Looking Back, Looking Forward
by Allen Larson, President
Cape Cod Center for Sustainability
 Any development project that includes as a measure of its value the benefit it provides to a community is never easy to bring about. Such projects are generally large in scale. The community they benefit is made up of competing interests and objectives. And the number of entities that have a stake in the outcome, and thus a voice in the planning of that outcome, is large.
We ascribe to the notion that there is a common wealth in which we all share. We hold to the idea that we each possess fundamental rights. And we elect as leaders of our representative government those we expect will act to preserve and protect our rights as they strive to advance our individual interests.
Therefore, any proposal that relies on public funds or resources faces a difficult task to gain approval of the use of these resources in order to proceed. The debate on the Cape about the proposed offshore wind farm is one current example. So, too, is the proposal to establish a regional wastewater facility intended to protect the Cape's water supply.
A half century ago, Cape Cod residents were engaged in debate about the merits of using public funds to take private lands in order to establish the Cape Cod National Seashore. The idea seemed directly opposite to the Cape's heritage of independence and self-reliance. It undercut our Constitution's reverence for individual property rights. It threatened entrenched economic interests.
By contrast to these detriments, the benefits of the idea were abstract. There were few projects of comparable scope to look to for guidance and likely outcomes. Nevertheless, the idea stuck and the years have long since established the conclusion that broad community benefits resulted. Without the National Seashore, the majority of us who do not make our living from the sea would have little appreciation of its grandeur or any sense either of the small habitats that make up our shoreline and at times get in the way of our recreational uses today.
Now, the Cape Cod National Seashore is generally appreciated despite periodic controversies... MORE
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All In A 'Day in the Life'
Submitted by our Readers |
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Building an Innovative Community
The event is scheduled for Monday May 12th from 5:30 - 7:30 PM at Les Zygomates Wine Bar and Bistro in Boston MA. To RSVP by May 6th or to get more information please email Kyle@HCITruro.org. |
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RESCUING HUG
 The article details the first week of life of a set of twin sisters. Apparently, each girl was in her respective incubator, and one was not expected to live. A hospital nurse fought against hospital rules and placed the twins in one incubator. When they were placed together, the healthier baby threw her arm over her sister in an endearing embrace. The smaller baby's heart rate stabilized and her temperature rose to normal.
Let us not forget to embrace those whom we love.
The 2008 Buzzards Bay March for Babies is being held on May 4th and the Buzzards Bay Vitalization Association March for Babies Team is asking for your financial support. Please think about Sponsoring Us!
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Send Us Your Stuff!
 The newsletter editors are looking to share funny, warm, or touching stories from nonprofits and volunteers from their daily experiences from the office, board and committee meetings, or out in the field.
We'll make a $25 donation for any stories or photographs that we publish. MORE
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