’t even latch, but someone thoughtfully left a folding chair there so you could prop it closed.  At least it did flush and there was paper.  Refugee camps in third-world countries have better bathrooms. It made the restrooms at the Public Landing look first-rate by comparison, although when I went in there on Monday there was no toilet paper and no paper towels.  Someone mentioned a self-cleaning bathroom. And just what is a self-cleaning bathroom, and how do I get one?

I am outraged by the fact that our one downtown public restroom is in a paid parking area.  That’s just shameful.  So, people have to pay for parking to use the bathroom?  And we have only one Chamber of Commerce, and it’s in a paid parking area?  The whole idea of paid parking on the Landing gives the town an unwelcoming look to tourists, especially if you have to pay to park to use the toilet. Camden can do better.

As for Montgomery Dam, residents are suspicious and angry because it seems like the powers that be are sneaky and devious.  It seems like back-channel deals are being cut and money spent on unsanctioned actions.  We feel like this is abuse of power.  We don’t trust you to be fair, open, and honest!  We feel like your intent to destroy the Dam was there at the outset and you weren’t even considering options to save it.  

You (Susan [Dorr, Select Board Chair] and Alison [McKellar, Select Board member]) speak of legacy?  What about the legacy that was left us in the form of our beloved Montgomery Dam?  Let’s protect and preserve it and get some realistic estimates about what it would cost simply to repair it and not totally rebuild it from the ground up.  It sure looks like the estimates are being padded to line someone’s pockets. 

And what about the stench that would be created by a fish ladder, with seagull poop and dead fish everywhere?  Other fish ladders in the state are not in downtown areas, and the Montgomery Dam is not a good location for one.  You think it’s expensive to repair the dam?  What will it cost us in the future to repair and maintain several fish ladders?  Less, really??  Camden residents are smart enough to know when they’re being scammed.  This whole project is a total dumpster fire.  Simply repairing the dam and not adding a fish ladder is actually the least expensive option—and one we should be allowed to vote for.  Give us that simple option on the ballot.

A person of authority at the Public Landing, who shall remain unidentified, said, “These people are all a bunch of idiots!”

Wendey Andresen lives in Camden